BX 8495 .A3 F5 1844 Abbott, Benjamin, 1732-17? Experience and gospel labours of the Rev. 'T: THE EXPERIENCE AND GOSPEL LABOURS OF THE REV, BENJAMIN ABBOTTs TO WHICH 13 ANNEXED, A NARRATIVE LIFE AND DEATH; ALSO, EXTRACTS FHOM THE JOURNAL OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY. BY JOHN FFIRTH. " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." — Psalm xxxvii. 37. PHILADELPHIA : PRINTED BY S. W. CONRAD, FOR E. COOPER, No. 118, North-Fourth-Street. LEEDS: RE-PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. HEATON. MDCCCXLIV. PREFACE. The greater part of the following Work was written many years after the occurrences took place ; and as Mr. Abbott's memory could not precisely ascertain the exact time of the occurrences, they are consequently inserted without day or date. However, it is of no material consequence, whether an occurrence took place on a Monday or a Saturday, — whether in May or December, or in what particular year, — provided that the relation thereof be true, and the subject be calculated to improve the mind, and to promote virtue and religion. Could Mr. Abbott have given a relation of every meeting, and all the particular occurrences, with day and date, it would have swelled the work far beyond what he designed or wished, and would have led him to a detail of many things of no importance. He only w ished to relate the most material circumstances and occurrences in his life, which he could perfectly recollect. The day and date not being mentioned, is, in the opinion of the compiler, of no disadvantage to the work. Mr. Abbott, a short time before his death, put his manu- scripts in possession of the compiler (John l'tirth), with a re- quest that he would arrange and revise them for publication: which he has endeavoured to perform to the best of his ability. Care has been taken, not to expunge any thing that might be of utility; and also to preserve the original, plain, simple ideas and language of the man. If some circumstances or occurrences do not stand exactly in that order of arrangement in which they occurred in point iv Preface. of time, the compiler does not hold himself accountable for the error ; and he hopes, that if such inaccuracy should ap- pear, it will be held excusable in the judgment of every judi- cious and candid reader. The work is thrown into two parts. Part the First, con- tains his experience and gospel labours, previous to his en- tering the itinerant connexion of Methodist Preachers ; dur- ing which time, he visited various parts of New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Part the Second, con- tains his travels and gospel labours, after he entered the itinerant connexion. The compiler had an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Abbott for about twenty years, and had knowledge of some things relative to that eminent saint of God (not mentioned in his own manuscripts), which may be acceptable to the reader ; he has, therefore, annexed to the work, a Narrative of the life and death of that extraordinary, zealous, faithful, and useful man. THE COMPILER. THE EXPERIENCE, &c. PART FIRST. CHAPTER I. Containing his Parentage, Birth, Marriage, and manner of life, while in Nature's darkness — His Conviction, Conver- sion, and Sanctilication— His gospel labours, and divers re- markable occurrences while a Local preacher, till the death of his wife. My grandfather, James Abbott, was born in Somersetshire, in Great Britain : he removed to America, and settled on Long-Island, where he married, and had five sons and two daughters. My father, Benjamin Abbott, was his third son; when he arrived at age, he removed from Long. Island into New- Jersey, where he married the daughter of Mr. John Burroughs, sheriff of Hun. terdon county. Afterwards he removed again to Long-Island, where he resided for some time, and had two sons and one daughter. After this, he sold his farm and removed into Pennsylvania, bought a plantation of four hundred acres of good land, and lived in credit; where he had three sons and one daughter more. My mother, ■when on her death-bed, lay sick of a nervous complaint about five weeks. In the dead of the night, before she expired, she cried unto the Lord and besought him to look in mercy upon the family, and with a loud voice prayed fervently 6 His Parentage, Qc. for us all, which caused the spectators to wonder, and to cry out, "Hannah, what is the matter with you ?" Next day she departed this life. I then pondered these things in my heart. In six weeks after, my father took the small pox and departed this life, leaving my grand- father executor. In his will he ordered that we should all have trades; accordingly I was put to a hatter in Philadelphia, where I soon fell into bad company, and from that to card playing, cock fighting, and many other evil practices. My master and I parted before my time was out, and I went into Jersey, and hired with one of my brothers, where I wrought at plantation work. Some time after this I married, and when I got what my father had left me, I rented a farm and followed that business; but all this time I had no fear of God before mine eyes, but lived in sin and open rebellion against God, in drinking, fighting, swearing, gambling, &c. yet I worked hard and got a comfortable living for my family. I professed myself a Presbyterian, went often to meeting, and many times the Spirit of God alarmed my guilty soul of its danger; but it as often wore off again. Thus I continued in a scene of sin, until the fortieth year of my age; yet many were the pro- mises I made during that period, to amend my life, but all to no purpose; they were as often broken as made; for as yet I never had heard the nature of conviction or conversion; it was a dark time about religion, and little or nothing ever said about experimental religion; and, to my knowledge, I never heard either man or woman say that they had the pardoning love of God in their souls, or knew their sins forgiven. My Alarming Dreams. 7 wife was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a praying woman; yet at that time she knew nothing about heart-work. CHAPTER II. Alarming Dreams — Hears a Methodist — Conviction for sin — Reprobation — Obtains pardon. About the thirty-third year of my age, I dreamed that I died, and that I was carried to hell, which appeared to me to be a large place arched over, containing three apartments with arched doors to go from one apartment to another. I was brought into the first, where I saw nothing but devils and evil spirits, which tormented me in such a manner, that my tongue or pen cannot express. I cried for mercy, but in vain. There appeared to me a light like a star, at a great dis- tance from me; I strove to get to it, but all in vain. Being hurried into the second apartment, the devils put me into a vice, and tormented me till my body was all in a gore of blood. I cried again for mercy, but still in vain. I observed that a light followed me, and I heard one say to me, "How good does this light appear to you." I was soon hurried into the third apartment, where there were scorpions with stings in their tails, fastened in sockets at the end thereof: their tails appeared to be about a fathom long, and every time they struck me, their stings, which appeared an inch and a half in length, stuck fast in me, and they roared like thunder. Here I was constrained again to cry for mercy. As fast as I pulled out the sting of one, another struck me. I was hurried through this apartment to a 8 Alarming Dreams. lake that burned with fire: it appeared like a flaming furnace, and the flames dazzled. The- devils were here throwing in the souls of men and women. There appeared two regiments of devils moving through the arches, blowing up the flames; and when they came to the end, one regiment turned to the right, and the other to the left, and came round the pit, and the screeches of the damned were beyond the expression of man. When it came to my turn to be thrown in, one devil took me by the head and another by the feet, and with the surprise I awoke and found it a dream. But oh, what horror seized my guilty breast ! I thought I should die and be damned ! This brought seriousness to my mind for about eight or ten days, in which I made many promises to mend my life, but they soon wore off again. About five or six weeks after this, I dreamed that I died, and was carried into one of the most beautiful places I ever saw, and my guide brought me to one of the most elegant buildings I ever beheld, and when we came to it, the gates opened to us of their own accord, and we went straight forward into the building, where we were met by a company of the heavenly host arrayed in white raiment down to their feet. We passed on through the entry until we came to a door on the right, whicli stood about half open; passing a little for- ward, we made a stand before the door; I looked in, and saw the Ancient of Days sitting upon his throne, and all around him appeared a dazzling splendour, I stood amazed at the sight: one step- ped forward to me arrayed in white, which I knew to be my wife's mother, and said to me, "Ben- jamin, this place is not for you yet;" so I re- turned, and my guide brought me back. I awoke He hears a Methodist preacher. 9 with amaze at what I had seen, and concluded that I should shortly die, which brought all my sins before me, and caused me to make many promises to God to repent, which lasted for some time; but this wore off again, and I went to my old practices. One Sabbath day (our minister being sick, and my wife being a great meeting body), hearing that there was to be a Methodist meeting about ten or twelve miles distance, she expressed a de- sire to go to it; I gave it, and she and my eldest son and daughter, went to hear the man. On their return, I asked her how she liked the preacher, she replied that he was as great a preacher as ever she had heard in her life; and persuaded me to go and hear for myself; accor- dingly, on the next Sabbath I went; there was a large congregation assembled to hear the man : his text was, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. xi. 23. The man was much engaged, and the people were crying all through the house; this greatly surprised me, for I never had seen the like before. The sermon made no impression on me; but when he came to the application he said, " It may be, that some of you may think that there is neither God nor devil, heaven nor hell, only a guilty conscience; and indeed, my friends, this is bad enough." "But," said he, "I assure you there is both heaven and hell, God and devil." I spoke, "I am the man." But he went on and said, "When I was com- ing from England to this country, I saw u ball of fire fall from the elements, about as large as a small pot," &c. In illustrating from this, he argued that fire was contained in every thing, Ill Under deep Conviction. and that there was a dreadful hell that was be- yond our comprehension, and advised the people to fly to Christ for refuge; he then shewed the reality of the existence of a God, from a beauti- ful illustration of his works which are evidenced to us daily, and that this God had created the heavens and the earth ; then called the people to come to God, for Christ had died for our redemp- tion. There was much weeping, and heavy groaning among the people. Meeting being over, the two dreams that I dreamed about seven years before, came as fresh into my mind as if I had dreamed them the night before, and that God had shewn me both heaven and hell, the state of the blessed and the damned. This brought me to think of my mis-spent life, and in a moment all the sins that I ever had committed were brought to my view; I saw it was the mercy of God that I was out of hell, and promised to amend my life in future. I went home under awful sensations of a fu- ture state; my convictions increased, and I began to read my Bible with attention, and saw things in a different light from what I had ever seen them before, and made many promises to God, with tears and groans, to forsake sin; but I knew not the way to Christ for refuge, being ignorant of the nature both of conviction and conversion. But blessed be God, he still gave me light, so that the work was deepened in my soul day by day. The preacher came to preach in our neighbour- hood, and 1 went to hear him again ; being a new thing in the place, it brought many together to hear him. Some were Presbyterians, some were Baptists, and others without any profession of Under deep Conviction. 11 religion. He took his text, and preached with power; the word reached my heart in such a manner that it shook every joint in my body; tears flowed in abundance, and I cried out for mercy, of which the people took notice, and many others were melted into tears. When the sermon was over, the people flocked round the preacher and began to dispute about religion. I said that there never was such preaching as this; but the people said, "Abbott is going mad !" I returned home with my family in sore dis- tress, and pondered these things in my mind: I saw it was the mercy of God that I was out of hell. I cried to God for mercy, but it seemed all in vain. It brought to my mind the many times his holy Spirit had strove with me from time to time when I was a small boy; and from that time to this, Satan suggested to me that my day of grace was now over, and that I was one of those damned reprobates that God had assigned over to him from all eternity; therefore I might pray and cry, but he was sure of me at last. Being brought up in the doctrine of election and repro- bation, I concluded that I should be damned, do what I could. By this time my case became des- perate: I knew not what to do, and was almost in despair. One day, going to the mill, I felt such a hell in my breast, arising from a guilty conscience, and being belated in my return, as I was passing through a piece of woods, the devil suddenly sug- gested to my mind, that as I was one of the repro- bates and there was no mercy for me, I had better hang myself and know the worst of it. While I was looking for a suitable place for that pur- pose, I thought I heard a voice saying (alluding 12 Under deep Conviction. to the anxiety and distress of soul that I then felt), " This torment is nothing to hell." I imme- diately changed my mind, and drove home under the greatest anxiety imaginable; for it appeared to me the devil was behind me in the waggon, with his hand just over my head, threatening to take me away, both soul and body. I cannot express my feelings at that time: my hair arose on my head through fear. I was afraid to look hack, lest I should visibly see him. In this deplorable condition I returned home; when I got into the house I dared not go outside of the door, for fear the devil would take me away. My wife saw that something was the matter with me, and inquired what it was, for, said she, "You look like death." I was con- strained to turn from her and weep, for I ex- pected she knew my condition, as she had been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years, and was a praying woman. Bed time being come, I told her I should sleep by myself; when I lay down and fell into a doze, my mind was filled with awful apprehensions. I thought I saw devils ready to take me, hell open ready to receive me, and that I was rolling, bed and all, into the flames, while other huge devils stood ready to receive me. Then I would sud- denly awake in the greatest distress imaginable, and so I continued during the night. Next morning, being the 9th of October, 1772, having a piece of grass to cut, I arose and went to it: as soon as I began to mow, I was taken with fainting fits, and it seemed to me that the earth would open and swallow me up, while my heart beat so loud that I could hear the strokes, and could compare it to two men boxing or thrash- Great Distress. [3 iug, more than like its usual motion. It occurred to my mind, what is all the world to me? I shall be dead and damned before the setting sun. This caused me to lay down my scythe, while I stood weeping for my sins; but alas! all in vain. I still grew worse, and went back to the house under great distress, where I read some hymns that I had in a book, of the sufferings of our blessed Lord and Saviour. Here my heart was tendered and I could weep freely, until my very cheeks were sore with wiping them. It was pressed upon me to pray, and perhaps the Lord would have mercy upon me. I endeavoured to comply with the impression, and went to a lonely place and kneeled down to pray; but the devil suggested to my mind, that there was somebody hid in the woods and they would laugh at me, so I arose and looked all round, but I could see no one; yet I dared not pray there. However, I went to the other end of my field and kneeled down again ; here the enemy sug- gested the same thing, but the Lord gave me strength to pray, it being the first time I ever prayed with a vocal voice. My prayer was not like the Pharisee, but like the poor Publican, I cried, " God be merciful to me a sinner ! God have mercy on me!" I believe I might have been heard half a mile. 31 y distress was not so great when I arose from prayer as when I kneeled ; for I believe I could not have continued in the body, if God had not moderated the pain and anxiety that I was in, but must have expired before the going down of the sun. Glory to God, I felt my distress somewhat removed ! I then returned to the house and sat down to dinner, but my soul was still in so great distress that I 14 Prays for Mercy. could not eat; although I put food into my mouth and chewed it, yet I could not swallow it, so in as private a manner as possible, that my wife should not discover my anxiety, I threw it to the dog-, and asked her if she would go with me to meeting, as a Methodist preacher was to preach in the neighbourhood that afternoon; she agreed, and we went. When we got there, the people not being as- sembled, I retired into the woods to pray, and got in among the boughs of a fallen tree, and then, in the utmost anguish of my soul, I cried unto God for mercy, so loud that the people at the house heard me. After this I felt something easier, but still had no peace. I then went to one of the near neighbours, and advised them to go with me and hear the preacher, whom I spake so highly of that they all went. When we got there the preacher had come, and there was a large concourse assembled: a great many more than could get into the house. I then went in, sat down, and took my little son upon my knee; the preacher began soon after. His word was attended with such power that it ran through me from head to foot, and I shook and trembled like Belshazzar, and felt that I. should cry out if I did not leave the house, which I deter- mined to do, that I might not expose myself by crying out among the people; but when I at- tempted to put my little son down and rise to go, I found that my strength had tailed me, and the use of my limbs was so far gone, that I was utterly un- able to rise. Immediately I cried aloud, like the penitent of old, "Save, Lord, or I perish;" but be- fore the preacher concluded I refrained, and wiped my eyes; my heart gave way to shame, and I was Sets up Family Prayer. 15 tempted to wish I was dead or could die, as I had ; so exposed myself, that my neighbours and ac- quaintance would laugh at and despise me. When the meeting was over, I thought to speak I to the preacher, but such a crowd got around him disputing points of doctrine, that I could not con- veniently get an opportunity. That evening I set up family prayer, it being the first time I ever attempted to pray in my family. My wife being a strict Presbyterian and professor of religion, she was a praying woman, and much pleased with having family prayer; so that she proved a great help to encourage me in my duty; although, dear creature, she knew no- thing of experimental religion. Saturday, 10th of October, 1772, my distress continued, although not so great as the day be- fore. Sunday the 1 1th, my wife and I went eleven or twelve miles to meeting, in order to hear the same Methodist preacher again. 'When we arrived at the place, the preacher was walking across a field; I went and related to him my distress of soul, and told him that I had a desire to be baptized, hoping that it would be of service to make me better, and relieve me of my distress; for I had no idea of faith in Christ. He asked me if I was a Quaker, I told him no, I was nothing but a poor wretched condemned sinner. He then ex- horted nie to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and applied the promises of the gospel. I replied, I could not believe that Christ would have mercy on such a sinner as I was, and burst into a flood of tears. lie then said, I was the very man that Christ died for, or he would not have awakened me: that it was the lost, Christ came to seek, and L6 Remarkable Dream. the greatest of sinners he came to save, and com- manded me to believe. We then went to the house; he soon began to preach, and I stood outside the door, for I was afraid to go in lest I should expose myself again as on Friday before: in his prayer he particularly prayed for the poor broken-hearted sinner. His cries to God on this occasion, ran through my heart like darts and daggers; after meeting, I returned and prayed in my family, and ever after I con- tinued that duty. That night I lay alone, expecting to sleep little, but to pray and weep all night. Whenever I fell into a slumber, it appeared to me that I saw hell opened to receive me, and I just on the point of dropping in, and devils waiting to seize me. Being thus alarmed, it would arouse me up, crying to the Lord to save me; and thus I passed the whole night in this terrified condition. Just at the dawn- ing of the day, I fell into a doze more like sleep than any I had during the whole night, in which I dreamed that I saw a river as clear as crystal, in the middle of which appeared a rock, with a child sitting upon it, and a multitude of people on the shore, who said the child would be lost. I then saw a small man on the bank of the river, whose hair was very black, and he and I wrestled together. I heard the people cry out, the child is lost; and looking round, I saw it floating down the river, and when it came opposite where we were, it threw up its wings, and I saw it was an angel. The man with whom I wrestled, told me there was a sorrel or red horse, chained head and hind foot in the river, and bade me go down and loose him. The people parted to the right and left, forming a lane for me to pass through ; I im- Interprets the Dream. 17 mediately hastened to the river and went in, the water running over my head, and without receiv- ing any kind of injury, I loosed the horse, and immediately I sprang out of the water like a cork, or the bouncing of a ball, and at that instant 1 awoke, and saw by faith, the Lord Jesus Christ standing by me with his arms extended wide, say- ing to me, "I died for you." I then looked up, and by faith I saw the Ancient of Days, and he said to me, "I freely forgive thee for what Christ has done." At this I burst into a flood of tears, and with joy in my heart, cried and praised God, and said, "Oh ! that there was a minister to give me the Lord's Supper !" Then by faith I saw the Lord Jesus come to me as with a cup in his hand, and he gave it me, and I took it and drank thereof ; it was like unto honey for sweetness. At that moment the scriptures were wonderfully opened to my understanding. I was now aide to interpret the dream or vision to my satisfaction, viz: The river which I saw, represented to me the river of life proceeding from the throne of God, spoken of by the Psalmist, xlvi. 4, and also in Rev. xxii. 1. The numerous company on the shore represented the angels of God, standing to rejoice at my conversion, ac- cording to Luke xv. (i, 7- The sorrel or red horse, I thought was mv own spirit or mind, fettered with the cords of unbelief, or the chains of the devil. The colour represented the carnal mind 1 or the nature of Satan, which was stamped upon 1 me, and thus I was plunged into the river, where j the cords of unbelief were immediately loosed by faith, and my captive soul set at liberty; and my bouncing out, was a representation of the light- ' ness of my heart, which sprung up to God, upon B 18 His Daughter converted. my instantaneous change from nature to grace. The man at whose command I was loosed, was Christ; thus I was set at liberty from the chains of bondage and enmity of the carnal mind. CHAPTER III. His daughter is converted—Begins to exhort — Doubtful dis- putations— l'.illen preacher — Call to preach. At this time I thought of my daughter, who was under distress of soul; she was about four- teen years of age. I looked up towards the cham- ber where she was, with a particular concern for her conversion, and the Lord said to me, "She is safely landed;" which was accompanied with a conviction in my mind, that she had found the Lord, which was the case, as I found after I arose and spoke to her. I have since thought that the child I saw in my vision or dream, might repre- sent my daughter; who, instead of being lost, was safely landed. She served the Lord a number of years, and died triumphant in the faith; and I have no doubt hut our loss is her infinite gain, and that she landed in glory. All the time of my conviction I used to consi- der what church or society I should join, whether the Baptists, Presbyterians, or Methodists; but at this time the Lord said unto me, "You must join the Methodists, for they are my people, and they are right." My heart felt as light as a bird, being relieved of that load of guilt which before had bowed down my spirits; and my body felt as active as when I was eighteen, so that the outward and inward man were both animated, and I felt as if I could He Expounds in his Family. 19 have sprung from the bed to the lire, which was about fifteen feet. I arose and called up the family, and took down the Testament, and the first place I opened was the ninth chapter of Acts, where Saul breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the church and disciples of the Lord; and if I had had a congregation I could have preached; but having none, only my own family, I expounded the chap- ter and exhorted them, and then sang and prav- ed. After breakfast I told my wife that I must go and tell the neighbours what the Lord had done for my soul. The first place I went to, the man and his wife were both professors of religion, and members of the Baptist church. I expected they knew what these things were and would rejoice with me; but to my great surprise, when I related my experi- ence, and told what God had done for my soul, it appeared as strange to them as if I had claimed pos- session of Old England, and called it all my own. I then set out for Jacob Elwell's mill, about two miles off, where I expected to meet with di- vers persons, and to have an opportunity to ex- hort them, and tell them what I had found. On my way there I exhorted all I met with to turn to God. When I got to the mill, while I was telling them my experience, and exhorting them to flee from the wrath to come, some laughed, and others cried, and some thought I was distracted. Before night a report was spread all through the neighbourhood that I was raving mad. At evening I returned home, and asked my wife about her conviction and conversion ; expect- ing, as she professed religion, that she knew what heart-religion was: but to my astonishment, I b 2 20 Speaks to his Wife about her Conversion. found she never had experienced a change of heart. IShe had been awakened when young, under a sermon by Mr. Hunter, a Presbyterian minister, which brought her to prayer, but in process of time it wore off again. About seven years after that, as a brother of hers was sitting under a fence watching for deer, another man, who was also a-hunting about sunset, seeing his head through the fence, and taking it to be a fox, shot and kil- led him. This unfortunate affair gave her ano- ther alarm, which brought her again to prayer, but this also wore off in a short time, and she lived in neglect of that duty until after we were mar- ried and had three children; at which time the measles came into the family, and under her af- flictions and distress, she covenanted with God to be more religious; from which time she became a praying woman, and joined the Presbyterian church, and was looked upon as a very religious person, although she rested short of conversion, and remained a stranger to the new birth. I told her she had no religion, and was nothing more than a strict Pharisee. This gave her dis- pleasure, and she asked me if I thought none had religion but them that knew it. I told her no, not one; for all who had it must know it. Next day she went to the minister to know what he thought of it. He told her she was right ; for people might be good Christians and know nothing about what I insisted on : and advised her not to mind me, for I was expecting to be saved by my works. This gave her a momentary satisfaction, and home she came quite strong and attacked me, and related what her minister had said. She also brought a book which he had sent me, requesting I would read it, entitled ''Bella- An evil Book. 21 my's New Divinity," in which lie insisted upon conversion before conviction, and faith before re- pentance. I read it about half through, and found him a rigid Predestinarian. His doctrine of de- crees and unconditional election and reprobation so confused my mind, that I threw it by determin- ing to read no more in it, as my own experience clearly proved to me, that the doctrines contained in it were false. Next day my wife took the book back. I de- sired her to tell the minister, from me, that it was full of lies, which scripture and experience both proved. He sent for me to come to see him ; accordingly the day following I went and dined with him: after dinner he requested all the family to with- draw from the dining room; they did so, and he and I were left alone. He then told me he un- derstood that God had done great things for me; whereupon I related my conviction and my con- version. He paid a strict attention until I had done, and then told me I was under strong delu- sions of the devil. He got a book out of his library for me to read. As he handed it to me, the Lord shewed me by the voice of his Spirit, that the book was not fit for me. However, I diso- beyed the divine impression, and took it at the minister's request. I returned home, felt a temp- tation to doubt, and called to mind my various sins, but none of them condemned me. I then thought upon a particular sin, which I concluded would condemn me, but in a moment I felt an evidence that that sin was forgiven, as though separate from all the rest that ever I had committed; but recollecting that the minister had told me that I was under strong delusions of the devil, it was 22 Strong Temptations. suggested to my mind, it may be that he is right. I went a little way out of the road and kneeled down and prayed to God, that if I was deceived to undeceive me; and the Lord said to me, "Why do you doubt ? Is not Christ all-sufficient? Is he not able ? Have you not felt his blood applied?" I then sprang upon my feet and cried out, not all the devils in hell, nor all the Predestinarians on earth, should make me doubt, for I knew that I was converted. At that instant I was tilled with unspeakable raptures of joy. When I got home, my wife asked what the mi- nister had said. I told her, and that he had no religion; at which she burst into tears and wept, to think I should sav the minister had no religion. She said it was dreadful that I should condemn their minister. She then said, "You hate me, and all the Presbyterians." I replied, " No, my dear, I love you all, but as yet I have not found one converted Christian among you." For three days I continued in these divine rap- tures of joy, and thought I should have no more trials nor warfare, not being acquainted with the travels of a Christian through the snares and dan- gers in life. But the fourth day I fell into heavi- ness through powerful temptations. The devil harassed my soul with fear that I had grieved the Spirit of God, and that it had left me. A severe temptation ran through me, "Let him go if he will! Let him go if he will!" Then it was strong- ly suggested to my mind, that I had as good turn back to my old ways again; but I cried, "No, I love my Jesus! I never will: no, not for a thou- sand worlds!" In the evening I prayed as usual, but still felt as if dark and forsaken. After I got into bed the Lord visited me in a powerful man- The fallen Preacher. 23 ner, and I lay as in the arms of Jesns. Towards the dawn of day, in a dream, I thought I saw the preacher under whom I was awakened, drunk and playing cards, with his garments all denied with dirt. When I awoke and found it was a dream I was glad; although I still felt some un- easiness on his account. In ahout three weeks after, I heard that the poor unfortunate preacher had fallen into sundry gross sins, and was expelled the .Methodist Con- nexion. Thus I saw my dream fulfilled. The tidings of his fall filled me with such distress, that I wandered about like a poor lost sheep with these reflections— If the head is thus fallen, what will become of me, or what combats may I have with the devil ? At length when in prayer, under sore temptation, and almost in despair, a new thought was impressed on my mind, that I must not put my trust in the arm of flesh, for cursed is he that putteth his trust in an arm of flesh. I then saw that my salvation did not depend on his standing or falling. I had to stand for myself, and to give diligence through grace, to save my own soul; and that my soul must answer at the bar of God for my own deeds. I then drew a conclusion, that I would not join any church, until I had read the Bible, and compared it with their articles or confessions of faith. Accordingly, I took the Westminster Con- fession of Faith, and compared it with the Scrip- tures, and found it held many things which were not in the Bible, but repugnant thereunto. I then got the Baptist Confession of Faith, and compared their articles in like manner, and found them as unscriptural and repugnant to truth as the former. I found the Bible held out free grace 24 Disputes with a Calvinist Minister. to all, and for all, and that Christ tasted death for every man, and offered gospel-salvation to all. Therefore, I could not hear those contracted par- tial doctrines of unconditional election and repro- bation. So I threw them both aside, and went on with the llible from Genesis to the Revelation, until I had read it through: by which time I was well armed with arguments against the Predes- tinarians. Soon after this, I had a dispute with a Calvinis- tic minister, at his own house, upon election and reprobation. He told me that such a definitive number of angels and men, had been elected to life from all eternity; and the others, by an unal- terable decree, had been reprobated to damnation. I then told him he was a fool to preach, if he be- lieved that doctrine; the people were fools to hear him, much more for paying him to preach such doctrine; and that he was no better than a pick- pocket to take the people's money, when his preach- ing could be of no service to them, if everything was pre-ordained, determined, and fixed by an eternal unalterable decree. At this he was much offended and left me. As I was going home, I got upon a neighbour's fence, where I sat for some considerable time, pondering in my mind what I had best do: for I could not join either the Presbyterians or Bap- tists, because their articles and doctrines were contrary to Scripture, to my faith and experience; and as yet there was no society of Methodists formed in our parts. While I was thus meditating, the Lord, by his Spirit, in power spoke in my mind to the follow- ing effect: "I have shown you the way wherein you ought to walk; but your ways are a grief to Resolves to be a Methodist. 