were almost impassable by reason of snow, steepness, mud and logs; the people here thought my life would be endangered by the falling of trees, or the extreme cold in the woods, as there was no house for several miles, and the wind blew exceeding hard: however, out I set, relying upon the strong for strength. The snow being driven in banks more than belly deep, I frequently was obliged to alight and stamp a path for my horse: and though I was much wearied and chilled, yet by the goodness of God, I arrived at my appoinment, fourteen miles. We had a good time, and I did not begrudge my labor. I believe these trials will be for my good, to qualify me for future usefulness to others: and a secret conviction I feel, that if I prove faithful, God will carry me through, and support me to see the cause that should ensue. 133. After my arrival at my sister's I had thoughts of spending my time principally in study; but feeling it my duty to call sinners to repentance, I could not enjoy my mind contented without travelling in the neighboring towns, there being no Methodists in this part of the world. 134. I went to Enfield several times during my stay, (being first invited by a universalian) by which there seemed to be some good done. Here I received an invitation to fix my residence among them, as their stated preacher. This was somewhat pleasing to nature, as by which I could have ease and acquire wealth; an elegant new meeting house being also ready; but something would not suffer me to comply. I still feeling it my duty to travel, I went into Canaan, Lyme, Dorchester, Orford, Hebron, New-Lebanon, Strafford, Tunbridge, Chelsea, Hartford, with many other adjacent towns; and the feather edge of prejudice removed, and some few were awakened and hopefully converted to God. 135. 1797, June 4th. Vershire in Vermont, I met with N. Snethen, who informed me that he had seen J. Lee, and that I must come down to the quarterly meeting; and, said he, "J. Lee disapproves of your travelling into so many new places, and what will you do provided that he forbids your preaching?" I told him it did not belong to J. L. or any other man to say whether I should preach or not, for that was to be determined between God and my own soul; only it belonged to the Methodists to say whether I should preach in their connexion; but as long as I feel so impressed, I shall travel and preach, God being my helper; and as soon as I feel my mind released, I intend to stop, let people say what they will. But, said he, "What will you call yourself? the Methodists will not own you; and if you take that name, you'll be advertised in the public papers as an impostor." Said I, "I shall call myself a friend to mankind." Oh! said he, for the Lord's sake don't; for you are not capable of it-and not one of a thousand is; and if you do you'll repent it. I sunk into a degree of gloominess and dejection--I told him I was in the hands of God, and felt submissive; so I bade him farewell and rode ten miles on my way. The next day I rode fifty miles to Charlestown, where I overtook J. Lee, to my sorrow and joy * * * * * * * * * * He mentioned some things, that if ever I travelled I must get a new recommendation from my native circuit, or else not offer myself to conference again. 136. We then rode to Orange quarterly meeting; but J. Lee forbade P. W. to employ me any more, and then set off.* I ran after him and said, if you can get no text to preach upon between now and conference, I give you Genesis xl. 14, and then turned and ran, and saw him no more for some years, when we met at Petersburg in Virginia. 137. I then returned home to my parents, after an absence of eight months; having travelled more than four thousand miles, through heat in the vallies, the scorching sun beating down, and through cold upon the mountains, and frequently whilst sleeping with a blanket on the floor, where I could look up and see the stars through the bark roof, the frost nipping me so that I lost the skin from my nose, hands and feet; and from my ears it peeled three times-travelling through storms of rain and snow; this frequently drifted into banks, so that I had no path for miles together, and was obliged at times to alight and stamp a way for my horse for some rods; at other times being engaged for the welfare of souls, after preaching in the dark evening, would travel the chief part or the whole of the night, journies from twenty to forty miles, to get on to my next day's appointment; preaching from ten to fifteen times a week, and often-times no stranger to hunger and thirst in these new countries; and though my trials were great, the Lord was still precious to my soul, and supported me through. 138. The preacher of Tolland circuit, (Evan Rogers, who since hath turned churchman) after some close and solemn conversation, advised me to preach in my native town, and providing I could obtain a letter of recommendation concerning my preaching gifts as well as my conduct, he saw no hindrance why I should not be received at conference. The thought was trying, the cross was great, to think of preaching before my old acquaintances and relations; besides, my parents were opposed to it, fearing how I should make out: however, there being no other way, and necessi *This was the fourth time I had been sent home. tated thereto, the people flocked out from every | not been appointed, but as it was now given quarter, and after my feeble manner I attempt-out, and circumstances being as they were, I ed to perform, and I obtained a credential by durst do no other than go to the house; I the voice of the whole society; which was approved of by the preachers at the quarterly meeting; after which it was thought proper to send me to Granville circuit. 