naturalist may fancy that nature produces curiosities like these, yet I can but admire, and look "through nature up to nature's God." But the waters can bear little comparison with the water of life. Large numbers come to these springs, from all parts of the country, for the recovery of their health; yet how many fail of their desired object-return home-and die. But whosoever " drinketh of the water" that Christ shall give, "shall never die." Yet what vast multitudes refuse to come to the "water of life," though it is free," without money and without price,”—and though, unless they come, they know they must endure the pains of eternal death.

Leaving Ballstown, we crossed the Mohawk and held a meeting in Florida; thence continued our journey to Canajoharrie, where we tarried a few days, and preached often, but saw little fruit of our labour. Yet, as "the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience," so we hoped that some fruit might yet appear. From the 25th of July to the 20th of August, we visited and preached in Plainfield, Winfield, Brookfield, Paris, Brothertown, Westmoreland, Verona, and Rome. In these meetings we witnessed good seasons.

Some were awakened, and a few brought into the liberty of the gospel. In Brookfield, Brothertown and Verona, good revivals had lately gladdened the hearts of hundreds. We enjoyed some refreshing interviews with the converts.

In the latter part of August, sister Humes arrived in the stage at Brookfield, designing to proceed one hundred and fifty miles still further west, to attend the Holland Purchase yearly meeting, and to preach in that region. But as she was now in a land of strangers, she felt much depressed in spirit, and indulged some thoughts of returning to Rhode-Island. But the worth of precious souls lay near her heart, and she decided in her mind that duty forbade. In company with a pious female friend, she went with me to my father's, in Junius. I had been absent about eight months, and was received with unusual gladness; for my friends having heard that I was sick nigh unto

death, little expected to meet me again in this world. We tarried one day and held two meetings. Sister Humes preached with freedom, and many were interested.

On Wednesday, 25th, we held a meeting in Benton, and after this, proceeded fifty miles to Groveland. In this place the yearly meeting opened on the 28th of August, 1824. On Saturday two interesting sermons were preached by Elder Samuel Bradford and sister Humes. These were followed by several exhortations, and the labours of the day closed with a prospect of good. Sabbath morning at 9 o'clock, we assembled in a grove and heard preaching from A. Aldrich and Elder N. Brown. Several weighty testimonies closed the exercises. During the evenings, meetings of worship were held in different neighbourhoods, and we were favoured with spiritual preaching from Elder Brown, brother Thornton, and sister Humes. The reports from the different parts of the yearly meeting, brought good tidings of the prosperity of Zion in several churches. On Monday we had an Elders' Conference, in which we knew by happy experience that it is good for brethren to dwell in unity.

Tuesday, Aug. 31, brother Thornton, sister Humes with her attendant, and myself, started for Verona, one hundred and fifty miles distant, to attend a twodays meeting that we had appointed. In the evening, sister Humes preached to about two hundred people in the Presbyterian meeting-house at Vienna. Many were attentive and I think benefitted. The next day we came to Junius, and held another meeting which was solemn. On Thursday we took a passage on the canal, and the day following arrived at Verona. We attended our appointment on Saturday and Sabbath, Sept. 4 and 5, 1824. It was a solemn and profitable season. I tarried nearly a week in Verona and Westmoreland, and held eight meetings. Truth was impressed on the hearts of some, two confessed their sins, and professed to be penitent.

Sept. 11, I parted with brother Thornton, and on the day following with sister Humes. They had

concluded to tarry a season, and labour in these towns. I had travelled four hundred miles with them, and enjoyed many happy hours. They were humble, grave, holy in conversation and deportment. Their example had been very useful to me; and their fervent love to Zion-their many tears and unwearied labours for sinners in a strange land, without money and without price, had greatly endeared them to my soul. Sister Humes had laboured under severe trials, occasioned by the popular prejudices against female preaching. But so far as I was acquainted with her life, she conducted herself with such propri

all occasions, and preached with so much. ability and power, that even thousands changed their minds respecting female preaching. Many had already been benefitted through her instrumentality. Our parting scene was solemn; but we were comforted by the blessed hope of rejoining each other in our heavenly Father's kingdom.