2o my Spirit." I then recollected, that at my con- version the Lord had shewed me that it was his will that I should join the Methodist church, and that I had been putting it off for six months, try- ing to join either the Baptist or the Presbyterian church. Such a shock of conviction ran through my soul upon this reflection, that on a sudden I cried aloud several times, "I am a Methodist! I am a Methodist!" I then returned home fully resolved to be a Methodist; although I well knew that persecution and reproach would be poured upon me from every quarter. However, I was resolved to obey God, come what would. Accor- dingly, I told my wife that I was a Methodist. She asked what was the matter now. I told her that God would not let me be any thing else. A few days after, an elder of the Presbyterian meeting came to talk with me, to whom I told my experience, and that I knew that God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven my sins. He replied, that he had been a member of the church twenty- five years, and never before heard any one say that he knew his sins were forgiven; and for any one to say that he knew that his sins were for- given he ought to be burnt, for he made himself as perfect as an angel in heaven. "Nay," said he, " I would help to burn such a man myself." I told him if he had never felt such a conviction for sin to make him cry to God to save him a poor sinner, and hath not felt the blood of Christ applied to the washing away of his sins, his reli- gion was still no better than the devil's. This shut him up, and he went away silent, and after- wards told his minister that he slept none that night. When he afterwards related this to me, I told him I wished he had never slept any more until he had found Christ. 26 Exhorts at Dinner. Some days after, I went to Wood's-Town, about twelve miles from home, where I met with an old acquaintance, who invited me to dine with him; I went, and when we were about sitting down to dinner, I proposed to ask a blessing: as soon as I began, the two journeymen burst out a- laughing; at which I arose and began to exhort them all in a very rough manner, thundering out hell and damnation against the ungodly, with tears in mine eyes. This broke up dinner, and neither of us eat any thing. S. Smalhvood, a young woman, being present, was much affected, and asked me home with her. Accordingly I went, and when we got there, she related to her mother, Mrs. Sparks, all that had passed. The old lady and I soon fell into conversation. She was a pious Moravian. I was truly glad that I had found a witness for Jesus, she being the first person I had conversed with since my conversion, who testified the knowledge of sin forgiven. She knew that God, for Christ's sake, had freely for- given her sins. We had a comfortable time in conversing together on the things of God. She told me that I was the first person she had met with in that place, who could testify that their sins were forgiven. I left her with strong im- pressions on my mind to preach the gospel, and on my way home began to illustrate on the green tree and the dry: the dry times and the green times. CHAPTER IV. His wife converted— Prays with the sick— Remarkable dream — Begins to preach— The murderer — He is appointed Class Leader. I still continued to read and examine the bible, being fully convinced that a dispensation of the His Wife consults a Preacher. ■21 gospel was committed to me from the very hour I had found peace with God. From that time I exhorted all that I had any intercourse with. The scriptures were wonderfully opened unto me, and hecame my meditation hy day and hy night; for often when asleep, texts were brought to my mind, the Spirit divided them into heads, and I preached from them in my sleep. I frequently awoke, not knowing then where to find the text I had been preaching from, and inquired of my wife if she knew: and upon her replying that she did not, I have lain a few minutes, and God has revealed to me both chapter and verse, which I desired her to remember, and in the morning found it as the Lord had revealed it to me. This so frequently occurred, that my wife used to sav, "You are always preaching." However, it caused her to ponder these things in her heart. I saw that if ever 1 should win her to Christ it must be by love, and a close walk with God; for I ob- served that she watched me closely. She went many times to her minister, and he as often daubed her up with untempered mortar, and she would return again strong in her own opinion. But when she observed to him that there was an alteration in me, he replied, that I expected to get to heaven by my works. When I told her that I should be a preacher, she re- plied, "You look like a preacher, and do not un- derstand one text in the bible." However, I continued to go on, and about this time Philip Gatch, one of the Methodist preachers, preached about four miles from our house; my wife and I went to hear him. He gave us an alarming discourse, which reached the heart of my wife. She called him aside after preaching, I 28 His Wife converted. and said, "If what my husband tells me, and what yon preach, he true, I have no religion." He came to me, and told me my wife was awaken- ed, and that we must go with him to the place where he was to preach in the afternoon : we ac- cordingly went. After he had done preaching, he asked me to go to prayer; this was a great cross, as I had never prayed in public, except in my family. However, I felt it my duty to comply, and accor- dingly took up my cross, and the Lord wrought powerfully on the people; among the rest, my wife cried aloud for mercy. So great was her conviction, that for three days she eat, drank, or slept but little. She now saw she had only been a Pharisee, and was in a lost condition. On the third day in the afternoon, she went over to John Murphey's, a neighbour of ours, a sensible man, and one well experienced in reli- gion. After some conversation with him, she re- turned home, and upon the way the Lord broke in upon her soul, and she came home rejoicing in God. During her absence, I went from home to visit a sick man, with whom I tarried all night. On my return next morning, she met me at the door with tears of joy; we embraced each other, and she cried out, "Now I know what you told me is true, for the Lord hath pardoned my sins." We had a blessed meeting, and it was the happiest day we had ever seen together. "Now," said she, " I am willing to be a Methodist too." From that time we went on hand in hand, helping and building each other up in the Lord. These were like the beginning of days to us. Our children began to yield obedience to the Lord, and in the course of about three months Peculiar Dreams. 29 after my wife's conversion, we had six children converted to God: two sons and four daughters, the youngest of whom was only seven years old. My neighbours, when sick, now began to send for me to pray with and for them ; some of whom, after they recovered, were ashamed lest they should be laughed at, for sending for "Old Abbott" to pray with them. There was one remarkable instance which I shall here mention, viz: I dreamed that one of my neighbours had a fire broke out, and I worked at it till it became pure gold, and then I told him that he was one of the richest men in the world. Soon after, I dreamed that a fire broke out and ran through all his plantation and then died away, and the whole appeared to be a coal-mine. It rested on my mind what these dreams could mean. In a few weeks this neighbour was taken sick, and lay very ill of a pleurisy. His life being de- spaired of, he requested them to send for me to pray with him. I got out of my bed and went. When I got there, he told me the Lord had warned him to send for me, and that all his sins had passed before him that night, and that he ex- pected to die and go to hell; but that he now felt his anguish and guilt removed, and his mind filled with remarkable peace. I told him his soul was converted; he suddenly clasped his hands, and sprang up*in the bed praising God aloud, and exhorting all in the house to repent and turn to God. His words wrought so powerfully on their hearts, that a general weeping took place. That night his disorder broke, and he recovered and lived some years in the service of God, then died a happy man; but his family, who were all struck 3Q Call m a Dream. with the power of God the night of his conver- l: sion, lost their desires for salvation. Then I un- r derstood that the fire I had seen in my dream, | was the heavenly fire which had caught in him I and run through all his family. The pure gold r was that treasure he retained in his own soul; the coal-mine, his family, who lost their desires, and were dead and barren in religion. At another time, on a Saturday night, I dream, ed that the next day there would be a disappoint- ment, and that the expected preacher would not come, and that the Lord said to me, " You must go and preach, for you must speak for me." I awaked my wife, and told her my dream. She replied, "You are always dreaming about preach- ing, there is no doubt but what the preacher will be there." I said, very well, we will go and see. Accordingly we went, and the people ga- thered, but no preacher came. One of the men said, we ought not to let the people go away with- out singing and prayer; which I thought very right, and concluded within myself to preach. A hymn was sung, and one went to prayer, but the cross was so great that my heart failed, and I did not attempt to speak. The people being dismissed, I returned home sorely distressed that I had been so fearful as to disobey the divine impression that had attended my mind. Thus I fell into great heaviness and deadness, and wandered about the fields. At length I retired into the woods, and covenanted with the Lord, that if he would reveal himself to me again as he had done before, I would go and preach wherever he would send me, even if it were to devils. That instant the Lord broke into my soul with power. I arose from my knees He attends a Funeral. 31 and preached to the very trees of the woods. I was resolved through grace, the first opportunity that offered, to preach to men. A few days after a neighbour died, and I was requested to attend the funeral. As I rode to the place, these words ''Circumcise your hearts, for to-morrow the Lord will do great things among you," rested weightily on my mind. When I got to the place I stood up and said, " The Lord has shewn us what we shall all come to, in taking this our fellow -mortal from time to eternity." Then went to prayer, and when I arose from my knees, I took my text and preached. The word had effect on many, and we had a weeping season. From that time I went on to preach as occasion served, from time to time, and the fruit which the Lord gave me was a satisfac- tory evidence that he had called me to the work of the ministry, and had committed a dispensa- tion of the gospel unto me. Some time after this, as I was on my way to hear one of the Methodist preachers, it was strongly impressed on my mind that the preacher would not be there, and that I must preach from a certain text which then was given me. When I got to the place, I understood that the preacher was so unwell that he could not come. One of the principal members in that place asked me to pray with the people. After prayer I arose and took my text and began to preach, at which the people were surprised, it being very unexpected to them: however, it was a time oi' liberty and power. After meeting, a man asked me to preach at his house the next Sabbath; accordingly the appoint- ment was made, which I attended, and felt a 32 Extraordinary occurrence — A murderer. great opening in divine things, and the people were much wrought on. It was in a neighbour- hood where there never had been any Methodist preaching before. The following extraordinary occurrence took place: while I was speaking with great zeal, and exclaiming against the various abominations of the people, and pointing out their enormous sins, I cried out, " For aught I know, there may be a murderer in this congrega- tion !" Immediately a lusty man attempted to go out, but when he got to the door he bawled out, and stretched out both his arms and ran backward, as though some one had been before him pressing on him to take his life, and he en- deavouring to defend himself from the attack, until he got to the far side of the room, and then fell backward against the wall and lodged on a chest, and cried out very bitterly and said, he was the murderer, for he had killed a man about fifteen years before, and that two men met him at the door with pointed swords, and pursued him across the room to stab him ! Thus he lay and cried with great anguish of soul. This surprised me so much that I stopped preaching; the people were greatly alarmed, and looked on the man with the utmost astonishment. After a short pause, I went on again and finished my discourse. The man who was in this wonderful manner wrought upon, recovered himself and went away, and I never have seen or heard of him since. The Sabbath after I preached in the school- house in my own neighbourhood; it had been ru- moured abroad that I was that day to preach to drunkards. People of all kinds c:ime out, and we had a large congregation. The Lord attended his word witli power, even to some who came The American War. S3 only out of an idle curiosity to hear, as they thought, some laughable nonsense. About this time we formed a class in our neigh- bourhood, and I was appointed to lead them. We were taken into the circuit, and had regular circuit preaching once in two weeks: I continued to preach on Sabbath days, and the circuit preachers on week days. CHAPTER V. American War — Obtains sanctification — Work prospers — Baptist Preacher — Collegian — Quaker woman in distress — Catholic — Warning to parents — Bigotry — His son Benja- min dies. The American war came on, and this increased our persecution. For hitherto we had been per- secuted as Methodist christians, but in addition to this we were now branded with toryism. For the Methodists were considered by their persecu- tors as tories; and I am sorry to say that the im- proper conduct of some, both preachers and mem- bers, gave grounds for the suspicion. However, to be called a Methodist, was a certain imputation of toryism, in the estimation of our enemies. But for my part I never meddled with the poli- tics of the day.* My call was to preach salva- tion to sinners, and to wage war against the works of the devil. One day, Major H. asked me if I preached for war; I told him no, I did not. He then asked me what I did preach; I told him that I preach- ed repentance towards God, and faith in Jesus • He certainly was taught of the Lord Ed. ° 34 Mighty Prayer. Christ, and that all who did not experience this, would be damned and go to hell. He appeared angry at this answer; but when I related to him my conviction and conversion, he was calm and wished me well. I asked him to come and hear me, and then he would know my manner of preaching. At a certain time I had an appointment to preach at D. G.'s in Deerfield, at which a mob collected and threatened to tar and feather the preacher, if he attempted to preach. Mr. G. met me upon the road, and advised me to go back, for the mob had collected in order to tar and feather me. At first I thought I would return. Con- sulting with flesh and blood, I concluded it would be a disagreeable thing to have my clothes spoil- ed, and my hair all matted with tar, &c. But those words revolving in my mind, "The servant is not greater than his Lord," I immediately re- solved to go and preach, even if I were to die for it. When we arrived at the place, there was a large congregation assembled, so that the house could not contain them, and a number stood round about the door. I went in among them, and gave out a hymn, but no one sang. I then sang four lines myself, while every joint in my body trem- bled, and then said, let us pray; but before prayer was over, the power of God fell upon me in such a manner, that it instantly removed from me the fear of man, and some cried out. I arose, took my text, and preached witli great liberty; and be- fore the meeting was over, I saw many tears drop from their eyes, and the head man of the mob said, that he had never heard such preaching since • Mr. Williams went away. So I came off clear. Glovy be to God who stood by me in this trying The Spirit poured out. 35 hour. I then asked if I should give out for preaching again, but the answer was, "No." So I returned home happy in ray soul. Meeting with one of our preachers, I told him ■what great things the Lord had done for poor me. He replied, "It is nothing to what he will do for you if you are faithful, for it is the will of God, even your sanctification." " Why," said I, " I am happy in God already; but if there is such a blessing to be had, I am determined to have it;" and from that time I began to seek for it. In examining, I found in the Bible that it was the will of God, even our sanctification. I soon hungered and thirsted for full salvation. In fa- mily prayer, one morning, the hand of the Lord came upon me in such a manner, that I felt the impression, as though one had laid a hand upon me, attended with such power that I thought I should die. But unbelief took place, and the power withdrew, or I believe that God would have sanctified me that moment. At night I was afraid to pray for such power, for fear that God would kill me, therefore my prayer was only lip language; by this time I got very dead. How. ever, next night I prayed, from my very heart, for the power again, live or die: and God poured out his Spirit upon us all in such a manner, that the place was glorious because of the presence of the Lord, and his dying love filled all our hearts. I was now engaged for the blessing more than ever. Soon after D. Ruff came upon the circuit, and my house being a preaching place, he came nnd preached; and in the morning, in family pray- er, he prayed that God would come and sanctify , us, soul and body. I repeated these words after him, " Come, Lord, and sanctify nie, soul and 36 Powerful effects. body!" That moment the Spirit of God came upon me in such a manner, that I fell flat to the floor, and lay as one strangling in blood, while my wife and children stood weeping over me. But I had not power to lift hand or foot, nor yet to speak one word; I believe I lay half an hour, and felt the power of God running through every part of my soul and body, like tire consuming the in- ward corruption of poor depraved nature. When I arose and walked out of the door, and stood pondering these things in my heart, it appeared to me as if the whole creation was praising God ; it also appeared as if I had got new eyes, for every thing appeared new, and I felt a love for all the creatures that God had made, and an unin- terrupted peace filled my breast. In three days, God gave me a full assurance that he had sancti- fied me, soul and body. "If a man love me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John xiv. 23. Which I found day by day, manifested to my soul, by the witness of his Spirit; glory to God for what he then did, and since has done for poor me. Some time after, I went to Salem, and A. H. came to me and said, " I understand that vou preach ;" I said, " Yes." " Then," said he, "will you come and preach at my house?" I said, "If you please you may give it out next Sabbath-day." He did so, and accordingly I attended and found a large congregation assembled, to whom I preach- ed, and God attended the word with power; some cried out, and many were in tears. After sermon, I made another appointment for that day two weeks, at eleven o'clock. Thpre being an elder of the Presbyterian church present, he asked me The Daughter of a Baptist awakened. 37 if I would come and preach at his house. I told him that I would on that day two weeks, at three o'clock. Another said it was the truth I had spoken, hut in a very rough manner. At the time appointed I attended, and found many people at both places. At first, I felt much freedom in speaking, and after sermon I found that both tbe man and his wife were awakened. At the second, great power attended the word, several cried aloud, and one fell to the floor. After meeting, I asked the man of the house if he knew what he had done. He replied, " What have I done?" Said I, "You have opened your door to the Methodists, and if a work of religion break out, your people will turn you out of their synagogue." He replied, " That he would die for the truth." I appointed to preach again at both places, that day two weeks. Next day, on my return home, I called at a Baptist's house, whose daughter was very ill. After some conversation, I went to prayer, and while at prayer the Lord set her soul at liberty, and she praised God before us all. Here I fell in company with one of Whitfield's converts, who had known the Lord forty years. We had great comfort in conversing together upon the things of God. He was an Israelite indeed. About two years after he came to see me, and told me that he had come to die at my house; accordingly he Mas taken sick, and died there happy in God. The Sabbath day following, I preached at a place called Hell-Neck, which name took its rise from the wickedness of the people. One sinner said he had heard Abbott swear, and had seen him fight, and now he would go and hear him preach. The word reached his heart, and he 38 A Boy awakened. soon after became a convert to the Lord. After meeting, he invited me home with him, and several others invited me to preach at their hou- ses, so that I got preaching places thiough all the neighbourhood, and a considerable revival of re- ligion took place, although it had been so noted for wickedness. Among others, a young lad about fifteen was awakened, and in a few weeks found peace; his father being a great enemy to religion, opposed him violently, and resolved to prevent his being a Methodist, and even whipped him for praying. This soon threw him into great distress, and on the borders of despair: at length he was tempted to think that he had sinned against the Holy Ghost, and thought he had cursed God. I heard of it, and went to see him; he told me his temp- tations, and cried out, " There I have now done it," and clapped his hand on his mouth. I told him that he had not done it, and that he would not do it for the world. His mother began to cry, and his father soon came in, and I warned him against such conduct towards his son, and he told me it was all delusion. "Who told you so?" said I; "D. P." said he, "and he is a Presbyte- rian, and a good man." "Tell D. P. that he is a deceived man," said I, "for this is the true work of God upon your son." The son then cried out, "The Lord is here!" The father said to me, "Benjamin, are you not a Free-mason?" I told him no, I knew nothing of Free-masonry; but I knew that this was the apparition of the Spirit of God. The father then wept, I went to prayer, and the family were all in tears; after this, the son went on joyfully. After I left this hous«, I went to another of the Several converted. neighbour's, and after some conversation with them, I went to prayer; the man kneeled, but the woman continued knitting all the time of prayer. "When I arose, I took her by the hand and said, "Do you pray?" and looked steadfastly at her and added, '*God pity you!" This pierced her heart so, that she never rested until her soul was converted to the Lord. The whole neighbourhood seemed alarmed. A Quaker, who one day came to hear me, asked me home with him. When I entered his house I said, " God has brought salvation to this house." At prayer in the evening, his daughter was struck with conviction, and soon after, the old man, his wife, three sons, and two daughters, were all brought to experience religion, so that we had a considerable society. A Baptist preacher, who lived about twenty miles distant, hearing what was going on in the neighbourhood, went thither and preached the necessity of Water Baptism, and was so success- ful as to get six of my sheep into the water, who left us and followed him. Elated with this suc- cess, he followed me from place to place, but all in vain, for he could not turn another out of the way. But to return to my appointments. In Man- nington, great congregations attended. The man and his wife were both awakened, and under convictions, and many others were stirred up to inquire the way to Zion. At the second place, the minister thereof attended ; I felt at first a great cross to preach before him, he being a learned man, and I supposed he had come to hear me with an evil design, as appeared afterwards to be the case. However, I prayed to the Lord not to let me be confounded. After I began, my cross 40 Disputes with a Presbyterian Minister. was but light, and the minister who sat before me, was no more than another sinner. The power of God rested upon us, and several cried aloud, and two fell to the floor agonizing for salvation. I tarried all night, and the minister and five or six of the heads of the Presbyterian Meeting spent the evening with me, in order to dispute and pick me to pieces if possible. The minister asked me if I was a Wesleyan ; I answered, "Yes." " Then," said he, " you deny the perseverance of the saints." "God forbid," said I, "for none can be saved unless they persevere to the end." "Then," said he, "you believe the possibility of falling from grace." I answered, " Yes." He then, in a very abrupt manner, gave me the lie. But when I told him that I could prove the doctrine by the Word of God, he very passion- ately gave me the lie again. I quoted sundry scrip, tures, particularly that of David's fall, and turned to Ezek. chap. iii. verses 20 and 21, and wished him to read and explain the passage, but he would not touch the Bible. H : s elder said that it read as I said, and he ought to explain it. He, in a passion, said he was brought up in a college, and certainly knew; but I was a fool, and he could cut such a fellow's throat; then turned to his el- der, and said, " If there were a dog's head on your shoulders, I would cut it off. Do you not know the articles of your own church ? I will teach you better." I told him the curse of God was upon all such watchmen as he was, who did not warn the people against sin; that if they lived and died in sin they could not be saved; and by his doctrine souls might fall away and perish, but their blood would be found in his skirts. He re- plied, " I could cut such a fellow's throat : it Mob of Soldiers. 41 makes my blood boil to hear the perseverance of the saints denied." I then handed him the Bible and desired him to clear it up; but he said, " You are a fool ; you know nothing at all. I was brought up at college, and will have you be- fore your betters." He got so angry that he could say but little more. I told him if we were ambassadors for Christ, we ought to go on, hand and heart, to attack the devil in all his strong holds. And then asked the man of the house if I should preach there again; but the answer was, " No." So this place was shut against me through the influence of the minister. But glory be to God, there were doors open in Mannington, so that I was at no loss for places to preach at. I accordingly preached at William Harvey's, where the people came out pretty generally, and the Lord wrought powerfully among them. And on my return home, I went with one of my old companions, who asked me if I would preach at his house in Wood's Town. I told him I would. Accordingly) an appointment was made, and we had a crowded house. While I was speaking, a mob of soldiers came with their guns, and bayo- nets fixed, and one rushed in, while the rest sur- rounded the door. The people fled every way, and he presented his gun and bayonet as though he would run me through; it passed close by my ear twice. If ever I preached the terrors of the law, I did it while he was threatening me in this manner, for I felt no fear of death, and soon found he could not withstand the force of truth; he gave way, and retreated to the door. They endeavoured to send him back again, but in vain, for he refused to return. However, I went on and finished my discourse, and then asked the 42 Many Doors opened. man of the house if I should preach there again, he said, "No, for they will pull down ray house." But Dr. Harris told me I might preach in his house. In two weeks I attended at the Doctor's, and found about one hundred men under arms. When I began to preach, they all grounded their arms, and heard me in a quiet orderly manner. About this time, the government was drafting the militia to go into the service of their country. Among others, the lot fell on me to go; but as I had a call to preach, I could not think of going out to fight. However, I had to pay a sum of money sufficient to procure another man to go in my place. I told my wife that we must remove from that neighbourhood, for we should be ruined to stay among a set of people who, from their enmity, were determined to do me all the injury they could. Accordingly, I rented a place in Man- nington, near Salem, where the people were more friendly, and not so full of the spirit of war. Here I had many doors opened for me to preach, and a powerful work of religion took place, at- tended with several remarkable conversions, which I think worthy of notice. One was a woman, who, after returning home from preaching under great conviction, applied herself to prayer* And while she was about her house-work, and as she walked across the floor, with her heart lifted up to God in penitential supplication, the Lord ap- plied these words to her, "Go in peace, and sin no more." At that instant she was brought into liberty, and cried out, " I have got the Lord ! I have got the Lord!" Her children asked her what was the matter, to whom she repeated the same words. They then told her some one was A Woman in distress. 43 coming: she replied, "I do not care, for I have got the Lord." The man came in; but she con- tinued to praise the Lord in such a manner, that he was struck with deep conviction. Another instance was a Quaker woman, who went from preaching under strong conviction and such anguish of mind, that she paid no attention to her family, nor even to her sucking child. Early in the morning I was sent for. When I went she was sitting with both hands clinched fast in the hair of her head crying out, "Lord have mercy on me ! Save, Lord, or I perish ! I shall go to hell," &c. I told her to pray in faith, to look to Jesus and lay hold of the promises, and God would have mercy on her; but she re- plied, "I cannot pray;" I said, "You do pray very well; go on." 1 then kneeled down and prayed: three pious women who were present did likewise. One of the women said, she could not pray in English. I told her to pray in Dutch, for God understood that as well as English. The distressed woman appeared to be worse, like one going distracted. I then sang the hymn com- posed for one possessed of an evil spirit : — " King of kings, spread thy wings, Christ our weakness cover, Till the storm is over," &c. M r hen these last words were sung, I felt such faith, that I told them the Lord would deliver her; and said, "Let us pray." I kneeled down; in a few minutes she clasped her hands together and cried, "My Lord, my God, and my Father !" Her soul was immediately set at liberty, and she sprang up rejoicing, praising, and giving glory to God. Her husband burst into a flood of tears and said, "If my wife, who has been so good, 44 A man under great convictions. had to undergo such distress, what will become of me ?" I exhorted him to look to God, and he would find mercy. In about six weeks after he was safely converted. One of the women pre- sent, who had been converted some time before, was now thrown into doubts, and said she feared she never was converted, because she never was wrought upon in such an extraordinary manner. I told her that was no proof, for I was not wrought upon in that manner myself, yet I knew that I was converted. God works upon his peo- ple as he in his wisdom sees best: that no one's distress could be a standard for another; so that if our sins and guilt are removed, and the power of religion is fixed in the soul, it is enough. None should doubt it because they were not brought in as they see others. This was a trick of the devil to rob her of her confidence. How- ever, she was doubtful for three days; then the Lord blessed her with such light and comfort, that every fear and doubt were removed. About the same time a man in the neighbour- hood, under great convictions, came to see me. Upon his way he was tempted to believe that the scripture which says, "If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee," must be literally obeyed. He felt for his knife to try it, but had it not with him. He told me his dis- tress, which both surprised and rejoiced me. He had lately been a bitter enemy to religion, and had used his wife ill on account of her being re- ligious. After some conversation, I went to pray with him; my wife and two or three of the chil- dren prayed also; but he got no relief. As he was returning on his way home, he was struck to the ground by the power of God, and never arose until his"soul was set at liberty. A Roman Catholic converted. 