W$t Hibrarp
of rite
Umbersttpof iSortf) Carolina
Cttbotoeb by Wi)t dialectic
anil
pfjtlantfjropic g>ocietie£
C &gl-.Di4-e.
UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL
00043130496
FOR USE ONLY IN
THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION
Form No. A -368
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://archive.org/details/extractsfromorigOOdowl
EXTRACTS
FROM
ORIGINAL LETTERS,
TO THE
#let&otutt ^Sityops,
MOSTLY FROM THEIR
PREACHERS AND MEMBERS,
IN
JfOBTM AMEBIC A:
GIVING AN
l|^ Account of the Work of God,
SINCE THE YEAR 1800.
Prefaced with a Jkort' Tlijlory of the fpread and
increafe of the Methodists;
WITH A SKETCH OF THE
Camp Meetings.
By LORENZO DOW.
The profits, ariftng from this Publication, are intended to aid in building 3
Meeting Houfe, in the Mississippi Territory.
PRINTED BY H. FORSHAW, EDMUND STREET.
1806.
? CI
.'-'•
.
) h
1 il •. . -I
- ■ ' • •
■ : I
. . . • j .■■,■.". B f»i
•
A cone if e Sketch of ihe Rife and Progrefs of
the Methodiflsy in America,
. j ■ . I ;
,. < . I .
'■:<.■ - i • ■ • ■ ■ i: i i
, = |
.'■-.'! ....
.: :'r.] I
THE firft Methodift Meeting Houfe built in New York in 17G8
;• or Ity&SPi I ■•: - J : ■ ■ ■ ■
1773---if60 members in and about New York city, arid' in" New
Jerfev', Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Petersburg;
which may be divided thus : New York, 1 80 ; Philadelphia,
180; Newjeriey, 200 ; Maryland, 500 ; and Virginia, 100;
( a lmali-part of five ttates ) arid ten travelling preachers. ;
T 774-- 1 7 preachers in all ; 2013 members. State of Delaware '
>i taken irt this vear.! ■ .. ■ ;
1 775-^20 preachers in all ; 3148 members; North Carolina
JE ' - taken in this year. - Members.
1776---9 preachers admitted on trial ; 4921.
■J 7 77 — 14 preachers. received on trial ; 6968.
J 778—9 appear to be admitted on trial : 6095.
1779^7 >.y- . v 8577.
[7*0 WS. ( ( 8504. •
illl~l~87 /admitted on trial ; J K)539. -
1784-11 y ': M498S ' ■"'
J785---Thi8 year the Methodift epilcopal government was form-"
m ed ; ^and Dr. Coke and Mr. Afbury were the two bifhops
and there were twenty elders, and thirty-five deacons. South
'Jg Carolina and Georgia were vjfited this year. 1 8000 in fbcietv.
178S.>- 1 here whereabout 120 travelling preachers. Kentucky
was y,fited this year, and Mr. Garettfon, &c. vifited Nova
I Scotia.- 18791 whites and 1890 blacks. *
8fc35-A°U,ngLpreachers admitted on trial. TennafTee and
lOhio vifited this year. 21949 whites and 3893 blacks!
1-788-
. IV.
1 788—48 admitted on trial. Vermont and Connecticut vifited
this year. 30809 whites and 6545 blacks.
1789— 42 admitted on trial. 35019 whites and 8243 blacks.
1790---47 admitted on trial. Bofton, in Maffachufetts, vifited
this year. 45949 whites and 1 1682 blacks.
1791— -50 admitted on trial. Upper Canada vifited this year.
63269 whites and 12884 blacks.
J792---39 admitted on trial. 52109 whites and 1387/1 blacks —
1 his ye;r 1 firft law the Methodifts, as they vifited my olace
ot nativity; and, glory be to Wefley's GOD ! Rhode iiland
was vifited by them.
1793—44 admitted on trial. Province of Main vifited this year.
51416 whites and 16227 blacks.
1 794—40 admitted on trial. New Hampfhire vifited this year.—
52794 whites and 13814 blacks.
1797— ^bout 300 travelling preachers. 46445 whites and 12218
blacks.
1800--- This year Mr. Richard Whatcoat was ordained bifhop,
which makes the third.
1801 ---55 young preachers were received or admitted on trial.—
51186 .whites and 15688 blacks. : jrp
1802—61 admitted on trial. 68015 whites and 186 59: bJacksJL
1803 — 60 admitted on trial; 81611 whites and 22453 blacks.- .
1805— about 440 travelling preachers, and about 200Qlocai ones.
Including 31 diftri&s. 95629 whites and 243 16 blacks.
There are leven annual Conferences held in America. The bi-
ihops appoint the times, andjiave the iplp power of ftatroning the
preachers ; and are accountable to the general conference for their
moral conduct, &c. which is held once in four years. Mr. Afbtfry
generally attends all the conferences'; -but if noibiihop attend", a
chairman is choVen for fh.it tiine. '■-■
In each diftrict there, is a'pretiding elder, who is i chofen. -by the
bifhop, who h:.th power to alter the liations, or remove the
preachers as of en .as he pleafes, and to take out youns'm'eH-to tra-
vel in the interval of the conference. He generally ar\era.ls-all the
quarterly meetings. gt| h -j fiiftrift.
A young preacher firft is recommended by afociety.to a garter
meeting; 2dl>. , from the ^quarter meeting to Jhe di&ri& confer-
ence, where he is. examined bv the bifhop before the'^cohfer-erice ;
and bv a mi'-pnty. received or i ejected accordingly^ Afteritwoyeaite
trials, h'c .s admitted into fuJ connexion., and ordained. deacon,
find fiith power to marry people; and after iwto years more, ordain-
ed I.ei, and c.m admimi'ter the Lord's iuppex; Eighty dollars is
a pre. cher's f da.iy , and his .travelling expences. A preacher" fcSm
receive hSemJiets mto, focielv, but cannot. turn any out vvifefecmt the
content of the majority of thole members the ttftende't is. tri^d be-
fore. , They do not wear thfc gown and .hand.
Thus
V.
Thus the Methodjfts, in the courfcof a few years, have fpread
from Nova Scotia to the Natchez, on the Miffiffippi river; which the
following Letters will' {hew, (as it relpects the jurifdidion of the
•United .states) how the work of God hath flourilhed in all direc-
tions, particularly within about four or five years part. And, as
the reader will fee the name of Camp Meetings frequently men-
tioned, 1 think it will not be difagreeable, to be informed of their
origin, &c. which 1 will preface with a few reflections.
The Gofpel, which began in the Eafi (where turkifh darknefs.or
heathemfh idolatry • now prevails, and liberty of confeience too
much prohibited) came as far Weft as ''it could, and find civilized
informed people, viz. the moft wefterly village of Kentucky,
where the pre'i'ent revival of religion, which now extends over the
United States, firrt began ; and from thence fpread abroad. The
gofpel put down its foot as on the day of Pentecoft, where the
Methodilts and Prefbyteriatas communed together as united" breth-
**?!' :1Jelatter of which, at their " facramental meetings," £>
called, had a day for examination, and another for communion •
and though the meeting would be intended to laft only two days'
yet, beyond- fheir expectation, they would get detained all night ■
and on Monday the congregation would become larger than either
•tft the preceding days, from the following circumftances : Perhaps
fffnan \vho had brought his family in a waggon, a number of miles
to meeting, and would be taken under convi&ion, and his wounds
rokeen, that he would be conftrained to cry aloud for mercv.
i r "™ ould be feized with the Power, and fall, and appear life-
lets. 1 he former brought through happy ; and more would be
taken in a fimilar way, and thus would be detained ; and after a
ihort ipace find peace with God ; and fome Would lie for hours •
l°,tie W^U1 heE? t0Ael,,th.e P,OWer> and though ftame or alarm
attempt to go off, and fall by the way, or in the woods, and cry
out ; even profefFed deifts were not exempt.
■1 hefeftninge things brought out f'uch flocks of people from the -
adjacent places, that no building would contain them ; fo thev
*vould be neceffitated to go to the neighbouring foreft ; and as the
circumftances were luch, it was found neceffary to carry provifions.
lo as not .to burthen the vicinity too much ; and alfo to make nre^
paration agamft the;inelemency of the weather, by fewing coverlets
together or blankets, and preparing tents or markees ; and fome
won Id make (mall wooden tents or bowers, &c. 1 hus the name
of Camp Meetmg was firrt derived from the neceffitated order
of the meeting by the providence of God, (beyond man's expec-
tation) inftead of human Wifdom.
Thofe companies which came from a diftance by curiofity or
lome other motive, would return home, fome mourning under
conviction, and iome would find peace by the way ; whilft others
would be^rejoicing in God, fd the furprize and alarm of their
friends and neighbours ; and this would be the beginning of good
timet
times in their vicinities. When facramental osccafions would be
there, it would be found equally expedient to prepare for encamp-
ment, Co the' Camp Meetings (bread abroad into the.three eaftcrn
and Southern '/fates. Rumours reuched the North, but, people
confidered the reports 'as.. vague and falle.
Many and various v* ere the ftories about this new religion, (b
cilled, as I patted from 'New Jeri'ey to Georgia, .but particularly
when 1 got t^ Virginia ; but I was determined not to form • rny
judgment pro or con too qu;ck ; and in the Carolines, j law
tn'any' 'who had. at tended them, and acknowledged , that many of
their'bad neighbour were altered for the better; yet that the
•meetings were productive of much evil, which I cpu'ld not then
'■contradict; but the accounts to me appeared. contradictory,; as
-though the fame fountain would, lend forth 'Weet and ibitter
■water.-
However, I was^determined to fee for. myfelf ; and accordmg-ly^
on my arrival in Georgia, 1 attended one, in February, 1303, on
•Shoulder bone Creek. I- walked the camp at alb feafons of the
•night, but law no fuel: improper conduct as yuas frequently
:all edged, but to the reverie ;. fhouling and ., pr-ajling, hinging and
praver; which convinced me that through the enemies of the
gofpel of Chrift thofe falfe re'ports w'eie a ailed, to bring a itigma
on t e cauie of religion.
Here judge Stiih, who once was as. noted a deilt as was ever in
the itate ; and being one day provoked, made, a rath promife,
that he would not go to meeting again until his wife got converted;
"which term of time was about four years, when the attended one
of the Camp Meetings, and found a happy confequence to refult
:to her foul ; and writing home to her hufband that the had now
got converted, and he .could'come without breaking bis promile.
He knowing her l'enfe and veracity, was convinced it was no im-
pofition, and came without delay. Hisdeifm fled, and conviction
leized on his mind, that there was a reality in the Chriftian Reli-
gion. Some rn6n'vhs pafTed away, a,nd though he was one of the
great ones of the earth ; yet, at this cold leafon of the year came,
and pitched his tent on the ground, and before the meeting broke
up, found peace to his weary foul, . and came forward with two of
his adopted daughters, and publicly teftified what God had done
for his foul.
After attending fome other meetings, and feeing the happy
confequences that had refulted in the weftern country, \ felt it in
'my -heart to introduce them into the centre of Virginia, and ac-
cordingly made the appointment in Bedford County, in the
woods, on the ground of a man of no religion, in a Calvinift
fettlement ; and ro methodiHs nearer than fix or eight miles, and
but few families 'fhor't of twenty. However, at the time appointed,
a number of pre ichers fell in, though my difcouragements were
great, as 1 previouily had engaged no help ; the weather appeared
■ " threatening,
Vll.
threatening* but in the morning God lent off the clouds, and a
beautiful tun appeared, and many came out, and God gave us a
token for good the ruff day'; and from thence the work i'pread_
abroad ; and as prejudice from the minds of the people againft
Camp Meetings, which had been great, after this were off, 1 held
four more in other parts of Virginia ; and fince they have become
more frequent, and a glorious work is now.almoft oyer5 the ^tate,
more than was ever known before.'
Thence I introduced them firft into New York State, then
into Connecticut, and after jhatv into MaflachufettS ; and^f u'nder-
8™ * they imce h*ve mafie their war through the Province
of Main and Vermont ; and from the beft judgment lean form,1
it is my opinion that thole meetings, a* means 1imder God, have
been the caufe of the awakeriing- and conversion of more louls to
God than all the other means' befide's in North America., for the
time thefe have been in vogue ; and this flame which once was at
old Jeruialemy and again broke 'out in, the wilds' of- America, in]
the #^>, and is rdrrning^Eaft ward i$ &f fu}fii,rhent of the prophely.
of Daniel ; and of Courle'., ' thejfJam'e'/.mu^C^ve?: faleftine again t-
and it any one fhould a'fk me AvKa.t I think.of the figns of the-
tunes, 1 antwer,, that Qpd hath a controverly with Zion, and is
1 weeping oft : the widked,. by fword, famine, and pettilence, and
will not withdrawals, judgments, bnt rather increafe themj until'
the wickedne!s:of the wicked comes to an end, and the kingdoms'
of this world become the kingdom of God, and of Ch rift, and the
nations learn warno more ;-*And ahb,! 'I'believe that Buonaparte
istheiecond beaft- ip-iakeri of^the Revelation, * which came up'
out of the earth. - (<Afta, XvWfeh;is fWonndett ,'by .lhhd, as Europe is
by water) An<* I^^lhi^^^WmtyJ^ firft mefTenger *
which is_ called an angel, haVmg'.t^e veverlafting gotpel to pieach. ,
i 1 u'u1 ,S Probabl<V $&mW times, a,re at the door, therefore
1 wrfh all the, pious in. this, country to take the alarm, and fer,ve>
God with their whole heart* that it may be well with them in the
day°fevi1- | .. i rl i, Ml ,./ m ■ , .i : ,oii -
' LtvtR^bbj,, 2d January, 'MW'!"" ?^?™dT ■ •
* ■ h? ff,ond ^ot of Efdras, J 1th and 12th Chapters ; and Rev. 13th; chapter,
and tit], verfe ; and the 1.4th chapter^ fei,d 6th and 7th verfes, I think *re
* explanatory of each other* •&<:. ■
I i
TO fj
*-r dii rnid (J; i b o . 9 ';
W^u Rome, or Babylon, in fcrrpture,iisr<aid to be the mbtfter b^
harlots, if to, who and what:be'her daughters?
)2jiW /.'licit
daughters i
|
ExtraB
BxlracJ of a letter from the Rev. John Wilfon,
Book Stetvard to the Methodijl Connexio?i in
America , to his Brethren, Air. Edward Wil-
fon, Attorney at Law, and Mr. Thomas Wit-
Jon, Local Preacher, in Liverpool.
" Dear Brethren, Edward and Thomas,
« The purpofe of the prefent is to. introduce -to your friendly attention and
" afliftance the bearer, Loke^zo Dow — who is one of your extraordinary men.
