my brethren, I have been into Babylon!"-His feelings were overcome, and for some time he wept aloud. Then he said, "O my God! forgive me-O my brethren, will you forgive me?-O sinners, can you forgive me, for laying this stumbling block in your way?" He said, that for five years, he never knew of the conversion of one soul through his instrumentality; and at length the Lord took him in hand, while he was in his field, and he thought he should die under the power of God. He was humbled under the mighty hand of the Lord, saw his wandering, and promised to renounce his allegiance to that institution. He said, he believed the Lord had forgiven him all, and that now he enjoyed peace like a river. Those who were acquainted with Elder Fowler knew him to be, naturally, a man of a proud spirit, and his unexpected confession greatly affected the assembly.

As the church in Canandaigua was small, it had been feared that the people from a distance would not all be accommodated; but the Lord opened the hearts of

many, even of non-professers, to entertain strangers; so that several that had made preparations, were unable to get any company. I have often known quarterly meetings to be held where similar fears were entertained; but in every instance more have been disappointed for want of company, than for want of accommodation.

CHAPTER XVIII.

My second journey to London District, Upper Canada.

MONDAY, May 12, 1828, I left Canandaigua for Upper Canada, and in four days preached in Greece and Parma, thrice in Clarkson, and once in Royalton. On Saturday, Elder Crapsey accompanied me to the ridge road, ten miles east of Lewiston, where we held a meeting. Sabbath, May 18, we attended two meetings six miles east of the village, and were affectionately received by brother T- who related the fol

lowing particulars of his conversion. He said, that being a royal arch mason, he became acquainted with some facts connected with the abduction and murder of William Morgan, who was carried by his door, and confined in the Magazine at Niagara, till the installation of the royal arch chapter in this town. He was called to Canandaigua as a witness, and resolved, agreeably to his masonic obligation, to swear "he knew nothing of the affair." He said he felt conscientious, and doubted not that he was doing right, till, unexpectedly, the trial was adjourned, and he was dismissed. Then he hasted to be alone; the thought of his narrow escape rushed on his mind like a flood. He said that in a moment it appeared to him, had it not been for the mercy of God in thus saving him, that his ruin would have been effected for time and for eternity. Then he added, "I fell on my knees for the first time, and returned thanks to Almighty God, and promised to renounce my allegiance to Free Masonry, to the world, and to sin, and seek the salvation of my soul." He returned home, confessed his resolutions to his wife, and published his renunciation of Masonry. This awakened his companion, and they sought the Lord till he spoke peace to their souls. Several of their neighbours became concerned, a revival followed, and was still progressing. This man and his wife appeared to be humble converts, and much engaged in the service of the Lord.

Monday, I crossed the Niagara, proceeded to St. Catharines, and seeing many people in the centre of the village, I felt impressed to speak to them of the things of eternity. I shrunk at the cross, and passed through the village; then, feeling condemned, I returned and met a stranger, that afterwards I understood to be Dr. C—, a merchant of that place. I asked him if I might preach in the street. He replied "Yes," and went immediately himself, and sent some others to notify a meeting to commence in ten minutes. I placed my wagon in the centre of the village for a pulpit, and, at the time appointed, kneeled down and prayed. About one hundred and fifty people gathered around. I addressed them from Amos 4:12: "Pre

pare to meet thy God." They listened attentively, and some appeared affected. I appointed a meeting to attend on my return. Several solicited me to tarry the night, but my engagements obliged me to pursue my journey. The next day I called at an inn, and preached to a few, from Ex. 3:14: "I AM hath sent me unto you. "In the afternoon, I gave an exhortation at Hamilton to a few people in the street. Two drunken men tried, by insults and abuse, to embarrass me, yet the Lord blessed me with some freedom. One of