45 Another instance was a Roman Catholic, whose wife was religions. One Sunday morning he wanted her to go a visiting with him instead of going to meeting, which she refused, being de- termined to go to meeting. This threw him into a great passion ; however, he set off alone upon his intended visit; but before he had gone far, he concluded he would return, and with malice and murder in his heart determining that she should go with him, or he would kill her. When he returned, she met him and spoke to him with such tenderness, that his rage calmed away. He concluded he would go with her to the meeting. They both came; and under preaching, the word struck him with such power, that he cried aloud under guijt and condemnation ; and before all the congregation, told what had passed in the morning, and wanted to know what he should do to be saved. I explained to him the way and plan of salvation ; and in a short time after he found peace, and became a steady, religious man. A young woman came to me one day after preaching, under great distress. I asked her if she had not followed the devil's musicians — the fiddlers. She said she had danced many a time, and even all night. I told her then, to pray all night until God had pardoned her. She said she would. Accordingly she returned home under great distress, and prayed the whole night. Next morning the Lord blessed her soul. Another young woman came to me, and asked what she should do to be saved. I pointed her to the Lord and to the promises. This was Sab- bath-day, she went home with us, and I told her to stay, for so long as she prayed, so long she would be welcome. Her distress increased until 46 A Schoolmaster in great distress. Tuesday morning. All the preceding night I heard her mourning and lamenting. At break- fast, her distress was so great that she could not eat, but retired into the woods to pray, where she continued until she found the Lord, and returned rejoicing in God her Saviour. A school-master in the neighbourhood, who was a learned sensible man, but a very drunken and wicked one, got awakened and so far re- formed, that he left off drinking to excess and other vices, for some time. But at a certain time he gave way to temptation, and was overcome by strong drink. After he got sober, his mind was tormented with great horror, and he went to a neighbour's house to tarry all night, and in the night, after the family were all in bed, he could not sleep, but lay with tormenting reflections, which increased his fears, until at length he ima- gined he saw two devils enter the room in order to take him away. This frightened him out of bed, and he ran up into one corner of the room, and there screamed and fought as though he was fighting and beating off the two devils. This alarmed the whole family, who arose in great confusion, and could not tell what to do. They sent for me; I went and found him in a shocking condition. I told him it was only the strength of imagination, that there were no devils there to take him away; but he still declared they were in the room; and what added to the awfulness of the scene was, that a very dark and dismal cloud arose at this time in the skies, and gave awful sensations to all who beheld it. At length a most remarkable flash of lightning came blazing from the clouds, and the streams of lightning flashed into the house, and a tremendous clap of Dreadful Storm of Thunder et up and pray for her; we arose, and she related her dream. The woman of the house said these are the two doves. It struck me like a clap of thunder, "I am the speckled one." This caused me to search my heart. I exhorted her to pray for herself; she did so, again and again, and we did {he same for her; I then exhorted her to be- lieve on the Lord Jesus; but she still received no answer of peace to her soul. We retired to bed again; but she walked the floor the remainder of the night. I think I never saw a poor soul in deeper distress. In the morning, after prayer, I took my fare- well of the family: to her I said, "I never ex- pect to see thee any more, until I see thee in a world of spirits;" but she replied, "Thou wilt see me again," and asked me when I would be at home; I told her, and exhorted her to be en- gaged with God, and he would bless her soul. The woman of the house told me, that she in- tended to come to my house as soon as I got home. But in two or three days she found God precious to her soul. I saw her again about Preaches to a hard hearted people. 57 sixteen years after, and we had a precious time in conversing together on the things of God; she could then talk Canaan's language. On Sabbath day I preached in the morning at the preaching-house, to a number of people; after meeting, my nephew asked me to dine with him, with about a dozen more. When we sat down I asked God for a blessing, and he poured out his Spirit in such a manner that the tears flowed in abundance. I exhorted them all to fly to Jesus. My soul was so happy, that I could not eat: they then said to me, " Why do you not eat ?" I answered, "God has given me meat to eat that ye know not of." Upon this we had a shower of tears, and dinner was laid by. I said, "Let us pray;" and we all kneeled down at the table and I prayed: one cried out for mercy. When I arose I gave them an exhortation; and then went on to my other appointment, and preached in the Presbyterian meeting-house, to a hard hearted people. On Monday I went to see some relations that I had not seen for many years. When I came to the ferry, and had paid my passage, I met my uncle and aunt, whom I shook hands with; and she said, "Benjamin, I have had not rest since I saw your face, but am like Noah's dove out of the ark." We all went together to another of my aunt's; whom I informed, that if she would give notice to her neighbours, I would preach to them. Ac- cordingly, she sent her boys round the neigh- bourhood, and we had a large congregation. After preaching, some of my relations tarried, to whom I related the works of God which I had seen in many places, and also my conviction and 58 Tell* hi* experience. conversion, and asked them if they had ever found such a change in their hearts. They said, "No." We had a weeping time all the evening; my aunt that was awakened, often withdrew from us; and they said to her, " What is the matter; are you sick?" I desired them to let her alone; about twelve o'clock we went to bed, but sleep departed from me, and I prayed for her all night; and in the morning when I arose, my uncle and aunt were not up; but when they came out of the room I saw an alteration in her face, and wanted to get at her heart, and therefore said, " The darkest time of the night was just before day;" they replied, "Yes." "Just so," said I, "it is with the soul; the devils seem ready to take it away just before its conversion." " This," said she, "was the case with me; I prayed in an agony all night, expecting to be in hell before morning, and did sweat to that degree, that I be- lieve I had noc a dry thread on me. I besought the Lord, that if he would not hear me, that he would hear your prayers for me. I saw your prayers before the Father and the Son in my be- half, and I felt my burthen removed, and such joy in my heart, that I was as one illuminated with the love of God in my soul; I clasped my husband in my arms for joy, and told him what great things God had done for my soul; and I now feel the same power." They all wept, and I said, "This is the religion of Jesus." I took my leave of them, and went to see an aunt that was a Quaker: after some conversa- tion, I told my experience, and asked if I should go to prayer; she replied, "Thee may;" I did so, and we had a melting time; even the little children wept. I left them all in tears, and went A ylorkmt light. 50 with my uncle and aunt to the ferry; and told them to go on Thursday and join the class, and so we parted. I went to Trenton, and told bro. ther Cotts what the Lord had done, and advised him to go and meet the class: he did so; my uncle and aunt were there. After class, she desired the Lord to shew her what to do; and as they were riding home, the night being very dark, a glori- ous light shone all round the waggon, so that she said she could see to pick up a pin. She then asked them if they saw the light, they said they did see it. "Now," said she, "I will join tho class;" and so she did, and became a worthy member, and remains so to this day. I went to my next appointment, where they had threatened to tar and feather me. Some ad- vised me to go another way; but when I had ar- rived at the place, I found a large congregation assembled, to whom I preached, and God attend- ed the word with power; many shed tears in abundance. One young woman stood by the fire and leaned her head against the mantel-piece, and wept to that degree that the tears dropped on the hearth until they made a small puddle. When I came to my application, I told them I came to seek a bride for my Master, and added, "If you will deal kindly with him, tell me." Upon which, the young woman pressed through the crowd to me and said, "I will go with all my heart." I applied all the promises that I was able, and told her that He would receive her. As I was about to depart, two young men came to me; one took hold of my leg, the other held my horse by the neck and said, "Will you go ?" I sat on my horse for some time exhort- ing them to persevere, and the Lord would bless GO Many Presbyterians join Society. them: many more stood weeping: so we parted, and I went to the New-Mills. Here the people came out by hundreds, to whom I preached my farewell sermon. I returned home, and by Thursday night a letter was sent informing me sixteen were justified, and two sanctified. The reading of this letter filled my soul with love, and I was determined to preach sanctification more than ever. CHAPTER VII. Sheep stolen— Persecutor stopped— Power of God — Preaches on the words of the Devil — Many struck down — Remark- able experience. I received a letter from a Presbyterian in Deerfield, informing me that his house and heart were open to receive me, that they had sinners in Deerfield, adding, "When you read these lines, look upon it as a call from God." I accordingly wrote to him to make an appointment for me on the Sunday following. I attended and found a large congregation, to whom I preached, and some few wept. I attended again that day two weeks, and we had a melting time. I then made an appointment for the Travelling Preacher. This, and several other places in the neighbour, hood, were taken into the circuit. The Lord be- gan to work in a powerful manner, and we soon had two classes; then the devil roared horribly; but God worked powerfully: many of the Pres- byterians joined society, some of whom were had up before the Presbyterian church, but all to no purpose; they stood fast, and the Lord blessed the word, and sent it with power to many hearts. Nine Sheep stolen. SI Many fell under the mighty power of God like dead men, being alarmed of their danger. We appointed a watch-night; this brought so many to see what it meant, that the house could not con- tain the people. One of our preachers preached, and then an exhortation was given: the Lord poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that the slain lay all over the house; many others were prevented from falling by the crowd, which stood so close that they supported one another. We continued till about twelve o'clock, and some stayed all night, and in the morning others came: several found peace, and many cried to God for mercy: it was a powerful time to many souls. Here my antagonist, the Baptist preacher, who afterwards turned universalist and then deist, came again and preached the necessity of watfr- baptism. He stole away nine of our sheep, and. ran them into a mill-pond. This made a division amongst the people, but the work of the Lord went on, and in less than two years, those that joined him, were all fallen from grace except two. "But," said he, "once in grace, always in grace; and God could as soon fall as one of you." How- ever, he soon showed his cloven foot, by turning his back on the church and cause of God; and preached up the doctrine the devil did to Eve, "Thou shalt not surely die;" that there was no hell, or place of future punishment. His con- duct corresponded with his doctrine, and they were left without a teacher. The next meeting we had here, one was sanc- tified and two were justified; at another, we had the shout of a king in the camp of Israel. I went to a quarterly-meeting at Morris-River, and we had a powerful time; the slain lay all 62 Many fall to the floor. through the house and all round it, and in the woods, crying to God for mercy, and others praising God for the deliverance of their souls. At this time there came up the river a look-out boat; the crew landed and came to the meeting; one of them stood by a woman that lay on the ground crying to God for mercy, and said to her, "Why do you not cry louder?" she immediately began to pray for him, and the power of the Lord struck him to the ground, and he lay and cried for mercy louder than the woman. This meeting continued from eleven o'clock in the forenoon till night. How many were converted or sanctified, is to me unknown. Next day I preached at brother Golf's and had a precious time. I went to my next appointment and preached ■from these words, "Who hath believed our re- port, and to whom is the arm of the Lord re- vealed ?" One woman said, that God had con- verted her soul. The Lord attended the word with power, and many were melted into tears; one drunken man made some noise, but a magis- trate ordered him to behave himself, and we had a peaceable waiting before the Lord. At my next appointment, the Lord made bare his arm of almighty power in such a manner that many fell to the floor : their cries were very great, the sinners sprang to the doors and windows, and fell one over another in getting out; five jumped out at the window; and one woman went close by me and cried out, "You are a devil!" A young man cried out, "Command the peace!" But the magistrate answered, "It is the power of God." Another, with tears in his eyes, en- treated the people to hold their peace, to which Preaches from the words of the Demi. 63 an old woman replied, "They cannot hold their peace, unless you cut out their tongues." Glory to God, this day will never be forgotten, either in time or eternity ! I was as happy as I could \\ contain. Brother Creasy told me that we should have nobody out next day; but I replied, that we should have the more; and so it was, for we had a crowded congregation, and some cried out under the word. Here I was warmly attacked by a Baptist; but glory to God, the scriptures were opened to my mind, and he could not with- stand the power of truth. Next day I preached at Mr. Wolsey's and had a melting time, and many were much wrought upon. I told the people they had often heard preaching from the word of the Lord; but to- morrow, tell your neighbours, I will preach from the words of the devil. That night sleep de- parted from me, and my mind was like a troubled na. What can you raise from the words of the devil? was constantly uppermost in my mind. At length I concluded I would take another text. But on a second reflection I found this would not answer, as I should be called a liar, and cause the truth to be evil spoken of. Thus I spent the night in a very restless manner. In the morning, on my way to the place appointed, I found the road crowded with people; when I arrived at the jlace, I retired into the woods and besought the > Lord to discover some way to me, that I might leliver his word, if consistent to his will, from j be text I proposed. I then returned in heavi- ness to the house, where I found a great crowd, 10th within and without. I took my Stand, gave j| |>ut my hymn, sang, and prayed; and, according 64 A woman struck to the floor. to my promise, gave out my text: "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Matt. iv. 8, 9. Such a light broke in on my soul, on giving out the text, that I was enabled to preach with great liberty: many were cut to the heart, and wept all through the house. Next day I went to my appointment at N. C.'s; soon after 1 began, a house caught fire about thirty yards distant and was burnt, which broke up our meeting. I went to Mr. Smith's on Tuckehoe River, and preached; and the Lord attended the word with power. One fell to the floor: I then asked the people what they thought of it, and if they did not think it was of the devil. "If it is," said I, "when she comes to, she will curse and swear; but if it is of God, she will praise him; therefore, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." The people stood amazed, while she lay struggling on the floor for life. When she came to, she praised the Lord with a loud voice, and every power of her soul, declaring that God had sanctified her soul. I then met the society, and I impressed sancti- i fication on them. God struck a woman to the t floor, who had been fifteen years a professor of p justification, and after some time she rose and t declared that God had sanctified her soul. I ex- t; horted all round her to claim the promise, an< S f while she was speaking, God struck six or seveiU- to the floor. I then opened the doors and winl J dows, and desired the wicked to come and see thlfti Seven find peace with God. 65 mighty power of God for themselves ; and added, "If you will not believe this, you would not be. lieve if God Almighty were to speak to you, as he did to Moses, in a flame of fire;" and before the meeting was over, six or seven professed sanc- tification of soul; among whom was the wife of J. Brick, Esq. who had been justified only eight days before. Next morning I went to 'Squire Champion's, and preached with great liberty. The meeting began at eleven o'clock in the morning, and lasted until about midnight; before it was over, seven found peace with God and joined society. Here I was as happy in my own soul as I could wish either to live or die. Next day I preached at brother Hew's, to a precious loving people; and as soon as I had kneeled down, before I had uttered one sentence, they all cried out, "Amen." After preaching, in class, I endeavoured to teach them the meaning and nature of the term — Amen. At my next appointment, I preached with great liberty from these words, " If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John i. 8, 9. Many wept much. A Baptist being present, who had been a great enemy to religion, when I had done, I asked him what he thought of what he had heard, and whether it was not the truth as it was in Jesus. He replied it was, and exhorted the people to be- lieve it. Next day I went to my appointment at Wire ,[k Town; but a woman being dead close at hand, [ was requested to preach her funeral sermon. 66 Remarkable experience. While I was speaking, I observed to my hearers, that the darkest time in the night was just before the dawn of the day; and that this was the case with a soul groaning for redemption in Christ; for just as they saw themselves on the brink of eternal damnation, destitute of every power to extricate themselves, the Sun of Righteousness, the Lord of Life and Glory, broke in on their souls, and set them at perfect liberty. Up rose a Baptist woman and said, that she had come twenty miles through the snow to hear me; and then related her experience to the fol- lowing purport: — "I was standing on the hearth with my husband and two children, and thought the hearth opened before me, and I saw hell, from beneath, opened, and devils ready to receive me. I then started and ran into the room and threw myself on the floor, and cried mightily to God to have mercy on my soul. Meanwhile my husband went after the cattle, and I continued in prayer until the house was filled with the glory of God, brighter than the sun at noonday. I then arose and sat on the foot of the bed, wishing for my husband to return. After a while he came; I ran out to meet him, and clasped him round the neck, and told him what God had done for my soul. The power of the Lord came upon me again as it had done in the house, and I cried out in such a manner, that it frightened my husband and the cattle, so that the cattle ran off again, and my husband went away also. I went to the house happy in God. And our people (meaning the Baptists) say it is only a delusion of the devil, for God did not come to people in such a manner now-a-days." Then asked me what I thought of it. "For I feel," said she, "that same A Frenchman falls to the flow. 67 power on me now." I told her it was the work of God, a change of heart; and that if ever the Lord had converted my soul, he had converted hers. She immediately laid hold of faith, and was instantly delivered from that anxiety and despair that had attended her mind. She rode next day, with one of our friends, to a place cal- led Goodluck, where I preached from these words, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph. v. 14), with great liberty, and the power of God attended the word. CHAPTER VIII. The drink of water — Two witnesses raised up— The mighty power of God — Happy deaths — Shout. Next day I rode with one of our friends about twelve miles through a north-east stonn of hail, to 'Squire Akins's, on Tom's river. When we arrived there, we were both wet and cold. After drying myself a little, I gave an exhorta- tion to the few present, and tarried all night. In the morning I went to my appointment, had an attentive congregation, and the Lord at- tended the word with power. A Frenchman fell to the floor, and never arose until the Lord con- verted his soul. Here we had a happy time. Next day I went to my appointment at the house of a Baptist. Here a dispute arose with the man, concerning a piece published by one of our preachers on Baptism, which gave him great umbrage, and he objected to my preaching in his house. I remained perfectly composed and easy, whether I preached or not. Brother Stirling, E 2 08 The drink of Water. who had met me here, reasoned the case with him, until he gave his consent. I then went to my stand, gave out my hymn, sang and prayed, took my text, and began to preach, and the Lord's mighty power attended the word. The people wept all through the house, and the man of the house trembled like Belshazzar. After I had done, I asked if there was any person there that would open his house for preaching. A man present answered that we might preach at his house, which was just across the way: accordingly I appointed meeting that day fortnight. The man of the house that objected to my preaching in his house, afterwards desired that I would preach in it again in the evening: I told him that as the people were chiefly gone, it would answer but little purpose to make another appointment; but he said he would send and give information to his neighbours; he did so, and I preached to them, and hope that all the seed will not fall to the ground. Next morning, I went to my appointment at Mr. W.'s. I retired in secret, and the power of the Lord came upon me in such a manner, that I lost the use of my body, and cried out in such a manner that 1 alarmed the people, who had never seen the like before. When I recovered a little, I went and preached to them, and we had a precious time. Here I met with an old Israelite, we spent some precious time together. The night before I came he was in soul-distress, and expe- rienced a deliverance. He and four of his family were happy in God. I set out for quarterly-meeting, and on my way I stopped to get my horse shod, and went to a house where I found an old woman spinning, He receives two Dollars. C9 and nsked her for a drink of water, she gave it me; I said to her, you have given me drink to refresh my body, I will strive to give you the waters of life, by persuading you to make applica- tion to Jesus. After telling her the terrors of the law, and the promises of the gospel, I asked leave to pray, which she granted. Three years after, as I was on my way to a quarterly-meeting, I met with about twenty persons who were on their way to the same meeting. As soon as they saw me, a woman from amongst them ran to me and said, "How do you do my father?" I asked her how she came to know me, she answered, "I will soon convince you I have cause to know you: do you not remember asking me for a drink of water, and that you set before me the plan of salvation, and went to prayer with me? You had not been gone half an hour, before I expected to be in hell every moment; I cried to God mightily, without any intermission, until he set my soul at liberty ; therefore I call you my spiritual father." At quarterly-meeting we opened our love-feast with prayer, and the Lord made bare his arm; some fell to the floor, others ran away. Such a time they never had before. I. W. exhorted the mourners very powerfully, being himself con- verted the night before. The old lady, his mother, was very happy. When I was about to go, she put two dollars into my hand. This was the fiist that ever I had received as a preacher; but he that was mindful of the young ravens was mind- ful of me. I had always travelled at my own charge before. When I received this, I had but fifteen-pence in my pocket, and was above two hundred miles from home. I went to an appointment in a Baptist Settle- 70 Two witnesses raised up. merit, and preached with great liberty; two fell and never ceased crying to God for mercy, until he set their souls at liberty; many were much afflicted, and some deeply awakened. There was an old Baptist, Mr. Bray, that asked me home with him, and as I went he desired to stop at a house to go to prayer; here we found several persons deeply awakened who had been at meet- ing. After prayer I gave them an exhortation, and then went on with my friend, where, to my great surprise, I found about forty persons as- sembled. The old man being fond of poetry, be- gan with hymns and psalms, &c. I sat silent while he went on for some time. When he had done, I began to relate the wonderful work of God that I had seen through the land: souls con- verted, souls sanctified, drunkards become sober men, &c. One of the young men present said, " It beats all the preaching I ever heard of since I was born, and if there is such a God as you speak of, I am determined to find him before morning." I then exhorted him with all my power, applying the promises, and told him if he sought he should surely find; he went home and retired to his barn, and there continued all night in prayer; sometimes on his knees and sometimes on his face. Next morning about an hour by sun, the Sun of Righteousness broke in and spake peace to his soul. "Now," said he, "are these the people we used to call deceivers, and false teachers? O that God would convert another soul, that there might be two witnesses for Jesus to-day, that out of the mouths of two witnesses every word might be established." As he was on hi* way to meeting, he met with nine or ten others. Just as they turned the cor- A false alarm of Fire. 71 ner of the house to go in, a young man fell to the ground, and never ceased crying to God, until he spake peace to his soul. They then came into the house, and the first one began to exhort the people, bathed in tears, telling them that they had called these people Antichristians, but that he knew they were servants of the living God; exhorting them to believe. After him arose the other who had just found peace at the door, and began to tell what God had done for his soul, ex. horting them likewise to believe, while tears flowed from many eyes. I then arose, gave out a hymn, sang, and prayed; but having taken such cold the overnight, that instead of preaching I could only whisper to them. Next morning I went to my appointment, but my cold had so increased that I was unable to preach, and only whispered them an exhortation. Next day I went to brother Fidler's, and preached in the evening; we had a precious time with the little society. A few days after I rode to Trenton. I began to preach at candle light, to a large congregation, which caused the devil to roar. While I was on my second head, his children in the street cried, "Fire! Fire!" This alarmed the people, and they ran off instantly through the town, in search of the tire but found none. When the tumult was over, I was requested to return and preach again, but I sent the people word that I should preach no more that night. Next morning I set out for quarterly-meeting at New-Mills. After our meeting had been opened and several exhortations given, brother C. Cotts went to prayer, several fell to the floor, many were affected, and we had a powerful time of it. 72 Twenty fall to the floor. After meeting, brother J. S. and several others went with me to I. B.'s, where we tarried all night. Here we found a woman in distress of soul; after prayer we retired to bed. In the morning Brother S. went to prayer, and after him myself; the distressed woman lay as in the ago- nies of death near an hour. When she arose she went into her room to prayer, and soon after re- turned and professed faith in Christ. She and her husband went with us to brother H.'s, where about forty persons had assembled to wait for us, in order to have prayer before we parted. As soon as I entered the house, a woman en- treated me to pray for her, and added, ''I am going to hell, I have no God." I exhorted her and all present, setting before them the curses of God's law against sin, and likewise I applied the promises of the gospel to the penitent; then a young woman came to me and said, "Father Abbott pray to God to give me a clean heart." I replied, " God shall give you one this moment." How I came to use the word shall, I know not; but she dropped at that instant into my arms as one dead. I then claimed the promises and cried to God, exhorting them all to look to God for clean hearts, and he would do great things for them; at which, about twenty more fell to the floor. When the young woman came too, she declared that God had sanctified her soul. I saw her many years after, and her life and conversa- tion adorned the gospel. Prayer was kept up, without intermission, for the space of three hours. Eight souls professed sanctification, and three Indian women justification, in Christ Jesus. Of a truth God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth God and worketh A young Woman struck to the floor. 