«.* He was raifed in chrifiian experience among the Method ifts, and early in
*f Jife became a travelling preacher here Very uncommon revivals accompa-
** nied his. labour's, according to the mod authentic tefUmonies of hi? fellow
»' labourers 5 but by fome impulfe of mind, he was continually driven to abound
«* in labour, as to furpafs all the limits of his -appointment?, and indeed of his
** bodily ftrength He has been in Ireland ; and many times has traverfed the
«* United States from end to end, and from fide to fide ; and unconnned by
«* boundary lines of Rates or nations, he has entered into the favage haunts of
*S Indians. Thefe fallies are fo contrary to the regularity of our method and'"
«« fyftem, that his name was neceffarily droppedas a preacher, but without the
«* leaft blot or ftain on his moral character ; and bv various and incontestable
«f vouchers, it appears that his ufefulnefs as an irregular methodift preacher
*t ftill continues to be much more than ordinary. While thefe things are fo,
«« it muftbe acknowledged that his irregularities, however well meant by him,
«,' and owned of God, may do hurt to the untutored minds of young and un-
«' experienced preachers and people j who may by his example, but not poff-
« effing his piety and humility, be led after ftrange impulfes into fuch diforders
«« as to deftroy, within the precincls of their influence, that bleffed regularity
»« of methodifm by which fo man? thoufands have found their way to heaven.
tc _ His talents are by no mean* fpl'endid : his preaching abilities dre
•* confidered here as rather lefs than moderate; and yet partly perhaps be-
** caufe of his Angularities, and partly through his faith. His congregations
'* are commonly very large. He is altogether diverted of worldly conudera-
•* tions '. to my knowledge, he might have pofifcffed thoufands, and I know
" not but "million^' ; ,but whe^e^^ might chufe, he has uniformly refufed, ex-
" cept what would barely fupply'Kis prefent. wants; and where it came to him
•' neceffarily, he has with all difpatch fcattered it in building methodift churches
*' or in hiring people to ferve the Lord. In aiming at one thing, no dangers
*' deter him, no difficulties retard him ; his eye looks right on, and like an
" arrow glancing by obftacles, he fixes with inconceivable fwiftnefs in the ob-
M jeft. As a good and pious man, I love him ; as an eminently ufeful man,
** 1 honour him ; concerning his Angularities, I fufpend my judgment ; and
'* upon the whole of the man, I am willing to take his character as written by
** the Lord through him -e» fo many -hearts, and fealed with fo many feals of
* his miniftry. Thu» 1 recommend him to you, to aflifr him as an individual
«* in ali things, as a public character, a's far as your wifdom may direct you.
I remain, dear Brethren,
Ygur's. affectionately,
New York, 5tk JOHN WILSON.?
Nov, 160*,.
" 3 ':
EXTRACTS, "&c.
u
■ ■ - La — '
Buck-Creek, (Delaware) June 20, 1800.
ON the fabbnth after, you left here, abb t one hundred and'
nine came forward, and begged" to be ad rn it ted to our iociety.
They were'tlirecled to meet two days after, to be taken in ;
when they, and lix others, joined fociety ; many of whom were
ibundlv converted to God, and the principal part of the others
deeply penitent, and l'eekmg for mercy ; fince which two others
have^applied, rmking in all one hundred and teventeen fouls, in
and about this little village. We have previoufly joined fifty fouls
iince the commencement of the New- Year, making in the whole
one hundred and lijctydeven i fa that we have now about three
hundred members. in this i'mall town," and the work frill going on.
Anrbwho can calculate the great good done at our late conference,
when we difcover i'uch prodigious advantage to the inhabitants
here. There isi alio a great ingathering in all the ibcieties near
this place. In one I'mall neighbourhood fourteen were joined
lalt week.
GEORGE K1NARD.
Cumberland Circuit, (Virg )' Auguft 20, 1800-
I have been round the diftririf, and, glory be to God, I have
feen very good and gracious times in all the circuits. There are
profpecls of a good revival ; but in many parts of Bertie and Cum-
berland, thev have great and powerful times, and many have been
awakened, converted, and added#to the church ; 1- expect not
lefs than two hundred. The pteachers were all able to 1 baur,
and much engigedin the Lord's work. The local-preachers in
general teem to be very zealous and uleful. We have great peace
and union in this t'iftricrt. I have not heard a murmur from any
of our brethren.
JONATHAN JACKSON.
B Tcnneftee,
10
Tennefiee, Settlement of Cumberland, Oft 27, 1800.
LAST June, at a Iacramental meeting of the PSelbytcfhui
fociety, at Red River meeting-houfe, when the preachers prelent
were Mr. McGready, Mr. Rankin, Mr. Hodge, Y\ m. Mc Gee,
and myfelf, four or five hundred people attended with great feri-
oulhels. The Lord's lervants preached with much light and
liberty, and thf people felt th truth and power of the word each
day ; but the laft, which was Monday, was truly a great day s
ore lermon was preached with the Holy Ghoft lent down from
heaven : the ciy of diftreffed tinners for mercy wa$ great, while
the lord's people were filled with unfpeakable joy : a few louls
ptofeifed to find peace, and gave glory to God, and a great num-
ber went avvcy pleading for mercy. A few weeks „fter this was
another tacrament meeting, in Mr Rankin's congregation, on
Gasper river, at which it was computed forty fouls were born of
God. Shortly after this there wyas another meeting of the h.me
km 1, on Vludd\ river, at which a very exact eftimate was made
of forty-five fouls, who gave in a rational and icriptuial account
of the r conveifion to God, during that meeting. 1 was not pre-
i£nt t either of" th.eie.two laft meetings, therefore cannot give
you a partcul r detail of the woik. In the latter end of Auguft,
a quarterly meeting was held at Edwards' chapel, on the Cum-
berland tide of the ridge, where myfelf, with four or five of my
brethren of the A-ethodift mmifiers were prefent ; at which time
mar. cried aloud, from the bitterncfs of their fouls for merc\ , a
few ftrugg'ed into fpiritual life, while many went away With
burthened and fin-tick fouls. The next Friday began another
iacramental meeting, on the Ridge, about ten miles f'rom'the
above place. This was the moft glorious meeting that ever my
eyes beheld : it continued four days and nights, during which
time," from the beti accounts we have collected iince, there were
more than one hundred fouls converted to God. Jt was truly
affecting to hear the groans of the fpiritually wounded, inter-
mingled with the fhouts of heaven-born fouls Two weeks after
was another facramental meeting on Blidlbe's creek, called Shiloh
facrament. Here was great opposition, chiefly from old profefTors
and cleifts : neverthelels the Lord worked like himfelf, in power.
Sinners were cut to the heart, and falling to the ground cried for
meicy, as in the agonies of death, or from the brink of hell, till
God (poke peace to their lbuls ; then riling from the earth, with
angelic countenances and raptures of joy, gave glory to God with
a loud voice. The number converted we arc not able to afcertain,
but from the beft calculation, there could not be lefs than fixty
or feventy fouls. There have been two other meetings fince, at
each of which there was a goodly number of lbuls brought in.
This work is the Lord's, and to his great name be all the glory.
Amen and amen,
JOHN McGKE.
September
11
September 19th, 1800.
AT Verfhire quarterly meeting the Lord was prH'ent indeed ;
at this meeting theie were about fifteen hundred people. On the
fabb'ath we. had to preach in the Open air: leveral found Jefus, and
others, who had already believed, were overwhelmed with his
power. At Weathersficld we h dagoodt-me, the work hid be-
gun on that circuit ; a goodly number have jo ned. At Chefrer-
field quarterly meeting lorn:' appeared to be aw ikened ; I have
heard fince that leven have been converted in that place..— J— At
Pomfret quarterly meeting, the power of the Lord w s felt in-
deed, and one or two found peace wiih God. New -London
quarterly meeting wasftiil greater : finners weie awfia lv alarm-
ed, and 1 think. four mourners profefled to find the f.oH. \i
Tolland quarterly meeting it was a great time; the ■ Satunfay^
meeting laited till three o'clock On Sibbfeftb morning ; (bme prn-
i'evTed to experience fa net ficaron. and dur^g the quarterly meetng
ieveral were awakened; 1 believe much good was done. The
preachers are all in middling' health an i good 1'pirits, looking
with pl.eafing expectation for greater and more glorious times :
On every circuit there is ibme revival.
JOHN BRODHEAD.
Albany, September 23d, 1800.
ALBANY circuit does tolerably ; Saratoga does well alfo.'
S. Arnold hath been near death, the doctors laid he would die ;
he laid " no, 1 (hall live, God hath more work for me to do ;'*
he recovers. Mohawk h :s lbme prof peel of a threading, deepen-
ing work. • On Chenango, while we were at conferei.ee, the
Lord greatly revived his Work : there was at leaft one travelling
preacher on every circuit. One of the local preachers, brother
Kollock, was led to catechife the children at nine o'clock, which
has proved a blefling ; here feveral old and young have let out
fair for heaven, and are now happy in God. Seneca revives of
late : of Delaware I can lay but little as yet, there is a body of
real faints among thole wild hills.
Wm. Mc LENAHAN.
■ '" ' Baltimore, December 12»Ti, 1800.
. GODhasfpared me through a perilous affliction : hundreds
fell on my right hand, and on my left ; and nothing but a fenfe
of duty to my ftation, prompted me to Hand to my poft ; I think
none the lets of thole who removed. But when I retted upon the
tweet communion 1 had with God, and that our church was the
only one open for worlhip ; that hundreds flocked to hear me,
that' neWr were accuftomed to our church before, and the molt
qf tbeih continue fteady hearers ever fince ; when I look around
B 2 now
12
.4
flow at our congregations, -and find in Light-itreet, that we have
more than two, thousand iteady hearers, while the houi'es of other
denominations are comparatively TlelWted;; .and 'When i /te fleet
that a>fevy, in the trem^irdoumhour of ■•cteath,''. were* hop«ff<*[ii* fist
at liberty, to prasi'e the God of their fal'vat-ion ■:■ finally, Wheni i
thmk of the teltimony of fome, that 1 was iervicea'ble to th'dir
b x'ies, as well as their fouls, when they were delerted by their .
d:areft friends, in that dreadful hour; I do not regret that I
ftaved in the city, but fee! thankful to God that infpired me with
the rel'olut'on. I'he moil moderate eltimate, from the firlt to
the laft of the ficknef?, will allow us to calculate upon the death
of fifteen hundred, but the returns:fiom the 18th of Auguit to
the 26th of October, were twelve hundred* and eleven i W e have
lolt veiy few of our fociety; Perhaps you have heard of the
deathjOt aged brother Andrews, and brother Tolliton, the former
died with the bilious, and the latter with the yellow fever ; and
both, I understand, died very happy.
In Phdapclphia, it is laid, there, is a very great revival of reli-
gion, and that ne^r one hundred have been added to the lbciety
in two weeks, — We have a considerable ingathering in this lbciety,
and more or leis are hopefully converted evcrv. wjeek.
GEORGE ROBERTS.
New- London, December 10th, 1709.
THE Lord has honoured us with fome of the mod glorious
times fince conference, that 1 have leen in New-r* ngl -mi! ! At
our Middle Hu'.d::m quarterly meeting, which was the firft for
thi? circuit this year, the Lord came down in mighty power!
"Mar.y were Itruck and fell from they feats prottrate. upon the
'floor, cr> mg in bitter agonies, ,1'orr.e Jp-r converting, and others
fofjlandtifviipg ara.ee ! |t hspDened/ we!l:thvit-brQihe>f<jM<E'Combs
and' rmfelf had been formerly favoured -with lucb.' i'cfcnes"' in the
JSouth, and we'll knew what to do The New-London friends
darr ed the fl ime into the city, and this brought cri a quickening
there ; about fixteen members joined in one day, and many more
in the circuit. Our fecond quarterly meeting for this circuit was
at Canterbury, and a great time it was ; two precious i'ouls pro-
feffed to be converted, and the meeting continued nearly all the
Sabbath night Upon the whole, this circuit in general is in a
beaut fill apd proi'perous way. Old Tolland circuit, that formal
dry one, h'^s taken the Hart- Our^fih^Gfcurjrteriy me'efiWgwas at
Hartford five miles; the power of the Lord came down, and
t'crcely left a dr\ e\e in the houfe ! two or three profeffed to be
converted, and five continued on their knees, begging for mercy,
for hear three hours'., i'he work has. thread rapidly in South
V. ilbraham ". about twenty fouls have been brought^ n to liberty
there, and (till the Lord, is working ; and we hjave.fbfrned '<} little
nitooo rfocJetys
fociety there. Oar fccond quarterly meeting in that circuit- wajs
in North Wdhraham chapel, and triply, it was a time of joy and
Ttjoicng. Three ^ro'fciled to be, converted, and the whole con-
gregation appeared to be melted ;in'to.' tears. The .work has lb
increafed and enlarged, that we nave made a four weeks chcuit
of it. We have h; d a precious quarterly meeting in Pomfret
circuit : our proi'perfts are encouraging in this circuit alio ; there
have been fome conversions and lbme additions there. Cherter-
field circuit is in a fir better way than it was lart year:, tome
revivals ; and at one of our quarterly meetings,, two pnofefTed to
be brought into liberty. Verfhire circuit teems .ft ill travailing,
and many precious fouls a*e born into, the kingdom Our .quar-
terly meetings have been rendered .iuiguhrfv ufefu.l- there this
year, And oiir1 friends feem much united, both to their preachers,
difcipline, one another, and to their Lord.
1 have the happinefs to inform you, that a fpirit of love and
union, both to doctrine, difcipline, and each, other fubtifts amongrk
all our preachers in this d lit rift : J have converted freelv and par-
ticularly -with them, and 1 believe there is not a jarring thing. ,
. .From yours in fincerity._ _.',. _
S. py,>i vviviy;r.
North-Carolina, Gates county, Knotty-pine chapel, March 17th, 17,99.
WHEN you were with me I alt, 'you detired I would give
you an account of the dear faints who are fallen afleep in Je'us, .in
this place. 1 will give you a lift of their names, with u.iketch'
ot tome of their characters.
., Elizaheth-Norfleet, one of the firft that embraced religion after
I w fSiel^^re;:chy 'h"I ; Ae was one of themeekelt women,
h'pattWriholf fmf to the end of her days.
1 i™i pi-pion, converted from the height of pride. and vanitv to
a hu'mble lover of God and man ; full of good works.
™?'ry $&$ d dear fimP.^» humble, tender, affectionate woman;
Motes hit.trell, a man of great ftabilitv ; when living he kept
up Jofhua's ref'olution ; his wife, children and fervants bade fair
tor the kingdom of heaven, fome are faithful yet, and fome have
turned out of the way.
Mary Parjcer, who had much forgiven, and loved rnu'eb.
• mm Rrchardlon, a good young woman,
J-'ufanhah Bentbn, an honeft hearted chriftian, 1 bdieve j me
went through the water and fire of affliction unhurt! fuch (he
continued unto her end.
Mary Haflett, a faithful follower of the meek and lowly Jems.
Sophia Hunter, former wife of brother Jfaac Hunter ; a very
pious precious woman.
Mary 1 ugwell, her, life was upright, <he married, and d'ed
foori after. the. birth arid, death of her firft child, and was much
afflicted
14
afflicted five or fix months, and though fhe was Co weak flic could
not tit up, yet ihe would rile off her bed and praife God for the
i'weet manifeftations (he had of the love of JeCus.
Henry Smith, and his ion Thomas Smith, who were laid to
be good men.
Milberry Billips, a tender hearted, loving woman, her hufband
a grot's backflider ; h<? brought his family' to poverty : (lie died a
few days after her hufband, of a broken heart, us was luppoled.
Oh the few happy matches !
Mary Hays, (he lived happy with her good old Methodift huf-
band, and died in peace.
R chel Lawrence, a harrnlets, inoffrnfue perfpn, undei'greaf
afH Ct'ori a long time ; very patient and much reilgned to God.
Mary Parker, former wife of bfb her 1'homas Parker ; 'fhe
profeffed. religion ten or twelve years. '
Prifcilla Graham, a dear, lovely, meek woman, fhe lived a-
bout fifteen months after ihe profeffed religion ; her humble, pious
walk, mini felled to all that weie acquainted with her, that fi\e
had been with }ef\is ;' and when {he. was on her death bed, her
dove -ivke innocence a'nd lamb-like patience* were admirable : fhe
hatf an unshaken confidence in God. One affced how;ihe was,
fhe replied, " O yes, 1 mult go t© Jeius : " She then intreated
her hufband not to be e.vceffive in grief, but to prove faithful a
little time, and they fhould meet in heaven to praife king Jcfus.
