the time she became a christian, was exemplary, she set apart three times a day, for private prayer, and I never knew her to omit it. And when I was absent, she always kept up family prayer. She departed this life on the 14th of July 1788.

THE EXPERIENCE, &c.

PART THE SECOND,

Containing his Travels and Gospel Labours, after he entered the Methodist itinerant Connection, in April 1789, until about May 1795.

IN the forepart of the year 1789, I found it my duty to labour in the Lord's vineyard, as a travelling preacher; having heretofore considered myself only as a local preacher. I therefore arranged and settled my temporal affairs, and in April 1789, went to the conference held at Trenton, for the district of New-Jersey, where I was received on trial as an itinerant preacher, agreeably to the discipline of the Methodist-episcopal church, and was appointed to Dutchess circuit, state of New-York. Accordingly, I took my station. I found the circuit was new, and but few converted souls on it. I rode round, and strove to regulate the classes; and my mind was much drawn out to preach up sanctification to the people; but I consulted our presiding elder, brother Garrettson, on the occasion, and he told me it was not worth while to preach sanctification to unjustified souls. But at a certain place, finding six believers in one class, I thought proper that day to preach sanctification: after I had done, a man and a woman told me if there was such a blessing to be attained, they were determined to seek it. I told them, God would as surely sanctify them as that they had

souls, if they would seek and contend for the blessing.

One morning, the woman went six times behind a rock, and prayed, still without receiving the blessing; she went again, the seventh time, and the Spirit of the Lord came so upon her, that she fell to the ground; and the Lord took away the heart of stone and gave her a heart of flesh, and sprinkled her as with clean water, and gave her an evidence that he had sanctified her soul. She then went to one of the near neighbours, and the same power came upon her there, that had done behind the rock, and they all received a blessing, and had a shout among them.

The man, likewise, being engaged for sanctification, retired one evening to a little mount before his door, where he was in great agony, and thought he saw the devil stand just before him, on the mount; he arose from his knees to go to the house, but on his way determined that he would not be beat off by the devil, and accordingly returned again to the mount, where he wrestled with God in prayer, until the devil gave way he then fell before God, but how long he laid he could not tell; but when he came to, he knew that God had sanctified his soul.

When I went to my next appointment and preached, I saw some little signs of good, but not much. I met the class, and found but few, if any, that knew the pardoning love of God.

Next day I went to a place called Dover, and preached in the church: here I saw but little effects. I went home with brother W. and met class. Here were some precious souls, who had a peaceable waiting before God.

Next day I went to Sharon, and preached to so large a congregation, that I had to stand out of the door. The people were presbyterians,

and knew but little about methodism. Here God attended the word with power and authority, so that many wept, and some cried aloud. Soon as I had concluded, up rose an old man, and began to exhort, with tears in his eyes, desiring the people to believe, adding, "It is the true gospel that you have heard this day." After him, arose another, weeping, and exhorting the people to believe, for these were the truths of God. I then dismissed the people and returned to the house, and about twenty followed me, enquiring what they must do to be saved. I exhorted them to fly to Jesus the ark of true safety.

Next day I went to my appointment and preached, and saw but little fruit; a few wept. The people here were chiefly presbyterians, baptists, and congregationalists. I met the class, and found the woman of the house an old Israelite.

Next day I preached to a small congregation; the Lord attended the word with power, and se ven joined society.

Next day I went to my appointment, where I found a congregational minister, and the greatest part of his hearers. I preached with great liberty and care. After dismissing the people, a dispute quickly arose, and a number, both men and women, contended warmly with me, without the least regard to order. I was obliged to request them, to speak one at a time. dispute continued a long time.

Our

Next day I went on to my appointment, and preached here some wept. I met the little class, and found a few that had obtained peace. After I had dismissed the class, I was attacked by a baptist, who said, "If any man say he hath no sin he is a liar, and the truth is not in him." I replied, My brother, do you live in

sin? Yes, said he, every day. Then, said I, I will prove you, by the word of God, to be a child of the devil, and an heir of damnation : for St. John tells us, He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil; whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. 1 John iii. 8, 9. Now, St. John or you are mistaken; and I desire to know where you keep this devil, that sins in you, whether in your heart, flesh, or head, or where he is: for Christ and Belial can have no concord together? This body, or this flesh, cannot commit sin without the assent of the will, which is the spring of action, and one of the noblest faculties of the soul. Try the experiment: put your hand to your head, or rise out of your chair without the assent of your will. He, being confounded, and several beginning to laugh, arose, and appeared very angry, and so withdrew.

went to my next appointment, where I preached; some wept, and some sighed. I met the class and had a melting time.

At my next appointment, I preached, and the Lord attended the word with power. Some were cut to the heart, and cried aloud to God for mercy, and we had the shout of a king in the camp. I met the class, and two young men joined society, who had been, a few days before, trying which could swear the most profane oath. Now they both professed faith in Christ; upon which the father of one of them sent him to their minister to learn their articles of faith, &c. &c. He staid four weeks, and by that time lost all his desires for salvation, and could curse and swear as fast as ever; for said he, " If I am to be saved, I shall be saved, and if I am to be damned it matters not whether I swear or pray.' I then turned him out of class.

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