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 Book. 
 
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MEMOIR 
 
 OP 
 
 ELDER JOHN PEAK, 
 
 V ', 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 
 
 Thi3 shall be written for the generation to come.''...DAViu. 
 
 
 
 PIUNTED BY J. HOWE, MERCHNTS ROW. 
 
 1832. 
 
F? 
 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, on the 20tb 
 ^ay of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
 hundred and tliirty-two, in the Clerk's Office of the Dis- 
 iriat of Massachusetts. 
 
 
KECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 Boston, April 12, 1832. 
 Having been informed, by tiie Rev. Joii?j Peak, that 
 he intends to publish a brief narrative of tlie principal 
 events of his life and ministry, we cordially exprcf^s our 
 approbation of the plan, and our cojifidence that the 
 book will be entitled to entire credit, and will be inter- 
 esting and useful. The author belongs to a class of 
 ministers now rapidly diminishing, who, in times and 
 under circumstances less fivourable than the present 
 preached the pure Gospel of the Saviour with simplicity 
 and godly sincerety ; and who, by the blessing of God, 
 were the instruments in converting many souls, and 
 founding many of our most flourishing Churches. He 
 has been infirm for several years, and is now aged. He 
 is unable to labour regularly in the ministry, and has no 
 resources for his support in his declining age. We hope 
 that his Look will meet with an extensive and ready sale ; 
 both because he needs pecuniary aid, and because the 
 members of our churches may be profited by reading aa 
 account of some of the trials through which the cause 
 of truth has made its triumphant progress, and young 
 ministers may be excited, amidst their superior advanta- 
 ges, to imitate the humble piety and sell-denying zeaJ 
 ©f their predecessors. 
 
 L. BOLLES, 
 DANIEL SHARP, 
 JAMES D. KNOWLES, 
 \VM. HAGUE, 
 
 Worcester, April 2, 1832. 
 
 Dear Sir, I have often regretted that we know so little 
 
 of the character, labours and privations of the early 
 
 Baptist Ministers of New England. I was, therefore, 
 
 gratified to learn that you contemplated publishing a 
 
memoir of your life. It will throw light on the early 
 history of the Baptists in an interesting section of Ver- 
 mont and New Hampshire. The first sermon I recol- 
 lect to have heard was from yourself, and founded on 
 Job vii. G ; "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, 
 and are spent without hope." It was at a funeral in my 
 neighbourhood, when I must have been six years of age. 
 Soon after, while seeing a woman weaving, and noticing 
 the rapid motion of her shuttle, I found a difficulty in 
 believing that time flew as rapidly. Experience, how- 
 ever, has corrected my error. How is it, that every year 
 seems shorter than the preceding one? 
 
 I sincerely wish that your last days may be serene, 
 and your death peaceful ; and I hope that the publica- 
 tion of your memoir may afford you some pecuniary aid : 
 a circumstance, quite desirable to most of those minis- 
 tors who bore the heat and burden of the day. 
 With great respect, I am, &.c. 
 
 JONA. GOING. 
 
 Charlesfown, April 17, 1832. 
 My dear Friend, I do sincerely hope, that the account 
 of your life, which you have informed me you intend 
 soon to publish, will prove not only interesting and valu- 
 able to the Christian public, but a source of pecuniary 
 aid to yourself, which aid, under your many bodily in- 
 firmities, you now very much need. The Lord grant that 
 his blessing may attend you, and that the evening of 
 your days may be serene and happy, and the hour of 
 your departure, the introduction to a glorious immortali- 
 ty, through the grace of Him who became poor, that we, 
 through his poverty, might be made rich. 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 HENRY JACKSON, 
 
 Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Charleatown, Most. 
 
 Rev. John Peak. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In attempting to write a sketch of the principal 
 events of niy life and ministry, no attempt will 
 be made at an affected style, to amuse the fancy . 
 of the reader. Were the writer capable of elo- 
 quence of style, it would not accord with the ob- 
 ject of giving a plain narrative of interesting facts. 
 
 To one who, through infirmities of age, has of 
 necessity become less active, it affords a kind of 
 melancholy pleasure, to call to mind seasons long 
 since past ; especially such as were c<mnected 
 with a chain of events exciting alarm and fore- 
 boding fears of some dire calamity, and yet ter- 
 minating in a desirable and joyful manner. The 
 forbearance and kindness of our heavenly Father, 
 have been very great, which ought to be acknowl- 
 edged with humble and devout gratitude ; calling 
 to mind numerous instances of the interposition 
 of divine goodness, manifest in the preservation of 
 a poor sinful creature, excites in me at this mo- 
 ment the tender emotions of overflowing gratitude 
 to our gracious Benefactor. 
 
 It appears to me a difficult task for an old man 
 to write a faithful impartial history of his own life. 
 It is truly deliglitful to speak of the riches of di- 
 vine grace in which I have been led to hope, of 
 1* 
 
6 
 
 the consolations of Christ, the comforts of loVe, 
 and fellowship of the Spirit. It is cheering to the 
 believer, to contemplate the glories of the Son of 
 God, his attributes, offices, Vvork of redemption, 
 intercession, promises, &c. ; but I have nothing 
 good to say of myself. If I proceed to mention 
 some things which I have experienced of the good 
 hand of God, upon mc, and his blessing granted 
 to give my feeble ministry success, I wish no one 
 to entertain the thought that it is my object to 
 set forth myself as an example to others, for I 
 wish no one to live such a life ; to say the least, in 
 every thing I have come short, and in many things 
 offended. 
 
 In attempting such a history, another difficulty 
 presents itself. By the great fire at Newburyport, 
 in 1811, my dwelling house was burnt, and there- 
 with the best part of my manuscripts. This I 
 have ever felt a great loss ; and now, if I proceed, 
 I shall feel the want of those papers to assist my 
 memory in reciting some interesting events, as weli 
 as names, dates, numbers, &c. This circumstance 
 will be admitted as an apology for any deficien- 
 cies as the necessary result. With these prelim- 
 inaries, if life and health is continued, I think to 
 proceed to write a brief sketch of my life, to 
 which I am stimulated by the advice of friends, 
 whose judgment and candour I am accustomed to 
 hold in the highest estimation. 
 
MEMOIR OF ELDER JOHN PEAK. 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 I WAS born in Walpole, N. H. Septem- 
 ber 26, 1761. My father and mother were 
 natives of Woodstock and Ashford, Conn. 
 In the summer of 1755, my father and 
 grandfather, in company with John Kii- 
 born, his son and daughter, went from Con- 
 necticut to said Walpole, before a grant of 
 the town was obtained, with a view to oc- 
 cupy the meadows which had been left by 
 the Indians. After their arrival they were 
 informed that the French war had com- 
 menced. They built themselves a block- 
 house for their defence, and continued to 
 work on the land. Several hundreds of 
 the Canadian Indians soon arrived ; for sev- 
 eral days they made violent assaults upon 
 the house and then left the region. Our 
 friends, having guns and ammunition, made 
 the best defence they could. One bullet 
 entered a crevice of the building, wounded 
 my grandfather, of which he died the fourth 
 day. Dr. Belknap, in his History of New 
 Hampshire, gives an account of this event, 
 
s 
 
 but by mistake spells my father's name 
 Pike. Afterwards the adventurers return- 
 ed to Connecticut. 
 
 My father enlisted into the king's ser* 
 vice, and was stationed for some time at 
 Crown Point. He returned to Connecti- 
 cut at the close of the war, in 1759. He 
 married, went to VValpole, and resided there 
 about four years. It is believed that I was 
 the second English child born in that town. 
 
 My parents moved from Walpole to Clar- 
 emont, with two children, before the town 
 was incorporated, about 1764. At that time 
 there were but about five or six log cabins 
 in that now populous and flourishing town. 
 Here my honoured parents commenced 
 their residence in the wilderness, erected 
 their cabin, cut down the forest, cultivated 
 the rich soil, and lived to see the wilder- 
 ness become a fruitful field. For a time, 
 the first settlers endured great privations. 
 Accordino; to my recollection, I never saw 
 any school till I was in my eleventh year, 
 but my mother took great care to teach her 
 children, so that I had become quite a 
 reader. 
 
 About the year 1767, by the kind and 
 diligent attention of my good mother, I had 
 committed to memory the Ten Command- 
 ments, the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's 
 Creed, with a j)ortion of the Westminster 
 Assembly's Shorter Catechism, portions of 
 the Holy Scriptures, some of Watts' Divine 
 
9 
 
 Songs for children, &c. The truths here- 
 by impressed on my mind, led me to some 
 solemn contemplations on the being and at- 
 tributes of the great Creator. It appeared 
 to me that he made the heavens and earth, 
 and all creatures and things which exist ; 
 that the great all-seeing eye of God was 
 upon me by night and by day, and that he 
 knew all my secret thoughts and actions; 
 that every transgression of his holy com- 
 mandments, even in thought, was a great 
 sin in his sight, and exposed transgressors 
 to a dreadful punishment. At times, these 
 reflections filled me with great horror, for 
 I saw that I was guilty of disregarding the 
 holy Sabbath, disobeying my parents, and 
 in not telling the truth, &c. I endeavour- 
 ed to remove my fears by repeating my 
 prayers, Avith resolutions to avoid those sins 
 in future. But instead of any reformation, 
 it appears to me that I became gradually 
 more and more hardened in sin ; and the 
 forbearance of God, that I was not cut off* 
 in my sins in early childhood, seems the 
 more extraordinary, because it is evident 
 that I sinned against greater light than 
 many others at this age. And I think that 
 children are capable of receiving good im- 
 pressions from religious instruction at an 
 earlier period than has generally been ap- 
 prehended. 
 
 About 1770, the people became so nu- 
 merous, that they held two meetings for 
 
10 
 
 public worship ; one Episcopalian and one 
 Conofregrationai. In the latter, a church 
 was gathered, a minister settled, and my 
 parents were members. Now, according to 
 custom, the children must be dedicated in 
 a public manner by a ceremony called 
 baptism. My parents had five to pass un- 
 der the solemn rite. I do not recollect any 
 serious thoughts on the subject ; I felt, 
 however, a kind of boyish diffidence in be- 
 ing thus exposed before the assembly, was 
 glad when it was over, and thought little 
 more of it. Thus I pursued a wicked 
 course till my good mother was taken sick, 
 and languished with a consumption about 
 eighteen months, and died Dec. SO, 1774. 
 The gospel gave her great consolation and 
 hope in the near approach of death. She 
 frequently talked very affectionately to her 
 children, telling us that she hoped to be 
 happy after death, and that we must pre- 
 pare to follow her. I being the oldest, she 
 said more to me and my sister, two years 
 younger, than to the rest, though we all by 
 ner request were frequently arranged by 
 the bedside to hear her addresses. She 
 exhorted us to remember our Creator in 
 the days of our youth ; to seek first the 
 kingdom of heaven and the righteousness 
 thereof; to render due respect and obe- 
 dience to our honoured father ; to be affec- 
 tionate, kind and attentive to the younger 
 children, &c. 
 
11 
 
 For a while after her decease, the sol- 
 emn admonitions, warnings and affectionate 
 coiincil of a dying parent, had some effect 
 on my mind. I now was more constant in 
 saying my prayers, and abstained from some 
 vicious habits ; read the Holy Bible more, 
 which I had read through more than once. 
 These serious impressions by degrees wore 
 off, and it grieves me to think what a care- 
 less wicked course I pursued for many 
 years. Not without frequent checks of 
 conscience, for 1 could not divest myself of 
 the conviction that the great all-seeing eye 
 of Jehovah was ever upon me, and that he 
 hated wickedness, and is jealous for the 
 honour of his name, and will bring us into 
 judgment. Although I sometimes took his 
 name in vain, and indulged in profane lan- 
 guage, in imitation of profane persons with 
 whom I associated, yet, afterwards, it filled 
 me with horror to reflect on my wicked- 
 ness. But such was the deep rooted de- 
 pravity of my heart, my love to the pleas- 
 ures of sin, and such my aversion to true 
 religion, that I lived in neglect of its du- 
 ties, and became more and more hardened 
 in iniquity ; and yet so blinded by self-flat- 
 tery as to indulge the vain thought that I 
 was not so wicked as many of my asso- 
 ciates ; and when some of my superiors 
 were injudicious enough to pronounce me 
 a good hearted innocent young man, I was 
 quite elated, and thought much of mysel£ 
 
12 
 
 Thus I went on deceiving myself and being 
 deceived. At other times, when I was re- 
 proved for some presumptuous sin, I was 
 filled with bitter remorse and fear lest I 
 should be wholly given over to ruin. I 
 was much addicted to sinful pleasures, and 
 vain amusements, but felt but little guilt 
 on this account ; for such indulgencies were 
 considered by old people innocent amuse- 
 ments and civil recreations. 
 
 I proceed to give some account of a scene 
 of affliction which I endured, the painful 
 effects of which, I have felt to this day. 
 
 In April, 1775, the revolutionary war 
 commenced in the battle at Lexington. 
 Now the whole country was in a state of 
 alarm, and my mind was fired with the am- 
 bitious thought that I should soon be old 
 enough to pass muster, and enter the field 
 of contest. But while the spirit of war 
 was beating high in every pulse, and I was 
 about to offer myself as a volunteer, I was, 
 in Dec. 1777, taken down with a violent at- 
 tack of the rheumatic fever ; an indescriba- 
 ble pain seated in my right hip, so great, 
 that for several days and nights I was de- 
 prived of the exercise of my reason, and 
 for thirty or forty days w^as unable to turn 
 myself in bed. But as the pain subsided, 
 I began to move, and in March was able to 
 set up and walk with crutches, but found 
 my hip joint was dislocated, my knee plac- 
 ed forward horizontally at about right an- 
 
13 
 
 gles, with my body erect. In July follow- 
 ing, having ret^eivecl but little sensible re- 
 lief by the applications of Dr. Stearns, who 
 had attended me, I had a desire to consult 
 Dr. Chase, of Cornish, who was famed for 
 great skill. I rode very slow on horseback, 
 with both feet on the left side, in great 
 pain. When I arrived, the doctor took me 
 off in his arms, laid me on a bed, examined 
 my hip, and told me it was out of joint. I 
 requested him to put it in place ; but he 
 told me that it could not be done. It had 
 been out so long that a large callous was 
 formed about the joint, and so hard that it 
 could not be broken. This information 
 was to me painful beyond description ; I 
 could hardly endure the thought that I must 
 be lame as long as I lived. The doctor 
 tried to cheer me by saying he would give 
 me a strengthening plaster, and that in a 
 little time I should gather strength and walk 
 about spry, but must be lame. The kind 
 doctor put me on a horse, and I set off for 
 home with a heavy heart, having three 
 miles to ride in great misery, with a gloomy 
 prospect before me. I wept most of the 
 way home. When I arrived at my father's 
 house, in attempting to get off the horse, 
 I fell, with my lame hip upon the hard 
 ground. So great was the shock, that my 
 pain was beyond description. I thought I 
 could live but a few minutes. My friends 
 took me up and laid me on a bed, when I 
 2 
 
14 
 
 found my hip was set in place. I thought 
 but little of my pain for joy of heart that 
 my leg was straight with the other. For 
 several weeks I was in a very feeble state, 
 but gained strength slowly till I was able 
 to walk with a staff; and being unable to 
 work on the farm, was sent out of town to 
 school. By this circumstance I obtained a 
 better education than I should have done 
 if I had been able to work. 
 
 I continued to gain strength till May, 
 1778, when I commenced labouring on the 
 farm, attended with pain. But hopeing, as I 
 was told, that I should work off my com- 
 plaints, I persevered till June, when I was 
 again attacked with the rheumatic fever, in 
 consequence, as I suppose, of standing in 
 cold water to wash about forty sheep. My 
 pain was not so great as I had endured, but 
 was seated mostly in my left hip ; I was 
 unable to move, or be moved but very little 
 for about two months. I lay mostly on my 
 back, a part of the time bolstered up. I 
 amused myself by reading sundry volumes 
 and making straw hats, which were in great 
 demand during the v\^ar. About the last of 
 August, I was able to walk a little with a 
 staff, but found my left hip was twisted 
 partly round in the socket, and so it has 
 remained to this day. 
 
 It was now concluded that I should never 
 be able to obtain a livelihood by labouring 
 en the land. Having read several volumes 
 
15 
 
 on medicine and surger}^ I had a great de- 
 sire to study with a physician, but my 
 father had no income but that of a small 
 farm, and had been at great expense by 
 sickness, and was some involved, therefore 
 he thought he could not well support me 
 in my favourite studies, but consented that 
 I should enter as an apprentice with a shoe- 
 maker or tailor ; I chose the latter. I was 
 bound an apprentice to Mr. Charles Bowen, 
 of Charlestown, N. H. in Sept. 1778. As 
 to the state of my mind, during my painful 
 afflictions for near two years before, it gives 
 me pain to relate the fact that I was in a 
 most hardened stupid state. I have no re- 
 collection that I ever seriously prayed to 
 God for relief in all my distress ; or that I 
 had any serious concern for my soul's sal- 
 vation. I do not remember that I had any 
 proper sense of my guilt and wickedness, 
 and yet I know I was very wicked, for I 
 murmured against God, was unreconciled 
 to his government in the kingdom of his 
 providence. I suppose 1 concealed my 
 feelings in a great degree from my friends, 
 for I do not recollect that they reproved 
 me for my impatience. Instead of mur- 
 muring, I had much cause for gratitude; 
 my parents were indulgent, my good step- 
 mother did every thing she could to ease 
 me in my distress ; my brothers and sisters 
 were kind, and I wanted for nothing that 
 my good friends could do for me. 
 
16 
 
 When I arrived in Charlestown, I found 
 myself in the midst of a very profane wick- 
 ed people. I soon heard more profaneness, 
 and saw more drunkenness, gambling and 
 boxing, than I had ever witnessed before. 
 At first these outrages shocked my feelings; 
 but after a while I became more indifferent 
 to them ; sometimes I was the object of 
 ridicule, because I could not go all lengths 
 in their blasphemous and horrid wicked- 
 ness. This, however, was not on account 
 of any goodness in me, for I was destitute 
 of any religious principle, but was in some 
 measure restrained by a kind of torment- 
 ing fear. Perhaps this prevented me from 
 being caught in any of their quarrels or 
 drunken frolics. To what was called civil 
 recreation and innocent amusement, I had 
 no objection. Thus I went on, misim- 
 proving precious time, and treasuring up 
 wrath against the day of wrath, and was 
 doubtless more guilty than others who went 
 to greater lengths in outward wickedness, 
 as I had convictions of my accountability 
 to my Maker, which I could not wholly 
 shake off. Mr. Bowen, with whom I liv- 
 ed, was a very industrious, sensible, honest 
 man, and a good workman. 
 
 After I left Mr. Bowen, by agreement, 
 a short time before I was twenty-one years 
 of age, I went to Piermont, N. H. fifty 
 miles up the river, North of Claremont. 
 Here I was invited by some friends who 
 
17 
 
 had recently moved from Charlestown, to 
 set up my business. Here I was associated 
 with a kind, civil and industrious people. 
 I had now so far recovered my health and 
 the use of my limbs, that I was able to walk 
 several miles at a time without a staff. By 
 my industry, I soon became able to pur- 
 chase a few acres of land near the meeting- 
 house, on which I built a house. 
 
 In 1782, I was married to Miss Esther 
 Stow, daughter of Major Josiah Stow, of 
 Bath, N. H. I was now happily situated 
 with a cheering prospect of obtaining a 
 comfortable living ; but like the people 
 with whom I associated, I lived according 
 to the course of this world ; thought very 
 little of a future state, or of the salvation 
 of my soul ; I seldom heard any thing of a 
 religious nature except what I heard from 
 the pulpit, and that was not interesting to 
 me. I do not remember that my mind was 
 ever impressed on the subject of religion 
 in any special manner while I lived in Pier- 
 mont, but once ; that was when, for the first 
 time, I heard a Baptist preacher in Brad- 
 ford, whose name was Haynes. His solemn 
 and faithful address deeply affected me. I 
 felt myself a wicked, gui^ y creature. I re- 
 solved, and really thought for a few hours, 
 that I should lead a new life. But alas ! in 
 a short time I became as careless as ever. 
 Thus I continued till my honoured father 
 came to see me, and proposed that I should 
 2* 
 
sell my place and move to Claremont, and 
 occupy a part of his house, and take the 
 care of his farm. He was feeble in health, 
 and although I had two brothers, one of 
 them was a surveyor of land, and the other 
 a blacksmith, neither of them inclined to 
 have the care of the farm. His proposals 
 were, that he would give me a warranty 
 deed of half the farm, taking to himself a 
 lease during his life, on condition that I 
 should take good care of the whole farm 
 and stock, oxen, cows, horse, sheep, &c. 
 and pay over to him one half of the in- 
 come annually. It was not expected that 
 I should work much on the farm, but by 
 my trade procure labourers, oversee the 
 business, &c* It was understood that I 
 should build on my half of the farm and 
 occupy it as I might think best. After due 
 consideration, I consented to his proposi- 
 tions ; sold my place, and my wife and lit- 
 tle son, nearly two years old, moved to 
 Claremont, in March 1785. Now I engag- 
 ed in business with alacrity, procured tim- 
 ber, boards, nails, glass, bricks, &c. for build- 
 ing my house ; carried on a share of a brick- 
 kiln, and as the spring advanced, hired la- 
 bourers, repaired fences, ploughed up the 
 rich soil, planted, sowed, and tilled the 
 ground with all diligence. The season was 
 favourable and the ground brought forth 
 abundantly. Thus we went on pleasantly, 
 
19 
 
 tin my attention was specially arrested by 
 the great subject of religion. 
 
 It is now proper that I should give some 
 account of the state of religion in ihistown. 
 
 There were at this time three meetings 
 in which public preaching was attended; 
 one Congregational society, large and re- 
 spectable ; Rev. Augustus Hubbard was 
 their minister, but I believe he was never 
 accused of being overmuch righteous ; one 
 Episcopalian, large and respectable ; Rev. 
 Mr. Barber was their minister, who after- 
 wards joined the Roman Catholics. The 
 other an infant Baptist society, Mr. John 
 Peckins, about thirty-one years of age, had 
 been a respected citizen in the town for 
 several years, but had lately professed a 
 change and united with a Baptist Church 
 in Woodstock, Vt. and licensed to preach. 
 He lived near us, and set up a meeting in 
 a vacant dwelling-house in our neighbour- 
 hood. Here we attended, and most of the 
 people in the vicinity. He was considered 
 an able zealous preacher, and the place 
 was generally well filled with attentive 
 hearers. But he was hated, and had evil 
 things said of him by many of the ungodly, 
 for his plain and faithful preaching. His 
 doctrine was considered by many as new ; 
 for, till he rose a witness for the truth, the 
 necessity of a change of heart and life, was 
 seldom named, and the most dangerous 
 heresies were boldly advocated. The mor- 
 
20 
 
 als of the people had ])een progressing 
 from bad to worse since the commencement 
 of the war. But there were a few who 
 could witness for the truth, and their num- 
 ber increased. 
 
 In the next chapter I shall give some ac- 
 count of the exercises of my mind, which 
 led me to hope in the mercy of God, 
 
CHAPTER IL 
 
 I SHALL now proceed to give some ac- 
 count of the exercises of mind which led 
 me to hope in the mercy of God. 
 
 According to the best of my recollection, 
 when I first heard Mr. Peckins, I went in 
 as dark and stupid a state of mind as usual, 
 and even felt a contempt for the man who 
 should attempt to preach without college 
 learning, and I had no thought of attending 
 his meeting constantly. But when I had 
 heard him, I knew not what to think of his 
 preaching; for I perceived that many things 
 which he said were true ; and yet 1 said to 
 a godly woman, that a man as ignorant as 
 Mr. Peckins was, ought not to preach ; at 
 which her countenance fell, being grieved, 
 as I suppose, for the hardness of my heart. 
 But the more I heard him, the more I was 
 convinced that he preached the truth of the 
 Bible more clearly than I ever had heard. 
 Sometimes I was affected to tears, at other 
 times my heart would rise in opposition to 
 the doctrine, and yet I thought it was in 
 accordance with the Scriptures of Truth. 
 Again I would feel so much impressed 
 under a sermon, that I would resolve on 
 amendment of life ; but still pursued the 
 same course. I became much attached to 
 
22 
 
 the meeting, however. I collected a com- 
 pany of young people, set up a singing 
 school, and led the singing in public. I 
 was often so deeply impressed under the 
 preaching that I wished myself out of meet- 
 ing, that I might give vent to my tears ; but 
 when I was out of meeting, I seldom felt 
 inclined to weep ; but often had very sol- 
 emn meditations while I reflected on my 
 sinful guilty state. I could not suppress 
 the fear that I should be given over to a 
 reprobate mind, if I was not already. All 
 this time, from March till August, it appears 
 to me that I had no proper sense of the evil 
 of sin, or of the infinite beauty of holiness ; 
 but was tormented w ith a guilty conscience, 
 and with my opposition to the truth of God. 
 Thus I continued to be more or less anx- 
 ious on this momentous subject, till the 8th 
 of June, when, for the first time, I heard 
 the late Dr. Baldwin preach in Claremont, 
 from Ephesians, ii. 12. " That at that time 
 ye were without Christ, being aliens from 
 the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers 
 from the covenants of promise, having no 
 hope, and without God in the world." The 
 reading of the text made a deep impression 
 on my mind. It struck me sensibly that I 
 was the very character there described. 
 The preacher illustrated the subject in a 
 very clear manner, and addressed the peo- 
 ple in a solemn, affectionate and impressive 
 ^tyle. I listened with astonishment and ad- 
 
23 
 
 tniration. Mr. Samuel Lewis, a man near 
 fifty years of age, in a very audible manner, 
 related his experience, as a candidate for 
 baptism. He was brother to the late Elder 
 Abner Lewis. This was the first Christian 
 experience I had heard. The assembly 
 was large for the place, many pious people 
 having come from neighbouring towns, who 
 appeared to be much animated. They sung 
 a hymn on the sufferings of Christ, and an- 
 other on Christian union, in a manner I had 
 never heard before. As they moved out of 
 the house, they formed a circle around Mr. 
 Baldwin, on the ground before the door, and 
 he conversed with them individually. Ma- 
 ny of the young people were much affected. 
 I wished to hear all he said, but endeavour- 
 ed to keep at a cautious distance, not wish- 
 ing him to speak to me as he did to others. 
 As he advanced toward me, I moved round 
 in his rear. At length he turned suddenly 
 and took me by the hand, and asked my 
 name. I told him. He replied, that "it is 
 a matter of no consequence what your name 
 is, if it be written in the Lamb's book of 
 life." He said no more to me, and I retired. 
 But this was as a nail fastened in a sure 
 place. Eternity, with all its dread realities, 
 seemed to lie open to my view, and this life, 
 with all its fascinating charms, appeared an 
 empty shadow. I could no longer indulge 
 in vain and trifling conversation as before. 
 I now commenced a most inveterate con- 
 
24 
 
 troversy with the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace. I could see no consistency in this 
 doctrine with my accountability. This ren- 
 dered me very unhappy. I attended, how- 
 ever, regularly to my business ; nothing of 
 this kind suffered by my neglect ; but I 
 went about the fields in deep solitude. I 
 could not give up the holy Bible as divinely 
 inspired. I read and pondered on the Scrip- 
 tures with deep solicitude ; but when 1 read 
 the ninth chapter of Romans and first of 
 Ephesians, and some other parts of like im- 
 port, I wished them out of the Bible. I 
 thought if the doctrine there stated was 
 true, it did more harm than good. But I 
 have since found that it was because I was 
 unreconciled to God, that these truths ren- 
 dered me unhappy. Now I can see that if 
 all those holy truths, with which I was then 
 displeased, could have been annihilated, 
 there would have been no salvation for me. 
 Thus I continued, without disclosing my 
 thoughts and feelings to any person, till 
 some time in July, when the before-named 
 Mr. Samuel Lewis invited me to walk with 
 him in the garden, and there very tenderly 
 inquired into the state of my mind in regard 
 to the great subject of religion. In reply, 
 I frankly told him, that I had come to this 
 conclusion, that if I could know that God 
 would save me from the wrath to come, I 
 would devote myself to his service the re- 
 mainder of my life. But he told me I would 
 
25 
 
 never know whether he would save me from 
 the wrath to come, till I submitted myself 
 into his hands to be at his wise disposal with- 
 out reserve or condition. But this gave me 
 no relief, for I could nat understand how I 
 could give up myself to the service of God, 
 till I knew that he would save me. The 
 truth of the case is, I had no love to him or 
 his holy service. Thus my mind was in- 
 volved in moral darkness, and I felt myself 
 so aAvfully wicked and guilty, that I did not 
 dare to pray for divine help. One morning I 
 rose early, after a sleepless night, and set off 
 to have some conversation with Mr. Peckins, 
 I found him in his garden ; and after ex- 
 changing a fevi words, I told him I wished 
 for a little conversation. He invited me in- 
 to the house, and asked me what subject I 
 wished to converse on. I told him I could 
 not understand the consistency of the doc- 
 trine he preached. "In what respect?^' 
 said he. '^ I understand you to say, that all 
 men are entirely depraved, destitute of any 
 thing spiritually good." *' Well, is not this 
 sentiment according to the Bible ?" " I do 
 not know but it is, but I want to see the 
 consistency of the system ; for I understand 
 you to say that we are bound in duty to re- 
 pent and believe the gospel." " And, is 
 not that according to the word 7" " Perhaps 
 it is, but you say again, that we are dead in 
 sin, and dependent on the Holy Spirit, to 
 quicken us and work within us all that is 
 3 
 
26 
 
 well pleasing in his sight." These, and 
 other difficulties I named, to which he re- 
 plied in a very kind and tender manner, 
 and closed by saying that the natural man 
 receiveth not the things of the Spirit, &c. 
 expressing his desire for my everlasting 
 good. As I left him, I felt elated with van- 
 ity, thinking that I had neai^ly confounded 
 him with my strong arguments. But 1 had 
 scarcely advanced thirty )'ods from his house, 
 before a powerful conviction came over my 
 mindj that my contention was not with the 
 minister, but with God ! I was now con- 
 vinced that the sin-extenuating pleas I had 
 employed, only rendered me more vile, and 
 if I did not acknov/ledge the justice of my 
 condemnation, I could not acknowledge 
 grace in forgiveness. If salvation be by 
 grace, then it is not of debt. If not of debt, 
 then God is under no obligation to the im- 
 penitent sinner. If the sinner is so at en- 
 mity against God, and in love with his sins, 
 that nothing short of the divine influence 
 will incline him to forsake his sins and turn 
 unto the Lord, then he is at the disposal of 
 the Sovereign of the universe, as clay is in 
 the hand of the potter. Plere I was brought 
 to a stand. I was dumb with silence. Ev- 
 ery refuge failed me. I reflected on my 
 broken vows, promises and resolutions, calls 
 and warnings, which I had slighted. I was 
 overwhelmed with deep solemnity. For a 
 few days I was inclined to think that I was 
 
27 
 
 given up to a reprobate mind. I had no 
 hope, nor much fear. I could neither weep 
 nor rejoice. With such views and feelings, 
 on the 6th of August, 1785, I went into the 
 field to perform an hours work alone. Here 
 I had such views and manifestations as I 
 have never been able to describe. My 
 mind seemed suddenly illuminated, and I 
 was led to contemplate the holiness, love, 
 goodness and wisdom of God, displayed in 
 the wonderful plan of salvation, in a light 
 I had never viewed it before. I had con- 
 sidered the subject in detached parts ; but 
 now my mind was led to contemplate the 
 great plan of God's everlasting love, as one 
 uniform consistent whole. The Lord Je- 
 sus Christ appeared a Lamb slain, in the 
 divine purpose, from the foundation of the 
 world ; set up from everlasting, as the glori- 
 ous Mediator between God and man. In 
 him I beheld the majesty and glory of the 
 divine attributes, to meet in perfect harmo- 
 ny, and shine forth in the most illustrious 
 manner; full of grace and truth, and able 
 to save, to the uttermost, all that come to 
 God by him. In the covenant of redemp- 
 tion, a kingdom, or church, was made sure 
 to him, to be gathered out of this apostate 
 world. When upon earth, he appeard Im- 
 MANUEL, God with us. The tokens of di- 
 vine majesty, attended him through life. In 
 a word, he appeared to me one with the 
 Father, equal in glory and power, and alto* 
 
28 
 
 gether lovely. In my imagination, I beheld 
 glorified saints and angels casting their 
 crowns before him, in humble prostration, 
 adoring and worshiping the eternal Soiv of 
 God, while all heaven resounded his praise. 
 Several passages in holy writ were brought 
 to my recollection ; some of which, were as 
 follows : " Great is the mystery of godli- 
 ness. God, manifest in the flesh." " The 
 Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, 
 and we beheld his glory." '' Glory to God 
 in the highest, on earth peace, and good will 
 toward men." " God was in Christ, recon- 
 ciling the world unto himself." *' Blessed 
 is the people, that know the joyful sound," 
 &c. My mind was so absorbed in the sub- 
 ject, as I stood by a tree, that I seemed to 
 think of nothing else. I recollected that 
 my father rode to the field, and spoke, but 
 I had no recollection of what was said by 
 him or me. On inquiry, he told me that 
 he asked me a question, but I took no no- 
 tice, and he rode away. As I returned from 
 the field, I thought of my ingratitude and 
 great unworthiness, with tenderness. I 
 wept freely, while I thought of the good- 
 ness and forbearance of God. I entered a 
 room by myself, took the holy Bible, and 
 opened at the 9th of Romans, which I had 
 often read with very diflerent feelings from 
 what I then possessed. As my eye passed 
 over the chapter the views I had entertain- 
 ed in the field were brought fresh to my 
 
29 
 
 mind, accompanied with many tears. I re- 
 tired to the orchard, fell prostrate on the 
 grass, and gave vent to my tears and groans. 
 It appeared to me a marvellous thing, that 
 the sparing mercy of God had preserved so 
 great a sinner so long. As yet, I had no 
 thought that I was interested in the great 
 salvation, or that I ever should be ; and 
 yet I returned to the house deeply im- 
 pressed v/ith a sense of the great duty of 
 family worship. Besides my wife, who was 
 now under great concern for her soul, I had 
 a pious sister and a young man in my fami- 
 ly. It was now a grief to me that I had so 
 long neglected my duty in this thing, and 
 yet knew not how I could commence fami- 
 ly prayer. But, after much conflict, I re- 
 solved I would commence. On Sabbath 
 morning I rose early ; and as I sat reading 
 the Bible my pious sister told me that break- 
 fast was ready. I said I would try to pray. 
 She said her heart should join with me. 
 This affected me. With great purturbation 
 I commenced, and uttered a few sentences, 
 which greatly relieved my mind in this re- 
 spect. This day I went to Windsor, six 
 miles, to meeting, and heard preaching 
 with different feelings from what I had 
 ever done before. 
 
