few-elect-some-small number," &c., which diverted some, and exasperated others.

7th. I spoke in Stafford and Dumfries courthouses.

8th. I gave my last here; and spoke in a church on the way to Alexandria, where I spoke at night, and next morning.

9th. I spoke in Georgetown.

10th. I went to Montgomery, but finding my appointment not given out, I pushed on to Baltimore, making about sixty miles, and heard a sermon by night. Here brother Daniel Ostrander brought me heavy tidings, the death of my mother, the first that ever died out of my father's family. It gave me a tender sensation, but I could neither weep nor mourn, whilst these words were in my mind, "Oh! is my mother gone! is she gone,

never to return!"

The last time I saw her she requested that I should come and see them once a year whilst she should live, which was my then intention. But God so wonderfully opened my way in the southern climes, that I could not find my way clear, although I had felt unusual exercise when I parted from her last, which I remarked to my friends; and also about the time of her decease, though it was near five months after she died before I heard of it.

11th. I received a letter from my father, giving me the particulars of my mother's dissolution and triumphant end; which was a little more than twelve months from the time I parted with her last. He also in formed me of the death of my brother Fish, which took place a few weeks before hers. When I saw him last, he was backslidden from God. appears he was reclaimed in his last illness, and made a happy exit.

It

Jesse Lee advised me to preach in the market, and published it from the pulpit, and also prepared an advertisement for the public paper, for me to preach there a second time. There was a large concourse of people at the last meeting, and near one hundred preachers present, it being now general conference time. I had come here to see if they intended to hedge up my way. Brother Ostrander informed me, that the New York conference had conversed me over, and some were minded to block up my way, whilst others objected, saying, "He does us no harm, but we get the fruit of his labor," whilst the former urged my example was bad; for perhaps fifty Dows might spring out of the same nest. So they agreed to discourage giving out my appointments. It appears that some came to this conference with an intention to have a move to block up my way at one stroke; but on seeing the southern preachers, and hearing of my conduct and success, their prejudice deserted them, and their opinions and views of things concerning me altered, (as several of them told me,) and became friendly, though before cool and distant.

Stith Mead, who was on his way from Georgia to general conference, when we met at the camp-meeting, got detained on account of the revival which then broke out, and spread as a fire on a mountain, in all directions. He wrote to Baltimore conference, and also to me, that he conceived his presence would not be necessary there on my account.

Nicholas Snethen I here heard preach in the life and power of the Holy Ghost. Oh! what an alteration in the man for the better! He once was a pleasant speaker to the ear, but little energy to the heart, until God knocked him down twice at a camp-meeting, and gave him such a

baptism as he never felt before. However, spiritual blessings may be abused through unfaithfulness to the Divine Spirit; and what need there is of our practising the apostle's caution, "If any man think he standeth, let him take heed lest he fall!"

The preachers as a body seemed unprejudiced, yet a few individuals are excepted; among whom R- and W—————, of ancient date, which I desired might be done away, and requested an interview for that purpose; but though one of them invited me to breakfast, yet they both went out before the time appointed, without acquainting the family, which caused me to feel awkward and abashed when I came.

I had felt a desire to visit Boston for some time, but never saw my way opening until now. George Pickering, who was presiding elder in Boston district, invited me to his jurisdiction, which I esteemed as a providence, expressed my gratitude, quitted Baltimore and returned to Richmond, where I put some manuscripts to press and visited some neighboring places.

I saw a man executed for the horrid crime of murder, having spoken to him through the grate the preceding day. Some trifled when this aw. ful catastrophe was exhibited.

Papa Hobson met me here, but my appointments would not admit of my returning with him in the gig; and I had sold my horse to pay for printing, and how to get on I did not know, being unwell a day or two after; however, a gentleman who had been excited by curiosity to come near twenty miles to hear me at Cartersville, was there brought under concern; and with his servant was now on his return from Petersburgh, where he had been to purchase a coach to accommodate his family to meetings. He hearing of this appointment, delayed on his journey twenty-four hours, and then in his coach carried me home to Cumberland.

26th. I have a bad cough, which some think denotes my approaching dissolution. I feel unwell out of employ these few days past, though I have had but very few rest-days for seventeen months; but have generally preached from two to five times a day, riding from thirty to fifty miles.