73 righteousness, shall be accepted of him. Of this we had a manifest instance, while we beheld the mighty power of God, and the slain lying through the house like dead men. My next appointment was that evening at early candle light, about forty miles distant, and it was eleven o'clock before we were ready to start. We stopped at Morestown and refreshed our- selves, then pushed on to J. C.'s, on Mantua- Creek; being rather late they had begun to sing before we arrived. I preached unto the people, and we had a melting time. After meeting, in family worship, two or three went to prayer, the mighty power of God struck a young woman to the floor, her screams and screeches were such that my pen is not able to describe. She rolled from place to place on the floor like one of the damned in torment. Her mother ran to take her away: when I saw it I desired her father not to suffer her to be removed; her mother then retired to her room and left us. Prayer was kept up all night without intermis- sion. She continued her cries until sun about one hour high, by which time the house was rilled with neighbours, and the Lord spake peace to her soul. A young man came in; brother F. S. took him by the hand anti said, "Brother C. had a daugh- ter converted this morning, and she wants to speak with you." He led him to her, she took him by the hand and began to exhort him with tears: he began to tremble and scream in an awful manner, and in about two or three days found peace. There came in also an elderly man, and brother F. S. took him to her in like manner, and she began to warn and exhort him, 74 An Officer of the Army awakened. while he trembled, and the tears flowed in abun- dance. She then said God had called her to go from house to house and warn her neighbours to flee from the wrath to come. Several of our friends tarried and went with her for three days; but we returned home, from which I had been absent about six weeks. Soon after, I removed to Lower-Penn's-Neck with my family, where I found a set of as har- dened sinners as were out of hell. I preached again and again, but all to no purpose. Brother Pedicord and Brother Metcalf came to my house, and I told them I was almost discouraged. When they heard it, they were so distressed that they could not eat breakfast, but retired to their room, where they remained until about one or two o'clock. When they came down stairs, Brother P. said, " Father Abbott do not be discouraged, these people will yet hunger and thirst after the word of God," and appeared cheerful. In the evening he preached to the neighbours, and the next day they went on their circuits. I went to B. Wetherby's, at Quenton's-Bridge, near Salem, where I frequently preached. Here we soon raised a class, among whom were brother H. Ffirth, John M'Claskey, and others, who be- came useful and worthy members of the church. One day as I was preaching, 'I. Holliday of Lower-Penn's-Neck stopped to hear, and the word reached his heart. After sermon he asked me if I would come and preach at his house. I asked him if I should give it out for the circuit preacher; he said "Yes." I did so, and after bidding the family farewell, an officer of the army being present, I took him by the hand and said, "God out of Christ is a consuming fire, farewell !" Many doors opened. To and so we parted. God pursued him from the very door, and gave him no rest. Before twelve o'clock that night, he was out of bed on the floor at prayer. In about two months his soul was set at liberty, and he is a member of our church to the present period. The day appointed at Mr. Holliday's, the tra- velling preacher came, and a great concourse attended, to whom he preached. Some seemed awakened, some disputed, and some were in great consternation. When he concluded, he asked if he should give out preaching there again; Mr. H. replied he might. At the time appointed, abun- dance of people attended, to whom brother Ivy preached with much power, being full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Many of the people wept, and it was a good season. By this time there were many doors open. One cried "Preach at my house," another "Preach at my house," &c. The next appointment was made at J. D.'s for Brother Dudley. He came and preached with power. After meeting, I told them that that day week I should declare to them, "Even the mys- tery which hath been hid from ages and genera- tions, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles ; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." Col. i. 26—29. The people concluded that I was going to prophesy, and would tell how the war would terminate. Thia brought abundance to- 76 A Quaker family under conviction. gether. I preached, and God attended the word with power. I had not spoken long, before a professing Quaker said it was a mystery to him. But before I concluded, himself, his wife, son, and daughter, were all struck under conviction, and never rested till they all found rest to their souls, and joined society. About six months after, the son died in a triumph of faith. The father was taken ill at the funeral, and never went out of his house again until carried to his grave. He departed this life praising God in a transport of joy. By this time, there was a general alarm spread through the neighbourhood. \V r e had prayer- meetings two or three times a week, and at al- most every meeting some were either convinced or converted. One old woman, to whose soul the Lord had spoken peace, clapped her hands, and began to praise the creature instead of the Creator; I stepped up to her, and said, "I have done nothing for you; if there be any good, it is the Lord that has done it, and therefore praise God." "O," said she, "but you are a dear good creature for all." I turned away, and went among the people. At this meeting we had the shout and power of Israel's God in the camp. Prayer was kept up until near midnight. CHAPTER IX. Happy death — Harvest— Prayer the Seventh Time — Work increases — Woe to Backsliders. Next morning a man came to my house to know what he must do to be saved. I applied the promises of the gospel, and then went to The Lord speaks peace to a Man. 77 prayer; and after me my wife, and then my daughter Martha prayed. And while supplicating the throne of grace on his behalf, the Lord in his infinite goodness, spake peace to his soul, and we were all made partakers of the blessing. He joined society, lived several years, and died clap- ping his hands and shouting, "Glory to God! I am going home I" That moment his hands ceased clapping he died, and never was perceived to breath again. We had now about twenty-two or three in society; but persecution soon arose, and the devil stirred up one J. N. a professor of religion among the Presbyterians, who at first appeared very friendly, and was active in bringing us into the neighbourhood; but soon after he became an in- strument in the hands of the devil to oppose and lay waste the truth, and did much hurt to the cause of God, and all under the cloak of religion. He went among our young converts and told them that God had revealed it to him, that the spirit which they professed to receive at their conversions was of the devil, and not the Spirit of Christ. But glory to God, it was not in the power of men or devils to extinguish the divine flame; although they cast a cloud on many minds, and turned some out of the way. The height of my harvest being on our meet- ing-day, when meeting time came I told my reapers that they must all go to meeting, and that I would pay them their wages as though they were at work. We all went, and God wrought powerfully; several fell to the floor, and two found peace. It was a great day to many. After meeting we returned to our work again. I continued for about two months to preach 78 A Quaker woman falls on her knees. under the trees, as the house would not contain the people. We seldom had a meeting during that period, but what some were either con- vinced, converted, or sanctified. I now thought it might be expedient to make an attempt towards building a meeting-house. A subscription was drawn for that purpose; but not being able to obtain a suitable piece of ground to build on, as those who had such refused to sell, it fell through for nearly four years, and we con- tinued our meetings as before. One day while I was speaking, the power of the Lord laid hold on a Quaker woman, and as she was about to escape, she fell on her hands and knees. Some of her friends helped her up, got her into a waggon, and carried her off. I was afterwards informed that it took them two weeks to kill her convictions. The work of the Lord went on among the people, and I continued to impress the necessity of sanctification upon believers. We had at that time twelve children who were converted to God. One of our sisters got deeply convinced that she must be holy in heart; and one night the Spirit of God came upon her, so that she arose out of her bed, went on her knees, and prayed to God to give her a clean heart, and to sanctify her nature. Her mother ran and caught her about the neck and told her to go to bed, for there was no occasion for so much ado about religion. She went to bed, but without the blessing; though her distress was so great that she could not rest. Soon she was upon the floor again, crying earnestly to God ; her mother hauled her on the bed again : she then rose again, and entreated her mother to let her alone, and Prayer the seventh time. 79 she then forhore. While she continued wrestling with God for the blessing, the power of the Lord came upon her, so that she lost the use of her bodily powers for some time. When she came to again, she knew that God had sanctified her soul. It is about fifteen years since she received this inestimable blessing, and from that time to this, her life and conduct has adorned the gospel. Next evening, at class meeting, she came and rehearsed the matter, and told us that God had sanctified her soul. This gave a fresh spring to many. A few days after, one of our sisters was engaged with God for a clean heart; she went five times on her knees to prayer, and then con- cluded that she was going to die. "O," said she, "that Daddy Abbott was here to see me die!" Then she went to prayer again, but still grew worse. She went to the door to call some near neighbours, but could not utter one word. She then shut the door and went to prayer the seventh time, and the power of the Lord came wonderfully upon her, and she fell to the floor as one dead. When she came to, she knew that God had sanctified her soul. She then arose, and at that instant I came in at the door, and she cried out, "Daddy Abbott, God has given me a clean heart." At that moment God sealed it so to my heart, that I cried out and could not forbear. We rejoiced together in a glorious hope of im- mortality. This alarmed several, and set them all on fire for sanctification. The next meeting day, in time of preaching, we had a powerful time, and a number fell to the floor : one man attempted to run off, but God laid him down at the door. A woman made the same attempt, but the Spirit of the eternal God no A woman in distress. arrested her, and she fell hack into the house just as she was going out at the door. After preach- ing, we had a blessed time in class; while claim, ing the promises, several were soon down, both on the right and left. Some found peace, and others professed sanctification. One very wicked woman was arrested by the mighty power of God, and scrambled out at the door and laid hold of a cheese press to prevent herself from falling. After a while she set off for home, and when about half-way she began to conclude that it was only a fright, occasioned by seeing others so agitated. As she was passing through a skirt of wood, she was again arrested by the Spirit of God, which convinced her of omnipotent power ; and, trembling, she went home and threw herself on the bed, and there lost the usual power of her body and limbs, and shook to that degree, that the bed on which she lay trembled under her. The alarm ran through the neighbourhood with as great surprise as if one had been murdered. In the evening I went to see her, where I found about forty neighbours assembled to see what was the matter. She then lay shaking as heretofore in a very strange manner. I then ex- horted the people, and told them that this was the wonderful work of God, and that if they would not believe it, they would not believe if God Almighty was to stand by them, as he stood by Moses, in a flame of fire. The people looked as if they were under sentence of death, while an awful terror was stamped on every face. She then broke out in exhortation, exhorting them all not to live as she had done. " You see," she said, "what sin has brought me to." She spake A Backtlider. 8] near one hour, and many wept under her ex- hortation. Whenever an opportunity offered, I threw in a word for Jesus. She continued in this strange posture two days and nights, and then the Lord gave her strength to get out of hed. But as yet she had not found peace. In the evening of the third day, she came to my house to family duty, and the Lord set her soul at liberty. She returned home, rejoicing in God her Saviour, joined society, and continued a faithful member about six months. Her case afterwards was singular. A dispute between her husband and one of our members being left to arbitrators, was decided against him. This gave her such umbrage, that she came no more to meeting. Soon she returned to her old practices again, and became a two-fold worse child of hell, than at the beginning; cursing, swearing, and blaspheming, in a most horrid manner. In about eighteen months after, God sent the grim monster death to arrest her. In her sick, ness she sent for me. I went and exhorted her to try to turn to God, but she said she could not see how God could have mercy on her, as she had sinned so grievously against such light and knowledge. There being several backsliders present, she exhorted them to turn to God before it was eternally too late. I endeavoured to applv all the promises for backsliders from Genesis to Revelations, but without faith. I then called the people together and went to payer; but it seemed as if my moutli was stopped, and my prayers were without access. I arose from prayer and exhorted her to try to pray. I?ut she replied, "I have no heart or power to pray." "But," said I, "keep begging of God to give you a heart r Awful Death. to pray; for the spirit of prayer is the gift of God, and you have your senses, and who knows what God may do for you." So I bid her fare- well, and went home. They sent for me again ; but I told the messenger that my temporal affairs were in such a situation that I could not then go. In the afternoon, her son came for me again. I told him I could not well go. "Oh! do go," said he, and burst into a flood of tears, "for she frightens us so, that we are afraid to stay in the house." I told him to go by the house and ask my daughter Rebecca (intending to go myself in the evening) ; he did so, and she went. She found a number of the neighbours gathered, ex- pecting the woman was dying. When she went in, the sick woman was pointing with her hand, saying to the by-standers, "Do you not see the devils there ready to seize my soul and drag it to hell ?" Some of them said, " There are no devils here, — she is out of her senses." "But," she replied, "I have my senses as well as ever I had in my life." She then cried out, "I am in hell ! I am in hell! I am in hell!" But said they, " You are not in hell, you are out of your senses." She replied, "I am not out of my senses; but 1 feel as much of the torturing torments of the damned as a mortal can feel in the body!" Her flesh rotted on her bones, and fell from one of her sides so that her entrails might be seen. In this awful, terrible situation, she left this stage of action. Alas ! alas ! Woe to backslider.-. ! surely if there be one place of greater punishment than another among the torments of the damned, that will be their portion. That God may alarm their guilty fears before iniquity prove their eter- nal 111 in, and their souls are centered among devils and damned ghosts, is the desire of my soul. 83 CHAPTER X. Builds a Meeting-IIouse — Visits Pensylvania — Swearing Constable — Great Work among the Germans. I had often urged on the people the necessity of building a meeting-house, for the space of about four years, in Lower-Penn's-Neck, during which period we had frequently held our meetings under the trees, when the weather admitted. One day, meeting with a carpenter, I agreed with him to build one. He came at the time appointed. I told him we had got no timber for the building, and therefore I must go a begging. Accordingly we set out and went to a neighbour, and told him we were going to build a house for God, and asked him what he would give us towards it; he answered, two sticks of timber for sills. We then went to the widow M'C.'s, a professing Quaker, and she gave us two more, and sent her team to haul them to the place. We then went to Mr. William Philpot, and he gave us sufficient for the house, though not even a professor with us: may the Lord reward him accordingly. I then went among our friends, and told them that they must come and help to get the timber. They did so, and we began on Tuesday morning, and by Friday night we had all the timber at the place. Brother Henry Ffirth, a steward of the circuit, and myself, were appointed managers to carry on the building. The Friday week following, we raised our house, and in the afternoon preached on the foundation. In six weeks the carpenter had done his work, and I begged the money and paid him. This proved a great blessing to the neighbourhood, the greater part of which became r 2 Visits Pennsylvania. methodized, and man)' were moralized and chris- tianized, while the enemies of truth daily lost ground, and bigotry gradually declined. I had been for some time pressed in spirit to visit Pennsylvania, and in the love and fear of God, I set out with my life in my hand, it being a time when the war was raging through our land. I crossed the Delaware at Newcastle, and that night at early candle-light, I preached at R. F's. to a pack of ruffians, assembled in order to mob me, and one stood with a bottle of rum in his hand, swearing he would throw it at my head ; but Mr. F. stood in the door and prevented him. If ever I preached the terrors of the law, I did it then — hoping some good seed might be sown in some hearts. I went next day to J. S.'s and preached in the evening to a small but attentive congregation. Here some souls appeared very happy. In time of my last prayer, a woman fell to the floor, and cried mightily unto God for a clean heart, and after some time lay as one dead; but when she came to, she said God had given her a clean heart, and cried out, "O that I could go to my Jesus ! O that I could die !" This was her lan- guage for the space of three hours, without rising from the floor. I then told her she should not die, that God had something for her to do, and that she could not die when she would. She then said, "O Daddy Abbott, how can I live?" repeating it over and over again. I went to bed and left her. She continued all night in prayer. I went to J. H's; here I preached chiefly to Baptists (there were two or three sheep here, but they were afraid to hold up their heads); as soon as I had concluded, I was attacked by several of Attacked by several Baptists. 85 them. I tolil them that if God had fore-ordained such a certain number for salvation, and pre- ordained the remainder for damnation, it was in vain to attempt to persuade me to renounce my principles, for let me do what I would, I was certainly as well off as they were, and laid before them the absurdity of such antiscriptural doc- trines, and so we parted. Next day I preached at brother H.'s to a large congregation. Here God attended the word with power, many poor sinners were cut to the heart, and some cried aloud for mercy. After preach- ing, a dear old woman came and said, " This is the gospel trump ! I heard it sounded by Mr. Whitfield twenty-five years ago; it is the same: I know it." I spent a precious evening with the old lady and her husband, conversing on the things of God. In the morning I went to my appoint- ment, and preached to about ten hard-hearted sinners. Next day I set out for my appointment, but being a stranger I stopped at a house to inquire the way, and the man told me he was just going to that place, for there was to be a Methodist preacher there that day; and "Our preacher," said he, "is to be there to trap him in his dis- course, and if you will wait a few minutes, until a neighbour of mine comes, I will go with you." In a few minutes the man came, who it seems was a constable. So we set oflf, and they soon fell into conversation about the preacher, having no idea of my being the man, as I never wore black or any kind of garb that indicated my being a preacher, I rode unsuspected. The constable being a very profane man, h« swore by all the gods he had, good and bad, that 86 A swearing Constable. he would lose his right arm from his body, if the Methodist preacher did not go to jail that day. This was the theme of their discourse. My mind was greatly exercised on the occasion, and what added, as it were, double weight, I was a stranger in a strange place, where I knew no one. When we arrived at the place appointed, I saw about two hundred horses hitched. I also hitched mine, and retired into the woods, where I prayed and covenanted with God on my knees that if he stood by me I would be more for him, through grace, than ever I had been. I then arose and went to my horse, with a perfect resignation to the will of God, whether to death or to jail. I took my saddle bags and went to the house. The man took me into a private room and desired I would preach in favour of the war, as I was in a Presbyterian Settlement. I replied, I should preach as God should direct me. He appeared very uneasy and left me, and just before preach- ing he came in again, and renewed his request that I should preach up for war. I replied as before, and then followed him out among the people, where he made proclamation as follows : "Gentlemen, this house is my own, and no gen. tleman shall be interrupted in my house in time of his discourse, but after he has done you may do as you please." Thank God, said I softly, that I have liberty once more to warn sinners before I die. I then took my stand, and the house was much crowded, some hundreds were about the door. I stood about two or three feet from the constable, who had sworn so bitterly; when he saw that I was the man that he had so abused on the way, with so many threats and oaths, his countenance fell Preaches with great power. 87 and he turned pale. I gave out an hymn, but no one offered to sing, I sung four lines and then kneeled down and prayed. When I arose, I preached with great liberty. I felt such power from God rest upon me, that I was above the fear of either men or devils, not regarding whe- ther death or jail should be my lot. Looking forward I saw a decent looking man trembling, and tears flowed in abundance, which I soon dis- covered was the case with many others. After preaching, I told them I expected they wanted to know by what authority I came into that country to preach. I then told them my conviction and conversion, — the place of my na- tivity, and place of residence ; also my call to the ministry, and that seven years I had laboured in God's vineyard; that I spent my own money, and found and wore my own clothes; and that it was the love that I had for their precious souls, for whom Christ died, that had induced me to come among them at the risk of my life; and then exhorted them to fly to Jesus, the ark of safety; that all things were ready; to seek and they should And; to knock and it should be opened unto them. By this time the people were gene- rally melted into tears. I then concluded, and told them on that day two weeks they might ex- pect preaching again. I mounted my horse, and set out with a friendly Quaker for a pilot. We had not rode above fifty yards, when I heard one halloing after us. I looked back, and saw about fifty running after us. I then concluded that to jail I must go. We stopped, and when they came up, "I crave your name," said one; I told him, and so we parted. He was a justice of the peace, and was the person 88 A Preacher committed to Jail. I had taken notice of in time of preaching, and ohserved to be in great anxiety of mind. No one offered me any violence, but they committed the next preacher, on that day two weeks, to the com- mon jail. I went home with the kind Quaker, where I tarried all night. I found that himself and wife were under serious impressions, and had had Methodist preaching at their house. They were very kind, and we spent the evening in conversing on the things of God. Here A. C. one of our young preachers, met me, intending to go round the circuit with me. We set out for next preaching place, where we found a small congregation. I had great liberty in preaching, and we had a blessed time. One woman fell to the floor. Brother C. was greatly tried at hearing the cries of the people. The following day we went on to our next ap- pointment, in a school-house, where we had a considerable congregation. I spoke with great liberty; two fell under the power of God, and when they came to they had found peace. After class-meeting we went home with one of our friends, and next day preached at his house. The Lord attended the word with power; several cried aloud for mercy. In class we had a melting time, and two fell to the floor. This tried Bro- ther C. again, and he asked me why I did not command them to be silent. I told him that these were not Jersey people, and I had not learned them to fall down and cry out, as the people in your neighbourhood say I have learned the Jersey people. Here you may see for your- self, that it is the power of God. "Why," said he, "Brother G. would forbid them." I told him it mattered not what Brother G. would do, I knew The mighty power of God. 89 it was the power of God, and therefore if every cry was as loud as ever he heard a clap of thunder, I would not forbid them. Next day we went to our appointment, where the congregation was chiefly Germans, and a well beliaved people. Here the Lord wrought wonders, divers fell to the floor, and several found peace. We had a lively class, and a pre- cious melting time among the people of God. Many tarried to hear what I had seen through the land, of the wonderful works of God. In family prayer, the power of God came on me in so wonderful a manner, that I lost both the power of my body, and use of my speech, and cried out in a strange manner. The people also cried aloud, here I thought I should fright< D them, being in a strange country and among a people of a strange language, and was afraid it might prove a disadvantage to them; but glory to God it had a contrary effect, for they continued all night in prayer. Next morning I set out with about twenty others for my appointment, where we found a large congregation. When I came to my appli- cation, the power of the Lord came in such a manner, that the people fell all about the house, and their cries might be heard afar off. This alarmed the wicked, who sprang for the doors in such haste, that they fell one over another in heaps. The cry of mourners was so great, I thought to give out a hymn to drown the noise, and desired one of our English friends to raise it, but as soon as he began to sing, the power of the Lord struck him, and he pitched under the table, and there lay like a dead man. I gave it out again and asked another to raise it, ai toon as 90 A Pentecost. he attempted he fell also. I then made a third attempt, and the power of God came upon me in such a manner, that I cried out and was amazed. I then saw that I was fighting against God, and did not attempt to sing again. Mr. Beam, the owner of the house, and a preacher among the Germans, cried out, "I never saw God in this way before." I replied, "This is a Pentecost, daddy." "Yes, be sure," said he, clapping his hands; "a Pentecost, be sure !" Prayer was all through the house, up stairs and down. I de- sired Mr. Beam to go to prayer, he did so, and five or six of us did the same. A watch-night having been appointed for that evening, and seeing no prospect of this meeting being over, although it had begun at elven o'clock, I told Mr. Beam that we had best quietly withdraw from the meeting-house. When we had got out of the door, a young man came out and laid hold on the fence to support himself from falling, and there halloed amain, for God to have mercy on him. "To be sure," said Mr. Beam, "I never saw God in this way before." We exhorted him to look to God, and not give up the struggle, and God would bless him before he left the place. I took the old gentleman by the arm, and we went quietly to the house to get some dinner. About five o'clock a messenger came from the preaching-house, requesting that I would go there immediately, for there was a person dying. We went without delay. I went up stairs, and there lay several about the floor, some crying for mercy, and others praising God. I then went into the preaching room, and there they lay about the floor in like manner. I then went to see the person said to be dying — she lay gasping. I kneeled down A German preacher. 91 ) pray, but it was instantly given me, that God ad converted her soul; and, therefore, instead f praying for her deliverance, I gave God thanks lat he had delivered her, and immediately she rose and praised God for what he had done for er soul. A young German came to me and clasped me a his arms, hut could not speak English that I ould understand. I then retired to the house, nd consulted with Mr. Beam who should preach n the evening, for I thought it would be best for ne of the German preachers to speak first, there ■eing several present. The rumour having run hrough the neighbourhood, of the power of God iiiring the day, we had a very large congregation n the evening, to whom one of the German ireachers preached. It appeared to me he spake vith life and power. After him Brother C. gave n exhortation, hut being confused and an enemy 0 the work, his discourse was attended with leither life nor power. Then Mr. Beam gave n exhortation in the German language, and fter him a young man gave a warm exhortation n the same tongue. Then I arose, and hardly :new how to speak, there had been so much said, ind it was now growing late. However I spoke, md the Lord laid to his helping hand, as he had lone in the day time, divers fled and made their escape out of the house; and then it appeared as f there were none left but what were earnestly :ngaged in prayer, some praising God, and others Tying to him for mercy. I told Mr. Beam that 1 should not be fit for the duties of the ensuing lay if I did not retire. So we went to the house ibout twelve o'clock, and took some refreshment md went to bed. In the morning I found that 92 Many truly awakened. the people were still engaged, and had been so all night. I went to the house about sun an hour high, where I found about one dozen still engaged in prayer. I told them we ought to begin to prepare for the other meeting, so they broke up. We set out with about forty friends to the next appointment. The people being gathered, after singing and prayer, I began to preach, and God laid to his helping hand, and many cried aloud for mercy. One young man, being powerfully wrought upon, retired up stairs and there thump- ed about upon the floor so, that Mr. Beam was afraid that he would be injured in body. "T& be sure," said he, " I never saw God in this way before." I told him there was no danger, ht was in the hands of a merciful God. In a few minutes after, in attempting to come down stairs he fell from the top to the bottom and halloei aloud, "The devil is in the chamber! the devi is in the chamber!" which greatly alarmed al the people. This brought a great damp over m? spirits, for I thought if I had raised the devil, ] might as well go home again. However, after i little space, I bid some of the dear people go uj stairs and see if the devil was there; severa went up to see what the matter was, and ther they found a man rolling, groaning, and crying to God for mercy : they returned and told ui how the matter stood. Win n I dismissed thj people, many wept around me, some said the had found peace, others were truly awakenec and many deeply convicted. CHAPTER XI. iereral fully sanctified — The Congregation falls — Opposer brought down — Water! Water! — He attempts to quench the Spirit. Next day I went to my appointment, where I met a small congregation, to whom I expound- ed the word. Met a small class, had a good time with them. I went to my next appointment, it was in a large store-house; but the most dirty place I ever had been in. I had no stomach to eat, they were so monstrously filthy; and when in bed, I was ready to be devoured with fleas and bugs. Here there seemed but little good done. My next appointment was in a Presbyterian Settlement, where I preached to a large congre- gation of stiff-necked sinners, with but little or no prospect of any good being done. I left them without making any appointment, and went that evening to the place of my next appointment, where I met with about twenty persons, who had assembled together. I gave them a word of ex- hortation, and insisted on sanctification and holi- ness of heart : here was a general weeping, and the word took such an effect on two young men, that they both fell to the floor, and one of them cried out in like manner as I had done when the Lord had sanctified my soul. I said God is about to sanctify them, especially that one whose cry represented my own under the like operation. Here we had a precious and powerful time in family worship. The young men both declared that G >d had sanctified them, and were as happy 94 A testimony for Jesus. as they could live, praising God with loud accla- mations of joy. Next day the people gathered, and we had a tolerable congregation. God attended the word with power, and some cried out. We had a favoured time both in preaching and in class. I went to my next appointment and preached in the evening. God attended the word with power, and some cried out. In meeting the class, three or four professed sanctification. Next day, at my appointment, I met with my worthy friend and brother in Christ, J. Sterling, of New Jersey, whom I was glad to see, having wrote to him some days before, and informed him how God was carrying on his work. In two days after he had received the account he met me here. We had a crowded house, and the Lord laid to his helping hand; divers fell to the floor, and some cried aloud for mercy. After preaching, an old Presbyterian gentle- man attacked me, and told me that it was all the work of the devil; that God was a God of order, and this was a perfect confusion. "Well," said I, "if this be the work of the devil, these people (many of whom then lay on the floor as dead men), when they come to, will curse and swear and rage like devils; but if it be of God, their notes will be changed :" soon after one of them came to, and he began to praise God with a loud voice, and soon another, and so on, until divers of them bore a testimony for Jesus. " Hark ! hark !" said I to my old opponent, "brother, do you hear them, this is not the language of hell, but the language of Canaan." I then appointed prayer-meeting at a friend's house in the neigh- bourhood. Old Presbyterian opponent. 95 After the people had gathered, I saw my old opponent amongst them. I gave out a hymn, and Brother S. went to prayer, and after him myself; I had spoken but a few words before Brother S. fell to the floor, and soon after him every soul in the house, except myself and my old Presbyterian opponent and two others. I arose and gave an exhortation and the two men fell, one as if he had been shot; and then they were every soul down in the house, except myself and my old opponent. He began immediately to dispute the point, telling me it was all a delusion and the work of Satan. I told him to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. As they came to, they all praised God, and not one soul but what professed either to have received justifica- tion or sanctification ; eight of whom professed the latter. I then replied, " Hark ! is this the language of hell ? Here your eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord." The old man left us a little better satisfied than at first. Next morning Brother S. went to prayer, and a woman fell to the floor and halloed aloud. Then I went to prayer, and Brother S. and seve- ral others fell under the mighty power of God; but I was under some exercise of mind, as the house fronted the public highway, lest any passing by might hear the screeches and cries, and con- clude that some one was committing murder. But they all arose except the old woman, and I desired that they would take her up and lay her on a bed, for we had spent so much time here that time called us away to our next appointment, which was about seven miles distant. Here we met with my old Presbyterian oppo- nent again; on seeing him I was sorry, for I con- 96 Old opponent falls to the floor. eluded that we should have some disputing again. I fixed my eyes on him and cried mightily to God, that if one man fell that day it might be him. As I was preaching, I heard several cry out, "Water! water! the man is fainting!" I looked round and saw it was my old opponent trembling like Belshazzar: I told them to let him alone and to look to themselves, for it was the power of God that had arrested him. They let him go, and down he fell on the floor, struggled awhile, and then lay as one dead. When I finished my discourse and dismissed the people, in order to meet the class, I desired some of our friends to carry him out, as he was in our way; they did so, and laid him on a bed in a back room. After class, I went to see my old opponent; he had just come to, and was sitting on the bed: now, thought I, is this the work of the devil or not; but said nothing to him, nor he to me. Next morning we went to our appointment, where Ave had a large congregation. Looking round, I saw my old Presbyterian friend again. This was nine miles distant from my former ap- pointment; I felt great freedom in speaking: a woman began to shake in a powerful manner, and three or four cried "Water! water!" I told them it was the power of God that had fallen on her, so they let her go and down she fell on the floor. I bid them look to themselves, and went on with my discourse; some wept, others sighed, and many groaned. When I dismissed the people, not one of them offered to go. I then desired some one to speak to them, and brother C. arose and said, "You stand amazed at the power of God, and well you may," and gave a smart ex- hortation. By this time I had gathered a little His old opponent gives an exhortation, 97 strength, and gave them an exhortation : they all wept through the house. I then said, "For God's sake, if any can speak for God, say on, for I can speak no more." Who should arise but my old Presbyterian opponent, and began with informing them that he was not one of this sect, that he had been with me four days, and that he never had seen the power of God in this way before, and added, "it is the power of God!" and gave a warm exhortation for about three-quarters of an hour. I then dismissed the people, and told them I was so exhausted that I was unable to speak to them at present: but they still seemed loath to go away. Several Quakers asked me questions, but in a friendly manner, concerning the work they had heard of. I told them that their eyes had seen it. The woman before mentioned, rose \ip and testified that God had sanctified her soul, and spoke to the people, testifying what God had done for her soul. I told them that they had seen how the power of God had wrought upon her. After this the people withdrew. I spent the evening to my satisfaction with the family, and a neighbour who tarried all night. Early next morning a young man came in, and after asking how we all did, burst into tears; I asked him what was the matter. "Why," said he, "yesterday my brother was struck under your preaching, and we thought last night that he was dying, and sent for some of the neigh- bours. He now desires you to come, for he wishes to see you." I told the young man to in- form his brother, that after breakfast I purposed to come. When we went, we found seven or eight of the neighbours, who had assembled in 98 A young man in great distress. order to see him die. He said, "I was very much terrified yesterday under preaching, and alter I got home, I was struck like a clap of thunder, and all my sins were set hefore me, and I fell like a log on the floor, and thought I was going to die, and expected to be in hell among devils and damned ghosts, which I saw round me; and I cried aloud to God to have mercy on me, and our people thought that I was crazy and was going to die: accordingly, they sent for the neighbours as you see." I continued until after midnight. "Well but," said I, "how do you feel now ; do you feel that curse, that pain, and anxiety in your breast that you did then ?" . Hews, an old Quaker woman, who sat just at my elbow, seeing the man's conduct, and hearing what had passed, bade me not to be afraid, and put me in mind of the sufferings which their friends had undergone for the cause of God. I was truly glad to find her an advocate for Jesus, though, I bless God, I did not feel the fear of man. I proceeded and gave out my text, I have a message from God unto thee." (Judges i. 20.) I had not spoken long, before he began igain to interrupt me, raising himself on his toes :o see if the others were at hand, but the door jeing surrounded by a number of the most respect- ive inhabitants, those club gentry were either ishamed or afraid, so that they kept their distance. I soon found that it would not answer to dis- >ute, and therefore, without any regard to what le was saying, I began to pour out the terrors of he law upon him in the most awful manner I vas capable of. 1 soon saw his countenance hange, and he cried out, "Is it me, Sir, you oean?" "Yes," said I, "you are the very man, .nd I have a message from God unto you," . hirh I delivered in plain terms, and began to I ray for him. He quickly discovered a disposi- K 2 196 A woman converted. tion to get out of the house, but this he could not hastily do, the crowd was so great irr the door. His confusion was great, and he cried out, "Do not judge, do not judge." At length he got out, and halloed "Amen" several times, but he soon gave that up. A Quaker gentleman being at the door, said to him as he went out, " Thou hast met with thy match." I have since understood that he had anchored his vessel in the Delaware, two or three miles dis- tant, in order to attend this meeting, and had sworn that he never meant to weigh anchor again until he had driven every Methodist out of the Neck. While I was praying for him, God convinced a woman of sin, who soon after got her soul converted, and with her husband joined society. Blessed be God, notwithstanding all the malice of men and devils, we had a solemn and profitable time to many souls who were broken into tenderness. Soon after a society was formed, and they became a precious people. I left the circuit after six months, having re- ceived eighty-five members into society, and had seen about fifty sanctified by the mighty power and grace of God, and many others that had been kl justified. There was a great revival among the n classes; may the Lord be mindful of them, and m preserve them in his holy fear. CHAPTER XIII. Trenton Circuit— Slain and wounded up stairs and down- Ocean of love — A man on a bed— I.onR Branch lovefeast lively— Street preaching— Scwell's History of the Quakers — Meeting in the woods. I left Salem after the quarterly-meeting, in order to travel Trenton circuit; and on my way Many in great distress. 