 Lord's-day, August 9, on my way from 
 Claremont to Windsor, I beheld the pow- 
 er, wisdom and glory of the great Creator, 
 displayed in a manner I had never before 
 3* 
 
30 
 
 realized. The whole earth appeared to be 
 full of the glory of the Lord. In the fore- 
 noon Mr. Peckins preached. I thought I 
 never heard him preach so before. The 
 same sentiments which I had formerly dis- 
 liked, were now excellent. But when I 
 heard Mr. Joel Butler, whom I had never 
 seen, I was astonished beyond measure. 
 Text, 1 John, iv. 8, " God is love." He 
 illustrated the sentiment by showing that 
 love is manifested in the works of creation 
 and providence ; in the moral law, which 
 requires us to love God and one another: 
 In conformity to this law, we should honour 
 our Maker and improve our mental powers 
 to the highest possible degree, and render 
 ourselves and one another truly happy ; and 
 there was no v/ay in which man couid so di- 
 rectly and fatally destroy himself, as to 
 break over this wall of love, and trample 
 upon the authority of his Maker : — The 
 love of God is manifested in the gift of his 
 only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
 lieveth on him should not perish, but have 
 everlasting life : — The love of God was 
 manifested in the stupendous work of man's 
 redemption. Here he w^as very solemn and 
 interesting. The love of God is manifested 
 in the awaking, convincing, renewing and 
 sanctifying his people, and shedding abroad[ 
 his love in their hearts : — And it is aiso man- 
 ifested by its fruits and effects upon the 
 subjects of it, inclining them to love Gop, 
 
31 
 
 and the children of God, and his holy wor- 
 ship and service : — It excites in them en- 
 larged desires, benevolent concern for poor 
 souls, who know nothing of this love : — 
 They are hereby moved to pity and com- 
 passion, and fervent prayer and earnest sup- 
 plication for poor Christless sinners, that 
 they may be saved : — The love of God pre- 
 pares his people for heaven, the world of 
 of love : — There they Aviil be perfect in 
 love, and that for ever : — It is manifested 
 also in its perpetuity, &c. 
 
 He closed with suitable addresses to the 
 different classes of his audience. The as- 
 sembly was large for a private house, and 
 even thronged. I stood during the sermon. 
 When the preacher commenced I was in an 
 opposite part of the assembly from him. 
 But the discourse was so congenial with my 
 views in the field three days before, my 
 contemplations in the morning, and my 
 present feelings, that I was swallowed up 
 with it. Not knowing what I did, it seems 
 that I urged myself through the crowd by 
 degrees, step by step, till I found myself, at 
 the close, by the table, opposite the preach- 
 er, bathed in tears. For a moment, I was 
 surprised and mortified. I tarried to wit- 
 ness the communion of the saints, which ap- 
 peared to be a feast of holy love. While I 
 beheld the solemn scene, several passages 
 of holy writ came to my mind, such as the 
 following : *' Entreat me not to return from 
 
3d 
 
 following after thee ; for thy people is my 
 people, and thy God is my God," &c. 
 ** Behold how good and how pleasant it is 
 for brethren to dwell together in unity," 
 &c. "As often as ye do this, ye do show 
 forth the Lord's death till he come." "We 
 know we have passed from death unto life, 
 because we love the brethren," &c. I now 
 felt inexpressibly happy in contemplating 
 the character of God. It was a pleasure to 
 think I was in his hand, and at his disposal ; 
 yet I did not entertain a hope that I had ex- 
 perienced the new birth. After the public 
 exercises were passed, one of the brethren 
 asked me whether I had a hope in Christ? 
 I said no. Another asked me whether I 
 loved the J^ord Jesus Christ? I said no. 
 But instantly I felt a check that I ought not 
 to have said no ; for I knew these things ap- 
 peared different to me, and that I had de- 
 light in them. On my way home, ponder- 
 ing on these things, when my good sister 
 Mary asked me to relate some of the exer- 
 cises of my mind ; I frankly told her some 
 of the conflicts I had passed through, and 
 the views I had experienced in the field 
 three days before, &c. While I was re- 
 lating these things, I thought I had expe- 
 rienced a great change in my views and 
 feelings, and began to hope it was a saving 
 one. When I arrived home, after dark, I 
 was surprised to find my parlour filled with 
 people. There was at this time more than 
 
33 
 
 common attention to religion ; but I sup- 
 pose my good step-mother had told some of 
 the friends that 1 had prayed in the morn- 
 ing, and on this account they desired to see 
 me. They made some inquiry respecting 
 the meeting. I told them something of 
 what I had seen and heard, in which they 
 appeared to be much interested. At length 
 my good mother came to me, and, whisper- 
 ing, asked if I was going to pray that eve- 
 ning; if so, they would stay in the room, if 
 I was willing. 1 then read a chapter, and 
 prayed with as much freedom and delibera- 
 tion as I have commonly done since. From 
 this happy evening I have cherished a hope, 
 through grace, to this day. Now 1 felt my- 
 self as in a new world ; the holy Bible 
 was a new book, more precious than gold ; 
 therein did I meditate day and night, with 
 inexpressible delight ; all creation smiled 
 around me. O, how my affections were 
 drawn out to the people of God. What 
 pleasure did I enjoy in the society and con- 
 versation of Mr. Peckins and his wife, and 
 others who appeared to know the grace of 
 God by happy experience. The preach- 
 ing of the gospel was like bread to the hun- 
 gry. My mind was soon led forth in great 
 anxiety for the salvation of my fellow sin- 
 ners. I was often affected to tears while 
 pleading for them at the throne of grace. 
 Several young people were now under con- 
 cern for their soul's salvation; and several 
 
34 
 
 had obtained hope in the gospel. I wai 
 encouraged to hope the good work would 
 continue and prevail till a great multitude 
 should be gathered into the kingdom. Con- 
 ference meetings were now attended, in 
 which I spoke and prayed with much ten- 
 derness. I was much affected with the dis- 
 tinguishing goodness of God to me. As I 
 went about the fields I used to sing, 
 
 Why was I made to hear his voice, 
 And enter while there's room? 
 While thousands make a wretched choice, 
 And rather starve than come," &.c. 
 
 I was now forward to converse, and in 
 various ways, contended for what I thought 
 was the doctrine of Christ. I prayed with 
 great fervency and exhorted with fluency, 
 and thought I prayed in the spirit, and that 
 all I prayed for would be granted. When 
 I compared myself with some old profes- 
 sors who, doubtless, knew a thousand times 
 more of the deceitfulness of sin and of the 
 devices of Satan than I did, but did not 
 manifest that glowing zeal I was so animat- 
 ed with, I had but a mean opinion of them ; 
 and rather than to fall away into that inac- 
 tive stupid state I viewed them to be in, I 
 should choose to die as I then was ; and to 
 help on the delusion, some professing Chris- 
 tians spoke injudiciously in high terms of 
 ray engagedness. Thus I went on, till I 
 was quite elated with what has been called 
 spiritual pride. In great mercy I was 
 
35 
 
 soon brought to see my great error/^The 
 first that I perceived of this wretched state 
 of mind was in prayer. Like the pious In- 
 dian, " I had lost my humble." I could use 
 the language of prayer, but was in a great 
 measure destitute of devotional feeling, 
 which I thought I had enjoyed. Now I 
 was led to review my past exercises, and 
 found so much ignorance, mistake, error 
 and pride, that I could discover but little, 
 if any thing, that could be approved in the 
 sight of God. Indeed I had, for a time, 
 serious doubts whether I had not deceived 
 myself with a false hope. I mourned be- 
 fore the Lord as one that walked in dark- 
 ness. I saw in some measure my error, 
 and thought if the Lord would in mercy 
 once more bless me with the light of his 
 countenance, I would be more humble and 
 watchful. But I saw myself so vile that 
 I feared I must walk in darkness the rest 
 of my days. I had never before so clear- 
 ly seen my "heart so deceitful above all 
 things, and so desperately wicked." I now 
 searched the Scriptures w4th particular 
 reference to my present case. That pas- 
 sage in Job, xlii. 5, 6, "I have heard of 
 thee by the hearing of the ear ; but now 
 mine eye seeth thee ; wherefore I abhor 
 myself, and repent in dust and ashes," gave 
 me some relief. Again, Isaiah vi. 5, " Then 
 said I, w^o is me, for I am undone, because 
 I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell 
 
36 
 
 among a people of unclean lips ; for mine 
 eyes have seen the King, the Lord of 
 Hosts." This also gave me some comfort. 
 But the 7th of Romans cleared up the sub- 
 ject to my mind. Now I had more clear 
 views of the holiness and purity of God, 
 his law, &c. I had also a greater and more 
 clear sense of the infinite evil of sin, and 
 of the depth of iniquity and deceitful work- 
 ings of my own heart. Since that time I 
 have considered those views and feelings 
 among the evidences of a gracious state ; 
 and that we have no more true religion 
 than we have of genuine humility. "The 
 more thy glory strikes mine eye, the hum- 
 bler I shall lie ;" or, as the ancient Puri- 
 tans used to say, ^'the saint has high and 
 exalted thoughts of Christ, and low and 
 abasing thoughts of himself." 
 
 The late experince I had had of my own 
 weakness led me to a greater sense of my 
 dependence on divine teaching. I found it 
 necessary to take heed to the divine word; 
 to watch and pray, lest there be in me a 
 wicked heart, departing from the Lord. I 
 now hi2:hlv esteemed the societv and coun- 
 sel of older and more experienced Chris- 
 tians. The duty of connecting myself with 
 some church now occupied my thoughts. 
 Baptism was talked of by the converts. I 
 was in doubt. I conversed with my father, 
 and told him I could find no proof for infant 
 baptism in the Bible. He thought he could, 
 
o 
 
 7 
 
 if he could remember ; but he said he had 
 a poor memory. I searched the Scriptures 
 for myself as impartially as I could ; exam- 
 ined the accounts of household baptisms, 
 and other Scriptures named in support of 
 the practice, and found no evidence for it. 
 I read the New Testament through with 
 special reference to this subject, and found 
 no precept or example, or even any refer- 
 ence to any such thing ; but I found satis- 
 factory evidence in precept and example 
 for professing believers being buried with 
 Christ in baptism. Therefore I fully re- 
 nounced infant sprinkling as nothing more 
 than a human invention, and something 
 worse than nothing, as it is worse to speak 
 falsely, than to say nothing. -/- 
 
 In September, the beloved Baldwin 
 came to Claremont, and preached in the 
 evening. After sermon, three persons of- 
 fered themselves as candidates for baptism. 
 The last was a very understanding, respect- 
 able lady, between forty and fifty years of 
 age, by the name of Rich. She told a clear 
 gospel experience. When she closed and 
 took her seat, her husband stepped between 
 her and Mr. Baldwin, and said " this is my 
 wife ; I forbid your baptizing her." Mr. 
 Baldwin replied in a very calm manner, 
 saying, " I suppose, sir, you are willing to 
 give your reasons why you forbid her bap- 
 tism. Do you think your wife is a Chris- 
 tian ?" Mr. Rich replied in a hasty man- 
 4 
 
38 
 
 ner, *' yes, she is a Christian, and has been 
 baptized by as good a minister as you are, 
 and she woidd be no better for your baptiz- 
 ing her." BIr. Baldwin inquired whether 
 she was a member of a Congregational 
 ehurch ; she said she was. By Mr, Bald- 
 win's advice she concluded to delay her 
 baptism till she could inform the church and 
 ask a letter of dismission. Thus the matter 
 rested for the present. But Mr. Rich, as 
 afterward related, had a restless night. As 
 he returned from meeting, reflecting on his 
 uncivil and unchristian conduct toward Mr. 
 Baldwin and his own wife, he was over- 
 whelmed with shame and remorse. He 
 was half convinced that the sentiment he 
 had opposed avas correct, and that he was 
 fighting against God, and could not answer 
 for his conduct before his final Judge. A 
 sermon was delivered at Capt. Cook's tav- 
 ern, next morning, before baptism, from 
 Solomon's Song, i. 8. Mr. Rich's mind was 
 powerfully impressed by the recollection of 
 the follov^ing words of holy w^it ; *' This is 
 the way, w^alk ye in it." About two months 
 after this, Mr. Baldwin visited us again, and 
 baptized Mr. Rich and his wife, a young 
 lady named Lucy Marks, and myself. Af- 
 ter sermon, a large concourse assembled at 
 the river side, and the ordinance was ad- 
 ministered in a Tery solemn and impressive 
 manner. Mr. Rich, and many others, wept 
 the whole time during the services. 
 
39 
 
 I now went on my way rejoicins^; found 
 wisdom's ways to be ways of pleasantness, 
 and all her paths, paths of peace. Mr. 
 Baldwin now resided in Canaan, N. H. and 
 was at this time on his way to the Warren 
 Association, where he reported, as I was 
 told some years after, that he had baptized 
 a young man in Claremont, that he expect- 
 ed would be a preacher of the gospel. But 
 at this time, I had no thought that I should 
 ever attempt to preach. Being encouraged 
 by my good friend, Mr. Peckins, I fre- 
 quentl}^ prayed after sermon, and some- 
 times delivered an address to the people at 
 the close of the meeting, exhorting my fel- 
 low youth with much tenderness to remem- 
 ber their Creator in the days of their youth, 
 &c. This excited much interest in the 
 minds of the people ; some in favour and 
 some against my practice in thus exhorting 
 the people. In the course of a few weeks 
 a number of young people found peace in 
 believing. Deacon Jacob Rice, his wife, 
 and several other respectable people, left 
 the Congregational church and were bap- 
 tized by Mr. Baldwin, and by Mr. Jedediah 
 Hibberd, of Lebanon, N. H. New in- 
 stances of conviction appeared from week 
 to week. The increasing congregation, 
 with great attention, listened to the preach- 
 ed word. The prospect was very encour- 
 aging that the good work would continue 
 and abound. 
 
40 
 
 Thus I proceeded till I came to the 
 knowledge of a report that was current 
 among the people, that I was about to com- 
 mence in the work of the gospel ministry. 
 This tried my feelings, and for a while pre- 
 vented my speaking in public, lest thereby 
 the report should be confirmed in the pub- 
 lic mind ; for as yet 1 had no thought of 
 any such thing. 
 
 But I met with a great disappointment 
 in my worldly plans, which for awhile 
 caused me some trouble. I was sensible 
 that my father was dissatisfied with my be- 
 coming a Baptist, as I thereby had re- 
 nounced all he had done for my salvation 
 in dedicating me to God by sprinkling, at 
 about ten or eleven years of age. He at- 
 tended my baptism, but told some one that 
 he had rather have followed me to my 
 grave. But, as he had said very little to 
 me on the subject, and as he always ap- 
 peared pleasant and satisfied with my man- 
 agement of the farm; and was considered, 
 by all that knew him, to be a man of strict 
 integrity, I had not the least thought that 
 he would fall from the contract he had 
 made with me, to give me a deed of half his 
 farm, &c. But when I told him that I had 
 prepared materials for building a house, 
 had engaged a carpenter, and wished the 
 writings might be completed as had been 
 agreed on, his countenance fell. He hesi- 
 tated awhile, and then said, " he thought 
 
41 
 
 there were buildings enough on this little 
 farm." I understood his determination, 
 and said no more. I soon sold my lumber, 
 &c. and moved out of his house. Some 
 time after, I asked him for the use of his 
 oxen a little while. He said his oxen had 
 a great deal to do. I left him much griev- 
 ed that the conduct of one of the kindest 
 of parents had so changed towards me. 
 We divided the produce of the farm with- 
 out the least difficulty. I was careful not 
 to ask him for any favour. 
 
 For some weeks my mind was depressed 
 on account of the disappointment. But I 
 was enabled by prayer to look to the Lord 
 for support and direction. That word. 
 Psalm xxxvii. 5, was some comfort to me 
 then, and has been many times since ; 
 ^' Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust 
 thou also in him ; and he shall bring it to 
 pass." And also those precious words of 
 our Lord, Matthew, xix. 29, '* And every 
 one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, 
 or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or 
 children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall 
 receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit 
 everlasting life." 
 
 It was not long after this disappointment 
 before I began to feel impressed with the 
 thought of entering upon the work of the 
 ministry. But as I felt myself destitute of 
 the necessary qualifications for so great a 
 4* 
 
42 
 
 work, I endeavoured to dismiss the subject 
 for the present. 
 
 The good work of the Lord continued to 
 prosper. Mr. Peckins was ordained in 
 Claremont about January, 1786. He bap- 
 tized my beloved wife in March, and others 
 soon after. An ecclesiastical council was 
 convened about July this year, when those 
 of us who had been baptized on the profes- 
 sion of our faith, united together in solemn 
 covenant, and received the fellowship of 
 the council as a regular church of Christ. 
 Our number was about seventeen. For a 
 season we walked in the order of the gos- 
 pel as a little band of brethren, bound to- 
 gether by the cords of love. But about 
 February, 1787, I removed my residence 
 to Woodstock, Vt. and joined a Baptist 
 church in that town. Mr. Joel Butler was 
 their Minister. Mr. Peckins soon left 
 Claremont, and settled in Rockingham. 
 After a few years he left that people, and 
 settled in Chelmsford, Mass. where he is 
 still living, is about seventy-eight years of 
 age, and has not preached for several years. 
 Mr. John Parkhurst is now the beloved 
 pastor of the church in Chelmsford. Other 
 members of the little church in Claremont, 
 removed into the state of New York, and 
 others were removed by death, so that they 
 were unable to maintain public worship, 
 and the cause languished for many years, 
 till about eight years since, when the Lord 
 
43 
 
 revived his work of grace in that town. 
 A Baptist church was constituted about the 
 year 1824. Since then, they have become 
 large and respectable. They have a splen- 
 did meeting-house, and a full congregation 
 in the centre of the town. Mr. Leonard 
 Tracy is their beloved pastor, is much re- 
 spected, and his labours greatly blessed. 
 
CHAPTER IIL 
 
 When I had been received a member of 
 tbe church in Woodstock, I found myself 
 connected with a very respectable brother- 
 hood, consisting of a goodly number of 
 well informed, gifted brethren, living in 
 Christian union. The minister was absent 
 the greatest part of the time, and after a 
 few months left this people and settled in 
 Templeton. But the church kept up pub- 
 lic worship, and a considerable assembly 
 attended. Their order of exercises were, 
 1st, singing; 2d, prayer; 3d, singing; 4th, 
 reading the Scriptures ; 5th, remarks on 
 what was read, or exhortation and prayer, 
 as the brethren felt freedom. Many were 
 edified and comforted in these meetings. 
 Here I enjoyed great freedom in exhorta- 
 tion and prayer. Being invited, I took up 
 a large portion of the time. And yet I did 
 not feel satisfied. My mind was now so 
 completely taken up on the subject of 
 preaching that I could think of little else. 
 One text after another would seem to open 
 to my understanding, so that I thought I 
 could preach from them. The Scriptures 
 were very precious ; I read them with 
 
45 
 
 great delight, and meditated therein day 
 and night. I slept but little, and when I 
 did sleep I sometimes talked in my sleep, 
 and preached so loud as to wake my wife 
 an(J others in the house, when my wife 
 would awake me. 
 
 I frequently dreamed of preaching. 
 One instance 1 will here notice, although I 
 never placed much dependence on it, and 
 seldom ever mentioned it. 
 
 I dreamed I went to a certain private 
 house where I expected to hear a sermon. 
 When I arrived, the exercises were not 
 begun, and I saw no preacher. I thought 
 I asked a young man that stood by the door 
 whether the preacher had come. He said, 
 yes, you are the preacher ; the people have 
 met expecting to hear you preach. Then, 
 as I thought, I stepped into the room and 
 looked round upon the people, who ap- 
 peared to be in a remarkable smiling mood. 
 The congregation seemed to consist of old 
 gray headed people and young people. I 
 thought I could discover a contemptuous 
 smile on every face, as though they held 
 the preacher in great contempt. In my 
 dream I thought I stepped to a table, took 
 up the Bible, and turned to the following 
 text and read it, Isa. iii. 9, '' The show of 
 their countenance doth witness against 
 them ; they declare their sin as Sodom, 
 they hide it not. Wo unto their soul ! 
 For they have rewarded evil unto them* 
 
46 
 
 gelves." I proceeded in my dream to illus- 
 trate and improve my text. 1st. Men's 
 countenances witness against them when 
 their general deportment, or conduct, was 
 contrary to the word of God. As the 
 countenance distinguishes the person, so 
 the conduct the character. If they make 
 a mock at sin, or trifle with sacred things, 
 their conduct witnesseth ao:ainst them. 
 2d. The sin of such transgressors is of a 
 heinous nature, like the sin of Sodom. The 
 wo of the Almighty is upon them. Such 
 bold transgressors injure themselves more 
 than they injure any other being. They 
 have rewarded evil to themselves. And 
 while I thus addressed tliem in my dream, 
 I thought the people became very solemn ; 
 many were affected to tears. I closed my 
 discourse, walked away a few rods and 
 awoke ; and, behold, it was a dream. 
 
 As I reflected on it, I recollected no 
 other performance in the meeting but 
 preaching, and had recognized none with 
 whom I was acquainted. But what seem- 
 ed the most extraordinary was in reference 
 to the text. I might have been able to 
 recollect that there were some such words 
 in the Bible, but could not have repeated 
 them, or told where they were, only I had 
 dreamed, &c. Lest I should forget, I arose, 
 struck a light, and found the text, Isa. iii. 9, 
 'as I had dreamed. This, however, I relate 
 only as a dream ; and although it had some 
 
47 
 
 effect on my mind at the time, yet I was far 
 from being decided as to what was my duty 
 in this case. At times I retired to the for- 
 est and walked among the trees, pondering 
 on the subject ; and, before I was aware, 
 would find myself preaching to the trees. 
 Sometimes I concluded I would engage in 
 the wd* rk. Then again a sense of the great- 
 ness of the work, the responsibility attach- 
 ed to the sacred office of a gospel minister, 
 and my unworthiness, want of talents, 
 learning and experience, would so over- 
 whelm me that I would think I should nev- 
 er attempt to preach, and would then try 
 to put the subject out of my mind. But 
 very soon, some text would engage my 
 thoughts, and I would have a sermon all ar- 
 ranged. Thus I was like a man trying to 
 get to sleep ; the more he tries, the more 
 wakeful he is. The painful suspense in my 
 mind became more distressing. I prayed 
 earnestly that, if it was my duty to go for- 
 ward in the work, the Lord would make it 
 plain ; or if it was not my duty, that he 
 would remove the subject from my mind. 
 At length the question was in some meas- 
 ure settled, and I commenced the great 
 work in a way I had not thought of 
 
 That text in Job, xxv. 4, " How then can 
 man be justified with God?" had for sev- 
 eral days and nights laid with great weight 
 on my mind. I felt a desire for an oppor- 
 tunity to state the question and attempt to 
 
48 
 
 give a scriptural answer. As yet, I had not 
 revealed my mind on this subject to any 
 person. My dear wife had for some time 
 suffered with anxiety for fear that I should 
 take up preaching ; but now, having seen 
 my perplexity, as she supposed, on this 
 subject, she told me she was willing I 
 should preach if I thought it to be my 
 duty. On Sabbath morning I put a small 
 Bible in my pocket and went into meeting, 
 intending, if opportunity presented, to read 
 the chapter and mai?:e my remarks on the 
 question, &c. One of the deacons, as usual, 
 commenced the meeting by singing, prayer 
 and reading the Scriptures ; but instead of 
 addressing the people himself, as he had 
 done before, he called on me to speak. I 
 gladly embraced the opportunity. I did 
 not take the Bible out of my pocket, for 
 fear it should be called preaching. I re- 
 peated the text and stated the question, 
 with its difficulties ; — the holiness of God ; 
 his infinite justice ; the righteousness of his 
 holy law ; the sinfulness of man, &c. In 
 answer to the question mentioned, the com- 
 plete satisfaction of the atonement accom- 
 plished by the death of Christ ; the cov- 
 enant of redemption ; the work of the holy 
 Spirit, in making application of the Sav- 
 iour's merits, &c., I spoke with freedom 
 and much feeling thirty or forty minutes, 
 and left speaking with many thoughts un- 
 expressed. 
 
49 
 
 At noon the deacons came and requested 
 me to take the lead of the meeting, anci 
 speak to the people as I felt freedom. I 
 chose a text, and through the exercises I 
 enjoyed freedom of thought and speech. 
 I had less feeling than I had in the morn- 
 ing; but was deliberate, and perhaps more 
 edifying to the people. The deacon de- 
 sired the church to tarry after the congre- 
 gation retired. And, without consulting 
 or examining me on the subject, the church 
 proceeded and voted, unanimously, to give 
 me a letter of license as a candidate for the 
 gospel ministry. This was done in April, 
 1787. Now I felt at liberty to go forth, 
 and, in my feeble measure, proclaim the 
 glorious truths of the gospel of Christ to 
 my dying fellow men. 
 
 A number of young people were now 
 under concern for their salvation. Mr. 
 John Peckins came and preached a powerful 
 sermon ; after w^hich, while I was exhort- 
 ing the people, there was much weeping 
 and sobbing through the assembly, which 
 increased till at length many broke out into 
 a loud cry, which continued for an hour or 
 more. We had somethino; similar at a meet- 
 ing the next day, but we had to lament 
 over the most of those who made the great- 
 est outcry ; for they soon returned to their 
 former courses. But others brought forth 
 fruit. One young lad, by the name of Ora 
 Butler, son of Elder Joel Butler, who ap- 
 5 
 
50 
 
 peared to be awakened at that time, has 
 since become a Baptist minister in the state 
 of New York. 
 
 I continued to preach in Woodstock, and 
 in towns adjacent, till I received an invita- 
 tion from the Baptist church in Windsor, 
 Vt. I removed my family to this town in 
 November, 1787, and became the stated 
 preacher to this little church of eleven 
 members, containing only five males. We 
 held our meetings in a private house, two 
 miles West of the village, in the East parish. 
 At this time there was no settled minister 
 in this parish. Our place was soon filled 
 to overflowing. During the winter there 
 was an increasing attention among the 
 young people. Toward spring some were 
 l3rought into gospel liberty, and could rec- 
 ommend the Saviour to others. I felt my 
 heart very much drawn out in prayer for 
 the dear youth. And I was often, melted 
 into tenderness while urging upon them 
 the love of our dying Saviour. Nor was I 
 satiiSfied with praying for them in public, 
 but I aoonized in secret. There was a de- 
 lightful water-fall in a pleasant grove, at a 
 little distance fi'om my dwelling, where I 
 spent many precious seasons in prostrating 
 myself before the Lord, mingling my fee- 
 ble voice with the sound of many waters, 
 in humble supplication for the blessing of 
 God to descend upon the souls of the peo- 
 ple to whom I preached the word. But sin 
 
51 
 
 was mixed with all I did. I often thought 
 that it was presumption to look for a divine 
 blessing to attend the labours of one so 
 weak and unworthy as I was ; and yet, if 
 any were brought to rejoice in hope under 
 my preaching, this wretched heart would be 
 seeking self-praise. But the Lord wrought 
 wonders ; and by the month of May, a con- 
 siderable number were made to rejoice in 
 hope, and were ready to offer themselves 
 as candidates for baptism. 
 
 Now the church thought of calling me 
 to ordination. I trembled to think of it. 
 I felt need of more knowledge and expe- 
 rience, before I should be set apart by the 
 laying on of hands. I thought it doubtful 
 w hether a council would think it expedient 
 to ordain one every way so deficient But 
 the church plead necessity ; ministers of 
 the denomination were scarce ; it was diffi- 
 cult to obtain an administrator, &c. I sub- 
 mitted the subject to the judgment of the 
 church and council. By the request of the 
 Baptist church of Christ, in Windsor, a 
 council met on the 1 8th day of June, 1788. 
 After examination, they voted to proceed 
 to ordain me as pastor over that church. 
 The following ministers took part in the 
 public services, viz. Elder Joseph Cornell 
 offered the introductory prayer ; Elder 
 William Grow, preached the sermon, from 
 Matt, xxviii. 19 & 20. ; Elder Ebenezer 
 Bailey, offered the ordaining prayer, while 
 
52 
 
 ministering brethren present, laid on their 
 hands ; Elder Joseph Cornell, gave the 
 charge, and Elder Joseph Call, gave the 
 hand of fellowship. Elder William Grow, 
 was moderator ; and Elder Joseph Call, 
 clerk. Elder Henrv Green, of Wallino-- 
 ford, and Elder Stephen Royce, of Lan- 
 dafF, also several brethren, as messengers, 
 attended the council. This ordination took 
 place in the Congregational meeting-house. 
 The assembly was large. The public ser- 
 vices were performed with great solemnity 
 and propriety. 
 
 The next Sabbath I baptized several of 
 the young converts, and scon after more ; 
 and so continued to do for about four 
 months, vv^hen I had baptized about thirty. 
 The greater part of those who joined the 
 meeting and the church after the first year. 
 cam e fro m t h e W e st p a r i sh . O u r m e e t i n g s 
 increased till no building owned by any 
 of the society could contain the people ; 
 and our meetings were removed from Sab- 
 bath to Sabbath to different parts of the 
 town, that each part mio;ht have a share of 
 the privilege of attending the meetings. 
 For a time our meeting was held in a large 
 school-house, in the West parish, contain- 
 ing a spacious hall. But the place was 
 soon too strait for us. 
 
 Rev. Peletiah Chapen, minister in this 
 parish, was dismissed about January, 17S9, 
 and was baptized sometime after by Eider 
 
5S 
 
 Ezra Wilmoth, in Plymouth, N. H. The 
 Congregational meeting-house was now un- 
 occupied. Some gentlemen in the parish 
 advised the Baptist society to apply for the 
 use of it. But my friends, expecting there 
 would be objections made against it, no ap- 
 plication was made by them. At length, 
 some gentlemen of the parish, called a par- 
 ish meeting of their own accord. Almost 
 the whole parish attended. After the 
 meeting was opened, a motion was made to 
 invite the Baptist church and society to 
 meet in their meeting-house, -when they 
 had no preacher, and a vote passed. A 
 committee chosen at the meeting politely 
 waited on me and presented the invitation. 
 I gave them thanks, and told them I would 
 lay the matter before my people at a con- 
 venient time. I was afterward informed 
 that there were only three men that oppos- 
 ed the vote, and they were violent. They 
 were Mr. W. R., Mr. S. T., and Mr. J. N, 
 Mr. W. R. holding a large hickory staff in 
 his hand, said thus, "Whenever there is a 
 meeting held in this house, I calculate to 
 attend. I set near the pulpit, and always 
 have this staff with me ; and I presume 
 that P. will not get by me into the pulpit.'* 
 Mr. S. T. said he had rather see h — fire in 
 the pulpit than to see P. there. Mr. J. N, 
 said he w^ished to G — the meeting-house 
 was in flames. 
 