139. During my stay at and about home, though I went into several other places, not in vain to some souls, yet my trials were very great. so that many almost whole night's sleep departed from me; I walked the floor and woods weeping, until I could weep no more, and wringing my hands until they felt sore. When I was in the north country, being under strong temptations to end my life, I went down to a river to do it, but a thought of futurity darted into my mind; the value of my soul! oh! Eternity. I promised and resolved that if God would grant me strength to resist the temptation, and see my native land in peace, that I would discharge my duty to my friends; which he did, and now my promise began to stare me in the fáce. 140. I felt it my duty to visit from house to house; but the cross was so heavy, I strove to run round it; but the thorns beside the way scratched me and to take up one end of the cross it dragged hard; here the old temptation returned so powerful, that I durst not go from one appointment to another alone, nor without one to go with me, and sometimes to sleep in the same room, lest I should end myself at night; and for the ease and enjoyment of my mind, I was necessitated and did visit about sixty different families, and then set off to Granville circuit, under the care of Sylvester Hutchinson, with Smith Weeks and Joseph Mitchell. Weeks was at first unwilling I should come on the circuit, fearing how I would make out, but seeing I was under trials, consented: accordingly I went round until I came to Suffield. Upon my entering the neighborhood, falling into conversation with an old man, he invited me to hold a meeting at his house: accordingly I appointed to preach to the youth in the evening; and went to my other appointment not far off. The man of this house shut his door and would entertain no more meetings. This was a trial to me, not knowing what the society would do for a place to meet in. 141. When I began to meditate what I should say to the youth, I could think of no subject, and felt distressed, and was sorry I had made the appointment. 142. I withdrew to a field to seek help from the Lord; but I felt as if all the powers of darkness were combined and compassed me went with this burthen to the house, and by an impression spoke ironically from the words of Solomon, which mightily pleased the youth at first. My burthen was soon gone; the power of God seemed to overshadow the people, as I turned the discourse upon the judgment which the youth must be brought into and one of the ringleaders was cut to the heart, and brought to seek God. Here a good work broke out, and where about thirty or forty used to attend, now the congregation was increased to hundreds, and this wilderness seemed to bud and blossom as the rose. 144. In Northampton a society was collected likewise, though Methodists had not preached there before. 145. August 6th, after preaching in Conway, I went to Buckland; and when the people saw my youth, and were disappointed of the preacher they expected, they despised me in their hearts. However, God made bare his arm, and I have reason to believe that about thirty persons were stirred up to seek God from this day. 146. The year past was remarkable for very many persons complaining of uncommon trials of mind from the enemy of souls, and scarcely any revival to be heard of either in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or the upper part of New York. 147. The flame kindled and ran into severa! neighboring towns, and some hundreds of souls professed to experience the forgiveness of their sins. 148. A great deal of opposition, both from preachers and people, Baptists and Presbyterians, were in this quarter; professing to be friends to God and truth, whilst to us they were secret enemies; seeking to get people converted to their way of thinking, and proselyted to their denomination. 149. I dreamed one night, that I saw a field without end, and a man and boy striving to gather in the corn, whilst thousands of birds were destroying it. I thought there was such a necessity for the corn to be gathered, that let the laborers work ever so hard, the labor would not wear out their strength until the harvest was past. 150. This dream encouraged me to go on in this work, and in the space of twenty-two days, I travelled three hundred and fifty miles, and preached seventy-six times: besides visiting some from house to house, and speaking to hundreds in class-meetings. In several other places, there was a good revival like143. When I saw the people began to col-wise. At the quarterly meeting, I obtained a lect, I thought I would have given the whole CERTIFICATE, Concerning my usefulness and world if I possessed it, that the meeting had conduct here, and as S. Hutchinson thought about. not proper to take all the preachers to confer- because the preachers would not receive me ence, concluded to leave me to help the rivi-as a brother to travel with them, &c., and was vals, and that he would there transact my busi- resolved to set out for some distant part of ness for me, so I gave him my dismission from America, out of sight and hearing of the MeRhode Island, and my two last recommenda-thodists, and get societies formed, and the next tions to carry into conference. 