197 thither I attended the quarterly-meeting at Bethel: after preaching and exhortation on Sa- turday, we adjourned our meeting until Sunday morning. Next morning Brother Merrick opened the love-feast, and the people began to speak their experiences very feelingly. After several had spoken, and a few exhortations had heen given, I arose and exhorted them to look for sanctitica- tion; for now was the day of God's power; and the power of the Lord fell on them in such a manner, that they fell to the floor all through the house, upstairs and down, so that speaking expe- riences was now at an end; for many shouted praises to God, while others cried aloud for mer- cy. I looked round me upstairs and I saw a va- cancy, although the house was crowded; so I went up and found a number of them lying all in i heap. I went to them and found they were nourners. I exhorted them to cry earnestly to Sod for mercy and spare not; they did so; I and ;hree or four others prayed for them, and the Lord tet all their souls at liberty to rejoice in his love. I turned round, and there lay two others strug- gling as in the agonies of death. I kneeled and >rayed, and several others did the same, and the Lray;" we kneeled down and prayed, and according to his faith so it was, for the Lord set his soul at liberty from sin and guilt. At my next appointment I preached, and we had a peaceable waiting before God. I met class, and we had a precious season among them ; a few joined society. Our quarterly-meeting was held at Long Branch. On the Saturday there appeared some little move among the people; on Sunday morn- ing our love-feast commenced, and several spoke very feelingly. I arose and gave them an exhor- tation, and the Lord laid to his helping hand, and sent the word with energy, like a two-edged sword, to their hearts; and they fell before the Lord like Dagon before the ark, or like men slain in battle. Speaking their experiences was now at end ; the place was rilled with acclamations of prayer and praise; some cried for mercy, others for clean hearts, and many were praising God for his glorious power and grace; several professed sanctification, and others justification. We had a blessed time, and our meeting ended in great harmony. I desired the people to give out preaching for me at Shrewsbury, a town in which the Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians, each had a house of public worship; but they all, as ■with one accord, refused me the liberty of their houses. I then directed that it should be given out for me to preach in the street, which was done. When I came to the place I found a large congregation; some judged that there were five hundred people present. I preached with great liberty, they gave great attention, God at- tended the word with power, and many tears An old Quaker awakened. 201 were shed, although in the street. Street preach- ing, and preaching in the fields and woods, is often made the most successful. I went home with Brother M. and next day- preached to a crowded house with lilierty : the power of the Lord arrested a young Quaker, and he fell to the floor as if he had been shot : his mother being present cried out, " My son is dead ! my son is dead I" I replied, "Mammy, your son is not dead; look to yourself, mammy, your son is not dead;" and in a few minutes we had a number slain before the Lord. An old Quaker man stood with tears in his eyes; I said to him, "Daddy, look to yourself, this was the way with you when you had the life and power of God among you. Read Sewell's History of the Peo- ple called Quakers, and you will find there that John Alldtand, B young man, was preaching in a field near Bristol, and the people fell to the ground before him, and cried out under the mighty power of God." The man of the house brought the book, and read the passage before the congregation, and he then acknowledged it to be the work of the Lord. I attempted to meet class, but did not speak to above two or three, when the people fell before the Lord as men slain in battle, and we had the shout of a king in the camp of Jesus; two or three professed that God had sanctified their souls. The young Quaker and several others, professed that God had set their souls at liberty; several joined society, and we had a precious time. When I went on that circuit there were about six or seven in society at that place, and when I left it, there were about thirty-six; six or seven 202 A young man frightens the wicked. of whom had been Quakers. At this place our meetings were generally so powerful, that I never regularly met the class during the time I was on the circuit; for we always had the shout of a king in the camp of Jesus. Glory to God.' I preached at the Falls ; the man of the house was a Methodist, and the woman a Presbyterian. We had a peaceable waiting before God. I met class, and we had a powerful time. I impressed the doctrine of sanctification on them: two young women fell to the floor, and one young man fell backward off the bench and made such a strange noise that he frightened the wicked all into a huddle in a corner; for as he lay near the door they had no way to make their escape. Both the girls professed sanctification, and the young man professed to be justified. I visited New Brunswick, where we had no so- ciety; but God raised up one of nine members, while I remained on the circuit. May the Lord increase their number. I preached also at Prince- ton, where I endeavoured to pull old Calvin's errors to pieces. There the Lord raised up a so- ciety of nine persons more before I left the circuit. Glory to God. Our quarterly-meeting was held at Brother H's. Brother G. preached, and Brother M. gave an exhortation. In our love-feast, our friends spoke very feelingly, several testified that God had sanctified their souls while I had been on the circuit; and a number of others, that God had justified them freely. After love-feast, find- ing the congregation was large, we thought it best to retire to the woods, where Brother G. stood in a waggon and preached to the people; after him Brother M. gave an exhortation: when An account of the number sanctified. 203 he had done, I arose and gave another, and the Lord laid to his helping hand, and he slew eight or ten, who fell to the earth under the mighty power of God; but my strength being exhausted, and no one speaking after me, the meeting broke up. We had many blessed times while I rode that circuit, which was about six months." CHAPTER XIV. Eastern shore of Maryland— Remarks— Shout after shout— They fall like men slain in battle— Some overcome and filled with redeeming love — Numbers fall and the wicked fly — Extraordinary singing — Great work in a family — Ocean of redeeming love — Remarkable love-feast. Sixce I have been a preacher, I have kept an account of two hundred and twenty-four souls that I have seen sanctified. When I rode Cecil circuit I saw thirty sanctified, and forty-three justified. When I was moved to Kent circuit, the Lord began to work powerfully. In twelve weeks God sanctified about fifty, and justified many. For fifteen meetings in succession, some were either justified or sanctified. We had * Mr. Abbott left the Jerseys about the last of September, 1793, and the compiler finds, by the minutes for that year, that he was appointed to labour in the Cecil circuit. State of Maryland; but how long he laboured there the compiler is not able to determine, from any thing that appears in the manuscripts. In the minutes for the year 1794, he likewise stands on the Cecil circuit; but from the manuscripts we find that he laboured on Kent circuit ; but how long he laboured there, it appears uncertain. He returned home unable to travel, about the last of May or the first of June, 1795. It appears that he spent the most, if not all of his time, during those years, when health permitted, on tho above circuits. 204 Both Saint and Sinner weep. shout after shout, and the Lord slew them like men slain in battle.* May 10, 1794 — I met class, and had a melting time. At night the Lord was with us of a truth ; the slain lay before him. Sunday 11 I had a melting time in the morning, and in the afternoon a peaceable waiting before the Lord. At night the Lord laid to his helping hand, and we had a shout in the camp, so that the noise might be heard a great way off. I took cold, and was very unwell for some days. Thursday 15 I met class, and had a melting time. At night the Lord opened the windows of heaven, and from the skies poured down righteous- ness, so that the people fell before him, and the cries of the wounded were great. Saturday 17 — I went to Brother R.'s to preach; but being unwell, I got Brother D. Abbott to preach. I met the class, and God poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that both saint and sinner wept. Sunday 13 I preached, and God poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that they fell before him like men slain in battle. This alarmed the wicked, and they fled for the door; but God was too strong for some of them, who were left behind weeping for their sins. I was obliged to leave the slain, in order to attend my afternoon ap- •The compiler is sorry the manuscripts do not contain a more minute account of the lahours of Air. Abbott in those places. There can be no doubt but many things must have occurred in that period worthy of note, as it contains his la- hours from September, 179.'!, to May, 1794. It may be observed, that from this time Mr. Abbott hai been more particular in giving dates, than in any other parti of his labours. Three children and a negro girl converted. 205 pointment, where I met a large congregation, to whom I preached, and had a peaceable waiting upon the Lord. After preaching, at the Lord's table, we had a melting time. I went home with Brother M'C. Next day I went to Chester- Town, and at night held a prayer-meeting. AVe had a power- ful time, and one soul was set at liberty. Tuesday 20 I rode to Brother ' C.'s, and preached to a hard-hearted people. Next day I preached at Brother Miller's, and the Lord was with us of a truth; some wept, and others rejoiced. Brother M. informed me that God had converted his three children and a negro girl, the night before; and I heard them tell of the Lord's dealings and goodness to their souls. In class, the power of the Lord was present; one was slain, and divers others were so overcome and rilled with redeeming love, that they could hold no more. Glory to God, this was a good time to many, and I was happy in my own soul. Next day we had a peaceable waiting before the Lord, both under the word and in class. In the evening the power of the Lord slew one, and when he revived he testified that God had saved his soul, and cried out, "O that I had wings that I might fly to Jesus ! O that I could die to be with my Jesus!" clapping his hands and shout- ing glory to God. May 25 — AVe had a melting time; both saints and sinners wept under the word. In the after- noon I preached from these words, " To you that fear my name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healiiig in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall." God 206 Three had their sins pardoned. attended the word with the energy of his Holy Spirit in such a manner, that numbers fell to the floor, and found Him of whom Moses and the prophets did write. The wicked flew to the door; glory to God, there was a shaking among the dry bones, and we had a shout in the camp of Israel. In family prayer the Lord was among us of a truth; one fell to the floor and cried for mercy. Glory to God, the place was glorious because of his presence, and my soul was happy in my God. Next day we held a prayer-meeting in the evening, and several were struck to the floor by the power of God, and we had a shout in the camp. May 27. — At night we had a prayer-meeting, and the God of love was present in the power and energy of his Holy Spirit. Many cried out, and several fell to the floor and besought God to have mercy on their souls ; three bore testimony that God had pardoned all their sins ; one lay near an hour as though she had been dead, and then came to, and sung with such a melodious note as I never had heard before. The voice seemed as if four or five were singing together, but upon ex- amining them no one had sung with her, neither did they understand the tune, notwithstanding they all distinctly heard it, as if four or five were singing. She then seemed to die away again, and when she came to, sang as before, this was re- peated several times; at length she arose from the floor, praising God for her deliverance, declar- ing his goodness to her soul. It was a good time, sinners trembled, and saints rejoiced, and my soul was happy. Next day the Lord laid to his hand, and sane- Three sisters saved. 207 tified one soul and justified another in a powerful manner. May 30 I preached, and the power of the Lord was present in such a manner, that several fell to the floor. The cries and lamentations of the wounded and distressed were great. June 1. — I preached in town in the morning, we had a melting time, many wept. In the after, noon the Lord poured out his Spirit, and the slain fell before him like dead men ; others lay as in the agonies of death, entreating God to have mercy on their souls ; some found peace. Glory to God, many in this town seemed alarmed of their danger; may God increase their number. A girl, who lived with a Quaker, was cut to the heart in such a manner, that they did not know how to get her home; I went to see her, and found many round her, both white and black. She lay as one near her last gasp ; I kneeled down and besought God for her deliverance, and in a few minutes she broke out in raptures of joy, crying out, "Let me go to Jesus," repeating it several times, then she arose and went home. Glory to God for what my eyes saw, my ears heard, and soul felt that day of the blessed Spirit; the meeting continued from three o'clock until evening. Two young women, at a certain place and time, sitting in their father's house, said one unto the other, " If mammy had religion, I should get it too." The Lord struck her with conviction in such a manner, that she cried so loud for mercy, that she alarmed all the house with her cries, and thus she continued until three of her sisters were all struck with the same conviction for sin. Their tries to God continued nearly forty-eight hours, 208 Sis,' souls set at liberty. with little intermission, when God in his infinite mercy set two of their souls at liberty, to rejoice in his pardoning love. Another of them came to town and met me, and I went home with her. As we were riding along the road, she being under sore distress of soul, cried aloud for mercy, and God broke in upon her soul in such a manner, that she clapped her hands and cried, " Glory to God in the highest." There was another young woman in the carriage with her, and the power of God struck her in so wonderful a manner, that she lost the use of her limbs, and lay about an hour; when she came to, her first words were. "Is this perfect love?" In time of prayer at the meeting we attended, God poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that several fell to the floor, with such cries and screeches, that a solemn awe sat upon every face, and before the meeting ended, six souls were set at liberty to, rejoice in the Rock of Ages, thanks be to God. Monday, June 2nd In prayer-meeting in the evening, the Lord was with us of a truth. Next day I preached, and had a melting time; at night the Lord was with us in power, and we had a proper shout. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: lie is just, and having salvation." (Zech. i.\. 0.) June 4 I preached, and the Lord laid to his almighty power; several fell to the floor, some professed sanctification, and two to be justified. Believers were built up in their most holy faith. June 5 I preached, and the Lord poured out his Spirit in mighty power; the cry of mourners was so great, that the noise might have been heard afar off. Several were set at liberty from Very remarkable Love-feast. 203 the bondage of sin and Satan, and were made partakers of that love which makes glad the city of God. One professed sanctilieation, and several were awakened; thanks be to the Most High. June G The Lord, under the word, poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that three or four found peace, and two professed sanctification. Believers were built up, and it was a good day to many souls. At night we had a proper shout, one fell to the floor, and lay as if she were dead, and when she came to, she shouted and gave glory to God for her deliverance. I met class at Sister Brown's. There we had a powerful time, several were lost as in the ocean of redeeming love. Glory to God for ever, one was sanctified in a powerful manner at that meet- ing; and in the evening we had a melting time. The Lord filled one of our sisters with perfect love, in the carriage as she was returning home, in such a manner, that she lost both the power of her body and speech ; but when she recovered herself, she said that God had given her a clean heart, and had filled her soul with love. Sunday, June 8 — We held a love-feast, and the Lord laid his helping hand upon us, and poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that not one soul spoke their experience in the love-feast. Sinners trembled and fell to the floor, while chris- tians shouted praises to God and the Lamb for ever. One lay as if she were dead, numbers were powerfully wrought upon. This was a love-feast indeed; I never saw but one like it be- fore, in which no one spoke their experience. I preached that day with great freedom and. power. 0 210 CHAPTER XV. Shaking among the dry hones — Some sanctified— He leaves the slain — A day that will long be remembered— A shout — The work mightily increases— Ocean of God's love — A good day to himself— Many seem lost in the ocean of re- deeming love-^Stones thrown — Great work, and several flee— His ow» heart swallowed up in redeeming love. Monday 9 — I held a prayer-meeting, and the Lord manifested his love amongst us. There was a shaking among the dry bones. One lav as if she were dead for near two hours, and then came to with praises to God for her deliverance, with great raptures of joy. The children of God were filled with joy unspeakable. How inex- pressible are the pleasures of those who are filled with the raptures of a Saviour's love — ecstatic pause ! silence heightens heaven. Friday 13 — I held prayer-meeting, and the power of the Lord fell upon the people in such a manner, that the slain lay all over the floor. Several were converted to God, one or two pro- fessed sanctification. Glory to God, he carried on his own work. Saturday 14 — I preached, and had a melting time. I met class, and the power of the Lord came down, and we had a shout in the camp of the Lord. Sunday 15 The Lord attended the word with power, and divers fell before him like Dagon be- fore the ark. I was obliged to leave the slain on the floor, in order to attend my next appointment, where I found a large congregation, to whom I preached; in class we had a melting time, and a shout in the camp. It was a day of his power; Mighty shaking among the dry bones. 211 he worked and none could hinder him. Next day I preached at a new place, and had a favoured time; some sighed, others groaned, and many- wept. Tuesday 17 I preached, and the Lord at- tended the word with power, several were cut to the heart, and one found peace to her soul. Blessed be God, he has not forgotten to be gra- cious. "They that seek shall find." Wednesday 18. — This was a day of power; I preached, and the Lord attended the word with the energy of his Spirit. Saint and sinner felt his power; numbers cried aloud for mercy, and several found Him of whom Moses and the pro- phets wrote. One lay as in the agony of death for some time, but glory to God, he set his soul at liberty, whereby he was enabled to rejoice in his glorious love. Thursday 19 I preached to a few, but there was nothing done to speak of. However, I found peace in my own soul. At evening I met class, and the Lord was with us of a truth, we had a shout in the camp of Jesus. Sunday 22 — I preached with life and power, and the Lord manifested his presence amongst us, some cried for mercy, and a solemn awe sat on many faces. I went to my next appointment, and preached to a large congregation. The Lord laid to his helping hand, and there was a mighty shaking among the dry bones, divers persons lay through the house as dead men and women, slain by the mighty power of God. The same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead, raised up nine per- sons that we could ascertain, to praise him as a sin-pardoning God; and how many more that we could not ascertain, God only knows, for many o 2 212 Several lay as if in the agony of death. wept, and some shouted praises to God and the Lamb : glory to God, this was a day that will long be remembered by many precious souls. Some were so filled and running over with perfect love, that as they returned home they shouted praises to God as they went on their way. I was as happy as I could live in the body. Monday 23. — I held a prayer-meeting, and it was a good time to many ; some were so filled with the love of God that it took away the use of their limbs, and they lay on the floor as happy as they could live, rejoicing in the God and Rock of their salvation. We had at that time about twelve children on the circuit who were happy in religion, and the Lord was doing great things for many. My soul was on the wing. Tuesday 24. — I held another prayer-meeting, and had a powerful time. Next day I met class, and we had a melting time. At night I preached, and the power of the Lord was present to the joy of his children, and we had a shout in the assem- bly. "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion : for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." (Isa. xii. 0.) Thursday 26 We had an awful time, num- bers cried out for mercy, and the Lord set some at liberty to rejoice in his redeeming love. "Let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salva- tion, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness." (2 Chron. vi. 41.) Friday 27 I preached, and the Lord laid to his almighty arm of power in such a manner, that several lay as if in the agony of death, some trembled, and others cried aloud for mercy. Glory to the eternal God, he slays and he makes alive. In his mercy he set several at liberty, to rejoice A day of days to many souls. 213 in redeeming love. This was a day of his power to many souls, and my soul was happy. Sunday 29 — I preached twice, as usual, on the Sabbath : in the morning we had a precious time, and in the afternoon we had the shout of a king in the camp. Some were rejoicing in redeeming love, and others were crying in bitterness of soul, for mercy at the hand of God; while the power of the Lord slew others, as men cut down in battle. It was a day of days to many souls. Glory to the eternal God ! This meeting con- tinued from three o'clock until evening. July 3 I preached, and had a precious time; then I met class, and the presence of the Lord was amongst us. " For the Lord thy God walked in the midst of thy camp to deliver thee." (Deut. xxiii. 14.) Next day the Lord was with us of a truth ; one was set at liberty, and several of the friends seemed lost in the ocean of God's love. In the afternoon we had a melting time among the friends. At night we held a prayer-meeting, and many were slain before the Lord ; one pro- fessed to be justified freely by his grace, another professed sanctification. This was a time to my soul long to be remembered ; and I trust it will be remembered by many others. This meeting continued until near three o'clock. Friday 4 — I preached from 1 John iv. 16, "God is love." It was a time of love indeed; for divers of God's dear children were lost in the ocean of redeeming grace; and the God of love spoke peace to three souls. That day will never be forgotten by my soul ; though I was weak in body, I was strong in spirit. Sunday (J — I preached in the morning, and it was a good time to many ; several cried aloud, 214 He preaches a Funeral Sermon. some seemed lost in the ocean of redeeming love, and I was so happy, that I could hardly refrain from crying out. In the afternoon we had a large congregation, and the devil got angry, and made one of his servants throw some stones. We had a happy time in class; afterwards I went home with one of our friends and held a prayer-meet- ing, and the Master of Assemblies was with us. Monday evening, I held a prayer-meeting, and had a melting time ; some of the friends were lost as in wonder, love, and praise. The next day I held a prayer-meeting again, and the Lord was with us. Some cried out, " Praise the Lord, O my soul ! and all that is within me, praise his holy name." The next day, likewise, I held a prayer- meeting, and we had a comfortable time. Friday 11. — I preached a funeral sermon, and the Lord was present with us. At night I held a prayer-meeting, and we had a melting time. The next day the Lord was with us in a powerful manner; some cried out, and others were lost in the ocean of love, and I was happy in my own soul ; blessed be God, he has not forgotten to be gracious. Sunday 13 In the forenoon I preached to a large congregation, and the Lord laid to his help- ing hand ; some lay on the floor as in the agonies of death, others were crying aloud for mercy, and some were shouting praises to God, being filled with his love. Several fled out of the house, choosing rather to risk their lot among the damned, than to expose themselves in the congre- gation, by asking mercy at the hand of God. The Lord set one soul at liberty, another pro- fessed sanctification. The Lord's hand is not shortened. In the afternoon I went to my other A miracle of grace. 215 appointment, where I met a large congregation, to whom I preached, and the Lord made bare his arm in such a manner, that there whs a shaking among the dry hones; some cried aloud, others were happy in God. Glory to his dear name, my soul was happy. Monday 14 — I preached, and had a melting time; sinners were cut to the heart, believers were transported with the presence of God, and my heart was swallowed up in redeeming love. I joined ten in society; may God record their names in the Lamb's book of life ! In the even- ing I preached again, and the Lord poured out his Spirit, and we had a shout in the camp of Israel. CHAPTER XVI. Great distress — Himself happy — Several baptized in the fountain of love—lie is filled — Many slain— Some seemed lost in the ocean of redeeming love — Remarkable experi- ence — Glorious class meeting — The God of Elijah an- twereth by fire. Next day, under preaching, the power of God was with us in such a manner, that some wept, and others seemed lost in the ocean of love. One professed sanctification, and another was so struck by the mighty power of God, that she shook from head to foot as in the agony of death, for near the space of two hours; sometimes cry- ing to God for mercy, at other times, that her leart would break ; at length her strength failed, ind she lay for a time like one dead : when she same to, she praised God for her deliverance, vhile many stood round her amazed. Glory to >od for a miracle of grace ! I was so happy that 216 Mighty operation of the Spirit of God. I could hardly utter a sentence, until God with- drew his hand a little. Were we to be thus always happy, we should be disqualified for earth or worldly things. O, what raptures shall we have in heaven ! Wednesday 16. — I preached, and the Lord poured out his Spirit, both under the word and in class, in so wonderful a manner, that a woman lay under the mighty operation of the Spirit of God as one dead, for near the space of three hours: several felt her hands and arms, and they were apparently cold as if she had been dead and laid out; but, glory to God, when he, by his Spirit, revived her, she could testify that he had sanctified her soul, and filled her with joy un- speakable. Several of the friends were baptized in the fountain of love; and, for my own part, I was so filled with the love of God that I could hold no more: "It was good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." (Luke vi. 38.) I adore God for what I have felt and seen ; my tongue or pen can never express it on this side of eternity. Saturday 19.— Our quarterly-meeting began, and we had a blessed time to many souls. Sunday 20 Our meeting began at six o'clock in the morning, and when we had sung and prayed, the power of God came down in such a manner that the slain lay all through the house. Some seemed lost in the ocean of God's love ; some professed justification, and others that God had sanctified their souls. This meeting was so powerful, that but one attempted to speak her experience in love-feast; while she was speaking, she sunk down, crying out, "God has made me all lo^ e ! " Immediately the house was filled with A woman under painful experience. 217 cries and praises to God; some trembled and were astonished. We had to carry the slain out of the house in order to make room that the people might come in for the public preaching. And when we had sung and prayed, the presence of the Lord came down as in the days of old, and the house was filled with his glory; the people fell before him like men slain in battle. It was a great day of God's power to many souls; some professed sanctifkation, some justification, and others were lost as in the ocean of redeeming love. This was a day of days to my soul. The windows being open, there were hundreds outside gazing at those in the house who were slain before the Lord; but they lay both in the house and out of it. Prayers were put up to God, both within and without the house, in behalf of the penitents and mourners. I trust that many date their con- viction, and others their conversion, from that quarterly-meeting. I went from this meeting to Brother D.'s, with some other friends, where we joined in prayer, and the Lord, glory to his name, poured out his Spirit in a wonderful manner amongst us. I then went home with some friends, where we sang praises to God; and while we were singing, the power of God fell on me in such a manner, that I cried out; the power reached all in the room, and one fell to the floor, crying to God; after some time she cried out, "I see Jesus!" (re- peating it several times); and then, "I see Moses and Elias! but not with my bodily eyes." She then cried out, "I am going; my arms are dead; call Mrs. A." When Mrs. A. came, she told her that she saw her mother standing in white; then 218 A powerful Prayer-Meeting. gave some words of exhortation to repentance: she then died away, and lay in that state about twenty minutes; afterwards she came to, and de- clared that the Lord had sanctified her soul, praising God and the Lamb in raptures of joy. Another fell as if she had been shot, and lay some time; when she came to, she likewise professed sanctifying grace. This little meeting held about four hours. Monday, I held prayer-meeting in the evening, and God visited us in such a manner, that several fell to the floor; some professed to find Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote : this meet- ing held until three in the morning. Tuesday, I met class, and had a melting time; the members seemed swallowed up in the ocean of love. One was sanctified in a powerful man- ner; it was a happy time to my soul. In the evening, under preaching, the Lord set the soul of one at liberty to rejoice in his love. "The shout of a king was among them." (Num. xxiii. 