 6* 
 
54 
 
 Now the reader will notice what follow* 
 ed. In a few days after this, 1 was request- 
 ed to preach at the funeral of a very re- 
 spectable old lady. The man with the 
 large staff was there to hear me for the first 
 time. He placed himself directly before 
 me, and appeared as though he expected 
 to look me out of countenance, and I did 
 not know but he would ; for I felt myself 
 like a stripling before him. But I had not 
 proceeded far in my discourse, before he 
 began to look down, and then looked up 
 with water in his eyes; at length, he bowed 
 down and wept during the remainder of 
 the sermon, like a child that had been 
 severely chastised. He soon proposed to 
 the church of which he was an officer, to 
 concur v/ith the vote of the parish, which 
 was promptly done ; he gave me a copy of 
 their vote, invited me to his house, became 
 a constant hearer, friend and benefactor, a8 
 long as I lived in the town. About one 
 week after the parish meeting, Mr. S. T. 
 had a little daughter so badly scalded, that 
 it died in a few hours. I was called to at- 
 tend the funeral. The parents were much 
 affected, but said very little till a few 
 months after, when their only son, five 
 years old, playing about the mill-pond, fell 
 in and was drowned. I attended the fune- 
 ral of the child, by request of the parents. 
 Now they were in great trouble, not on ac- 
 count of the death of their children only. 
 
55 
 
 but for their own souls, lest they should die 
 in their sins and be lost for ever. They 
 both obtained hope, tlirough grace ; and a 
 few w^eeks after the death of their little 
 son, I baptized them near the spot where 
 he was drowned. Mr. J. N. came to me 
 about two weeks after the parish meeting 
 and informed me that his wife, having heard 
 me preach some time before, was in great 
 trouble of mind, and had a desire to con- 
 verse with me. He requested me to preach 
 at his house and spend the night with him, 
 &c. I complied with his request. His 
 wife soon rejoiced in hope, and was baptiz- 
 ed ; he became very friendly, and with his 
 family attended our meeting ever after. 
 Thus the Braker came up before us and 
 opened an effectual door that no man could 
 shut. The difficulties being all removed, 
 we peaceably took possession of the meet- 
 ing-house, and enjoyed it uninterruptedly 
 as long as I stayed in the town. Almost 
 every family in the parish, and many in 
 the East parish, attended our meetings, and 
 members were added to the church from 
 Hartland, Wethersfield and Reading, ad- 
 joining towns. 
 
 In addition to my labours in this town, I 
 travelled and preached among the destitute 
 in different parts of this State, and New 
 Hampshire. 
 
 Soon after I was ordained, I journeyed 
 to Coos, by the way of White River. I 
 
56 
 
 preached and baptized in Royaiton and 
 Bethel ; went to Tunbridge and preach- 
 ed in Mr. Benedict's barn, in the morn- 
 ing, and was surprised to see so many 
 people collect, so early in the day, in such 
 a wilderness part of the country. They 
 heard as for eternity. One young man 
 and his wife came five miles from Ran- 
 dolph on foot. They were very urgent 
 that I should go home with them, and 
 preach in the afternoon at their house. 
 They entreated me with tears till I consent- 
 ed. Soon after I set out for their dwelling 
 I came to a deep stream, drove my horse 
 through and walked over on a log. Hav- 
 ing rode several miles in the woods, by 
 marked trees, I came into a path among 
 the new settlers, and to the young man's 
 house. As we were passing he sent notice 
 of my preaching in every direction. The 
 men came from their labour, as the message 
 found them, while rolling burnt logs, &c. 
 about as black as Africans. They were all 
 attention. Before I closed my discourse, 
 the tears had made w^hite paths down their 
 cheeks. After sermon, a gentleman, a lit- 
 tle better clad than the rest, invited me to 
 go home with him, but it was two miles 
 out of my way ; and being weary, I thank- 
 ed him and declined. The young man 
 said he should be glad to have me tarry 
 with him if he had entertainment for me ; 
 but he had nothing for me to eat, and no 
 
57 
 
 where for me to lodge. I asked him if he 
 had bread and milk? Yes, said he, we have 
 bread and milk, and that is all we have. I 
 told him I wanted nothing: better, and could 
 lodge myself. My young friends were 
 new settlers in the region ; had built a log- 
 cabin, but it was not nnislied. About half 
 the floor was covered with split logs, flat 
 side up ; the rest was bare ground ; the roof 
 was covered with bark, and a space left 
 open for a chimney ; a space for a door, but 
 none hung. After evening worship, I ate 
 my bread and milk with good relish, laid 
 my saddle for a pillow, wrapped my great 
 coat about me and laid mvself down on the 
 split logs. Being weary, I slept soundly. 
 I rose early, felt refreshed, and was on my' 
 horse before sunrise. The kind young man 
 piloted me into the great road leading to 
 Coos. He was much affected when we 
 parted ; and I expected never to see him 
 again in this life. But about three months 
 alter, I visited the town again, by special 
 request, and baptized the young man, his 
 wife, and two of his neighbours. I supj)0se 
 this was the first time this holy ordinance 
 was administered in Randolph. 
 
 I pursued my journey, arrived in Ver- 
 shire, and preached in the evening. Next 
 day I rode to Corinth, and preached. The 
 next dav I rode to Bradford in the fore- 
 noon, and was informed by my friend, i>u\ 
 Picket, that he had received the notice I 
 
58 
 
 had sent him, and had appointed a meeting 
 in his barn, at 2 o'clock, P. M. and I might 
 expect a large assembly. This was within 
 a mile or two of my former residence, in 
 Piermont. The thought of preaching to 
 my former acquaintance, brought a trial 
 upon my mind. I retired, and tried to 
 pour out my soul for divine assistance. 
 The people assembled before the time. 
 While I was waiting for the arrival of the 
 time appointed, and looking on the great 
 assembly, every eye seemed to be fixed 
 upon me, as though it was a strange thing 
 that I should appear among them in the 
 character of a preacher. Nor was it less 
 strange to myself While I could recog- 
 nize almost every countenance, and think 
 how much of my precious time I had spent 
 with them in sin and vanity, I said to my- 
 self, how can I preach to this people? All 
 was still as night, till one broke silence by 
 asking me how long it was since I had ex- 
 perienced religion. I then arose and pre- 
 faced my public exercises with a brief ac- 
 count of my experience. The people ap- 
 peared very attentive. I took for my text, 
 these words, *' Let us have grace whereby 
 we may serve God acceptably." I en- 
 deavoured, by scriptural arguments, to show 
 the necessity of having grace to serve God 
 acceptably. I spoke with freedom and 
 much affection, and the power of the Lord 
 attended the word ; many souls in that as- 
 
59 
 
 sembly, I have no doubt, were convinced 
 of their sinful and lost state. 
 
 The next day I preached in Mr. Solo- 
 man Bailey's barn, in Piermont. His mind 
 was deeply impressed with what he heard 
 the day before. Here a large company of 
 my former acquaintance assembled. I felt 
 great solicitude for their salvation. I 
 preached from Malachi iii. 9, " Ye are 
 cursed with a curse ; for ye have robbed 
 me, even this whole nation." I have rea- 
 son to believe that many received lasting 
 impressions at this meeting. I conversed 
 with many personally, who were affected 
 to tears, particularly Mr. D. H. with whom 
 I had spent many evenings in civil recre- 
 ation, while he was a member of a church. 
 I asked him what his motives were in join- 
 ing the church. He said he thought he 
 had [)etter be a hypocrite than nothing. 
 I reminded him of the awful woes our 
 Saviour denounced upon hypocrites. He 
 appeared tenderly impressed ; and at part- 
 ing, he requested an interest in my prayers. 
 I felt much for him. He afterwards wrote 
 me a long and interesting letter; giving me 
 a very satisfactory account of his Christian 
 experience, and joyful hope. 
 
 On this journey I preached in Haverhill, 
 Bath and Landaff. On my return I preach- 
 ed in Lyme. Here I had a distant relation, 
 by the name of Broghton, whom I had not 
 seen. When I had inquired him out, he 
 
60 
 
 entertained me kindly. I preached to a 
 small assembly in his house. Thirty-five 
 years after, I became acquainted with the 
 excellent Nathaniel Kendrick, D. D. Prin- 
 cipal of the Hamilton Institution, N. Y. 
 who told me that he heard me preach at 
 the meeting in Lyme, and that there he 
 received some of his earliest impressions 
 on the great subject of religion, at twelve 
 years of age. I then returned to my fami- 
 ly and flock, and found them all well. 
 
 The prosperity of our Denomination in 
 this State, about this time, is eloquently 
 and justly stated in Rev. David Benedict's 
 Flistory, vol. i. p. 333, as follows. ''Be- 
 tween the years 1780 and 1790, thirty-two 
 churches were planted in Vermont, so that, 
 together with the two wdiich had been 
 planted before, there were at the last men- 
 tioned date, thirty-four churches in this 
 State, in which were twenty -eight ordain- 
 ed, and fifteen licensed preachers, and their 
 whole number of communicants was about 
 sixteen hundred. Elisha Ransom, Elisha 
 Rich, Joseph Cornell, Thomas Skeels, 
 Hezekiah Eastman, William Bentley, John 
 Hibbard, John Peak, Caleb Blood, Aaron 
 Lealand, Isaac Beal, John Drew, Isaac 
 Webb, Henry Green, Isaiah Stone, and 
 Joseph Call, were among the first Baptist 
 ministers, who settled in this State ; and by 
 who^e laborious and evangelical exertions, 
 the early churches were planted." 
 
61 
 
 For a time there was no minister in 
 Windsor, except myself, and demands for 
 my labours were increasing daily. As the 
 church and congregation of my particular 
 charge had now become comparatively 
 large, it was thought they were able to 
 give me a comfortable support, so that I 
 might devote myself to the ministry of the 
 w^ord among them. And after we occupi- 
 ed the meeting-house, and the parish gen- 
 erally attended my ministry, I did expect 
 that something of the kind would be done. 
 But at length I was convinced that the 
 people intended no such thing. I had 
 leave to be absent a part of the time, as 
 duty might require ; but this afforded me 
 no pecuniary relief; for I received almost 
 nothing when I itinerated. I had expend- 
 ed nearly all I had accumulated, before I 
 commenced preaching. I came to a con- 
 clusion that I must commence business as 
 a tailor, or my family must suffer. But, to 
 take off occasion, I mentioned it first in 
 church-meeting, by way of asking counsel, 
 whether it was advisable for me, under ex- 
 isting circumstances, to set up my business 
 as a tailor. Brother B. replied promptly, 
 *' no, by no means, but give thyself wholly 
 to the ministry ; there was work enough 
 without setting up my trade." Brother T. 
 replied, that " he wished that I could give 
 myself wholly to the work of the ministry; 
 but my family must be supported, and if I 
 6 
 
62 
 
 was required to give myself wholly to 
 these things, they ought to raise a salary of 
 eighty pounds for my support." Brother 
 B. replied, "that would spoil me, by mak- 
 ing me a hireling," &c. No resolve was 
 passed. 
 
 I soon agreed with a carpenter, to build 
 me a shop. I had procurred, partly by the 
 help of friends, seven acres of land, prin- 
 cipally covered with wood ; on which was 
 a small house and barn, a garden, and some 
 fruit trees, located on a large road near the 
 meeting-house. I entered into partnership 
 with a steady and trusty young man, who 
 was a good workman, and took three female 
 apprentices. I agreed to furnish wood for 
 the shop, board him and the apprentices, 
 work myself part of the time, or when I 
 was at leisure ; the profits to be equally 
 divided between me and my partner. We 
 had work enough and prompt pay ; found 
 it profitable, and went on in peace and 
 quietness. My people were wonderfully 
 pleased to see that I could maintain myself 
 and family. But my shop took too much 
 of my attention. After about two years, 
 my partner set up in business by himself^ 
 in Claremont. Now I must give up the 
 shop altogether, or attend to it more close- 
 ly than ever. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 After my ordination I felt, more than 
 I had done before, the want of learning 
 and theological information. Had I realis- 
 ed before I commenced preaching, as I now 
 did, how deficient I was, and how difficult 
 it would be "to do the work of an evan- 
 gelist" Avithout further preparation, I think 
 i could not have commenced. But I had 
 now vowed to the Lord, and could not go 
 back. I wrote with much feeling to my 
 good friend and brother, Mr. Baldwin, ex- 
 pressing my trials ; and received a kind 
 answer. He tried to encourage me to per- 
 severe in the good work ; saying, that all 
 ministers had trials ; some in one way, and 
 some in another. He recommended sev- 
 eral books for my help. I obtained Butter- 
 worth's Concordance ; Locke on Human 
 Understanding and Ontology ; Watts' Log- 
 ic and Improvement of the Mind ; Mason 
 on Self Knowledge; Blair's Lectures on 
 Rhetoric ; Claud on Sermonizing, with 
 Robinson's Notes ; some part of Gill and 
 Henry's Expositions, &c. &l^ These books 
 I obtained, one or two at a time, as I found 
 it practicable. 
 
64 
 
 I read them with avidity, and felt much 
 satisfaction in studying them, in connection 
 with the word of God. Indeed, I saw 
 more of my ignorance than I had realised 
 before. But I found I was not alone. The 
 w^orld of mankind in general are involved 
 in darkness, in respect to things temporal 
 and spiritual. But knowledge is attaina- 
 ble. Some have attained a good degree of 
 it, and I was eager to pursue it. But, my 
 public engagements ; my family ; my shop ; 
 all pressed into my mind ! How could I 
 pursue the desired object ! Sometimes I 
 laboured till late in the night to redeem 
 time to preach the next day. Then I 
 would think I must leave this people and 
 go to some place, where I could be sus- 
 tained, and devote myself to the sacred 
 work, which I loved above every other 
 employment. But I was affectionately at- 
 tached to the people gathered under my 
 labours, and I did not think it was for want 
 of affection or ability that they did not sup- 
 port me ; but it was the covetous policy of 
 the day, that deemed it wicked for the peo- 
 ple to give, or the minister to receive any 
 thing for preaching. Study and learning 
 were esteemed worse than useless. 
 
 These unhappy prejudices were doubt- 
 less strengthened by the arbitrary measure 
 pursued in some towns, of taxing the Bap- 
 tists for the support of ministers of other 
 denominations, An attempt was mad^ 
 
65 
 
 about this time to obtain a law of the 
 State, for a general assessment for the sup- 
 port of preachers, similar to what had been 
 attempted in the State of Virginia ; which 
 was boldly advocated in a large number of 
 publications in the newspapers, by a reve- 
 rend clergyman. But these pieces were 
 answered in a very able, candid and forci- 
 ble manner, by a reputable Baptist, Dr. 
 Fletcher, of Cavendish. His clear refuta- 
 tion of the arguments employed by the 
 clergyman, and his powerful appeals to the 
 public in defence of religious liberty, put 
 to silence the clergyman ; and the object of 
 a general assessment, for the present, w^as 
 given up. Dr. Fletcher was an eminent 
 physician, and judge of the county for 
 many years. The celebrated lawyer of 
 the same name in Boston, is the son of 
 the judge. 
 
 In the years 1790 and 1792, there was an 
 extensive revival in the Baptist churches, 
 in the East part of the State of New 
 HamDshire, extending^ more or less into 
 about twenty townships ; and only five 
 Baptist preachers in all that region. I 
 was solicited to visit them. At length a 
 preacher came to see me, directly from the 
 great field, and urged me to go and see the 
 destitute people. 
 
 We had at this time an ordained brother 
 in the church, who was esteemed as a good 
 man and an able preacher. He had been 
 6* 
 
66 ^ 
 
 out of health, but was now able to preach, 
 and generally supplied the pulpit in my 
 absence. I commenced my journey to the 
 East part of New Hampshire, in June, 
 1792, taking w^ith me a certificate of which 
 the following is a copy. " The Baptist 
 church of Christ in Windsor. A recom- 
 mendation, to whom it may concern. This 
 may certify, that Elder John Peak, our 
 much beloved and faithful pastor, has been 
 legally set apart to the work of the ministry 
 of the word, and ordinances of the New 
 Testament, and is well reported of with us, 
 not only by the church, but by the people 
 in general, and we do hereby recommend 
 him, as such, to all Christian people wher- 
 ever he may journey, believing that his gifts 
 will make his way for him ; hoping that, 
 through divine goodness, he may be instru- 
 mental of winning many souls, and of com- 
 forting God's people. Done by order of 
 the Church, Windsor, Vt. June 1, 1792. 
 Attest, Nathaniel Kendall, Scribe, 
 1 preached in New Salisbury, Deerfield, 
 Lee, New Market, Exeter, Stratham, 
 Kingston, Southampton, Newtown, Ames- 
 bury, Plastow, Haverhill, Sandtown, Brent- 
 w^ood, Sanbornton, &c. I preached before 
 the New Hampshire Association, in Deer- 
 lield. There were four times as many 
 people assembled as could get into the 
 meeting-house ; but those within, heard 
 with great attention. And wherever I ad- 
 
67 
 
 dressed the people, I had large assemblies, 
 and deeply affected hearers ; and saw a 
 great number of young converts, and many 
 precious youth in tears, under a painful 
 sense of their guilty, perishing state. 
 
 The people overwhelmed me with their 
 kindness. I received three formal invita- 
 tions in different towns, to become their 
 stated preacher. I was from home about 
 thirty days ; rode about three hundred 
 miles; preached thirty times; arrived in 
 health, and found all well. Thanks to our 
 Preserver. The cash received for servi- 
 ces on this journey, amounted to more in 
 value than all I had received in the year 
 past. 
 
 I returned home on Saturday. Mr. 
 Joshua Smith, a licensed preacher, came 
 with me from New Hampshire, and spent 
 the Sabbath with us. At his request, the 
 church met at noon. He, having been 
 with me most of the journey, related to 
 the church something of the happy state of 
 revival in New Hampshire, and the want 
 of ministers ; the manner in which my la- 
 bours had been received ; and read to them 
 the invitations presented me. He told 
 them he did not know what I would think 
 was duty to do in the case ; but if I should 
 ask a dismission from my pastoral charge, 
 he hoped they would cheerfully grant my 
 request ; for he thought it would be very 
 wrong for them to require me to stay with 
 
68 
 
 them, and confine myself to my shop to 
 support my family, when Providence had 
 prepared the way for me to be supported, 
 so that I might devote myself wholly to the 
 sacred work. The feelings of the church 
 were such that they wept to excess. How- 
 ever, little more was said for a while. I 
 visited the region in New Hampshire again, 
 and made arrangements to remove my fam- 
 ily to Deerfield, in January, 1793, and then 
 returned and asked my dismission. 
 
 Now the trial came on, and was deeply 
 felt by the church and myself. Some said 
 one thing and some another. But one 
 thing was more talked of than any thing 
 else. Several individuals had generously 
 subscribed towards paying for my lot and 
 buildings. It was said that when the sub- 
 scriptions were given, it was expected that 
 I should stay with them during life. Al- 
 though no such stipulation was ever men- 
 tioned, yet they thought it to be wrong in 
 me to hold the property and leave them. 
 I had concluded what to do in this case, 
 and told them I could satisfy them on 
 that head, when they were ready to come 
 to a decision on the question. But no 
 decision was obtained till Elder Shephard, 
 of Brentwood, and Elder Ransom met with 
 the church to give advice on the subject. 
 These aged ministers plead hard on oppo- 
 site sides.' Elder Shephard, who had come 
 one hundred miles to attend this meeting, 
 
 
69 
 
 plead that my labours were needed in the 
 county of Rockingham. Elder Ransom 
 plead that I had a wide field of useful la- 
 bour in Windsor and vicinity. He did not 
 see how I could be spared from that region, 
 &c. After this, the church met to decide 
 the question. To satisfy all parties, I pre- 
 sented the deed of my place as a parson- 
 age, to be held in trust for the church, on 
 condition that the church pay me tAventy 
 pounds, the cost of the shop I had built on 
 it. This the church accepted by vote, and 
 appointed a committee to take the deed 
 and have one prepared for me to sign. All 
 which was agreed to ; and they voted to 
 grant my request of dismission from my 
 pastoral office. But at a subsequent meet- 
 ing. Brother Joseph Parmenter made a mo- 
 tion to reconsider the vote to accept a deed 
 of my place. He plead with tears. He 
 thought it cruel, after I had laboured five 
 years for their good, and had received very 
 little, except what had been given toward 
 my place, to take that from me he thought 
 very wrong. Since he had reconsidered 
 the subject he had not been able to take 
 usual repose. He spake with so much 
 good feeling and propriety, it took effect. 
 The vote was so amended as to require me 
 to pay back the subscriptions to all who 
 might require it. To this I agreed, and 
 took back my deed ; sold my place to Mr. 
 Ezekiel Pearsons, for ninety pounds. By 
 
70 
 
 my order he paid over to almost every sub- 
 scriber the full amount of their subscrip- 
 tions. Here we may see what a poor crea- 
 ture man is, Avhen left to himself ! Al- 
 though these things transpired near forty 
 years since, there may be some who can 
 testify to the truth of these facts who are 
 still living in Windsor. But I always felt 
 a tender solicitude for this people, and have 
 enjoyed as much of the sweetness of Chris- 
 tian fellowship with them as, perhaps, with 
 any other people. The little church of 
 eleven members had now increased to sev- 
 enty-five, comprising some of the most 
 wealthy people in the parish ; and they 
 might have had a large and able society to 
 aid them in supporting a minister, but they 
 thought it wrong to enter into any covenant 
 with the people of the land for the support 
 of public worship. - 
 
 At the time of my ordination, the church 
 voted to pay me fifty dollars per year, and 
 this to be assessed on the members of the 
 church, according to ability. About three 
 years after, their committee met for settle- 
 ment with me, and found they were fifty 
 dollars in arrears. This they requested me 
 to relinquish, and they w^ould be punctual in 
 future. I consented ; but never had a set- 
 tlement with them after. I conclude they 
 owed me fifty dollars when I left them, 
 which they never paid. Mr. Donahough, 
 a very respectable Irish gentleman in the 
 
71 
 
 parish said, " Mr. P. had served the people 
 five years for just nothing at all; for all 
 he had received of them would not more 
 than pay the extra expense he was at in 
 consequence of being their minister." I 
 suppose this was very near the truth ; for, 
 from Saturday to Monday my house was 
 frequently thronged with loving friends, 
 who came from a distance to attend meet- 
 ing. After all, I do not lay the whole fault 
 to the people. Perhaps I was as much or 
 more to blame than they. Had I clearly 
 understood their duty, and my own, and 
 faithfully instructed them in this momen- 
 tous part of revealed truth, it might have 
 been better for them and me. 
 
 I left our good brother, Elder Roswell 
 Smith, to preach to them, who continued 
 with them some years, and then went to 
 the upper Province in Canada, where he 
 was living lately, and has been very use- 
 ful. He was born about 1754. 
 
 The church have since understood their 
 duty better, and have done it cheerfully, I 
 trust, and have prospered more since I left 
 them than before. They have become two 
 bands. In the East parish they have an 
 elegant brick meeting-house, with steeple 
 and bell, and a large church and congrega- 
 tion. Rev. Lealand Howard is their pas- 
 tor. They have built a spacious meeting- 
 house in the West parish ; but I do not 
 
72 
 
 know who is their present pastor. May 
 the Lord give them prosperity. 
 
 My friends in Deerfield, N. H. sent 
 three double sleighs, and removed my fur- 
 niture. After paying all demands against 
 me, I owned a good span of horses and 
 a sleigh, with which I took my wife, her 
 sister, and my two children, and left Ver- 
 mont. We arrived safe in Deerfield, Jan- 
 uary 12, 1793. 
 
 Here was a branch of the Brentwood 
 Baptist church, under the pastoral care of 
 their much esteemed Elder Samuel Shep- 
 hard. They had a decent new meeting- 
 house, and an overflowing congregation. I 
 agreed to preach to them half the time for 
 one year. The precious revival which 
 commenced the year before, still continued. 
 
 During my preaching to this people, I 
 baptized twenty, or more, who united with 
 this branch ; among whom was Mr. Wil- 
 liam Bachelder, a native of Boston. He 
 had prepared for college, but was disap- 
 pointed in his expectation of entering, by 
 the death of his father. He had married 
 the daughter of Mr. Benjamin Sanborn, of 
 this town. Here he lived and taught a 
 school, for which he was well qualified. 
 He obtained a hope while he attended on 
 my ministry. Soon after he was baptized, 
 he was licensed as a candidate for the min- 
 istry. He was born in the year 1769. But 
 more of him hereafter. 
 
T3 
 
 Besides preaching in this town, I preach- 
 ed in most of the adjacent towns, and in 
 some at considerable distance. I frequent- 
 ly went to preach, baptize and administer 
 the Lord's supper in places where they 
 had no pastor. 
 
 A happy revival took place in the town of 
 Bow, under the preaching of Mr. Joshua 
 Smith, a licentiate. I was sent for, to bap- 
 tize ; and, although it w^as in the dead of 
 winter, the excitement of the people was 
 such that a great assembly met ; a large 
 company came in sleighs from Concord, in 
 a thick snow storm, to see the wonderful 
 sight. A space was cut in the ice on the 
 mill-pond, and I descended into the liquid 
 grave and baptized two, Mr. Rogers and 
 his wife, the 2d day of February. On the 
 16th of April I baptized sixteen, on the 
 11th of August, eleven, and in the month 
 of October, four; all in the town of Bow. 
 This was the commencement of the church 
 in that town, which is large and respect- 
 able. 
 
 There was a church in Hopkinton, but 
 no pastor. By their request I visited them 
 several times. I rode there on Saturday, 
 in the month of April, arrived after dark, 
 and called at a small house where I was 
 unacquainted. There I learned that the 
 meeting was appointed in the West part of 
 the town, in a barn. I was now at a dis- 
 tance from my friends, weary and chilled 
 7 
 
74 
 
 with the cold. I accepted of the kind in- 
 vitation of the stranger, to stay the night. 
 Next morning I went to the place of meet- 
 ing. When I arrived, I found a large 
 house and barn ; went into the house, but 
 the people felt no interest in the meeting. 
 I tied my horse to a post, and there he 
 stood till night. A large assembly met in 
 the barn. After sermon, Benjamin Dar- 
 ling, Esq. his wife, and another lady, relat- 
 ed their experience, and were received as 
 candidates for baptism and membership ; 
 went directly, some distance, to Contoo- 
 cook river, and administered the holy ordi- 
 nance. On my return I stepped into a 
 house and obtained a small dry biscuit ; 
 walked to the barn and preached to a sol- 
 emn and attentive congregation ; received 
 the candidates into the church by the hand 
 of fellowship, and administered the holy 
 ordinance of the Lord's supper. I had not 
 changed my raiment. I had been much 
 animated in my labours through the day ; 
 but after meeting I felt chilled. As the 
 kind stranger's house was the nearest place 
 I could go to, I went there for the night. 
 The good woman furnished me with a 
 change of raiment and dried my clothes. 
 I had a good nights rest, and next day rode 
 home. I do not know that I received any 
 
 freat injury by this imprudent conduct, 
 mprudent I call it, for so it was, if not 
 presumptuous. I hardly feel justified in 
 
75 
 
 mentioning it, but conclude that there is 
 not much danger that any prudent minister 
 will ever imitate the example. Brother 
 Darling was afterwards chosen deacon, and 
 proved faithful, but is gone, I trust, to en- 
 ter into the joy of his Lord. Deacon 
 Young, a good brother in this church in 
 Hopkinton, gave me a good brass eight- 
 day clock, as compensation for my labours 
 among them. 
 
 I now felt myself happily liberated from 
 worldly cares ; my friends in Deerfield be- 
 ing able, Avilling and ready to grant me 
 every indulgence. An effectual door was 
 open. I had more calls than I could com- 
 ply with. Wherever I went was kindly 
 entertained. In many places I saw evident 
 tokens of the divine presence in rendering 
 the word effectual in awakening the impen- 
 itent, and comforting mourners. In Can- 
 dia I baptized seven at one time, and four 
 at another, and I know not how many more 
 at other times, who were added to the 
 church in Deerfield. I went to Goffstown, 
 preached, and baptized seven, and assisted 
 Rev. Samuel Fletcher and others in con- 
 stituting a church. I preached in many 
 towns in the counties of Rockingham and 
 Stratford, and saw much of the good work 
 of the Lord. 
 
 In August, Mr. Nichols, of Woburn, 
 came to Deerfield and spent a Sabbath 
 with us ; and, as an agent for the Baptist 
 
76 
 
 friends in Woburn, he requested me to 
 visit them. I spent a Sabbath and preach- 
 ed with them in September. From thence 
 I went to Attleborough, and attended the 
 Warren Association. Here I became ac- 
 quainted with some venerable Baptist min- 
 isters, of whom I had only heard before, 
 viz. Stillman, Backus, Hynes, Pitman, Fos- 
 ter, Williams, Briggs, Moffit, &c. The op- 
 portunity was peculiarly precious to me. 
 But the introductory sermon delivered by 
 my highly esteemed Brother Baldwin, from 
 Acts XX. 23. "Take heed therefore to your- 
 selves, and to all the flock," &c. was most 
 interesting. O ! with what heart-felt sat- 
 isfaction and delight did I listen to the ser- 
 mon, notwithstanding it made me asham- 
 ed of my own work. Being invited, I 
 preached in the evening, and most of the 
 ministers of the Association were present. 
 I went from the Association, in company 
 with Mr. Baldwin and others, to Boston, 
 which I had not seen before. I was de- 
 lighted with the conversation of the pious 
 people with whom I became acquainted ; 
 preached in Mr. Baldwin's meeting-house, 
 and returned to Deerfield. 
 
 While I resided at Deerfield, I preached 
 several Sabbaths in Newtown. When I 
 was with them I generally appointed the 
 Sabbath when I would come again. On 
 one of these appointments, my v/ife Vvas so 
 unwell on Saturday, that I did not think it 
 
77 
 
 proper for me to leave home. But en- 
 gaged Brother William Bachelder to go in 
 my room, who was then a licensed preach- 
 er. He consented, on condition that I 
 would go in the morning, if I could leave 
 home. My wife was so much better in 
 the morning, that I concluded to go. I sat 
 out early, had twenty-five miles to ride 
 on horseback, and arrived just as Brother 
 Bachelder was commencing the services. 
 He was overjoyed to see me. He had 
 preached but a few times. The meeting- 
 house was full to overflowing. I preach- 
 ed twice, leaving Brother Bachelder to 
 preach with them a few days. 1 returned 
 to my family that night ; but being detain- 
 ed to converse with anxious inquirers, I 
 did not set out till near sun-down, so that I 
 had most of the distance to ride after dark. 
 My meditations were such that I hardly 
 realised the distance. It seemed to me a 
 strange thing that one so unworthy as I 
 was should be permitted to hope i^ the 
 mercy of God ; that I was supported in 
 performing so much labour ; that so many 
 were disposed to give their attention to my 
 feeble communications ; and that there was 
 so much reason to hope that the word by 
 me dispensed, one so inadequate to the 
 sacred work, was blessed to precious souls. 
 Towards the close of the year, I began 
 to think of complying with the urgent re- 
 quest of the people at Newtown, to take 
 
78 
 
 up my residence with them. In Deerfield 
 were three licensed Baptist preachers ; 
 Brethren Peter Moore, John Prescott, and 
 William Bachelder ; all esteemed, but more 
 especially Brother Bachelder. His w^ife's 
 parents were w^ealthy ; great friendship 
 subsisted in the connection ; and I thought, 
 if I left the town, he would be likely to 
 stay with them ; and I was not pleased with 
 the idea of being pastor of a branch of a 
 church. 
 
 Newtown is a small town situated in the 
 South-east corner of New Hampshire, ten 
 miles from Newbury port and six from 
 Haverhill, Mass., and twenty-five from 
 Portsmouth, N. H. ; is about three miles 
 square, and contains about eighty families. 
 The inhabitants consist chiefly of industri- 
 ous, wealthy farmers. They had a decent 
 meeting-house, recently repaired, and near 
 it lived an aged Pedobaptist minister, who 
 had formerly been their preacher many 
 yearii. I believe he was never accused of 
 being super-Calvinistic. There were a 
 few members of the Pedobaptist church 
 living in the place, but most of the people 
 were of the Baptist sentiment. They had 
 for a long time been destitute of stated 
 preaching. Here was a Baptist Church, 
 formed as early as 1755. Mr. Backus in- 
 forms us "that the Baptist church in New- 
 town, N. H. was small in its beginning ; 
 was gathered out of a society of separate 
 
79 
 
 Pedobaptists, in 1755, and was the ojily 
 Baptist church in the State, for fifteen 
 years ; that Walter Powers, father to the 
 late Walter Powers, of Gilmantown, was 
 ordained its pastor the same year it was 
 constituted ; that it increased for a while 
 under his ministry, and then fell into dif- 
 ficulties and divisions, which interrupt- 
 ed its harmony, and finally terminated in 
 its dissolution." Benedict's History, vol. i. 
 page 316. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 There were a number of members be- 
 longing to the Baptist churches in Haver- 
 hill and Brentwood, who resided in New- 
 town and vicinity, and others whom I had 
 baptized, who were desirous of uniting in 
 constituting a church in Newtown, provid- 
 ing I would consent to become their pastor. 
 Most of the people of the town united in 
 forming a Baptist society for the support of 
 preaching ; but the greatest part of the 
 society belonged to the towns adjoining, 
 viz. Southampton, Kingston, Plastow, N. H. 
 and Amesbury, Mass. ; in all about 160 
 rateable polls. 
 
 The people in Deerfield were punc- 
 tual in fulfilling their engagements, besides 
 making me presents, such as I had not been 
 accustomed to receive. We parted in 
 harmony. 
 