JShe loon became d-eliiious : fhe would often lay, " I am ready,"
atul whifper '* Jeius," as long as fhe could (peak ! One week
after the birth of her firft child, flic fell afleep in the arms of her
Saviour. -
Mary Duke, me walked in honour to her profefSon, for near
fifteen \ ears ; in life (lie was blarnelels, in death triumphant and
glorious.
Chnftopher Rcddick, a man truly converted from the error of
his ways, too manifeftly to be denied by the wprft of enemies ;
he never was afhamed to own his Lord, or to defend his caufe ;
a peaceful man in his family, and uleful in his neighbourhood : in
his 'aft hours he appeared to be in peace, and much refigned to
Cod. '
Hardy Brown, a bright and ihining light ; an Ifraelite in whom
there was no guile ; an example of true piety ; he had but fbort
notice of his death, fuffocnted with the quintey in a few hours ;
tie exhorted his wife and all about him, to ferve God ; and cheer-
fully, with a fmile on his countenance, left this world of lorrow.
Mary. Gregorie, a daughter of fi&ter Glover's, thirteen years of
age ; fhe came to live with me in April and died in October fol-
lowing ; leven or eight weeks before fhe died, fhe became very
j'erious, and often was much pleated to talk with me about reli-
gion ; fhe was powerfully converted on her death-bed, and the
Lord opened her mouth to ipeak and fing his pTaife. She would
beg
15
beg the tinners to look at her and repent. I believe (he had a
vifiou of angels juit before (be died ; fhe lifted up her eyes andv
laid, " O you pretty creatures'. '* and breathed her laft in three
minutes.
O, my dear brother, while 1 write and think of the dear faints
in glory, how it fills my heart with joy ! Oh, the time will
fhortly come, when tbefeejes fhall weep no more; this heart,
which is now the feat of fortow, mall eeatc to flutter and beat,
and not a wave of trouble roll acrofs my peaceful breaft ! 1 hope
the Lord wll renew your health and ftrength, that you may live
long to water his vineyard. Pray for me, that 1 may be more
holy, and more heavenly minded. Give my love to brother Lee :
Mr, Baker and the children join me in fincere love to you.
Your affectionate lifter.
1. BAKER.
Baltimore, December 30th, 1800.
I kave now vifited my charge. I.requelted the preachers to
give me the numbers that had found peace with God fince confe-
rence ; fome did, and others could not. In Frederick circuit
about three hundred and thirty-two h ive profeffed to fi-id peace
with God through our Lord J cf us Chrift : whites one hundred
and fifty-three, and blacks one hundred and feventy-nine. In
Montgomery, from lalt conference to this time, three hundred
and thirty. And the work of God is thill going on in power, in
both of the above circuits. The preachers in Baltimore circuit,
were not able to give nie their number; but I can inform you,
we had a good time at quarterly meeting. We began at nine
o'clock in the morning, and ended at four o'clock m the after-
noon ; in which time feven fouls were brought to the knowledge
of the truth, by the forgivenefs of their fins. In Baltimore the
work is moving on'; they have great and good times. In Federal
circuit they have had a f'mall move in the camp, and fome tbuls
converted. In Hartford, I am informed, about fixty fouls have
been brought to the Lord fince conference ; and the work is (till
going on. We hacLfrwo converted as 1 went through that circuit.
in Carlifle they have had a little move in one place. 1 have had
good times around the diffcrift among the preachers.
All Glory be to God. W.LEE.
Ducfc-Creek, March 4th, 1801.
I have now been three times round my diftrnSt, and have
had an opportunity of knowing the people with Tegard to times
and feafons ; and am of opinion that I have not known a people,
take them collectively, io completely methodized as thele : what
would they not have been, had flavery never been introduced
amongft them ?
The
16
H-1 ■ ■* 't ' i '
I he preachers have been field v, {'o have the people ; this, to-
gether with the cole! open hoiifes, has militated againft the work
ilnce the commencement of winter : Nevertheless we have had
a good work -on molt of the circuits. On. Dover, Milford, and
Soraerfet, wehavehad about fifteen hundred added ilnce conference.
THOMAS WARK.
_L. _* re. •
Dartmouth College, December OOth, 1800.
THE preachers in both diitrids, at preient, are in health,
happy, and, we believe, confiderably ui'eful- There js a glorious
prolpecl in both diftricls of a plentiful harveft. In the KfTex cir-
cuit, which extends to, and includes part of the Britifh domi-
nions, there are more than eighty members added, and but tew
expelled: the greater part of the new members, have profeiled,
and evidence a change wrought by grace.
The Plattfb.urgh circuit, which lies on the weft fide of the lake
Champlain, is all on fire; there have been lingular drip-lays of
God's converting and fanCtifving power in this circuit, which is
only a two weeks circle ; and about fixty members added.
The Pittsfield circuit has felt, a ihock of the Divine power ; at
our laft quarterly meeting, fome, both of the wicked, and the
wife, fell to the floor. Some were converted, and fix profiled
lantt fication. About feventy -three members added, including
the VYhittinghim circuit, which is much alive ; and the work
is enlarging ftill, and is in a flourifhing way.
The Granville circuit has been, and iiiil is favoured with a
revival in two towns, viz. VVeftfield and -Chefter. We believe
about eighty members have been added. We have loft a few.
members in each circuit, but the precife number we have not
been able to afcertain. But upon the whole, we feel as if Zion
was gaining ground, through her Redeemer's blood ; and bleffed
be the Lord, the preachers feem encouraged to pray, and believe
the Lord wijl give them thousands, as deals to their miniitry th's
year yet, as he has given them about three hundred and feventy
already" in this diftricr,. We have had a fruitful increafe of
preachers in this diftricf: this year already.
There'is a good profpect: in Landaff circuit : about fixty mem-
bers have been added there, and the work increaiing ft ill. Ver-
fhire circuit has been bleft with an extraordinary work of fandti-
fication ; about fifty members added. Weathersfield circuit has
been prospered with the addition of about forty members. The
work is gradually fpreading and the. circuit enlarged from two to
four weeks!. There has been, and ftill is a revival in Chefterfield
circuit, particularly in Charlton ; about forty members added.
There has. been a great work in Tolland in the old town ; but
it afterwards broke out in another part of the town, and about
fixty-five members have been added.
The
17
The New-London and Pomfret circuits being united, we give
you the account together. The work is promifing, and about
forty members added. We have realbn to believe the woik of the
Lord is more prosperous this year in thete circuits, than ever we
have known it to be, in New-England. ...
Our quarterly meetings on both fides of the Connecticut river,
have been Angularly diftinguifhed by our Lord and Matter, and
great bleffings have followed them. We believe, had we obtained
uccurate accounts from the preachers, the numbers Would have
far exceeded what we have mentioned. Adieu.
S. BOSTWICK.
JOHN BRODHEAD.
•^■^■^■©.^•.^••.^
Cheflerfield, May 18th, 1801,
1 Can inform you that 1 have been an eye, an ear, and heart-
felt witnels of the work of God on LandafT, Verfhire, and Wea-
thersfield circuits. Near four hundred have joined in ibciety, the
year paft, on the three circuits ; and the wofk goes on ftill in a
moft glorious and remarkable manner. Landaff circuit is all in a
flame ; ^upwards of one hundred have been converted to God :
Our quarterly meetings are generally attended with the power of
God, like a mighty rufhing wind. On Verfhire circuit there is
a good work : more than one hundred have joined fociety, and
the power of the Lord is remarkably difplayed ; many fall down
overwhelmed with the power of the Lord, and great is the Holy
One of lfrael in the midft of them.
Weathersfield circuit has been gradually gaining ground the
whole year, and now, at the clofe, the times of refrefhing are
come from the pretence of the Lord. 1 fpent a few days on the
circuit. We had a number of lively meetings, and fome joined
fociety ; but nothing remarkable happened till we came to the
little town of Athens. Here 1 preached on Tuefday to a large
congregation in the open air t they heard me with great attention-
there had been no fociety formed — it was propofed for me to preach
again the next day, read the rules, and form a clafs. We had a
moft melting time : the power of the Lord was prefent to healj,'
and eighty-three came forward and- joined fociety. Their eager-
fiefs to join alarmed me before they had all joined. I was afraid
they had not confidered fufficiently what they were doing. I rofe
up and poured in upon them a very warm exhortation, and told
them we wanted none but fuch as were determined to fave their
fouls, and would evidence it by walking according to the rules of
ibciety. As foon as 1' ended, they came forward with ftreaming
eyes, and defired to join, till we made up the number of eighty-
three.
On c.hetferfieTd circuit near one hundred have joined fociety,
and the prolpeft is brightening.
C Xjj'
18
In Pomfret and New-London, nearly one hundred have joined
fociety. JOHN BROBHEAD.
Baltimore, March 18th, 1801.
I have had it in my power, fince my laft letter to you, to
take a full view of the ftate of this diftridt ; we have h?.cl more or
lefs converted to God in every circuit and ftation, uhlei's it be in
the Federal City.
From what I can gather from preachers and leaders, there have
been more than one thoufand in the winter and lummer paft
within the lines of this diftridfc, and the work is ft ill moving on
in power. The preachers appear to be drinking into the fpirit of
the work, and the old friends follow on in love, it would have
done your heart good to have leen the old friends weeping and
praifing God, with a loud voice, when the woik of the Lord
broke out in Shippingsburg the laft vifit.
1 want you to know the Lord is building up the wafte places in
Zion, by railing up young men full of faith and the Holy Ghoft,
and lending them out in his caufe.
I humbly hope you will make as general a change as you can
in this diftrift, in order that the men who are fully in the work,
may fpread the flame, and the preachers, who have not got fully
into the fpirit, may get into the fire ; and that all, who are good
hands, to draw the line and keep rules', may move on through the
diflricV. We have crowded houfes. I never faw the people turn
out to hear preaching i'o generally. All glory to God.
W. LEE.
A letter from Martin Baern, a German preacher.
Lancafter County, (Penh.) May 27th, 1801.
I am thankful to God for what he has done for me, my
children, and grand children. Many of my neighbours have found
the Lord, and 1 hope for better times yet in our parts of the vine-
yard.
1 am happy to hear of what God is doing in many parts of Ame-
rica and in Europe, by the preachers called methodifts. It has
pleated God to call my fon Henry away from me for feven months
part, to preach the gofpel ; 1 expecl he intends to take a circuit
next year, if he is received by the conference. You will do me
a great favour if you appoint him to Strasburg circuit. 1 have
been very poorly, but am fomething better at prefent, yet 1 do
not expect to continue long in this world. If it mould, pleaie
God, 1 wifh to have my children with me when 1 die.
Your fincere friend, and loving brother in tbogofpel of Chrirt,
MARTIN BAEM.
Dover,
19
Dover, June 15th, 1802.
OUR annual meeting commenced on Friday evening, the
5th inft ; being the evening before the time intended. At candle-
light our houfe was filled, and the word of God began to be dif-
penfed. It was a folemn time among the people prbfefling godli-
nefs. Prayer meeting next morning at fun-rife, a large meeting;
and a gracious time, many of God's people were filled with his'
goodnel's. Preaching at eleven o'clock, and four in the afternoon,
and at candle-light to crowded congregations. Not lefs perhaps
in the day time, than from four to five thoufand fouls, and at
night, the houfe was filled. This alto was a gracious day and
night with the profeflbrs of religion ; and ibme considerable irn-
preflion was made upon the people of the world. Sunday morning
at fun-rife the black people's love-feaft began, and a precious
time it was amongtt them ; a vaft body of them were collected*
and their conduct was unexceptionable ; God verily is no refpec-
ter of perfons. . .
Love-fealt for the whites, commenced at half paft eight o'clock,'
and our holy and good God was in the midft of us ; Oh the won-
ders of redeeming love ! without controveiiy, great is the myftery
of godlinefs. Public preaching at eleven and four o'clock, and
at candle-light. I conceive 1 am within bounds when 1 fay the"
congregations this day had they been numbered were feven thou-
fand fouls. 1 fav congregations ; for fuch was the multitude it
was found neccffary to have three preachers engaged at the fame
time : The congregations at a proper diftance from each other,
and this was not enough, a fourth congregation might have been
found. Surely the fcene was awful ; a time to be remembered,
and a day of great folemnity . The divine power of God was great
amongit faints and finners. We had alfo a glorious day and night,
both in the houfe of God, and my own houfe, feveral were power-
fully awakened, at private houfes, in times of tinging and prayer.
On Monday finners began to be greatly alarmed and powerfully
agitated in mind. On Tuefday after preaching, the facrament
was adminiftered : this was the moft gracious, folemn, and re-
joicing time I ever law. 1 conclude there were not lefs than
between twelve and fifteen hundred came to the Lord's table,
white and coloured people. In this exercile many finners were cut
to the heart, and powerful convictions took place ; moft of which
1 believe ended in lound converfions ; and many bjckfliders were
reclaimed. Oh ! the aftonifhing goodnefs of the all-wonder-
working God. I prefume there were not lefs than from twenty
to thirty fouls converted or fanctified in my own houfe, during
the meeting : bleffed be God for it, 1 know you will fay in you*
heart, amen. The two laft days our meeting was the belt ; I
mean Wednefday and Thurfday, and fo it was the laft yearly
meeting : our bleffed God in both inftances kept the belt wine to
the laft. I am well affured if the meeting could have continued
C % longer,
20
longer, our meeting houfe would have been mote than filled, day
and night : but as the quarterly meeting began on Saturday morn-
ing at Milford, and the preachers few in number, were much
•wearied, it was thought beft to conclude our annual meeting on
Thurfday night ; but we continued till three o'clock on Friday
morning. It gave me ibme grief that we did not hold out longer,
becaufe I faw fuch anVncommon thirft in the hearts of the people
of God. How far, and exteniively ufeful, this meeting may have
been, we are not yet able to fay ; but we have taken the moil
eligible fteps in our power to ascertain it, by the medium of the
preachers in the different circuits in the Peninfula. By what 1
heard, Thomas Smith publifhed two weeks after our meeting at
Dickenfbn's at a quarterly meeting, 1 fhould fuppofe, there muff,
have been fome hundreds, either awakened, brought to God, or
to leek the Lord at our annual meeting. Thomas Smith obferved
that he had not' been half round his circuit, that he difcovered a
hundred or upwards that profeiTed ; and he believed molt of them
Were foundly converted to God.
I am with the greateff regard,
Your brother in Chrift.
RICHARD BASSETT.
Canden, South Carolina, June 80th, 1802.
HELL is trembling, and fatan's kingdom falling. Through
Georgia, South and North Carolina, the facted flame and holy
lire of God, amidft all the oppofition, is extending far and wide.
I may fay -with fafety, that hundreds of tinners have been awa-
kened and converted this year in the above named ftates.
The general meeting held at the Waxaws, was on the laft of
May. Five methoditt, five baptift, and twelve prefbyferian
minifters officiated : the Lord was prefent, and wrought for his
own glory: finners were- convicted on all fides, and numbers
found the Lotd. One, among many remarkable cafes, 1 will
relate, of a profefled atheift, who fell to the earth, and lent for
brother 6JafiVw?ry to pray for him : after labouring in the pangs
of the new birth for ibme time, the Lord gave him deliverance :
he then confeffed before hundreds, that, for fome years, he had
not believed there was a God, but now had found him gracious
to his foul .
Not far from Rutherford court-houfe, there was another
general meeting the firft of June, 1802. The fame power attended
the meeting— thoulknds were prefent ; many poor finners felt the
jo.ver of God, and were raifed up to teftify that he had forgiven
their tins.
