spots, where in the days of my mourning, far from human eye, I used to vent my sighs, and make my complaints; and it appeared as if these all shone with lustre unbounded. I leaped-I walked-I rejoiced that my sorrows were turned into joy--yea I was mounted on the wings of an eagle-almost like Paul I could say, " Whether in the body or not I cannot tell, but this one thing I will do, forgetting the things that are behind, I will press forward toward the mark of the high calling of God, which is in Christ Jesus." I returned to the house with a glad and a light heart, and my body was as light as my heart. Borne on the wings of faith and love, my raptured soul was filled. On opening the Bible I read the fifteenth chapter of St. John's gospel of our divine Lord, beginning thus, "I am the true vine, ye are the branches." Such a relish for the word of God I never had before experienced-such light and heavenly understanding of the word. I could say with Hezekiah, "Good is the word of the Lord:" Very often these words would flow through my peaceful mind; "O wondrous grace! O boundless love! How deep the mystery lies," At length the day passed, and the night for rest appeared. I slept, and I awoke, and found my kind Preserver near; neither had I slept away my peace, for it was like an overflowing stream, rising higher and higher and when I went to my work, it was not a burden as in months past; Day after day passed and I could say with the poet; Not a cloud did arise My Lord from my eyes." All was calm, and joy, and peace, nor could I remain silent-and no one, who had been acquainted with my situation in the months just passed, wondered to hear me speak in a cause so good as that of religion, pure and undefiled; for I was taken from the low dungeon of despair, and brought into the liberty of the sons of God. I had been like one condemned to death, and sentenced to be hanged, who had received a pardon, and was restored to his life, and his friends, and more abundant mercy. I was raised from the gates of an eternal hell, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, and placed where I could rejoice in hope of eternal rest at God's right hand. O glory, glory be to God who reigns on high! Sabbath, October, 1808. I went to meeting in what is called the Pond Settlement, and had a glorious waiting upon the Lord. It was the first Sabbath that I had really lived upon the earth. I could say these words in sincerity; "O that I could all invite And show the length, and breadth, and height, On the next Sabbath the meeting was holden near my father's, and it was a good meeting to me. It was the first time of my having the privilege of telling my young friends what the Lord had done for my soul in a public congregation, since I had found deliverance; and a most memorable time it wastears of joy and grief flowed in abundance, whilst the saints of God rejoiced, and sinners were cut to the heart-while I could only say, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will towards poor guilty man!" For my soul was full of glory, neither was my joy confined here. From day to day I went on rejoicing in God my Saviour, and was prepared to say, "O Lord thy word is truth indeed;-thy yoke is easy, and thy burden is light." I was soon pressed, by a sense of duty, to join the people of God, and was willing to be a poor despised Methodist; and as soon as I had an opportunity I embraced it, and joined the class in Sidney, of which my father was the leader. Many were the solemn reflections which passed through my mind on being received into the bosom of the church-to be a living branch of that living vinebringing forth fruit to the honor and glory of God was my only desire, and only aim and constant prayer. I retired after the meeting was closed, and prayed earnestly to the Lord, that he would always keep me from backsliding and protect me from the snares of the devil, who as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour; and preserve me from bringing a wound on that most precious cause, which I had been recommending to my young friends:- inviting them to come and go with me in the way of righteousness and peace. The answer to this my fervent cry, was, that the same Lord, who has converted thy soul, is able to keep thee unto the day of the Lord Jesus; if you commit the keeping of your soul unto him as unto a faithful Creator, by patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, and honor, and eternal life. Here I found where my great strength lay. I found that I had a divine confidence in my God, that he would be my Guide even unto death; and here I could say with the poet again; "Night unto night thy name repeats, Baptism now began to agitate my mind, and I cried to my heavenly Parent, that I might be directed aright in this also, and not be guilty of going too fast or too slow. Dear brother Henry Martin (my spiritual guide) came to my father's, and asked me respecting my views of baptism. I told him freely what had rested on my mind upon that subject. He told me that he had an appointment at the Pond Settlement on the Thursday following, and that he expected some would go forward in that ordinance, and he thought I had better embrace the opportunity. I told him that I chose to converse with my parents. Accordingly I did, and my mother thought I had better wait until spring. My father said he had no objection, if I was convinced that it was my duty. He gave me a short exhortation, called the family together, and after worshipping, I retired, and low on my knees, like Mary, at the footstool of mercy, I besought the Lord's direction. O thou who knowest all things, if thou seest that it will make for thy glory, and my best good, remove every obstruction, and let the day be clear, and pleasant, and all in peace; but if not pleasing in thy sight, let it be clearly manifested to me, thy submissive child. Composed and serene I lay down to rest, and when the morning once more was ushered in, all was calm, the sun arose with unusual mildness, and nothing to hinder my going. My soul was happy, and I longed to embrace the holy ordinance of baptism, and thus evidence to the world, that I had put off the old man and his deeds, and had put on the new man, which is Christ the Lord ;-resolving by his grace to come out and be separated from the wicked world, its habits, maxims, and wrong customs.-This was a most memorable day to me and also to many others. On my way to the meeting I breathed out my heart in constant prayer to 'God for strength to raise me above the fear of man, and give me that faith that overcomes, and holds the promise fast. After a short discourse, I arose and told my desire and intention, and related my experience in some of its most important parts; and when the necessary preparation was made, we repaired to the water, and I could say truly," we are marching through Immanuel's land to fairer worlds on high." The language of my heart was poured out in the following hymn, which I repeated as I passed down to the water. I could not recollect from whence it came, yet I was able to repeat it then, and to retain it in memory ever since. Afterwards I found it in the Methodist hymn book. 1. Happy soul! thy days are ended, |