I now thought it my duty to visit several churches in the Holland Purchase yearly meeting; and to make preparations to travel far into the western country, to preach the kingdom of God to the destitute people in the wilderness. Taking a passage on the canal, I went to Junius, tarried at home some days, and held several meetings that were solemn. The seriousness was increased by the death of a near neighbour of my father, who was drowned. In one of these meetings two spoke for the first time. Leaving Junius, I visited Groveland again and held five meetings. In one, we witnessed the outpouring of the Spirit, much to the comfort of the saints. Next I attended a meeting in Bristol, and four in Middlesex. In two of these, the Lord greatly blessed me while speaking, and so filled my soul with his glory, that there seemed but one step between me and heaven. Blessed be the Lord; I believe he gave me the word, and the people received it as from him. I held a meeting in Jerusalem, and found Wm. Van Tuyl, a young man who was awakened in my last visit, now happy in the Lord. Leaving Jerusalem I went to Dresden, and while crossing the Seneca lake to Ovid, there was a

great calm, so that we were four hours in going five miles. In this time, as a shower came upon us, I took an umbrella and seated myself in my gig. Instantly the carriage turned over backward, and my head just hit the side plank in such a manner, that had I fallen an inch or two further back, doubtless I should have finished my course. I felt thankful to God for his preserving care, and said with myself in the language of Dr. Watts:

"Dangers stand thick through all the ground,

To push us to the tomb."

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1824, I enjoyed an interview with my sister at Ithica, whom I had not seen for nearly three years. She lived in a religious family, yet I could but think of the time when she had a mother's care. On parting with her, we experienced all those tender emotions which soften the heart on such occasions. The next day I returned to my father's; and on Friday went to the Benton quarterly meeting, which was holden at Sodus on the 9th and 10th of the month. Here I unexpectedly had another interview with brother Thornton and sister Humes, also with J. W. Darling. The opportunity was sweet to my soul; but the reflection, that we were soon to be parted, perhaps for ever,-and that in a few days I should be travelling in the lonely forests of the west, made the hours to haste away like the shadows of the plain. Their preaching was spiritual, and gave much satisfaction. Monday, we took the parting hand, and dropped the parting tear. To me it was a painful hour. I was bidding dear friends farewell, to meet no more in this world. Among these, as will appear in the following pages, were brother Thornton and sister Humes. I returned to Junius again and attended another meeting.

16*

CHAPTER XIII.

My second journey to Ohio.

ON Wednesday, Oct. 13, I bid my father and his family adieu, intending if it should be the will of the Lord, to go as far west as the Mississippi river, and publish the glad tidings of salvation to the needy in that land. I had only sixty-nine cents to bear my expenses a journey of one thousand miles, nine hundred of which was among strangers. But feeling constrained to go, my trust was in Him, who said, “Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. He had shown me great care, and I believed he would still protect me.

I attended meetings in Farmington, Manchester, Williamson, Ontario, and Groveland. On the 23d and 24th of the month, I attended the Bethany quarterly meeting in the town of Gaines, in which we were favoured with the Divine presence. After the quarterly meeting, I held one meeting in Clarkson, and two in Parma. One of these was in the north part of the town, where many had been converted through the labours of Elder Eli Hannibal; and the work was still progressing. A large number came forward for prayer, and manifested a resolution to forsake sin, and turn to God the fountain of happiness. I tarried with Elder Hinckley two days. He gave me much good counsel, and made me a present of six or seven dollars to assist me on my journey. Proceeding to the south, I held a meeting in Alexander, where several of the careless were awakened, and some prayed for mercy. Sabbath, Oct. 31, I spoke twice in Middlebury to crowded congregations. Many powerful exhortations were given, and much refreshing was enjoyed. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, were very stormy and tedious. I met assemblies in Attica, Bennington and Sheldon.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1824. Another year has filed for ever-and still I live. I remember that a year ago -to-day, the query arose, Shall I live to see another