 My friends in Newtown provided me 
 with a comfortable house, and I removed 
 my family there in January, 1794. I 
 agreed to preach to this people and to the 
 Baptist people in Woburn, alternately. I 
 commonly tarried at each place two weeks 
 at a time, as they were nearly thirty miles 
 
81 
 
 apart. I had the happiness to see some 
 fruits of my labours in both societies, but 
 by far the greatest in Woburn. Here Avas 
 a very kind, loving people. When I first 
 came among them there was no regular 
 church or society ; but a considerable num- 
 ber, belonging both to the church and 
 society in West Cambridge, soon form- 
 ed a society, and began to make arrange- 
 ments for building a meeting-house. Till 
 their house was finished the meetings were 
 held in the upper story of Capt. Edgeli's 
 house, which was unfinished, but was fitted 
 up with pulpit and seats, and was filled 
 mostly with young people. 
 
 The excellent Mr. Thomas Green had 
 been pastor of the church in Cambridge 
 for a number of years. About this time he 
 left them and went to Danvers, and after- 
 ward to North Yarmouth, Me. where he 
 died, about 1816, much beloved and la- 
 mented. 
 
 While the society were building their 
 meeting-house in Woburn, the Holy Spirit 
 was shed upon the people, and a happy 
 revival commenced. The sudden death of 
 a young man, by the name of Benjamin 
 Edgell, 21 years of age, was a mean of 
 awaking many. On his birth-day, being 
 in company with his young friends who 
 had met for civil amusement, he fell and 
 expired instantly ! He was a young man 
 of promise, of fine appearance and much 
 
82 
 
 belov^ed ; in many respects he left but few 
 equals in the town. He was the son of 
 Capt. Edgell, owner of the house where we 
 held our meetings. Rev. Thomas Bald- 
 win preached at his funeral, from Job xxi. 
 23, 24 ; " One dieth in his full strength, be- 
 ing wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts 
 are full of milk, and his bones are moisten- 
 ed with marrow." Mrs. Edgell and several 
 of her children, soon after the death of their 
 beloved Benjamin, experienced a gracious 
 change and were baptized. Mrs. Edgell 
 lived to a great age, much esteemed for her 
 piety and exemplary life. She departed 
 this life in 1S29, in a happy state of mind. 
 Her son, John Edgell, is an esteemed mem- 
 ber of that church. The good work con- 
 tinued several months. During the season 
 I baptized thirty-five persons, some of them 
 lived in South Reading, where Brother 
 Baldwin baptized several persons. 
 
 After this precious revival, the church 
 was for a time called Cambridge and Wo- 
 burn Church, and at length became two 
 distinct churches. I continued to preach 
 to this people till October, 1795, when I 
 agreed to preach statedly in Newtown. 
 
 Mr. Ames, the aged minister, had moved 
 out of Newtown, and his farm, near the 
 meeting-house, was for sale. Some of my 
 friends united and purchased it for my ac- 
 commodation, and finally sold it to me for 
 nine hundred dollars. It contained forty 
 
83 
 
 acres of land, with good buildings, orchard, 
 &c. From the first of my preaching in 
 this town I had a larger congregation than 
 I had at Deerfield or Woburn. I now call- 
 ed the attention of the brethren to the sub- 
 ject of constituting a church, which was ac- 
 complished in February, 1796, containing, 
 to the best of my recollection, about twen- 
 ty-five members. We adopted for our con- 
 stitution the articles of the Second Baptist 
 Church, in Boston, and had them printed. 
 The people of the town became more 
 attentive to my preaching, and generally 
 attended meeting, with many others from 
 the adjoining towns. 
 
 About this time there appeared in the 
 church an unusual spirit of prayer for a re- 
 vival of religion. I rejoiced to see a few 
 anxious persons, and more solemn attention 
 to the word in the congregation. I felt 
 much tender concern for the souls of my 
 people, and devoted my whole attention to 
 preaching, prayer-meetings, and visiting 
 from house to house, conversing and pray- 
 ing with the tender minded, and others. 
 
 We had a meeting at Mr. Plummer's 
 house, in Amesbury, on a week-day. I 
 preached from Isaiah xxxiii. 22. " For the 
 Lord is our judge, the Lord is our law- 
 giver, the Lord is our king ; he will save 
 us." The time was come for the Spirit to 
 be shed down upon the people. A con- 
 siderable part of the assembly were so 
 
84 
 
 deeply impressed with a sense of their sin- 
 ful, lost state, that they could not conceal 
 their distress. After a few days others 
 were found awakened in like manner. 
 Some, in a short time, were brought to re- 
 joice in hope. Thus the good work con- 
 tinued to extend until it appeared in sev- 
 eral towns, around us. 
 
 We had frequent church-meetings to 
 hear the experience of young converts. I 
 often had the pleasure of administering the 
 holy ordinance of baptism, and for several 
 months we never failed of admitting mem- 
 bers into the church at our monthly com- 
 munions, so that within about one year the 
 church had more than doubled in number. 
 I hired the work done on my farm, so that 
 I devoted my time to my sacred calling ; 
 and had great encouragement thus to do ; 
 for my people were able and willing to 
 give me a good support, and would some- 
 times turn out, en masse, and mow down 
 my grass or hoe a field of corn, gratis. 
 And above all, the Lord granted success to 
 my poor labours. When I contrasted my 
 present situation with what it was in Wind- 
 sor, I felt myself under great obligations to 
 humble gratitude and praise to the Giver 
 of every good and perfect gift, for all his 
 goodness to me and my family. But this 
 heart ! this wretched heart ! how insensi- 
 ble ! how unfeeling under all the conde- 
 scending kindness and mercy of our heav- 
 
85 
 
 enly Benefactor. Taking a retrospective 
 view of those happy days during the refor- 
 mation, it appears to me that I enjoyed 
 more freedom in preaching the gospel, and 
 more heavenly consolation in my mind, 
 than I had for some years before, for so long 
 a time together. 
 
 After a few months, conversions and ad- 
 ditions to the church were less frequent ; 
 but union and peace continued in the 
 church and society. The church joined 
 the 'New Hampshire Baptist Association 
 this year, June, 1796. Among those who 
 were baptized and added to the church 
 about this time, were two brethren who af- 
 terward became preachers, Mr. John Mer- 
 rill, and Mr. David Tuxbury, both of 
 Amesbury. Mr. Merrill, commonly call- 
 ed Capt. Merrill, was forty-five years of 
 age or more when he was baptized ; was a 
 man of business, and possessed considera- 
 ble property. It was a matter of astonish- 
 ment to his neighbours that he should join 
 the Baptists, and still more that he became 
 a preacher. After trial of his gifts, the 
 church thought proper to give him license. 
 He was a man of good sense, and of a kind 
 and amiable disposition, although he was 
 possessed of some singularities. He was 
 more acquainted with men than books, but 
 was generally thought to be pious, and 
 scriptural in his views of gospel truth. He 
 could speak audibly, and declare what he 
 8 
 
so 
 
 knew without intimidation. I do not know 
 that he ever made great sacrifices to labour 
 extensively in the gospel field ; but he 
 preached occasionally wherever he was 
 invited. He has finished his course and 
 gone to give an account of his stewardship, 
 and I trust has entered into peace. 
 / Mr. David Tuxbury was about eighteen 
 years of age when he professed faith in 
 Christ. Not long after this. I had the im- 
 pression from his communications, that in 
 some future day his mind would be led to 
 think of preaching. I was intimate with 
 his respectable family, had baptized his 
 mother and several of his sisters ; and his 
 father and two of his brothers have been 
 baptized since. I intimated to David's 
 father what might be expected concerning 
 his son ; and suo;gested the propriety of 
 sending him to school, as his opportunities 
 had been limited. But the good man 
 thought there was no danger of any such 
 thing, and put him to a butcher, which 
 business he followed about ten years, and 
 accumulated a handsome interest ; then, as 
 he has told me since, his mind was so much 
 exercised on the subject of preaching, that 
 when he went to market with meat he 
 would forget his customers and pass them, 
 and return with his meat unsold. 
 
 Mr. Tuxbury relinquished his business, 
 entered Philips Academy, at Exeter, and 
 tarried one year, at his own expense. The 
 
87 
 
 church called him to ordination in the sum- 
 mer of 1811. Dr. Daniel Sharp preached 
 the sermon. I shall have something more 
 to say of him hereafter. 
 
 In December, 1796, my beloved brother, 
 William Bachelder, v/as ordiuned and set- 
 tled as pastor of the Baptist church in Ber- 
 wick, Me. I was called to attend the coun- 
 sel and requested to preach the ordination 
 sermon. I arranged a sermon in my mind 
 as well as I could, but when the time arriv- 
 ed for me to deliver it, I felt straitened 
 through diffidence. Here were a number 
 of aged brethren in the ministry, Shep- 
 hard, Hooper, Powers and others, older and 
 more experienced than myself; a very 
 large assembly before me ; was in a part of 
 the country where I was a stranger; and a 
 sense of my responsibility altogether bore 
 me down, and led me to cry to the Lord for 
 help. But soon after I commenced, my 
 burden was removed, and I spoke with 
 freedom and much tender feeling. In ad- 
 dressino- the different classes of my audi- 
 ence both ministers and people were much 
 affected. Text, 2 Tim. 'ii. 15 ; '' Study to 
 show thyself approved unto God, a work' 
 man that needeth not to be ashamed, right- 
 ly dividing the word of truth." 
 
 Soon after my return, I received a letter 
 from Brother Bachelder, informing me that 
 his people had expressed a desire to have 
 the sermon printed. This perplexed me ; 
 
88 
 
 for I had expected no such thing; had little 
 or nothing of it written ; did not know that 
 I could recollect it correctly, and doubted 
 whether it was best to consume time and 
 paper with it. After all, I thought it would 
 be a fine thing to see a sermon of mine in 
 print. I went to work, and, by the help of 
 a young collegian, made out a copy, show- 
 ed it to a minister who heard it delivered, 
 and he pronounced it a good copy. I then 
 committed it to the press, and derived some 
 pecuniary advantage from the sale of it, if 
 nothing else. 
 
 I had before this compiled a small hymn 
 book, w^iich passed three editions ; had 
 written several circular letters and some 
 other things, which were printed ; but in 
 preparing this sermon for the press, I was 
 more deeply impressed than ever with a 
 sense of my want of literature. I was now 
 led to pay more attention to English gram- 
 mar, composition, &c. 
 
 I had been told by some Pedobaptists 
 that the want of learning was the cause of 
 my being a Baptist. Being thus stimulat- 
 ed, and having a young gentleman board- 
 ing with me part of the time for two years, 
 as a school-master, who had been educated 
 at Harvard University, I now resolved to 
 improve the opportunity to learn Latin and 
 Greek. I procured suitable books and 
 commenced, but never learned much ; and 
 most of what I learned I soon foraot. But 
 
89 
 
 I found that a very few Greek words were 
 sufiicient to put some cavillers to silence ; 
 one divine said he had not looked into his 
 Greek Testament for five years. Another 
 said he never understood it so as to be able 
 to translate. 
 
 Being chosen by the people, I went 
 Representative to the General Court for 
 the years 1799 and 1800. While I was in 
 Court a bill was brought before the House 
 for a general assessment for the support of 
 gospel ministers, which was committed, 
 and I was chosen on the committee. I 
 was opposed to the passing of any law of 
 the kind, but did not know how to prevent 
 it in the House, but by rendering it as odi- 
 ous as possible. When the committee met, 
 I moved to have the clause struck out of 
 the bill which excepted the Quakers, and 
 argued in favour of my motion, that the 
 Quakers had equal privileges with other 
 citizens, and why should they be exempted 
 from assessment any more than others who 
 might be as conscientious as they. The 
 clause was struck out, and the bill present- 
 ed and read before the House for informa- 
 tion, and a time appointed for the second 
 reading. I afterward saw a Quaker, be- 
 longing to the House, and told him the ob- 
 ject of striking out said clause, and wished 
 him to stimulate his friends to raise all pos- 
 sible opposition to the bill. My object 
 was accomplished, and the bill defeated. 
 8* 
 
90 
 
 But I found many things unpleasant to me 
 in being connected with the General Court. 
 John Adams was now President of the 
 United States, and Thomas Jefferson was 
 candidate for election the next year. Poli- 
 tics ran high, and parties were violent in 
 their opposition. I became dissatisfied in 
 having so much of my mind and time ta- 
 ken up with these things, and declined be- 
 ing a candidate for another year. 
 
 The state of our church and society was 
 harmonious, although there were not many 
 anxious minds among us. But our young 
 converts appeared to walk worthy of their 
 profession. Four years after the church 
 was constituted, it contained about seventy- 
 five members. 
 
 While I resided in this town, I frequent- 
 ly preached in Exeter, Stratham, Methuen, 
 and East parish of Haverhill. Since then, 
 respectable churches have been constitut- 
 ed in all these towns, and others not far dis- 
 tant. The church in Exeter was consti- 
 tuted while I was living at Newtown. Dr. 
 H. Smith, I. Stone, J. Bradley, S. Lovell 
 and myself were the ministers present. 
 Thus the cause of truth was prevailing 
 around us ; and I had gained means to 
 pay about three hundred dollars toward my 
 farm, with fair prospects of paying the 
 whole. But about January, 1801, a sad 
 change in our circumstances took place. 
 A dark cloud overwhelmed all our outward 
 
91 
 
 prospects. One of my neighbours, with 
 whom we had ever lived on terms of friend- 
 ship, and who generally attended our meet- 
 ing, although he had been a member of 
 the old church under parson Ames, a well 
 read man of good abilities, and I ever con- 
 sidered him a systematic, thorough-going 
 old fashioned iVrminian, about sixty years 
 of age, several of whose children and grand 
 children are members of the Baptist church, 
 of a still quiet turn of mind, and from 
 whose influence I apprehended no danger, 
 went one Sabbath out of town to hear 
 a Methodist preacher, and was so well 
 pleased that he invited him into town, to 
 preach a sermon in the meeting-house. 
 Many attended, and he engaged to come 
 again and again. At length a town meet- 
 ing was called to see if the town would 
 grant the use of the meeting-house to the 
 Methodists a part of the time. They set- 
 tled the question by taking every man's 
 name who were in favour of the Baptists, 
 and the names of those who were in favour 
 of the Methodists ; and the use of the 
 meeting-house was granted accordino- to 
 the number of each party, which gave the 
 Methodists about nineteen Sabbaths in the 
 year, which they never failed of improv- 
 ing. Our house was crowded with people, 
 whether I preached or the Methodists. 
 The people were now in great bustle and 
 contention. When meeting closed on Sab- 
 
92 
 
 bath noon, the men would meet on the 
 green before the house, and stand and dis- 
 pute with great warmth till worship com- 
 menced again. This they did Sabbath af- 
 ter Sabbath. 
 
 The Methodist preachers came, one after 
 another, to fill up their time for occupying 
 the meeting-house on the Sabbath, and 
 sometimes on other days. I sometimes 
 heard them at their lectures, but never on 
 the Sabbath. I attended a lecture in the 
 meeting-house when the preacher exhibit- 
 ed a copy of our church articles of faith and 
 practice, animadverting on several parts, 
 and condemning them in harsh terms. But 
 I never replied or spoke in any of their 
 meetings. When it was their turn to have 
 the meeting-house, I preached in a private 
 house or barn, but more frequently went 
 out of town. Thus we were in a confused 
 state. The Baptist society, as such, had no 
 claim on the meeting-house ; that was the 
 town's property. The Baptist people in 
 town were sufficiently numerous to have 
 voted the house to themselves at any time, 
 but they could not justify themselves in so 
 doing. 
 
 The best part of our society lived in 
 other towns, who, after this contention 
 arose, took themselves off. Some of them 
 were our ablest supporters, so that more 
 than half of my support failed. The 
 church generally, whether in town or out, 
 
9S 
 
 kept together. Two or three individuals, 
 however, were disaffected and withdrew, 
 and were excluded. 
 
 These circumstances led me to conclude 
 that I must dissolve my connection with 
 this people, however painful ; for if I tar- 
 ried I should not only fail of paying for my 
 little farm, but should lose what I had paid. 
 If the society had agreed to unite in build- 
 ing a meeting-house as they were abund- 
 antly able, they might have done very well; 
 but under existing circumstances, I con- 
 cluded it my duty to ask a dismission, and 
 sell m}^ farm, and accept of the invitation 
 of the Baptist church and society in Barn- 
 stable. 
 
 I sold my farm for about what I gave, 
 parted with my people in great friendship, 
 and removed to Barnstable, in November, 
 1801. The people in Newtown have con- 
 tinued the same policy. The Baptist peo- 
 ple have had the house more than any 
 other societ}'. 
 
 About ten months after I left Newtown, 
 I made them a friendly visit, and was told 
 that the Methodists had not preached in 
 town since I left them. The church ob- 
 tained Elder Samuel Ambrose, who con- 
 tinued with them a year or two. Elder 
 Otis Robinson and others preached to them 
 occasionally. But they had preaching but 
 seldom till Elder Tuxbury was ordained, 
 in 1811; after which he served them as 
 
94 
 
 pastor till 1829, when they were in a very 
 low and alllicted state. By the request of 
 Elder Tuxbury and the church, 1 spent 
 about ten weeks with them in the fall of 
 1(S29, and had a church-meeting and com- 
 munion season. During Elder Tuxbury's 
 ministr}^ among them for eighteen years, 
 they had made him very little compensa- 
 tion for his services. Some misunderstand- 
 ing existed among some of the mem[>ers 
 of the church, and I tried to effect a com- 
 promise, but found it a difficult case, and 
 turned their attention to the subject of 
 {}uiiding a meeting-house ; drew them a 
 plan of a house, and a plan for building by 
 shares ; called a meeting, when the plans 
 w^ere approved and about half the shares 
 taken up. A committee was chosen to 
 prosecute the business. They compensat- 
 ed me generously for my services, and I 
 left them with ardent desires for their pros- 
 perity. They have since completed their 
 meeting-house, which is a very handsome 
 and commodious building. Elder Harris is 
 their pastor, and they are blessed with un- 
 ion, increase and prosperity. 
 
CHAPTER YI, 
 
 I VISITED the people in Barnstable, in 
 the month of October, 1801, by the request 
 of their committee, received their propo- 
 sals and accepted them, and commenced my 
 labours with them the next month. The 
 church was constituted in the year 1772, 
 by Elder Backus and others. It had never 
 been large, and now contained about sixty 
 members. The society was respectable. 
 In the infant state of the church they had 
 the labours of Elder Abner Lewis, who 
 resided w^ith them a few years. They had 
 also the labours of Elder Isaac Case, soon af- 
 ter he commenced in the ministry. About 
 the year 1789, Mr. Enoch Eldridge, from 
 Harwich, was ordained their pastor. He 
 i^ontinued with them, s:reatlv beloved and 
 esteemed, till his death, in Ma}^ 1801. 
 
 This church and society had been great- 
 ly embarrassed with taxes for the support 
 of Pedobaptist ministers. Richard Lewis, 
 Esq. now in the 82d year of his age, has 
 been a great benefactor to this church and 
 society, and his wife was a beloved mem- 
 ber. He had his horse taken by the con- 
 stable for a Pedobaptist minister's tax, and 
 
96 
 
 sold at auction. A friend bid off the horse 
 and returned it to him. The constable 
 came with the overplus money and offered 
 it to Mr. Lewis, but he refused it, and has 
 never received it since. This was the last 
 instance of the Pedobaptists making dis- 
 tress on any of the Baptist society for min- 
 ister's taxes. 
 
 Soon after this, Mr. Lewis was chosen 
 one of the Selectmen of the town, which 
 ofhce he held twenty-five years in succes- 
 sion, when he resigned. The society had 
 a small meeting-house in the village of 
 Hyannis, which they enlarged in 1802, and 
 the same year assisted the Pedobaptists in 
 erecting a decent one story building in 
 Oysterville, in the South-west part of the 
 town, seven miles from Hyannis, where the 
 Baptist society have had preaching one 
 Sabbath in a month ever since ; other so- 
 cieties have generally occupied it the rest 
 of the time. 
 
 I carried with me to this town about 
 three hundred dollars, and had two horses 
 and two chaises. I bought four acres of 
 land near the meeting-house, on which I 
 dug a well and paid for it, but did not in- 
 tend to build till I was able. But my 
 friends advised, and agreed to assist me, 
 which they did beyond my expectation, so 
 that I built a good house, barn, &c. All 
 the cost was twelve hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars, when completed, in 1802. 
 
97 
 
 But while we were thus smiled upon in 
 temporal things, we were vi^ted with sick- 
 ness. We had now four children. We had 
 left our oldest son in Boston, with Mr.Samuel 
 Chamberlin, who took him into his store. 
 Our two dausfhters and little son were ta- 
 ken sick with the measles ; my daughters 
 recovered ; but my son, after the measles 
 subsided, was taken with a fever, and died 
 in May, 1802, aged three years and four 
 months. 
 
 This was a distressing event. Mrs. Peak 
 was very feeble. For about two weeks I 
 was not absent from the child more than 
 two hours at a time, day or night. On the 
 Sabbath before he died I had a tender time 
 in preaching from "What I do, ye know 
 not now, but ye shall know hereafter." 
 We had been called to part with one son in 
 Windsor, in the year 1789, aged one year 
 and twenty days, to this we had given the 
 name of John ; to the last that died, we 
 gave the name of John Stow. Both these 
 little sons had very much gained the affec- 
 tions of their parents ; but after this, it 
 seems that my children never appeared to 
 me as before; they appeared like dying 
 children. I hope we did not murmur 
 against the Lord, but we were grieved. 
 After this, my wife was unwell and under 
 the doctor's care, during the time we re- 
 mained in Barnstable. 
 9 
 
98 
 
 From April 1802, till April 1804, a kind 
 of epidemic fever raged in Barnstable and 
 ricinity. In some neighbourhoods half the 
 people were sick, and a great number died. 
 The oldest people did not remember so 
 distressing a sickness. Our society was 
 scattered over the towns of Barnstable and 
 Yarmouth. I was constantly called to visit 
 the sick and dying and the house of mourn- 
 ing. I attended some lectures, but there 
 was no special attention to religion. I was 
 favoured with health till Auo'ust, 1804. 
 
 On the second Sabbath in that month, I 
 preached at Oysterville. In the evening I 
 was taken with a violent pain in my head, 
 back and limbs. The next day was wet 
 and rainy, so that I stayed another night at 
 the house of my good friend, Benjamin 
 Hallet, where every thing was done to give 
 relief that friendship and kindness could 
 dictate. But my distress continued, or 
 rather increased, with sudden changes of 
 heat and cold. Tuesday morning was fair, 
 and I got into the chaise with a young gen- 
 tleman and sat out for home ; but I rode in 
 great misery. I calculated much on stop- 
 ping at a kind of half-way house, where I 
 had a friend, and rest myself for a few min- 
 utes on a bed. But great was my diso])- 
 pointment, to find the house shut up. I 
 laid on the ground and rolled over and 
 over, but got no rest or ease. I got into 
 the chaise and reached home. I took my 
 
99 
 
 pen and wrote a line to the doctor, five 
 miles off, informing him that I had a fever, 
 and wished to see him as quick as possible. 
 I gave it to my son who was then present, 
 and he went immediately. I have a recol- 
 lection of Dr. Savage being in the room, 
 and saying that he should not have come 
 till morning if I had not wrote the billet. 
 But I was soon deprived of the exercise of 
 my reason, and so remained seventeen days 
 before I began to amend. I was favoured 
 with momentary intervals of reason, in 
 which I realised that I was very sick, but 
 did not feel alarmed. For many days to- 
 gether I did not speak a loud word, and for 
 some weeks was unable to turn myself in 
 bed. They gave me nothing for nourish- 
 ment for fifteen days but wine and water. 
 I craved clear cold water, but the doctor 
 strictly forbid my having any water. 1 
 perfectly remember his coming one after- 
 noon and setting down by my bed ; I was 
 thinking of water. I was so weak that I 
 could only whisper. I beckoned, and he 
 leaned toward me. I asked him which 
 way he came? He said, by Baxter's mills. 
 Did you let your horse drink 7 Yes. Will 
 you be as kind to me as you are to your 
 horse ? Tears came in his eyes. After a 
 little pause he said, " my dear friend, you 
 shall have water as soon as it will be safe 
 for you, but you have been so long in a 
 jstate of starvation and suffering under this 
 
100 
 
 burning fever, that if you were to drink 
 cold water it might throw you into a vio- 
 lent relax, and then all the medicine in the 
 world could not save you." I happened to 
 have reason enough to feel the force of his 
 remarks, and troubled my friends no more 
 about water. But I had strange imagina- 
 tions. I heard that Mr. Ban^s Youno; was 
 dead, a particular friend, and one of my 
 society, who was taken with the same fever 
 at the same time that I was. At the same 
 time I heard that Mr. Lewis had a child 
 drowned. My mind was greatly agitated 
 through the night. I thought Mr. L. was 
 digging a grave in my room on the back 
 side of my bed ; had completed it, and de- 
 posited the coffins of Mr. Y. and his own 
 child in the grave. I beckoned to Mrs. G. 
 L. who was watching with me, and whis- 
 pering, told her what was going on. She 
 appeared surprised. I told her it was a 
 fact ; she might look and see. She took 
 the light and walked round the bed. I 
 thought I turned over and pointed her to 
 the coffins in the grave. The good wo- 
 man did not attempt to undeceive me, but 
 said she had great influence with Mr. L. 
 who w^as her husband's brother ; she would 
 persuade him to remove the dead, fill the 
 grave, and put all in order as before. This 
 satisfied me, and I was composed. 
 
 For several days I was unable to move 
 myself in bed ; my wife was so sick that 
 
101 
 
 she was unable to get into the room to see 
 me. But about the 17th day my fever came 
 to a crisis, and I began to amend. I dis- 
 tinctly remember how rejoiced I was when 
 I awoke in the night and perceived that 
 my hair was wet with sweat. From this 
 time the fever subsided, but I found myself 
 extremely weak. My flesh was reduced 
 to such degree that my friends beheld me 
 with astonishment. After I was able to sit 
 up in bed I looked in a glass, and was so af- 
 fected at the sight of myself that I wept 
 like a child. It was about two months 
 from the time I was taken sick before I 
 was able to preach. 
 
 When I first attempted to preach after 
 mv sickness, I was so broken and confused 
 in my communications, that it was said that 
 I spake like one that had lost all recollec- 
 tion. It was thought by some of my 
 friends, for a while, that I should never 
 regain my former state of mind. But, 
 through infinite goodness, I gained strength 
 of body and mind, and pursued the great 
 work of preaching the word. But my dear 
 wife grew nothing better, but rather worse. 
 She had two of the most eminent physi- 
 cians in the county, who frankly told me 
 that if I wished my wife to live, I must 
 move her off the Cape. They said she was 
 debilitated with a hectic, and threatened 
 with a pulmonary consumption ; the air on 
 the Cape was too bracing for her constitu- 
 9* 
 
102 
 
 tion, &c. This advice was given in Janua- 
 ry, 1805. From this time I thought much 
 on the subject of removing my family to 
 some other part of the country ; but it was 
 a trying subject. I had been here but a 
 few years ; was well situated ; unembar- 
 rassed ; had a good support, a kind people, 
 and an increasing society ; treated with at- 
 tention and respect by other societies ; my 
 people, who had been liberal in giving me 
 assistance in building, &c. would be great- 
 ly disappointed. But, on the other hand, 
 I had been familiar with sickness and death 
 in my family and congregation, ever since 
 I had lived in the town ; the state of re- 
 ligion was very low, and no signs of a re- 
 vival ; only tw elve had been added to the 
 church by baptism while I had been with 
 them. I felt myself in a lonely situation, 
 at a great distance from former acquaint- 
 ance, and but one Baptist minister within 
 forty miles. But I apprehended the cli- 
 mate was unfavourable to the health of my- 
 self and family. 
 
 In May I went to Boston, and consulted 
 with my good friend and brother, Dr. Bald- 
 win, who informed me that a Baptist church 
 had been constituted in Newbury port, a 
 week or two before, which was in want of 
 a pastor. I soon had an invitation and vis- 
 ited them ; and, although they were in an 
 infant state, and very feeble, they were 
 very desirous of my coming to reside 
 
103 
 
 among them. I soon came to a conclusion, 
 sold my house and land for something: more 
 than It cost, and removed to JNewburyport, 
 in October, 1805. My youngest daughter 
 was taken sick on the road. I left her and 
 her mother at Dr. Samuel Chamberlin's, in 
 Boston, and took my daughter Ploomy with 
 me to Newburyport ; received my furni- 
 ture, which came by water, set it up in my 
 hired house, and soon returned to Boston, 
 where I found my daughter dangerously 
 sick of a typhus fever. Dr. Jackson paid 
 the utmost attention to the child, but it 
 languished and died, aged twelve years and 
 two months. 
 
 The death of our dear Pamela was mat- 
 ter of inexpressible grief to the bereaved 
 parents and lonely brother and sister. It 
 was affecting to look upon our lonely daugh- 
 ter, who was but about seventeen months 
 older than her sister Pamela. They were 
 nearly of a size, and their mother had 
 dressed them alike. They resembled each 
 other so nearly, that our intimate neigh- 
 bours could seldom distinguish them. But 
 now one was taken and the other left. Oh, 
 what a breach was made in our little fami- 
 ly ! I suppose she brought the disorder 
 from Barnstable. She had a hoarseness 
 and thirst which increased on the journey, 
 but she complained very little till we ar- 
 rived in Boston. Our friends in the city 
 sympathised with us in the most affection- 
 
104 
 
 ate manner. Dr. Jackson gave in his bill 
 of attendance, amounting to thirty dollars. 
 The funeral was attended from Dr. Bald- 
 win's house. Dr. Stillman prayed. A 
 kind friend had his tomb opened, and made 
 me welcome there to deposit the remains 
 of my child, in the North part of the city, 
 within a few rods of where I am now writ- 
 ing. We tarried over the Sabbath, and de- 
 sired prayers at Dr. Baldwin's meeting. 
 
 We now set out for Newbury port and 
 found our house and goods in safety. But 
 oh ! the gloom now cast upon every sur- 
 rounding object, and all our earthly pros- 
 pects ! Of five beloved children we had 
 two only left. Our son had married Miss 
 Sally, the youngest daughter of Richard 
 Lewis, Esq. of Barnstable, where he lived. 
 
 I was now afflicted with hoarseness and 
 a distressing cough for several weeks. Our 
 daughter was taken sick soon after we ar- 
 rived in Newburyport, and remained un- 
 der the doctor's care for two or three 
 months. My beloved wife, in her weak 
 state of health, almost sunk under her re- 
 peated troubles. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Baptist church, with which I now 
 commenced my ministerial labours, was 
 constituted in May, 1805, consisted of 
 eighteen members, chiefly males, and was 
 called Newbury and Newburyport Baptist 
 Church. They held their meetings in a 
 school-house within the bounds of Newbu- 
 ry, in a district called Joppa. As yet they 
 had no society connected with the church 
 for the support of preaching. They adopt- 
 ed the articles of the First Baptist Church 
 in Boston. They were but a feeble band 
 of loving disciples. I agreed to serve them 
 one year for no other compensation than 
 a weekly contribution, on condition that 
 the meeting should be removed to the cen- 
 tre of Newburyport, whenever a conven- 
 ient place should be obtained. 
 
 A society was soon organized, and appli- 
 cation made for the use of the town-house, 
 which was granted. Our congregation now 
 increased four to one. The contribution at 
 Joppa, amounted to about one dollar per 
 week, and at the town-house, to nearly five 
 on an average. But some of our good 
 bretljren in Joppa, were incommoded by 
 
106 
 
 the removal of the meeting ; but I visited 
 them often and preached at their houses, and 
 they soon became reconciled. The atten- 
 tion of the people increased through the 
 winter, and our prospects were more en- 
 
 couraging. 
 
 In the spring, my daughter had recover- 
 ed her health, and her mother enjoyed bet- 
 ter health than she had done for some years. 
 I had strength to preach frequently in dif- 
 ferent parts of Newbury and Newbury- 
 port ; and the holy Spirit attended the 
 word to the conviction of some of the 
 young people. 
 
 The members of the church were bless- 
 ed with a spirit of prayer, and our prayer 
 meetings became frequent, and very inter- 
 esting. I held an inquiring meeting at my 
 house on Monday evenings. In May and 
 June, we had several candidates for bap- 
 tism and membership, who were received. 
 Brother Thomas Crocker, now deacon of 
 the Baptist church, was among the first 
 who were baptized. 
 
 Thus the good work progressed, so that 
 in about one year, the church had doubled 
 in number. Among other converts, who 
 were baptized, was our much esteemed 
 brother, John Butler, now pastor of the 
 Baptist church in North Yarmouth, Me. 
 He was about eighteen years of age, and an 
 apprentice to Mr. William HoUiday, shoe- 
 maker, and an Episcopalian. John's, pa- 
 
107 
 
 rents belonged to a Congregational church 
 in town. I conversed with them respect- 
 ing John. Mr. Holliday was very cordial 
 and gave a good account of John. But old 
 Mr. Butler was displeased; he did not 
 doubt John's sincerity, but said he should 
 forbid his being baptized. I told him that 
 he could act his pleasure ; but advised him 
 not to forbid it, but try to convince him of 
 his error ; for John was old enough to be- 
 lieve and act for himself; and if he forbid 
 it, perhaps it would make no difference re- 
 specting his being baptized. He conclud- 
 ed not to forbid, but try to convince him, 
 I baptized John and three of his sisters. 
 The parents became friendly and joined 
 our society. Mr. Holliday joined our 
 meeting, and his wife united with the 
 church. Thus we were made to rejoice, 
 and give thanks to the Lord for the tri- 
 umph of truth over error. 
 
