view to the more public exercise of my gifts, and immediately commenced attending the town school, and working between schools for Mr. Jesse Clapp, to defray the expense of my board. As this period brings me to a change of residence and employment, and reminds me of my poverty, before I proceed with my narrative, I cannot refrain from relating an incident, which, though it may appear small, is remembered with gratitude as illustrative of the goodness of God to me. It occurred while I was residing at Mr. Guild's. When I left Boston for Dedham, I had" raiment convenient for me" only while the pleasant weather should last. I soon procured a broad-cloth coat by my own industry; but I had no pantaloons suitable to wear to meeting in a cold day. I attended public worship constantly; but arising early one Sabbath morning, and finding the weather excessively cold, the distressing thought occurred to me that I should be unable, for the want of this article of dress, to go to meeting on that day. The sentiment of this passage immediately came to my mind: "The Lord will provide." A heavenly calm, a joyful acquiescence in the will of God ensued. When Mr. G. arose, he informed me that he brought home a little bundle for me the last evening. On opening it I found that a friend in Boston had sent me a pair of good pantaloons, of the right size, ready made, and adapted to the season. I really blessed God for his kindness in putting it into the heart of my friend, unsolicited, to relieve my necessity; and, with a joyful heart, repaired to his temple, and united with his friends in his worship.

I had not long attended school, when the teacher was taken sick, and the school, of course, discontinued. I now had an impression if I would go to Pomfret, Ct.

and call on Peter Cunningham, Esq., a wealthy, distant relative, he would offer me assistance in obtaining an education. I had but fifty-two cents to defray the expenses of this journey of more than forty miles, in the dead of winter, through a deep snow. But with these scanty means, I started on foot, and arrived at P. at evening of the second day. I was unable on this journey to purchase a meal of victuals, but subsisted on a few crackers, &c. and paid for my lodging at the tavern one night.

I had determined to say nothing to my friend which should lead to a discovery of my object, but leave the whole to the guidance of divine Providence. In the evening, leaving my relative in the sitting room, I went into a cabinet maker's shop adjoining the kitchen, and fell into conversation with a man who denied the divinity of Christ. I plied him as closely with scriptural arguments in favour of this important doctrine as my scanty knowledge of the Bible would admit, and without my knowledge of the fact, my relative having taken a seat in the kitchen near the door listened to the debate. The next morning he very gravely accosted me thus: "Gustavus, how came you by your scriptural knowledge?" I replied, "I have not read the scriptures much until of late, but I have been able to retain, in some good measure, what I have read." "Do you" continued he, "find comfort in the scriptures?" I told him I did. "How long," said he, "has this been the case?" I informed him. By this time Mrs. C. came into the room, and we all sat down to breakfast. Mr. C. continued to in

quire and I to reply as follows:

profession of religion?" I have.

"Have you made a "What church have

you joined ?" The Baptist Church in Worcester. "The

Baptist Church !* Ah! how came you to join the Baptists? Where is your baptism from?" "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came baptizing.' So you see our baptism is from God." "That is right," said Mrs. C. "Gustavus is right—and now, Gustavus, should you not like to be a minister?" I am so young, so inexperienced, and I have so little learning that— "But the Baptist ministers do not need so much learning as the Presbyterians" (a name given to Congregationalists in Ct.) "and you may come here; we will give you your board; you can study with our minister, Mr. Lyon, and I have no doubt you will do very well."

My object was now obtained and I was ready to return to Dedham. My kind friends, through the goodness of Providence, inquired if I had any funds; and, ascertaining that I had none, furnished me with money to defray the expense of my journey.

I continued in school (another teacher having been obtained) until April, when, having received a letter from my mother, stating that her mind had been changed, and expressing a strong desire to see me once more, I started for Pomfret, by way of Barre, where she continued to reside. When I arrived at Barre, my mother received me with open arms, and declared, to my no small consolation, that what I said to her on leaving her door was the means of exciting her attention to the vast concerns of eternity. My dear mother's views were not so clear and evangelical as I desired to find them; but I indulged the hope that she had " passed from death unto life."

*He and his wife were both Congregationalists.

I tarried at home and in the vicinity of Worcester until the last of April, and then pursued my journey to Pomfret. I spent the Sabbath in the east part of that town with the Rev. James Grow, who pressed me to improve my gift for the edification of his people. The congregation assembled in a school-house. My text was John x. 9, "I am the door." In the evening I again addressed the young people at Mr. Grow's house from the words of wisdom, "I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me.”

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On Monday morning I called on Mr. Cunningham, but soon found that all was not right. He told me that his minister, Mr. Lyon, had written to me at Dedham ; and, receiving no answer, had concluded that I had relinquished the idea of studying with him, had taken another young man to do the service I was to perform in payment for his instruction, and therefore could not receive me.

These were heavy tidings. I went out, and threw myself down by the side of a fence, and groaned, wept, and prayed.

I had tried several trades, but such was the state of my mind in reference to the ministry I could not learn them. I had been turned out of house and home, for having become a Christian and a Baptist-I had attempted to obtain an education, and had now failed even in this. I viewed myself friendless, homeless, and penniless, and knew not what to do. Having heard of a Baptist Church in the neighboring town of Hampton, I thought I would go and see them. I can recollect no calculation with regard to my future life beyond this visit. I do not think I had any.

My first call was on Mr. Payne. Having conversed

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with him a few minutes, he interrogated me whether ĺ was not a public speaker, and having ascertained that I had occasionally spoken in public, informed me that a conference was appointed at his house the next day, and urged me to stay and preach to the people. With considerable reluctance, I finally acceded to his proposition.

At the appointed time the people assembled, and when they saw the stand with the Bible and Hymn Book placed upon it ready for service, and a mere boy sitting by it, I imagine they were disposed to adopt expressions similar to those uttered by Isaac: "Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering?" They were really afraid, as I afterwards learned, to look me in the face when I began my discourse, lest they should look me out of countenance. Some of them I recollect glanced at me through their fingers; but I succeeded to my own comfort and their edification.

At the close of the services the Committee of the Baptist Society informed me that they had, for considerable time past, been destitute of preaching, and requested me to preach in their meeting-house on the following Lord's day. I told them I had no licence, but shewed them a recommendation as a brother in good standing, possessing gifts which, in the estimation of the writer, (the Rev. William Bentley, my pastor,) ought to be improved. This they declared to be perfectly satisfactory, and urged their invitation.

I at length yielded to their solicitations, and on the first Sabbath in May, 1814, appeared for the first time in the pulpit. I was now seventeen years of age; and my dress consisted of a green coat, a striped waistcoat,