was a spiritual child of mine, offered to get me what I had need of at her own cost; but she having herself and two children to maintain by her labour, being forsaken by her husband, my heart was so tender that I could not accept of her kind offer. Then she prevailed upon the man of the house, with much difficulty, to get me a bottle of wine. The reason (I suppose) they were so unwilling to supply me with what I stood in need of, was because they expected no recompence.

The floor over head was loose boards, on which they poured day after day, baskets of apples and Indian corn in the ear; which with the working of a loom, and spinning wheels in an adjoining room, besides the cider mill near hand, all together, caused such noises as in my very weak state distressed me much. In addition to the above, the youth of the neighbourhood made noisy visits, without restraint of the family.

A man who had heard of, but never seen me, came fifteen miles to know my state, and gave me a dollar. Soon after, two men who had heard I was dead, and and then alive, and dead again, came about thirty miles to find out the truth concerning me. I was glad to see them, and would take no denial, until they promised to come with a waggon and take me away: which they were unwilling to do, thinking that I should die by the fatigue, but at length consented.

The waggon came, and a message from a young weman, that if I would come to her father's house, the best of care should be taken of me. Her name was Mary Switzer.

I waited thirty-six hours for the rain to abate, but seeing it did not, I persuaded them to wrap me in a coverlet, and with straw under and over me we set outand over rugged hills and mountains, carried me twentyseven miles in eight hours, to the house where I was invited; and beyond their expectation I received no harm. At this time I was so weak, that I was obliged to be carried; not being able even to stand alone.

The young woman made good her promise, and the young friends who had joined society when I was in this part before, spared no pains for my comfort-she being up with me four and five times every night, whilst

I was still despairing of life. One evening, as the young people were holding a prayer meeting in the adjoining room, a thought came into my mind, "Why is not God as able now to raise me to health as those in primitive days?" something answered, "He is;" why is he not as willing? something replied, "He is;" another thought arose, Why don't he do it?" the answer was, "because you lack faith" It struck my mind, “is faith the gift of God? or is it the creature's act?" the reply was, "the power to believe is the gift of God; but the act of faith is the creature's," I instantly strove to see if I could act faith; and I did believe, if the young people which were in the room, would intercede with God, faithfully during that week, that God would, in answer to many prayers, restore me to health.

I made this request of them if consistent with God's will. About two hours afterwards I fell asleep, and had a singular dream, by which I was convinced I should see my native town in peace once more: and within fifteen hours after I perceptibly began to amend, and by the goodness of God, after about ten weeks' confinement, from the beginning of my illness, I was able to ride alone.

During this illness I was frequently asked if I did not repent having exposed myself to such toils and hardships, through the year past? I replied, no-if it was to do, I would do it again; it brought me such peace and consolation, that now my very soul was lifted up above the fear of death, so that the grave appeared lovely.

What I wished to live for, was principally thesefirst, to attain to higher degrees of holiness here, that I might be happier hereafter; and secondly, I felt the worth of souls to lie near my heart, and I desired to be useful to them. What I desired to die for, was to get out of this troublesome world, and to be at rest with saints above.

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I

CHAP. IV.

MY ADMITTANCE ON TRIAL.

OBTAINED a letter of recommendation, signed by above thirty local preachers, stewards, and class leaders, &c. concerning my usefulness and moral conduct; which T. Dewey carried to the conference, and gave his opinion concerning me: when nine others and I were admitted on TRIAL. My name was now printed in the minutes, and I received a written license from Francis Asbury. Then said S. Hutchinson to J. Lee, this is the crazy man you have been striving to kill so

much.

November 20. I set off with brother Dewey, for the north, though still so weak that I could neither get on nor off my horse alone.

In Argyle, we had a solemn season; then we parted and I re-visited Thermon's patent and Queensborough: after which, I rode twenty-three miles, facing a cold north-east snow-storm; I think the hardest that I ever was exposed to: even wild geese could not keep their course, but flew round and round. The next day but one, I rode through Rutland thirty-six miles to Brandon; staid a week; met the societies; preached fifteen times and bade them farewel, and returned southward, visiting some places until the quarterly meeting came on.