151. September 19th. Conference began in Wilbraham: my case was brought forward, to determine whether I should be admitted on trial to preach, or sent home, or expelled. 152. J. Lee, and several others, of whom some were strangers to my person, took up hard against me, from say and hearsay; and only one at first espoused my cause, (this was Joseph Mitchell, with whom I had travelled these last few weeks,) after some time a second joined him. The debate was sharp and lasted for about three hours: when Mitchell and Bostwick could say no more, but sat down and wept; which seemed to touch the hearts of some: at length, it being put to the vote whether I should travel or not; about twothirds of the conference were in my favor. All that saved me, in this conference, from an expulsion, was the blessing which had attended my labors; but still those who were against me would not suffer me to be admitted on trial, nor my name printed in the minutes. One said, if they acknowledged me fit to travel, why not my name be put on the minutes? if he be fit for one, why not for the other, &c. So I was given into the hands of S. Hutchinson, to employ me or send me home, as he should think fit. He sent me a message to meet him on Long Island, which I never received in time to go; and the first preacher, (Daniel Bromley,) who came to me after conference, I asked what had the conference done with me. He replied, they have done by you, as they have done by me; what's that? said I. He replied, they have stationed me on this circuit-and that was all that I could get out of him concerning the matter; only he ordered me to take his appointments round the circuit, whilst he should go to see his friends, until he should meet me again. Accordingly I set out to go round the circuit.-I had been on my way but a day or two, before I came to places where the preachers, on their way from conference, had been, and told the accusations against me, and my rejection. Thus it was, day after day: people telling me the same story. 153. From this circumstance, as the conference had given me no station, and Hutchinson's message not reaching me, I concluded I should be sent home again; as I had no license according to discipline, which one must have, if his name is not printed in the minutes. 154. My trials were great; I was afraid I should become insane; and seeing no chance for my life, I publicly gave up the name of Methodist, and assigned the reason why, viz. year come and offer myself and them to the connexion, and take this method to get my character established; for J. Lee had said, if I attempted to travel in the name of a Methodist, without their consent, he would advertise me in every paper on the continent, &c., for an impostor. 155. But now arose a difficulty from another quarter; I had lost my great coat on the road whilst travelling, and my coat was so worn out that I. was forced to borrrow one; my shoes were unfit for further service, and I had not a farthing of money to help myself with, and no particular friends to look to for assistance. Thus one day whilst riding along, facing a hard, cold, northeast storm, very much chilled, I came to a wood; and alighting from my horse and falling upon my knees on the wet grass; I lifted up my voice and wept, and besought God either to release me from traveling and preaching, or else to raise me up friends. My soul was refreshed; my confidence was strengthened, and I did believe that God would do one or the other: and true it was: people a few days after this, of their own accord, supplied all my necessities, and gave me a few shillings to bear my expenses. 156. Jeremiah Ballard, whom I had esteemed as a pious man, was expelled at the Wilbraham conference, and as he represented it to me, it was unjustly; he went with me to the north, and a number of places he saw, with me, the out-pouring of God's spirit: he was minded to form societies, and call ourselves by the name of Separate Methodists. I told him, no; for God did own the Methodists, and of course I durst not do any thing to their injury. This caused a separation between him and me: he formed societies on his own plan, and afterwards I saw him no more; but by what I could learn, he and his people differed, and then he and some of them removed off to the western country. It appears that the conference was under the necessity of excluding him for a foolish thing; as he would show no humility, but stubborn impenitence. O! how blessed is the spirit of meekness. 