mersion. After concluding my remarks, Mr. H., a preacher of considerable talent, spoke three quarters of an hour in opposition to the doctrine that I advanced on the second and seventh propositions. I replied, that I had not come for debating. About the time the assembly was dismissed, one praised the Lord aloud, who was soon after baptized. On Friday, I went to Southwold with brother Straight, and attended two meetings; and on the day following enjoyed a comforting season in monthly meeting at Dunwich. On the Sabbath, our assembly was said to be larger than had ever before been in this township. It pleased the Saviour to favour me with unusual liberty, and I believe the Holy Spirit searched the congregation. In the afternoon, Jesus made himself known to us "in breaking of bread." After this I held three meetings, and thought the seasons were profitable. I preached in the east part of Southwold again, and rejoiced to find that the solemn concern manifested in my second meeting had not abated.

Friday, I returned to London, held a meeting in the evening, and one the next day. Six related their experience, and were received for baptism. In the evening, for the first time, I heard brother Straight preach a sermon with much satisfaction. Sabbath, Nov. 18, the assembly was large for this town, and many were happy. After sermon, several testimonies were given; and the six candidates were baptized, rejoicing in the Lord. One of them, a man in his seventieth year, had been confined by sickness for a year past, and was brought to the meeting on a sled. He went into the water as though he enjoyed the. strength of youth, and came out happy. This was a remarkable hour. Heaven smiled, and glory seemed to shine on the candidates, on the congregation, on the water, and, indeed, on all things around. As the people returned from the water, the saints sung with such melody, that it seemed almost as though the New Jerusalem had come down out of heaven. In the evening brother Huckins preached, saints rejoiced much, and sinners wept bitterly. How strik

ing the contrast! The more of the Spirit of the Lord there is present, the more saints will rejoice, and the more sinners will mourn. In this meeting, five solemnly promised to seek the Lord till they should find remission of sins. I tarried a week longer in London, and held meetings nearly every day which were attended with much interest, particularly on the Sabbath. The Spirit of the Lord was manifested in a powerful manner, and the word seemed to cut to the heart of every sinner present. I baptized the wife of the man aged seventy, that was baptized the Sabbath previous. She was sixty-eight years of age, and within four or five days had experienced a change of heart.

Monday, Nov. 26, I preached again and bid the people farewell. It was a very solemn season. One backslider humbly entreated the forgiveness of his brethren whom he had grieved. Next morning, a little after the dawn of day, the brethren began to assemble at the house where I tarried, notwithstanding I had bid them farewell, and continued to come till nine o'clock, when nearly the whole church and several others were present. Some wept all the morning. As I was about to say to them, in the language of the apostle, "What mean ye to weep and to break my heart?" brother Huckins said, "Brother David, you are now going away here are souls near the kingdom of God, that probably will soon be converted and wish to be baptized.-Who shall baptize them?" When I considered their state, how they were as without a shepherd, I could but weep with them, and an earnest cry arose in my heart that the Lord would send more faithful labourers into the harvest. After uniting in prayer, they sung a hymn suited to the occasion, and our parting was very affecting and solemn. When I was out of hearing, I gave vent to my feelings in an adjacent wood, and wept aloud. Here I prayed for the dear brethren in Canada, and thought I received the witness of the Spirit, that God would enlarge their borders, till the spreading vine of low stature" should extend over the province. I had spent more than six weeks

in these parts, baptized seventeen in London, and the church had increased to forty-four. The church in London is situated thirty miles north of lake Erie, and about one hundred and fifty miles west of Niagara river. They had no administrator, still they lived in great union, walking in the order and discipline of the gospel. Several of their women were much devoted to the Lord, and having excellent gifts in public testimony, like faithful Anna, they ceased not to speak the word of the Lord "to all them that looked for redemption in" London.