 Mr. Nathan Ames was also added to our 
 church. Both these young men were ap- 
 probated as preachers, and were afterwards 
 ordained ; Mr. Butler at Hanover, Mass., 
 and Mr. Ames at Sutton, N. H. ; the latter 
 is now pastor of the Baptist church in 
 Washington, N. H. and both have been, 
 and continue to be useful labourers in the 
 Lord's vineyard. 
 
 Mr. Herburt Marshall, shortly after he 
 was baptized and joined the church, was 
 approved as a candidate for the ministry , 
 
108 
 
 was educated at Brown University, and 
 called to ordination by the Baptist church 
 in Woburn. He afterward went to the 
 State of North Carolina, where he died. 
 A son of Deacon Thomas Crocker has 
 been licensed by that church, and is now 
 at Newton Institution, preparing for the 
 work of the ministry. There may be oth- 
 ers that I can give no account of. 
 
 The town-house was removed, and w^e 
 obtained the use of a building called the 
 Tabernacle, which we occupied till we 
 were provided with a meeting-house. As 
 early as September, 1806, our society be- 
 gan to consult on the subject of building a 
 meeting-house. At length they had near- 
 ly come to the conclusion to build a cheap 
 wooden house, in Lime Street, toward the 
 South part of the town. But at one of the 
 society meetings, a number of respectable 
 merchants of the town came in, and re- 
 marked that it was not good policy for this 
 young and flourishing society to build an 
 unsightly wooden building in a remote part 
 of the town ; but if the society w^ould 
 agree to build a good brick house in a cen- 
 tral part of the town, they would pledge 
 themselves to assist in the undertaking, and 
 could engage for a number of other gen- 
 tlemen. 
 
 This was considered unexpected en- 
 couragement. The committee was enlarg- 
 ed by adding some of these gentlemen, and 
 
109 
 
 they were directed to make inquiry and 
 report. At an adjourned meeting they 
 reported a lot in Liberty Street, cost 
 ^ 2375 ; a plan of a house to be built of 
 brick, 70 feet by 60; and a plan for build- 
 ing, by dividing the cost into one hundred 
 shares. All of which was approved, and 
 agents were appointed to obtain subscri- 
 bers. Sixty shares were soon taken up. 
 
 The proprietors had a meeting and re- 
 quested me to obtain subscribers or dona- 
 tions in other towns. I obtained a number 
 of shares in Boston, Charlestown and Ha- 
 verhill ; and that generous benefactor, Mr, 
 N. Brown, of Providence, gave one hun- 
 dred dollars. At length, when about nine- 
 ty shares were engaged, the proprietors 
 resolved to proceed, and appointed a build- 
 ing committee. The work was commenc- 
 ed in April, 1807, and was completed in 
 July, 1808, and cost about ^ 16,200. It 
 was dedicated, and our church took pos- 
 session. 
 
 Now a serious difficulty arose. The 
 pews were appraised so high, in order to 
 meet the cost, that but few of our society 
 were able to purchase. Some of our socie- 
 ty had invested nearly all their property, 
 hoping to receive it again when the pews 
 were put to sale, but were now sadly dis- 
 appointed. The political state of the coun- 
 try was distressing and alarming. The 
 embargo and non-intercourse laws depriv- 
 10 
 
110 
 
 ed merchants, sailors and mechanics of em- 
 ployment. The proprietors had obtained 
 an act of incorporation, and stimulated our 
 society to become incorporated. The pro- 
 prietors had advanced a large amount, and 
 were impatient to have it refunded. At 
 one of their meetings, they came very 
 near getting a vote to change the meeting- 
 house to some other denomination. 
 
 One unknown benefactor, through the 
 agency of Mr. Harris, late of Charlestown, 
 gave the church the princely donation of 
 one thousand dollars, and several proprie- 
 tors in Boston and Charlestown, nearly as 
 much, amounting in all to near two thou- 
 sand dollars, to be vested in the meeting- 
 house, to be holden in trust for the church ; 
 that thereby the church might, by the aid 
 of the society, be able to retain the gov- 
 ernment of the house. Now the proprie- 
 tors agreed to take up their shares in pews, 
 and thus bring the business to a close. Af- 
 ter this, the pews were sold, and our con- 
 gregation increased rapidly. 
 
 In 1809, we were favoured with tokens 
 of a gracious rain of righteousness, which 
 continued about two years, and increased 
 our church to about eighty members. 
 
 For nearly six years after we came to 
 this town, my wife enjoyed much better 
 health ; but in June, 1810, her health be- 
 gan to fail. She languished under a hectic 
 fever and pulmonary consumption, and 
 
Ill 
 
 died March 5, 1811. Some account is 
 given of her in the Massachusetts Baptist 
 Missionary Magazine, vol. iii. p. 52. It is 
 in vain for me to attempt a description of 
 ray feelings on this occasion. I endeavour- 
 ed to commit my case to God, and to con- 
 sole my lonely daughter under the great 
 loss she had sustained in the death of a pi- 
 ous, discreet and affectionate parent. 
 
 April, 1811, our society contained two 
 hundred rateable polls. At their annual 
 meeting held this month, they voted me a 
 salary of six hundred dollars, which was 
 done with much harmony and good feeling. 
 This was very acceptable to me ; for I had, 
 by sickness and otherwise, spent what 
 money I brought from Barnstable, about 
 seven hundred dollars, and was some in- 
 volved ; but now my prospects were en- 
 courasino;. The church was in peace and 
 prosperity, receiving accessions monthly. 
 But *Sve should suspect some danger nigh, 
 where we possess delight." Little did any 
 of us think of a destructive conflagration, 
 so nigh, that should demolish our meeting- 
 house, consume my dwelling, and spread 
 desolation and ruin all around us ! 
 
 I returned from Boston on the 30th of 
 May, late at night, and found, as I expect- 
 ed, my young brother, John Butler, and 
 sister Nancy Payn, at my house, waiting 
 to be joined in marriage. Next morning 
 our friends took their leave of us. The 
 
112 
 
 young woman had lived in my family about 
 two years, highly esteemed ; but now my 
 daughter was all the company I had. 
 
 My daughter went to spend the day with 
 one of our good sisters, and I walked round 
 the town to visit the sick. About sunset 
 we met at our habitation, as we had agreed, 
 j^iter family worship, being weary, 1 re- 
 tired a few minutes before nine o'clock, 
 Mj daughter was reading in an adjoining 
 chamber. I had scarcely composed myself, 
 when we were alarmed with the cr}' of fire ! 
 
 Having no documents at hand, I shall, ac- 
 cording to the best of my recollection, give 
 some account of this destructive fire. It 
 commenced in the loft of an unoccupied 
 stable, in a street called Merchants Row, 
 in the care of a sheriff, near the market, at 
 a considerable distance from the house I 
 occupied, in Middle Street, owned by 
 Capt. John Denney. 
 
 The first discovery of the fire was a few 
 minutes after nine o'clock, on the evening 
 of the 31st of May, 1811. At that time 
 there were probably more than one hun- 
 dred people walking in the streets. In- 
 stantly a large column of fire burst through 
 the roof of the wooden stable, and ascend- 
 ed to an astonishing height. The engine 
 companies were directly at their posts. 
 My daughter and I locked our door and 
 left the house. She went to a near neigh- 
 bour's, and after telling her that the fire 
 
118 
 
 would not reach our house, it being at a 
 great distance, and a large range of brick 
 buildings intervened, I went and joined 
 the ranks and handed buckets. Instead of 
 the engines prevailing to extinguish the 
 fire, it prevailed on them. Such was the 
 heat that the ranks were broken and re- 
 treated for a new stand. I then returned 
 to my house, by a different route, and found 
 my daughter with the key in the door ; 
 but such was her agitation that she was not 
 able to unlock it. As we entered the 
 house, I told her not to meddle with any 
 thing, but keep watch ; for I was confident 
 that the fire would be extinguished before 
 it reached us. She made no reply, but 
 went deliberately to work and packed up 
 her glass, crockery, clothing, &c. ready to 
 be removed. At length, I perceived the 
 fire entered the further end of our street. 
 I now began to prepare to remove my 
 goods to a place of safety, packed my libra- 
 ry, and took down my clock and two bed- 
 steads. Our friends came to our assistance 
 and conveyed them to a room we had hir- 
 ed for evening meetings, in Capt. David 
 Farnham's house, in School Street, some 
 by wheelbarrows, but mostly by hand. 
 Before we had removed all our goods, the 
 fire blazed upon the roof of our house, and 
 we were obliged to leave. Our best cham- 
 ber, containing some of our most valuable 
 10* 
 
114 
 
 furniture, clothing, &c. we were obliged to 
 leave untouched. 
 
 We left the house about three o'clock, 
 A. M. and went to tlie liouse where my 
 goods were deposited. Here I saw what 
 aifected me more than any thing I had seen 
 during the doleful night. My dear daugh- 
 ter Ploomy had manifested great fortitude 
 and discretion till now. When I arrived 
 I found the dear child sitting on some part 
 of the furniture, giving vent to her grief 
 in a flood of tears, groans, sighs and sobs ! 
 This unmanned me. I was too much af- 
 fected to attempt to comfort her. I left 
 the liouse and walked toward the fire. I 
 went into Mr. J. Dunyon's house, ascend- 
 ed to the top of the roof, where I had a 
 fair view of the whole field of fire. Here 
 I saw the roof of our meeting-house tumb- 
 ling in, leaving the brick walls principal- 
 ly standing. But what an awful sight ! 
 Bright flames ascending to a great height ; 
 explosions of powder, spirits, &c. ; vast col- 
 umns of cinders and flames ascending in 
 quick succession to the clouds ; a dense 
 smoke ascending from the burning of tar, 
 rosin, pitch, &c. formed thick clouds which 
 spread over the town in awful majesty. 
 The roaring of the flames accompanied 
 with wind ; the sound of the trumpets and 
 voices of the firemen ; the crash of build- 
 ings ; the cry of the sufferers for help to 
 secure their goods, and the increasing pro- 
 
ii5 
 
 gress of the conflagration, altogether was 
 the most appalling scene I ever witnessed. 
 I now joined the ranks, and continued to 
 hand buckets till sunrise, within sight of 
 where my house stood the evening before, 
 but now demolished. Before the lire abat- 
 ed, companies of engine men had arrived 
 from Salem, Beverly and Haverhill. 
 
 There had been very little rain for sev- 
 eral weeks, and every thing combustible 
 was uncommonly dry. Soon after the fire 
 commenced, the wind blew fresh from the 
 West. The destructive element continued 
 its desolating ravages more than half the 
 distance from Market Square to Federal 
 Street, and from Middle Street to Merri- 
 mack River, containing about two and a 
 half acres, comprising a large portion of 
 the most ancient, wealthy and commercial 
 part of the town. Thirteen wharves with 
 their stores, and about ninety dwelling 
 houses were consumed. The whole num- 
 ber of buildings destroyed was two hun- 
 dred and forty. The estimated loss about 
 one million of dollars. 
 
 The fire continued to rage and extend 
 till day -light, when the wind shifted to the 
 East, and brought on a sea turn or fogg, 
 when it was easily got under and extin- 
 guished. Much property was consumed 
 in the streets for want of means to convey 
 it away. Goods to a great amount were 
 deposited in our meeting-house as a place 
 
116 
 
 of safety, it being brick, and at a distance 
 from where the fire commenced ; but all 
 was destroyed, either in the house or in the 
 streets. 
 
 By the polite invitation of Rev. John 
 Giles and his people, I preached in his 
 meeting-house the next Sabbath after the 
 fire ; in the morning, from Isaiah v. 24, 
 " Therefore as the fire devoureth the stub- 
 ble, and the flame consumeth the chafT, so 
 their root shall be as rottenness, and their 
 blossom shall go up as dust : because they 
 have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, 
 and despised the word of the Holy One of 
 Israel." I do not recollect the text em- 
 ployed in the afternoon, but the object was 
 to comfort the afflicted who put their trust 
 in the Lord. 
 
 Before the next Sabbath, we made ap- 
 plication for the use of the Court-house, as 
 a place of w^orship, and obtained it. We 
 soon began to consult on the subject of ob- 
 taining a meeting-house. Our society 
 were not able to build. They had been 
 great losers by the fire, beside what prop- 
 erty they had in the meeting-house. Of 
 one hundred families that were burnt out, 
 eleven belonged to our society. The loss 
 of Capt. Joseph O'Brien was estimated at 
 thirty thousand dollars. He had been our 
 greatest benefactor, but now his property 
 was reduced to a trifle. The most of our 
 society consisted of young people who had 
 
117 
 
 not much property. The town appointed 
 agents to travel in different directions, to 
 solicit donations for the relief of the suffer- 
 ers. The donations were very liberal, 
 amounting in all to more than one hundred 
 thousand dollars. This noble charity was 
 honourably distributed among the sufferers, 
 according to an equitable rule adopted by 
 the town. Some who had property and 
 means of obtaining a living, received very 
 little, though their loss might have been 
 great. Others received nothing, whatever 
 their loss might have been. Some of the 
 aged and infirm, who had lost all their 
 property, received perhaps, seventy-fiv«i 
 per cent. As to the distribution of the do- 
 nations, I think there was not much dissat- 
 isfaction expressed by the sufferers, unless 
 it was in private, and without cause. But 
 all this did not aid our society, in obtaining 
 another meeting-house. We had a church- 
 meeting, and tried to humble ourselves be- 
 fore the Lord, and pray for divine wisdom 
 and direction. At length the church unan- 
 imously adopted a plan of operation, pro- 
 vided that our society should concur. The 
 society met, and concurred with the plan 
 proposed by the church, and I received ^n 
 appointment as follows ; 
 
f 
 
 118 
 
 To the Humane and Benevolent of all distinctions ; the 
 folloioing statements and solicitations are humbly sub- 
 mitted by the Baptist Church and Society of Newbu- 
 ry and Newburyport. 
 
 It is hereby certified, That we have suffered 
 largely by the late unexampled conflagration. Eleven 
 families were turned into the streets, and their habita- 
 tions consumed. Twenty-One stores and shops, exclu- 
 sive of barns and other buildings were also destroyed, 
 which were owned or occupied by members of thici 
 Society. But we most regret the loss of our once de- 
 lightful place of worship, which fell a sacrifice to the 
 devouring flames. It was a neat brick building, seven- 
 ty feet by sixty; had been completed only three years; 
 and cost more than sixteen thousand dollars. It was 
 well filled with the young and rising part of the com- 
 munity, more than eighty of whom are members of the 
 church. Our loss is small compared with the whole 
 town ; but when compared with any other society, it is 
 large in proportion to our wealth. The loss of the so- 
 ciety and of individuals, as estimated by a committee 
 appointed by the town, amounts to $46,085. Wears 
 unable, in our present circumstances, to rebuild our 
 meeting-house ; yet we feel constrained to make the at- 
 tempt, if we may be encouraged by the aid of a gener- 
 ous public. 
 
 Therefore, we have appointed our beloved pastor, the 
 Rev. John Peak, our agent to solicit and receive such 
 donations as the wealthy and benevolent may be dispos- 
 ed to bestow, for the purpose of erecting a place of 
 worship for our accommodation. The smallest sum will 
 be gratefully received, and faithfully applied. 
 
 Done in Church-meeting, June 10, 1811. 
 
 HENRY MERRILL, ^ „ 
 JESSE DORMAN, ) ^^(^<^oni- 
 
 Nathan Ames, Asst. Clerk. 
 In Society Meeting, June 11, 1811. Read and ap- 
 proved. Signed by order of and in behalf of the So- 
 ciety. JOSEPH O'BRIEN. 
 
119 
 
 The society agreed to pay my expenses, 
 and pay me four hundred dollars at the end 
 of the year ; and I consented to relinquish 
 the salary of six hundred dollars, voted me 
 in April preceding. The expenses of 
 preaching in my absence to be paid by 
 contributions. I purchased a horse and 
 chaise, and took my departure on the 12th 
 of June, and made but short stops, till I ar- 
 rived in West Greenwich, R. I. Here 
 the Groton Union Baptist Association was 
 in session, and a large number of ministers 
 and private Christians were here assem- 
 bled ; but I knew none of them, except 
 Brother William Bentley, who was all at- 
 tention to me, and conducted me to a kind 
 family where I was well entertained. 
 Here I became acquainted with our belov- 
 ed brother, Bela Jacobs, now pastor of a 
 church in Cambridge. I preached before 
 the association, and told my mournful tale. 
 They called for a contribution instantly, 
 which was generous ; and afterwards I re- 
 ceived considerable sums from several of 
 the churches composing the association. 
 Having the company of brethren, I went 
 to Norwich, Con. where I spoke to the 
 people in their meeting-house. I spent 
 the next Sabbath in Lebanan, and preach- 
 ed. Mr. N. Dodge laid my case before 
 the people, and obtained a contribution. 
 
 On Monday, I rode to Hartford, and 
 went to the house of Deacon Bolles. As 
 
120 
 
 soon as he ascertained who I was, having 
 heard the pitiful story by his daughter, the 
 wife of Dr. L. Bolles, he sat down and gave 
 vent to tears of sympathy. This unex- 
 pected feeling in a stranger, wrought pow- 
 erfully on me ; so that a few minutes pass- 
 ed, before we had much conversation. But 
 I found him a most heavenly-minded Chris- 
 tian, and his household an emblem of Par- 
 adise. 
 
 The Baptist Church in Hartford were in 
 trouble. Their pastor had a short time 
 before resigned his connection with the 
 church, and they were without a pastor. 
 They attended promptly to the subject of 
 my mission. I went to Suffield, and 
 preached twice, Mr. Caleb Green propi^s- 
 ed to collect something shortly, and for- 
 ward it to me, which I received. 
 
 I returned to Hartford, and heard Mr. 
 Lorenzo Dow preach in the Baptist meet- 
 ing-house._ I felt grieved for the people, 
 that they should hear such a perversion of 
 the gospel. The next evening I spoke to 
 the people, and then pursued my way to 
 New Haven. Here I found kind, affection- 
 ate Christians, but unable to advance more 
 than a hospitable entertainment. 
 
 Arrived on Saturday, at Elder Asabel 
 Morse's, in Stratfield, and learned that he 
 was gone to Huntington, where he was to 
 preach the next day ; rode there next 
 morning, nine miles, with one of the breth- 
 
121 
 
 ren ; preached part of the day ; joined the 
 coramunion with them ; had a happy sea- 
 son, and received their bounty. 
 
 On Monday I pursued my way as far as 
 Rye, where I staid the night, and received 
 the good man's dollar. 1 am sorry I have 
 forgotten his name. 
 
 On Tuesday, 2d day of July, I arrived 
 in the city of New York. I went to the 
 house of Elder John Williams, pastor of 
 the Baptist church in Olive Street, and 
 presented a letter from Dr. Baldwin. He 
 received me kindly, and wislied me to 
 preach that evening. I put up w4th Dea- 
 con John Withington. He and his lady 
 paid me every attention, and more than I 
 could wish. 
 
 I had the statements, &c. which I re- 
 ceived from the church and society, print- 
 ed in handbills, and presented some of 
 them to the brethren ; but was told that 
 they could not encourage me that I should 
 obtain any thing in New York, for they 
 were poor, and the churches were all in 
 debt, &c. But the ministers and deacons 
 were to have a meeting in a few days, 
 when they would take my case under con- 
 sideration. I continued with them about 
 a week, and preached every evening, and 
 three times in different meeting-houses, on 
 the Sabbath. 
 
 On the 4th of July, I called on Mr. 
 Parkinson, gave him a letter from Dr. 
 li 
 
122 
 
 Baldwin, and presented him a handbilL 
 lie read with a sad countenance, and said 
 he was sorry for me, and my people, but it 
 was not possible for his people to help us. 
 The church was in great diihculty. They 
 bad been at great expense in lawsuits, and 
 perhaps must be at more expense. But he 
 wished me to preach for him the next Sab- 
 hath and break bread to the church. This 
 I consented to do in the afternoon of the 
 next Sabbath, 
 
 This, Independent day, I dined willi 
 Brother Smith, in Broadway, in company 
 with Brother Benjamin Hallet, of Barnsta- 
 ble, Brother Daniel Sharp, of Newark, and 
 other good brethren. After this, I visited 
 some of Mr. Parkinson's people, and pre- 
 sented my handbill. One gave me ten 
 dollars, others five, &c. 
 
 When the time came for the ministers 
 and deacons to meet, I took care to be with 
 them at the close of their meeting, and 
 made inquiry respecting my case. One of 
 the ministers remarked, they had taken my 
 application under serious consideration, 
 and considered it an important case, and 
 were very sorry that it was not in their 
 power to render my people some assist- 
 ance. But their churches were poor, their 
 rneeting-houses involved in debt, and they 
 had been hard run with applications for as- 
 sistance for poor churches in the back coun- 
 try, and had concluded to attempt no more 
 
123 
 
 collections for others, till thev had got their 
 churches freed from their embarrassments. 
 { told them, I did not doubt but thev 
 made a very honest plea ; but I thought I 
 should obtain a generous collection among 
 them. 1 was not begging for myself, but 
 for the poor saints. I had been preaching 
 constantly since I had been in the city, -diui 
 expected to be generously rewarded. I 
 calculated to leave the city next day, and to 
 return in seven or eight weeks, w4ien i ex- 
 pected to make application to their gener- 
 osity w^th success. Beggars should be 
 humble ; yet they must be bold and perse- 
 vering, if they would expect to obtain. 
 Well, said they, we do not blame you, get 
 something*: if vou can. 
 
 I went in company with Brother Daniel 
 Sharp, to his house in Newark, N. J, 
 Preached in his meeting-house, a beautiful 
 edifice lately erected ; for the accomplish- 
 ment of which, Brother Sharp had trav- 
 elled and collected among his friends in the 
 South ; but his people were in trouble, in 
 consequence of the but too successful ef- 
 forts of certain disorganizing preachers, in 
 diffusino- a kind of Antinomian s)3irit, caus- 
 ing a division among the people ; which 
 was very discouraging to the pastor. I 
 told him, that if he found he must leave 
 that people, 1 had no doubt but the Third 
 Baptist Church in Boston, would gladly re^ 
 
124 
 
 ceive him as their pastor, as Rev. Caleb 
 Blood was about to leave, for Portland. 
 
 At the request of that people, he came 
 to Boston, about the close of the year. 
 From that time to the present, his labours 
 have been owned and blessed to a numer- 
 ous church and congregation. From New- 
 ark I went to Brunswick, and w^as kindly 
 entertained by Judge Runyon and his lady, 
 excellent disciples. I preached in their 
 meeting-house, received their bounty, and 
 proceeded on without much delay till I ar- 
 rived at Holmsburgh. Here I was kindly 
 received by Deacon Thomas Holmes; vis- 
 ited Dr. Samuel Jones, pastor of the Bap- 
 tist church in lower Dublin, where Deacon 
 Holmes belonged ; received encourage- 
 ment of something when I returned ; left 
 my horse and chaise wdth the good deacon, 
 who conveyed me to the city of Philadel- 
 phia, nine miles. I called on Dr. Rogers, 
 who received me wdth Christian kindness, 
 and told me that something would be col- 
 lected for me, but I must call on Dr. 
 Stoughton. He attended to my case with 
 his usual affability and kindness. He said 
 I might expect a generous contribution ; 
 he would assist me what he could, but he 
 was so situated that he should not be able 
 to pay that particular attention to the sub- 
 ject that he should be pleased to, as his 
 people had commenced building a meeting- 
 nouse in Sansum Street, which would cost 
 
125 
 
 forty thousand dollars, and he had to beg 
 the money to carry on the work. But Dr. 
 Rogers was very well acquainted in the 
 city, had many friends, and had no engage- 
 ments to prevent his giving me all the as- 
 sistance I needed ; and I could not have a 
 better man for the business, and he would, 
 he had no doubt, cheerfully lend me his 
 aid. All which I found strictly true. The 
 good old Dr. R. advertised my object in 
 visiting the city, had the same particularly 
 stated in four Baptist meeting-houses, and 
 took me by the arm, from street to street, 
 and from house to house, for about two 
 weeks. I preached about every evening, 
 and three times on the Sabbath in different 
 meeting-houses. 
 
 I left the city in the stage, and went to 
 Wilmington, where I was kindly received 
 by Elder Daniel Dodge, a native of Wood- 
 stock, Vt. We soon became acquainted. 
 His people had recently been favoured 
 with a very precious work of grace. Af- 
 ter I had delivered a sermon in his meet- 
 ing-house, he stated my object, and inform- 
 ed the people that I would call on some of 
 the citizens the next day and receive their 
 subscriptions. After which, he invited 
 those who had lately been received into 
 the church to pass round and speak with 
 me at the foot of the pulpit stairs. They 
 directly formed a procession through the 
 aisles of the house and passed me in one di- 
 11* 
 
120 
 
 rection, gwing me an opportunity of tak- 
 ing all by the hand and wishing them God 
 speed on their heavenly course. I observ- 
 ed to them that it would be a great wonder 
 if they all obtained the crown of victory, 
 and exhorted them to diiio:ence, watchful- 
 ness and prayer. I do not recollect the 
 number, perhaps forty-five, more or less, 
 and nearly all in the bloom of youth. It 
 was a delightful scene. The subscrip- 
 tions amounted to ^130 44, which was 
 great for that society. 
 
 From Wilmington I took passage in a 
 vessel to Newcastle ; then by stage to 
 Frenchtown ; thence by water to Balti- 
 more, and called on Elder Lewis Richards, 
 pastor of the First Church, as soon as I ar- 
 rived, and preached for him that evening. 
 Brother Richards informed the people of 
 my business, and wished them to be pre- 
 pared for a liberal contribution next Sab- 
 bath. Next day I went to see Brother 
 John Healley, pastor of the Second Bap- 
 tist Church, and preached to his people. 
 He gave similar notice for a contribution 
 next Sabbath. I then called on some of 
 the wealthy and liberal, and received their 
 individual subscriptions. An aged brother, 
 Wilson, President of Baltimore bank, took 
 my subscription book and after asking some 
 questions, very cheerfully put down his 
 name for fifty dollars. I spent the fore- 
 noon of the Sabbath with the Second 
 
127 
 
 Church, and the afternoon with the First 
 Church. Amount of subscriptions and 
 contributions, ^ 178 26. The pastors of 
 these churches, and the members, appear- 
 ed to be all made up of kindness. 
 
 I returned to Philadelphia and finished 
 my collections, amounting to the noble sum 
 of ^770. I left this delightful city, and 
 noble citizens, where I had spent about 
 four weeks and preached thirty times ; 
 gained an acquaintance with many eminent 
 Christians and several excellent ministers ; 
 received such attention and respect as I 
 had not been accustomed to, beside their 
 unexampled liberality to my afflicted peo- 
 ple. With tears of gratitude I gave them 
 the parting hand, wishing them the bless- 
 ings of Heaven. 
 
 1 took passage in a stage to Holmesburgh. 
 The good Deacon Holmes had recruited my 
 horse finely, made me welcome to the 
 keeping, and went with me to Lower Dub- 
 lin, where I preached that evening in Dr. 
 Jones' pulpit. The contribution amount- 
 ed to thirty-four dollars. Here I parted 
 with my good brother, Deacon Gourly, 
 who had kept my com.pany thus far from 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 As I passed through New Jersey, I vis- 
 ited the Baptist church in Scotch- Plains ; 
 called on Brother Brown, their pastor, an 
 excellent young minister, but labouring 
 under some discouragements. I preached 
 
128 
 
 to his people, received their donations, and 
 came to Brother Sharp's, in Newark ; tar- 
 ried and preached to the people and receiv- 
 ed their liberality. Next day I rode to 
 the city of New York, August 9. As kind 
 Providence had ordered, the ministers and 
 deacons of several churches were met for 
 consultation. When I entered their room 
 they took me by the hand like loving 
 brethren, and rejoiced in my safe return. 
 Brethren Williams, Maclay and W^coff, 
 began to solicit me to preach to their peo- 
 ple that evening, the next Lord's day, &c. 
 I told them I could not engage. " But, 
 when are you going to leave the city?" 
 " To-morrow morning, if I cannot obtain 
 leave to beg." They consented that I 
 might beg, and Brother Maclay would 
 walk with me the next day ; and I con- 
 sented to preach. We called on a number 
 of friends in the course of the day, who 
 contributed very cheerfully ; none refused 
 on whom we called ; three ministers gave 
 five dollars each. Deacon John Withing- 
 ton walked with me one day. We called 
 on Col. Rudgar, who cheerfully gave twen- 
 ty dollars. I continued with them about 
 five days, and collected ^235 50. 
 
 I left the city on the 17th of August. 
 My good Brother Withington and his lady 
 were pleased to favour me with their com- 
 pany as far as the town of Rye, where they 
 introduced me to their Christian friends ; 
 
129 
 
 to whom I preached and received their 
 free-will offerings. Returned through 
 New Haven, Westfield, Wollingford, Mid- 
 dletown and Seabrook. 
 
 From Seabrook I passed over the ferry 
 to Lyme, where I spent the Sabbath with 
 Elder Asa VVilcocks, and preached to the 
 people of his charge, a respectable church 
 and congregation in a prosperous state. 
 Thence I rode to Stonington, and was 
 kindly received by Elder Elisha Chese- 
 brough ; preached to his kind people, who 
 afterw^ards sent their donation to Newbu- 
 ryport. I arrived on the Island of New- 
 port, August 29 ; preached in three meet- 
 ing-houses on the Sabbath, and received 
 their liberal donations. 
 
 While I staid in Newport, I was kindly 
 entertained at the house of my beloved 
 brother. Elder John Gibson, who, with his 
 wife, were all kindness and affection. He 
 told me that when he heard me preach at 
 the widow Eldridge's, in Harwich, Cape 
 Cod, in July, 1802, he was an Arminian 
 Methodist preacher, and occupied a meet- 
 ing-house near the widow Eldridge's ; and 
 that the greater part of his people attend- 
 ed the meeting. I took for my text, Titus 
 iii. 5; ''Not by works of righteousness 
 which we have done, but according to his 
 mercy he saved us, by the washing of 
 regeneration and renewing of the Holy 
 Ghost." The object of my discourse w^as 
 
130 
 
 to show the gospel method of salvation, 
 negatively and positively. 1st. Why are 
 we not saved by works of righteousness 
 which we have done? Because, first, our 
 works are not perfect, as the law requires. 
 If we ofl'ead in one point, we are guilty in 
 ail. We have all sinned and are under the 
 curse of the law. Therefore by the deeds 
 of the law shall no flesh be justified. If 
 ritj;hteousness could be obtained by the law, 
 then Christ died in vain. But can we 
 not be saved by works of righteousness in 
 obedience to the gospel? What is gospel 
 obedience ? Holy love, unfeigned faith, 
 godly sorrow for sin, unreserved dedication 
 of ourselves to the service of God. We 
 cannot conceive of any thing short of this, 
 being acceptable works of righteousness in 
 obedience to the gospel ; but such works 
 are scriptural evidences of being in a state 
 of salvation, as being the genuine fruits 
 and eflfects of a work of grace upon the 
 heart, and therefore cannot be the cause of 
 our salvation. Therefore as saith the text, 
 Not by works of righteousness which we 
 have done. 
 
 We come now positively to show^ that 
 salvation is obtained by, or according to the 
 mercy of God, by the washing of regen- 
 eration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 The mercy of God is manifested in the 
 unspeakable gift of the Son of God to suf- 
 fer and die for us ; to bear our sins in his 
 
131 
 
 own body on the tree. The mercy of 
 God is manifested in the work of the holy 
 Spirit, in accomplishing the great work 
 of moral purification by the washing of 
 regeneration and renewing of the holy 
 Ghost ; a glorious work of grace w^hich was 
 never accomplished by any other agent. 
 1 closed my illustrations in an experi- 
 mental address to different classes of the 
 audience, with freedom of thought and 
 much tenderness of spirit. Elder Abner 
 Lewis prayed, and the meeting was dis- 
 missed. 
 
 Mr. Gibson observed to the congregation 
 as they were dismissed, that they had heard 
 solemn truths from the stranger. He said 
 he should not have spoken, in all respects, 
 as the preacher had done ; but did not wish 
 to enter into a dispute ; but would advise 
 the people to gather the good and cast the 
 bad away, lie told me that he was dis- 
 pleased when I named the text, for he ex- 
 pected I would attack his Arminian sys- 
 tem ; and he felt during the sermon as if 
 his foundation was shaken, and w^as appre- 
 hensive his people would feel so too ; for, 
 if this doctrine be true, his was not true. 
 Therefore he thought proper to give the 
 caution to *' gather the good and cast the 
 bad away," thinking that he could rein- 
 state himself in his former views when he 
 should retire. But the more he read and 
 meditated, the more he w^as convinced that 
 
132 
 
 his former views of doctrine were unscrip- 
 tural. At length he came to the conclu- 
 sion that salvation is of grace, and not of 
 w^orks, neither in whole or in part ; and 
 when his Arminian plan was given up, he 
 gave up infant sprinkling with it. He left 
 the Methodist connection ; went to War- 
 ren, R. I. and was baptized by Elder Lu- 
 ther Baker ; was approbated and set apart 
 as a regular minister of Christ, in our de- 
 nomination, and continued to be respected 
 as a consistent free-grace Baptist minister, 
 for twenty-seven years, till the day of his 
 death, about the first of the year, 1831. 
 
