Sunday morning, July 1, 1821, I went to Centerville. Numbers had assembled, and I felt great confidence in declaring the counsel of Heaven. This assembly was said to be the largest that had ever been in the town, In the after part of the day, about four hundred met in Rushford, many having come between ten and fifteen miles. I believe the Lord enabled me to come to the people in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Many were smitten by the sword of the spirit; a revival soon commenced, and, as I afterward learned, fifty or sixty professed to find Him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. The first of these were brought into liberty at a camp meeting. In the evening, I preached again at Centerville. The next day, I travelled fifteen miles and held two meetings; and the day following, preached twice in Pike.

On the 4th of July, Elder Kendall, a Calvinistic Baptist, preached at Centerville; and at the conclusion of his discourse, I addressed the audience. Elder Kendall made me a considerable present of wearing apparel; and offered to give one hundred dollars toward a collegiate education, provided I would go to Massachusetts and receive the tuition from one of his relatives. He also gave encouragement, that the whole expense of a support at college should be defrayed. As this would prevent me from travelling to declare the glad tidings of salvation, I could not accept his kind offer. God had sent me to preach his gospel; and, from his word, I could not find that he had ever permitted one, whom he had thus commissioned, to leave his work, and go to a seminary of learning.

Thursday, July 5, I went to a camp meeting in Warsaw, where the preachers treated me with coldness. After a stay of one day, having prayed twice on the camp ground, one of the ministers reproved me for taking up too much of the time. Feeling desirous to address the people from the stand, I requested the privilege, but was denied. During an intermission on Saturday, while conversing with some individuals, and endeavouring to persuade them to be

reconciled to God, large numbers crowded to hear, till I had not room to turn. Being solicited by some of the brethren, I climbed upon a fire stand,* and commenced delivering my message. Nearly the whole assembly gathering around, listened attentively, and many with tears. Soon, one of the preachers requested me to be as brief in my remarks, as possible, and free my mind. Feeling my duty was then discharged, I ceased speaking, and the next day left the meeting. Having now a chain of appointments west of Warsaw, I proceeded thirty-six miles; and on Monday preached in Sheldon and Wales. In the latter place, it was a time of Emmanuel's power; five mourners kneeled, while we called on Him who is able and mighty to save. One of the number soon found Jesus. On the day after, I preached at Aurora; and one, who had been awakened in one of my former meetings, was brought into the liberty of the sons of God. In the after part of the day, I spoke to a congregation in Boston; one sinner was slain, and soon after raised by the great Physician. The day following, I preached in Hamburg to a numerous concourse, who appeared to hear for the judgment day.

July 11, I observed with solemn prayer, it being the second anniversary of my baptism. The day was pleasant. In the forenoon, I attended a meeting in Eden, where the solemnities of the eternal world were unveiled, and the arrows of the King sharp in the hearts of his enemies. Eleven thus wounded, bowed before the Lord; and while we implored his mercy, their cries and groans resounded through the barn in which we were assembled. After the meeting closed, as the people seemed very unwilling to leave the place, I conversed with several who promised to seek God. Addressing a young woman, who belonged to the Quakers, I asked her, if she desired the religion of the blessed Jesus. She made no reply,

*Fire stands are about six feet high, and constructed by placing several stakes in the ground, and covering the tops of them first with boards, and then with earth, for the purpose of building fires on them, to give light in the night at camp meetings.

but immediately started for home. Conviction followed her, and her distress of mind became so great, that she returned in tears; and meeting me, in company with several mourning souls, as we were passing from the barn to the house, she begged forgiveness for leaving me so abruptly, and said, she not only desired the knowledge of God, but wished me to entreat his mercy for her. After entering the house, we

again called on the name of the Lord. From this good hour, a reformation followed, in which several Quakers professed to be born again.

