10 who for generosity---justice to them, prompts me to say, exceed all others that I meet,) but my gratitude to them, in a certain sense, will be useless, as many of their faces in the flesh, I never again expect to see.-- -Wherefore, I would have their goodness.---love,—and mercy, to me when a desolate wanderer, in lands remote,-written as with an iron pen, in the tablet of my heart, forever-more. And now, my Friendly Reader, I deliver this up to you---with much, fervent, humble, prayer, That it may be crowned with the blessings of God;---not only to you,---but to all others, into whose hands it may also fall;---and that, in the day of the Lord Jesus, I may rejoice, that this my labour, had not proved, in vain. I thank, the Father of Lights, that for this end, He hath interrupted my public labours, for a time---that as I trust, hereaf ter, I may render the world, more lasting service.-And for the manner, in which, He hath prepared me, for the same,---by leading me through the furnace, to consume the dross, and to subdue the remains of self-love; ---making me to undervalue, and contemn earthly things;--and more importunate at the Throne of grace:—whereby I have obtained, far deeper discoveries, of His boundless love, and mercy,-than otherwise, I should ever have done. So, that, if I spend my days, as it were, in sighs and tears,---I have joys, that the a number of his ship-mates also, made happy in God;--and being about to put to sea again;--he brought his purse, with all his hard earnings, to me-saying, "Had it not been for you, I should have spent it all or rum." 11 world knows not of; nor that the stranger, intermedleth with. Some thousands, have I seen,made the sharers of redeeming grace; and many more of every nation, I expect to see added to that number, should I continue here below.--The only earthly treasure, that I regard---is my precious* Bible; which hath been my companion,---and my support, in every part of creation, and that I intend shall be, the man of my-counsel, unto the death. I feel at home, thank God, in every place; and never more, than when urging my flight, with the utmost speed, from city to city-whether by land, or by sea. Yet, "I am not at home, but travelling hence; To leave the things, of time and sense." When that expected day, shall have arrived of complete conquest, of final deliverance,-and I shall reach my "long eternal home," may I meet with all, that have ever heard, my stammering tongue; and seen the "Vicissitudes Illustrated of my life," prayer of is the The public's Friend and Servant, Charleston, Nov. 4th, 1832. * That, and sometimes a Bible Dictionary, has been for the most part, my only Library. Courteous Reader: Having been acquainted with the AUTHORESS, of the following narrative, for several years;-{ take the liberty of recommending the same, to my cotemporary fellow mortals;---believing, the perusal, may be useful, to the contemplative mind. "Female preaching," is, by many, through a prejudice, founded in education;---thought to be improper;---and hence, condemned, by them.---But, why, a female, should not be as accountable, to God, for her talents, and ministration,---as the opposite gender,---I know not. God---has designed the WOMAN, as an "help""meet,"---according to HIS ORDER. Both in, the Old, and New Testaments,---they have been the chosen instruments, of God;---as Miriam, Huldah, and Deborah, the daughters, of Philip,--who prophecied, i. e. preached.---For prophecy, does not always mean, fortelling future events,but, may relate to public action, by the "HARP,' or by TESTIMONY. "Phebe," is styled, "a Servant of the Chureh:"--and the name of Priscilla, is mentioned, before, that of her husband:---And for my own part, I I think it would be well, to give up, prejudice;--and be cautious, not to obstruct, the way of those, who follow not our whims;---lest by folly, we grieve those, whom God would not have grieved;---and thereby, bring an awful responsibility, upon ourselves. I feel, to bid NANCY TOWLE, God speed;---and wish her success, ---in the Name of the LORD. LORENZO DOW. Baltimore, May 21st, 1832. VICISSITUDES ILLUSTRATED, &c. THE JOURNEY OF LIFE with me commenced in the town of HAMPTON, State of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, NORTH AMERICA, on the 13th of February, 1796. My parents, Philip and Betsey Towle, were likewise natives of that place. They had nine children, of whom I was the third; three sons and six daughters. I am not able to date the first dawn of divine light upon my soul;-but, at a very early period, I was under religious impressions-and during my infantile years, I recollect weeping sometimes very bitterly, because I conceived that my "MAKER" was angry with me, on the account of my great wickedness-and if I should die, I must surely go to a place of misery. When I was twelve years old, a REVIVAL OF RELIGION Commenced in my native town, for the first time; and my mother and elder sister became the happy subjects of God's converting grace. At that period, the LORD wrought very powerfully upon my heart, by His Holy Spirit; and I was led to reflect much upon His blessed Word, and the glorious scheme of salvation, through the mediation of JESUS CHRIST!-and, from that time forward, I lived in the practice of secret prayer, (for the most part,) until I had obtained a knowledge of salvation through the remission of my sins; which A was not, however, until twenty-two years of my life had gone, with those beyond the flood. At the age of fourteen, and upwards, for a succession of years, prayer was considered rather as a task, nevertheless, than as any pleasurable employ: and being of a very volatile disposition, my chief delights began to be, at the haunts of hilarity and mirth. These, I very solicitously pursued; and notwithstanding the clearest conviction of its being wrong, thus to improve the time and talents allotted me, for nobler ends on earth, in the ball chamber, with much trifling gayety, I was often found. But before I dared venture forward in this my vain career, (which was not a little strange,) I was not unfrequently at the Throne of Grace, to petition mercy of the LORD, that the sin might not be laid to my charge:—for I was exceedingly fearful of committing that crime, i. e. "the sin against the Holy Ghost," "which hath no forgiveness, either in this world, or in that which is to come." So, in this way, I stifled conviction; and, in a degree, quieted my conscience, for the space of ten years-not being willing to abandon my gay companions, altogether, and my reputation among men, to become a decided follower of a meek and lowly Saviour. At the age of sixteen, seventeen and twentyone, I attended the academy in Hampton, and in my literary pursuits, I made very good proficiency I had ever an ardent thirst for useful knowledge-not merely for my own temporal advantage-but that I might be able, as I thought, to contribute to the happiness of those around me, and so answer, more especially, the grand design |