season was pleasant, and many rejoiced in the Lord." Friday, I held a meeting with Elder Straight in another part of Southwold. In this vicinity, the state of religion was quite low; yet it pleased the "good Shepherd" to manifest himself to his flock at this time, and one mourner came forward for prayer. We spent the Sabbath in Dunwich, and each gave a discourse, with considerable freedom, to a large assembly. Here also there was a lack of engagedness, and many seemed to have been chilled, as by the north wind. Yet, I believe the brethren generally were determined to strive for heaven.

On Tuesday, I held another meeting; and on the day following three brethren accompanied me twelve miles on horseback in a rough road, to a Scotch settlement. Here we met a considerable assembly, composed mostly of emigrants from Scotland. They spoke the Gaelic language, and usually heard preaching in that tongue every Sabbath. The Lord gave me liberty, and, though they understood English very poorly, they appeared serious, and requested us to hold another meeting. We returned to Dunwich, and on the next day I was taken ill; but obtaining relief by an emetic, I went to Southwold and spoke from Rev. 2:1. We had a solemn, confessing time. Many were revived, spoke of their unfaithfulness, and of their duty, in a very feeling manner. At times there was such weeping in the assembly, that it seemed enough to touch the hardest heart. One was awakened, and requested prayers. Friday, I held a meeting in another part of Southwold. Some mourned, others rejoiced.

On Saturday, I attended the monthly meeting of the church in Dunwich. Some of the brethren, I understood, were at home, engaged in worldly cares; others were at the raising of a building, &c., so that our number was small; still we enjoyed a comfortable waiting on the Lord. I endeavoured to urge upon those present, the impropriety of brethren's absenting themselves from monthly meeting on such occasions; and remarked, if worldlings, or others, wished to invite the assistance of their Christian neighbours, they might choose another day, rather than the one set apart by

the church for a sacred purpose. But, if worldlings will not regard the appointment of the church, then Christians should well know, in such cases, which call is binding, and obey the exhortation of Paul, Heb. 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." Were it not that Christians meet for worship, church visibility, if not Christianity itself, would soon become extinct in the earth; and this probably would be the consequence, should every Christian neglect the meetings of the church. Yet strange it is, that there are some professed Christians, who think themselves excusable in neglecting the appointments of the church. I remarked, that I thought such members as neglected meetings that are essential to church visibility, and attended to worldly concerns on the day of their appointment, as much violate their obligation as Christians; and as a church member, as they would by profaning the Sabbath. A church consists of individuals, and, to be as "a city set on a hill," its members must attend worship, bear their cross, and let their light shine. It is, however, but just to remark, that this case was an exception to the general faithfulness of the brethren in Canada; for I have found no people that take more pains to attend their meetings.

Sunday, June 7, I preached on the town line of Dunwich and Southwold, but my mind was in trials. Others, however, appeared to be happy. In the after part of the day, I heard Elder J. Harris preach in Southwold, from Songs, 2:3: "As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons." The Lord poured heavenly consolation into my soul, and opened my mouth to praise him. On Tuesday I was greatly depressed with a sense of my unworthiness and little spirituality. 'O why this dull and stupid state? Why so little power in my preaching? and why are my labours attended with so little success? O Lord, revive thy work in my soul.' At five o'clock in the afternoon, I spoke from 1 Corinthians 1:25: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men," &c. It pleased the Lord to open to my mind the excellencies of the gospel,

and refresh me with the streams that "make glad the city of God."

On Wednesday, Elder Straight and myself started for Oxford, to attend the annual conference of the Free Communion Baptists in this province, and held a meeting in the east part of Westminster. We understood that in this neighbourhood, though thickly settled, there was scarcely a professor of Christianity. While speaking to the few that attended, I was so affected with a sense of their situation, that I gave vent to, my feelings by many tears. On Thursday, we met a considerable assembly in Oxford, to whom I spoke with freedom.