Brother Straight and some others joining me, accompanied me on my way to the river Thames, where I parted with brother S., he having concluded to spend the winter in Canada. I proceeded to Oxford, and after considerable entreaty, I consented to preach, and went to the house of Elder James Harris, a Free Communion Baptist, where I met a kind reception. In the evening I held a meeting at his house, and to the praise of God we had a precious season. Several were awakened, and came forward for prayer. Some of these never rested till they obtained a hope in God. I had designed leaving in the morning, but being earnestly persuaded, I tarried the day and held two meetings, which were interesting. I felt thankful for these refreshing interviews. Elder H. accompanied me. eleven miles to deacon B.'s, where we attended a meeting. Here we parted, and proceeding to Blenheim, I tarried over the Sabbath and preached thrice. Continuing my journey, I passed through Ancaster, and on Tuesday evening preached at Salt Fleet. The Spirit of the Lord searched the assembly, sinners wept, and saints shouted for joy. After meeting, several came to my lodging, and with tears entreated me to labour with them a few days. But thinking duty called me, I proceeded on my way, and on Dec. 6, left the province. I had spent more than two months in Canada, and travelled five hundred miles. The people generally were kind and liberal. Though among strangers, and often lodging at public houses, my expenses, besides some repairs, had not amounted to fifty cents.

Sunday, Dec. 9, I attended three meetings in Royalton. At the last, four manifested that they were inquiring the way to Zion. Continuing my journey eastward, I held a few meetings in different towns, and found the work of reformation had commenced in some of the churches of the Bethany quarterly meeting, particularly in Byron. I attended a session of the Ontario quarterly meeting in Sodus, on the 15th and 16th of the month. We had a melting season, and joy beamed on the countenance of Zion. Sodus has often been blessed with such seasons; and would to God that her Christians, and all others that have tasted that the Lord is good and gracious, would remember his kindness, and follow him with all the heart. On my return to Canandaigua, I was affectionately received, and held two meetings.

Here, I heard heavy tidings-the death of Elder Abel Thornton. But a little while before, I had heard of the death of Susan Humes. The latter died on the 12th of May, 1827, and the former on the 14th of Oct. They were both worn out in the morning of life by their unwearied labours for Zion. These tidings affected me greatly, and I said, "O Lord, why am I spared, while they are called from the service of the church?"

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CHAPTER XVII.

Particulars of my travels and labours from Dec. 1827, to May, 1828.

HAVING been appointed by the Ontario quarterly meeting, I visited a revival in the north part of Seriba, a town situated on the south shore of lake Ontario, about eighty miles from Canandaigua. A small church had been gathered by Elder Craw, in the south part of the town, about seven years previous. At this time, they had but nine members. I understood the revival commenced three months before, under the labours of an unordained preacher, and that at

that time there was but one praying man in the neighbourhood. Twelve or fifteen had now obtained a hope, several wanderers had returned to their first love, and Christians in adjacent neighbourhoods were revived. Sabbath breakers and the openly immoral had reformed, and now attended at the house of God. Sabbath, Dec. 30, although a party spirit had occasioned some injury to the reformation, we had a solemn, profitable meeting. The next day we held a meeting, and closed the labours of the year in the service of God. Party spirit began to vanish, and the blessed spirit of reformation began to revive.

At the close, I baptized two converts, who had been anxiously waiting for the privilege, and serious impressions were made on many hearts. These two converts, I believe, have ever remained engaged Christians.

On Jan. 1, 1828, the salutation of friend to friend, "I wish you a happy new-year," was quite frequent. But to some in Scriba this was emphatically a new year. Old things had passed away, and all things had become new; and they could say this was the only happy new-year's day they had ever seen. At ten o'clock, A. M. several of the brethren and converts, with myself, met with the Methodists in an adjacent town, and were affectionately welcomed. I preached a discourse, and many spoke of the joy they had found in the Saviour, and covenanted to dedicate themselves to Him with new engagedness. In the evening we had a profitable meeting in Scriba. Several solemnly covenanted to spend the year in the service of the Lord. I was told by several persons, that while they were returning from worship, they heard the voice of singing in the air. The sky was clear, and they said the singing appeared to be very high, and the most melodious of any music they had ever heard, and continued directly over their heads while they travelled about a quarter of a mile. A non-professor that heard it, was alarmed, believing it was the voice of angels, and began to repent of his sins. From this time the work revived anew. Many forsook their sins and called on the name of the Lord. He heard