The methodiffs had another general meeting a few days pa ft at
the Hanging Rock ; fifteen' minifters— methodiffs, presbyterians
and baptiiis, with about three tboufand people. The 'work be-
gan
21
gan in fome degree on Friday night. The preachers were flinging,
praying, or preaching all the night. Saturday evening it began
again at the itand. Sabbath evening, at the dole of the facra-
ment, fome fell to the earth, and the exercife continued the
whole night. Monday morning the people came together again,
and began tinging and exhorting : the Lord wrought again, and
this was the greateft time. They Were crying for mercy on all
fides. One man, that had, on fabbath evening, been in a dread-
ful and unreasonable rage, at the dole of this meeting, the
power of God brought to plead for mercy. 1 found him weeping ;
he had watered the ground with his tears. We judged twelve or
fifteen found peace'. A letter from Daniel Albury, informs me
he never law luch a work, and that he had joined fifty. in going
round the Yadkin circuit.
Brother Mead informs me the work is Hill going on in Georgia.
We have a revival in Anton and the upper part of Santee. Bro-
ther Gaflaway joined at onetime nineteen, and at another Seven-
teen. There is alio a revival at Bladen, Kingfton, and teveral
other places. JAMES JENK1N.
Maryland, Auguft 16th, 1802.
IN this circuit, God has been good and gracious, and hath
wrought for his own glory ; as you will find in a lhort account of
a few meetings which 1 have attended.
The firlt time I came to brother Leakingft's, there were two
profefled to be converted, 'and leveral others awakened. The
l'econd time I came, round, the congregation was greatly increafed :
in the time I was preaching to the people, .the power of the Lord
came down in luch a manner, that they had never feen in that
part of the circuit. The Unconverted cried aloud for mercy,
leveral kneeled down that prayer might be made for them. The
Lord in anfwer to our petitions, delivered the fouls of five or fix
and gave them hearts to love, and tongues to praife him. The
third vifit I made to that place, the Lord owned his. word, and
blelfed the labours of the day, there were about feven profeffed to
find mercy. Meeting continued about four hours. The fourth
viHt was in the time of harveft, the congregation was not i'o large ;
but the arm of the Lord was made known in a more powerful
manner than at former times. From the beginning to the end of
the fermon, the power,of the Lord was very prefent, and a gene-
ral meeting went through the congregation: after 1 ceafed
preaching, we began Iinging : I preffed through the crowd to
leveral fouls crying aloud for mercy, and exhorted them to look
to Jefus as their only Saviour. One man, to be diftinguithed
from the others, was fitting with his back towards me ; I laid
• , my
2'2
tny hand on his fhoulder '; -Talked him> if be felt the neceffity of
giving his heart to God : his anfwer was, that he was one of the
wotft offinners, he immediately a-rol'e, and turned his face towards
roe, and in hafte put one of his hands into one of his pockets ;
and to my furpfize drew out a piltol, and held it in his hand for
a {hort time : then laid it down upon the feat, on which he had
been fitting ; and putting his other hand into another pocket,
drew out a tecond piftol, and as he laid that down, 1 believe the
Lord bleffed his foul. He then cried out, " O the goodnefs/of
the Lord, in f paring' my life, and bringing me to this place, and
bleffing my foul." He alio declared when he left home he had
no intention of coming to this meeting ; but faid, " I came filled
"with the devil and malice in my heart ; for 1 had loaded my piitols
and was determined to kill a man, and if I had laid my eyes upon
him, I would have taken his life, if 1 had been lure of going to
hell for it the next morning." He then praifed God that he had
filled his heart with love, and laid, "I now love every body."
And notwithftanding his former prejudices, as foon as the Lord
had bleffed his foul, he went to the mourners, exhorting and
praying to God for them : at this meeting I think there were five
or fix profeffed to find the Lord, and feveral went away greatly
diftreffed. The laft time 1 was there, the congregation was large
and we had much of the prefence of the Lord, both in preaching,
and the adminiftration of the facrament. 1 believe at this meet-
ing, four or five were converted, and many others wept much.
One thing is very obiervable in this place, there is no oppo-
fition ; the people, (if we may judge by their countenance)
think it to be the work of God, and what they muff, experience
in their own fouls. In this circuit, in many places, finners are
awakened and converted.
The Lord hears our prayers forfome who will not come to hear
preaching.; at one prayer-meeting, they were earneftly pleading
for their neighbours, and the Lord granted them their requeff,
and lent conviction to a finner's heart, at his own houfe, and he
began and continued praying till the Lord bleffed his foul : and
when fome of the brethren were going home from prayer-meeting,
they, h^ard him praiting God, and laying, who has been praying
for me; as if .he had a witneis in his own foul that prayer had
been made and anfwered for him. Another man of the wprld,-
that would not go to hear the word, as he was lying upon his
work-bench, conviction i'eized him in i'o powerful a manner, that
he was conftrained to come to the people he once defpifed, to take
count el of them.
I have the happinefs to inform you, that within about ten
months pait, my eyes have been bleffed with the fight of as many
ae thirty i'ouls who pioleffed to find the Lord at one meeting.
1 am yours,
C. WILLIAMS.
North
23
North Carolina, June 1ft, 1802.
ON the fecond Sabbath in September, after preaching at
South-Kiver, I rode. to lawyer Sharp's, to attend prayer-meeting
in the evening ; many appeared to be deeply affected and cried for
mercy ; and 1 luppole there were about a dozen deeply wounded,;
and Monday evening, at family prayer at my father's houie, there
was a ferious cry for mercy, until twelve o'clock. On Tuelday
evening a number of the neighbours collected : Immediately as
meeting commenced, the cry. of diftrels arofe in every part of the
houie. In this meeting two gave glory to God for redemption in
Jel'us. The Saturday evening following, I vifited the Snow-Creek
neighbourhood again, and a large congregation attended ; And in
•the courfe of the meeting, eight or ten profeffed deliverance from
the guilt and burden of fin.
1 held meeting as often as my ftrength would admit: the pre-
fence and power of God attended the meetings, and from three to
four, and from (even to eight, were brought to the glorious liber-
ty of the children of Godj at each meeting. 1 formed a fociety
of about fifty members, at my father's houfe ; on Snow-Creek
near about the fame number joined in fociety. Numbers of the
awakened and converted continued in the focieties where they held
their birth-right and education. The preibyterian preachers in
Iredel county, were in favour of the work, and invited me to affift
them at a facramental occafion, to be held by encampment, near
Statetville, adout the middle of February, 1802. They met at
the time and place appointed. On Friday there were prefent teven
or eight preibyterian minifters.
From Saturday till Tuetaay teno*clock, the cries of the wound-
ed, prayers, shouting exhortation, and ringing continued without
intermiifion : near one hundred were apparently under the oper-
ations'of grace at a time. But it was not poffible toafcertain the
number that found peace and deliverance ; the probabilty is, if
the meeting had continued longer, the confequence would have
been wonderful.
The public congregation was difmiffed at ten o'clock on Tuef-
day. It was a common circumftance for companies to retire from
the camp for private devotion, and ibme of them to be if ruck down
in the woods, and for iingle perfons when thus retired to alarm
their friends in campwith their cries. On Monday evening num-
bers left the camp, and 1 fuppofe not more three or four hundred
remained.
I agreed to continue with them as did two or three other mini-
vers; 1 told fome of the mourners if they would come to the tent
where 1 was, 1 would fpend the whole night with them in prayer.
$oon' after they came together, a young man told us, he, with his
companions,, had left the camp in the morning and went to a whif-
ky -houfe, and while one o'f the company was blafpheming, he
Tfras ftruck with inch dread and horror, that .he quit his wicked
" '" companions.,
24
companions, and returned to the camp, and joined In with the
firft praying company he met with, and the Lord maniftfted his
pardoning love to his foul. This fimple relation had the moft Cur-
prizing effect on the congregation. A young woman who was
taking tome refrefhment cried out that fhe was feafiing her body,
and her poor foul was in danger of perifliing to all eternity. The
cry for mercy became general throughout our large tent, and fif-
teen orfixteen rofe before morning, fhouting, praifing, and giving
glory to God for pardoning mercy : at the fame time the work was
carrying on in the other tents. Through the courfe of the meet-
ing, many old profefiers who had been in full communion for years
in the regular congregations, were ftripped of the garments of
their own making, and caff, away their old religion, as it was
termed, and, with repenting publicans, began to cry aloud for
mercy, until they; had found the tinner's Friend. After this meet-
ing was difmilsed, fome were found by the way -fide, others were
ftruck in the waggons ; fome returned home praifing and fhouting,
others crying for mercy. This may ferve as afample oflhe work
that God is carrying on in this once abandoned part of the country :
where thirty years ago, a living minifter and a living christian
could fcarcely be found, now there are fcorefs of minifters and
hundreds of chriftians.
I am yours,
In the gofpelof our Lord Jefus Chrift.
PHILIP BRUCE.
July 13th, 1802.
AT the quarterly meeting in Swannino, May 1ft, and 2nd,
Mr. Newton, a preibyterian attended, and affifted me in the
adminiftration of the word, and the ordinance of the Lord's fup-
per. It was afolemntime ; thought by fome to be the greateft
meeting ever held in Buncombe county. At the quarterly meet-
ing in Morganton the 8th and 9th of May, we had a very large,
congregation, a folemn time, and fome very powerful convictions.
At the Yadkin quarterly meeting, the 1 5th and 1 6th of May,
we had alfo a gracious feafon. At the quarterly meeting in Guil-
ford, which began on Friday the 2lft, and continued until Mon-
day the 24th of May, we had the greateft time, and the moft
powerful work that 1 ever faw. The work broke out on Saturday,
about four o'clock in the afternoon, and there was no intermiffion
till after two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday. 1 think there
■were ^at times) during this meeting, upwards of an hundred
fouls down at one time crying for mercy ; between forty and fifty?
profeffed to be converted. At the quarterly meeting in Cafwell,
at Edmund Taylor's. junjf brother Jackfon met me.
"">n
25
On Sabbath-day under preaching, the work broke out ; per-
haps five profeffed faith, while f'everal others were ft ruck to the
earth, and cried aloud for mercy. At the quarterly meeting in
Haw-River circuit, held at the Hickory mountain meeting-houfe,
which began on Friday the 11 th of Jurie, and continued until
Monday The 14th. We had the greatest time thai, had ever been
i'een there : The power of the Lord came down on Saturday like
a mighty rulhing wind", and appeared to reft on the congregation;
during the meeting. The number of converted could not be af-
certaine'd. The work of the Lord at this time is reviving in a
mod plealing manner in all the circuits in the diftrict except
Franklin. 1 pray God to fend it there, and every where till the*
earth is filled with the knowledge and glory of God. The preach-
ers in the diftricVare all able to travel and preach, although ibme
of them complain, and are greatly weakened by exceffive labours.
i am your ion and fervant, ''
in the gofpel of Chrift,. , .
JAMES DOUTHLT.
■ ;
. •'
Oftober 10th, 1802.
THROUGH mercy my life is yet {'pared, and notwithstand-
ing the labours 1 have to perform, and the ficklinefs of Ibme part
of my diftrict, 1 enjoy almoft uninterrupted health, for which 1
defire to be profoundly thankful.
To give you' a particular account of the work of God in the
weftern country, would exceed the bounds of a letter, and i'well
into a pamphlet, I can therefore give you but a general view of
what God is in mercy doing for this people.
My Sprijig vifit ended at our old friend Phillip Gatche's, Little
Miami, on the third Sunday irt June, which was the thirteenth
Sabbath in continuity that 1 attended meetings from two to four
days each. Our congregations were generally large (in places}
where fifty formerly made a rel'peciable congregation, a thoufand;
is now a tolerable gathering) and blefTed be God we were gener-
ally favotired with diftinguithing marks of the divine pretence. I
introduced the lime-ftone quarterly meeting with Rom. i. I 6. The
Lord was prelent indeed ; we had a moft iblemn meeting time.--
At the Sacrament on the Lord's day ( which was administered out
of doors of neceffity ). the Lord was powerfully prefent ; the place
was ib awful, that the looks of the bye-ftanders vifibly prpclaim-y
ed, lt God is here, and we are afraid."— — — Pt'alm Ixxxiv. II.
was the i'ubjeel on Monday : The iermon that day imperceptibly
led my niind back to the day of Pentecoft ; for truly, the burft of
joy, when it could be restrained no longer, was as the^voi.ce of a
iufhing wind, . A few appeared to be angry and withdrew, but
D the
2d
. • ■ - ■ . . . . .. , , - -
the work continued till near {unlet. It would be mere conjecture
to give the number converted.
People came from far to the Miami quarterly meeting. I heard
of women that walked thirty miles to it, tbthat our congregation
was very large for that new country. On the firffc day we were
favoured with the presence of the Lord in a lingular manner, and
I think 1 may fafely lay it increaled throughout the meeting. On
Sunday two young women of genteel appearance fell not far from
the Irand, but were prel'ently taken off by fome men, (their bro-
thers as 1 was informed) The Spirit of God, like a iword,
pierced one of the men, and about ten Iteps from the Itand, he
fuddenly fell to the earth, together with his weeping charge, and •
cried aloud for mercy ! The other was gracioully vivited in like
manner ; thus were four inltead of two deeply engaged ; this at-
tracted the attention of many, lb that there were many convicted
through their means, and 1 am informed they never refted until
they found peace; by which means religion was carried into other
paf*ts and the work of God continued to fpread.
1'he lalt thing relpecting this meeting, which 1 fhall mention,
is a cafe of natural fimplicity which deeply affected my mind. An
old woman, fitting juft behind me, while brother Smith was
ipeaking, began in a low and mournful manner, and expreffed
herleU to the following purport :
' " Lord, 1 have heard about thel'e people, and walked a long
way to hear them. Yefterday while the man was fpeaking J felt
very bad, and thought l'lhould fall down, but Lord I was afha-
med that the people (hould lee me cry and fall down, lb 1 was
about to get into the woods and hide myielf, for 1 did not know
that it was the Lord. But 1 could not walk, i fell down among
all the people, and all my fhame went away ! and now I am happy !
bids the Lord he has converted my foul ! Oh how light my heart
is now, Glory! Glory to King Jelus! but oh Lord my hulband is
wicked, my children are wicked! and they muff be converted,
and there is no religion in the neighbourhood. No one to tell
them how to get converted ! Lord lend ibme of thele preachers
that have the Spirit of God in their hearts, into our neighbourhood,
to my houfe, to tell the people the way to heaven'"
This prayer lb affected me, that, at that time, I felt willing
to preach the goi'pel to the poor in every dilconlblate corner.
Our Fall-quarterly meetings for certain reafons, have uniformly
commenced on Friday, and continued until Monday. The con-
gregations have been large, and 1 truft the meetings truly profi-
table to many. We have an addition of three thoul'and two
hundred and fifty; thus we find that our labours in the weftern
conference have been, in lbme degree blelled this year.
The travelling and located preachers are fweetly united, and in
the i'i irit fHphe work. In the judgment of many, methodifm.
never was^rlo good aftate in the weftem country as it is atpreleht.
There
27
. There is ftiU a very encouraging pfofped of religion in fome of
the prefbvterian congregations. Some of the miniiters and mem-
hets of this order are i'weetly united to us in heart and affection,
fome are friendly, others keep at a diftance "- anjj we move on iri
our order, glad to meet them at all times on proper ground of
frienufhip, but when this is denied! us, we commit the ark to,
God, and ftill drive on.
