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would ultimately prove no more || now I felt myself a dreadful sinner, than the workings of a natural and could see no way by which I heart writhing under the lashings could be made holy. At the same of conscience. Often would I say, time I was convinced, that unless I what shall I do to be saved? How were made holy I could never be can I come to Christ? O that some made happy. It appeared that I man would guide me! Thus I had a great something to do; what went mourning from day to day as it was or how to do it I knew not. without the light of the sun. The Immediately as I walked, this pasworld had lost its charms. The sage of scripture came powerfully pleasures that had heretofore ap- into my mind,-" Behold the Lamb peared so fascinating, now seemed of God, which taketh away the sin of so extremely insipid, that I won- the world." A gleam of hope seemdered I could ever have thought so ed to come from these words. But highly of them. They not only ap-I thought they were only words peared empty and trifling, but to a great degree disgusting.

which I had read, and were now suggested by my imagination. They seemed to be repeated the second time," Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." The effect was overwhelming. In an instant, the great plan of mercy through the atonement of Christ was astonishingly opened to my view. He appeared to be just such a Saviour as I needed. I saw that by his atonement he had (so far as an atonement could do it)

"After spending an anxious and almost sleepless night, I arose just after the dawning of the day, and resolved once more to pray. I said with Jonah, "I will look again towards his holy temple." I knelt down, and in a few broken sentences, tried to send my cries to the mercy seat. I felt convinced that I had done nothing to merit the divine favour, nor could I do any thing though I were eternally totaken away the sin of the world." perish. This I thought I confessed to the Lord; and as my last refuge, endeavoured to cast myself upon the mercy of God. During this day I felt less anxiety than I had done for many days before. Sometimes I hoped I had given myself to God, and sometimes I feared that my convictions were wearing off, and that I should return again unto folly.

What, said I to myself, is it only to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved? It appeared almost too free and too glorious. It seemed impossible that it should be true. But the more I reflected, the more clear it appeared that this was the gospel method of salvation. I could not help taking hold of it, and thought I saw in it a glorious consistency with the attributes of God.

"My mind now became calm, but not transported. It occurred to me that this was not such a conversion as I had been looking for.

"Just in the twilight of the same day, I had occasion to walk to a neighbour's house about a quarter of a mile distant. As I walked, a new train of thought occupied my had expected my distress to be mind. How happy, thought I, are increased until I should see myself the angels! They are happy because hanging, as it were, over everlastthey are holy, and have never sin-ing burnings, and that then I should ned. How unhappy I am on ac- have some discovery of the Saviour; count of sin! My thoughts now but in what way I knew not. Those ran back to Adam in the garden. sweet words would still recur to I thought I would have given the my mind," Behold the Lamb of world had it been at my command, God, which taketh away the sin of if he had never sinned; then I the world." The gracious invitashould not have been a sinner. But tions of the gospel, such as Isaiah

lv. 1. Ho, every one that thirst- || had already read a number, and

eth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price," appeared exceedingly precious. The more I reflected, the more was I lost in wonder and astonishment in contemplating the riches of grace. The Saviour now began to appear precious to me. Yet I was exceedingly afraid that I should be deceived.

was reading Blackstone's Commen-
taries when my attention was ar-
rested. I was obliged to lay them
aside, but with the expectation of
resuming them after my impressions
had subsided. I made several at-
tempts to resume them, but now
found it utterly in vain. My at-
tention was wholly engrossed with
another subject, although I do not
recollect that I thought of preach-
ing.
ing. I have since, however, had
reason to believe that the impres-
sion was very general upon the
minds of the people, that I should
at some time or other become a min-

settled minister in the town at this
time, I was constantly called upon
to take some part in all the relig-
ious meetings. I however felt a
great diffidence in speaking, unless
when requested by some of the old-
er brethren.

A short time afterwards, being asked at a conference meeting to relate my religious feelings, I complied; and though honestly, yet with much fear and trembling, I proceeded to state what I had ex-ister of the gospel. As there was no perienced. Christians rejoiced, and anxious sinners wept. I was called upon in the course of the evening to pray. I attempted, and was blessed with some degree of freedom. Seeing some persons who had been for some time anxious, I could not refrain from addressing "Not long after I had obtained them. They were asking, "What a hope of an interest in Christ, shall we do to be saved?" I replied, when meditating on the character "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ of the Saviour, these words were and you shall be saved." I then impressed very forcibly on my mind, thought I could tell them so that "These are they which follow the they would believe. But after sta- Lamb whithersoever he goeth." I ting to them my views of that won- was struck with the thought, and derful declaration,-"Behold the wished that I might be one of them, Lamb of God, which taketh away for they seemed to me to be pecuthe sin of the world," I could not liarly blessed. But the question perceive that they were affected by immediately occurred, "Where has it. It seemed to me that every one the Saviour gone as an example for now could believe, and I wondered his people to follow ?" I was first that I had never believed before. led to view him coming from GalI seldom afterwards attended meet-lilee to Jordan, to be baptized of ing without taking some part in the public exercises, until I was solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry.

