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CHAPTER XV.

MINISTRY OF MR. HAYNES AT MANCHESTER

AFTER preaching his farewell sermon at Rutland, a new field of usefulness was opened, and Mr. Haynes was invited to preach in Manchester, a pleasant town on the west side of the Green Mountains. Manchester was at this time the residence of the self-taught Richard Skinner, who in early life was elected a member of Congress, and afterward sustained the offices of judge of the Supreme Court and governor of Vermont. It was also the residence of Joseph Burr, Esq., the liberal benefactor of several literary and religious institutions. Mr. Haynes's reputation as a distinguished preacher introduced him into this delightful village. There was at this time a deep and solemn interest among the people respecting religion. The spirit of God was poured out, and "the fields were white already to harvest."

Extracts from his Correspondence.

LETTER I.

TO DEACON ATKINS.

DEAR SIR,

Manchester, 16th April, 1819.

*

I am now at Manchester, among a kind and benevolent people. How long I shall continue here is uncertain, probably all summer.

It

has been a time of awakening with us, but it is now a time of stupidity. I have not been silent a single Sab

bath since I was dismissed. But I cannot write far

ther the bearer waits.

will make a long reply.

DEAR SIR,

Should you write to me, I

*

Faithfully yours.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME.

Manchester June 21st, 1819.

I have just received your letter-am thankful for it. You give me an account of deaths-the main of them were of my acquaintance. Oh, sir, why is it that we live! I am still at Manchester-find it difficult to leave the people, even for a little time. God has opened a door, in abundance, for me, though unworthy. A young woman was buried yesterday-she died in the triumphs of faith. I preached her funeral sermon from John xvii., 1; and again, on the Sabbath, from Gen. xxii., 12.

I have this moment received the fourteenth report of the British and Foreign Bible Society. May we not rejoice? I rejoice to see you a friend to the institution, as well as your sister. I have noticed donations. Don't forget us. But I must stop writing-I can only give hints.

DEAR SIR,

Faithfully yours.

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

Manchester, 27th April, 1820.

It is a long time since I received a letter from you, though I think you wrote last. I hope you will now think yourself indebted to me, and immediately make me returns for my poor communication. I am still at Manchester, and am likely to continue for the present. We have lately had sudden and alarming deaths among We have of late been a little encouraged that God is about to work among us by his holy spirit.

us.

Some are serious. I preach three times on the Sabbath. Our evening lectures are crowded. We hear of a wonderful work at Stillwater, Ballston, and Rochester in this state. Since my dismission, I am constantly employed. But I have reason to mourn my barrenness. I often, in the solemn watches of the night, think of Granville. My mind goes from house` to house, and contemplates the awful ravages that death has made among my old acquaintance. I long to see you once more; and think, God willing, I shall. I expect to go to New-York this spring. I may be there two or three weeks. I have encouragement to go there and continue, but I am too old to settle. I live among a kind people and civil. I think I never was more agreeably situated. We have an excellent school at Manchester. I have three daughters and two sons professors of religion. My youngest I keep to school. He is now studying Latin. We hope he is serious. Is very attentive to learning. We are in tolerable health, except our second daughter. We never expect she will have her health. Please to remember me at the throne of grace.

Yours affectionately.

LETTER IV.

TO THE SAME.

Manchester, 12th June, 1820.

DEAR SIR,

*

God has sent several sudden deaths among us, but I fear we do not lay them suitably to heart. I have, for the year past, preached three sermons every Sabbath. I deliver a discourse in the village at 5 o'clock-people in general attend, but they are stupid. We attend the general concert. We also have a prayer-meeting every Tuesday, but, unless the Lord bless, we labour in vain. You tell me that Mrs. A. is unwell; I hope she is better; if not, that her illness will excite her to prepare for a better world.

Ben

nington have dismissed their minister, and have agreed to settle another the 5th of July next. There is some seriousness among some-dear sir, may we bring forth good fruit in old age! I wish to hear from you often. I have only a moment's time to write, The Association meet at my house to-morrow.

Yours affectionately.

LETTER V.

TO THE SAME.

CORDIAL FRIEND,

Manchester, 20th February, 1822.

Yesterday I received yours of the 5th of January with great satisfaction, although it contained melancholy tidings of my old acquaintance. Mrs. S., you know, was brought up in the house with me; but, alas! she is gone, and I live. I visited Mr. H. on my return home, but did not think I should see him no more. Oh, how uncertain is life! Dr. Ball, the good minister of the east parish in Rutland, died a few weeks ago, suddenly, as in a moment. I used to enjoy great intimacy with him. Sir, may we not, who are aged, admire God's patience towards us? I heard of the death of Mrs. S. the week after I returned to M. Give my love to Mr. S. Tell him I rejoice to hear that the death of his dear wife makes him think of another world, and stirs him up to prepare for death-and that he attends meeting. Tell him that I mourn with him. May the Lord bless it to his spiritual good. I think there is no earthly comfort that gives me such satisfaction as visiting my friends at Granville; but it must soon come to an end.

I have thought it to be my duty to leave Manchester, and go to Granville, N. Y., though I and the people are friendly.

My respects to dear Mr. Baker and aged mother, you will make acceptable. conclude to be a lawyer or a minister?

lady, and their Does their son I hope it will

be the latter, at least if God calls.* Religion is at a low ebb among us; may the Lord revive his work. Don't forget to remember us in your intercessions. Sincerely yours.

N. B. I expect to move to Granville next week.

The following extract of a letter from the wife of his excellency the late Richard Skinner, will show the high estimation in which Mr. Haynes was held in Manchester, and also present some of his characteristic peculi

arities.

Manchester, Feby. 18th, 1836.

In the summer of 1818, this church and society, being destitute of the stated administration of the word and ordinances, invited Mr. Haynes to come and reside here; and although it was not considered expedient to call him as our permanent pastor, yet he continued with us about three years. His labours were acceptable to the people-his influence and example promoting religion and morality, and gradually advancing the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. Many of our people still remember him with deep respect and affection as their spiritual guide. As a man, Mr. Haynes was cheerful in temper, affable in demeanour, quick in perception, shrewd and sensible, and in his daily intercourse with his fellow-men, exhibiting that trait of character enjoined by our Lord, "Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." In his public administrations he was devout and serious: discovered uncommon acquaintance with the Scriptures; always in his quotations giving chapter and verse, sometimes adding, "If I mistake not" generally, however, recollecting without hesitation. In his belief, entirely orthodox, often calling to the minds of his hearers the great truths of God's word;-appearing to have the conviction from his own experience of the truth of the doc

* Mr. Curtis Baker, a young man of great promise, who died while a member of the Theological Seminary in Andover, 1824.

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