Friday, June 12, 1829, the conference opened at 10 o'clock, A. M., at the house of Dea. Burtch. Being requested to preach, I spoke from 1 Pet. 2:5. The Lord favoured me with one of my best seasons, and comforted the hearts of many. Our yearly meeting had appointed Elder Straight and myself to attend this conference to open a correspondence, and, if convenient, to effect a union with this people. They received us affectionately, and advised their churches to appoint messengers to meet in conference with us in two weeks, at the house of Elder Harris. On Saturday morning a sermon was preached, and the remainder of the day was occupied by the brethren. On Sabbath forenoon, I spoke of the fulness there is in Christ for lost and perishing sinners, from Matt. 18:11:"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." In the afternoon, Elder Straight preached from 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, 18: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout," &c. Many were comforted. The awakening power of God reached the hearts of sinners, and several left the assembly under serious impressions. We then united in communion, and had a very solemn season.

On Monday I rode forty miles to London, and was kindly received by Elder Huckins and family. Next morning a messenger came in haste, and told us that sister Sophronia, wife of Dea. Pierce, was thought to be dying. We hastened, and on coming near the house, heard death-like groans. She was in great

distress: soon, however, her struggles abated; she gave me her hand, and called me by name, saying,

The Lord is good to me." I had often seen her when here a year before, and many times had heard her sing with joy in the meetings at London. But now the features of death marked her countenance. She said, she thought her time was short, and asked me to pray; after which I repeated the following lines. of Dr. Watts:

"Death may dissolve my body now,

And bear my spirit home," &c.

́She said "Amen," and desired the brethren that were present to sing. They began to sing the 275th hymn in Buzzell's collection:

"I know that my Redeemer lives

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead,
He lives my everlasting Head."

Soon she joined her hollow voice, and though her breath was short, and her frame trembled as though she was sinking in death, yet she kept the tune, and sung the hymn through with extacies of joy. Never did such glory adorn an earthly palace, as now seemed to shine on the bed of death. All were in tears except the dy ing saint. O that every infidel could have witnessed this scene. I retired for a moment, lest I should be overcome by its touching sublimity. Soon afterwards, she sung the following lines with great animation:

When she had finished, she clapped her hands and shouted for joy. Language cannot describe the touching glory of this scene; but the holy serenity and heavenly rapture that were then witnessed amid the

struggles of dying nature, were too deeply engraver on the minds of the spectator to be easily forgotten. Her husband sat by her and wept bitterly. She entreated him to forbear, and exhorted him to be recon ciled, saying, "I shall soon get through; life is short, and you will follow me in a little time." Immediately after this, one of her brothers arrived, took her hand, and asked if she knew him. She said, Yes, and I think I shall leave you soon. Then she began to grow cold, her breath grew short, her pulse "faint and few"-she gasped-and all was still. The friends began putting her in a position for laying out; but, to the astonishment of all, she opened her eyes, groaned, and said, "O Lord, how long?" In about ten minutes, she again appeared to be breathing her last-again revived, and wished to hear singing. Thus she continued through the day, much distressed for want of breath, occasionally growing cold, and apparently sinking in death, and then again reviving.

At her earnest request, a meeting had been appointed at the house at 5 o'clock, P. M.; but, as she fell into a sleep, the assembly repaired to an adjacent grove. The interview was impressive. In the evening she sung with great animation. Many spectators were deeply affected, and holy manna seemed to fall upon us like the dew from heaven. Elder Huckins said to her, " Singing wearies you; you would do better to forbear, till you receive new lungs and a new voice. She replied, "I cannot wear out in a better way. She now grew weak-her pulse ceased-her limbs became motionless and entirely cold, and her breath short and faint. The body also became cold, and some parts turned purple and spotted. She continued in this state about six hours, and then, to the astonishment of all, the body regained its heat, the pulse beat, and signs of life increased. I returned with brother Huckins, and early next morning, a messenger again called us to go and see her die. We found her in great agony of body, but composed and happy in mind. She desired prayer; after which, the brethren began to sing. She attempted to join, mov~