Sunday, 27th. I spoke at Charity Chapel preparatory for camp-meeting. We had a shout; two found peace; and some ungenerous persons struck the negroes, who were rejoicing in God, to the shedding of blood.

Friday, June 1st. Camp-meeting commenced near Poplar Spring church, in Gloucester county. Brother Mead, who had ordered me to appoint it, did not come according to expectation. No preachers were on the ground, and hundreds of people were assembled. This, indeed, was a trial of my faith among the strange people. However, in the name of the Lord, I went up the stage and began the meeting, and besought God for a token for good; and soon a poor woman, who had come thirty miles on foot, under distress, was delivered, and clapping her hands, shouted for joy. Upon this, three or four preachers appeared. These things began to revive my heart; but a shower of rain expelled us from the woods into the church, where six or eight souls found peace. The next day was a good time also.

Sunday, 3d. Some thousands assembled, and whilst I was speaking from a stage, a storm seemed coming up, which put the people in motion, but I requested the people to be still and raise their hearts to God, if per

haps he would send off the clouds, and soon the threatening grew favor able and the clouds went round.

Monday, 4th. Our meeting broke up; about thirty found peace; a number of backsliders were reclaimed; scores were awakened, and good was done in the name of the Lord.

5th. I replied to an A-double-L-part discourse, delivered against me in my absence by Bob S., who had heard me preach, which I think was unmanly.

Thursday, 7th. I met brother Mead at papa Hobson's, who informed me that the work in Bedford county has greatly spread. Six hundred found peace, and five hundred and twenty he had taken into society, and the flame was still going on.

Friday, 8th. Camp-meeting came on at Charity Chapel, Powhatan county. The Lord was precious, but the wicked strove to trouble ús.

Sunday, 10th. About five or six thousand were on the ground. The work went on, and the opposition increased. Twenty-five combined together to give me a flogging. They ransacked the camp to find me whilst I was taking some repose. This was the first discovery of their project. As I went out of the tent one was seen to cock a pistol towards me, whilst a voice was heard, "There he is! there he is!" My friends forced me into the tent. Next day I had one of the young men arrested, and two others fled before they could be taken. The young man acknowledged his error, and promised never to do the like again. So we let him go.

The law was read from the stage, and after that we had peace.

Satan was angry, and brought to hush with only growling what should be done by waylaying me on the road. I defied them to do their worst. The work went on, and continued all night and next morning. When we were parting, we had good reason to believe that one hundred souls were brought to liberty. Some were minded I should go off in a covered coach, which I refused, but with brother Dunnington went off in a gig, believing that they had no power to hurt me. What enraged them so, was my showing their improper behavior in their striking the blacks, &c. 13th. Last night I spoke at friend Baker's, in whose family God hath begun a gracious work.

I purchased a grave-suit for the dead, and sent it to Betsey M, and took my departure to Petersburgh.

The stage-coach not going, I was detained twenty-four hours behind my intention.

Friday, 15th. I arrived on the camp-ground, about an hour by sun in the evening. Three found peace; some attempted interruption; but the magistrates were on our side. I continued on the ground until Monday the 18th, in which time about sixty professed to have found peace, and about one hundred awakened. Brother Cox wrote me that about thirty found peace after that I left the ground. Some blamed me for appointing this meeting however, the devil's kingdom suffered loss in the Isle of Wight, and I will rejoice.

I gave one hundred dollars worth of books towards building a chapel ; and spent a few days in Norfolk and Portsmouth; and several souls were set at liberty while I stayed.

CHAPTER III.

RETURN TO NEW ENGLAND.

SUNDAY, 24th. I embarked for New-York.

We had some contrary

winds, horrible squalls, and calms; however, in eight days, I spoke with some friends in New-York, having quitted the vessel, and by the way of Elizabethtown came to the city.

N. Snethen is stationed here, and seems not so lively (by the account of friends) as he was some time ago. He is lately married.-Cyrus Stebbens objected to my preaching where he was stationed, though the trustees were mostly friendly. He withdrew from the connection soon after, which showed what spirit he was of.

I put my trunk on board a vessel for Middletown, and a friend took me in a chaise, near forty miles, whence I continued on foot until I came near Connecticut line. When about sixty yards off, whilst raising my heart to God to open me a way for provision, as I had but a few cents in my pocket, I met Aaron Hunt, a preacher, who told me where to call and get some refreshment. I did so, and held two meetings in the neighborhood; then came to Danbury, and pawning my watch, took stage for Hartford.

