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arch mason's secrets, given me in charge as such, and I knowing them to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as in his own, murder and treason not excepted." In the degree called the "Holy and Thrice Illustrious Order of the Cross:" "You further swear, that, should you know another to violate any essential point of this obligation, you will use your most decided endeavours, by the blessing of God, to bring such person to the strictest and most condign punishment, agreeably to the rules and usages of our ancient fraternity; and this by pointing him out to the world as an unworthy vagabond; by opposing his interest, by deranging his business, by transferring his character after him wherever he may go, and by exposing him to the contempt of the whole fraternity and the world, but of our illustrious order more especially, during his whole natural life.To all, and every part thereof, we then bind you, and by ancient usage you bind yourself, under the no less infamous penalty than dying the death of a traitor, by having a spear, or some other sharp instrument, like as our divine Master, thrust in your left side, bearing testimony, even in death, of the power and justice of the mark of the holy cross.

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From these testimonies, together with that of hundreds who had seceded, and from the testimony of masons who had not seceded, I was unable to form any other conclusion than that the secrets of the order had been revealed. And in answer to the preceding queries, I was constrained to conclude that it was inconsistent for a Christian to be connected, in any manner whatever, with the institution or fraternity of free masons. Also, that I could not discharge the duties of a "watchman" in Zion, and keep my garments clear from the blood of souls, without preaching publicly against Free Masonry, as well as against other evils.

On Friday, August 29, 1828, I attended the Holland Purchase yearly meeting, which was holden at Flint creek in Middlesex. Elder Nathaniel Brown was appointed moderator. After several resolves were passed on different subjects, Elder Brown and

two others, were appointed to visit certain churches lately raised up in Wayne, and other towns, in Ashtabula county, Ohio. Then Elder Straight, myself, and some others, were appointed to visit the annual conference of the Free Communion Baptists, in Upper Canada. After this, reports were presented from the four quarterly meetings, Bethany, Erie, Benton, and Ontario. Refreshing tidings of revivals and additions in different places, gladdened our hearts and strengthened our hands. It appeared by the reports, that at this time there were in the yearly meeting forty-nine churches, one thousand six hundred and fifty members, and thirty elders. In the evening a meeting of worship was attended.

Saturday morning, public worship commenced in a grove, previously prepared for the occasion. Elder Brown preached an instructive discourse from Heb. 2:6:"What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Next, Elder Carey gave an affecting sermon on Isa. 40:1:"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people," &c. In the afternoon, Elder Josiah Fowler preached an ordination sermon, from Matt. 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations," &c.; and after the close, brother James Bignall of Barrington, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. In the evening, our meeting was much animated by the good Spirit, and continued till after midnight.

On the Sabbath, the assembly was large, and worship commenced at 9 o'clock, A. M. An able discourse was delivered by Elder Jesse Braman, from Acts 16:31: " And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," &c. This was followed by a good sermon from Elder Craw. In the afternoon, Elder Straight preached from Eph. 3:8,9: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," &c. The people observing that the speaker was a youth, and knowing it had been but a little time since he was converted, listened to his address with more than usual attention and solemnity. Several exhortations were then given. Joy and gladness, weeping and mourning, pervaded the

assembly. At the close, brother Norton, a very aged man, lately from Vermont, arose on the stand, and sung a beautiful parting hymn, that was composed by one of his brethren in the east on his separating from them. His person was tall, erect, and of comely form. His eyes were sunken, and his face wrinkled by age; his locks were white like wool, and his singing seemed to have an unusual charm. When he commenced, the assembly were just beginning to disperse; all stopped, and listened with perfect silence, except, occasionally, several burst forth inte weeping. In the evening, Elder Asa Dodge preached a good sermon. Several exhorted in the Spirit and to

edification.