21.) Wednesday, under the word, some found peace, and one experienced sanctifying grace ; many were lost, as in the ocean of love, and we again had the shout of a king in the camp. Thursday, in the forenoon, under preaching, God poured out his Spirit in a wonderful man- ner; his children were happy in his love; and it was a good time to my own soul. In the even- ing we had a peaceable waiting before God. How pleasant is it to be found in the work of the Lord, when the blessed Redeemer is with us. Next day I preached and met class, and we had a precious time among the children of God. At night I held a prayer-meeting, and the power A most delightful Love-Feast. 219 of the Lord was present among us; one pro- fessed justification, and God's children were built up in their most holy faith. Nothing is so encouraging to a minister as to see sinners con- verted, and the people of God going forward in their journey toward the heavenly Canaan. Saturday 26 — I went to quarterly-meeting, Dover circuit, Kent county, Delaware state; we had a happy day. On Sunday, in love-feast, the Lord God of Elijah, who answereth by fire, poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that the altar of the Christians' hearts was all in a flame with the seraphic fire of love. "Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, &c. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, &c. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, &c. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces ; and they said, The Lord, he is the God ! the Lord, he is the God." ( I Kings xviii. 36 — 39. ) So on that day, when the fire of the Lord came down, the people fell and acknowledged the power of God: and the slain lay all about the house; some were carried out as dead men and women ; while others were lost in the ocean of love, shouting praises to God and the Lamb. The house was filled with the glory of Israel's God, who spoke peace to mour- ners, while sinners were cut to the heart. Glory to God, it was a high day to my own soul. It was thought there were about fifteen hunch ed looking on with wortBer and amazement at the mighty power of God, which caused the powers 220 A shout in the camp of Israel. of hell to shake and give way; many of the spec- tators trembled and were astonished; a number professed faith in Christ, and others sanctifying grace; God's dear children generally were re- freshed in redeeming love. This was one of the days of the Son of Man, Glory to God, saith my soul. CHAPTER XVII. Divers plunged in the ocean of love— Meeting which lasted four hours — View of Jesus — The place glorious — Sacred flame of God's love. Monday, I was very unwell, but happy in the love of God. On Tuesday, in family prayer, the power of God came wonderfully down upon us; four fell to the floor; and they found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write — Jesus of Nazareth — to the joy of their souls. Wednesday 30 — I held prayer-meeting, and the Lord made bare his almighty power to the joy of his children; one fell to the floor, divers were plunged into the ocean of love, and we had a shout in the camp of Israel. Thursday, I met class, one fell to the floor in- treating God for mercy, and soon lay as one dead for near an hour; it was a happy time to the children of God. Friday, August 1 I preached, and had a good time; met class, and had a melting time amongst the dear children of God. At night, after preaching, I dismissed the people, but they would not go away; perceiving this, I gave out a hymn and went to prayer, and the Lord poured out his He baptizes a child. 221 Spirit, and slew them as men slain in battle; some lay as in the agonies of death: some were rejoicing in God; others were crying for mercy ; and, blessed be the most High, he met with many to the joy of their souls; and his dear children were buiit up in their most holy faith. This meeting lasted for nearly four hours, and I trust will not be forgotten by many. Saturday 2 I went to the quarterly-meeting. It was a very wet day ; but, glory to God, he poured out his Spirit in such a manner, that the house was filled with cries ; some shouting praises to God for redeeming love, others intreating for mercy, while divers persons lay slain before the Lord, by his mighty power, as in the agonies of death. It was a day of God's power to many souls : some professed sanctitication, and others justification. I went to the house and baptized a child ; in time of prayer, the mother shook every joint in her body ; four persons fell to the floor ; one professed that God had sanctified her soul; another cried out, " I see Jesus !" repeating it divers times ; and then said, " I am full ! Lord, hold thy hand, for I can contain no more." Saturday, August 9 It rained so that I could not attend my appointment ; but a few friends came to the house in the evening, and we had a prayer-meeting. The power of the Lord came down in such a manner among us, that the place was glorious because of his presence, and the dear children of God were fed with his heavenly manna, to the joy of their souls. 222 CHAPTER XVIII. The cries of the distressed make the streets ring — Over- whelmed in the fountain of love— Ocean of God's love — Noise heard a mile and a half— A day of power. Sunday 10 — I preached to a large congrega- tion, and the Lord opened the windows of heaven, and poured down righteousness, some wept and some rejoiced ; some were crying for mercy, and others were praising God. One rose up and said that God had sanctified her soul, clapping her hands with praises to God ; another cried out that God had pardoned all her sins : the sacred flame of God's love spread through the house. Glory to God, it was a good day to my soul ; let every creature praise the Lord, praise him, O my soul. In the afternoon I went to my other appointment, where I found a large congregation waiting to hear the word. Here I met with Brother C. and he preached from, "Ye must be born again" (John iii. 7-); and when he had concluded, I arose and gave an exhortation, and God made the application with power, so that there was a shout in the camp; many were lost in the ocean of love. This was a happy day to my soul. Monday 11. — I had a favoured time in deliver- ing the word; three joined in society, and many were cut to the heart. I spoke freely and plainly to them of the things of God, that appertained unto their souls' eternal welfare. I left divers of them in tears, and trust that some good seed was sown that day, which will be found with its increase in great eternity. Many cry aloud for mercy. 223 I went to town, and in the evening held a prayer-meeting; "we sang and began to pray, and God began to work among the people in power; the house was filled with cries and groans to God for mercy, and numbers fell to the floor, and one fell across my feet. The cries of the distressed made the streets to ring, many stood gazing at those who were slain before the Lord, and at those who were praising God aloud in rap- tures of joy for their deliverance. I embraced the opportunity to speak for my God, and I asked them if that which they had heard was the lan- guage of the devil. "Hark ! you hear no cursing or swearing; certainly this is not the language of drunkards or of horse-racers, or of revellers, or sf any such like; their cry is, 'Mercy, or I oerish !' " I asked one woman what she thought , was the matter with another that lay on the lloor: she answered, "That she thought her sin ! vxus the cause of it, and that she was crying to Jod for mercy." I exhorted her to do likewise, elling her that God would have mercy on her lso. ■ Tuesday 12 I preached, and had a precious inae. I met class, and some of the dear children j - ere overwhelmed in the fountain of love. Wednesday 13. — I preached, and many were I it to the heart; one cried aloud for mercy, .hers were happy in the love of God. It was a >od time to my soul. Thursday 14 — I preached to a hard-hearted sople. I told them their danger of living in a; but I saw little or no effects. I hope the ed of the word will be found not altogether lost, t that some fell where it will bring forth fruit, the evening I met clacs, and we had a shout in 224 Preaches to a tender-hearted people. the camp, four joined society- It was a happy time to the dear children of God. Next day I held a prayer-meeting, and the j Lord laid to his helping hand, one cried out and | fell to the floor, with screeches that seemed to I . pierce the hearts of many. Six others also fell to I ( . the floor and cried aloud for mercy, so that the ,'. noise was heard a mile and a half off. One sin- ; ner stood looking on, and I said to him, "Sinner, , j pray, for I do not know but that God may strike you dead, and send you to hell in a moment!" J with that, I called up the people to pray for him, . and he sunk down on the floor, and called on God for mercy. I left him and three others in sore - distress for their sins. Some found the pearl of ; great value. Thanks be to the Most High, it . was a happy time to my soul. Saturday 1C — I read and prayed, and found an , uninterrupted peace in my soul. Sunday 17 — I preached to a tender-hearted people, and the Lord poured out his Spirit upon them: some wept and some groaned, while God's children were rejoicing in his love. One found peace, two joined society, and it was a good time to my soul. I went to my next appointment, where 1 , preached with great liberty, and the Master laic to his almighty arm of power. There was i great shaking among the dry bones, several fel . to the floor, some as dead men, while the cries o ' others for mercy was very great; several lay as i) , the agonies of death, and several found peace t 1 their troubled souls, whereby they were enable " to rejoice in the Rock of Eternal Ages. Twr.' professed that God had deepened the work in the: j ' souls, and eight joined society. May God recorr He i« lost in the ocean of love. 225 their names in the Lamb's book of life. This meeting held from three o'clock until night, some were shouting praises to God and the Lamb, some praying with and for the disconsolate, so that the noise might be heard afar off. It was a day of God's power to many souls, and several went from the house crying to God for mercy; for my own part, I was almost lost in the ocean of love I spoke until I was so exhausted that I could say no more, and then I withdrew from the house- I went and laid down in order to refresh the body. Wednesday 20 — I met class, and the Lord was ith us in power, and his dear children were all filled w.th love. I was so happy that I could con- tain no more, and I told them I was as happy as I would wish to be in the hour of death. Glory to God for what he has done for poor me. "Happy ■s that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." (Psalm CHAPTER XIX. V £ a i PPy -, C >! a f~ A ^cam-Deril-hardened sinner-Many til- mgbV love -°«** of God s love-The devil pit lo Thursday 21._We had a melting time un- ler the word, and in class also we had a precious line; seven joined society. Several seemed as it fere lost in the ocean of love. "The fruit of he Spirit is love, joy, peace," &c. (Gal. v. 22.) Friday 22 — I went to a friend's house and eld prayer-meeting, and we had a precious time- ome poor sinners wept sorely; may God com. 226 A devil-hardened sinner. fort them. I thank God we had a happy time there. Saturday 23 I went to see a friend, and she told me that a young man in the neighbourhood wanted to see me; I asked her for what ? she re- plied, "That he had dreamed he was in hell, and in his torment and dreadful agony he thought he kaw me at a distance, praying for him with up- lifted hands; he then awoke in the greatest dis- tress imaginable, all in a profusion of sweat, so great had been his agony." He immediately after came in where I was, and related the same thing. I told him it was a loud call to prepare to meet God; and he appeared very sensible of his imminent danger, and promised to amend his life. I recommended them to God in prayer, and left them and went to town. Sunday 24 I preached and had a melting time, some cried out aloud; it was a happy time to my soul. In the afternoon Brother C. preached from, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments," (Luke xvi. 2'i); and God attended the word with power. After he concluded, I arose and gave an exhortation from the same words, and one sunk to the floor, and many wept aloud, and we had a shout in the cam]). I went to one of the distressed, and prayer was made for her; but her mother came and seized her by the arm, i.nd when she found that she did not answer her by moving her, she began to pinch her as if she would pinch pieces out of her flesh. I looked up and prayed to God to have mercy on this old devil-hardened sinner, and called upon all the people to pray for the poor old sinner: she seemed to be struck for some time, but soon got het daughter by the aim again and pulled and bort He administers (he Lord's supper. ■I-!', her off. This was a precious day to my soul. Glory to God for the wonders of redeeming love. Monday 25 I read, and meditated, and prayed through the day; and held a prayer-meeting in the evening. God was with us in a powerful manner, and many were filled with love. Tuesday 2G I preached, and the power of the Lord was present to heal; in class we had a shout in the camp. Glory to God for ever, this was a precious time to many souls. Wednesday 27 — I preached, and the Lord at- tended the word with the energy of his Holy Spirit; his children were refreshed in spirit, and built tip in the faith; four joined society. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and let all my powers mag- nify the Most High. Thursday 28 — I preached, and had the shout of a king in the camp of Jesus. Many seemtd to bathe in the "fountain that was opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jeru- salem, for sin and for uncleanness." (Zech. xiii. 1.) It was a precious time to my soul. In the even- ing we had a peaceable waiting before the Lord, and I trust some had their strength renewed. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isa. xl. 31.) Friday 29 I preached and administered the fjord's supper; we had a favoured time to our edification. Thanks be to God for his love to his creatures. The next day I met three classes, and had a precious time among the dear children of God. Many of them seemed as if lost in redeeming love; and a Baptist woman joined ^228 The Devil is put to flight. society. In the evening we had a shout in the camp; and two joined class, and several were lost as in the ocean of God's love ; it was a good time to my own soul. Sunday 31 In the morning the Master of Assemblies was present; some wept; and we had a small shout. In the afternoon appointment, the Lord laid to his helping hand in the power and energy of his Spirit; the devil was put to flight; and I believe about fifty fled out of the house with fright, anger, or astonishment, for the people fell down before the Lord as men slain in battle, and lay as if they were dead; thus the cries and screeches of the wounded so alarmed the wicked, that divers of them could not stand it, and were put to flight. But many others were clapping their hands, shouting praises to God and the Lamb, for the manifestation of his love shed abroad in their hearts, so that we had a shout of a king in the camp. Glory be to God who caused the strongholds of the devil to give way. Our little army was in good spirits, filled with faith and the Holy Ghost; and I trust, in the strength of Jesus, we took the ground : thanks be to God for that day's victory. " So shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight for Mount Zion." (Isa. xxxi. 4.) "And the Lord wr.ought a great victory that day." (2 Sam. xxiii. 10.) " Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty." (1 Chron. xxix. 11.) CHAPTER XX. Some groan, some shout, and others run away — Woman un born again — Great shouting, and several lost in the ocean of love — Many swallowed up in love, himself afflicted in body — Obtains strength by prayer — Great shout — Himself much afflicted — Letter on Deism — A great revival, and a Quaker converted. September 1, 1/94 I read and prayed, &c. In the evening I held a prayer-meeting; and we had a good time; one fell to the floor crying to God for mercy, and found peace to her soul ; three boys were powerfully wrought upon and wept bitterly. Tuesday 2 — I read and prayed, &c. through the day, and in the evening held a prayer-meet- ing; we had a precious time, and a shout in the camp ; many were happy in God's love. Wednesday 3. — I preached, and the Lord was present to wound and to heal. Some cried out under a sense of their undone state by nature; some sighed; some groaned; some shouted praises to God; and some ran away as if determined to take hell by storm, rather than expose themselves in the congregation, by begging or crying for mercy at the hand of God. What a pity that the opposers do not well consider. " But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found to fight even against God." (Acts v. 39.) Again, " Let us not fight against God." (Acts xxiii. 9.) Thursday 4 On my way to my next appoint- ment I overtook a woman, to whom I said, "How do you do?" She answered, " I am very poorly, and am taking a ride for my health." " This," 230 He converses with a woman. said I, "brings us to think of death." "Do you think," said she, "that I have lived fifty-two years, and never thought of dying? I perceive that you are a Methodist; I know my prayers, and have got my prayer-hook and my hible, and can read as well as you." She then asked my name; I told her " Benjamin Abbott." "Ah !" said she, "I have heard of your preaching hell and damnation to the people ; but I would never suffer any one to tell me of hell and damnation." "Do you know," said I, "what our Lord said?" " Yes," said she, " as well as you do." I told her that our Lord said, " Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John iii. 3.) "And if you are not born of the Spirit (living and dying so), you will as surely be damned as that you have got a soul." She appeared to be rather angry, and there being a gate that led to the left, she turned in thereat, and so we parted. I went on thinking what poor creatures we are by na- ture. I spent the remainder of the day in prayer for the prosperity of Zion. Friday 5 I rode to Brother H.'s and met class in the evening; and the Lord poured out his blessing in such a manner upon us, that the weeping and shouting might have been heard a great way off. Glory to God, that was a happy time to many souls.' "So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets : and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat." (Joshua vi. 20.) Saturday G. — I rode to my appointment, and preached to a blessed people, and the Lord was He is under bodily affliction. 231 with us in ;i powerful manner. In class the dear people spoke very feelingly of God's goodness to their souls, and we had a piecious time. At night I met a class, and we had a shout in the camp. "And when die ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again." (1 Sam. iv. 5.) Several were lost in the ocean of love ; three joined society. This was a precious time to my soul. Sunday 7 — I preached with freedom; after preaching, I met class and we had a favoured time. I went home with one of the friends; and in family prayer we had a happy time. "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name for ever." .Monday ti I preached, and the Lord potired out his Spirit, and we had a " shaking among the dry hones of Israel." (Ezek. xxxvii.) Some were lost in the ocean of love; and in class we had ■ precious time ; and in family prayer the Lord poured out his Spirit, and we had a shout; I was as happy as I could wish. Tuesday 9 I preached, and the Master fa- voured us with a feeling sense of his presence; several were lost in the ocean of love. Six joined society, and divers spoke feelingly of God's good- ness to their souls. Wednesday 10 The Lord was present in our assembly, to the joy of his children. In class he particularly remembered his needy creatures. I was happy in my own soul, but was under bodily affliction, which prevented me from preaching in the evening. Thursday 11 — I continued full of pain of body, but happy in soul ; glory to God, when he 232 Has a fit of the ague. afflicts with one hand he comforts with the other. " The days of affliction have taken hold upon me." (Joh xxx. 16.) Friday 12 — I had a fit of the ague, which was followed with a violent fever, during which period, being light-headed, and wandering in my mind, I was informed that I continued preaching and praying until it abated. Saturday 13. — Being a little better, I went and met class in the evening, and had a precious time. Thanks be to God for his goodness to poor me. Sunday 14 — I was very unwell, but I besought God that if it was his will that I should go to my appointments, that he would strengthen me for this once, as he did Samson amongst the Philistines; and he did so, for I was enabled to attend my morning appointment and preach, and blessed be God, he laid to his helping hand, and we had a shout in the camp, and four joined society. I attended my other appointment and preached, and the Lord poured out his Spirit in power. At the table of the Lord we had such a time as I never saw before; divers lost all the powers of their bodies, and were overwhelmed in the love of God, and seemed lost in redeeming love. I tarried with them until I was so overcome that I was obliged to retire to the house, where I threw myself on the bed until I recovered my bodily strength a little; but I still heard them shouting praises to God and the Lamb. This was a happy day to my soul.. "Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains." (Isa. xlii. 11.) Muck afflicted and takes his bed. 233 Monday 15 — I was very unwell, and just as my ague was coming on, I went into the cold bath and then into bed, where I was covered up warm; and in fifteen minutes I began to sweat, | and the ague left me; but the fever returned, and i I remained very unwell all next day. Wednesday 17 I went to town and met class, and the Lord was present to many souls. 1 was as happy as I could wish to be in the body. Thursday 18 I attended my appointment, and preached to the people; and we had a pre- cious time, and God's children were filled with his love. In class his power was present, to the joy of many souls. I went home with Joshua Dudley, and spent the evening much to my satis- faction, in conversing on the things of God. Next day I went to town, and on the 21st I preached in the forenoon, and had a peaceable waiting on the Lord. In the evening the Lord was with us of a truth ; some cried out, others fell to the floor, and many seemed ravished with the love of God. Thursday 25. — I went to Brother V.'s and preached, and the Lord poured out his Spirit; some fell to the floor, and others were lost in redeeming love. Here I remained about two weeks; my horse being lame and unable to travel, and I was so much afflicted myself, that I was obliged to take my bed. During my illness Brother V. was taken with the pleurisy and lay about ten days, and then departed this life in the triumph of faith. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." (Rev. xiv. 13.) Soon after this, our quarterly-meeting began at George-town, and we had a shout in the camp; 234 Extract of a letter from a disbeliever. some fell to the floor, others cried aloud for mer- cy; two said that God had sanctified their souls; and others that they found Him of whom Moses and the prophets did write — Jesus of Nazareth. Glory to God for what he has done for sinners ! " Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel." (Isa. xliv. 23.) [The compiler is sorry that he is not possessed of any information relative to Mr. Abbott's la- bours, from any thing that appears in the manu- scripts, for near the space of live months from this time; as the next thing that occurs is a letter dated February, 17Uo, an extract of which is as follows :— ] " Rev. Sir, " Oh ! what species of disquietude, what kind of anxiety and remorse is that which occupies my breast ! it is beyond expression; but I cannot assign any' wise or good reason for sucli an extraordinary sensibility; probably it may be said it is from want of information in respect of education, that I am ignorant of this strange sensation; not so; I have languages, I have philosophy, I have astronomy, I am ac- quainted with the motions of the heavenly bodies, I have the arts and sciences, &c. and yet cannot obtain consolation and serenity of mind; but am harassed and wonderfully tor- mented, by I know not what, in the silent watches of the night : 1 am alarmed with dreams, visions, and awful appre- hensions. Sir, your thoughts upon this, 1 want; and hope, that in the course of your discourse to-morrow, that you may communicate something which may console the mind of your disconsolate friend, 1. H. D. To the Rev. Father Abbott." The author of this extract, was one who had denied the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; hut, having been previously convinced about his A f/reat revival in George-Town. 233 soul, he came to our quarterly-meeting, and the Lord struck him with such a sense of his sin, and with such power, that he fell to the floor and lay as one dead, for near or quite the space of one hour; and when he came to, he praised God for his deliverance. Next morning he burnt all his romantic books, and amongst them, '-'Paine's Age lof Reason, "• and sent for a barber and had his hair cut short, having formerly worn it long; he joined class, and now stands in a fair way for the kingdom of God. At this quarterly-meeting we had a powerful time; the slain fell down before the Lord like Dagon before the ark. Some professed justifica- tion, and others that God had deepened the work of religion in their souls, by giving them sanctifying jrace. The flame spread round the circuit, and many were brought to the knowledge of God. A great revival took place in the town, and it was kept up for the space of near or quite six nonths, and many were brought to the know- edge of the truth in that little town: for which By soul adores the God and Hock of my salvation. In one of our meetings, 1 observed a Quaker .•oung woman, in the time of meeting, gazing imong the slain which lay all around her; per- ceiving her to be unconcerned and insensible of her own state, 1 told her that she ought to pray for tier own soul's happiness; looking her right in the • Rather, his abominable book of infidelity, or obscene, udicrous. sophistical logic in contempt of religion, and sup- »rt of profanity anil licentiousness. " And there was given into him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies : ind he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blas- )hcme his name, and hi» taberuacle, and them that dwell in i9»ven." (Rev. xiii. 5, 6.) 236 Conversion of a young female Quaker. face, I began to pray for her with all the power God had given me; and I called upon all in the house to do likewise. I soon perceived that she could not stand the power of prayer; she hung down her head, and made for the door; but the crowd being so great, she could not hastily get out of the house: observing this, I cried to God to pursue her, by the energy of his Spirit, through the streets ; to pursue her in the parlour, in the kitchen, and in the garden ; to pursue her in the silent watches of the night, and to show her the state of the damned in hell: to give her no rest day or night, until she found rest in the wounds of a blessed Redeemer. Three days after, as she was walking in the garden, God set all her sins in an alarming manner before her eyes; she went into the house and told her mother that she had done enough to condemn her soul for ever: even for disobedience to her, she might be condemned; "but," said she, " I have found a people that serve God, and I am determined to go amongst them." Her mother said before she should go among them, she would break every bone in her skin. " Well," said she, "I am determined to save my soul; but in every other thing to obey you as a child." Upon this, there came in an old friend, and he strove to persuade her to remain among the Friends; but she told him that she was determined to give diligence to save her soul: accordingly she went to a prayer-meeting, where the Lord broke in upon her soul with power; she joined class, and became very bold in the cause of God, bearing the cross of Christ, and praying in meet- ings appointed for that purpose; and she stands fair for the kingdom of God. . Exhorts her to faithfulness. 237 Some time after, she came to see me, and told me how angry she was at me when I prayed for her as above related; "but now," said she, "I thank God that ever I saw thy face, notwithstanding my trials from my friends are very great." I told her that if she was faithful, she might con- quer or win them all, and exhorted her to stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ had made her free. [N.B. Here the account which Mr. Abbott gave of himself, in his manuscripts, ends.] A NARRATIVE OP THE LIFE AND DEATH OF TBE REV. BENJAMIN ABBOTT. BY JOHN FFIRTH. 15. Abbott a fighter— His conversion and preaching— Extracts from the Minutes of conference— His zeal— He is taken ill — A proper shout— Extraordinary love-feast — Reproves Mr. W He finishes his writingsJ-Ofl'ers to send for Mr. (J. to preach his funeral sermon — Glorious death— A vision — Lines on a farewell sermon. This eminent servant of Christ was horn in the year of our Lord, 1732. As he grew in years he grew in vice; and heing a stout strong man, and of a good constitution, few were ahle to con- tend with him in bodily strength. Being natu- rally fond of company and strong drink, he was often led into vice and bad company; where, if any affront or insult were offered him, he seldom failed to deal out blows in a very heavy and plen- tiful manner to the aggressor; yet I never under- stood that he ever beat or abused a civil man. However, he took great delight in fighting, and frequently attended fairs and other public places, His conversion. 289 in order to meet with those of his own dis- position. At other times he worked hard and got a com- fortable li vintr for l»>s family, and supported the character of an honest man; and. as far as I ever heard, made a pood husband, and kind parent. In his most wicked days, he considered it beneath the dignitv of a man to use his wife and children ill. He continued in this scene of life until the for- tieth year of his age, when the Lord, in his infi- nite mercy, met with him in the power and energy of his Spirit, and convinced him of his undone and fallen state. He sought God, and after many painful conflicts of soul, he found peace and par- don on the 12th day of October, 1772. In com- memoration of his conversion to God, he annually kept the 12th day of October unto the Lord, in fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving, until the day of his death. Shortly after conversion he was called of God to labour in his vineyard; in which he conferred not with flesh and blood, but, like St. Paul, im- mediately preached Christ and him crucified: showing that the grace of God abounded to the chief of sinners. In delivering the everlasting truths of the gospel, he was above the fear of man or devils. He was neither elevated by applause, nor dejected by persecution; and whether he was called a good man or a devil, it was of the least importance to him. His chief concern appeared to be, the knowledge of his duty to God, and the faithful discharge of the same, independently of what men might think or say. He was a man of great humility, possessed an affable child-like simplicity, was bold in the cause 240 Sixteen years a Local Preacher. of God, fervent in his devotions and supplications, zealous in declaring the truth and everlasting gospel of Christ: in which he neither sought nor courted the applause of man. On all occasions he laboured with great zeal and diligence, declar- ing the terrors of G-od's law against the ungodly, and administering consolation to the penitent, by the promises of the gospel. He was a man of great faith, and often spoke in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, of which he was favoured of God in a very extraor- dinary manner. The Lord often wrought won- ders by and through his instrumentality, to the conviction, conversion, and sanctification of many. And although his language was neither learned nor eloquent, but, on the contrary, plain, simple, and illiterate; yet it was frequently attended with such divine power and energy on the hearts of the hearers, that they fell before him like men slain in battle, by the mighty power of God. In him it was clearly manifested that the excellency of the power was not of man, but of God. He spoke not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. He was upwards of sixteen years a local preacher in the Methodist Connexion; but he laboured and travelled considerably during that period; and perhaps no local preacher ever was known to be more useful in the Connexion. He was abundant in labours, in zeal, and in faith. In April, 17^9, he entered the Itinerant Con- nexion, in which he laboured with his usual zeal and diligence, though often under great affliction of body. It appeared that wherever he went the Lord was with him, and made him an instrument in the conversion of sinners. lie was both a Deacon and Elder. 