 Having finished my collections in New^- 
 port, I hastened to Providence, and found 
 the liberal minded citizens of this ancient 
 Baptist town ready and willing to con- 
 tribute of their abundance to the relief of 
 my afflicted people. I preached on the 
 Sabbath to the first and second churches. 
 They had public contributions in both 
 churches, which, together with their gen- 
 erous private subscriptions, amounted to 
 one hundred and forty dollars. 
 
 I now hastened to Boston, to attend the 
 Boston Baptist Association, at their for- 
 mation. Here I met my dear daughter 
 Ploomy, in good health. Thanks to God 
 for preserving Mercy. We enjoyed a 
 precious season in the Association, hav- 
 ino; verv encouraa-ins: intellio-ence from the 
 churches. It did my heart good to hear 
 
133 
 
 the preaching and witness the union of ef- 
 fort for the advancement of the kingdom 
 of Christ. 
 
 In my journey I had discovered a want 
 of union among churches and ministers, 
 which led me to appreciate, more highly 
 than ever before, the love, peace and har- 
 mony which has ever marked the progress 
 of the churches in this region. 
 
 From this happy meeting, I went in 
 company with my daughter and others to 
 Newburyport ; deposited my money in the 
 bank for safe keeping ; spent one Sabbath 
 with my people ; took my -daughter with 
 me and w^ent to Portland, in company with 
 my beloved brother. Elder Elisha Wil- 
 liams, and daughter ; left my daughter in 
 Portland, and pursued my journey to 
 Brunswick, w^here we were kindly receiv- 
 ed. Brother Williams and myself preach- 
 ed on the Sabbath, by the request of Elder 
 Benjamin Titcom, the beloved pastor of 
 the church. Leaving this place, I rode to 
 Hallowell, on Kennebeck-river, preached 
 to the people, and went to Redfield, where 
 I met the Bowdoinham Association. I was 
 invited to preach, and had leave to state 
 the circumstances of my afflicted people, 
 and distribute mv handbills, which receiv- 
 ed attention. ^ 
 
 I then returned to North Yarmouth, "♦ 
 where I met with the Cumberland Asso- 
 ciation, and had opportunit}^ to make my 
 12 
 
134 
 
 communications in behalf of my people. 
 Many felt much for the sufferers who were 
 unable to grant pecuniary aid. Elder Ca- 
 leb Blood delivered an interesting sermon. 
 With him I had been long acquainted, and 
 highly esteemed him as an able and faith- 
 ful minister of Christ. But when Elder 
 Thomas Green addressed the throne of 
 grace in humble prayer, my very soul was 
 melted within me. I wept with holy joy; 
 it seemed as though Heaven had come 
 down to earth, and that the house was full 
 of the glory of the Lord. I had not seen 
 him for about fifteen years, and it affected 
 me to see that he was growing old. 
 
 I spent a Sabbath in Portland with 
 Brother Blood and his people, took my 
 daughter and returned to Newburyport, 
 glad to be released from the fatigues and 
 anxieties 6f journeying from place to place. 
 
 ^ 
 
-h 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 I RECEIVED liberal donations from a 
 number of the Eastern churches, but I am 
 unable to state the amount. 1 delivered 
 the money that I had collected, to the 
 Treasurer of the church and society, and 
 took his receipt, to the amount of two 
 thousand dollars, exclusive of all expenses. 
 About the last of October I hired a 
 house in Olive Street, collected vrhat fur- 
 niture we had saved from the ravages of 
 the fire, and commenced house-keeping 
 with my daughter. 
 
 Now we began to consult on the subject 
 of building a meeting-hou«e. The first 
 thing was to agree on a site for the build- 
 ing. The old lot, with all the ruins there- 
 on, belonged to the first proprietors. Ap- 
 prehending there would be a difference of 
 opinion as to what part of the town the 
 house should be built, a meeting of the 
 church was first called ; a committee of 
 three was appointed to circulate subscrip- 
 tion papers ; one of which was directed to 
 obtain subscribers for building in the cen- B^ 
 tre of the town, one for the South part, 
 and one for the North part. Adjourned 
 
136 
 
 for one week ; then met to hear the report 
 of the committee ; when it appeared, that 
 for building in the centre of the town no 
 subscription could be obtained ; for build- 
 ing at the South-end, one man subscribed 
 fifteen dollars; for building at the Nokh 
 part of the town, near Olive Street, "fiHe 
 hundred dollars had been subscribed. 
 
 We then agreed to request a society 
 meeting, and submit the location to the de- 
 cision of the meeting when church and 
 society should convene together, as the 
 money had been collected by their united 
 direction ; and as the society included the 
 church, and was so incorporated, such a 
 meeting would be legal. As a prudential 
 step, one of our deacons had, by private 
 contract, secured an eligible lot near Olive 
 Street. At the society meeting sixty vo- 
 ters out of seventy were in favour of said 
 lot. Thus the matter was settled. Some 
 were dissatisfied, and we had serious diffi- 
 culties to encounter. But, on calculating 
 the travel of all who belonged to the meet- 
 ing, it appeared that the lot selected was 
 very near central. 
 
 A plan for buikling the meeting-house 
 fifty feet by forty-two, with gallery, was 
 approved ; a building committee appointed, 
 and the work was commenced in April, 
 1812. But sometime before this, we had a 
 difficulty of another kind. It had been in- 
 sinuated that the proprietors of the first 
 
137 
 
 house would claim the mone}'^ I had obtain- 
 ed to indemnify their loss. At length a 
 respectable committee called on me, and 
 presented an order, authorized by the pro- 
 prietors, directing me to pay to A. B. C. 
 committee, &c. the monies that I had re- 
 ceived by donations, that the same might 
 be divided among the proprietors, accord- 
 ing to their several losses, &c. I remark- 
 ed to the committee that I had not been 
 authorized by the proprietors to solicit any 
 donations for them, and have received none, 
 and had none for them. And gave them an 
 answer to their order in writing, of like 
 import. 
 
 I consulted with our benefactors in other 
 towns on this difficult subject. Some ad- 
 vised us to offer them the money, on con- 
 dition that the proprietors would rebuild 
 the house. Others advised that we have 
 nothing to do with the proprietors. But, 
 to satisfy all parties as far as possible, the 
 church chose a committee, which attended 
 a proprietor's meeting, and proposed to pay 
 over to the proprietors the funds we had 
 on hand, providing they would rebuild the 
 house. This proposal was rejected. The 
 church owned about two thousand dollars 
 worth of pews in the first meeting-house, 
 for which nothing was received. The land 
 with the basement storv, bricks, &c. were 
 all sold for the benefit of the original pro- 
 prietors. Some years after this, one of 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 the proprietors commenced a civil process 
 against the society, but lost his case, and 
 thus the matter ended. I have been thus 
 particular, wishing to give satisfaction to all 
 concerned. 
 
 After the building w^as commenced, I 
 called on Dr. Bolles' society, in Salem, and 
 received their very noble subscription, 
 amounting to ^440 17. I continued to 
 collect in Newburyport and neighbouring 
 towns, as I had opportunity, till the house 
 was completed, about the last of July, hav- 
 ing been about fourteen weeks in building. 
 The cost of the house and land was some- 
 thing less than four thousand dollars. 
 
 Without parade the house was dedicated 
 to the service of God, with fervent sup- 
 plications for the divine blessing on the 
 church, congregation, the word which shall 
 be dispensed there, and on our kind bene- 
 factors. 
 
 The society have never sold the pews, 
 but assessed six hundred dollars annual tax 
 on them, and offered them for rent. The 
 society were now in debt for the house 
 something less than four hundred dollars, 
 which was hired, and security given on the 
 meeting-house. 
 
 It may be said that this house was built 
 in troublous times. In addition to the 
 difficulties which have been mentioned, a 
 great national calamity now took place. 
 Within a few days from the time that our 
 
139 
 
 meeting-house was finished, war was declar- 
 ed between our nation and Great Britain. 
 
 As a church we were troubled on 
 another account. Several members of the 
 church had separated from us, being dissat- 
 isfied with the location of the meetinsr- 
 house. By the request of the church, an 
 ecclesiastical counsel met with us from the 
 churches in Haverhill, Newtown, Danvers, 
 Beverly and Salem. After hearing all that 
 the offended members had to offer in de- 
 fence of their separation, the counsel unan- 
 imously decided that the proceedings of 
 the church and society, in regard to the 
 meeting-house, were regular and consist- 
 ent ; and with tenderness, and in the most 
 affectionate manner, exhorted the disaffect- 
 ed members to return to their place. And 
 their labours were not in vain. Three of 
 the members present acknowledged their 
 fault at the time and were restored, and 
 others soon after. The church was now 
 blessed with peace and harmony, and our 
 prospects were in some respects encour- 
 aging. Prayer meetings revived, a con- 
 siderable number of young people brought 
 to the knowledge of the truth, and were 
 received by baptism. I now felt myself 
 under great obligation to praise and adore 
 the God of all grace for the success which 
 had attended the efforts that had been made 
 to re-establish the church and congregation 
 in a place of worship. I had no other 
 
140 
 
 thought but to spend the remainder of my 
 days with this people, who had been prin- 
 cipally collected under my poor labours, 
 and were very dear to me. 
 
 The people of other societies were more 
 cordial than they had been. Some of them 
 contributed generously toward our meet- 
 ing-house. Under these circumstances I 
 was impressed with a sense of my respon- 
 sibility, and desired to devote myself un- 
 reservedly to the service of my Lord and 
 Master. 
 
 For more than one year after the death 
 of my dear wife, the thought of a second 
 marriage had occupied my mind very lit- 
 tle. I could think of no one person more 
 than another w^ith w^hom I could feel will- 
 ing to be associated in this relation, till I 
 was informed of the death of my respect- 
 ed friend, Mr. Samuel Chamberlin, of Bos- 
 ton. This put me upon thought of the 
 widow. I had been some acquainted with 
 Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin. My son had 
 lived in the family as an assistant in the 
 store. One of my daughters was sick and 
 died in their house. We had been favour- 
 ed with a good understanding between the 
 two families, but it was a subject I could 
 talk but little of to any one. I had one 
 friend whom I had been in the habit of 
 consulting in difficult cases. Dr. Baldwin 
 was at this time in a lonely state, having 
 been called to part with his loving wife five 
 
141 
 
 or six months before. I ventured to in- 
 quire of him concerning the widow Cham- 
 berlin, who was a member of his church. 
 He spoke favourably of the widow. After 
 this 1 had occasion to go frequently to Bos- 
 ton to collect money, get furniture for our 
 meeting-house, &c. In short, the negotia- 
 tion was so conducted that none of my 
 good friends in Newburyport had any 
 knowledge or suspicion of the concern till 
 the town clerk got the intelligence and 
 made it public. We were married August 
 25, 1812. My daughter was married the 
 next month, to Mr. Abijah Wheeler. Hav- 
 ing obtained a comfortable dwelling near 
 our meeting-house, I was comfortably set- 
 tled once more in domestic life. 
 
 In many respects our prospects were en- 
 couraging ; but the war raged, which caus- 
 ed great distress to the inhabitants of New- 
 buryport. The total stagnation of every 
 branch of business caused a large portion 
 of our active young men to fly to other 
 parts of the country to seek employment. 
 
 Our meeting-house was soon filled with 
 attentive hearers, and frequent additions 
 were made to the church. But under ex- 
 isting circumstances, my people were able 
 to do but very little for my support. Dur- 
 ing the hard struggle we passed through, I 
 had expended all I had when I came to 
 Newburyport, about seven hundred dol- 
 lars. Still I felt disposed to continue my 
 
142 
 
 feeble labours with this afflicted people, 
 and trust Divine Providence. 
 
 The destitute situation of several towns 
 in the county of Rockingham, N. H. led me 
 to comply with the request of the people 
 to visit and dispense the word of life to 
 them, and to administer the ordinances. In 
 some of these places a divine blessing at- 
 tended the word ; I baptized a considera- 
 ble number at different times in Exeter, 
 who united with the Baptist church in that 
 town. I assisted in constituting a church 
 in Deerfield, and gathered a Baptist socie- 
 ty in Chester, both which have prospered. 
 These little excursions into the country, in 
 which I was absent four or five days at a 
 time, interrupted my studies. This was 
 matter of regret, as 1 had been absent a 
 considerable part of the time since the de- 
 structive fire, and had made considerable 
 addition to my little stock of books. 
 
 But my attention was now taken up with 
 new publications. A very warm dispute 
 existed among Congregational ministers. 
 Formerly they had all professed to be unit- 
 ed, Calvinists, Hopkintians, Arminians and 
 Socenians, forming one grand convention, 
 comprising all the Congregational minis- 
 ters in the State of Massachusetts. But at 
 length their discordant sentiments appear- 
 ed in public view, particularly relating to 
 the doctrine of the Trinity. One party 
 denominated themselves Unitarians ; the 
 
143 
 
 other, Orthodox. Sometimes Unitarians 
 styled themselves Rational Christians ; in- 
 timating that it was peculiar to them to be- 
 lieve in one God, and that they only were 
 rational Christians. Some of these writers 
 laboured to prove that our Lord Jesus 
 Christ was but a mere man, and even 
 doubted his pre-existence, and the vicari- 
 ous satisfaction of his death upon the cross. 
 Another class of these writers would ad- 
 mit of the pre-existence of our Lord, and 
 that he existed before all worlds, even in 
 the beginning ; and that by him the worlds 
 were made ; that he did partake of the Di- 
 vine nature, and is a Divine person ; and so 
 is entitled to the worship of saints and an- 
 gels; but 3^et is not equal with the Father; 
 but had a beginning ; has derived his exist- 
 ence from his Father, and is therefore limit- 
 ed and dependent ; yet is to be worshiped ! 
 These writers too claim the appellation of 
 Unitarians. But how can this be '] They 
 worship at least two divine beings; one 
 self-existent and eternal ; the other has but 
 a derived existence, and is dependent. 
 Whether they are entitled to the exclusive 
 appellation of rational Christians, let those 
 who possess the power of reason judge. 
 
 When the contention commenced there 
 were but few Calvinistic Orthodox Con- 
 gregational churches in Boston or vicinity. 
 But a division took place, and Orthodox 
 churches have been constituted in Boston, 
 
144 
 
 and through this and the neighbouring 
 States, to a great extent. Thus evangelical 
 truth has been promoted. 
 
 This dispute had very little effect on 
 any of our churches, no one of them chang- 
 ed their ground, to my knowledge, in ail 
 the Eastern States. Two or three preach- 
 ers were seduced by error, and disowned 
 by the churches. 
 
 During the war the people of Newbury- 
 port were frequently alarmed by the ene- 
 my's vessels hovering on our shores. Gov- 
 ernment vessels were stationed in our har- 
 bour to guard the town. The labouring 
 part of the community were reduced to 
 great straits for want of profitable employ- 
 ment. 
 
 The attention of the people of our socie- 
 ty to the great concerns of eternity, which 
 appeared encouraging a year ago, still con- 
 tinued. A considerable number were ad- 
 ded to the church, which was cheering to 
 our hearts. 
 
 After the fire, the church was considera- 
 bly diminished by removals, deaths and 
 other ways. But this year it increased to 
 its former number or more. Notwithstand- 
 ing the unpleasant circumstances attending 
 the war, we had many mercies which de- 
 manded our humble gratitude. We were 
 favoured with health, and had peace and 
 harmony among ourselves. When we took 
 a retrospective view of the scenes of deso- 
 
145 
 
 lation we had passed through, and compar- 
 ed the present with the past, we were con- 
 strained to exclaim with adoring gratitude, 
 *' God hath done great things for us, where- 
 of we are glad." While a dark cloud was 
 spread over the political horizon of our na- 
 tion, there were some favourable events 
 which raised cheering hopes that this dis- 
 tressing war might speedily be brought to 
 a favourable termination. 
 
 The unexpected success of our valiant 
 little navy in capturing the enemy's arm- 
 ed vessels on the high seas, astonished the 
 world ! And the victories won upon the 
 Lakes were hailed with joyful surprise ! 
 A large army of the enemy on the West 
 of Champlain, in the State of New York, 
 were compelled to retreat into Canada be- 
 fore our valiant militia ; and another army 
 was compelled to leave Baltimore in haste, 
 embark on board their shipping and hurry 
 away, leaving many upon the ground. 
 These events tended to unite and encour- 
 age the defenders of our national rights. 
 
 But whatever may be the event of na- 
 tional contests, we are sure that our King 
 shall reign and prosper. His kingdom 
 shall spread from sea to sea, and fill the 
 earth. 
 
 A young man by the name of Benjamin 
 Lane, a native of New bury port, and an 
 apprentice to our esteemed brother, Rob- 
 ert Robinson, who removed to Lynn after 
 13 
 
146 
 
 the fire, professed a gracious change and 
 united with the Baptist church in Salem, 
 of which Dr. Bolles was pastor. He after- 
 wards removed his connection and was re- 
 ceived a member of the Baptist church in 
 Newburyport, and soon after licensed as a 
 candidate for the ministry. He spent some 
 time in the school under the care of Dr. 
 Chaplin, in Danvers ; afterwards married a 
 daughter of Ekler Elliot, of Mason, and 
 went to the West. He possessed some 
 romising gifts for usefulness. But I have 
 leard nothing of him. for several years. 
 
 Mrs. Peak went with me to Barnstable, 
 to see my children, where we found some- 
 thing of a revival among the people ; but 
 they were much affiicted by the war. For 
 their resources, their dependence was al- 
 most wholly on fishing and coasting ; and 
 the enemy had possession of the Islands of 
 Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard ; had 
 landed at Bass river, five miles from Hyan- 
 nis, and some other places on the Cape ; 
 and demanded large sums of money of the 
 inhabitants; so that, beside suffering great 
 privations by the war, they were in con- 
 stant fear. At length, January, 1814, the 
 heart-stirrins: news arrived of Jackson's 
 gi*eat victory at ISew Orleans; and soon 
 after the glad tidings of peace. Some dif- 
 ference of opinion had existed among our 
 fellow citizens in regard to the declaration 
 of war, and some attached blame to our ru- 
 
147 
 
 lers. But after the news of peace was con- 
 firmed, all parties were disposed to culti- 
 vate friendship, forgetting iormer dissen- 
 tions. All were upon the a-ert to engage 
 in different kinds of business. Some too 
 hastily engaged in speculations which turn- 
 ed out to their disadvantage. Failures in 
 trade were common. 
 
 I had a demand against a gentleman in 
 the county of Barnstable for nearly five 
 hundred dollars, Avho was considered to be 
 wealthy ; and I was daily expecting to re- 
 ceive a payment, when I received his let- 
 ter informing me that his creditors had 
 broke upon him and taken possession of all 
 his property ; and he was sorry to say there 
 was nothing left for me to the amount of 
 five dollars. After some years I gave up 
 his notes, upon receiving less than the in- 
 terest due on the principal. This, with 
 other losses of a similar nature, reduced me 
 to penury. I had nothing left but house- 
 hold furniture and books. My horse and 
 carriage would not amount to more than 
 my debts. M}^ people were less able to 
 give me a support than they were the year 
 before. As there was no encouragement 
 for mechanics in town, our young men con- 
 tinued to migrate to different parts of the 
 country for employment ; but the infirm 
 and dependent mostly remained with us. 
 Under these circumstances, our prospects 
 in a pecuniary point of view, were discour- 
 
148 
 
 aging. Mr. Abijah Wheeler left the town, 
 with his family, in October, 1814, and went 
 to Troj, N. Y. This was trying to our 
 feelings beyond description, having lived 
 in near neighbourhood ever since they were 
 married. They were kind and attentive 
 to us indeed ; they were slmost every thing 
 we could wish in children ; and dear little 
 Julia Ann, now fifteen months old, had 
 very much engrossed our affections. He 
 was in the grocery line, and was thought to 
 be doing as well as others with a small cap- 
 ital ; but he concluded he could do busi- 
 ness to better profit in Troy, and has pros- 
 pered very well. He had been quite a 
 benefactor to our society. Besides aiding 
 in a pecuniary w^ay, he served as clerk of 
 the society, and led the singing in public 
 worship to great satisfaction. When they 
 came to take their leave of us I had not 
 fortitude enough to conceal my tender feel- 
 ings. I endeavoured to commit them to 
 the protection of our heavenly Father ; 
 imploring his blessing upon them. 
 
 Now another trying case must be record- 
 ed. I have mentioned that the society, 
 when the meeting-house was finished, hir- 
 ed from three to four hundred dollars to 
 settle the bills. The money was called 
 for. In November, 1815, one of the socie- 
 ty's committee came to me, saying that 
 they had received a letter from a lawyer, 
 requesting the payment of the money due 
 
149 
 
 from the society, to Mr. M., and appeared 
 to be alarmed, apprehending that their pri- 
 vate property might be attached to secure 
 the society's debts. I endeavoured to quiet 
 his fears, and went to see Mr. M. I asked 
 him whether he was in want of money? 
 He very pleasantly replied, " no more 
 than common, but did not like his security; 
 it was unpleasant to hold a mortgage on a 
 meeting-house ; if he had good men's notes 
 and the interest paid regularly, he would 
 let it lie." I requested him to suspend 
 the matter for a few days, and I would in- 
 form him w^hether any thing was likely to 
 be done. He readily consented. A meet- 
 ing was called ; but no possible plan could 
 be devised to raise the money, unless the 
 pastor would undertake another journey 
 and beg it. This was an unpleasant task 
 in the cold season ; and I knew not where 
 to go for help but to the same people who 
 had given liberally for the same object al- 
 ready. It was thought that the money 
 might be advanced by individuals within 
 the bounds of Newbury and Newburyport, 
 without injuring themselves, families or 
 creditors, if they were willing. But no 
 method could be thought of to make them 
 willing. 
 
 Rev. Edmund Reice, the pastor of one 
 
 of the Baptist churches in Baltimore, had 
 
 some time before this been with us about 
 
 ten days, and preached about as many ser- 
 
 13* 
 
150 
 
 mons to our great satisfaction, while wait- 
 ing for a passage to St. Johns by water. 
 He, learning the circumstances of the debt 
 on our meeting-house, advised and urged 
 me to come to Baltimore, for he had no 
 doubt but that I should get the money. 
 But that was five hundred miles distant ; 
 and yet I could not expect to raise the sum 
 short of that. I left it with the people to 
 obtain preaching in my absence and sat out 
 on the fifth of December, 1815. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Went to Barnstable and spent one Sab- 
 bath, and collected about thirty dollars. 
 The next Sabbath I spent with Brother J. 
 Grafton, in Newton ; received a trifle. On 
 Monday evening I arrived in Worcester, 
 spent the night with my good brother J. 
 Going. The next night I put up at a tav- 
 ern in Westown, but was much bewildered 
 in the darkness of the evening before I_ 
 found a shelter. The next day I arrived 
 in Belchertown, and put up with Brother 
 Peas, pastor of the Baptist church in that 
 place, and preached in the evening. Next 
 day, Thursday, I arrived in Goshen, 
 preached at a tavern kept by a Brother 
 Williams, who, with his wife, belonged to 
 the Baptist church in that town, of which 
 Elder Hubbard was pastor, and was at the 
 meeting. I was happy in the short ac- 
 quaintance I formed with him and his peo- 
 ple. He has since that time preached 
 on Martha's Vineyard and at Middlebu- 
 ry, but is now with his beloved people in 
 Goshen. 
 
 Here I shall record a marvellous thing. 
 After I had delivered my sermon, in which 
 
152 
 
 I enjoyed freedom, Brother Hubbard spoke 
 and prayed. At the close of the meeting 
 sister Williams, the lady of the house, ad- 
 dressed the people in the following manner : 
 " My friends and neighbours, permit me to 
 say to you, that my dream has come to pass. 
 Some weeks since I dreamed that the pas- 
 tor of the church which lately lost their 
 meeting-house by the great fire in Newbu- 
 ryport, came here and preached a sermon 
 in our house, greatly to my edification and 
 comfort. I consider it nothing but a dream, 
 and perhaps I should not have mentioned 
 it at this time, if I had not told my dream 
 before to some persons now present. I 
 might have forgotten it but for the comfort 
 I enjoyed in my dream, which continued 
 many days," &c. 
 
 I know not how the good woman came 
 to dream, as it appears she did, for her sto- 
 ry was confirmed by those present who 
 had heard it before. I had seen Brother 
 Hubbard some years before, but knew not 
 where he was, nor any thing of the people 
 in Goshen, till I was informed by Brother 
 Peas, in Belchertown, the day before. It 
 is said by Elihu, Job xxxiii. 14, "God 
 speaketh once, yea, twice, yet man per- 
 ceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of 
 the night," &c. Alas there are many who 
 appear not to perceive that God is speak- 
 ing to them in his holy word, even when 
 they are literally awake. But it is said of 
 
153 
 
 such, " They are like the deaf adder that 
 stoppeth her ear." Psalm Iviii. 4. 
 
 Friday, Dec. 22, left these kind friends 
 and rode to Windsor, called on Brother 
 Asa Niles, who resided in that town, and 
 preached to a small sosiety. 1 addressed 
 the people in the evening in a school- 
 house. Next day rode to Cheshire, where 
 I preached to the people three times on 
 the Sabbath. They had a decent meeting- 
 house, but no minister. They cheerfully 
 contributed to the object of my mission. 
 On Monday, the 25th, rode to Sand-lake ; 
 on Tuesday noon arrived at Mr. Abijah 
 Wheeler's, in Watervliet or W'est Troy, 
 and found my children and grand children 
 in good health. 1 spent about two weeks 
 very pleasantly in this region ; preached in 
 Troy, Lansingburg and Albany, and re- 
 ceived about fifty dollars. On the 9th of 
 January preached to the Baptist church in 
 Albany. My daughter and her husband 
 were present. They returned to Water- 
 vliet that evening. 
 
 Monday, January 10, set out from Alba- 
 ny for the city of New York, with a horse 
 and chaise. The snow was about one foot 
 deep, and the w^eather extremely cold. I 
 was careful to guard myself against the 
 cold, but the frost touched my face in three 
 places, so as to peel after a few days, and 
 was very tender during the cold season. 
 When I arrived at the high lands there fell 
 
154 
 
 a snow about two feet deep, so that there 
 was no passing for one day. After being 
 detained two nights at a tavern, I moved 
 slowly on, but found it difficult with my 
 wheels. As I proceeded the travelling be- 
 came better, so that I reached Peekskill on 
 Saturday, and kept Sabbath with a Presby- 
 terian minister, and preached three times 
 in his pulpit. He was a young man of 
 good accomplishments and apparent piety. 
 His people made a small collection. 
 
 In Poughkeepsie I preached and receiv- 
 ed a trifle. I was uetained two days in 
 Mount Pleasant by a great rain ; preached 
 and received a small donation. The next 
 Sabbath I preached in the city of New 
 York, and stayed there about three days ; 
 passed through the State of New Jersey 
 and arrived at Deacon Thomas Holmes', in 
 Holmesburg, on Friday morning. Here I 
 was introduced to Elder Jacob Griggs, pas- 
 tor of the church in Lower Dublin, an ex- 
 cellent brother. He advised me to go as 
 far as the State of Virginia, where he had 
 preached several years and was well ac- 
 quainted. He gave me a letter of intro- 
 duction to Elder Robert B. Semple, of 
 Brewington. Here I left my horse with 
 good Deacon Holmes, took stage and arriv- 
 ed in the city of Philadelphia on Saturday 
 evening. 
 
 On Sabbath forenoon heard Dr. H. Hol- 
 come preach on the infinite fullness of the 
 
155 
 
 Saviour. By his request I preached in the 
 afternoon from John, i. 16. "And of his 
 fulhiess have all we received, and grace for 
 grace." The doctor took a seat in a pew. 
 As soon as I had closed my sermon, he rose 
 and complimented the preacher and ser- 
 mon in a style most extravagant, such as I 
 had never heard before, and would never 
 wish to hear. By the invitation of Deacon 
 Sheelds I spent the night with him, he 
 gave me ten dollars. I took the stage and 
 rode to Baltimore. Here I tarried two 
 weeks. Brother E. Reice enorag-ed me to 
 supply his pulpit, and was absent two 
 Lord's-days. After he returned I had 
 some conversation with him on the subject 
 of my mission. He said he was afraid to 
 mention the case to his people, for they 
 had just commenced building a large meet- 
 ing-house which would cost about forty 
 thousand dollars ; and they had the greater 
 part of it to collect of individuals. About 
 this time Elder John Brice arrived in the 
 city, from Richmond, Va. who very affec- 
 tionately invited me to go to Virginia, and 
 encouraged me to hope for success. 
 
 About the first of February, I rode to 
 Washington, where I tarried several days 
 and received thirty dollars. I tarried in 
 Alexandria over the Sabbath. In Freder- 
 icksburg I was overtaken by Elder Brice. 
 We took the stage in company early in the 
 morning, and arrived at Brother Brice's 
 
156 
 
 house in the evening, seventy miles. Here 
 I laboured ten days in travelling from one 
 part to another of this extensive city ; col- 
 lected one hundred and thirty-three dol- 
 lars, and preached about ten times. 
 
 From Richmond I went to Hanover, 
 Brewington, Salem and Providence, and 
 collected about seventy-six dollars. The 
 hospitality of the Virginian Baptists ex- 
 ceeded any thing I had experienced; I rode 
 about one hundred miles without expense ; 
 and their attention to my poor preaching 
 was beyond what I had ever met with. 
 The churches that I visited were very 
 large. In the church in Richmond, I was 
 told, were fifteen hundred members; elev- 
 en hundred of them coloured people. In 
 Brewington I attended a communion sea- 
 son in company with Brother R. Semple, 
 pastor, and two other ministers. When 
 we arrived at the poor unsightly meeting- 
 house, in the midst of a grove of pitch 
 pines, there were several hundreds of gen- 
 tlemen and ladies walking among the trees. 
 As we entered the house I perceived that 
 every seat was occupied except the pulpit ; 
 the seats were moveable benches ; a pale 
 fence ran through the house to separate the 
 white from the coloured people. The peo- 
 ple in the grove soon stepped into their 
 coaches and rode away. After eleven 
 o'clock we commenced worship. When I 
 had preached, to which the people gave 
 
157 
 
 great attention, the pastor addressed the 
 people on the subject of the holy com- 
 munion in a very appropriate, instructive 
 and solemn manner. I did not perceive 
 that any of the assembly left their seats, 
 but all appeared to partake of the holy or- 
 dinance, about four hundred. Thus ended 
 the public services of the day. In four 
 weeks they would expect their pastor to 
 visit them again in like manner, for he had 
 the pastoral care of four churches; so that 
 ordinarily each church would hear twelve 
 or thirteen sermons in a year, and pay the 
 minister no salary. 
 
 On Monday I attended a funeral service 
 with Brother Semple, which appeared sin- 
 gular to me. They are not in the habit of 
 sending for the pastor at the time of bury- 
 ing the dead, but wait till he comes in his 
 turn to their church. They either fill, or 
 half fill the grave. If but half filled, when 
 the pastor arrives, they form a procession 
 and move to the grave, attend prayer, &c. 
 We had about five miles to ride. When we 
 arrived a very large assembly had collect- 
 ed, and Mr. Semple was informed that the 
 grave w^as filled. Then, said he, we have 
 nothing to do but to attend worship ; and 
 w^e both preached without intermission. 
 
 I should have mentioned that the com- 
 munion was administered in the most hum- 
 ble style, the cups and plates were crocke- 
 14 
 
158 
 
 ry. And in their families they study neat- 
 ness, plainness and economy. I had op- 
 portunity of forming a short personal ac- 
 quaintance with a large number of the Bap- 
 tist Christians in Virginia, and entertain a 
 very high opinion of their devotion, exem- 
 plary piety and consistency of character. 
 I believe that the greater part of our breth- 
 ren would cheerfully free their slaves, if 
 they knew how it could be done with 
 safetv. 
 
 My highly esteemed friend and brother, 
 Robert B. Semple, left me with James 
 Webb, Esq., States Attorney General, and 
 a beloved brother in the Baptist church of 
 King and Queen county. He w^as near 
 seventy years of age. He took me into his 
 carriage, with his lady, and conveyed me 
 to Upper King and Queen, fifteen miles, 
 where I preached at twelve o'clock, 5th of 
 March, to a large assembly, who were deep- 
 ly impressed under the word. We had a 
 pleasant ride, and some interesting conver- 
 sation. He lamented the evils of slavery 
 in a religious, moral and civil point of 
 view ; but did not know how the desired 
 reform could be effected. He said they 
 were in great want of good schools, col- 
 leges and academies ; and especially they 
 needed more ministers, who were men of 
 talents, learning and piety, who would de- 
 vote themselves to their calling. They 
 needed information and a disposition, he 
 
159 
 
 said, to adopt some proper method of giv- 
 ing ministers a regular support, &c. 
 