In the meeting of business on Friday, the subject of Free Masonry was again introduced. It appear ed, that a number of our own brethren and some of our preachers had renounced their masonic obligations; and that the connection of some others with the institution, had become a sore trial to the churches. A move was made, that " we consider Masonry unnecessary, anti-scriptural, and wicked; and that for a Christian to be a mason is a crime worthy of admonition." After much discussion, it passed by a large majority. Only four remained neuter; but two voted against it, and these were brethren that thought their masonic obligations binding. But it had always been the practice of the yearly meeting, if possible, to act unanimously: therefore they agreed to refer the subject to the Elders' Conference on Monday, for a reconsideration. During the yearly meeting, this was a subject of much fervent prayer and many tears. In the Conference the resolve was changed to the following form: "We advise the quarterly meetings and churches in our connexion, not to hold fellowship with active free masons; but that they admonish such of their brethren as belong to the fraternity, to renounce, or withdraw their standing in the lodges, and in all places to refrain from advocating the system.'

CHAPTER XIX.

My fourth journey to New-England.

HAVING been appointed by the yearly meeting, a messenger to the second session of the General Conference of the Free-Will Baptist connexion, to be holden in New-Hampshire, I left my good home in Canandaigua, on Monday, Sept. 8, 1828; and the next day, at Waterloo, was joined by brother William Van Tuyl, a young preacher, who had agreed to accompany me on this journey. I had an interview at this place with my brother Ives, who was still serious. O Lord, may I, shall I, ever see Ives a Christian? O, grant that I may, for thy mercy's sake.' I had an appointment in the evening at Junius; but, on our arrival, we found my parents sick, and a daughter of my step-mother apparently at the point of death, and unprepared for the change. A few months before, she was awakened, and covenanted to seek the Lord; but through the influence of her associates she was persuaded to attend a ball, and her conviction left her. For this she now deeply sighed. The symptoms of death seemed floating upon her eyes; death's visage was upon her features: she could only tell us in a faint whisper, that she had no hope, while to appearance the next hour would conduct her to eternal scenes. It was so sickly in the vicinity, that there were scarcely enough in health to take care of the sick. In these circumstances, the parental home was gloomy. On the morning following, previous appointments called us to pursue our journey. We had a sorrowful parting, little expecting that we should all meet again in this world.

Proceeding on our way, we attended meetings in Montezuma, Mentz, and Spafford. After preaching, brother William gave exhortations. At the latter meeting, a young woman related an interesting experience and desired to be baptized. I remembered, that six months before, I tried for several hours to persuade her to turn to God, and that she then en

for a year.

tered into a covenant to kneel and pray thrice a day She said, she had often been sorry she made the engagement, for she became discouraged, thought her prayers would be useless, and should have given the struggle over, had it not been for the binding influence of this covenant. She dared not break it. "So," said she, "I continued seeking, and about three weeks ago the Lord converted my soul-now I thank God that he put it into my heart to make this covenant; for, if I had not made it, probably I should not have sought the Lord, but have died in my sins, and have been lost for ever!" appeared to be strong in the Lord and very happy. After baptism, we went to the south part of the town and held a meeting.

She

On Saturday we went to Fabius, where I had an appointment; but understanding that the Spafford quarterly meeting was in session at New Berlin, fifty miles distant; and that the preachers who had been expected to attend, were sick, or otherwise detained, I thought it my duty to go to the quarterly meeting. Leaving brother William to attend my appointment, I started about four o'clock, P. M., and reached New Berlin by ten or eleven o'clock next morning. The people were assembled in a grove, and as I entered, brother Adon Aldrich, the only elder that was present, and some others, thanked the Lord aloud. This was the third day of the meeting, and I understood they had had no preaching, except from the assembly of saints and young converts. I took my seat to hear, and soon found that my lot had fallen in a heavenly place, and in a happy company. It seemed as though a fresh breeze from glory blowed gently upon us. The time was all occupied either in singing or speaking, and many that spoke had excellent gifts in exhortation. Thus the meeting continued till about twelve o'clock, when a little girl, who sat on her mother's lap, arose and sung a beautiful verse, and then, with modest confidence, addressed the wicked with sensibility and power. Said she, 66 You may slight the Saviour now, but the time is soon coming when you will be sorry-when you pass

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