157. I accordingly left the circuit and set off for the north: I had not gone far till I came to Deerfield river in riding through which, the cakes of ice going down the stream, had like to have cost me my life; but this did not discourage me; I still went on my way, upwards of an hundred miles, till I came to the town of Windsor, in Vermont; where God poured out his Spirit, and several were turned to him. I thought it not my duty to leave the young converts to the devouring wolves, but to tarry and strengthen them for a season; and whilst here wrote back to some of my old friends, who told the preachers where I was and what I was about; who wrote requesting me to come back to a quarterly meeting. At first I concluded not to go; thinking what should they want but to scold me; but feeling it impressed upon my mind in a powerful manner, one evening, after holding two meetings, I called for my horse, and set out from Claremont, and continued travelling twenty-five hours, excepting the times of baiting my horse, during which space, I rode about an hundred and seventeen miles, and got back to Conway on my old circuit; from hence, I proceeded to Buckland, where was held the quarterly meeting—and met the preachers, wishing to know what they wanted with me. 158. Hutchinson began to be very crabby and cross, seemingly at first, in his questioning me why I went away? I assigned him as the reason, because that I had no chance for my life. Why, said he, did you not receive the message I sent you, to come to me? I replied, no; (not until it was too late, &c.) which I could hardly persuade him to believe at the first. to do my endeavors to get a revival or else to get the circuit broke up. So I went a visiting the people, from house to house, all denominations, that were in the neighborhood, and where there was freedom, to exhort them collectively or individually, as I felt in my mind, after joining in prayer. go 162. Pittstown, New York, was the first place I thus tried on this circuit, and preached at night. Thus I did here, for several days successively, and it caused a great deal of talk. Some said I was crazy; others, that I was possessed of the devil; some said one thing, and some thought another: many it brought out to hear the strange man; and would away cursing and swearing, saying, that I was saucy and deserved knocking down, and the uproar was so great among the people, that the half-hearted and lukewarm Methodists were tried to the quick, and became my warm opposers; complaining of me to my travelling companion, TIMOTHY DEWEY, whose mind at first was prejudiced! However, it was not long before I had the satisfaction to see some small fruit of my labor here; which gave me encouragement to strive to raise the inquiry of the people to consideration: though the devil should be raised round the circuit. 159. L. Macombs asked, what I came back 163. In this place I visited about a hundred for? I told him, I was sent for, and I came families, some of them twice or thrice over. to see what they wanted of me.- -Said he, In Ashgrove, I walked about four miles, and what do you intend to do? I replied, I ex- visited every family in the way, and generally pected to go back to the north; then he and met with a good reception, though the cross of Hutchinson went and talked together. I was visiting thus was the hardest and happiest sorry I had gone away, after I had found out that ever I took up. Wilson's hollow, which the mistake, and Hutchinson's friendship for was surrounded by mountains, except one me: accordingly in answer to a query which small entrance, by which I set out to go to an was proposed, viz. what satisfaction can you appointment; and coming to a house, I felt make? I replied, that I was willing to ac- impressed to go in and pay them a visit; but knowledge that I was sorry, but not guilty, as the cross being heavy, I strove to excuse myI did it in sincerity, not hearing soon enough self and go by, saying the other preachers who of his message: which acknowledgment I are older in years and in experience and learnmade, first, in quarterly conference, before ing do not visit thus, and yet enjoy the comabout thirty preachers, leaders, and stewards, forts of religion, and I will take them for my with exhorters, and then he required it in a pattern; thinking it impossible that God should public assembly of about eight hundred people. call me to such a peculiarity, who was so 160. After which, I travelled several days, weak and ignorant. Instantly, I felt distress in company with S. Hutchinson, who was go-in my mind: when I came to a second house ing to take me to Cambridge circuit; and on I felt impressed as above; but still supported the way, said he, "the conference have had a my mind against it with the same arguments great deal of talk and trouble concerning you, when I cast a look to the sky, and felt as if and now you are under my care, and you shall God was about to revive religion there, and if live or die at the end of three months: if you I did not visit them, their souls would be reare faithful and your labors blest, so that you quired at my hand: it seemed as though the !! can obtain a recommendation from the circuit, sun frowned upon me: accordingly, I rescivall shall be well; but if not, you shall die. ed, if the impression continued, that I would go into the next house, and if I met good reception, that I would thus go through all the families in the hollow, which amounted to about thirty in number. I called, and finding a good reception to my visit, I went to a second and third, but was turned away: to all 161. After reaching the circuit, a saying I remembered, viz. you had as good be hanged for stealing an old sheep as a lamb, and finding the people in a very low state of religion, I was convinced that nothing but a revival could save my life; I was therefore