Ten

After attending two other meetings, I went to Buffalo, and preached to a numerous congregation in the Methodist chapel. Sunday, July 15, I had an appointment in a grove at Hamburg; many, attracted by curiosity, came out to hear "the boy;" and it was said, the assembly was larger than had ever before been in that town. I endeavoured to trust in God, but did not see so much of his power manifested as my heart would gladly have witnessed. In the evening, the Lord met with us again in Eden; and while his glory beamed upon us, Zion's children rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and sinners wept aloud. or fifteen mourners, regardless of worldly vanities, were not ashamed to fall on their knees and humbly beg for pardon. The next day, I travelled twenty miles and preached twice; the day following, walked fourteen miles to an appointment in Attica; and on Thursday, returned to Eden, a distance of thirty-five miles. Here I met a crowded assembly, in which the power of the Highest rendered the place both awful and glorious. Many went away mourning for their transgressions, and sighing for salvation. A conference was held in the evening: a large number spoke of the dealings of the Lord with them; and several declared they would never rest till they should find peace to their souls. The awakened became so distressed, that near the close their cries were heard throughout the assembly. Fifteen united in a circle, and bowed with us, while we called on the Lord. One or two found peace, and went home rejoicing.

Friday, July 20, while I was preaching in Boston,

the Spirit of the Lord God descended upon us; and the cries of the wounded were heard in every part of the congregation. Fourteen manifested their desires for salvation, and their resolutions to seek mercy; and two or three were hopefully converted.

On Saturday, an attack of the chicken pox, brought on me the pains of raging disorder. But having appointments, I walked ten miles, to Aurora, in much distress of body, frequently lying down by the way. The next day, being the Sabbath, Elder H., a Calvinistic Baptist, and myself, undesignedly had appointments at the same hour and place. The assembly was large; and on entering, I took a seat as a stranger. Elder H., after stating, that he understood a boy, who had been preaching in those parts, had an appointment at that place, inquired if any one knew where he was. On receiving an answer, he asked me, if I belonged to any church, or had credentials. My letter being presented, he read it to the assembly, and gave me liberty to preach. I loved to preach Jesus, and improving the opportunity, enjoyed a precious season. In the after part of the day, I walked nine miles, and preached twice, but passed a restless night; my illness having consid erably increased.

On Monday morning, the rain was falling, and my strength almost spent; yet an appointment, eleven miles distant, called me, and sinners lay near my heart. After walking in much distress four miles, my strength failed; but borrowing a horse, I reached my appointment at Vermont hill, both wet and cold. The house was filled, and the people were attentive. Their trickling tears bespoke that they felt the melting influence of God's Holy Spirit. After the meeting closed, I began conversing with individuals, and asked them, if they desired an interest in Christ. Some answered, they did not at present;' others that they could live without it a little longer:' some said, they thought religion a good thing;' and others, they would like it well enough.' I asked different questions, relative to the state of their minds; but notwithstanding their tears and trembling, they an

swered evasively, and no one owning a desire for salvation, I went to Elder Folsom's, sorrowing and astonished at the obstinacy of sinful man. But as soon

as the evening came, six or seven, with whom I had conversed, came to the house and desired me to pray for them. Next morning, I was informed that two or three of this number had been in such distress of mind, while they saw the sinfulness of their lives, that they neither closed their eyes to sleep, nor lay down during the night. At dawn of day, they returned to my lodging, and others continued to come, till an hour after sun-rising, when the number was increased to fifteen. I prayed and conversed with them; then bidding them adieu, went to my appointment in Boston. Here, the heavens seemed to be opened, and the glory of God to fill the house. Professors were revived, wanderers reclaimed, and our meeting was crowned with the praises of two or three new-born souls. The four days following I laboured in Eden and Boston.

During four weeks that had now passed, the power of God was frequently manifested in our meetings in these towns. While the saints were made to sing and shout for joy, the cries of awakened sinners, begging for mercy, often saluted our ears. Eighteen had professed to find pardon through the blood of the Lamb. Among this number, was one, in advanced life, who for eight years, had attended but one or two religious meetings. His curiosity being excited by the report, that a boy of the age of fifteen, was preaching among the people,' he came out to hear, looking with a scrutinizing eye at the youth; when, as he afterward stated, the following inquiries were suggested to his mind: 'If that lad is engaged in the cause of religion, and so earnestly desires the wel fare of men, as to leave his father's house at this tender age, and go among strangers, far away from home, to persuade men to be reconciled to God; what should I, an old man, be about? I am living in sin in the very evening of life, while he is serving God in childhood.' Conviction reached his heart, and never left him, till he was hopefully converted.