About two years ago, -there was a great ingathering among the
baptirts : but they are a ftrange people. When there was a work
among them it was of the Lord, when it is with the methodilts
and preibyterians, it is of the devir, in the judgment of tome of
them. They unchurch all others, coniider them as unbaptizecl
heathens, refufe communion with them, andftill if they can get
oneofthefe into the water, upon bis prefent experience, they
roundly affert he is as lure of heaven as the happy angels are, and
thus make a Saviour of water.
There is one thing more which I think deferves a thought.
According to the reports, there is a great revival of religion in
this country ; and we are great enemies to,flavery, but alas ! as
vet their united ftrength is utterly too weak to abolifh it in
Kentucky and Cumberland.
Yours, in much love.
W. M. KENDREE.
Cafwell,' North-Carolina, June 5th, 1802.
IN Roanoak circuit there is a glorious revival : there have
been additions to the iocieties, and tome have profeffed converting
grace. We had great congregations when 1 vifited the circuits.
At a quarterly meeting at Malory's meeting-houle, it was the
rno'i awfully glorious i'eafon that 1 ever taw among iinners, I
judged the congregation was about fifteen hundred. There were
few (inners but what were ftricken with the power of God ; and;
many of the faints of the Moll High fhouted as if they had taken
the kingdom. Tar River quarterly meeting alio was attended?
with the power and prefence of the Moft High God.
JONATHAN JACKSON.
Iredell, North-Carolina, September 8th, 1802.
SOMETIME paft, 1 gave you an accotirit of the work of
God in this circuit: Jehovah is ftill working in great power:
finners are coming home to Jefus day and night. 1 believe that
iince the formation of the Yadkin circuit, there has not been fuch
D 2 a glorious
-28
a glorious reyiyal, and fo great a cry for mercy among finriers.
Glory ! glory ! glory to the God of all grace for the many fouls
that have been born of God this year. Now we reap the fruits of
bur hard labours, our former prayers and fupplications. I am
nearly broken down: my breaft is weak, but my faith and love
are ftrong. 1 want to do good, and receive more grace.
1 am thine in love, till death .
DANIEL ASBURY.
■
Baltimore, Novembe r 14th, 1802.
AFTER 1 had the pleafure of feeing you at Henry Willis's,
I was" confined for near three weeks with' a fever. The firffc quar-
terly meeting 1 attended,, after, my recovery, was on the Federal
circuit. We had a glorious feafon of'refreihing from the prefence
of the Lord : fix fouls profefled to be converted. 1 have been able
to vifit my whole charge, and to preach as much, or rather more*
than common upon my quarterly vifitatiori. It has been one^of
the greateft feaions of grace to my own, and the fouls of the
preatJhers, and ancient members of the church. We appear to"
have taken a new ftart for the kingdom : finners are coming bow-
ing and kneeling to Jefus.
In Little York they have now one hundred in fellowfhip, and
the workftill profpers'. In Carlifle we had the greatefl. quarterly
meeting, the people of God ever knew in that town. We went
out into an adjoining lot, wliere I felt a heart to preach to the
people, as if it was my iaft, like' a dying man to dying men. The
God of matchlefs power came dawn : finners fell to the earth, and
the taints of the Moft High fliouted like men -Taking, the kingdom
of God. The whole town appeared to be: -'alarmed at the loud
found of prail'e and prayer. 1 am not able to tell how many were
juftified or landtified. Numbers were down, crying to the Lord
for thefe bleflings. 1 have made it a point to preach perfect love
and hoi neis every Saturday 'of cur quarterly meeting'; and the
Lord hoth blefied this word of his grace, with the witnefies of it.
I hope to write mere fully in my next letter. Prefent my
chiiitian falutations to the rAmiftry, and believe me to be your's
ijn the bonds of a pure gofpel. WILSON LEE.-
-
Iredell, December 12th, 1802.
AS I think, it probable that you may. not have had any
accurate account from Virginia fince'Yve parted, I' give you the
folio-win
The
w
The meeting we bad the pleafure of opening' at Rockingham,
continued nine days, that is, until the Sunday week after it
began. During that memorable week, bufinefe was wholly
fufpended, both merchants and mechanics fhut up mop, and
nothing- was attended to but waiting on the Lord ; and there wag
alio a conltant crowd from the country round about. On Sunday,
the latt day of the meeting, the door of admiffion was opened,
and one hundred and ieven joined the church, of the new converts
who lived in and near the town. The number of thofe who lived
at a diftance, and fhared in that gracious vifitation, has not heeh
afcertained ; but it is probable it bore a full proportion to thole in
the town. -The pottman carried the news to New-Town, while
brother Samuel Mitchell was there, and it gave them fuch a
fpririg in that barren placed that when my information came
away, about fifty fouls had happily found redemption in the blood
of Jel'us ; and the prOfpcct was growing in that quarter of thfc
vineyard, as ouv old Steadys had caught the flame. But trS
return to Rock-ToWn ; there were ibme particular cafes that
deferve a place in :my letter, especially the work among the pro-
fefled deifts, among whom was young Mr. Cocran, merchant.
Major Harrifon, and a companion of theirs. >'Cocran, on the
Thurfday, determined to fatisfy himfelf as to the work ; took his
ftand in the gallery, where he could have the whole Icene under
his. eye. He felt unufual and concluding it was from the heat of
the crowded houfe, determined to walk out and take the air. As
he flipt out of the houfe, he felt an impreflion like a voice fpeak-
ing to him——" Turn and feek the Lord," he turned, but con-
cluded it was the force of imagination. He went to the door a
feeond time and the imprefllon came more powerfully than at ftrff ,
" Turn and feek the Lord." He turned ipto the congregation,
and foon fell helplefs on the floor ; he continued in that helplels
ftate until next morning : while prayer was making for him, the
Lord fet his foul at liberty ; his companions as mentioned above,
were ftruck about the fame time. And next morning, Cocran's
friend at his requeft fupported him to meeting, that he might
tell the people what God had done for his foul, he met the Major
and their companions, witneffes of the fame falvation. They
rufhed to each others arms, and fuch a fliout of Glory ! Glory !
was feldom heard. PHILIP BRUCE.
Albany Diftrid, November "26th, 1802.
AT our firft quarterly meeting on Albany circuit, three
profeffed to experience fanctification, and two to be juftified, and
1 believe'a number convicfed that we have no account of.
i • On Harkermer- circuit on Sunday, mornjng, a little heaven was
I : opened
30
opened in rove-feaft, after which we were enabled to (peak with
a degree of life and power: but at the cloi'e of the administration
of the lacrament, the Lord made bare his arm, and tinners were
convicted, backfliders were reclaimed, mourners Avere convei ted,
and many brought to ftruggle for full redemption in the blood of
JjeitJS. The meeting began at eight o'clock in the morning, and
luch was the engagednels of the people, that it did not end until
the letting of thei'un on the 20th.
Aarkermer and Mohawk being a (ix weeks circuit, we held
another quartet ly meeting in it at Salilbury. there was nothing
•very remarkable at the time, hut (Ince, the preachers have told
me that they believe it has been a means of an hundred fouls being
converted.
From Salisbury I advanced toward the head- waters of the Mo-
hawk river to Floyd weitern circuits, and here (glory to the Moft
High) many could fay, " This is none other but the houle of
God and this is the gate of heaven. The congregation being large,
•we repaired to the lovely (hades of the towering tops and Cpreading
branches of the beach and maple, where from a waggon, to a
fattening multitude, Ceated on chairs, benches, logs, (tumps, &c.
we proclaimed falvation in the name of a Saviour who died for all :
the Lord owned his word, and many were brought on their knees
to cry tor mercy.
Wsi. COLBERT.
Bethel, December 28th, 1802.
I shall, in compliance with your requeft make an attempt
to give you Come accounts of the inttances of divine power which
were dilplayed more immediately under my own observation du-
ring the laft Summer and Fall.
It may not be amii's, however, to "begin farther back, in order
to (et things in a clearer point of view. At the time when 1 came
to Bethel in 1 799, religion was in general very languid. We
had indeed ibme refreihing CeaCons, but awakenings were rare,—
Lalt winter (1801,) when you came through this neighbourhood,
the account you brought us, together with various circulating ones,
revived our hopes, and we waited with anxious expectation of
having ? gracious violation. About the fecond Sabbath in July,
the prefbyteriaos appointed a camp-meeting at the Grafly Spring*
upon Tygcr River, to which the methodifts were invited and
made welcome. The people collected on Friday, and formed a
fVnall (quare camp, in a well covered foreit : here wehad a fealbn
of mercy indeed. On Friday afternoon there were Come tokens of
the divine pretence. On Saturday afternoon feveral were (truck
to the ground and made to cry bitterly fotmercy. Sabbath after-
noon1
I
31
noon was alfo a gracious feafon, Some were lahllow by the power
of God, and Several profeffed juftification. The old methodilt's
children fhared largely in the bleffings of this meeting. About
this time our quarterly meeting was appointed to commence on
Friday 17th of September near Hendrick's mill, (now Herndon's)
upon Enoree- River. We had however, Several intermediate
meetings of lets importance, particularly at Bethel and Tranquil ;
theie were Solemn SeaSons ; many will ling of them 1 truft in the
day of eternity. The work was pretty general through the cir-
cuit,- by the time the quarterly meeting commenced. On the day
appointed, 1 was on the ground by ten o'clock ; the people were
then colledling and forming camps. The plot of ground was ge-
nerally deScending and in Some places rather fteep, which render-
ed it fomewhst difagreeable, however it was more than filled-. By
ten o'clock we repaired to the lower ftand, making only one con^-
gregation, as the concourl'e of people was not fa large aS to make
it neceffary to divide : The camp encloSed about five acre, and
there were about one hundred and forty waggons, &c.
During the firft Service there were two fell to the ground ; the
day was hot and clouds were gathering : the rain came on and
the people fled to their tents ; the itorm was heavy and lafted a
considerable time. It ceaSed towards evening, and I was Surpri-
fed to fee with what alacrity all descriptions of people attended
the evening Service. The. congregation was now divided, and the
work was considerable at the lower ftand. On Saturday morning
•we began early, and presently the facred flame, which had Seemed
fufpended for a while, was rekindled and burned with increaiing
ftrcngth. This was thermoft awful day my eyes ever faw : there
■was but little intermiflion through the day. In the afternoon we
returned to ibme diftance from the camp, to do the buiineis of
quarterly conference, leaving Mr. Canady a preSbyterian minifter
and Several of our preachers to attend the ftand. The work now
became very general at the upper ftand. The evening was calm,
the horizon free from clouds, but rather dufky, which gave
additional Solemnity to the Scene. The fhrieks of the diftrefled,
the fhouts of thole who were juft railed from the depth of milery,
together with the animated exhortations of the preachers rent the
air, and was reverberated by the lurrounding hiUs. During the
afternoon and night, it is laid, about one hundred and four were
ftruck down at the upper ftand, and more than forty at the lower.
The number converted could not be ascertained. On Sabbath 1 think
there were about two thoufand fouls collected, Ibme thought a
much larger number. The various lervices were lively, and many-
through the day were ftripken, and many 1 fuppole quickened.
It rained in^ the afternoon,- but did not detain us long from public
devotion. This evening was attended with Some peculiar circum-
fltanees'. There was much noile in the forepart of the night, in
the latter, much Silence, I went through the camp late,' antf
truly*
truly it was' am? iritetfeftrng fcehe ; here and there were candles
burning ; upon going to one of thofe companies you would find,.
perhaps ievefal lying iilent as death and their friends wailing round
them withfolemn care depicted in their countenances. This night-
late, a man who had caff himfclf away in a, manner, as a repro-
bate, requeued our old brother Crowther, to explain the potter
and clay % he accordingly did, and fome time after the poor del-
pairing (inner was delivered from the load of guilt, but ib excef-
iive wais his joy that he brake forth in loud longs ofpraile; he
leaped, he fhouted free grace, free grace ; he went round the
camp ft ill Tpreading the fweet found of free grace. It was now
near the break of day, and though few had taken much refrelh-
me'nt by ilee'p, the greater part of the people left their tents to
participate in the joys of feveral juft now lhatched from the gates
of hell. More inftances I need not relate ; it may fuffice to lay
that this alio was a day long to be remembered. We have l'een
smd felt the blefied effects of this meeting, and 1 truft, when the
ipring fhall:open fo that it will be practicable to meet in large
nurhhersy to lee great things.
I remain, as ever, your fincere
though unworthy friend,
MARK MOORE.
Alexandria,. February 7th, 180S.
THE Lord hath heard prayer, and we have felt the benign
influences of a glorious Redeemer. Sinners have cried aloud for
mercy, and have not cried in vain : for he that wounds, heals;
and he that kills, alio makes alive. From the time I took my
appointment, till Ghriftmas, (which time I laboured under fore
exerciies) there were about thirty joined lbciety, and fifteen
converted to' God. The profpeft was lbmetimes pleating, andatf
other times very difcouraging.
At Chriftmas our quarterly meeting began. We commenced
the liege, which lafted iixteen days, during which time one hun-
dred and' ten joined lbciety, and, on a moderate calculation, one
hundred found the Lord precious to their fouls. Since that time,
there have been one hundred joined, and I calculate leventy con-
verted to God. This work of God has been principally among
the 'young men and women.
The children have wonderful difplaiys of the power of God
among them : upwards of thirty have joined the fociety, between
the years ofl'even and fourteen, and the fourth part hopefully
converted to God.
The Lord has paid me a thoufand times for all my bufferings in
this work— —Glory be to his-n.amet
The
33
The profpecr. now before, us is very pleating, and the greater
part of our friends are in the ipirit of the work. We have but
little oppolition from the world.
Your unworthy Ion in the gofpel of Chrift,
JOSEPH ROWEN.
Yadkin Circuit, North Carolina, Aug. 20th,. 1802;
A great and glorious work has taken place in this circuit
fince conference. The number converted 1 cannot tell. 1 have
feen and felt more fince 1 law you, than ever I did before. Many
ftout- hearted finners have turned to the Lord : and at our com-
mon meetings, loud cries and fliouts of praii'e are heard. It is not
uncommon for meetings to laft from twelve o'clock in the day to
twelve at' night. At a quarterly meeting held in Iredell county,
which began the 30th of July, and continued four days, the pow-
er of the Lord began on Friday .about fun-let, under an exhorta-
tion, and continued till Monday twelve o'clock, without inter-
miffion. The groans of the diftrefled went up on Friday night
from all parts of the camp, and increafed till ten o'clock the next
day, when many found the Lord precious in the pardon of their iins.
On Saturday afternoon, while brother Douthit was at prayer,
the mighty power of the Lord came down : many hard-hearted
finners fell to the ground, and cried to the Lord for mercy, as
from. the belly of hell. The flain of the Lord were many, and.
numbers that fell, role again with the new long. The next morn-
ing was an awful time— -fome fhouting praife to God, others cry-
ing for mercy, and the whole congregation teemed thunder-ftruck.
On Sunday evening, after brother Ormond's fermon, under
prayer, the Lord diiplayed his power in an increafing manner.—
The heavens were black with clouds ; the thunder and lightning
was awful, and the ground teemed covered with finners. The
wounded were taken to the tents, but fome ftayed at the ftand in
the harder!, rain, and pleaded with the Lord, and about midnight
they were delivered. The ftorm of rain was lb powerful, that
the wicked were obliged to keep clofe to the tents, and the Lord
mowed them down on every hand. Mr. JHall, Mr. King, and
my felf continued the whole night in prayer, for the mourners.—
Next morning 1 preached, and notwithftanding the rain, they
heard with the greatelt attention. Among the fubjects of this
work was a doctor, who came with the falts of heartlhorn to ap-
ply to thofe who fell : but the Lord brought him down, and ma-
ny others with him, who went home praifing God. This is a
little of what 1 have feen in Yadkin circuit. 1 am more than
ever bound for glory. Your's,
DANIEL ASBURY.
