After I returned to Taunton, I obtained the privilege of having our conference and church meetings statedly at the house of Capt. Godfrey. I hired a small workshop, where I labored some at my trade. I had not been to work long, when one day, a man by the name of Henry Harvey, from the west part of the town, came in, and said he should like to have me come down to his house and have a meeting. I told him I would come the next Sunday, if it was the Lord's will, and he might notify a few of his neighbors, which was done. I thought I would study my discourse a little, when I got to the place of my appointment. But it was like putting on Saul's armor. When I got to the place, a very large concourse of people had gathered. It was a large house, and crowded in every part with people, while many waited around the house, unable to get in. I thought myself altogether unprepared to speak to them; my studied discourse was gone--I could not remember it, and felt my mind so shut up, I concluded to pray, and then if the Lord did not assist me, I would tell the people I had undertaken that which was not. my calling; but if he would bless my labors that day in the place, and give me liberty to preach by the Holy Spirit, and should convert souls, I would take it as an evidence that I was called to preach the gospel. As I never had attempted to preach a sermon from one text of scripture, I then kneeled down and prayed thus: O Lord, if thou hast called me to preach thy gospel, let me take the bible, and the first verse I cast my eyes on as I shall open the book, may I feel free to speak from it, and may thy Holy Spirit be upon me, that good may be done by thy word and power; and if thou hast not called me, chain my tongue in silence. The verse that struck my attention, was Rev. xiv. 22: Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates. As I read these words, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon me, and the words appeared the most simple in the bible to speak from. It appeared that the Lord had wonderfully favored me in granting the word of his grace and spirit. That day

I spake to the people with great liberty, and the word of the Lord was made powerful to sinuers. After I had done speaking, I requested those that felt the need of religion, to come forward, if they desired the prayers of Christians. Many came forward, and among the number were Mr. Harvey and his wife, the man that invited me to hold the meeting. He afterwards became a deacon in the church, and very useful in the cause. A number in that region were converted that season. Elder Taylor was sent for to baptize in that place, and baptized among others brother Harvey and his wife. I continued my meetings in that place some time, and large numbers assembled as long as I continued to meet with them.

CHAPTER IV.

Visit Plymouth-Kind treatment of the inhabitants, though strangers to me-Preach in Middleborough, and some converted-Leave Taunton and reside at Middleborough a short time-Visit Freetown, and some revival takes place--Remove t› Assonet, and commence business in company, at my trade.

Some time about the first of February, this year, the word of the Lord seemed to direct that I should go to Plymouth, the place where our forefathers landed, in the first settlement of this part of North America. I did not know at this time as there was one person in the place that I had ever seen, never having been in the place. I concluded to collect a little money to defray my expenses when I arrived there; but it so bappened I was disappointed in getting any the day I was to proceed on my journey. It occurred to me, that when our Savior was here on earth, he sent his preachers forth into the world, without purse or scrip for their journey; that he told his servants not to provide gold, silver nor brass in their purses, for the workman was worthy of his meat; and into whatsoever city or

town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go hence; and when ye come to a house, salute it, and if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. It then appeared to me I must go in the same way. I then commenced my journey, without one cent in my pocket. I started on Saturday afternoon, and travelled on foot 15 miles, and arrived among my friends at Middleborough, about nine in the evening. The next day I met my brethren in the church where I had joined the year before, and had a good meeting with them. I then had 20 miles to travel through the snow, to reach Plymouth. The wind blowing heavy from the south in the forenoon, there being a deep snow on the ground, it began to melt, which caused very disagreeable travelling. A short time before I got to Plymouth woods, it began to rain hard; my clothes were soon wet through, and I had a woods to go through four miles in length, and not a house on the way.The snow had so melted that at every step I went in over my boots: and being much fatigued, I began to fail in walking, and a dark and rainy night was coming on. I knelt down in the snow, and prayed to the Lord to give me strength to get through the woods.Through his goodness I was enabled to arrive in sight of the town about sunset.

The reader can judge of my feelings at this time, not having one cent of money, wet and cold, and not knowing where to go, the inhabitants of the place being all strangers to me. As I entered the town I looked to God for help. The first house I entered, I inquired if any lived there possessed of the religion of Jesus. An aged sister who was present, told me she had made a profession of religion some years before, and belonged to a church of the same denomination as myself, previous to her removal to this place. She got me some dry clothing and refreshment. Mr. Thomas, her husband, came in soon, when I told him

the cause of my coming. They were very friendly, and made me welcome, at the time I needed friends. For the kind treatment which I received from this dear family, I hope God will reward them in eternity. I thought I could say, like Abraham's servant, I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren at this time. The next day I was informed that brother David Bradford, a young man of my acquaintance, was in the place. I went to see him at his father's house, and told him my object in coming. He informed his parents I was one of his brethren from Taunton, and had come to hold meetings, if doors were opened. These friends granted me the privilege of having one at their house, and made the appointment. The people met about candle-light, and a large number came. I had great freedom in speaking. Before I closed the meeting, I told the people I had calculated to tarry one week in the place, if doors were opened for meetings. A number said their houses were free, and meetings were held with Christians of different denominations. One Sunday evening, just before the meeting commenced, I went to the house, and there was such a crowd of people about and in the house, I found it difficult getting in. I had a desire that evening that God would make his power known among the people. I spake that evening on the important subject spoken of in Matt. xxv. 31.— The meeting was very solemn; many were led to see their lost condition, and requested the prayers of the people of God; and some before I left the place professed to have found peace in the Lord, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The night before I left Plymouth, I dreamed that I was on my way home, and saw by the side of the way a grove of pine trees; and that a wind came among them, and bowed them to the earth. I started the next morning, and got to Middleborough village a short time before sunset. As I entered the village the Spirit of the Lord seemed to say, you must stop here and have a meeting. I saw a man before me in the street, whom I asked if he knew a house that the peo

ple would open to hold a meeting. He said there was a place in the village where the people met sometimes for religious worship. This man asked me to his house; he then told me he would see Maj. Pierce, who. had the care of the hall where they held meetings,The Major eame to see me, and asked me if I had any recommendations. I told him I had; he read them and told me there was not many in the place of my denomination. I told him that made no difference to me; if doors were opened I was willing to preach any where the Lord called me. He granted me the privilege of having a meeting that night at the hall, and a large number came together. I spake from John iii. 19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. After I had done speaking, Mr. B. Pierce requested me to have a meeting at his house the next evening, and accordingly made the appointment. I went home with brother Pierce and found his son under conviction. Our meeting the next evening was crowded, and a number brought to bow to the power of the Lord as the pine trees I had seen in my dream. I continued in this place till I saw a number converted to God, and then returned to Taunton. This ends my second year's labor in the Lord's vineyard.

Some time in the spring of the year 1817, I went to work in Middleborough at my trade. At this time my mind was exercised more or less about preaching.Sometimes I doubted and almost concluded that the Lord never called me to preach. One night I prayed to the Lord that if I was called that I might be convinced by a dream. I went to sleep and dreamed that I saw two bright moons arise in the east, and come nearly over head and soon disappeared, and all was darkness. As I stood in wonder at what I had seen, one of them appeared again. I thought in my dream if I could see them both again, I would believe that I was called to preach. It was not long before I saw them both, and in one of them was the appearance of a ship and her sails up. As I had prayed for an evi