I took my leave of the classes and people in the different places, taking them to record that I had spared no pains, either by night or day, in public or in private, to bring them to good; and if they did not repent, I should appear against them at a future day, calling the sun, moon and stars, with the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field to witness against them that my skirts were pure from all their blood.*

December 27th, I puked almost to death before it could be stopped; but far beyond expectation, God en abled me to speak at night. On the 29th, I held three meetings, which appeared not in vain. On the 29th,

* I have not seen them since.

our quarterly meeting began in Ashgrove, where I was complained of, and was whipped (in words) by brother Hutchinson for jealousy.

The next day we had a refreshing season and about two hundred communicants; and after giving them my farewell, I felt as pure from the blood of the people as if I had never been called to preach.

During my stay upon these two circuits, in ten months, about six hundred were taken into society, and as many more went off and joined the baptists and presbyterians.

From thence, I started with brother Sabin for the *south. I rode through Bennington, in a cold storm; through tedious drifts of snow, to Williamstown.

January 1st, 1799. I again renewed my covenant to be more faithful to God and man than I had been. I proceeded to Stockbridge, and met friend Hubberd, who was to go where I came from, and I to supply his place on Pittsfield circuit, while brother Sabin was to go to Litchfield. This circuit was in a very low situation, and the most despised of any in New England; and as they had frequently sent complaints to conference against their preachers, I at first refused to go to it, lest I should be injured by false brethren, knowing that J. Sawyer, with whom I was to travel, had been prejudiced against me. But upon conditions that Dewey and Sawyer would stand by me, as far as consistent with truth and discipline, I consented to go.

On the 3d, I began to pursue the circuit regularly, af ter my irregular manner, to sinners and lukewarm professors, with backsliders.

From Lenox, going across the mountain to New Car naan I met with a loss, and had like to perish with the cold and snow drifts.

6th. I preached in Pittsfield: the members were high in profession, but low in heart: their prejudice being great, they did not invite me to their houses, but were sorry I came on the circuit.

7th, Windsor.In the lukewarm class, the power of God was felt. From hence to Adams and Stanford, where revivals soon broke out, but the baptists did us much harm, pretending to be friends; but with the

F.

reprobation doctrine opposing as enemies behind our backs.

Thence through Clarsburgh to Pownal, where the people were once engaged in religion, but now were hardened; so we gave up the place.

Thence to Hoosac, where several were cut to the heart, and shortly after a beautiful society was formed. This town being large, I went into several other parts to break up fresh ground.

One day, a man said to me, "fourteen months ago I met you coming out of Troy; and you, after enquiring the road, asked, was my peace made with God? I replied I hope so; (knowing it was not) for which my conscience condemned me; but the pride of my heart would not suffer me to acknowlenge that I lied and you, after giving me good advice, went on your way; which advice has not left me yet; and now I am resolved to serve God the remainder of my life." This was an encouragement to me, not to be discouraged, as bread thrown on the waters is found after many days.Hence I went to Troy, where was some revival in the class. Thence to Greenbush where a glorious work of God began.

The second time I went to this place the people flocked out by hundreds, to hear the strange man preach up his principles. I told the people that God had promised me two souls to be converted from that day; and if my labours were not acknowledged, they might brand me in the forehead with the mark of liar, and on the back with the mark of hypocrite.

They watched my words. However, two who were in the assembly thought, oh! that I might be one of these two; and shortly after both found pardon. A reprobation preacher sought to do us much harm, when I publicly besought God, if he was a true minister, to bless his labours, and make it manifest; but if he had jumped presumptuously into the work, that God would remove him so that he should not hurt the people. Shortly af ter, he fell into a scandalous sin, and so his influence was lost.

At Canaan-gore, a number of backsliders and sinners were brought to a sense of themselves, and joined in a