To his younger son at a boarding-school in Sharon.

Canton, Jan. 21, 1812. "MY DEAR SON-I think of you every day, and you cannot tell how much I feel your absence. One of the calamities of the present world is, that we do not sufficiently value our mercies until they are taken from us.

"I find I am becoming old and feeble; and though the Lord makes Augustus a comfort to me, and though the people are kind in furnishing plenty of wood, yet the care of the fires and cattle, with my other labors, is almost too much for me."

In the latter part of this letter, Mr. Hallock associates with his son, several youth from Canton who were at the same school, and addresses them in the following terms:

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My dear young Friends-A gloomy vacancy is made in our families by your absence. But were you removed to the land of silence, never to return, it would be far increased. If you should all live to return, and then find all your friends alive, the mercy would be great. We ought always to live as those who wait for their Lord, not knowing when he will come. Without an interest in Christ, none can go to heaven, but learning and every thing else will be in vain, yea far worse than in vain. In a letter lately received from a missionary in Vermont are these words: 'Tell your dear precious youth that God hath mercy in store for those who remember him, while young.' And unspeakably the best time to serve the Lord, is in youth and health. To delay until sick

ness or old age, is like delaying to build a house till the coldest day in winter. Do and get as much good as you can watch against all evil to which we are ever exposed. Farewell.

"I am your real friend,

"JEREMIAH HALLOCK."

"July 2. I this day returned from a tour of preaching, with that dear servant of Christ, A. Gillett. Tuesday, June 23, we preached at Goshen, and in the tour we visited both Societies in Cornwall, Warren, Kent, both Societies in Sharon, Salisbury, and both Societies in Canaan, having been from home ten days. Though feeble in body and mind, have been carried through. In almost every place, there are spiritual droppings, and in some, particularly Kent and South-Canaan, the beginning of a spiritual shower. Though, one youth, since I have been gone, has been drowned, yet my dear wife and children have been preserved, and my family and friends are in usual health. O Lord, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.'

"The day before I sat out, heard that war was declared against England. It much affected me. It looks to me sin and folly to enter into this war, and nothing looks more horrible than an alliance with anti-Christian France. I find that the Lord's ministers and people have but one sentiment in this matter, and that the war is very unpopular. O Lord, may thy people humble themselves, return and trust in thee, and wilt thou be known in Zion for a refuge, and in wrath remember mercy."

This tour of preaching was by appointment of the Association, for the benefit of churches under its care, which enjoyed the labors of settled pastors.

To his elder son at Hebron.

"July 11, 1812.

"I feel an increasing affection and regard for you, my dear son. You are anxious to be in some business-I know how to feel for you by experience. My anxiety in 1784, when I was seeking to be approbated as a preacher, caused me sleepless nights. I wish you would not be too anxious, as I can see I was-many more go too fast than too slow. 'Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass.' The little child must creep before he walks.

"Let us unite to praise the living God and Savior for your safe arrival and your health. The one thing needful is peace with God in Christ.

"From your affectionate father."

"November 5, 1812. This day, went with my son Jeremiah to Hartford, and left him there to take the stage, to-morrow, for Pittsburgh. Thence, he expects to go into the state of Ohio, to reside in the profession of law. My mind turned on the divine government which, I think, looked glorious and afforded sweet peace to my soul. Trust, I was enabled in some degree to give my dear child up to God, and leave him, at the feet of Jesus. Made such

observations to him on the way, as I thought might be useful. About two o'clock parted with him and returned home. O Lord of all mercy, wilt thou lead his heart to thee and be his guide and protection-make him useful in Zion and the world, and happy in Jesus-prepare his parents for thy whole will respecting him."

The trial of the pious father, on this occasion, seems to have been not altogether unlike that of Abraham, as he went forth to offer up his beloved Isaac ; and in neither case did the Lord forsake his servant. Speaking of this journey, afterwards to a number of friends, Mr. Hallock remarked, that when he took his seat in the wagon he expected it would be the gloomiest day of his life, but that he found it one of the happiest-that nearly the whole time his mind was sweetly revolving the words of that precious Psalm:

"The Lord, how absolute he reigns, &c."

It was probably now, that he addressed his son with tender emphasis and tears: "Jeremiah, I have been long praying and hoping that you might be a minister of the Gospel-my expectation is at length cut off— I see it is not the will of Christ to employ you in this way. And now, my son, I want to ask you one question: Will you be the minister's friend?"

CHAPTER XV.

Revival among his people, in 1812 and 1813.-Letters to his elder son. -His younger son, with a number of his parishioners, ordered to New-London, to assist in defending the coast from an invading enemy. Sickness and death of his only daughter.-Subsequent scene of domestic distress-his younger son's sickness-his prayer-Mrs. Hallock's sickness-his own sickness.-Kindness of his people.

THE Lord now gladdened Mr. Hallock's heart, by a third special work of grace among his dear people.

"Dec. 6, 1812, Lord's day. Texts: Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21. 'Come, my people, enter thou, into thy chambers, &c.' Jeremiah xiii. 21. What wilt thou say, when I shall punish thee?' More freedom than usual for me. Last Thursday evening, the prayermeeting was better attended than common, and to me it was more solemn. Three young men are under conviction, and there is the appearance of a little cloud. O that it might, through infinite mercy, be increased, and the church be quickened.

"Dec. 27. Last Thursday was kept as a day of fasting and prayer by this church, and a number of the Society. Had a prayer-meeting at our house, in the forenoon. At one, went to the meetinghouse-had two sermons, three prayers, and three songs of the Lord. The sermons were spiritual, instructive, and impressive. Met again, in the evening-Mr. Jerome preached, Mr. Gillett exhorted. All the meetings were full, and more serious than