241 In 1790, he was elected to the office of a dea- con, and in 1793, he was ordained an elder; yet so great was his humility and modesty, that he never made mention of either in his manuscripts. He travelled and laboured till his bodily strength failed him. In May, 1795, he returned home under bodily affliction, and was never afterwards able to attend a circuit. He was a son of thunder in the ministry, and diligent in the means of grace; he stood firm for the cause of God, reproving, warning, and ex- horting all that came in his way, as a workman that needed not to be ashamed, and often it was as bread cast upon the water to be seen after many days. It is not my design to amuse my readers in a biographical manner, yet as tiibute due to the memory of a pious and useful servant of God, and for the information and satisfaction of God's people, permit me to say, from many year's per- sonal acquaintance with him, that as a christian, he was a man who feared God, and kept his com- mandments; and as a minister in promulgating the gospel, he always appeared to have an eye single to the glory of God and salvation of souls. An example worthy of imitation by all the watchmen of Zion. Perhaps it may not be amiss to give an extract from the minutes of the conference for the year of our Lord 1700, where we have the testimony of his brethren in the ministry, shewing how he stood in the opinion and esteem of them. Question — "Who have we died this year?" Answer — ' Benjamin Abbott, about twenty 242 Minutes of Conference. years in the society;* several years a local preacher. Eight or ten years of his life he tra- velled considerably through York, Jersey, Penn- sylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. + He was a man of child-like simplicity and sincerity; of great faith, and unshaken confidence in God. "Touching his ministry, he was not skilled in the refinements of language, or arts of elocution ; yet has often been heard to speak with the demon- stration of the Spirit, and with great power. He was owned of God as an instrument of convincing, converting, and sanctifying power to many souls. He laboured with great weakness towards the last, and, although a strong man in body, was brought down to a child-like weakness, and lin- gered out his days in pain. He died in August, 1796. "Perhaps he was one of the wonders of America, no man's copy, an uncommon zealot for the blessed work of sanctification, and preached it on all occasions, and in all congregations, and, what was best of ali, lived it. He was an inno- cent holy man; he was seldom heard to speak about any thing but God and religion ; his whole soul was often overwhelmed with the power of God. "He was known to hundreds, as a truly Primi- tive Methodist preacher, and a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. His last labours were upou • In this there is a small mistake : he was in society upwards of twenty-three years. He was a local preacher better than 8ixteen years, and a travelling preacher better than seven years. He joined society about February, 1773, and died August, 179G, making about twenty-three years and six mouths. t This includes part of his travels as a local preacher. His zeal and diligence. -24a the eastern shore, where many will remember him for years to come, and will, we hope and trust, shout the praises of God and the Lamb with him to all eternity. "Several revivals have taken place by his means, sometimes upon the hearts of the preach- ers and people; yea, we trust the sacred flame still spreads in the much-favoured Peninsula, be- gun chiefly by his instrumentality. His life was pressed out as at every pore of the body. He was brought very low before he died, and made per- fect through suffering." It is well known that Mr. Abbott's zeal in the cause of God, often led him to labour in his Mas- ter's vineyard, even when under great bodily afflictions, which were frequently increased by his loud and long speaking, till nature seemed at times almost exhausted, so great was his love and concern for the welfare of precious souls. This led him to so close an attention to his cir- cuit, and punctual attendance on his appoint- ments, that lie was seldom at home during his travels as an itinerant preacher. But when at home his zeal and diligence were still the same, and his labours were to the edification of the church. Many, on those occasions, have witnessed the truth of Solomon's assertion, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Prov. xxvii. 17.) For my own part, I have thought that his appearance in the congregation was a means of giving life and vigour to the assembly, at least it has been so to me. His last appointment stands 011 the Minutes for Cecil circuit, State of Maryland; but he la- Q 2 24 4 He is taken very ill. boured that year likewise in Kent. On his way to a quarterly-meeting, about the first of Feb- ruary, 1/95, the presiding elder mentioned to him, that the people there thought he had power, by faith, to open or shut the gates of heaven. Mr. Abbott said to me, when conversing on this subject, "It went through my soul like a dagger; I was grieved, for I saw the idea led to idolatry, in ascribing to a poor mortal the power which is due to God only. I felt as if my usefulness were at an end; although I did not discover to Brother W. the presiding elder, how exceedingly I was hurt; nor was he, I believe, sensible of it." They attended the quarterly-meeting in great harmony; and the Master of Assemblies was present, to the joy and consolation of many. At night Mr. Abbott was taken very ill, and never was able to attend a circuit as a travelling preacher, or scarcely ever to preach afterwards: so that his usefulness indeed was, in one sense, at an end. I shall here give an account of his illness or af- fliction, according to the best information I have been able to obtain. He was Uiken, on the 2nd or 3rd of February, 17°o, with a violent ague, which continued du- ring the night, and was followed by a violent fever and pain in his side; a doctor w as called in, who blistered him, and gave him such other pre- scriptions as he thought proper. The doctor visited him a few times, and then (all human probability of recovery being gone) gave him up as a dead" man. He lay in this low condition about three weeks; and so intent was his mind in the cause of God, and upon the work of the ministry, that at times, when light-headed through the violence of the fever, he would pray He resides iri/h his doctor. 245 and preach, and dismiss tlie congregation, suppo- sing himself on his circuit, and tell them, that day two weeks they might expect preaching again. One day, several friends being present, and apprehending that he was near his end, he was asked if he did not think he was dying; he an- swered, " No, God had not made it known to him, and he did not think that he would take him out of the world without giving him some fore- sight of it;" but added, "I am perfectly resigned to the will of God, either in life or death." He has since informed me, that his peace was as a river, and that the devil was not permitted to tempt him during all his illness; for which his soul magnified the .Most High. About the 23rd of February he began to mend, but still continued in a rack of pain, which, in a great measure, banished sleep from him. But a doctor, who was a member of society, went to see him, and administered some medicine that imme- diately relieved him; ami when he called on him next day, found him better, and proposed his being removed to his own house, as the distance and multiplicity of his business prevented him from attending him where he then was. I regret that I am not, at present, possessed of the names of the dear family and the doe tor; who, together with other friends, were very kind to him. Many came to see him from far and near; and alter he began to mend so as to exercise himself a little, "We had," said he, "precious times together in singing and praying." He was removed to the doctor's in a carriage (without receiving any injury by the journey), where he was kindly received. Prayer-meetings 24G Three pious young women. were held in the room where he lay; and the Master of Assemblies used to be present in the power of his Spirit, to the consolation of his children. And, notwithstanding all his afflictions of body, he informed me that he had precious and happy times with that dear family; and that he had reason to believe that God had deepened his work in the hearts of both the doctor and his wife. When the doctor was out, his wife gene- rally staid with him in the room, where their conversation was about the work of God, and his gracious dealings to their souls. It appears he was upwards of two months at the doctor's, where he so far recovered as to be able to walk out and travel a little; though his cough and spitting still continued. He left there about the first of May, if my information be correct. I find in his own hand-writing the following note: from which it appears that he attended the quarterly-meeting at Dover that spring. The note appears to have been written after he left the doctor's. " The quarterly-meeting began on the of May, 1795, and many converts were there, and they had a proper shout in the camp of God; many fell to the floor and cried for mercy, and divers of the inhabitants of the town were awa- kened. There were three very pious young wo- men who came from Chester Town, and who professed that God had sanctified their souls; and they lived agreeably to their profession ; and di- vers persons flocked to them to inquire the way to glory; they continued in prayer for such every day of the week. A number were converted to God, and eighteen joined society, and the old members seemed all on stretch for the kingdom. Glory to God for a revival in Dover." A very powerful Love-feast. 247 This is the last sentence that I find penned by him. Shortly after he returned home, in so low a state of health that he won unable to preach, and scarcely able to attend a meeting, where he spent about two months amongst his children and friends. Having recovered his strength a little, in August, 1>0.">, he attended quarterly-meeting at Murphey's church, on Salem circuit, where he gave an exhortation on Saturday; and the Master of Assemblies attended his testimony with the energy of his Holy Spirit, to the joy and consola- tion of many souls. On Sunday, in the love-feast, in his exhorta- tion, he gave some account of the work of God in divers places; and being filled with faith and the Holy Ghost, he claimed the promises, and the power of the Lord came down upon the congre- gation in such a manner, that the noise might be heard afar off. Some intreated God for Christ's sake to have mercy on their souls; others shouted praises and adorations to the Most High. Seve- ral lay as in the agonies of death; like David, "their hearts panted, their strength failed, the light of their eyes was gone," (Psalm xxxviii. 10.) their strength failed because of their iniquity; or, like Daniel, "there remained no strength 'in them." (Dan. x. 8.) Why should it be thought strange, that a ra- tional creature should tremble and fall to the earth before God, under a sense of his awful presence? Moses informs us that the brute on which Balaam rode did so, when it saw the angel of God; and why should not man tremble and fall before the mighty power of God ? It was a day of days to many souls, several professed to have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets 2-18 Mr. and Mrs. Smith's kindness to him. did -write, to the joy of their souls; and others that God had deepened the work in them. Mr. Merrick, the presiding elder, preached, and Mr. Ahhott gave an exhortation, which was attended with power and divine energy to many. After meeting, he retired to the widow Ayre's, where he remained for some days, being much broken down. He had a desire to attend Bethel quar- terly-meeting; but was not able, though only about twelve miles off. After this, he spent two or three months higher up the State, amongst his friends and children in the gospel. In the fall, he went to Philadelphia, where he spent the winter among his friends; they were very kind to him: in particular Hugh Smith and his wife, for whom he had a great regard. They had a long acquaintance in that love and fellow- ship that makes glad the city of God, and uniteth the hearts of Christians. Their acquaintance commenced at an early period of Methodism, on the Salem circuit, where Mr. Smith at that time re- sided, and where Mr. Abbott frequently held meetings in the time of the American Revolution, and for some time afterwards. I mention this as a tribute of respect due to Mr. Smith and his wife, who have been, for a number of years, as pillars in the house of (Jod, and who have borne the heat and burden of the day; and who, I trust, will not lose their reward in their Father's kingdom. But there were other friends also, whose kindness and friendly attention he experi- enced, and which he gratefully acknowledged. He returned from Philadelphia in the spring of 1796, to his son David's at Upper Alloway's Creek, where he remained a few days. Being He is taken very ill at Judge Smith's. 24!) very poorly, ami having a particular de«ire that I should a>sist him in some things relative to the manuscript of his lite, he sent his son David with a request that I would go and spend some time with him for that purpose. But the circumstances of my family were such at that time, that I could not leave home for so long a space, especially as Mr. Abbott was in so low a state of health that he was not able to attend to the business above an hoivr or two in a day, therefore I requested him to inform his father, that if he could come to my house, that I would endeavour to assist him in the business. Accordingly, he left his son's to come to mv house; but on his way he stopped at his friend Judge Smith's, near Quintor.'s-Bridge, to refre»h and rest himself, where he was taken very ill, and lay at the point of death for several dav's. He was treated with the utmost care and respect. Judge Smith has since informed me that during his illness, he often expressed an uneasiness that the account of his life and labours was not com- pleted to his satisfaction, and that he lamented that he had so long delayed it. However, it pleased God to spare him a little longer, and as soon as he was able, he came to my house in the town of Salem, about the 7th of April, 1796. where be remained sometime in such a poor state of health that he was seldom able to perform family duty, or even to sit up while it was performed. Twice he attended public meeting; at the first he baptized two children, gave an exhortation suitable to the occasion, and related some little account of the work of God. The second and last that he ever attended, was at the funeral of Airs. Paul, who died triumphant in the faith. 250 He warns a backslider of his danger. After the funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Morford, he arose and gave an exhortation, and particularly addressed himself to fllr. W. a man whom he had loved as himself, and who had, through the snbtilty of Satan, departed from better knowledge. In his exhortation, he called to mind the happy hours that he had spent under his roof, how much he (Mr. W.) had done for the cause of God, and how often they had rejoiced together as fellow-labourers in Christ Jesus, and then warned him, in the most solemn manner, of his impend- ing danger, in the love and fear of God, until tears flowed, his strength failed, and he was un- able to speak any longer. While the interment of the corpse took place, Mr. Abbott retired to a friend's house, being unable to attend it. After the interment Mr. W. addressed the au- dience on the occasion, and appeared angry, ap- prehending that he had been ill-used. I spoke to him on the occasion, and endeavoured to reason the case with him, hut to very little purpose, for he apprehended that I had been the instigator of the supposed affront, and appeared as much offended with me as with Mr. Abbott. After my return from the interment, I went and informed Mr. Abbott of the matter. "Why," said he, "if 1 were able to take my horse and go and see him, I should not make use of that opportunity; but as I am not able to go and see him, I am convinced that if I had let that opportu- nity pass, I should never have another, and I thought it my duty to speak as I did; therefore I leave the event to God. I am sure that it cannot hurt him, or do him any injury; for a man that is posting the broad way to damnation cannot be easily worsted. Oh ! (said he), I have seen the The backslider reclaimed. 251 time that we have rejoiced together as fellow, labourers in Christ, and it grieves my soul to see that the devil has got the advantage of him !" On Nr. W.'s return home, he wrote a letter to Mr. Abbott on the occasion, justifying himself and his conduct. However, the Spirit of God fastened it on him, as a nail in a sure place ; for at our first quarterly-meeting held at Salem af- ter Mr. Abbott's death, in the love-feast 31 r. W. rose and openly declared that God had healed all ais backslidings, and that he had made his ser- vant, Father Abbott, an instrument in his divine jand to bring about his restoration. I have been more particular in this relation, >ecause some of our friends were ready to disap- >rove of Mr. Abbott for making use of, what hey thought, a very unsuitable opportunity ; but t had its desired effect; likewise to encourage >thers to a faithful discharge of their duty, both n season and out of season ; and in so doing not 0 fear men or devils; but in all things to keep in eye single to the glory of God, and good of ouls. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in he evening withhold not thine hand : for thou nowest not whether shall prosper, either this or hat, or whether thev both shall be alike good." Eccles. xi. 6.) He was, after this, a few times able to officiate 1 family worship, in which he had near access to he throne of grace, and was truly solemn, ^eighty, and profitable. He was ever ready to iin us with all his heart and strength in the per- rnnance of that solemn duty, although often tnguishing upon his bed of affliction while it was erformed. He was, at a certain day, very desirous of hav- 252 He attends the funeral of a friend. ing something penned, that had lain heavy on h mind; but being more fatigued than usual, "M must give it over," said he, "until to-morrow and I thank God, that in two hours more, wit yoiir assistance, I shall be ready to die." Ne: day, upon finishing the business, he arose an walked across the floor several times; and, in transport of joy, cried out, "I thank God, I ai ready to die ! I have nothing to do but to die !' About the 1st of June, having recovered little strength and finding himself a little bette he left my house in order to visit my brother family, some other friends, and bis own childrei but upon hearing of the death of Mr. B. a ma who had resided in rav house, he returned and a tended the funeral. The Rev. I. S. who had bee called by the connexions of the deceased to preac the funeral sermon, observed in his discourse, th; "Death was the king of terror, and that he mac cowards of us all." After sermon, Mr. Abbo took an opportunity to converse with Mr. S. o the subject; and said, "that he did not belies the doctrine; for perfect love casteth out fea and he that f'eareth is not made perfect in love and that he believed a state attainable in this lift through grace, that would enable us to shoi victory to God and the Lamb, through the valle of the shadow of death ; nay, through death i' self, and fear no evil." Also, that he had see many leave this world in the greatest transport of joy imaginable; and in one or two instance: that he did believe that they had seen the angels ( God with their bodily eyes, before their departure "And for my part," said he, "I can call God t witness, that death is no terror to me ! I ai ready to meet my God if it were now." Talks about his funeral sermon. 253 | That night he was taken very ill, and continued r l«> for some days; but in the course of a week he ' Uppeared something better; and, at the interces- sion of his son David, he consented to be moved ijfrom mv house to his. In a few days after I 4visited him, attended by the Rev. R. Searl; we 4 found him resigned to the will of God, and happy 4in his love. When about to take our leave of him, "Come," said he, "brethren, give us of your I oil before you go." The family being called to- rt gether, Mr. Searl addressed the throne of grace, ' and we had a solemn weighty time; and, blessed | be God, his lamp had not gone out, nor yet grown " dim. His lamp appeared to be bright burning, i and well trimmed; and he had a full supply of oil in his vessel, like the wise virgins mentioned in Matt. xxv. 4. On Friday, the 12th of August, my brother went to see him, and found him very poorly; to whom he said, '■ Brother Fiirth, I am going to die; and to-morrow you must go to Philadelphia for brother M'Claskey, to come and preach my funeral sermon." To which my brother replied, "Father Abbott, you may continue for sometime yet, as the time of your death is uncertain." "No," said he, "I should die before you would get back from Philadelphia, unless you should travel in the night." My brother replied, "It will not answer to go before your decease." "Why," said he, "I shall die, and I do not wish my body to be kept until it is offensive; you know tlie weather is warm, and the distance is considerable." " That is true," replied my bro- ther; "but if I were to go to Philadelphia for brother M'Claskey to preach your funeral ser- mor , and you not dead, the friends would laugh 254 His speech fails him. at me, and he would not come." "Ah," said he. "it may be so, I never thought of that; perhaps it will be best to stay until I am dead." Next day observing a visible alteration in him, my brother concluded to tarry with him until his exit. During the day, he continued in a rack of excruciating pain, which he bore with a Christian patience and resignation. He was happy in God, and rejoiced at his approaching dissolution, and seemed much engaged in his soul with God. He appeared to possess his rational faculties to his last moments ; and for some time previous there- unto he was delivered from that excruciating pain, to the joy of his friends ; his countenance continued joyful, heavenly, and serene. His last sentence that was intelligibly articulated was, "Glory to God, I see heaven sweetly opened before me !" After this his speech so much failed that he could not be distinctly understood, only now and then a word as, "See! — see! — glory! — glory!" &c. And for my own part, I (irmly believe that he saw the angels of God visibly with his own eyes before his exit, who were sent of God to convey his soul to the realms of bliss. That he saw something which he wished the bystanders to see, was evident; for, looking on them, he often cried out, "See! — see!" — pointing with his hand towards the foot of the bed; and then, "Glory ! — glory !— glory ! " clap- ping his hands, and in the greatest raptures or ecstasies of joy imaginable. Thus he continued until nature was so ex- hausted, that in attempting to clap his hands, he seldom hit one hand against the other. Through faith be was enabled to shout victory to God and the Lamb. The sting of death was plucked out, and death was as a messenger of peace to him. His death and funeral sermon. 255 It was to him only like a gate, through which he it] had to pass to glory. Thus, in a triumph of faith, pi and filled with the Holy Ghost, he departed this life without a sigh or a groan, about ten o'clock m. on Sunday, the 14th of August, 170b', aged about lii I sixty-four years. of On the Tuesday following lie was buried in the u Methodist burial-ground in Salem, New Jersey. 4, The funeral was attended by a large number of id his Christian brethren, acquaintances, and fellow- ie citizens. The Rev. John M'Claskey delivered a is 1 pathetic and moving discourse, suited to the so- e. lemnity of the occasion; at the close of which, 4 the Rev. Nathaniel Harris, of the Presbyterian si church, put up a prayer, and addressed the throne it if grace in behalf of the human family at large, i, »nd in particular for his church and people that ir nad sustained so great a loss; but our loss, no « loubt, is his eternal gain. I O happy exit ! though the body must If Now mingle with its native mother dust ; |l Yet the bright seraphim, without delay, Escort his soul along the ethereal way, n To realms, and thrones, ami joys of endless day; t Angels and saints, they hail him as he flies ; \ Lo ! " Welcome, Abbott ! " now each cherub cries, And hail and shout him welcome to the skies ! < Now, hallelujahs to reedeming love, - Resound and echo through the worlds above ; e Glory to God ; they sing in anthems new ; Abbott is there ! and joius the chorus too. I It may be worthy of notice, that it was the de- ire of Mr. Abbott, for several years during his . ravels, that Providence might so order it, that I /hen he died, his body might be buried in the 6 lethodist meeting-house yard, at Salem, in New i ersey. After a severe illness, in which he had een brought to the jaws of death, he recovered, in 256 He reveals a vision he had in the night. a measure, and returned home; and in a sermon he observed on this subject, "I thought when I was on my way home, it' it were the will of God that I might, on my return, end my days and lay my bones among you, my soul would leap for joy ; but the will of my God be done." It appears that the Lord granted him his request: for he died at home, and was buried in the yard where he had desired. THE FOLLOWING OCCURRENCE, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE COURSE OF IJIS LIFE, MAY DESERVE ATTENTION. He arose early one morning, in consequence of a dream or vision of the night, and went to the house of Mr. T. a man of repute and character, and an orderly member of the Quaker church, not knowing any thing was the matter with him; but upon inquiring of Mr. T. how he was, he an- swered that he found himself rather unwell. He then informed him, that he had a message from God unto him, which had been revealed to him in a vision of the night, and that he had come in the love and fear of the Lord to warn him to set his house in order, for that he should die and not live, and that his days were few. Mr. T. received his message with Christian forti- tude and solemnity, as became the occasion. They spent some time together, conversing on the one thing needful. Mr. T.'s complaint increased, and at his request, Mr. Abbott frequently visited him during his illness, which continued about eight or ten days ; then he bade adieu to this vale Lines trritten on hearing his last sermon. 257 I of tears, and I doubt not but his soul rests in i peace. r The following lines were written on hearing ; Mr. Abbott preach a farewell sermon (which t proved to be his last) in Penn's-Neck meeting- e house, where he had been an instrument, in the t hand of God, not only in laying the foundation of the temporal, but also of the spiritual church, from 2 Cor. xiii. 11, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace s shall be with you." A HYMN. Be perfect: — holiness pursue; In love be sure to dwell ; Anil God, thro' Christ, shall comfort y< So brethren all, farewell ! Be of one mind. Rive God your hearts, And of his mercies tell ; Which he, thro' grace, to you imparts : So brethren all, farewell ! Now live in peace, for Christ is near, In love strive to excel ; The God of peace shall soon appear : So brethren all, farewell I The God of love and peace adore, And all things shall be well; We, in this life, shall meet no more: So brethren all, farewell ! THE FOLLOWING IS A SHORT ACCOUNT GIVEN OF BENJAMIN ABBOTT, BY HUGH SMITH, IN A LETTER TO EZEKIEL COOPER. B. Abbott's zeal and faith— Travail for souls— His early life— His ministry. "Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1801. "My dear Friend, "Whereas you are now publishing the ' Experience and Irospel Labours of the late Rev. Benjamin Abbott, and a Narrative of his Life end Death, by John Ffirth.' From a con- versation which I had with yon some days ago, relative to my acquaintance with Mr. Abbott, I take up my pen to communicate to you a few par- ticulars, which are in my recollection respecting him. "In the year of our Lord, 1776, I first became intimately acquainted with Mr. Abbott. At that time he was a local preacher in the Methodist Connexion. We then lived near neighbours, met in the same class, and had meetings regularly at He was a man of great faith. 25!> his house or mine, so that we were often together. From the time of my first acquaintance with him, as above mentioned, I always took him to be a sincere, zealous, and a good man. He was instru- mental, in the hand of God, to the conviction and conversion of a number of our neighbours, who turned from their wicked courses to serve the true and living God. I have known him, in the time of harvest, to take his men from the field to go with him to meeting, and yet pay them for a full day's work; so great was his zeal and desire for the people to attend the worship of Al- mighty God. He was, in my opinion, a man of the greatest faith I ever was acquainted with; he was an agreeable neighbour, and a social friend; plain in his manners ami deportment; pleasant in his conversation, and meek and humble in his spirit. I do not recollect that I ever saw him even appear to be out of temper, so great was the work grace had done for him. He appeared, as far as I could judge, to travail in spirit continu- ally for precious souls. He, with great zeal and faith, used to urge conviction, repentance, and conversion on the ungodly; and, among profes- sors he, with equal warmth of zeal and love, would insist on sanctihcation; and the Lord re- markably blessed his labours. I recollect reveral meetings I was at, where professors experienced the blessing of sanctitication under his ministry. The divine power of sovereign grace attended his ministry more wonderfully and constantly than any one I ever was acquainted with, to the con- viction and conversion of sinners, and to the sanctihcation of believers. He worked hard at his worldly business, but would punctually attend public and private worship, prayer-meetings, and &2 260 While an apprentice he was very wicked. society and other meetings during the week. I have been with him when, after working hard, we have walked a mile to the creek, then after crossing, walk a mile and a-half further to hold meeting, and after returning, the same week to walk more than three miles to another place to hold meeting; besides, every Sabbath he would attend at one place or another. Through his instrumentality there was a great reformation among the people. " He used frequently to tell me of his life and manner of living, during his unregenerate state. While he was an apprentice in Philadelphia, he was a wicked lad, associated with bad company, &c. He used to quarrel and fight frequently. At times, by fighting, he has had his clothes so bloody, that he has stripped them off, and washed them in the night at the pumps in the streets; and frequently, instead of going home, he used to sleep in the Quaker burying ground, between the graves, feeling at that time, no terror from the living or the dead, by night or by day ; he then feared not God nor regarded man. "When he became a man, he was particularly noted for a great fighter, and but few excelled him in divers kinds of vice. He has been known to leave his business and his dinner, and to walk several miles to meet a noted fighter, in order to show his manhood and bravery in that line. He frequently had to appear before the courts of justice, on account of those wicked courses, and he generally pleaded guilty. At one of those courts, a certain gentleman, to whose care public peace and justice were committed, took a private opportunity to prevail on him to turn out and fight a certain man who was there, for which he He prays before the Grand Jury. 261 treated him with a bowl of punch. Surely his conversion was a remarkable instance of sovereign grace and divine mercy : the lion became the lamb ; the hero in the service of the devil, be- came a bold veteran in the service of God. "After his conversion, numbers had old grudges against him, and sought to enslave him divers ways ; but by grace he stood firm, and immove- ably attached to the cause of religion, maintaining a bold, uniform, and circumspect life. "On a certain occasion, after his conversion, he had to appear before the Grand Jury, and be- fore they entered on the business for which he was called, he said to the jury, 'Let us first go to prayer ;' he prayed, they had a solemn time, and one of the jury was struck under conviction. He was much persecuted by the ungodly, but al- though his oppositions were many, he was, never- theless, remarkably useful in his ministry, and in visiting the sick and distressed. " There used to be great crying out and shout- ing at his meetings, and such power used to attend his word, that the people were known to fall under it, as though they were shot, or cut down by a sword. At one of those powerful times, where the people cried out and shouted aloud in cries of prayer and praise, a certain tra- velling preacher being then present, strove to stop him and silence the people, and bore testi- mony against it ; but the work still went on in a wonderful manner ; and the preacher afterwards was very sorry for his opposition, and acknow- ledged his error, believing that it was the power of God. " I recollect a certain instance, when Mr. Ab- bott had been very sick and was recovering a 262 He feels the mighty power of God. little, the friends in the neighbourhood went to a quarterly-meeting some distance off, and I went with them, leaving Mr. A. too unwell to go with us ; but after that we were gone, he had his horse saddled and followed. I was mush sur- prised when I saw him come, for I had told seve- ral that he was sick. After R. G. had preached, he stood up in the pulpit, and the first words he spoke, were of his inability to come to meeting, and of his impressions to have his horse saddled to see if he could ride; but, said he, 'When I put my foot in the stirrup, I felt the power of God come upon me, and I was enabled to come,' &c. As he spoke these words, the mighty power of God came wonderfully upon the assembly, and I felt in a moment, as though there was an open expanse before, like eternity of space; I lost sight of every thing else, and fell suddenly to the floor, and cried to God for mercy; this was when I was under conviction, previous to my conversion to God. There was a glorious and wonderful time at that meeting. "I am confidently persuaded, that many will praise God to all eternity, for his goodness in raising up Benjamin Abbott as a minister in the church of Christ. His labours were crowned with many seals to his ministry; he was an in- strument in turning many to righteousness — After he set out to travel as an itinerant preacher, he laboured in sundry circuits till he was worn down under his toil and affliction. When he was unable to travel any longer, he came to Philadel- phia to spend the winter with his friends; he staid considerably at my house, and I found that he still possessed the same simplicity of manners, the same zeal, faith, and concern for souls that he His remarkable patience and resignation. 