John in Jordan. I at once said to myself, I cannot follow him in this, nor am I required to. I have been already devoted to God in infancy; "It may be proper here to ob- therefore this part of Christ's examserve, that previous to my religious ple can have no claim upon my obeconcern, I had, with the advice of dience. Still the words followed several friends, determined to en- me,- "These are they which folter upon the study of the law.low the Lamb whithersoever he Two gentlemen, one of whom had goeth." I at length resolved praybeen States' Attorney in Connecti-erfully to search the New-Testacut, the other a practitioner in law, kindly engaged me their assistance, and furnished me with books.

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ment, with, I trust, a heart breathing the language of the Apostle, "Lord, what will thou have me to do?"

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"I had been educated in the prin- ||rectness of the distinguishing sentiments of the Baptists, I thought it improper to take any step until my mind should be decided. thanked him for his friendly invitation; but frankly told him the state of my mind. I requested him, if he thought I was in danger of embracing an error, to endeavour to reclaim me. With this view, I requested him to tell me where to find a warrant for infant baptism. He immediately referred to Genesis xvii. and went at large into the ordinary argument founded upon the Abrahamic covenant. After conversing till a late hour, I inform.

have convinced me that infant baptism was right; but was sorry to say, he had entirely failed. My conscience still preponderated towards the opinions of the Baptists. "Sir," said I, "in this case, what shall I do ?" "Why," said he,

ciples, and what I now consider the prejudices of the Congregationalists. I had read little on the baptismal controversy, except " Dickenson's Divine Right of Infant Baptism." This work had been reprinted with a preface by eight Congregational ministers of the then town of Norwich, one of whom was my great uncle, under whose instructions I had been brought up. I thought very highly of the work, and had read it with much attention more than once, in order to furnish myself with arguments in favour of infant baptism. These arguments had satisfied my minded him that I had hoped he would until now, when I read the Scriptures with different feelings. I wished to be candid, and to receive the truth wherever I might find it. But after all, when I perceived that the evidence appeared against my former sentiments, and in favour of the baptism of believing adults" if we cannot agree to think alike, only, it required an amazing strug- we must agree to differ." gle to surrender the point. I con- united in prayer, and retired to cealed my conflicts from all my rest. Baptist friends, but unbosomed myself freely to several Pedobaptist ministers, hoping that they might be able to remove my difficulties. But all of them proved physicians of no value. I had fully resolved to follow the truth wheresoever I might find it. I well knew, moreover, that all my earthly connexions were decided Pedobaptists. I endeavoured to count the cost, and though I should forfeit their friendship, felt determined to follow the dictates of my own conscience.

"During my unsettled state of mind, a respectable Congregational minister visited and lodged at my house. In the course of the evening, he introduced the subject of his visit, which was, he said, to invite me to offer myself a candidate for examination before the Association to which he belonged, with a view to my being licensed to preach the gospel in their fellowship. But being so far convinced of the corJAN. 1826.

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"Previously to my baptism, I visited my friends at Norwich, Con. I then took an opportunity of con.. versing with my former venerable pastor. He received me very kind||ly; and when at his request I related my religious exercises, was quite melted into tears. But when, towards the close of the evening, he suspected from some of my inquiries, that my mind was not established in the doctrines of Pedobaptism, he remarked to me, in rather a stern tone of voice, "Well, Thomas, if you renounce your infant baptism and are re-baptized, I shall reprobate you, notwithstanding all that have told me. you was much shocked at the remark,

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and after a moment's silence, replied, "I hope, Sir, I shall be directed to do what is right." Thus we parted, perhaps with mutual dissatisfaction.

son, I hope that what I am to rêlate will not be imputed to vanity or egotism. "Behold, before God I lie not."] While the subject of preaching was yet undetermined in my mind, after sermon one Lord's day, as was then customary, a brother present, who was far gone consumption, addressed the people in a very affecting exhortation; after which I was requested to pray. I engaged-but it is impossible for me to describe the scene which opened to my view. Soon after I

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"He put into my hand at parting, Wall's Abridgment of his History of Infant Baptism." But all the help I derived from this was, to be confirmed in what I had before feared was true. Dr. Wall unhesitatingly acknowledges that the primitive mode of baptism was immersion, and blames the Presbyterians for changing it into sprink-began to speak, my soul appeared ling. Neither during my inquiries nor before them, had I ever seen a page written by the Baptists, except a small pamphlet written by S. Wilson, entitled "A Scripture Manual." This I had read many years before. I once told a Baptist minister that I wished to have some conversation with him respecting Baptism, as I had some doubts in my mind on that subject. He replied, "Do you only read your Bible, and you will do well enough." I thought the advice correct, and determined to follow it. And whether now right or wrong, I can only say, that the Bible and my own conscience compelled me to be what I am. In the latter part of the summer of 1781, I was baptized by the Rev. Elisha Ransom, then of Woodstock, Vt.