July 10th. Walking twenty miles I came to my father's house, which appeared empty. Things seemed pleasant round about; but my mother is no more. I cannot mourn-my loss is her gain. I trust to meet her in the skies, where sorrow and parting are no more. The rest of my friends were well in body, but low in religion.

I went to Middletown for my trunk, and found the plans for the contemplated meeting-house like to fall through, although six hundred dollars were subscribed. I offered them eight hundred dollars worth of books to aid therein, provided they would give me assistance in putting my journal to press. Here brother Burrows met me, and we went to Hebron, where we saw brother Wood. We agreed on a camp-meeting, to commence the last day of May following; which when known, was ridiculed as enthusiasm, to think that I could get people to go into the woods, and encamp night and day in this populous part, where elegant meeting-houses were so numerous. I was now called to another difficulty-a young horse being dead, and some money miscarried which I had sent for his keeping, and a coat: my appointment had gone on to Boston, and how to do, I saw not my way clear; but here that same Providence, whose kindness I had experienced on many interesting occasions, was manifest. A letter from a motherly woman, who had never seen me but once, came to hand, in which was enclosed a bank note. This enabled me to pay what I owed and take stage from Springfield to Waltham. A paper-maker agreed, if I would pay one hundred dollars down and give him bonds for the remainder, he would accommodate me; but how to accomplish this I did not know, until I fell asleep at brother Pickering's father-in-law's in Waltham, when I dreamed how and where I could get the money, which I observed to P―, who replied, "A dream is a dream." I said, "True; but I intend to see the result."-I wrote to my Middletown friends and succeeded ac

cordingly. I spoke several times in Boston, and once on the common, where two caused interruption; but shortly after God called them to eternity.

Some dated their awakenings and conversions from this visit.-Thence I took stage and returned to Springfield, where I arrived about twelve at night, and lay under a haystack until day; when I called on the paperman, with a friend I met from Middletown, and completed our bargain. 1 then went with the friend to Hartford, and completed our agreement with the printers and bookbinder.

I had now a tour of about six thousand miles laid off before me, to be accomplished against my return in May, and not a cent of money in my pocket; however, in the name of God, I set off on foot from my father's house, though no one knew my situation; doubting not, but that the providential hand which I had experienced heretofore, would go with me still. I walked to Hartford river, telling the ferryman my case. He carried me over, saying, "Pay when you can," (it being one cent.) I sold some books, and continued my walk to Litchfield, falling in with a wagon of Quakers, who suffered me to ride some on the way.

Thence I took stage to Danbury and redeemed my watch: held a few meetings, and came to New-York. A friend who had employed me to get him some printing done, not making remittance, I had like to have been involved in difficulty; but Providence delivered me from this difficulty also. Brother Thatcher had consented for my holding a campmeeting in his district; but reconsidering the matter, recoiled with prohibition. Yet to prevent my disappointment from being too great, he suffered four appointments to-be made for me by a local preacher, not choosing to give them out himself, considering the agreement at last conference. These appointments were given out wrong end foremost, considering the line of my journey, which caused me much more travelling. However, with a heavy heart, I fulfilled the appointments, in each of which I could but remark, with tears, that some persons had accused me with being of a party spirit, and striving to get a separation, which thing was false, and I did not expect to trouble them any more in that part, until there was an alteration and God should further open my way.

As I was going to take the stage, a man brought up a horse, saddle, and bridle for me, with orders to pay when convenient. I considered this act as Christian kindness; but Satan strove to raise a dust, as I did not make remittance very speedily, having no safe opportunity for some months. I passed through my old circuit, the Dutchess, and saw some who retained prejudice; but I continued my journey, putting up at the inns, being unwilling to screw any thing through the devil's teeth.

When I arrived in Albany, the preaching-house doors, which had been shut in Stebbens' time, were now open. As the stationed preacher was out of town, and one or two others, who were expected, not coming, the people were like to be disappointed; which to prevent, gave rise to the opening, which I embraced as providential, and held a number of meetings. Here I have always found some kind friends, particularly brother Taylor. I took my departure to Weston, where I saw Smith Miller, his wife Hannah, and PEGGY, after an absence of nearly two years.

August 31st. Camp-meeting began, and the people were entirely stran gers to the quality and magnitude of this kind of meeting. Several Me