E Fells
3*4
Fells Point, January 6th, 1803.
IN the Baltimore circuit we have had one or two that pro-
feffed to be converted at quarterly meeting. In Baltimore town
we had a good meeting upon the whole, and fome profeffed to find
peace with God. At Fells Point we had a glorious time, it was
thought as many as eight or ten were brought to the knowledge of
religion.
At quarterly meeting in the federal circuit, five tinners came
down to cry for mercy. Three of them found peace ; and we had
a fhout among the children of the Lord.
In Pfince George's circuit we had one powerfully converted in
the time of family prayer, on Sunday evening, after we doled our
quarterly meeting.
At quarterly meeting in Calvert circuit, we had a very great
and good feafon, the meeting lafted three days ; nine or more pro-
feffed to find the Lord. I am, as ever, thine, &c.
WILSON LEE.
March 12th, 1803.
WE have at prefent fome little revivals in feveral places.—
Bofton, Lynn, and Marblehead have been favourably vhited.
At Bofton, 1 think, there have been eighty added to the fociety—
about forty at Lynn, and about thirty at Marblehead.
This teems to us great doings in this part of the country ; but
to you, who are accuftomed to greater things, it muft feem as
nothing.
Convictions among us, in fome inftances, have been lively and
affecting: but in general, we are pretty ft ill. May the time come
quickly in which we mall fee and feel more power.
I went once round the diftrict of Maine, as you directed me,
and I faw feveral conversions at quarterly-meetings. Since I
came from thence, I have been informed that the work is proipering.
In Briftol, on Union circuit, brother Baker informs, that one
hundred and forty have been converted in lels than three months.
The work in Briftol has perhaps been more powerful than any
heretofore experienced in the eaft. They have frequent inftances
of perfons, after groaning for fome time, under the power of con-
viction, to rile in the congregation and give glory to God foi
pardoning love.
Brother Baker writes, " Laft Tuefday evening 1 had an ap-
pointment to preach in the fchobl-houfe, but was agreeably difap-
pointed. When 1 entered the houfe, it teemed like the gate of
heaven. I never felt fuch power, fuch an awful, folemn fenfe of
God before. A crowded affembly all deeply engaged. 1 began
to pray, and felt my ibul drawn almoft to the third heaven. As
foon
35
foon as 1 had ended, one, who for fome days had been on her
knees almoft half the time, arofe, and fhouted Glory to God. Many
cried aloud for pardon : and it was not long before another praifed
the Lord for pardoning love. Our meeting continued till late,
and 1 fuppofe nine or ten were converted that happy night.
From Briftol the fire appears to have fpread into different parts
of the circuit, lb that backfliders are reclaimed, lukewarm pro-
fe'fors quickened, and hardened iinners, in ibme mftances, have
fallen under the word, as if they had been fhot
Could 1 once fee fuch a work as this, become general in New-
England, like Simeon of old, I could depart in peace.
I remain, as ever, _
JOSHUA TAYLOR.
Fredericks urg, March 15th, 1803.'
SINCE my latt to you^ we have had glorious times in truth.
On.Chriftlmas day we began our meeting in Alexandria ; we had
crowded congregations ; there were a few converted on Saturday
night and Sunday night ; this, with the folicitations of the friends,
induced me to ftay longer in town than I intended. We went on,
and continued to have meeting every evening for fixteen rights, at
which time, there muft, at a moderate calculation, have been
from eighty to one hundred happily converted to God. and more
than one hundred added to the ibciety, The work frill goes on
there. The other day, I was in, and preached to them, when
brother Rowen told me, that, including what I admitted when
there before, they had taken in upwards of three hundred, far the
greater part of whom profefs to be converted ; among which
number there are between forty and fifty children, from the age
of feven to fourteen years ; many of whom will give a very ratio-
nal account of the work of grace upon their ibuls : the others
appear to be thoroughly convinced of their loft and undone fitu-
ation by (in, and earneftly engaged for redemption in the blood of
the Lamb.
On the fifth of February the quarterly meeting for Rockingham
circuit began in Harrifonburg, which continued for four days and
nights, with but little intermiflion. It was impoffible correctly
to afcertain the number converted, but I think there muft have
been thirty or upwards, with a number of (ancf ifications. I was
very much pleafed to find in the friends, fuch a hungering and
thirfting for the mind which was in Chrift Jefus. I think there
are no furer marks of a genuine work, than to fee them eager to
be made perfect in love. From what the preachers tell me, i
fuppofe they have added between three and four hundred fince the
conference,
E2 In
* > • 36
In Pendleton circuit, the Lord gave us five or fix fouls happily
converted to himt'elf.
At laft there is a very good move in part of Alleghany circuit.
Br. Jacobs wrote me, that about the mouth of the t'outh branch,
and Pool's neighbourhood, they have added from fixty to eighty
members ? and the work goes on (till.
At Shepherd's Town quarterly meeting for Berkeley circuit,
the Lord gave us twelve or fifteen {puis. At Leefbutg, the Lord
was with us of a truth. Glory to his dear name. Both on Satur-
day and Sunday, fome profefTed to be converted— —Monday and
Tuefday, brother Stier and myfelf ftaid in town, and went about
to different houies, to talk, fing and pray with the diftrefied. It
was only to begin finging and praying, and you would foon have
the room crowded with people. On Tuefday and Tuefday night,
ve were finging, praying, and exhorting for fixteen hours, and
the Lord gave us fifteen converfions. This more than makes
amends for all our labour. It was pretty correctly afcertained,
that in the courfe of this meeting, there were forty or upwards
converted. Yours, in the Lord*
DANIEL HITT.
Hampfliire County, (Virginia.) March 21ft, 1803.
ON Saturday, December 19th, we had preaching at Old
town, but no move ; but in the clafs, the Lord was powerfully
and gracioufly prefent. Tuesday night, prayer meeting at Crefap's;
we had life and power and fome awakenings. Wednelday night
at '(quire Martin's, four or five were converted, and many awa-f
kened. On Sunday, at 'fquire Martin's, we had a great day.
There was trembling and quaking among finners on every fide,
and hurtling praifes from the chriftians. On Tuefday night, we
Bad meeting at fifter Breeze's, there wasa goodly company, much
•weeping, fome rejoxing— -many awakened; and four or five pro-
fcfied&ifh. On Wednelday, prayer meeting at 1. Crefap's. We
had a gracious .feafon on Thu,rfday night, at. Luther Martin's— a
time of great awakening among finners, and much rejoicing among
chriftians, On Friday we refted ; but two or three got together
at 'fquire Martin's, and one foul was let at liberty.
On Saturday, January the lit, 1803, we had meeting at bro-
ther Mc Laughlin's, a crowded houle, and much of the fweet
pretence of Jefus ; we Continued the meeting at night, the flame
rofe higher and higher — about nine o'clock, I invited the weary
and heavy laden to come home to the Redeemer and join the fold
of Chrift ; they did not want much inviting, but came forward
boldly to the number of twelve. "They all came and kneeled at
the table. On Sunday, we ha$ meeting at William Pool's s the
new,
37
new converts carried the flame with them. Perhaps it was the
greateft day 1 ever (aw, the Lord was of a truth in the midft, the
iblemn air that l'at on all faces— the floods of tears and lamen-
tations, the (houts of praife, and almoit general fpirit of prayer
among all forts of people, made this a day never to be forgotten.
This day twenty-one new members were added to the church.
The meeting, with fmall intermiffiorr, continued till paft nine
o'clock at night, when brother Martin and myfelf, having no
help, were obliged to lend the people home, being quite exhausted.
From what has been laid, you have had a view of the beginning
of this glorious work, I ihall now confine mylelf chiefly to thofe
times.when new members were added, as this will give you an
idea of its progress. The Sunday night following, we had prayer
meeting at 'l'quire Martin's ; one converted, and nine added.
The next night we had two converted. The Thursday week
after, two were added : on Saturday one was converted in my
own houfe, and many awakened. On Sunday, at Mc. Laughlin's,
the largeft congregation by far that ever was teen here. Sinners
trembled on every fide. It was a day of remarkable power, and
nine were added ;
On Monday, January 31ft, we had alove-feaft. It is impofil-
ble to defcribe the inexpreflible fweetnefs of that day.# The young
converts fpoke to admiration ; two or three were juftified by faith
this day. At night we had prayer meeting at T. Crelap's ; and
two were added.
Sunday, February 13th. Preached at Mc Laughlin's, and
feven were added. Sunday 20th, meeting at Old town, we had
a gracious day, four were added. On Thurfday, at Luther
Mart'm?s, one was added. On Sunday 27th, at Pool's, we had
a glorious day, nine were added here, and three at Old town.
. Thurlday, March 3d, in my own houi'e ; we had fuch a time
in family worfhip, as I never law before. The next Wednesday
night, at the widow Breeze's, two were added. Saturday, we
had meeting at Mc Laughlin's, in the day, and at S. Taylor's, at
night, five were added this day and night. Thurfday, March
17th, we had meeting at brother Martin's, two were added.
Thus I have given you in as few words as poffible a lketch of
the beginning and progrels of.the moft remarkably gracious work
among us. It has not reached far as yet, but appears to be
ip reading. Yours,
I. I. JACOB.
Extracl of a Letter from a little boyt to Bishop Asbury.
March 20th, 1803.
Dear Pappa Asbury , ,
1 take the opportunity by Mr. Matthews, to let you know
that 1 am bountl for heaven and glory : and inform you of the
bleffed
38
Weffed treafure I have found fince I faw you ; that is, the love of
God :n ray foul ; Glory ! glory to my blciVed Jelus ! that he gave
me to iee that I was a firmer, and that 1 now feel his love in my
fbu) ; and by his grace, 1 am determined to l'erve and prai.fe him
wh ie he gives me breath. — There is a great revival of religion in
and about New-Town, fince you paffed this way. Jt commenced
about that time and ftill goes on ; finners are coming home to
GOD.
J mould be very happy to fee you, this Summer: we have
kappy times, my dear Pappa. Preaching, praying, finging and
Shouting ; ray foul is filled with joy, efpecially at thefe rcfrefhing
feaibns ; hoping that one day 1 {hall meet my dear Pappa in hea-
ven, who is gone before me.
i hope you will excufe my liberty in writing, for I love you,
and 1 want you to know how good the Lord is to poor unworthy
me. Pleafe to remember me in your prayers, that 1 may be
faithful unto the end.
1 remain, your unworthy bo v.
JOHN TALBUTT.
Georgia. April 21ft, 1803;
TO give you a narrative of the work of God, in its remark-
able occurrences, fince my letter to you, cannot be done with
cafe; it may fuffice to fay, that the firft general camp-meeting
that 1 attended, in the Georgia difiri6t was at a quarterly meeting
Iteld for Little River circuit, and commenced on Friday the 8th,
and doted on Tuelday 12th of October, 1802, at Rehoboth Cha-
pel, Warren county. The ground was opened at the meeting
koule in an oblong of near a quarter of a mile, with two ftages at
lint able diftances, having the meeting houl'e in the midft ; the
people began to pitch their tents as early as Thurlday night : by
Sunday the carriages were computed at upwards of one hundred ;
the number of people at feven thoufand ; the Communicants at fix
hundred; Preachers at twenty-fix. Viz. eighteen Methodifts,
three Prefbyterians, and five Baptifts. Preaching at the ibund of
a trumpet at the hours of eight, twelve, three; and at night, the
exereife of finging, and prayer; in the intervals pointing fouls to
Chrift through faith. Family worihip alio attended by the preach-
ers, night and morning, at fuch tents as were molt convenient,
where feveral families might unite. Souls were converted on this
kcond day. On Sabbath a'maiterly difcourfe by Hull, prepara-
tory to the faerament. The two crowds from each ftage marched
to the houfc, which was like the meeting of two armies, and the
&outs of the redeemed were heard in the midft. At the table my
aw foul feafted on the riches of Paradife : ray cup was filled, yea
. " it
39
it ran over, while I proclaimed aloud, and concealed not the truth,
no, not in the great congregation. On Monday the exercife
increafed greatly, and Monday night was the greatelt I ever law.
The engagement was general. 1 laboured by moon-fhine, under
the trees, wet with fweat, and with the dew of the night until
two 'clock. On Tuefday before the dole, the wife of Col .William.
Stith, judge of civil law, being powerfully converted, lifted up
her voice with ftrength, and ihouting among the thoufands, came
hear the ftage (himfelf prefent,) to render thanks to God for con-
verting her foul at that meeting. This made way for one to pro-
pose that all remaining on the ground (for numbers had gone away |
who had attained the like bleffing, during the fame period, would
ftand forth with Mrs. Stith : a cloud of witnefles flood forth ; t
iuppofe above fifty. I have concluded on a modeate leak there
might have b°en one hundred converted during the meeting.
Thurfday and Friday 14fh and 15th of October, I attended a
prefbvterian camp- meeting, with Robert Cunningham, and had
the pleafure to hear feveral openly teftify, they had obtained a
laving religion at the Warren meeting, feveral 1 truft at this
meeting obtained religion. From thence I palled on and attended
a quarterly meeting for Appalatche circuit, Saturday, Sunday,
Monday, 23d, 24th, 25th of October, at Pentecoft meeting houfe,
and although we were 1 urrounded with meetings by other denomi-
nations, yet the Lord gave us a large audience, and a great time,
with faints and linhers,- ten converted and nine joined: from thence
1 attended a quarterly meeting at Cold* Water meeting houte ia
Broad River circuit, where your appointments entered on the
diftiift, your being hindered from us through affliction, brother
N, Snethen came and we had a good meeting, four were convert-
ed. From thence we proceeded to the place where your appoint-
ments weteformedinto a jointcamp meeting with the Prefbyterians^
which commenced on Thurfday the 1 1th, and clofed on Monday,
November 14th, near Lexington Ogle-Thorp county. The out-
lines of this encampment were near a mile round. The firft day
was moftly taken up in pitching the tents, lb me cutting down
trees, lb me carrying off, others riling boards. About noon I was
directed to open meeting, which 1 endeavoured to do from Rev.
xiv. 6, 7. at one ftage, and Henry Mols at the other. Friday
night the bounds of the ground was thickly flowed with camps-
The number that attended on this occafion is computed from eight
to ten thoufand ; the number of carriages at two hundred and fifty:
Preachers twenty-five, Methodifts fifteen, Itinerants five, Local
ten, Prefbyterians four, Epilcopalians one, Baptifis five ; the
cpnverfion'of fouls began on Friday night, and the exercife increafed
day and night, during our flay on the ground. It is impoffible to
afcertain with any degree of prefcifion the number converted On
this occafion ; but 1 Fuppofe from one to one hundred and fifty.
During this cxercife; Gen. James Steward difcovered a mark of
general fhip,
40
generalfhip, in the converfion of his brother-in-law, Capt. J.
.Floyd. Some time previous Capt. Floyd appeared under the
alarms of a guilty confcience, but threw off his conviction, and
came to this meeting, only to gratify the wifhes of his wife. Gen.
Steward watching an opportunity, invited Mr. Floyd apart,
telling him, he believed him to be a man of honour, candour, and
truth* and that what he undertook he was faithful to perform,
therefore defired he would then give him his hand in confirmation,
that he would pray to God with him during life, for falvation,
and if they went to hell to go with a prayer in their mouths :
which pTopofal Capt. Floyd acceded to, and after brother N.
