CHAPTER VI.

Am disappointed in business, and lose my propertyCalled up to duty by hearing Lorenzo Dow preachReformations in Troy, Tiverton and Westport-Visit different towns in Massachusetts-Account of the death of my sister Sarah-Visit Wrentham-Visit Providence and am taken sick at brother Ashton's.

My mind was now principally occupied in amassing property, and I made calculations to return to Georgia, in the fall, and hired help to manufacture furniture to carry with us. I lost my enjoyment of religion in endeavouring to accumulate property, to enjoy the things of this world. In the fall we heard it was sickly in Darien; and my partner thought it unadvisable for both of us to go-that he and one apprentice would carry the furniture; and accordingly went in October. I remained with two apprentices and worked at my trade. I attended conference meetings with my brethren thro' the winter. In the spring I dreamed my shop and property were destroyed by fire, and had nothing left. In a few days a man informed. me that my partner bad failed, and our property all gone; and that if I would deliver up the property I had in my possession, to satisfy one creditor, he would not attach it. I told him this would be unsatisfactory to the other creditors; but that I was willing to give up all and let each one take their proportionable part of what little remained. My property was then attached, and I delivered up every thing, so that I had not one dollar left. I was so agitated at this time that it was difficut take my common food; but I could rejoice that I had a

treasure in heaven that could not be taken away. I expected my furniture would be sacrificed at auction, and not wishing to witness it, I started for Fall-River-put my work-bench and tools into a boat, and my apprentice and myself rowed eight miles down the river, against wind and tide. The reader may judge what must have been my feelings at this time, destitute of money to purchase materials to recommence my business. I was, indeed, brought into a very tried state.

About this time Lorenzo Dow preached in Somerset, and I went to hear him preach from this text: How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, serve him; and if Baal be God, serve him. In his discourse he mentioned different characters present, who were halting between two opinions. At length he observed, that there was a young man present halting in his mind about preaching; and one reason was he wanted property, and had kept back on this account; but if his prospects were not already blasted, they soon would be. Another reason was the opposition of his friends to his preaching; can his friends clear him in the day of judgment, if he neglects this important calling Another reason was that some of his brethren thought him unqualified to preach -but they are not to be his judges in the coming world; O how must he feel when standing before the judgment seat of Christ, and conscious of having neglected his duty! I trembled, and felt myself the one he addressed. He then gave advice not to halt any longer, but to go forward. I resolved to go and preach in the first place that doors should be opened. I

crossed the ferry to Troy that night. I called at a house for water, and the man that gave it to me asked me to stay through the night, and observed he should like for some preacher to hold a meeting at the new school-house. I told him I would the next first day. He appeared anxious that I should come. I told him if the Lord spared my life, I would endeavour to come. I went that week to see my brethren in New-Bedford, where a great and glorious work of reformation was going on, under the preaching of Eld. Howe. Hearing Eld. H. and the young converts speak, greatly revived my spirits. After having been in the place a few days, I was taken sick, which gave me much uneasiness, fearing I should be necessiated to break my promise in Troy. But the next day I was better, though very weak and feeble.My mind was so exercised about my meeting I told my friends I would try to get to Troy that day. They told me my health was so poor, it would be impossible for me to travel there. I started however, about nine o'clock A. M. on foot, hoping to get a horse on my way, but was disappointed. I reached the place of my appointment, a distance of 18 miles, as the people were leaving the house. I told them if they would return, I would speak to them. They returned, and after sitting a few minutes, I prayed the Lord to give me strength to stand and speak to the people. He did assist me by his Spirit that day, as I felt great freedom, and was strong in faith that a reformation would take place. After making an appointment to preach there the next Sunday, I was invited by

Mr. Brownell to go and partake of refreshment at his house. I found him to be a lover of Jesus, and one that bore public testimony to the cause of religion. That his house had been for a number of years, the place where the stranger had found repose and refreshment; and the ministers of Christ were always cordially received. The old gentleman became much revived in mind after the good work of reformation which then took place, and often in our meetings told us his time was short; that he was then doing his last service for God, and should shortly try the reality of the eternal world. A short time before his death he related to his brethren his experience, from his first awakening, in his younger days, and then said he should soon, go the way of all the earth; and shortly after was called from this vale of tears to the bright world of glory, where sorrow and death are unknown.

The next Sunday I met my friends again at the school house; where we had a very solemn meeting. After meeting I was invited to take tea at the house where James Brightman once lived. He died some years before, and left a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters. His widow was then married to another man. While I set at the table, I said to the mother of these four children, that I felt that God was about to pour out of his Spirit on the place, and I had faith that some of her family would have a share in the reformation. Her son George was sitting at the table at the same time. I told her he would soon be converted.

She thought it strange that I should name him in particular: but I had some evidence, because the Spirit was in me to talk to him— and I never knew the time that when I felt for a person as I did for him, but they were converted in a short time. Soon after, he and his brother and sister were converted. The sister I afterwards married. day at meeting, but did not know who she I saw her that was nor where she belonged; when she came into the meeting I thought her some proud creature, by her dress. I felt to pray to God that her pride might come down, and that she might be converted, but had no thought at the time she would ever be my wife. It was more than six months after this, before a thought of the kind entered my heart. I had a meeting the next Sunday. After meeting was invited to take refreshments, and stay through the night at Capt. Sheffield Weaver's, where I was kindly received, and found him a friend to the cause of religion, and that he often entertained ministers of the gospel. By this time I felt encouraged; the people generally treated me kindly, came to meeting steadily, and a number were under serious awakenings. The next Sunday I had three meetings, and was invited to take refreshments at Pardon Brightman's. Soon after I entered the house, I felt moved in Spirit to speak to his son Leonard, a young man about sixteen him the importance of seeking the Lord in his ; told youth. He shortly after experienced religion, and has remained a useful brother to the present time, and is gifted in exhortation, prayer and