2G3 had done for twenty years; but his bodily health and strength were exhausted. He retained a clear and strong evidence of his acceptance with God, and appeared sensible that his end drew nigh. He hud remarkable patience and resigna- tion, which were visible and wonderful to the family; he appeared all love, and was heavenly in his conversation. I felt a strong desire that, if it were the will of God, he might die at my house. I should have esteemed it an honour conferred on me by Providence, had so eminent a saint and servant of God ended his days under my roof. But he removed in the spring of 1796' to the Jerseys, where he lingered out a few months in weakness and pain of body, but in peace and happiness of soul; then closed his eyes to see his God. 'Mark the perfect man, and be- hold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.' (Ps. xxxvii. 37.) 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.' (Numbers xxiii. 10.) "Were I to take some time for recollection, and to minute down the occurrences which were in my knowledge of Mr. Abbott, and to arrange them' in order, I believe I might write a volume of interesting circumstances. In a word, he was a wonderful man, a great christian, and a useful minister in the church of Christ; and now, I have no doubt, he shines like a bright star in glory. I am, my dear friend, yours, &c. HUGH SMITH." APPENDIX. How the apostles subdued the nations — On miracles — On preaching with the Holy Ghost — Why all ministers are not clothed with this power. We have now had a view of a man who preached the gospel in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, and which is corroborated by the power that attended the Quakers men- tioned at page 201. This gives us some idea how the apostles subdued the nations to the faith of Christ, and overcame the opposition of wicked men, and the force of prejudices. Some, indeed, have thought that they succeeded chiefly by out- ward miracles. But this is rather disputable, for many people at Jerusalem acknowledged the mi- racle (Acts iv.), who did not yield obedience to the faith. And at Lycaonia, so striking a miracle was wrought, that Paul and Barnabas were re- puted as gods; but so far were the people of that place from being thereby converted, that in a few days they stoned Paul. (Acts xiv. 19.) These instances, among many others, show that people will not be turned from sin by outward miracles. And the miracle of speaking with tongues at the day of Pentecost, might have been explained away by infidels. They would perhaps have said, "These Galileans have lived sometime in other countries, or have lived among neighbours from other countries, or have met with accidental acquaintances who could speak other languages, Preaching the Gospel in the Spirit. 265 from whom they have learned them." There- fore it plainly appears that the success arose from preaching the gospel in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, and with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. (1 Cor. ii. 4 1 Thes. i. 5 1 Pet. i. 12.) And this power it was that caused the three thousand to cry out at once, in bitterness of soul, "Men and brethren, what shall we do ?" (Acts ii. 37.) The exertion of this power appears much greater in the estimation of heaven than working miracles; for we never read of any wonder among angels, when miracles were wrought; but the things that pertain unto "preaching the gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the angels desire to look into." (1 Pet. i. 12.) But then it may be asked, seeing it is God's will to clothe all ministers with this power, "Why are they not all clothed therewith, or seeking so to be ?" Ans. One cause among others maybe, "The fear of persecution." For the exertion of this power is so decisively destructive to Satan's king- dom, that he may be fully expected to stir up all the powers he is able, both of hell and earth, against it, and those ministers would be as lambs among wolves. But the Methodists in America have grown very much in this power, and especi- ally at camp-meetings. Perhaps by this time the reader is desirous to know whether this power was or is with the Methodists in England: to gratify him, the fol- lowing is added, whereby he will see that it was with them at the beginning, and it is with some at this day. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE REV. J. WESLEY. The people fall at Bristol — All Newgate rings with cries — A Physician — A Quaker struck down — A man said to be raving mad— J. Wesley's letter on these things— The people fall in the open air— Zeal not according to love — Many fall at Wapping and at Fetter-lane— On try ing the spirits— Mr. Whitfield— Remarks at Fetter-lane, &c. Bristol, April, 1738. Tuesday 17 I went to Baldwin-street, and expounded, as it came in course, the fourth chap- ter of the Acts. We then called upon God to confirm his word. Immediately one that stood hy (to our no small surprise) cried out aloud, with the utmost vehemence, even as in the agonies of death. But we continued in prayer, till a new song was put into her mouth, a thanksgiving unto God. Soon after, two other persons (well known in this place, as labouring to live in all good conscieuce towards all men) were seized with strong pain, and constrained to roar for the disquietness of their heart. But it was not long before they likewise burst forth into praise to God their Saviour. The last who called upon God as out of the belly of hell, was J. E. a stranger in Bristol. And in a short space, he A young man seized with a trembling. 267 Iso was overwhelmed with joy and love, know- ig that God had healed his backslidings. So lany living witnesses has God given that his and is still stretched out to heal, and that signs nd wonders are even now wrought, by his holy (did Jesus. Wednesday 18th — In the evening, L. S. (late Quaker, but baptized the day before), R. M. ud a few others, were admitted into the society, lut R. M. was scarcely able either to speak or >ok up. The sorrows of death compassed her bout, the pains of hell got hold upon her. We oured out our complaints before God, and bowed him of her trouble ; and he soon showed nat he is a God that heareth prayer; she felt in erself that being justified freely, she had peace 'ith God through Jesus Christ. She rejoiced in ope of the glory of God, and the love of God 'as shed abroad in her heart. April 20th Being Good Friday, E. R., T. W. nd one or two others, just knew they had re- emption iu the blood of Christ, the remission of heir sins. Saturday 21st At Weaver's-Hall, a young lan was suddenly seized with a violent trembling 11 over, and in a few minutes, the sorrows of his eart being enlarged, sunk down to the ground. $ut we ceased not calling upon God, till he raised im up full of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. On Easter-day, it being a thorough rain, I ould only preach at Newgate, at eight in the aorning, and two in the afternoon; in a house t Hannam-Mount, at eleven; and in one near tose-Green, at five. At the society in the even- ng, many were cut to the heart, and many omforted. 268 Two filled with joy. Thursday 26 — While I was preaching at Ne' gate on these words, "He that believeth ha everlasting life;" I was insensibly led, witho any previous design, to declare strongly and e plicitly, that God willeth all men to be save< and to pray that, " If this were not the truth God, he would not suffer the blind to go out the way; but if it were, he would bear witness his word." Immediately one and another, and an ther sunk to the earth : they dropped on evei side as thunderstruck. One of them cried alou We besought God in her behalf, and he turn< her heaviness into joy. A second being in tli same agony, we called upon God for her alst and he spoke peace unto her soul. In the evenir I was again prest in spirit to declare, that Chri gave himself a ransom for all. And almost b I fore we called upon him to set to his seal, he ai swered; one was so wounded by the sword of tr - Spirit, that you would have imagined she coul not live a moment. But immediately his abui dant kindness was showed, and she loudly sang ( his righteousness. Friday 27th All Newgate rang with the cri< of those whom the word of God had cut to th heart. Two of them were in a moment fille with joy, to the astonishment of those that bt held them. Sunday 29th I declared the free grace of Go to about four thousand people, from these words " He that spared not his own Son, but deliverei him up for us all, how shall he not with him als> freely give us all things ?" At that hour it was that one who had long continued in sin, from i despair of finding mercy, received a full clea. sense of his pardoning love, and power to sin nc First Love-feast in Baldwin-Street. 209 ( nore. I then went to Clifton (a mile from Bris- 1 at the minister's desire, who was dangerously " 11, and thence returned to a little plain, near I Hannam-Mount, where about three thousand 8 were present. The church was quite full at the II prayers and sermon, as was the church yard at *:he burial which followed. From Clifton we 'f went to Rose-Green, where were (by computation) • near seven thousand, and thence to Gloucester- *|Lane society. After which was our first love- • Vast in Baldwin-street. O how has God renewed '1 my strength ! who used, ten years ago, to be so •4 'aint and wearv, with preaching twice in one "Hay! ■I Monday 30th. — We understood that many 4 were offended at the cries of those on whom the • power of God came: among whom was a physi- 4 ;ian, who was much afraid there might be fraud 4 or imposture in the case. To-day one whom he 4 had known many years, was the first (while I 4 was preaching in Newgate) who broke out in 4 strong cries and tears. He could hardly believe J his own eyes and ears. He went and stood close 4 to her, and observed every symptom, till great • drops of sweat ran down her face, and all her •bones shook. He then knew not what to think, 4 being clearly convinced it was not fraud, nor yet I any natural disorder. But when both her soul 4) and body were healed in a moment, he acknow- ledged the finger of God. 4 Tuesday, May 1st. — Many were offended again, • and indeed much more than before. For at • Baldwin-street my voice could scarce be heard, I amidst the groanings of some and the cries of ■ others, calling aloud to Him that is mighty to • save. I desired all that were sincere of heart, to 270 A Quaker drops down as thunderstruck. beseech with me the Prince exalted for us, th; he would proclaim deliverance to the captive And he soon showed that he heard our voic Many of those who had been long in darknes saw the dawn of a great light ; and ten persoi (I afterwards found) then began to say in faitl "My Lord and my God !" A Quaker who stood by, was not a little diii pleased at the dissimulation of these creature and was biting his lips and knitting his brow when he dropped down as thunderstruck. Th agony he was in, was even terrible to behold We besought God not to lay folly to his chargi and he soon lifted up his head and cried aloiu "Now I know thou art a prophet of the Lord." Wednesday 2nd.— At Newgate, another moui ner was comforted. I was desired to step thenc to a neighbouring house, to see a letter wrot against me as a deceiver of the people, by teach ing that God willeth all men to be saved. On who had long asserted the contrary, was ther when a young woman came in, who could say be fore, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," all ii tears, and in deep anguish of spirit. She sail she had been reasoning with herself, how the* things could be, till she was perplexed mon and more, and she now found the Spirit of Chris was departed from her. We began to pray, am she cried out, "He is come, He is come; I agail rejoice in God my Saviour." Just as we aros from giving thanks, another person reeled four qi five steps, and then dropped down. We prayel with her, and left her strongly convinced of sin and earnestly groaning for deliverance. I did not mention one J. H. a weaver, who w«j in Baldwin. street the night before. He was, I A disbeliever fallen raving mad. 271 understood, a man of regular life and conversa- tion : one that constantly attended public prayers and sacrament, and was zealous for the church, and against Dissenters of every denomination. Being informed that people fell into strange fits at the societies, he came to see and judge for him- self. But he was less satisfied than before ; inso- much, that he went about to see his acquaintance one after another, till one o'clock in the morning, and laboured above measure to convince them it was a delusion of the devil. We were going home, when one met us in the street, and in- formed us that J. H. was fallen raving mad. It seems he sat down to dinner, but had a mind first to end the sermon he had borrowed on salvation by faith ; in reading the last page, he changed colour, fell off his chair, and began screaming terribly, and beating himself against the ground. The neighbours were alarmed, and flocked to- gether to the house. Between one and two I came in, and found him on the floor, the room being full of people, whom his wife would have kept without, but he cried out aloud, " No, let them all come; let all the world see the just judgment of God." Two or three men were holding him as well as they could. He immedi- ately fixed his eyes on me, and stretching out his hand, cried, "Aye, this is he who I said was a deceiver of the people. But God has overtaken me. I said it was all a delusion. But this is no delusion." He then roared out, "O thou devil! thou cursed devil ! yea, thou legion of devils ! thou can^t not stay, Christ will cast thee out ! I know his work is begun. Tear me to pieces if thou wilt, but thou canst not hurt me !" He then beat himself against the ground again; his 272 A woman and a boy overwhelmed with sin. breast heaving at the same time, as in the pangs of death, and great drops of sweat trickling down his face : we all betook ourselves to prayer ; his pangs ceased, and both his body and soul were set at liberty. Wednesday 9th. — In the evening, while I was declaring that Jesus Christ had given himself a ransom for all, three persons almost at once, sunk down as dead, having all their sins set in array before them. But in a short time they were raised up, and knew that the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, had taken away their sins. Saturday 19th — At Weaver's-Hall, a woman first, then a boy (about fourteen years of age) were overwhelmed with sin, sorrow, and fear. But we cried to God, and their souls were delivered. During this whole time, I was almost continu- ally asked, either by those who purposely came to Bristol to inquire concerning this strange work, or by my old or new correspondents, "How can these things be ? " And innumerable cautions were given me (generally grounded on gross mis- representations of things), " Not to regard visions or dreams; or to fancy people had remission of sins, because of their cries or tears, or bare out- ward professions." To one who had many times wrote to me on this head, the sum of my answer was as follows; " The question between us turns chiefly, if not wholly, on matter of fact. You deny that God does now work these effects; at least, that he works them in this manner. I affirm both; be- cause I have heard these things with my own ears, and seen them with my eyes. I have seen Mr. Wesley's letter. 273 (as far as a thing of this kind can be seen), very many persons changed in a moment, from the spirit of fear, horror, and despair, to the spirit of love, joy, and peace; and from sinful desire, till then reigning over them, to a pure desire of doing the will of God. These are matters of fact, whereof I have been, and almost daily am, an eye or an ear witness. What I have to say touching visions or dreams, is this: I have known several persons in whom this great change was wrought in a dream, or during a strong representation to the eye of their mind, of Christ either on the cross or in glory. This is the fact: let any judge of it as they please. And that such a change w;>s then wrought, appears not from their shedding tears only, or falling into tits, or crying out; these are not the fruits, as you seem to suppose, whereby I judge, but from the whole tenor of their life; till then, many ways wicked ; from that time, holy, just, and good. " I will show him that was a lion till then, and is now a lamb ; him that was a drunkard, and is now exemplarily sober; the whoremonger that was, who now abhors the very garment spotted by the flesh. These are my living arguments for what I assert, viz : That God does now, as afore- time, give remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, even to us and to our children; yea, and that always suddenly, as far as I have known, and often in dreams or in the visions of God. If it be not so, I am found a false witness before God. For these things I do, and by his grace- will testify. "Perhaps it might be because of the hardness of our hearts, unready to receive anything, un- less we see it with our eves, and hear it with our 274 Seven persons rejoice in the Lord. cars, that God, in tender condescension to our weakness, suffered so many outward signs, at the very time when he wrought this inward change, to be continually seen and heard among us. But although they saw signs and wonders (for so I must term them), yet many would not believe. They could not, indeed, deny the facts, but they could explain them away. Some said, ' These were purely natural effects, the people fainted away only because of the heat and closeness of the rooms.' And others were sure it was all a cheat, they might help it if they would. Why were these things only in their private socie- ties? Why were they not done in the face of the gun ? " Monday 21st. — To-day our Lord answered for himself, for while I was enforcing these words, " Be still and know that I am God," he began to make bare his arm, not in a close room, neither in private, but in the open air, and before more than two thousand witnesses. One, and another, and another were struck to the earth, trembling exceedingly at the presence of his power. Others cried with a loud and bitter cry, "What must we do to be saved?" And in less than an hour, seven persons wholly unknown to me till that time, were rejoicing and singing, and with all their might, giving thanks to the God of their salvation. In the evening I was interrupted at Nicholas- street, almost as soon as I began to speak, by the cries of one who was pricked to the heart, and strongly groaned for pardon and peace. Yet I went on to declare what God had already done, in proof of that important truth, that he is not willing any should perish, but that all should A woman runs out of the Society. 275 come to repentance. Another dropped down close to one who was a strong asserter of the contrary doctrine. While he stood astonished at the sight, a little boy near him was seized in the same manner. A young man who stood behind, fixed his eyes on him, and sunk down himself as one dead, but soon began to roar out and beat himself against the ground, so that six men could scarcely hold him; his name was Thomas Maxfield. Ex- cept J. H., I never saw one so torn of the evil one; meanwhile, many thus began to cry out to the Saviour of all, that he would come and help them, insomuch, that all the house (and indeed all the street for some space) was in an uproar. But we continued in prayer, and before ten, the greater part found rest to their souls. I was called from supper to one, who, feeling in herself such a conviction as she never had known before, had run out of the society in all haste, that she might not expose herself. But the hand of God followed her still, so that after going a few steps, she was forced to be carried home, and when she was there, grew worse and worse. She was in a violent agony when we came. We called upon God and her soul found rest. About twelve, I was greatly importuned to visit one person more. She had only one struggle after I came, and was then filled with peace and joy. I think twenty-nine in all, had their heavi- ness turned into joy this day. Saturday 26th. — One came to us in deep des- pair, but after an hour spent in prayer, went away in peace. The next day, having observed in many a zeal which did not suit with the sweetness and gentleness of love, I preached at Rose-Green on these words (to the largest con- 276 Preaches to a Society in Wapping. gregation I ever had there, I believe upwards of ten thousand souls), "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." At the society in the evening, eleven were deeply convinced of sin, and soon after comforted. Monday 28th I began preaching at Weaver's- Hall at eleven in the forenoon, where two persons were enabled to cry in faith, "My Lord and my God! " As were seven during the sermon in the afternoon, before several thousand witnesses; and ten in the evening at Baldwin-street, of whom two were children. Wednesday, June 13th. — I came to London. Friday 15th. — I had much talk with one who is called a Quaker. But he could not receive my saying. I was too strict for him, and talked of such a perfection as he could not think necessary; being persuaded that there was no harm in costly apparel, provided it was plain and grave; nor in putting on scarlet and gold upon our horses, so it were not upon our clothes. In the evening I went to a society in Wapping, weary in body and faint in spirit. I intended to speak on Romans iii. 19. but could not tell how to open my mouth; and all the time we were singing, my mind was full of some place, I knew not where, in the epistle to the Hebrews. I begged of God to direct, and opened the book on Heb. x. 19. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assu- rance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed in pure Twenty-six much affected. 277 water." While I was earnestly inviting all sin- ners to enter into the holiest by this new and living way, many that heard began to call upon God with strong cries and tears. Some sunk down, and there remained no strength in them, others exceedingly trembled and quaked, some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies, and that so violently, that often four or five persons could not hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and epi- leptic fits, but none of them were like these in many respects. I immediately prayed that God would not suffer those that were weak, to be of- fended. But one woman was greatly, heing sure that they might help it if they would; no one should persuade her to the contrary; and was got three or four yards, when she also dropped down, in as violent an agony as the rest. Twenty-six of those who had been thus affected (most of whom during the prayers which were made for them, were in a moment filled with peace and joy), promised to call upon me the next day. But only eighteen came: by talking closely with whom, I found reason to believe that some of them had gone home to their houses justified. The rest seemed to be patiently waiting for it. Saturday ICth We met at Fetter-lane to humble ourselves before God, and own he had justly withdrawn his Spirit from us, for our mani- fold unfaithfulness. We acknowledged ourhaving grieved him by our divisions; one saying, " I am of Paul," another, "I am of Apollos;" by our leaning again to our own works, and trusting in them instead of Christ; by our resting in those little beginnings of sanctitication, which it has pleased him to work among us, imputing it either 278 Eight persons fall to the (/round. to nature, to the force of imagination and ani- mal spirits, or even to the delusion of the devil. In that hour we found God was with us as at the first, some fell prostrate upon the ground, others burst out as with one consent, into loud praise and thanksgiving, and many openly testified, there had been no such day as this since January the first preceding. Bristol, Friday 22nd In the afternoon I preached at the Fish-Ponds, but had no life or spirit in me; and was much in doubt whether God would not lay me aside, and send other la- bourers into his harvest. I came to the society full of this thought; and began in much weak- ness to explain, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God." I told them they were not to judge of the spirit whereby any one spoke, either by appear- ances, or by common report, or by their own in- ward feelings. No, nor by any dreams, visions, or revelations supposed to be made to their souls, any more than by their tears, or any involuntary effects wrought upon their bodies." I warned them all these were of a doubtful disputable nature; they might be from God, and they might not; and were therefore not simply to be relied on (anymore than simply to be condemned); but to be tried by a farther rule, to be brought to the only certain test, the law and the testimony. While I was speaking, one before me dropped down as dead, and presently a second, and a third. Five others sunk down in half an hour, most of whom were in violent agonies. "The pains of hell came upon them ; the snares of death overtook them." In their trouble we called upon the Lord, and he gave us an answer of He converses with Mr. Whitfield. 270 peace. One indeed continued an hour in strong pain; and one or two more for three days. But the rest were greatly comforted in that hour, and went away rejoicing and praising God. Saturday 23rd I spoke severally with those who had been so troubled the night before. Some of them I found were only convinced of sin; others had indeed found rest to their souls. This eveninganother was seized wi th strong pangs, but in a short time her soul also was delivered. Friday, July 6th In the afternoon I was with Mr. Whitfield, just come from London, with whom I went to Baptist-Mills, where he preached concerning the Holy Ghost, which all who be- lieve are to receive; not without a just, though severe, censure of those who preach as if there were no Holy Ghost. Saturday 7th I had an opportunity to talk with him on those outward signs, which had so often accompanied the inward work of God. I found his objections were chiefly grounded on gross misrepresentations of matter of fact. But the next day he had an opportunity of informing himself better; for no sooner had he began (in the application of his sermon) to invite all sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk down close to him almost in the same moment. One of them lay without either sense or motion; a second trembled exceedingly; the third had strong convulsions all over his body, but made no noise unless by groans; the fourth, equally convulsed, called upon God with strong cries and tears. From this time, I trust, we shall suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth him." See the Rev. J. Wesley's third Journal, page 52, &c. 280 He returns to London with a heavy heart. December, 1739. Wednesday l!)th — I came to London, though with a heavy heart. Here I found every day the dreadful effects of our breth- ren's reasonings and disputing with each other. Scarce one in ten retained his first love; and most of the rest were in the utmost confusion, biting and devouring one another. I pray God ye be not consumed one of another. Monday 24th. — After spending a part of the night at Fetter-lane, I went to a smaller com- pany, where also we exhorted one another with hymns and spiritual songs, and poured out our hearts to God in prayer. Toward morning, one of them was overwhelmed with joy and love, and could not help shewing it by strong cries and tears. At this, another was much displeased, saying, "It was only nature, imagination, and animal spirits." O thou jealous God, lay not this sin to their charge ! and let us not be wise above what is written." — See the Rev. J. Wesley's fourth Journal, page 16. INDEX. PART FIRST. Page. Containing his parentage, birth, marriage, and manner of life while in nature's darkness— His conviction, con- version, and sanctifiration — His gospel labours, and divers remarkable occurrences while a local preacher, till the death of his wife 5 CHAPTER I. His parentage, &c 5 CHAPTER II. Alarming dreams — Hears a Methodist — Conviction for sin — Reprobation — Obtains pardon 7 CHAPTER HI. His daughter is converted — Begins to exhort — Doubtful disputations — Fallen preacher — Call to preach Is CHAPTER IV. His wife converted — Prays with the sick— Remarkable dream — Begins to preach — The murderer — He is ap- pointed class leader H CHAPTER V. American war — Obtains sanctification — Work prospers — Baptist preacher— Collegian— Quaker woman in dis- tress— Catholic— Warning to parents — Bigotry— His son Benjamin dies 33 CHAPTER VI. Oreat wonders— Swearing Jack— A captain and soldiers come to take him up— Visits his relations — Aunt born again — Determined to preach sanctification 50 282 INDEX. CHAPTER VII. Pagt. Sheep stolen — Persecutor stopped — Power of God — Preaches on the words of the devil — Many struck down — Remarkable experience 60 CHAPTER VIII. The drink of water — Two witnesses raised up — The mighty power of God — Happy deaths— A shout 67 CHAPTER IX. Happy death — Harvest — Prayer the seventh time — Work increases— Woe to backsliders 76 CHAPTER X. Builds a meeting-house — Visits Pennsylvania— Swearing constable — Great work among the Germans 83 CHAPTER XI. Several fully sanctified — The congregation falls — Oppo- ser brought down — Water ! Water ! — He attempts to quench the Spirit 93 CHAPTER XII. A great day — Threatened to be shot — Cry for clean hearts — Ocean of love — Many sanctified — His son David a preacher — Preaches in the woods — Leaves the slain— Plain old man— Loud shout 101 CHAPTER XIII. Apparition — Thunder storm — The power of God comes down among the black people — Young man on the floor — Man said to be dead — Local preacher brought down 108 CHAPTER XIV. The devil comes into the camp— He meets with Bishop Asbury — Returns home— His wife dies 116 INDEX. 283 PART SECOND. Containing his travels and gospel labours, after he enter- ed the Methodist Itinerant Connexion, in April 1789, until about May 1795 122 CHAPTER I. Commences itinerant— Dutches circuit — Prayer seventh time — Some sanctified — Two men exhort — Disputes — Young man lost — Work increases 122 CHAPTER II. Great work — Minister living in sin — A young woman ex- horts — Extracts from Mr. Wesley's Journal — Shout continued for three or four hours — An angel 127 CHAPTER III. A man hangs himself— Ocean of love — A Whitfieldite — Remarkable dream — Baptist woman exhorts — Remarks on the circuit 133 CHAPTER IV. Several obtain sanctification — Ocean of love — Meeting at a Quaker's— Shining face— A view of Jesus Christ .. 138 CHAPTER V. A hard-hearted people— Sets out for thecircuit— Preacher for the devil — Preaches on "What is truth?" — A young man falls into the fire 143 CHAPTER VI. Disputes on Calvinism — New York conference — Great works— Newburv circuit — Extraordinary class and fast day 148 CHAPTER VII. Dispute on purity — Dispute with Quakers — Candles go out — Love-feast, many sanctified and justified — Wo- man loses the use of her limbs for three days — Black despair— Wonderful shout 153 284 INDEX. CHAPTER VIII. Woman married out of the society— He gets up night to pray with a family— Remarkable State of the circuit— Deist in a storm at sea — New York conference — Dead love-feast 159 CHAPTER IX. Appointed to Long-island — Conk shell— Dispute — A re- vival — Laughers stopped — Quarterlj -meeting — -Great work at the love-feast, but stopped 1C6 CHAPTER X. Glorious meeting among the Africans and Indians— A lunatic — Indian woman's experience — Ruth Jones — Disputes — Quarterly meeting — Conference — A prea- cher down CHAPTER XI. Salem circuit — Ocean of love — Shout in the camp, and a woman exhorts — Joshua"s resolution — Spirit of con- tention — Powerful class-meeting CHAPTER XII. >tretch for sanetifiration— Presbyterian falls— Converted sawyer — Articles of faith — Ocean of redeeming love — Revivals— Great work at the quarterly-meeting — Per- secution — Remarks 186 CHAPTER XIII. feast lively — Street preaching— Scwell's History of the Quakers— Meeting in the woods 196 CHAPTER XIV. Eastern shore of Maryland— Remarks— Shout after shout —They fall like men slain in battle— Some overcome and filled with redeeming love — Numbers fall and the wicked fly— Extraordinary singing — Great work in a family— Ocean of redeeming love— Remarkable love- feast 203 INDEX. 285 CHAPTER XV. P Shaking among the dry bones — Some sanctified — He leaves the slain — A day that will long be remembered — A shout — The work mightily increases — Ocean of God's love— A good day to himself— Many seem lost in the ocean of redeeming love — Stones thrown — Great work, and several flee — His own heart swallow- ed up in redeeming love 210 CHAPTER XVI. Great distress — Himself happy— Several baptized in the , fountain of love— He is filled — Many slain — Some seemed lost in the ocean of redeeming love — Remark- able experience — Glorious class meeting— The God of Elijah answcreth by fire 215 CHAPTER XVII. Divers plunged in the ocean of love — Meeting which lasted four hours — View of Jesus — The place glorious —Sacred flame of God's love 220 CHAPTER XVIII. The cries of the distressed make the streets ring— Over- whelmed in the fountain of love— Ocean of God's love — Noise heard a mile and a half— A day of power 222 CHAPTER XIX. A happy class — A dream— Devil-hardened sinner — Many filled with love— Ocean of God's love— The devil put to flight 22-'> CHAPTER XX. Some groan, some shout, and others run away — Woman unborn again — Great shouting, and several lost in the ocean of love — Many swallowed up in love, himself afflicted in body— Obtains strength by prayer — Great shout — Himself much afflicted — Letter on deism — A ;;reat revival, and a Quaker converted 229 280 INDEX. JOHN FFIRTH'S NARRATIVE. Page. I, Abbott a fighter— His conversion and preaching — Ex- tracts from the minutes of conference — His zeal — He is taken ill — A proper shout — Extraordinary love-feast — Reproves Mr. W — He finishes his writings — Offers to send for Mr. C. to preach his funeral sermon — Glo- rious death— A vision— Lines on a farewell sermon . . 238 HUGH SMITH'S NARRATIVE. B. Abbott's zeal and faith — Travail for souls — His early life— His ministry 258 APPENDIX. How the apostles subdued the nations — On miracles — On preaching with the Holy Ghost— Why all ministers are not clothed with this power 264 EXTRACTS FROM THE REV. J. WES- LEY'S JOURNAL. The people fall at Bristol — All Newgate rings with cries — A Physician—A Quaker struck down— A man said to be raving mad— J. Wesley's letter ou these things — The people fall in the open air — Zeal not according to love— Many fall at Wapping and at Fetter-lane— On trying the spirits— Mr. Whitfield— Remarks at Fetter- lane, &c 266 John Heaton. Printer, 7, Briggatc Leeds. 1 1012 01035 9778