drawn out in an uncommon degree towards God, and the ecstasy of joy that I then felt was absolutely indescribable and full of glory. For a few moments, I apprehended I was about to quit the body. Words flowed as it were without an effort of thought. My language and conceptions appeared uncommonly elevated. When I had closed and opened my eyes, I perceived the assembly almost all in tears. One man cried out in anguish of soul, I am undone !" Some others, who had remained in a hardened, stupid state until now, were trembling and weeping. These impressions with some, I have reason to hope, terminated in saving conversion to God.

"This gracious manifestation of divine mercy and goodness to me "From my constantly speaking was accompanied with a peculiar in public, I began to fear being sus-peace and calmness of mind. It pected of aspiring to become a was indeed that peace of God which preacher. This impression I stu- passeth all understanding. It was diously laboured to prevent. An a season never to be forgotten, ardent desire for the salvation of whilst memory holds a place in my immortal souls on the one hand, breast. It had, moreover, a conand on the other, a consciousness siderable effect in reconciling me of my want of those acquirements to devote myself to the work of the which I considered necessary to ministry. In the days of my vanqualify me for the work, kept me ity I had never looked forward to for some time in a state of perplex- any appointment with such intense ity. desire as I now waited the return of the holy Sabbath, that I might meet with the children of God, and tell my fellow sinners the blessedness there is in believing.

"It may not be improper here to mention a remarkable season of prayer, which I once at this time enjoyed. [If these lines should ever meet the eye of any other per

"The winter succeeding, we were

favoured with a refreshing season. Several were, as we hoped, brought home to God; among them one, who has since become a minister of our denomination. The church continued united in love, and additions were made from time to time of such as we trust shall be saved.

A considerable portion of these were from the adjacent towns.

"I continued my labours with this church seven years, during which time, though principally at home on the Sabbath, I spent much of the intervening time in visiting and preaching in the destitute parts of the surrounding country. There were few towns within the space of fifty miles round, in which I did not occasionally preach.

"Although I had generally conducted the religious exercises in most of our public meetings, yet it was not until August of 1782, that I attempted to take a text and "In this warfare, I went chiefly preach doctrinally and methodical- at my own charges. Some few ly. The news soon circulated wide-churches, however, which I visited ly, that I had begun to preach; and by appointment of the association, the next Sabbath many collected made me some compensation, and from most of the neighbouring towns. some individuals made me small Our assemblies were full and atten- || presents; but I do not recollect that tive, and the prospect highly encour- during the whole of this period, in aging, and thus in general it con- all my journeyings, I ever received tinued. a public contribution. I usually "In the spring of 1783, the church met with a kind reception from invited me to receive ordination. Christians of all denominations ; I consented to be ordained, but not and besides receiving their decided as the pastor of that particular approbation, often, quite often rechurch. It was, however, under-ceived the following benediction, stood that I should perform the du- with a hearty pressure of the hand ties of a pastor so long as I should at parting, The Lord bless you, think it proper to stay with them.brother; such men as you will never A meeting was then called, and the want."" subject laid before the town. They "My mode of travelling was on unanimously voted to concur with horseback. In pursuing my appointthe church, and presented a callments, I had often to climb the ragon their part. Arrangements were ged mountain and descend the deep accordingly made, and a 'council ravine. These exchanges, from || convened in Canaan, on the 11th of rocky steeps to dismal swamps, June, 1783, at which time I was were far from unfrequent at that publicly ordained to the work of an early period of the settlement of evangelist. Rev. SAMUEL SHEP- this part of our country. The roads HARD, of Brentwood, N. H. preach- are since so improved, that it would ed on the occasion from 2 Cor. iv. be difficult to persuade the traveller 7. Rev. ELISHA RANSOM, of Wood-now-a-days that they had ever been stock, Vt.gave the charge, and Rev. as bad as the early settlers repreSAMUEL AMBROSE, of Sutton, N. H. || sent. gave the right hand of fellowship. Some other ministering brethren also assisted on the occasion.

"The church enjoyed as great a degree of harmony as commonly falls to the lot of churches in the age in which we live, Additions were from time to time made, until our number amounted to seventy.

"The people were not, however, so much wanting in kindness, as in the means of assisting a travelling minister. As for silver and gold, the greater part of them had none. The cause for this scarcity of money arose from the particular circumstances of the times. At the close of the revolutionary war, the conti

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