these was a negro, and the other was an Irishman: the latter laid violent hands on me. Still I thought it good to "go out into the high ways and hedges, and compel" perishing sinners to come to the gospel feast. A little before sun set, I arrived at Ancaster; wishing to warn the wicked of this village, and having but few minutes to tarry, I gave notice for preaching in seven minutes, on the green opposite the meeting-house. When the time had expired, two persons were present, and I asked them to give me a text. They gave me "Nothing." Soon after prayer, seventy or eighty people assembled, and taking my text, I proceeded to show, first, that God created the world out of nothing; secondly, that man was placed under a law, in which there was nothing unjust; thirdly, that there is nothing to justify the impenitent transgressor; fourthly, that there will be nothing to comfort him in death -nothing to save him in judgment, or to give him hope in hell; fifthly that the righteous have by nature nothing meritorious, nothing of their own of which they can boast, nothing to fear in death; and, that in the judgment day, they will have nothing to cause them grief, and in heaven, nothing to disturb their peace and finally, that in time, and in eternity, nothing will turn to the advantage of the wicked, or to the disadvantage of the righteous. The Lord assisted me, O, blessed be his name. Many were solemn and several wept.

Continuing my journey through Brandford and Mt. Vernon, to an eleven mile wood, I preached at an inn to a few that were solemn. After this, I passed through the wood, attended a meeting at a place called Big

Otter; and one promised to seek the Lord. Friday, May 23, I reached an appointment in Southwold; and brother Straight and the converts received me very affectionately. Many, that were mourning for their sins when I left the place, were now happy in the Lord, and we had a joyful meeting. I was informed, that, from the time I left this place, brother Straight laboured diligently with the people, the work soon assumed an encouraging aspect, and the Lord gave him much success. Before he left for New-York, a first and second letter had been sent to Elder Jenkins of Bethany, requesting him to come and baptize the converts; but no answer having been received, the church in Dunwich sent brother Straight to New-York, with a request that he might be ordained. But previous to his return, Elder Jenkins came to their help, baptized forty, principally in Southwold, and organized a church. I was informed, that the first time they attended to baptism, twenty converts submitted to Christ in this ordinance. A spectator held his watch, and observed that the elder was but eleven minutes baptizing the twenty. Certain persons had asserted, that the apostolical manner of baptizing could not have been by immersion; for, if it had been, the twelve apostles could not have baptized the three thousand on the day of Pentecost. On this account some one worked the following sum: If one baptize twenty in eleven minutes, how long will it take twelve to baptize three thousand? He found the answer to be two hours, seventeen minutes and a half. Thús, after all that has been said against immersion, on the supposition that the twelve apostles could not baptize three thousand in a day, it appears that it would have been to them a short and pleasant work.

Saturday, May 24, I preached in Dunwich, and saw some engaged converts that were awakened in my former visit. On the Sabbath I gave two sermons, and brother S. gave two weighty exhortations. Next day I had an appointment on Front street; but, being detained some time by a heavy rain, the people dispersed before my arrival. Tuesday, I met an assembly on Back street, and in the forenoon of the day

following, at the house of deacon B. His wife, having been confined twelve years by sickness, had lost the powers of speech and sight; but still retaining the sense of hearing, she had requested that I should hold this meeting. Several gave solemn testimonies, and a number that were awakened came forward for prayer. In the afternoon, I spoke to an assembly at the house of Israel Morse, from Rom. 9:21: "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" In the eve ning, Mr. M. and his wife said, that under God, the discourse had removed from their minds some serious objections to the doctrine of free salvation. They appeared much concerned, and both prayed for mercy. The man said in his distress, that he feared his case was hopeless. They confessed their sins, and seemed resolved to seek the Lord all the days of their life. Next morning, I visited and prayed with them; they appeared to be truly penitent. One of their daughters, a young convert, who had been opposed by her parents, now rejoiced greatly, believing they were near the kingdom of God. In a few days, they obtained a hope, and were baptized. Not many months afterwards, this young woman became the wife of Elder Straight. After holding another meeting, I went to London, and was very affectionately welcomed by brother Huckins and family. Our interview was sweet to the soul. The day following, I met the dear saints in London. After sermon, twenty eight spoke of the loving kindness of the Lord, and of the way in which he led their souls; and one requested baptism. Having consulted several of the elders in New-York, also the brethren in Dunwich and Southwold, and received their advice to examine brother Huckins for ordination, I now proposed to the church in London, to call a council for the purpose. To this they all agreed. Elder Jenkins had proposed the same to brother Huckins; but from views of his unworthiness, he positively refused his consent. But now,

by the unanimous request of the church, he concluded, after considerable hesitation, to submit to an examination.