 After he pointed out to me where a num- 
 ber of Baptist brethren lived, I asked him 
 where the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, 
 Methodists, &c. lived? No where here, 
 said he, there is no meeting kept up with- 
 in thirty miles of this place, but by the 
 Baptists. I will show you, said he, an 
 Episcopalian church directly. We soon 
 came in sight of the ruins of an old brick 
 meeting-house ; the walls of which were 
 fallen to within a few feet of the ground ; 
 in the midst of it stood a wild poplar tree, 
 forty feet high. He gave a brief history of 
 their downfall. Before the reformation, 
 five years ago, said he, there were a num- 
 ber of Methodist meetings kept up in this 
 region, but in that revival they fell in with 
 the Baptists. 
 
 I preached next day in Providence meet- 
 ing house. The next day I arrived and 
 dispensed the word to an assembly in Col. 
 Todd's tavern, in Caroline county. The 
 next day, Saturday, Brother Todd sent his 
 servant with a carriage to convey me to 
 Fredericksburgh. Here I spent the Sab- 
 bath and received the kind attention of 
 Brother Alexander Walker and lady, with 
 whom I had tarried and preached a few 
 days before I went to Richmond. I cherish 
 an affectionate remembrance of these kind 
 friends. The amount received was ^ 32. 
 
160 
 
 Returned to Alexandria. Here I saw 
 about twenty of our Newburyport friends 
 who had come to this city since the con- 
 flagration. The collection amounted to 
 thirty-one dollars thirty-six cents. From 
 this city I went to Georgetown in a horse 
 boat. 
 
 I had preached in the city of Washing- 
 ton, in Brother O. B. Brown's pulpit, by 
 the request of Brother S. H. Cone, who 
 was at that time chaplain to Congress, and 
 he had appointed to preach that evening. 
 On my return I arrived just in season to 
 attend Brother Cone's weekly lecture. He 
 urged me to preach, saying he had taken 
 cold and was not well, &c. I told him that 
 a pulpit sweat might do him good. He 
 preached much to my satisfaction. 
 
 I received of the friends in Washington 
 thirty dollars. Now I had several hundred 
 dollars of Southern paper on which there 
 would be ten or twelve per cent, discount 
 if I carried it to Massachusetts ; therefore 
 I consulted Capt. John Peabody, of George- 
 town, formerly of Newburyport, and en- 
 gaged him to lay it out in flour, get it in- 
 sured and consign it to Mr. Henry Mer- 
 rill, of Newburyport. On which I gained 
 something besides saving the per centage, 
 freight and insurance. 
 
 When I arrived in Baltimore, Brother 
 Reice wished me to preach to his people 
 the next Sabbath. 1 took lodgings with 
 
161 
 
 my belovxd Brother Lewis Richards, the 
 senior pastor of the first church, and a part 
 of the time with Deacon Carnehan ; and 
 kinder friends I never knew than I found 
 in Baltimore. 
 
 While I was in the city, Dr. Stoughton 
 and several other ministering brethren ar- 
 rived. By invitation all the Baptist min- 
 isters in the city took breakfast with our 
 respected Brother Wilson. W^hile we 
 were at the table some one spoke of my 
 making a collection in the city. Brother 
 Reice, to intrench himself, or please his 
 friends, said to me, " If you attempt to 
 make a collection I will oppose you." I 
 asked the brethren, what I ought to do with 
 this little man ; he had been to Newbury- 
 port, became acquainted with my people, 
 and understood that our meeting-house was 
 under a mortgage and the people were un- 
 able to redeem it. He advised, and even 
 urged me to come to Baltimore, and said he 
 had no doubt but that I would receive 
 enough to redeem the meeting-house. By 
 his advice I have come and you hear what 
 he says. This caused a smile and nothing 
 more was said. Brother Reice left the city 
 to preach to some destitute people, and I 
 staid two weeks, and collected one hundred 
 and thirty-six dollars seventy-four cents ; 
 left my kind friends in a steam-boat ; stop- 
 ped at Wilmington, March 28, and receiv* 
 14* 
 
162 
 
 ed a collection which had been made, a- 
 mounting to thirty eight dollars twenty- 
 five cents. 
 
 The next Lord's-day I was in Lower 
 Dublin. The first Lord's-day in April I 
 preached in New York, and the next Sab- 
 bath I preached near Strafford Springs, in 
 Connecticut, and on the 17th of April 1 ar- 
 rived at my habitation in Newburyport, and 
 found my family in good health. Thanks 
 be to our heavenly Benefactor for his pre- 
 serving goodness. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 With the avails of my tour to the 
 South, after deducting my expenses and 
 compensation for my time, and all the ar- 
 rearages due to me for past services, I took 
 up the mortgage on the meeting-house and 
 wholly cleared the society from debt. I 
 then told the society, that as they had as- 
 sessed six hundred dollars on the pews, 
 which were nearly all occupied, if they 
 would engage to pay me four hundred dol- 
 lars per year, I would have no further 
 claim on them. 
 
 This I expected they would do, although 
 I cannot say that they made any formal en- 
 gagement to comply with the proposition. 
 Thus the subject rested. When the col- 
 lector received any money for pew rent, 
 he punctually paid it to me on receipt. 
 
 I continued to baptize till the summer of 
 1813, when I became so debilitated in my 
 limbs that I thought it prudent to desist 
 from the practice, but not from the princi- 
 ple. It is such a bright emblem of the 
 resurrection of the dead, and especially of 
 the death, burial and resurrection of our 
 blessed Lord and Saviour, that it has uni- 
 
164 
 
 formly been a very precious ordinance to 
 me, whatever others may think of it. 
 
 Before my house was burned, I had a 
 catalogue of all whom I had baptized, with 
 the names of the people and the towns. 
 But now I cannot state the number partic- 
 ularly; I think however, that I have baptiz- 
 ed more than one thousand, in the States 
 of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massa- 
 chusetts. Some, undoubtedly, became 
 apostates, but I hope a greater number 
 have proved themselves faithful and suc- 
 cessful ministers of the gospel of Christ. 
 
 After my return from Virginia, in 1816, 
 I had but a small income ; had I not re- 
 ceived assistance from my country friends, 
 where I made short tours, dispensing the 
 word, I could not have staid with my peo- 
 ple so long as I did. Great credit is due 
 to the collector and treasurer, Mr. J. C, 
 who was indefati2:able in his endeavours to 
 collect the dues on the pews ; but he was 
 able to collect but a part. 
 
 In January, 1818, by my request, the 
 committee met at my house, and I disclosed 
 to them the state of my affairs and request- 
 ed them to favour me with their best ad- 
 vice. They were kind and sympathising, 
 and agreed to deliberate on the subject and 
 give me the result. I saw the chairman of 
 the committee a few days after, who told 
 me that they had consulted on the subject, 
 and concluded that the case was so difficult 
 
165 
 
 that they could give me no advice, but re- 
 ferred the case to my judgment. 
 
 Now I soon came to the painful conclu- 
 sion that I must leave this loving and be- 
 loved people, not knowing where I should 
 find another home. However I made no 
 conversation on the subject. I concluded 
 to ride and visit the churches. First I 
 went to Barnstable, where my son lived. 
 When I arrived, in the month of June, the 
 good people received me with all the cor- 
 diality they ever had done, and appeared 
 to regret that I ever left them. Mr. Sim- 
 eon Coombs was their pastor at this time, 
 but intended to be released as soon as he 
 could consistently. In short, I was satisfi- 
 ed that if the people knew that I could 
 leave Newburyport, there would be a door 
 opened in Barnstable for my poor labours ; 
 but I gave no such intimation. On my re- 
 turn home, I consulted my good old friend, 
 Dr. Baldwin, who advised me to go to 
 Barnstable if they would receive me, say- 
 ing that I had persevered at Newburyport 
 longer than he had thought I would, con- 
 sidering the troubles I had met with. Dr. 
 J. Chaplin, then about moving from Dan- 
 vers to Waterville, and other good minis- 
 tering brethren, gave me the same advice. 
 I arrived home on Saturday, and on Mon- 
 day morninof I informed the committee that 
 I expected to be released from my pastoral 
 charge in three months from that time. 
 
166 
 
 Then by letter I informed my son at 
 Barnstable, what had transpired. I soon 
 bad a letter from Elder Coombs, urging me 
 to come to Barnstable, if I could leave 
 Newburyport, and another from the clerk 
 of the church and society, requesting me 
 to commence my labours with them at the 
 expiration of the year for which they had 
 engaged Mr. Coombs, &c. 
 
 A church meeting was called to attend 
 to my request, which I stated, and offered 
 V my reasons. I told them that during the 
 thirteen years I had served them, I had 
 rode thirty-five hundred miles in their ser- 
 %i vice, and collected ^ 3500, including ^900 
 ^'j^^. collected in their society, which I had paid 
 over to their treasurer, without making the 
 society any expense. And during my resi- 
 dence with them I had expended ^ 1000 
 for the support of my family, in addition to 
 all that I had received of the people. But 
 now I had no means of supporting myself 
 and family any longer in the town. For 
 these reasons, and not for want of regard 
 for the people, I was compelled to ask a 
 dismission from my pastoral charge. 
 
 The senior deacon addressed the church, 
 and said they had heard the pastor's re- 
 quest, and his statements as reasons for the 
 same, which he believed very correct ; that 
 he was sorr}^ to part with him, and he did 
 not know of any one in the church or so- 
 ciety that wished him to leave. Yet he 
 
167 
 
 thought the request was reasonal)Ie, and 
 they would do wrong not to grant it. By 
 vote the request was granted. This was a 
 time of great tenderness with the pastor 
 and people, a season not soon to be forgot- 
 ten. With humble prayer we commended 
 each other to the grace of God, and parted 
 in Christian friendship. 
 
 In August, 1818, I removed my family 
 to Barnstable, and was kindly received. 
 In October, Elder Coombs resigned his 
 pastoral office, and I was elected pastor of 
 the church without debate or discension. 
 Thus was I situated with a people with 
 whom I was well acquainted and of whose 
 friendship and affection I could entertain 
 no doubt. 
 
 During the ministry of Mr. Barnabus 
 Bates, for about five or six years, both the 
 church and society were much enlarged. 
 The church now consisted of about two 
 hundred and sixty members, and the socie- 
 ty contained two hundred and twenty rate- 
 able polls. The society extended over a 
 district sixteen miles in lensfth from Bass 
 river on the East, to Katuet on the West, 
 and from the North, to the South side of 
 the Cape, interspersed with other societies. 
 Individual members of the church resided 
 in most of the towns in the county of 
 Barnstable, which contained all the towns 
 on the Cape below Plymouth and Ware- 
 ham, fourteen in number. 
 
168 
 
 At this time there was but one other 
 Baptist church in the county, which was 
 in Harwich, was the first planted and con- 
 tained about an equal number of mem- 
 bers with the church in Barnstable. Rev. 
 James Barnaby was now their pastor, un- 
 der whose able and indefatigable labours 
 they had greatly increased and prospered. 
 He left them in 1819, much to their grief. 
 He preached awhile in New Bedford, in 
 Salisbury, and in Deerfield ; but is now 
 happily settled as pastor of the Baptist 
 church in Dan vers. His labours have been 
 owned and blessed to souls in the several 
 places where he has dispensed the word of 
 life. 
 
 In September I received the distressing 
 news of the death of my beloved daughter 
 Ploomy Wheeler. I had previously re- 
 ceived a letter informing me of her being 
 very sick of a fever, and was waiting with 
 painful anxiety for further intelligence. 
 The letter containing the sorrowful tidings 
 was handed me by Brother Benjamin Hal- 
 lett, of Oysterville, at his house on Sabbath 
 noon. x4s I read, 1 exclaimed, the child 
 is dead! What child? said Brother H. 
 I gave him the letter and retired to give 
 vent to the overflowings of grief I had to 
 preach in the afternoon. I endeavoured 
 to compose myself and improve the solemn 
 event for the benefit of the young people 
 in the congregation, many of whom had 
 
169 
 
 been acquainted with my daughter in child- 
 hood. I did not change the subject I had 
 contemplated, but accommodated it to the 
 occasion. The text was Psalm Ixxii. 12. 
 ** For He shall deliver the needy when he 
 crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no 
 helper." 
 
 My daughter w^as a member of the Bap- 
 tist church in Troy, under the pastoral care 
 of Brother Summers, who sent me a con- 
 soling letter, giving an account of the happy 
 and peaceful state of mind she possessed 
 in her sickness, and the near approach of 
 death. She left an affectionate husband, 
 and three children to mourn their loss, and 
 a large circle of Christian friends who la- 
 mented her death as one greatly beloved. 
 ** It is the Lord, let him do as seemeth him 
 good." 
 
 I had a large field for ministerial labour 
 open before me, and in some measure felt 
 ray need of Divine assistance both in body 
 and mind, to enable me to perform the im- 
 portant duties of the responsible station. 
 The centre of the church was in Hyannis, 
 a pleasant little village in the South-east 
 part of the town, where stands the meet- 
 ing-house, and near it I purchased a house 
 and garden, and secured the payment by 
 mortgage. 
 
 The church was in a very languid state 
 when I came to them, som.e of the mem- 
 bers walked disorderly, and for a time we 
 15 
 
170 
 
 had some difficulty in maintaining proper 
 discipline. But a happy revival of re- 
 ligion commenced in the spring of 1819. 
 The good work first appeared in Rev. 
 Enoch Pratt's society, in the North-west 
 part of the town, about nine miles from 
 Hyannis. Mr. Pratt is a pious Orthodox 
 Pedobaptist minister. He sent a messen- 
 ger requesting me to come and assist him. 
 I Avent, and preached every day from 
 Monday till Saturday. The holy Spirit 
 wrought powerfully upon the minds of the 
 people; many were deeply affected under 
 a conviction of their guilty, lost state ; a 
 deep solemnity reigned through the crowd- 
 ed assemblies, in stillness. As the fruits of 
 this good work I suppose about fifty were 
 added to that church who professed to have 
 passed from death to life, and about forty 
 to another Orthodox church in the South 
 part of tlie town. 
 
 At length the heavenly influence was 
 felt in Hyannis, which put new life into 
 the church. A goodly number of young 
 people were awakened and brought to 
 hope in the Saviour. Elder Coombs, who 
 still lived in the town, was very useful in 
 the reformation. He baptized twenty who 
 joined our church, two of whom were his 
 children, Stephen and Hannah Coombs. 
 Stephen is now a useful pastor of a Bap- 
 tist church in New Chester, N. H. He 
 obtained his education at Mr. Farnsworth's 
 
171 
 
 Academy, in New Hampton. Besides 
 those who joined with us, Mr. Coombs bap- 
 tized ten or twelve who joined the Chick- 
 woket Orthodox churcli. These had been 
 sprinkled in infancy. Mr. Sturtevant, the 
 nastor of said church, immersed about as 
 many who had not been sprinkled. The 
 method in which he proceeded was new to 
 many who witnessed it. He led the can- 
 didates into the water, wet his hand and 
 hiid it on their faces, then pronounced the 
 solemn words, " in the name," &c. ; then he 
 put tiiem under water, leaving them to get 
 out as they could. One instance was that 
 of a young female; as she rose to the sur- 
 ftice of the water, the administrator being 
 gone ashore, appeared to feel herself lost 
 and made off into deep water, and for a 
 moment was thought to be in danger of 
 being drowned. A good old lady in the 
 crowd, in her fright exclaimed, ''Where 
 are all the old Baptists, will they let that 
 young woman drown ]" Let no one think 
 this an exa2:2:erated tale, it is sober fact, as 
 scores now living in Barnstable can testify. 
 f wv'^s sitting in my chaise at a short dis- 
 tance and saw the whole transaction. Y^wt 
 it happened in this case as it has with other 
 individuals who have tried to please every 
 body. Neither Baptists nor Pedobaptists 
 were pleased with this novel attempt at ac- 
 commodation. Some of the parents of the 
 young people thus baptized were offended, 
 
172 
 
 and some of the candidates were dissatisfi- 
 ed. The administrator might be satisfied 
 with his conduct in this instance, but I 
 doubt whether any others could be found 
 who would, in all respects, justify such a 
 course of procedure. I have heard Mr. 
 Sturtevant preach the gospel with satisfac- 
 tion, but when he undertook to support un- 
 written tradition he was led astray. 
 
 At a church-meeting Elder Coombs 
 brought up the query whether the church 
 could not consistently invite those to oc- 
 casional communion who had been baptiz- 
 ed, although they had joined a Pedobaptist 
 church? I felt an objection to the propo- 
 sal, but at the same time felt a delicacy in 
 making strong opposition to it, and as 1 did 
 not think the motion would prevail, I said 
 but little. After some debate, the motion 
 was put, and carried by a small majority, 
 in such general terms as " to invite all 
 to our communion who had been baptized 
 on profession of faith, and were in good 
 standing in any evangelical church." This 
 was opening the door so wide, that at one 
 communion season, the members of four 
 denominations, besides our own, joined. 
 A number of the members of the church 
 withdrew on account of the innovation. 
 The difficulty existed about one year, till 
 we had obtained the opinion of the War- 
 ren Association, disapproving the practice, 
 when a vote was passed disannulling the 
 
173 
 
 former vote. The church was now restor- 
 ed to their former order, and travelled on 
 in harmony. 
 
 Three or four months after the com- 
 mencement of the precious revival in which 
 Elder Coombs was much engaged, the good 
 man was taken sick of a fever of which he 
 died in October, 1819, aged 59 years. He 
 professed religion in his youth, commenced 
 in the ministry in early life, and maintain- 
 ed an exemplary course of conduct to the 
 close of his earthly pilgrimage. His amia- 
 ble disposition, fervent piety, good judg- 
 ment, ready invention and long experience, 
 appeared in some measure to supply the 
 deficiency of a classical education. It may 
 be said of him as was said of the prophet 
 Daniel, "He was of an excellent spirit and 
 greatly beloved." He left his pious widow 
 and thirteen children to mourn their loss. 
 His remains were conveyed to our meet- 
 ing-house where I delivered a funeral dis- 
 course to a large and deeply affected as- 
 sembly, from 2 Timothy, iv. 7 ; "I have 
 fought a good fight, I have finished my 
 course, I have kept the faith." 
 
 The church in Harwich was destitute of 
 a pastor for about two years, after Mr. Bar- 
 naby left them, and they frequently called 
 on me for assistance. I was often request- 
 ed to preach in Pocasset, Falmouth, Wack- 
 woyt, Brewster, Orleans, Chatham, &.c. 
 There were not far from seven hundred 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 professed Baptists belonging to the two 
 churches of Barnstable and Harwich, scat- 
 tered up and down the Cape ; and for a 
 number of years there was no regular Bap- 
 tist minister in the county, but myself. If 
 I could have truly rejoiced in all my la- 
 bour, I might have had joy enough. 
 
 Elder David Curtis preached in Har- 
 wich about three or four years, and his la- 
 bours were attended with a blessing to the 
 people in Harwich and towns adjoining, 
 but he went to New Bedford in 1824, and 
 the same year our young brethren Stephen 
 Coombs and Otis Wing, were ordained, and 
 preached for a short time in the count)' ; 
 Brother Coombs in Harwich, and Brother 
 Wing in Brewster, Orleans and Chatham, 
 and was instrumental of raising a church in 
 each of these tow^ns. But these young 
 men left the region and entered semina- 
 ries ; Brother Wing at South Reading, and 
 is now the successful pastor of the Second 
 Baptist Church in Haverhill ; Brother 
 Nymphus Handy was ordained and went 
 to Halifax, where he still resides. Brother 
 Handy and Brother Coombs were members 
 of the church in Barnstable. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 A VERY extensive and powerful revival 
 of religion commenced in Hyannis, in 1S23, 
 which continued about two years. In the 
 month of April we were favoured with 
 some tokens for good. The members of 
 the church were excited to set apart a day 
 to meet for special prayer for a gracious 
 rain of rij^hteousness. Much deep feeling 
 for the sais^ation of precious souls was man- 
 ifested in liumble confessions of backslid- 
 ings, fervent supplications and affectionate 
 exhortations. Soon after this interesting 
 meeting, some young people were awaken- 
 ed to a deep sense of their guilty, lost and 
 perishing s^ate, and were brought to re* 
 joice in hope. A few days after the good 
 work commenced, and before any had pro- 
 fessed to be brought into gospel liberty, I 
 set out a joUiUey into the State of New 
 York, which I had previously appointed. 
 When I returned, a meeting of the young 
 converts was attended and about twenty 
 gave the reasons of their hope. Fourteen 
 were baptized by Elder Curtis, at the first 
 administration, and afterwards five^ six and 
 seven at a time, till about forty were re- 
 
176 
 
 ceived ; and the next year a number more 
 were added. But the good work was not 
 limited to our society or denomination. 
 The work extended into the lower towns 
 as far as Chatham and Orleans. In some of 
 these towns the work might have com- 
 menced before it did with us. The Ortho- 
 dox Conorreorationalists and Methodists shar- 
 ed largely in the revival. As the fruit of 
 this gracious rain, six Baptist churches 
 were constituted in the county within a- 
 bout two years. These were in Falmouth 
 village, Wockwoyt, Yarmouth, Brewster, 
 Orleans and Chatham. Four of these have 
 erected good meeting-houses, namely, Yar- 
 mouth, Brewster, Orleans and Chatham. I 
 had preached frequently in all these pla- 
 ces before there were any Baptist churches 
 constituted, and was well acquainted with 
 the people. I shall not give an account of 
 the rise of all these churches, but will give 
 a sketch of one of them. 
 
 In one of my tours down the Cape, I was 
 favoured with the compan}^ of our late be- 
 loved brother, Elder Isaac Kimball. We 
 called on Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Orleans. I 
 had some acquaintance with him, and con- 
 sidered him a pious, experimental preacher. 
 I had been told that a precious revival had 
 recently visited his people, in which the 
 minister and a considerable number of the 
 church had professed to have experienced 
 a gracious change. He received us kindly. 
 
177 
 
 and requested one of us to preach his sa- 
 cramental lecture the next day, to which 
 we agreed. The next day I left Brother 
 Kimball to pursue his journey down the 
 Cape, and I returned from Eastham to 
 preach the lecture. I preached to a large, 
 attentive assembly. Text, ''I know mv 
 sheep, and am known of mine." As I 
 passed out of the house, I was met by a 
 gentleman who invited me to go home with 
 him who said his name was Rider, a mem- 
 ber of the Second Baptist Church in Bos- 
 ton, and the only Baptist in Orleans. I 
 went ; his neighbours assembled, and I 
 preached from " It is good for us to be 
 here." I noticed several circumstances 
 attending the transfiguration of Christ, 
 which rendered it good for the disciples to 
 be present. 1st. It was a prayer-meeting. 
 2d. Christ led in their devotions. 3d. He 
 appeared in his glory. 4th. Moses and 
 Elias appeared Avith them. 5th. The 
 prayer-meeting became a conference-meet- 
 ing.^ 6th. The subject; they talked with 
 him of the decease v^^iich he was shortly to 
 accomplish at .Jerusalem. 7th. A cloud 
 overshadowed them. 8th. A voice out of 
 the cloud, &c. There were a number of 
 the leadinof influential members of the 
 church present. They exhorted, prayed 
 and sung, and said it was good for them to be 
 there. Next day Mr. Johnson said, he and 
 I must have an exchange. 
 
178 
 
 About this time, as I understood, the 
 church had appointed a committee to draw 
 up articles of faith to be adopted, for al- 
 though the church had been standing more 
 than an hundred years, they had never 
 adopted any articles of faith. I was told by 
 two of the committee that they proceeded 
 very well till they came to the article of 
 Baptism. Here they were in difficulty. 
 They could find no proof for infant sprink- 
 ling. After deliberating on the subject for 
 some time, they reported to the church that 
 two of them had become Baptists and wish- 
 ed to be released from serving on the com- 
 mittee ; but the church thought it better 
 to add two more ; and in a short time the}^ 
 all five, and their wives, became Baptists. 
 A church was formed in July, 1826 or 1827 ; 
 and in one year from the time of its con- 
 stitution it had increased from eight mem- 
 bers to thirty-two, under the ministry of 
 Mr. Otis Wing. In 1828, they erected 
 themselves a very neat and commodious 
 house of worship. 1 had the pleasure of 
 preaching in it one Sabbath before it was 
 finished. 
 
 The churches in Falmouth and Yar- 
 mouth were constituted of members dis- 
 missed from the church in Barnstable. 
 That in Falmouth has never had a regular 
 pastor. Elder Simeon Crowell is the pas- 
 tor of the church in Yarmouth. He was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry by 
 
179 
 
 the church in Barnstable, and continued a 
 member there, till he and the other mem- 
 bers were dismissed for the purpose of con- 
 stituting tlie church to which he ministers. 
 It is small, and I conclude that very little 
 is done for his support. 
 
 I have now to record a sorrowful event 
 which none can fully realise but those who 
 have experienced the same. My son, Sam- 
 uel Adams, was taken sick while attending 
 as crier of the court in Barnstable, May 
 7, 1824, and brought to my house in Hy- 
 annis, six miles from his residence, on Point 
 Gammon, where he had the care of the 
 light-house. At first his physician pro- 
 nounced his disease to be the lung fever, 
 afterward the typhus fever. • He continu- 
 ed to languish for forty days, when he ex- 
 pired June IG, 1824, aged forty -one years 
 and three months. For several days his 
 friends were not apprehensive that his sick- 
 ness would prove mortal ; but about ten 
 days before he died, his case was consider- 
 ed dangerous. Now his anxious wife and 
 aiilicted father, with his children and other 
 sympathising friends, were much affected 
 with the distressing scene. He was not 
 considered to be pious, but had many 
 friends. He was favoured with the exer- 
 cise of his intellectual powers, and appear- 
 ed to realise his danger. He gave direc- 
 tions and made what arrangements he could 
 for his fi\mily. He manifested deep anxie- 
 
180 
 
 ty for his immortal interest. His pious 
 companion was more anxious for his pre- 
 cious soul than for herself or children. The 
 anxiety I felt for my dear and only child 
 from day to day, when by him and when 
 retired, I still have fresh in my memory, 
 but I labour in vain to describe it. Fre- 
 quently did we bow around his bed in hum- 
 ble supplications, while he, his parents, his 
 wife and children, all were bathed in tears* 
 He spake of his wicked life and hard and 
 unyielding heart with much tenderness, 
 and with sobs and tears would ask his 
 weeping father whether he thought such a 
 great sinner could be forgiven. 
 
 Seven days before he died, early in the 
 morning, as I approached his bed-side, he 
 spoke with cheerfulness, and said, "Father, 
 rejoice with me. God is merciful. He has 
 appeared for me. I have had a happy night 
 in thinking on his love and mercy. I can 
 give myself into his hands, and can give you 
 ail up, parents, wife and children. I can 
 leave 3'ou all with the Lord," &c. Thus 
 he continued in much such a state of mind 
 till his reason failed, a little before his de- 
 cease. I stood by him to the last, and felt 
 a degree of calm submission. But the next 
 day in my retirement, I had a fit of weep- 
 ing come over me, which lasted for an hour 
 or more. I was grieved that I was written 
 childless, and when I thoughtof the conde- 
 scending goodness of our heavenly Father, 
 
181 
 
 that we are permitted to indulge some 
 hope for my son, the tears of gratitude 
 woukl How afresh. I think I indulged to 
 excess, but it was my weakness, and how 
 much selfishness there was in my exercises 
 I cannot say ; but I hope the bereavement 
 has been overruled for my good. He was 
 interred from the meeting-house. Three 
 ministers attended. Mr. Bailey preached 
 an instructive good sermon, and more pa- 
 rade was exhibited on the occasion than I 
 desired. 
 
 My son left his widow, three sons and 
 two daughters. His oldest son w^as twenty, 
 his second eighteen, and the youngest six 
 years of age. The ages of his daughters 
 w-ere thirteen and eleven years. 
 
 When my daughter died, in 1818, she 
 left two daughters and one son, aged about 
 five, three and one years. Of eight grand 
 children, five have been baptized on pro- 
 fession of faith since the death of their pa- 
 rents. My son's w4dow departed this life 
 in April, 1829, greatly lamented, as she 
 had lived respected. 
 
 By agreement the society removed their 
 old meeting-house and erected another on 
 the same site, 60 feet by 40, with a tower,, 
 in which they have since hung a bell. The 
 house was completed in December, 1825, 
 and cost $4000. From this period the 
 church and society have increased and pros- 
 pered. Elder Enoch Eldridge, their first 
 16 
 
182 
 
 pastor, was called by this church to ordina- 
 tion. The other ministers whom they have 
 set apart to the sacred office, are Elders 
 Shubael Lovell, Barnabas Bates, Simeon 
 Crowell, Nymphus Handy, and Stephen 
 Coombs. E. Eldredge Chase and Jas. Mar- 
 chant were licensed by the same church. 
 Elder Edward N. Harris is now their pas- 
 tor, and his labours are greatly blest. 
 
 I had now been in the ministry more 
 than forty years, and had been obliged to 
 walk with crutches about five years. The 
 labour devolving upon me was greater than 
 I could well perform. I knew the relation 
 between me and the people must soon ter- 
 minate, and I thought the motion had bet- 
 ter come from me than from them. As it 
 was a time of peace and harmony in the 
 church and society, I thought it a favoura- 
 ble time to make the request as it respect- 
 ed the people and myself. Therefore, af- 
 ter giving the church and society three 
 months notice, I obtained an honourable 
 dismission, and separated on friendly terms, 
 April, 1828. 
 
 Under the patronage of the Massachu- 
 setts Baptist Missionary Society, I preach- 
 ed in the county three months. Here were 
 eight churches and but one pastor, viz. 
 Elder S. Crowell, of Yarmouth. I preach- 
 ed, attended church-meetings and admin- 
 istered the Lord's supper in Falmouth, 
 Wockwoyt, Harwich, Brewster and Or- 
 leans, and preached in many other places. 
 
183 
 
 I was in debt and my house under mort- 
 gage, which must probably be sold for less 
 than its value if I did not redeem it. I let 
 the case be known to my friends in Hyan- 
 nis, who gave me about fifty dollars. I then 
 came into Boston and vicinity, supplied 
 Brother Leverett's pulpit five weeks, and 
 visited other churches in the region ; and, 
 by the liberality of my friends, was enabled 
 to take up the mortgage on my place, but 
 could not keep it and pay all my debts. 1 
 stated the case to some of my Christian 
 brethren, who advised me to sell my house, 
 remove to South Reading, and take a board- 
 ing house for the accommodation of stu- 
 dents of the Baptist academy about to be 
 established in that town, and supply occa- 
 sionally the destitute churches in the neigh- 
 bourhood. As 1 did not think of engaging 
 to preach regularly with any people, I 
 thought it best to comply with this advice, 
 and accordingly sold my place for ^500, 
 paid my debts, and removed to South Read- 
 ing in October, 1828. 
 
 While I resided in Reading, I preached 
 to the destitute during the summer, but in 
 cold weather was unable to travel abroad. 
 
 In March, 1830, I made a settlement 
 with my boarders, and found that my in- 
 come fell short of my expenses ^ 150, in 
 seventeen months. I gave up my large 
 boarding-house, sold my horse and chaise, 
 a part of my furniture and library, paid 
 
184 
 
 my debts and removed to Boston, the last 
 of March ; obtained a good house in Fed- 
 eral Street ; tried to get boarders, but could 
 not succeed. After making trial three 
 months, I gave up the boarding-house, the 
 rent of which was about ^ 300 per year ; 
 removed into a cheap tenement and gave 
 up the idea of getting a living by taking 
 boarders. 
 
 The African Baptist Church, in this city, 
 of which Jillder Thomas Paul had been 
 pastor, was now destitute of a preacher. 
 By their request I commenced in April 
 and continued to labour wdth them nine 
 months, and was assisted by the Massachu- 
 setts Baptist Convention. This church had 
 been in a prosperous state, but was now re- 
 duced to only twenty-three members in 
 the church, and not so well united as was 
 desirable. The whole congregation on the 
 Sabbath contained, perhaps, forty or fifty 
 people, old and young. 
 
 They were wonderfully pleased to have 
 me preach to them. My first object was 
 to obtain a union among the members, 
 which was accomplished after considerable 
 effort, by the kind assistance of my belov- 
 ed brother, Elder William ('oilier. 
 
 Now the prospect was more encouraging. 
 Backsliders returned, confessed their wan- 
 derings, and were restored. Some were 
 received by letter, others were baptized by 
 Brother Collier, and added to the church. 
 
185 
 
 There were a few instances of hopeful con- 
 version, and others anxious ; so that for a 
 time they were in a prosperous, happy 
 state. When I left them, in January, 1831, 
 the number in the church was forty-nine, 
 and the congregation consisted of about 
 two hundred. They had obtained a man 
 of colour, by the name of Washington 
 Christian, who they expected would be- 
 come their pastor, so that I was happily re- 
 leased. 
 
