get their ministerial function, and give way to lightness, levity and laughter, a spirit very unbecoming to their profession. I frequentły wondered how such preachers could possibly preach before each other, and it was only accountable to me in that, their grace was more in profession, than in real possession. The Spirit taught me that I should live righteously, soberly and Godly, and I ever accounted it unbecoming to give way to loud laughter; but especially unbecoming to a preacher. A christian may smile under the influence of holy sensation, but he is highly censureable for every degree of worldly levity. As I heard, observed and listened to the inward teachings of the Spirit, I was also deeply convicted in my mind that christians, teachers in particular, should never assume an air of importance, nor condescend to use an affected politeness: all this appeared to be the deepest hypocrisy-nothing appeared more congruent with the spirit of the world, so nothing seemed more repugnant to christianity. As I was made sensible of the impropriety of all these things, my daily cross was the more evident, and being sensible what an attachment I naturally held to the spirit of the world, I daily besought the Lord that he would bestow upon me (as I deemed myself naturally more proud and graceless than any), more than a common degree of his grace and help, that there might be a real change in my heart. I often thought if it

was possible to come to God, by journeying to the utmost parts of the earth, this I would account but ease. The language of my heart was, "Oh that I knew where I might find HIM, that I might come even to HIS seat? I would order my cause before HIM, and fill my mouth with arguments. Behold I go forward but he is not there; and backward but I cannot perceive him-on the left hand where he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand that I cannot see HIM." That Spiritual knowledge which I had already attained created in me a thirsting after righteousness and a desire for a deeper knowledge of God. I found more and more, day by day that the way to God was an inward exercise by the Spirit, and that there was no trust in any thing outward.

I had not as yet found an interpretation for that part of my dream, which represented my leaving society, so with other things my mind was constantly engaged, that the Lord would protect me from back-sliding, but as the true meaning was foreign to my mind, I began mostly to construe, that my public labors were just at an end; so that I was deeply depressed with a fear of running too fast, or too slow; and as I had feared that my mind and my understanding was naturally stubborn, and blind to the requirements and teachings of God; I had frequently prayed that the Lord. would make me just what he would have me to be; and that if his mercies

would not effect his will, that I might be brought to learn judgment by adversity.This brought me to a season of deep proving. For, as my mind was watching things outwardly and inwardly, an unprosperous aspect seemed to hang over my temporal affairs, in an unusual degree. As I had spent much of my time in holding meetings, I was ready to view an unfavorable turn in my temporal concerns, a sign that it was my duty to attend to my worldly business and to quit preaching. -One day as I was about leaving home, I received intelligence of the loss of some property which went much to affect my temporal arrangement; this with other things unfavorable to my situation, threw my mind into a consternation what to do. On looking around as I was about to leave my house, I saw my wife in tears, who said to me that I must stay at home and attend my business, or we should soon be on the town as a charge.. Of this, however, I was not suspicious, as our situation in life was too favorable to admit of a suspicion of that kind. This timidity of of my wife, satan would only have used to try my mind. The solicitations of my wife was truly affecting, but I left her without making her any reply.

As I left my house I shed many tears, and though I did not consider my condition any way bordering upon my wife's prediction, yet my heart was ready to learn instruction from adversity. But as I pro

ceeded on my way, I was not willing to consent in my mind that what had taken place should answer as a witness, that it was not my duty to travel and preach. A question arose in my mind whether my misfortunes should be received by me as a particular providence of God in answer to my prayers, or whether I should consider my disappointment as luck and chance, and as one with the misfortunes of all men. After I had proceeded on my journey several miles in great consternation of soul, weeping like a child as I went; all of a sudden I recollected myself, and the consoling power of faith filled my mind to that degree, that I was surprised at myself. Why, said I to myself, is all this confusion and consternation of soul! If it is the will of God that I should preach, no one can be more willing to learn duty than I, and do it too-Lord said I, if this is to teach me duty, well, confound me, strip me of every thing I possess; and if thou hast not called me, hedge up my way that I may not "use the tongue like the false Prophets, and say, HE saith," when the Lord has not spoken by me. Thought I, why am I left to doubt as to duty? Is not God the same to day, yester day and forever? aws not the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Was the Lord not Daniel's God? Did not the Lord answer all these Holy men, and will not the Lord hear his saints to day as well as in days past ? Surely the Lord is the same that he ever was,

said I, I will call upon the Lord and he will answer me. Thought I to myself, I will go to this appointment, and I will speak what the Lord says speak, and I will make no other appointment until the Lord shall decide every question in my mind, whether it is my duty or not to follow the leadings of my mind, and speak in public as I have done.When I had made those conclusions in my mind, which seemed to be formed in the power of faith, the language of the Spirit seemed to be, "I will answer whatsoever is asked in faith, and I will shew thee by the vision of the night; only ask believing."Lord, said I, show me if I am to give up domestic enjoyment, and measureably be secluded from my family for the sake of the gospel. Being firmly fixed on knowing and learning duty from the Lord; in confidence I proceeded on my journey, but did not reach my lodging until late at night. The following morning brought to my recollection the following vision. I dreamed that I was at home, standing in my door-yard, where I discovered a cloud gather as from a mist and overshadow the house. When the cloud was made, it formed a pillar over the door, extending from one corner of the house to the other, and settled towards the ground; but as it settled, it became more and more condensed, and in the end became a permanent stonewall-resting upon the ground in such a manner as to cover up the door of the house,