resolved in the village, however I went, and some | said he would not; but that I should tarry on thought one thing, and some said another; that circuit another quarter, adding, but before however, they came out to hear a crazy man, the quarter is up, I expect you'll leave the as they thought, and were struck with a great circuit and run away so we parted. But I solemnity, whilst I spoke from these words, was resolved he should be disappointed in me "Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order, for once at least, if no more. for thou shalt die and not live." The second and the third day, I held meetings likewise, and said, at such a time, I hope to be here again, God willing; and accordingly came. and proposed a covenant to the people, if they would attempt to pray three times a day, four weeks, (on their knees,) I would remember them thrice in the twenty-four hours during that space, God being our helper, to perform; and those who would endeavor to do it, to signify it by standing on their feet, and those who would not, to keep their seats; for God is about to revive religion here; and those who will put in for a share, may freely obtain, but those who neglect will find to their sorrow. 164. About twenty rose up, to which I called God to witness, and whilst we were at prayer, one who had not agreed, caught hold of a loom to avoid falling down, whilst his knees smote together. The evening after I was gone, the youth assembled to take counsel about their souls; and were so concerned, that the cries became general, and were heard afar off: but eight persons found comfort before they disbanded. 165. To this place, Hutchinson came, just after he reached the circuit, though I had not heard of this effect of my labors. 166. Thus round the circuits I went, visiting from house to house, getting into as many new neighborhoods as I could, and sparing no character in my public declarations. Many were offended at my plainness both of dress, expressions, and way of address in conversation, about heart religion; so that the country seemed to be in an uproar; scarcely one to take up my cause, and I was mostly known by the name of crazy Dow. At length, quarterly meeting came on in Welsh-hollow, and I expected an expulsion, the uproar being so great, as T. Dewey had come thirty miles to give me a scolding for my conduct: to whom I said, I make a conscience of what I do, and for it, I expect to give an account to God: if you should even turn against me, I cannot hearken to you, in this matter. After which God gave me favor in his sight; so that he took my part, and defended my cause (round the circuit, like a champion) to the lukewarm, unknown to me at first. Of him I was the more afraid, as I knew that he had promoted the expulsion of Ballard. 167. So I went to Hutchinson, and besought him to exclude me, that I might go my way and be of no more trouble to them; which he refused, and gave me some sharp words, and 168. At Claridon and Castleton the society were watching over me for evil, and not for good. These two places, I visited likewise, from house to house; next to Fair Haven, where I met with hard speeches. Then to Poultney, where was no regular preaching. Here lived a young woman whom I began to question about her soul; but met with cool answers. Well, said I, I'll pray to God to send a fit of sickness upon you, if nothing else will do, to bring you to good, and if you won't repent then, to take you out of the way, so that you shall not hinder others.--Said she, if you'll pray for such things as this, you can't be the friend you pretend to be to my soul; and I'll venture all your prayers, and was much displeased, and so was her mother likewise. She soon began to grow uneasy and restless, and went into one room and into another, back and forth; then sitting down, but could get no relief. The whole family, except the father and one son, began to grow outrageous towards me, which occasioned me to go seven miles late at night, for the sake of family quietness. 169. Shortly afterwards the young woman began to seek God, and with two of her sisters, were found walking in the ways of wisdom: and a society was soon formed in the place, although I saw them no more. 170. In Hampton and Skeinsborough, on the south end of lake Champlain, was some revival, likewise. 171. Here was a woman who found fault with me, for exhorting the wicked to pray; saying, the prayers of the wicked were an abomination to the Lord. But I told her that was home-made scripture; for that there was no such expression in the bible: and after bringing undeniable passages to prove it was their duty, I besought her to pray: she replied, I cannot get time. I then offered to buy the time, and for a dollar she promised she would spend one day as I should direct, if it were in a lawful way, provided she could get the day, (she not thinking I was in earnest ;) I then turned to her mistress, who promised to give her a day-then throwing a dollar into her lap, I called God and about thirty persons present, to witness the agreement. She besought me to take the dollar again, which I refused, saying, if you go to hell, it may follow and enhance your damnation. About ten days elapsed, when her conscience roaring loud, she took the day, and read two chapters in the bible, and retired thrice to pray to God to show |