Snethen had preached a fermon, and brother Hull had exhorted,
from the Valley of dry bones j (or rather under the adminiftration
of the word) in the prefence of thousands, Capt. F. fell among
others, into an agony of convictions: 1 ftepped to him in full
faith, for 1 felt the lanftifying power of the Spirit in foul and body,
and while 1 was praying, and pointing him to Jei'us, he was vifi-
bly delivered, and praifed God in an extacy of joy. He called
for his wife, the partner of his boibm, who came weeping and
fell into his arms, laying, are you going to leave me? after this,
palling through the crowd he cried out to Gen. Steward, don't
you remember the bargain we made this morning (being the Sab-
bath). Many at the cloi'e, unable to help themielves, were put
into waggons, and carried home.
At the time of the appointment at Washington, we had a warm
time in the academy, and I received thirteen members intofociety.
At the quarterly meeting, in your appointment at Augufta^ we
had a profitable time—one converted.
I attended a temporary camp-meeting in Handcock county, at
a prefbyterian meeting-houfe, called Ebenezer, which commenced
on Friday the llth, and doled Tuefday the 15th of February,
J 803. This being a vacated congregation, the meeting was ap-
pointed and directed by brother Hull and myielf. Brother Hull
not attending, nor any p.efbyterian minifters, the management
fell on me ; and, notwithstanding the weather was wet and cold,
we had about three thouland hearers.
Our firft general camp-meeting, for the year 1803, was at our
quarterly meeting for Little River circuit, at James Chaple's, near
Scotts, on Little River, Columbia County, which commenced
on Friday the 25th, and doled on Tuefday the 29th of March,
2 803— fix thoufand were fuppofed to be preient. The exercife
quickly began by the happy falutation of the Stith family, this
being the firft camp-meeting fince feveral of them were converted.
The converfion of fouls began on the firft day, which continued,
I believe, every day and night, during our ftay. The great utility
of this meeting, was, in brightening the evidences of the young
converts ; for many had become flat and dull in the interval of
conference, for want of religious exercises, Our meeting doled
by
41
by having a love-feaft at fun-rife at the ftage, in the open field,
under the trees, in pretence of about five hundred people, chiefly
prot'effors— a glorious time we had — the chriftians fpake with life,
while ftout-hearted finners were melted into tears, 1 do aflure
you, the. fweet union contracted at fuch meetings, and enjoyed
for days together, like a heaven upon earth, makes folemn im-
preflions on parting with each other. On the Sabbath of this
meeting we had atrial of our faith, by a thunder ftorm, wind and
rain, which appeared to threaten, and, for a fmall fp'ace, excited
the fears of fome, as we were dwelling in tents : but he that laid
to the lea, when troubled, ' peace, be ftill, and there was a calm*
quietly broke the clouds, which paffed by with very little rain,,
confidering what clouds attend on thefe occafions. We have very
little diibrder ; but it is owing to Ariel: and good economy. I
have confined my defcriptions principally to great meetings, and
have omitted a number of remarkable occurences which have ap-
peared at the intermediate meetings, clais meetings, love feafts,
prayer meetings, &c.
There had been feveral camp-meetings in Georgia, that I was
not at, previous to thofe mentioned, where Jehovah prefided iri
majefty and power, and many were brought to God.
The profpect of union between the prefbyterians and metho-
difts, ftill bears a pleating afpect, as you may fee by the copy of
a letter at our laft camp- meeting, from one of their principal
minifters.
Ogechee, March 2Gth, 1803.
I received your friendly epiftle, requefting my attendance
at the camp-meeting : I hope you are fatisfied that I have mani-
fefted a with from principle and praclice^ to cultivate a friendly
intercourfe between the two focieties, and unite our ftrength againffc
the common enemv. It is providentially out of my power to attend
your meeting, for fome of the following reafons : firft, family
inconveniences ; fecond, congregational inconveniences J have
not been a fabbath at home, fince January, and mutt ibon leave
home to attend a Prefbytery. Thefe two reafons, with others I
could mention, will ftand with you, as a fufficient apology. It
has been,^ and is my prayer, that God may make your meeting-
the occaiion of much good to Zion, &c.
Your friend and brother
In the gofpel of our Lord,
ROBERT CUNNINGHAM.
Your brother, friend, and
Well wither in Jefus Chrift,
STJLTH MEAD.
Alexandria Diftridt, September 1ft, 1803.
AT Berkeley we had a large concourie of x "ople ; the power
F of
42
of the Lord was prefent : believers were much refrefhcd and
quickened; ten or twelve pro fiefled to find him of whom Moles
in the law and the prophets did write. Here we meai'urably loft
our conqueft, by ending the meeting on the Sabbath afternoon.
In Fairfex. the quarterly meeting was held at Rector-town, a
place famous for wickednefs and the neglect of religious duties.
On Saturday and the Sabbath, we had a powerful'time. Five or
fix proferTed, thele were all from a diftance. We continued the
meeting Monday and Tuefday, when the Lord gave us five or
fix more, thele were people of the neighbourhood.
When I returned to the neighbourhood of R.ecl:or-town, 1 found
the good feed fown lpringing up, and bearing the precious fruits
of repentance, faith and holinels, i'everal more were converted,
and many others were under good impreilions when 1 was lait
there: the work appears ltill to be going on, the fociety had
increafed nearly three times the number it had been formerly.
On the 20th of Auguft;, 1 met the preachers and people in
quarterly meeting at BulPs-Skin in Winchefter circuit, here we
had a kind of camp -meeting which lafted four days; numbers
ftayed on the ground Saturday and Sabbath night, the Lord was
with us of a truth, at a moderate calculation we think there mult
have been from forty to fifty converted, and a number profeffed
to be renewed in love. The week following I went on to the
Alleghany quarterly meeting, here we continued three days and
the Lord greatly blefled us with iuccefs, there were from twelve
to fifteen who profefied to be converted.
DANIEL HITT.
Auguft 22nd, 1803.
1 am happy to inform you that the Lord is doing wonders in
Limeftone circuit. We have added near three hundred, about
fifty of which number, have come in within a few weeks paft.
This is the laft day of the quarterly meeting in Limeftone circuit.
Our meeting has continued day and night with buj: little inter-
miffton. Sinners are flocking home to God by hundreds : Glory !
Glory to God, my foul is on the wing !
WILLIAM BURKE.
State of Tenneffee, Summer circuit, September, 1803.
UNTIL now, 1 never had a convenient opportunity of
fending you a line fince your departure from the country. At that
tirac our prefbytery fat. A vote was carried by a majority of the
members
43
members for the » . of three unlearned men to preach the gof-
pel The Lord has graciouily owned thel'e licenciates by making
them initruments in the converfion of many. The Lord's gracious
work goes on amon^ft us, though i'ometimes apparently at a ftand.
Lait fpring it teemed tomewhat to increafe, and is now glorioufly
leviving.
In a frontier ibciety fouth of Cumberland River (a fettlement
little moie than two years old) the Lord's {'upper was adminiitered
a few weeks pait, fourteen profeifed during the meeting, and
feveral immediately after.
At the Ridge l'acrament upwards of twenty profeffed. Lait
Sabbath at Goofe-Creek we had as great a meeting for the number
of people as we have ever had in this country ; many think it was
the greateft. There were between thirty and forty profeiTed.
One fiubborn infidel was made to own the Lord who bought
him. The Lord remarkably fmiles upon the feafon of giving and
receiving the elements in all our lacramental and quarterly meet-
ings. The gracious reviving influences of the holy Spirit flow lb
copioufly, that there is frequently a general Ihout among the
communicants from one end of our long-tables to the other. With
Unutterable pleafure i can aflure you, our blefled union increafes,
Glory to God! there is not jar, a word, nor look unkind among
us, but the molt fincere and growing affection : Minifiers and
people l'peak the lame things, and act towards each other as chil-
dren of the lame family. When a gale from the heavenly hills
blows on the great aiTembly, O how delightful to lee preachers and
people fly into each others arms with tranl ports of joy and affection.
WILLIAM HODGE.
Cumberland, September 6th, 1303.
1 am happy to inform you that we are in common health :
thanks be to God, he is yet carrying on his work. Sinners are
yet coming home. 1 believe we have not had one lacramental
meeting fince you was here, but what has been crowned with the
converfion of fouls , and of late we have had three powerful meet-
ings. The firff, about twenty, the lecond, upwards of thirty
ptofefTed to find Jems. The laft, a goodly number, we cannot
tell how many. Glory to God for ever, he works wonders !
JOHN Mc GEE.
Winchefter circuit, Auguft 18th, 1803.
SUNDAY, April 17th, I preached at Davenport's chapel,
F2 the
44
the Lord was prefent in public, and we had alio a precious time in
cla'fs-meeting ; four joined fociety. Tuefday, May 3rd, 1 preached
at brother Scarp's, a few miles below Battletown, where fatan
long had his feat. My congregation was fmall, but ferious, one
of the congregation came to lpend the evening with me ; at the
time of family prayer, the power of God came down upon us.
The man cried out for mercy and in a very little time the Lord
bleffed him. He {touted glory, glory to God, for nearly four
hours with very little intermiffion. Next a little girl (brother
ScarfFs daughter,) cried out, " what fhall I do, Oh what ihall t
do," 1 exhorted her to give her heart to Jelus, fhe then cried,
Lord here is my heart ! O Lord take it, and fo continued till the
Lord bleffed her alto. She then ran to her mother and fillers,
fhouting and praiiing the Lord.
Not long after three of her fillers, all older than herfelf were
brought to the floor and cried aloud for mercy, 1 can truly fay I
never law pe'rlors in deeper diftrels About twelve o'clock the
el deft rofe with a bright evidence that God had forgiven all her
fins, and then another, and then the fourth ; lb that before iwo
o'clock in the morning they were all rejoicing in the Lord A
greater time of powei 1 have feldom felt. Wednefday 4th, we
had prayer meeting in the lame neighbourhood. In the evening
the news fpread, lb that a whole houfe- full came out to fee the
wonder. The power of the 1 ord came down upon us again.
Two young men, a lad, and four or five women appeared to be in
deep diftrefs. Some ran away, others flood amazed. One wo-
man continued to cry for mercy till after midnight. Her cry was,
*' Can you all go away and leave a poor firmer in diftrefs ? O friends
pray for me a poor finner. Jelus died for poor finners, and he died
forme." 1 was fo exhaufted that 1 could fcarcely fpeak to be
heard, but my heart was moved at fuch a cry of diftrefs, and I
feit a degree of faith. 1 went to her and afked what do you want
the Lord to do for you ? her anfwer was, to fancfify, to juftify
me. I tO'd her 1 hoped the Lord had juftified her if fhe could but
believe it, and 1 exhorted her to prail'e the Lord for what he had
already done for her. That moment fhe role and mouted giory
to God ! glory to God ! fhe ftill retains a firm confidence that God
has juftified her foul. The lad got converted lince, and four of
the above mentioned women, a month after, in the fame houle.
The work is ftill going on in that neighbourhood, the place is
greatly reformed.
Saturday the 7th, our quarterly meeting began at Front-royal,
that afternoon the work broke out in a private houfe under ringing
and prayer, "the houfe was foon filled with people, when four
were converted. Next morning the work went on glovioufly in
love-feaft, feveral more were converted, and the Lord's faints,
ihouted aloud for joy.
Sunday the 29th., I preached at Front-royal, It being a rainy
day.
45
day, our congregation was but (mail, we had a veryfolemn time.
Ten or twelve who were not members ftaid in clafs. I opened a
door to receive members, but none feemed dif poled to join. On
which 1 propoied to pray for them, if they would come forward,
eight or ten came and fell upon their knees, we joined in prayer
for them, and the Lord's converting power came down, and ihe
one that came up firft, rote prailing God, and then another. I
turned to the men, four or five of whom were down, and exhorted
them to look to the Lord. One of our friends obferved another
man in another corner of the houl'e, wreftling in prayer, he got
him to come up to the reif, he came, fell down on his knees and
cried aloud for mercy. In a few moments one of them afoie and
ihouted glory, and then another, and then the one that came up
lalt. One poor young man remained in diftrefs. L do not recol-
1 eel ever being at a meeting where lb many got converted info
ihort a time, fix prolefTed to find the Lord, nine joined fociety.
who alio were much refreftied on this occafion. The work haS
fince gone on molt glorioufly in that place, &c. &rc.
At our quarterly meeting which began lalt Saturday, we had a
glorious time — many finners were awakened, and at lealt twenty
converted. We added to the lbciety about one hundred and
twenty or thirty the lalt quarter. HENRY SMITH.
Georgia Diftria, November 1 lth, 1803.
AT Broad River and Apalachie quarterly meetings, about
thirtv or forty were converted at each.
The quarterly meeting for Oconee circuit was at Harris's cha-
pel : about two or three hundred lbuls aflembled : fourteen
methodift preachers, and a number of lively exhorters : about
thirty waggons, and many other carriages, and ab'.ut thirty tents.
Converfions at this meeting were clear and powerful,;, and as to
numbers, not many fhort of one hundred profefled converting
grace: among thefe was a poor Indian. The flame. fpread in
different directions ; fome were converted in their waggons, and
Others after they returned home.
At the camp-meeting in Stenchecombs chapel, forty or fifty
found the Lord.
At the camp -meeting near Liberty chapel, many were awakened
and fifty converted. 1 am, &c.
STITll MEAD.
Alexandria Diftrift, near Frederickiburg, Dec. 6tft, 1803,
THkquarterly meeting at Leefburg continued until Tuef-
day
46
day between two and three o'clock in the morning, in which time,
at a moderate calculation, there rauft have been forty converted,
and about four bleit with ianctifying love.
I am,
Your's in the Lord,
DANIEL H1TT.
Oftober 25th, 1803.
I SUPPOSE you with to hear of our camp-meeting which be-
gan on Friday, and as particulars may be agreeable, 1 will give
you them. From Friday evening till Saturday morning there
■were ten converted — from Saturday morning till Sunday, morning
there were twenty — from Sunday morning til! Monday morning
there were twenty — from Monday morning till Tuetday evening,
*\vhen we were obliged to break up, there were forty or upward.
Upon the whole, 1 think there were about one hundred and ten
torofefled faith ; though ibme would place the number at one
hundred and fifty.
One circumftance took place on Monday afternoon at four
o'clock, which I mult particularly mention— After fermon, one
of the preachers gave a Ibort exhortation, and called upon the
members to be prayed for ; twenty or thirty came running to the
ftand, like fouls running from the jaws of death. Without any
intermiffion, the cries continued till dark, and then we had to
move them off to another part of the encampment, where others
were crying for mercy. Few, 1 fuppoie, ever law fuch a light as
was then to be feen. The mighty fell — the cries increafed — and
about twenty were railed to the liberty of God's children.
Nor is this the onlv meeting that has been thus remarkably
nbticed by the Lord. We held a camp-meeting at Pike-run laft
Auguft, at which many, very many fouls were let at liberty. J
was told by one of the preachers, that in his circuit he had found
fifty who were converted at it ; and another preacher, that he
found in his circuit twenty. At love-feaiis or clals-meetings, in
that part of the country, it is no uncommon thing to hear them
bleffing God for Pike-run meeting. The change that has taken
place in thefe parts, is pleating. J can pals through this country
and fee what a rapid progrels the gofpel has made in two or three
years, in fpite of all enemies. O ! may it go on and profper more
abundantly, is my prayer.
THORNTON FLEMING.