 I went to South Reading and preached 
 three weeks, in February and March. 
 Then I laboured one week in Canton and 
 three in Sharon. In April and May I 
 spent six weeks in East Stoughton, Canton 
 and West Bridgewater. During the sum- 
 mer, I laboured four weeks in Canton, four 
 weeks in Randolph, three in Middlebor- 
 ough, two in Barnstable, and one in Hano- 
 ver. After the first of September, I 
 preached in South Reading, Pelham and 
 Newtown, N. H. East Haverhill, Salisbury, 
 Newbury port, Wenham, Maiden, West 
 Bridgewater, and several other places, and 
 attended five protracted meetings. Of 
 some of the people to whom I preached I 
 received a generous compensation, of oth- 
 ers little or nothing. For a part of the 
 time I preached to the poor and destitute. 
 
 I arrived home from West Bridgewa- 
 ter the last of November, much fatigued. 
 Since that time I have attempted to preach 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 but a few times, and have earned nothing. 
 Had it not been for the assistance of kind 
 and benevolent friends I must have suffer- 
 ed great inconvenience, at least. In the 
 fore part of the winter I was very unwell 
 with the influenza, followed by a distress- 
 ing cough, which continued for several 
 weeks. Since the cough has left me I have 
 had a debility on my lungs, which I never 
 realised for so long a time before. But 
 through Divine goodness I am now favour- 
 ed with better health. 
 
 Since the first of March I have employ- 
 ed myself in writing this work, which will 
 be approved by some, and set at nought by 
 others. But if each of my friends should 
 take one copy, at the low price affixed, I 
 shall be able to pay the printer and have 
 something left. 
 
 *^ 
 
CHAPTER XIL 
 
 The contrast between the state of religion and re- 
 ligious privileges now, and what they were forty-seven 
 years ago, is very great. Mr. John Aspland published a 
 register of the Biipiist denomination in the year 1791, 
 and another in 1794. Previous to publishing his second 
 register he travelled seventeen thousand miles in the 
 United States, to collect materials for the work, as stat- 
 ed in Benedict's History of the Baptist denomination, 
 vol. ii. page 266. The number of communicants of the 
 Baptist churches in the United States in 1794, as stated 
 by Mr. Aspland, amounted to a little more than sixty 
 thousand. Therefore, I conclude, that we may estimate 
 the number, at the period to which I allude, 1785, at 
 not far from fifty thousand; but now we number about 
 four hundred thousand. 
 
 At the former period we were a miner sect and op- 
 pressed by other denominations; but now, if we except 
 the Methodists, who frequently baptize by immersion, we 
 are the most numerous of any sect of Protestant Christ- 
 ians in the United States of America. To what shalJ 
 we impute this astonishing increase? Not to civil au- 
 thority; for this, in the several States, has generally 
 been in the hands of our opponents; and where the 
 Baptists have had the rule, as in Rhode Island and Ken- 
 tucky, they have uniformly disclaimed all coercive meas- 
 ures in religious matters. Not to the influence of litera- 
 ture ; for at that early period there were but few men of 
 learning in the denomination ; a few venerable men, 
 such as Stillman and Skillman, Smith and Manning, and 
 perhaps as many more, included all the Baptist ministers 
 
188 
 
 in the New England States, who were considered class- 
 ical men. Not in consequence of possessing superior 
 wealth ; for, although there have been some wealthy, lib- 
 eral Baptists, ever since I have been acquainted with 
 them, yet they have generally been an afflicted and poor 
 people. Not because they have formerly laid any wise 
 or deep plans for the increase or reputation of the de- 
 nomination ; for they have been the most improvident 
 people that ever prospered. Till recently they have had 
 but one considerable literary institution, in any measure 
 under their control ;* and that has had but very little 
 direct bearing upon the denomination. Their ministers 
 have been greatly neglected in their education and sup- 
 port; and, in some instances, they have too much neg- 
 lected the education of their children. Asa certain 
 writer has said on another subject, the cause of the pros- 
 perity and increase of the Baptists, ** must be made out 
 in some other way." Our Lord and Saviour promised 
 his people to send the holy Spirit to lead them into the 
 truth, John xvi. 13. *' When he, the Spirit of truth, is 
 come, he will guide you into all truth." It will be ad- 
 mitted by evangelical Christians, that, since the com- 
 mencement of the present century, an extraordinary 
 rain of the holy Spirit has been poured upon the 
 churches. It will be granted also, that the holy Spirit 
 never leads into error, but in proportion as individuals 
 are brought under the influence of this infallible guide, 
 they are led in conformity to the inspired word. It is 
 thought that hereby the Orthodox have been led to take 
 a decided stand in defence of the doctrine of Christ, 
 against latitudinarian errors. No good reason can be 
 offered why the holy Spirit should not lead Christians 
 into practical truth as well as doctrinal. Hence it has 
 been the policy of the advocates for unwritten tradition, 
 so far as it respects gospel baptism, to dissuade young 
 Christians from investigating the subject. But truth 
 never shrinks from the light. The Baptist churches 
 have been favoured with a happy share of the heavenly 
 influence, which has blessed our nation ; and in those 
 
 * Brown University. 
 
189 
 
 seasons of the special influence of the holy Spirit their 
 distinguishing sentiments have prevailed more than at 
 other times. It is thought that the same blessed influ- 
 ence has had considerable effect on individuals of other 
 denominations in this respect. Within fifty years, mem- 
 bers have been excluded from the fellowship of churches 
 for the crime of denying " the divine rite of infant bap- 
 tism." 
 
 Formerly our denomination was taxed for the support 
 of preachers of other sects. But the scene is wonder- 
 fully changed. We now have liberty to worship where 
 we choose, and pay our money where we please. Now, 
 instead of fines, prisons, whipping and banishment, 
 some Pedobaptist churches seem to esteem it a great ac- 
 quisition, if they can persuade a single Baptist to join 
 their communion, whether male or female, informed or 
 uninformed ; and some of their ministers even conde- 
 scend to go down into the water and immerse such can- 
 didates as cannot be satisfied with sprinkling or pouring, 
 provided they have not been sprinkled in infancy ; and 
 in some cases they hare been so condescending as to 
 immerse those who had been sprinkled on the faith of 
 their parents, and so become anabaptists or rebaptizers, 
 baptizing the same person twice, if they hold both to be 
 baptism. They have condescended still further, in par- 
 tial conformity to our sentiments. In some of their 
 churches they hold members in full communion who re- 
 nounce infant baptism altogether, and consider it to be 
 nothing more than a human invention ; and in some in- 
 stances they have revised their articles of faith, or 
 church covenant, and left the article of infant baptism 
 out, that they may gain the more. 
 
 Some of these circumstances, I mention, not to prove 
 our sentiments to be correct, for this we are fully able to 
 do from the holy Bible, our opponents being judges, but 
 to show the vast contrast between the present and the 
 former days. Surely a milder day has dawned upon the 
 Baptist church. We have nothing to fear from any ar- 
 guments which will ever be produced by people of such 
 accommodating principles, and such latitudinarian prac* 
 ijces as here noticed. 
 
190 
 
 The general government under which we live is after 
 our own model. When I was in Virginia, I was inform- 
 ed, that Thomas Jefferson when a young man, occasion- 
 ally attended a Baptist meeting, which was held once in 
 a month near his plantation, and frequently invited the 
 preacher to his mansion. Mr. Jefferson having become 
 acquainted with their form of church government, the 
 preacher asked him how he approved of it. He said he 
 thought it the best that was ever adopted, and that, if all 
 churches would adopt the same, there would be no per- 
 secution ; and he had thought that if these colonies 
 should ever separate from the British government, it 
 would be the best form of government for them to adopt. 
 This acute philosopher and great statesman lived to see 
 the great work accomplished. 
 
 If all the state governments are not as yet strictly con- 
 formed to the general government, so far as liberty of 
 conscience is concerned, we pray that the desirable ob- 
 ject may be obtained. 
 
 Perhaps there is no nation which enjoys such religious 
 liberty, and at the same time such good government and 
 order, as this nation is blessed with. The present is 
 justly styled the age of improvement, in things temporal, 
 but especially in reference to the great interests of mo- 
 rality and religion. 
 
 The benevolent societies now in operation are a rich 
 blessing to this generation, and their memory will be 
 handed down to future generations as the wonder of 
 the age. 
 
 The Bible Societies in Great Britain and America 
 commands our first admiration. Wherever the precious 
 truths of that holy, sacred volume are disseminated and 
 cordially received, it prompts the human mind to every 
 good work. Thousands and millions of the children of 
 men have learned, by blessed experience, that the holy 
 Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation, 
 through faith in the Lord Jesus. No man is against 
 the Bible till he finds that the Bible is against him. But 
 when he finds himself reproved, by that holy Book, for 
 an ungodly course of life, if his conscience is so en- 
 lightened by the inspired pages as to realise that accord- 
 
191 
 
 ing to that divine testimony he is exposed to endless wo. 
 for his great wickedness, and at the same time is not 
 disposed to repent of, and forsake his sins, and seek par- 
 don through tlie merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ ; then he will labour to discredit the word of 
 God. He must repent and embrace the gospel, or live 
 unhappy if he cannot discredit the truth of the revealed 
 word. But in so doing he increases his guilt by con- 
 sidering the God of truth as a liar, and fastens the 
 chains of moral darkness more strongly on his mind. 
 This he does to quiet and encourage himself in wicked- 
 ness ; but his sin and guilt remains. He must awake 
 and come to judgment. 
 
 But the word of the Lord shall prosper in the thing 
 whereto it is sent. The precious truths contained there- 
 in, being brought to bear on the mind, makes known 
 the only possible way of salvation. 
 
 Tract Societies, which are now in operation throughout 
 Christendom, are little silent messengers, carrying prec- 
 ious portions of divine truth to thousands to whom liv- 
 ing preachers could have no access, and have been bless- 
 ed to the souls of many who were sunk in moral degra- 
 dation. Thereby whole villages, that had been desti- 
 tute of the ministry of the word, have been incited 
 to seek for, and have obtained the preached gospel. 
 Christians, moralists, statesmen and philanthropists, 
 should all patronize the Tract cause. One evidence 
 of the importance of the Tract cause may be gathered 
 from the alarm manifested by the enemies of evangeli- 
 cal truth to the circulation of these faithful and success- 
 ful monitors. 
 
 Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, with their libra- 
 ries, have been, and are productive of increasing good 
 to our youth and children. If the youthful mind is ear- 
 ly imbued with religious knowledge, it will be more abid- 
 ing and have a more direct bearing upon the heart and 
 life than what is acquired at a later period. 
 
 The Temperance cause is one of the benevolent en- 
 terprises of this age of improvement. The success 
 which has crowned the efforts of the friends of tempe- 
 rance has surprised the public. We have been slow to 
 
192 
 
 learn ; but now it is clearly demonstrated, that distilled 
 spirits are not only unnecessary but injurious to body 
 and mind, to be used as a drink by people in health, and 
 for invalids. It is now manifest, from diligent and faith- 
 ful investigation, that by far the greatest part of the pau- 
 perism, poverty, wretchedness and crime, with which 
 this nation has been afflicted for years past, can be sat- 
 isfactorily traced to the use of ardent spirits as a drink. 
 Information on this important subject is rapidly spread- 
 ing through this country, has extended across the Atlan- 
 tic, and is promoting a wonderful reform in some of the 
 nations of Europe. It is believed that moderate and 
 temperate drinkers will soon generally abandon the traf- 
 fic and use of it altogether, as thousands have done, and 
 then the reform will be effected, and the degrading 
 calamity be removed. 
 
 The great Missionary enterprise is an honourable trait 
 in the character of this improving age. In primitive 
 days nothing distinguished the disciples of Christ more 
 than their fervent zeal and untiring efforts in promoting 
 and extending the kingdom of Christ. For this object 
 they, with undaunted fortitude, exposed themselves to 
 the cruel rage of furious persecutors. And is the sub- 
 lime subject of less magnitude now? Certainly not. 
 The excellency of the gospel is the same, the salvation 
 of immortal souls of equal importance. The work of 
 the holy Spirit is the same, and produces like fruits. 
 The command to go into all the world and preach the 
 gospel to every creature is still in full force. The mis- 
 sionary spirit is no other than the spirit of Christ, 
 operating, in some feeble measure, in the hearts of 
 Christians, exciting them in tender compassion to pray, 
 and do something to promote the eternal interest of our 
 benighted fellow men. 
 
 It is a great honour to be employed as instruments, 
 and the most successful is but an instrument, in promote 
 ing that kingd(^m which is destined to become exceed- 
 ing great, and fill the whole earth ; a kingdom of righte- 
 ousness and peace ; an everlasting kingdom. 
 
 It is thought that those churches, which have engaged 
 most heartily and liberally in aid of the missionary cause, 
 
193 
 
 have been the most prosperous in tilings spiritual and 
 temporal, and are able to do more with less inconven- 
 ience now than when they first had their attention turn- 
 ed to the subject ; while other communities or individu- 
 als who have treated the subject with dislike, or neglect, 
 have sunk into a cold, languid, declining state. They 
 may support reputable characters as sober industrious 
 citizens ; they may lay up wealth for their posterity ; 
 but if they are not influenced by a benevolent concern 
 for the souls of their fellow men, they will feel as if they 
 could not be at the expense of supporting preaching 
 every Sabbath ; or, if they could have it without ex- 
 pense, but few will attend ; and such as do attend the 
 preached word, seldom profit by it. They think lightly 
 of the forms of religion and less of the power. The 
 love of this world has so much engrossed their attention 
 tliat they think but little of souls, their neighbours, or 
 their own. 
 
 The kingdom of Christ is a rising cause. The 
 King must reign till he hath put all enemies under his 
 feet. The church has partially awaked to action, but 
 the friends of Christ will shortly be cheered by behold- 
 ing greater things than has yet transpired, by the tri- 
 umphs of evangelical truth. It has been said by Dr. 
 Carey, the indefatigable and successful missionary of 
 Serempore, and celebrated linguist, who was born Octo- 
 ber, 1761, that he hoped that his grand children would 
 live to see the kingdom of Christ set up in all nations. 
 But if wise men cannot look into futurity so as to define 
 with accuracy the day or the hour when the kingdom 
 shall appear in its glory, yet we have the sure word of 
 prophecy wherein we may trust with confidence. The 
 fulfilment of the past is a pledge for the future. 
 
 Every revival of pure religion is an accession to the 
 cause of missions. Older Christians are led into more 
 enlarged views and clearer understanding of their duty, 
 and are more ardently desirous of the advancement of 
 the cause of Christ and the salvation of their fellow 
 men. They now see more clearly the connection be* 
 tween the divinely appointed means and the great end 
 to b€ accomplished thereby. As their hearts are en- 
 17 
 
194 
 
 Urged with the love of Christ, their desires are in- 
 creased for the salvation of immortal souls. The more 
 they are blessed with the quickening influence of the 
 holy Spirit, the more will their affections be taken from 
 earthly objects, and placed on things above, on the right- 
 hand of God, where Jesus is. Hence they will more 
 devoutly pray, ** Thy kingdom come ;" they will more 
 cheerfully bear the cross, and devote their talents, influ- 
 ence and property to promote the spread of the gospel. 
 
 Late revivals of religion have brought a vast amount 
 of influence to bear upon the great object of missions, 
 by the conversion of a great number of young people ; 
 among whom are many young men coming forth into 
 tlie ministry, in answer to the prayers of the church. 
 Within a few days I have been informed, by unques- 
 tionable authority, that eleven pious young gentlemen 
 who were about to graduate from the flourishing literary 
 institution at Hamilton, N. Y. have resolved to offer 
 themselves as candidates for the Burman Mission ; and 
 several others purpose to do the same when they have 
 completed their studies at the institution. While I was 
 meditating on this surprising intelligence, and thinking 
 how they could be supported, a friend stepped in and in- 
 formed me, that within a week ten thousand dollars had 
 been received into the treasury for the Burman Mission ! 
 
 If we meet with such cheering events now, when the 
 Christian church is not more than half awake, what 
 wonders will be witnessed when all shall unite, as the 
 heart of one man, in the promulgation of the gospel of 
 peace ! When all who are called by the name of Christ 
 «hall come up to the help of the Lord against the 
 mighty ! 
 
 The time may soon arrive when the great company of 
 the saints shall be as zealous, industrious and persever- 
 ing in advancing the kingdom of peace and love, at 
 worldlings are in amassing wealth, or as warriors have 
 been in shedding blood. Yea, it is even so now with a 
 goodly number, and their number is daily increasing ; 
 and that degree of success attends their labours, which, 
 in the view of Christians, proves the fact, that the Lord 
 approves of, and blesses them in their work. 
 
195 
 
 Learning has greatly revived of late through this 
 country. The advantages for obtaining an education 
 ape very great now, compared with what they were fifty 
 or sixty years ago. The Baptist denomination are tak- 
 ing a lively interest in the education of such young men 
 as are approved as candidates for the gospel ministry. 
 And the undertaking has prospered beyond the anticipa- 
 tions of some of its most hearty friends. The Northern 
 Baptist Education Society is worthy of the patronage of 
 the whole denomination. Entire confidence is placed in 
 the managers, as men of talent, integrity and diligent 
 attention to the best interest of the society, professing 
 and manifesting a warm attachment to the gospel in its 
 •primitive purity. I say thus much, not to flatter, or to 
 seek favour, but because truth demands it, and because 
 1 think the object of the society is worthy of more pa- 
 tronage than it has received. It has been honourably 
 sustained by a few churches and individuals in a very 
 generous manner, but by a few only, compared with 
 what might come forth in this cause. 
 
 The importance of an enlightened and intelligent 
 ministry in this country is daily increasing, because the 
 people are improving in knowledge, as it respects both 
 the friends and enemies of evangelical truth. If public 
 teachers are not proportionably advanced in literature 
 and intelligence, their influence will be small, if not per- 
 nicious. As far as my knowledge extends, there is not 
 a Baptist church in the New England States that would 
 not prefer a man of good education for their minister, 
 other things being equal. 
 
 The old maxim that " ignorance is the mother of de- 
 votion," is too stale for this enlightened age. A man 
 cannot teach that with which he is unacquainted. I 
 have suffered much in my feelings through the whole of 
 my ministry for the want of an early education. And 
 now I shall soon put off this tabernacle, the love I bare 
 to the glorious gospel, the Christian ministry, the souls 
 of men and my junior brethren, leads me to speak thus 
 plainly. 
 
 The amount of responsibility resting on our highly 
 favoured young men, who, as candidates for the sacred 
 
196 
 
 ministry, are sustained as beneficiaries, is very great. 
 The professors and teachers of our Theological and 
 Academical Institutions, are such as to secure the full 
 confidence of the public. If young men who are fa- 
 voured with such advantages do not make improvement, 
 it will be thought that there is some great deficiency in 
 them. 
 
 Much is expected of our young brethren. We hope 
 they will bear in mind the professed object of their stud- 
 ies and live continually under the salutary influence of 
 the fear of the Lord, which is a fountain of life to de- 
 part from the snares of death. Then the godly exam- 
 ples, pious counsels, affectionate admonitions and dili- 
 gent instructions of those who have the charge of their 
 education, will not be lost upon them. 
 
 If any pious youth who is seriously impressed with 
 the subject of the sacred ministry, and has not come to 
 a conclusion on the subject, should cast his eyes on 
 these pages, I will offer a word for his consideration. I 
 would ask the young man, what is the principal motive 
 which influences his mind to contemplate the great 
 work? Why is the office desirable ? Is it because, like 
 Moses, you choose to suffer afflictions with th? people of 
 God? or is it on account of some worldly considera- 
 tions, such as being surrounded by an admiring multi- 
 tude listening with smiling approbation to your eloquent 
 declamations ? or do you contemplate being placed in 
 easy circumstances, freed from perplexing cares ? Can 
 you feel sure that you are moved to engage in this holy 
 work, by the love of Christ exciting in you a tender 
 compassion for the souls of your fellow men ? that you 
 desire to spend and be spent labouring for their eternal 
 interest, and this, although you should thereby be expos- 
 ed to poverty and reproach, or persecution. 
 
 But I proceed to another evidence of being called to 
 the work. Such an one will have an experimental 
 knowledge of the gospel way of salvation which shall 
 correspond with the word of God. It is thought to be 
 inconsistent to suppose that the king should call one 
 to bear tidings, and give him no tidings to bear. Those 
 who are called of God to preach the gospel are favour- 
 
197 
 
 cd with some spiritual understanding of gospel doctrine. 
 They have a scriptural understanding of the entire de- 
 pravity of the human heart, and of the infinite glory of 
 the Son of God ; of the redemption by his death on the 
 eross, whereby he becomes the end of the law for 
 righteousness to all that believe; of the work of the 
 holy Spirit in renewing the heart, and reconciling the 
 sinner to God by the application of the merits of Christ; 
 and of the souls being sealed to eternal life by gracious 
 adoption. Thus he sees, that salvation is not of works, 
 but by grace ; and that all such are kept by the power 
 of God through faith unto salvation. A knowledge of 
 these truths, with the doctrine of eternal judgment, are 
 essential qualifications for a preacher of the gospel. If 
 these precious truths are excluded from our ministry, it 
 is of little consequence what else we preach. 
 
 Some, no doubt, with selfish motives, have entered 
 into the high office as professed ministers of Christ, of 
 their own free will, making no pretence to a special call 
 of God to the office ; and perhaps there are some who 
 are highly esteemed among men as eloquent preachers, 
 who make no pretensions to experimental religion. 
 Such have plead scriptural example for unconverted 
 men engaging in the ministry. Judas has been named 
 as one of the twelve apostles who took part of the min- 
 istry. There is, however, no certain proof that Judas 
 ever preached the gospel. But there is ample proof that 
 he was a devil ; a thief, and had the bag ; a traitor, and sold 
 his master; that he went out and hanged himself, and 
 went to his own place ; and that it would have been 
 good for that man if he had never been born. Some 
 people will think it an unfortunate circumstance for such 
 gentlemen that they did not select from the Scriptures 
 a more reputable character to hold up as an example, if 
 such an one could have been found. However, if they 
 choose to consider Judas their precedent in their minis- 
 terial course, we shall not dispute their claim. " Let 
 them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind, Matt. 
 XV. 14. " They are of the world, therefore speak they 
 of the world, and the world heareth them," 1 John iv. 5. 
 But, when Christ ** putteth forth his own sheep, he 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 goeth before them, and the sheep follow him ; for they 
 know his voice ; and a stranger will they not follow, but 
 will flee from him ; for they know not the voice of stran- 
 gers," John X. 4, 5. If unrenewed men, from worldly 
 motives, take upon themselves this sacred calling, they 
 will be known to the children of light by their fruits. 
 They will teach for doctrine the commandments of men, 
 and the blind only will be deceived and led astray by 
 blind leaders. 
 
 But those who are called of God to preach the gospel 
 of Christ, are divinely illuminated, and able to discover, 
 in some measure, the majesty and glory of the gospel, 
 and something of the awful responsibility attached to the 
 ministry of the word ; they will apprehend something of 
 the difficulties and opposition attendant on the faithful 
 preaching of the doctrine of the cross, and will enter 
 upon the great work with fear and trembling, feeling 
 their dependence on divine aid. But he who rushes 
 into the ministry in a state of moral darkness, ignorant 
 of human depravity and the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace, has no thought of preaching a doctrine that will 
 give offence to the carnal mind, and perhaps will not. 
 If he should preach to a people as ignorant of the pow- 
 er of true godliness as himself, it might be said as it is 
 written, " like people like priest." Under such circum- 
 stances he may obtain the reward, which, above all oth- 
 ers, he most ardently desires, namely, the praise of men ; 
 for he loves the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and 
 to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi. 
 
 But, my young friend, for whose instruction and warn- 
 ing I have alluded to these things, I hope better things 
 of you. I hope your mind is imbued with a rich expe- 
 rience of the grace of God, which has taught you some- 
 thing of your own weakness, sin and guilt, and led yoa, 
 with adoring gratitude, to contemplate the glorious gos- 
 pel of the blessed God. I hope the glad tidings of good 
 ihings has elevated your affections from earth to heaven, 
 and that the love of Christ is constraining you to seek 
 the good of his chosen, the everlasting salvation of your 
 fellow m^n. I hope the God of nature and grace has 
 so richly ondowed you with natural and spiritual gifts, 
 
109 
 
 which, under the eanctifying influences of the holy 
 Spirit, shall render you an able minister of the New 
 Testament, not of the letter but of the spirit. If in 
 great conflict you are ready to say, " who is sufficient 
 for these thinos " recollect the words of our blessed 
 Lord and Saviour, " Lo, I am with you always, even to 
 the end of the world." If a dispensation of the gospel 
 is committed to you, it will have a wonderful effect on 
 your mind ; the subject will absorb your thoughts by 
 day and by night, when you lie down and when you rise 
 up. See Paul to the Corinthians, 9th chapter, 16th and 
 17th verses, " For though I preach the gospel, I have 
 nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, 
 wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do 
 this thing willingly, I have a reward, but if against my 
 will, a dispensation of the gospel is conimitted unto me." 
 If you are thus called of God to go forth as an embassa- 
 dor for Christ, to pray men to be reconciled to God, 
 and are not disobedient to the heavenly vision, the church 
 of God, comprising his witnesses, will joyfully bid you 
 welcome to the cross and the crown. The school of the 
 prophets will cordially receive you and kindly grant you 
 every assistance that may be requisite, that you may 
 *• study to show yourself approved unto God, a work- 
 man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing 
 the word of truth." The saints will bid you God speed, 
 and follow you with their prayers, that you may be the 
 honoured instrument of bringing many sons lo glory. 
 You will now join a host of pious young men, looking 
 forward to the same sublime employment, who will sym- 
 pathise with you in your conflicts, fears and anticipa- 
 tions. The more there are of such valiant youth who 
 are strong in the Lord, coming forth as labourers, the 
 greater the encouragement. What are two or three 
 hundred candidates in the American churches, and as 
 many thousands of gold and silver poured into tho 
 Xiord's treasury, when compared with' the. moral dark- 
 ness that now envelopes the inhabitants ftf this conti- 
 nent, and five or six hundred millions of immortal souls 
 invoWed in all the horrors of paganism ! These nations 
 must be brought under the influence of the blessed gos- 
 
 ^ 
 
200 
 
 pel and given to Christ Jesus our Lord for a possession. 
 He who hath promised will do it, by means of his own 
 appointment. Happy are they who are chosen to be co- 
 workers with him. Remember your field of labour is 
 the world ; the commission to labour therein is from 
 on high. "Go ye, therefore, into all the world, and 
 preach the gospel to every creature ; he that believes 
 and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth 
 not, shall be damned." 
 
 How great the contrast between the present and past! 
 When I was hesitating whether 1 should engage in the 
 ministry, mine was a rare solitary instance. In all that 
 region of country I knew of no one who was exercised 
 in a similar manner ; and I never disclosed my trials 
 till after I had commenced preaching and was licensed 
 as a candidate for the ministry. At that early period 
 there were not in the New England States under the 
 patronage of our denomination any of those benevolent 
 institutions which are now exerting a salutary influence 
 on the community, such as Bible, Tract, Sabbath School, 
 Missionary, Education, and other Societies. At that 
 time there were but eight Baptist churches on the sea 
 coast, between Merrimac river and the lower part of 
 Cape Cod, where there are now forty churches, and 
 most of them are in a rising prosperous* state. Perhaps 
 the increase has been nearly in the same proportion 
 through the Eastern States. Let us then, with deep hu- 
 mility, and unfeigned gratitude, praise and bless the 
 God of heaven for all his goodness and wonderful works 
 to the children of men, and especially for the enfarge- 
 ment of the borders of Zion ; and that our poor forfeit- 
 ed lives are protracted to witness the wonderful change 
 in favour of religious liberty ; to witness the glorious re- 
 vivals of religion, and the extension of religious privil- 
 eges. The good Lord keep us humble. Let us bear in 
 mind that it is not for our sakes that he is doing these 
 great things in the earth, but for his own namesake. 
 He is of one mind and changes not, and will do all his 
 pleasure. 
 
 If we believe that the great Head of the Church has 
 given it in trust to us, as a denomination, to preserve 
 
201 
 
 inviolate the doctrine, order, ordinances, dicipline anH 
 fellowship of the visible kingdom of Christ, against all 
 the inventions, innovations and corruptiona of an ever- 
 varying world ; if we believe this, let it be seen that we 
 are as steadfast and immovable in these days of falw 
 charity and cringing flattery, as were our ancestors when 
 they were assailed with the more terrific argumentts «f 
 banishment, imprisonment and stripes. 
 
 l^he improvements which have been made, are 
 considerable ; yet in proportion to our number and 
 strength, we are in the rear of some other denomina- 
 tions in some important respects. Particularly we are 
 deficient in our efforts to promote literature and missions. 
 Individual benefactors and communities have contributed 
 liberally, some have done a little, others less, and otheri 
 nothing. But we hope and trust the march will be on- 
 ward, until all the tithes shall be brought, with willing 
 minds, into the Lord's treasury, and thereby prove the 
 faithfulness of him who delights to bless his people. 
 
 In the course of my life I see much to lament, even 
 in what relates to my duty as a Christian and a minister. 
 It appears to me that it may be imputed to my want of 
 spirituality and faithfulness in dealing with immortal 
 souls, that I have been no more successful in advancing 
 the kingdom of Christ in the conversion of my fellow 
 sinners. I lament that I have not, in my general walk, 
 deportment and conversation, set a more holy example 
 before the world. It should humble me as in the dust, 
 that I have been so little influenced by the love of tb« 
 Saviour in the performance of my duties as a Christian 
 and a minister. It has appeared to me a strange thing 
 that the word, dispensed by one so unlike what ha 
 should be, was blessed to any. And yet, it has been 
 very evident that the word has been made a lasting 
 blessing to others when I had very little enjoyment in 
 my own mind. Again, when I have been more than 
 ordinarily animated in preaching, I have calculated 
 that some great good would be accomplished, and have 
 looked for events that I have never seen. Thus I found 
 that I had been walking in the light of rny own fire and 
 in the sparks that my hands had kindled, as though th« 
 
202 
 
 great Jehovah was dependent on my frames and feel- 
 ings for the accomplishment of the great work of saving 
 sinners. 
 
 '* My frames and feelings ebb and flow, . 
 
 And when my hope depends on them, 
 I reel and stagger to and fro, 
 And die amidst the dying frame." 
 
 If it were best, all things considered, for us to know, 
 in this life, we should know what amount of good is 
 effected by the means we are directed to employ. But 
 this does not concern us so much as to be found in the 
 faithful discharge of our duty. The great day shall de- 
 clare it, and then it will not be said, ** well done, thou 
 great and successful," but "well done, thou good and 
 faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
 What we most need is to have the heart established with 
 grace, that we may serve God acceptably, looking unto 
 Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Let us con- 
 sider him as our example, righteousness and strength , 
 thus having faith on the Son of God, we may commit 
 our way unto the Lord and he will bring it to pass. 
 Then shall we walk in the light of his countenance, and 
 rejoice in the God of our salvation. The Lord help 
 us to keep our attention fixed on this worthy object, this 
 mark for the prize. Nor let us turn off our eyes to 
 gaze, admire and speak of our shining graces, gifts, or 
 attainments, lest the glorious Sun of righteousness be 
 eclipsed to us, and we walk in darkness 
 
 Such is the pride of man that it is congenial with the 
 vanity of his mind to think more highly of himself than 
 he ought to think. It is gratifying to the man of pride 
 to consider himself of vast consequence in the king- 
 dom of Christ, especially if he can fancy to himself 
 the honour of being turnkey, to take into the kingdom 
 and turn out whom he will. It will be natural for such 
 an one to lord it over God's heritage, and to think that 
 nothing is done well that is not done by his order or 
 permission. 
 
 Another institution must be mentioned, which has 
 caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. About the 
 j-ear 1790, Rev. T. Baldwin, then pastor of the second 
 
203 
 
 Baptist Church in Boston, who was always ready to every 
 good work, made a motion in the Warren Association, 
 that a resolve pass in that body, that there should be an 
 annual collection at the commencement of its sessions, 
 for the relief of indigent widows and orphan children of 
 deceased Baptist ministers, within the bounds of said As- 
 sociation, which was cordially adopted and is continued 
 to this day, and in all other Baptist Associations in the 
 Eastern States, which have proceeded, directly or indi- 
 rectly, from the Warren Association. In some of these 
 bodies, besides granting timely supplies to the needy, 
 the funds have increased to a considerable amount. 
 
 I am deeply impressed with a grateful sense of the 
 kindness of my brethren, friends and benefactors, who 
 have cheerfully granted prompt assistance whenever I 
 have let my straits be known, and who have, in many 
 instances, prevented and surprised me with unexpected 
 relief. The Lord reward them a thousand fold for all 
 their kindness. 
 
 Considering myself standing, as I do, upon the 
 verge of time, and expecting soon to stand before my 
 final Judge, where my motives will pass an impartial 
 scrutiny, when the applause or disapprobation of erring 
 mortals will be of little consequence to me, I have used 
 plainness of speech on the preceding subjects, I have 
 written for the generation to come. 
 
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