Newbern diftrict, December, 16th, 1803
THE greateft times we have had, have been at our camp-
meetings. Great pains have been uied to prevent irregularities and
diforder,
47
diforder, which has fo far won the hearts of the people to them
th;it they want eamp-rneetings almoii every where. Jt is impofli-
hle to tell the good which has been done at them ; for while fbme
have been crying for mercy others have been ihouting the praiies
of the Moll Highi there would not be a linner found who would
open his mouth againvfc the work. At the firft camp-meeting, 1
luppole there were twenty-leven converted. Several at the lecond
and third, about ten at the fourth, and about fixty-ieven at the
laft, which was held in my ditrridt. Jn the lower part of the
district, we have had the greateft l'eafons that have been ever teen ;
and 1 hope the Work will go on and profper.
1 am, &c.
JONATHAN JACKSON.
Baltimore diflrid, December 6th, 1803.
1 have been confined by ficknefs for many days, but am now
in a way of recovery. The work in the city and circuits has been
moving on in power. In the Federal City and George-town a
goodly number have joined fociety. In Prince George and Calvert
circuits, feven hundred and feventy-two joined in the firft, fix
months after conference ; and from the information I received, in
two rounds afterwards, upwards of one thoufand joined, in other
places the work has been going forward, without any vifible de-
clcnlion. 1 am thine in the Lord.
WILSON LEE.
Baltimore, December 8th, 1803.
THE aufpicious twenty-fourth of September at length ar-
rived; the ground was cleared, the ftand was erected, &c. for we
had lpent three days in the work, On Saturday, about fifteen
miles from Baltimore, a little to the eaft of Reiftortown road,
we commenced public exercife, on as handfbme a piece of ground,
as perhaps, you ever law for the purpofe. Several converts hail-
ed the beams of the Sabbath morning, and the brighter beams of
the Sun of Righteoulhels. The congregation on Sunday was vaft
indeed. About noon, the work became vifible, and general, in
that part of the crowd where the christians flood. Three o'clock
on Monday morning, put a period to the public exerciles. But
we all welcomed the firft dawn of the day, with joyful hearts.
O ! Happy day ! O day of mercy and lalvation, never to be for-
gotten ! Twice 1 fell proftrate upon the ftand, beneath the over-
whelming power of laving grace,* The day is canonized — it is
memprable in the church, to numbers, as the happy Monday,
the blefled 26th of September, 1803. The number converted
* This man had been oppofed to a noife before,
cannot
48
cannot be afcertalned ; but all will agree that there were an hun-
dred or upwards, who were fubjects of an extraordinary work,
either of conviction, converfion, or fanctification. The Sunday
following 1 took my leave of Baltimore ; having deferred my de-
parture lb long on account of the camp-meeting. On my way to
the Potowmac, I attended Montgomery and .Frederick quarterly
meetings. :The former was a glorious feafon. Saturday, Sunday
and Monday were days of the Son of Man. — Hallelujah ! O
glory I I am, &c.
NICHOLAS SNETHEN.
Camden Diftria, July 28th, 1803.
AFTER attending feveral camp-meetings, the particluars of
which 1 will not detail ; but contenting mytelf with faying the
Lord was with us at every one, I will proceed to give you an ac-
count of one held in Sandy-River circuit, which began the firft
day of July. 1 have feen, in my travels many good and great
times ; but among finners, I think this was the greateft I ever
law. On Saturday, the Lord began to {hake fatan's kingdom in
a glorious manner. On this day, a man was ft ruck with the
power of God, who tried to get oft the ground, but got only
about three hundred yards, when he fell and cried for mercy.
Another fuch cafe happened on Sunday. One of the brethren and
mytelf retired into the bufhes for private devotion ; fcarcely were
we there, when a man came along, lamenting his wretched cafe ;
two men following him, with whom he pleaded, to ftay behind,
while he mould go and pour out his foul to God. We flood and
liftened at him ; it was truly affecting ; he confeffed his fins in
thefe words, " O God, I have finned againft thee, and dared thee
to thy face ; and I defer ve nothing but hell ; yet J plead for mer-
cy !" And I have no doubt but he obtained that mercy he pleaded
for. On Sunday, and Sunday night, the power of darknels gave
back. Many finners were on the ground crying for mercy, and
many believers crying for perfect love. About twenty found re-
demption in the blood of Jefus at that time.
I next 'attended a camp-meeting in Union circuit; the Lord
was with us indeed ; many were convicted, and feveral converted,
and the fhouts of his people were heard afar off. At the VVaxaws
alio 1 had a very remarkable and gracious time ; though this was
chiefly among believers Several fpoke in love-feaft and teftified
that the blood of Chrift had cleanted them from all fin. Eight
more profefled to have received the fame bleffing and the fame
witnefs at this meeting. Thus the work goes on. May it fpread
more rapidly is my fervent prayer, 1 am &c.
JAMES JENKIN.
New-
49
New-London diftrift, December 5th, 1803.
THERE has been ya. extraordinary work in the city of
Middleton. It began at a kind of field-meeting ^hey had in that
circuit in September l.a<t. As it was down Connecticut river,
about fifty went from Middleton by water. Some of them were
awakened at,the, meeting, and eight or nine were converted, on
their return, before, they got home. The city was loon alarmed,
and from that time the work began to fpread. About forty> it is
iuppoied, werebrouaht to the faving knowledge of the Lord in
about fix .weeks. The fpirit of persecution is much awake. The
houfes where they affembje are frequently ftoned, and the windows
broke to pieces, but all this does not move the young converts,
who are as bold, as lions. DANIEL OSTRANDER,
Baltimore difirid, February <)th, 1804.
IN anfwer to yourV which came laft night to hand, I will
give you Come account of the ftate of my diftri6r, and of the work
in pther parts. The work ftill goes on in almoft all the circuits
and towns in the diftrid. There was a glorious i'eafbn at the
camp-meeting at Reifter's Town, and there are great times at
molt or all the quarterly meetings.
Brother Rowen informs me that at a quarterly meeting at
Leefburg, about fifty fouls found peace with God. And brother
Ward had a camp-meeting in his diftrift, which lafted nine days,
at which two hundred were converted to Gx)d. Brother Hitt
informs me that the quarterly meeting in Alexandria, lafted a
week. All glory be to God for what he is doing for faints and
finners. I am kc.
, ■ WILSON LEE.
■ - ■ s }
Baltimore, Odober, 1803,
I hasten to give you fome account of our glorious camp-
meeting; . but al^s ! ,all defcription fails. It would take an
Addjfon or a Pope to give you even an idea of the lovely grove,
particularly in the night, when the moon glimmered through the
trees, and all was love and harmony* The ftand was placed at
the bottom of fever al fmall hills, on which our tents an,d waggons
were placed. The meeting began on Saturday, and was very
lively.
On Sunday morning, Mr. S— — called his family to prayer-
meeting. At ten o'clock public preaching began, and great was
the power of God. .There were lcarcely any intermiffion day or
night. It .looked awf^L, and folemn to fee a number of fires
G burning
50
burning before the tents, and the trees with lanterns and candles
fut'pended to them. No found was heard, except Glory to God
in the highefl ! or, mercy! mercy! Such a night, my father, I
never faw or felt before. Many fouls were converted, and many
witnefled that God was able to cleanfe from all tin.
On Monday morning there was fuch aguft of the power of God,
that it appeared to me, the very gates of hell would give way.
All the people were filled with wonder, love and praife. Mr.
S— -came and threw himielf in our tent, crying, " Glory ! glory !
this is the happieft day 1 ever faw/' He fays he never knew fuch
a continual power and in create of the love of God for three days
and nights. We call it " the happy Monday." Yes, it was a
happy, happy Monday ! a day long to be remembered, and a night
never to be forgotten. O ! how 1 longed for you, that you might
fhare in the happinefs of your unworthy child. Nor was our
parting lels glorious than our meeting ; for feveral received perfect
love after the congregation broke up. They 'were under the
necerTity of difmiffing. the people for want pf preachers ; all that
were prefent were worn out. Truly the harveft was great, but
the labourers were few.
Thole who were abfent, know not what they have loft ; nor
can they form any idea of what we enjoyed ; It was none other
than the gate of heaven.
Where ! O ! where fhall we begin to praife redeeming love, for
the peace and comfort and affurance our fouls felt in realizing the
promifesof an unchangeable Jehovah. Camp-meeting! why the
very name thrills through every nerve ! and almofl makes me
think I am in the charming woods. Every foot of ground teemed
to me facred. I faw nothing, heard nothing to-moleft my peace :
Not one jarring firing. Every thing feemed to combine together
to promote the glory of God, and his gofpel.
Such indeed, my dear father, was our meeting ; and 1 can but
lament my inability to give you an. account of it ; but it was better
felt than expreffed. Sometimes you would fee more than one
hundred hands railed in triumphant praife with united voices,
giving glory to God, for more than one hour together, with eyery
mark of unfeigned humility and reverence.
The time between lervices was not taken up with " what fhall
we eat, or what fhall we drink ; " but in weeping with thofe'that
wept, and rejoicing with thofe that rejoiced, and that had found
the pearl of great price.
The preachers all feemed as men filled with new wine. Some
itanding crying, others pToTrrate on the ground, as infenfible to
every earthly object ; while the Mafter of afTemblies was lpeaking
to the hearts of poor finners, who flood trembling under afenle of
the power and prefence of a fin-^avenging God. They feemed
unwilling to move from the f'pot where they flood, with their eyes
fixed on them that were rejoicing in God their Saviour.
After
51
After all was over, I walked over the ground by moon-light—
the l'cene was i'olemn and delightful. When I left the place, I
cannot defcribe the emotion 1 felt. It was l'omething like parting
with all that was dear to me. My foolilh heart kept laying, adieu
ye lacred groves, adieu— never, never fhall I lee you more.
. I am your .dutiful
And affectionate daughter,
FANNY LEWIS.
Lexington circuit, Kentucky, March 20th, 18041
1 have feen fome very wonderful dilplays of divine power in
this circuit lince conference. About twenty joined fociety at
Mount Gerizzim, the firft time 1 was there, great part of whom
profeffed to he converted. About the third time I was round the
circuit, 1 held a watch-night at brother G— — 's, in Scott County,
near George-Town, where the Lord poured out his Spirit in a
very pleating manner ; moftly among the young people ; the flain
of the Lord were many, and two or three children, about ten or
twelve years of age, appeared to be converted. .
The work i'pread from that meeting all through the neighbour,
hood. Prayer meetings were kept up, and by the time 1 came
round to that place again, numbers more were convidted and
converted. 1 now had a gracious time in preaching, the fire was
kindled, finners wept, faints rejoiced. 1 then propoted to join
thole in fociety that delired to flee from the wrath to come ; and
fourteen came forward and joined that day, a great part of whom
1 believe enjoy religion. The work is ftill threading in that part
of the circuit. The old profeflbrs in general are ftirred up to leek
for perfect love, 1 have frequently tried to preach on it latterly.
Numbers have obtained it, and are-no w flaming in religion, while
others are preffing after it. LAUNER BLACKMAN.
Limeftone, April 13th, 1804. >
AS 1 cannot attend the general conference, I think it my
duty to oblerve to you, that the Weftern conference is, in my
judgment, of much more importance- than many think it to be.
Methodil'm appears to be eftablifhed in the hearts of our people
throughout our diftricT:. We enjoy confidence, peace, and love.
And while the neighbouring churches experience fome ferious
diitrefles, church bulinels goes on 1'mooth and agreeably with us.
rO that it may ever continue lb ! the work is extending from the
centre to the circumference, in almoft every dsre&ion.
Wm, M'KENDREE.
G 2 Cumberland
52
Cumberland Diltria, March 27th, 18(M.
THERE has been and ft ill is a pleating union between the
metbodiffs and prefbyterians, in Cumberland. It has been
eftablifhed on chriftian principles, and ffands on good ground.
There is a wonderful famenefs of fentiment, together with a firm-
neis and integrity on both fides to fupport the union, and to pieis
after vital holinefs. It has been productive of great good. Where
they are thus united, pure religion is attended with ardent defires
for Zion's profperity, and the falvation of tinners, (without the
leaft degree of party zeal) While brotherly love reciprocally glows
in their hearts, every thing muft give way. — Infidels are confound-
ed— the mouths of gainfayers flopped— the work proipers, and 1
hope will profper. LEWIS GARRETT.
Portland, Auguft 2d, 1804.
THE fubjects of the great work which you witrieffed, lived
chiefly at a diftance from the place of our conference ; and of
confequence when they were to ieparate with the rifing of the
conference, ft was like pulling apart the fuel of a large fire. The
heat abates upon the i'pot, where it had been kindled ; but I hope
in this inftance the feveral brands will be a means of kindling fires
in various parts of the country. 1 have not ascertained the exact
number who were converted in the time of the conference, but
from the belt account that 1 could get, it appears that between
forty and fifty profeffed to find peace with God ; befides a number
who were awakened. It was, I believe,, the greateft time that
•we have ever leen in New -England. Every day was interefting
and powerful, as there were mOreor lei's awakened, or converted
every day. But among all the days, Monday appears to have
been the molt coni'picuous for the dilplays of divine power: feveral
■who fell to the ground on that day under the power of the word,
appear now to be mining .lights. 1 will mention one inftance of
■which 1 did not know the circumftance fully 'till after your de-
parture. Mr. Roberts of Gorham, who had led a very wicked
life, and from the diftiel's which he had accafioned his father,
was called " trial Roberts" came from home on Monday morning
in a very high mood, as if he had been going to a frolick. When
the work began to be powerful, be oppoled it, and having a fifter
in the crowd, he attempted to go in. to bring her out : he had
but taken a few fteps before he fell to the earth, and began to cry
for mercy. Otheis united in prayer for him, and before he left
the place he found fbme comfort. He was, however in great
diftreis afterward, but was delivered in anCwer to prayer, when
■with two of h;s neighbours in a field of corn. After which he
■went round amone his acquaintances and connections, conferring
his
33.
his former fin?, and proclaiming what great things God had done
for him. At this, the people have been {truck with affomfhment,
(for all, 1 believe, acknowledge it to be the power of God in him)
and ibme have been awakened through his means.
JOSHUA TAYLOR^
■ ■•
Miffifiippi Territory, March" 20th, 180 4.
THROUGH divine mercy my life has been preferved* I have
enjoyed my health this winter rather better than uiual. Praiie
the Lord, O my foul, and forget not all his favours.
It was not convenient for us to come here by water ; therefore
we let off through the wildernels on the laft day of October, and,
after thirteen days and twelve nights toil, we came fafe to this
place. 1 have formed a four weeks circuit and called it Wafhing-
ton. A revival has taken place among the poor black people, and
it increafes every round : About thirty of them have .joined the
fociety, and the greater part of them are, I believe, happy in the
Lord. In various places our white congregations are ferious and
attentive. Some are like Agrippa, almoft perfuaded to be chui£«
tians ; but pride, and the honour of the world, have hitherto
hindered them. Thank the Lord, I have, however, feen bioflbms
and a little fruit in this remote part of the vineyard of the Lord.
Our brethren ieem ftirred up to feek their firii love, and tinners.
weep before the Lord. O that God would turn our captivity as
the ftreams of thefouth.
Brother Gibfon was lick when we came here, and (till continues
fo .: his legs are fwelled up to his knees, and he has alfp a violent
cough. He has not preached more than feven or eight times in
nine or ten months. He told me, a little while paft, that he was
willing to meet with death. He and other friends urge me to
ftay in this place a year or more ; and, from the fituation of
things, 1 fuppofe it will be belt for me to continue. Tell my
dear brethren (the young preachers) not t<? be afraid of this place,
for God is here, and fouls have been converted this winter in pub,.
lie and private, and others are enquiring the way to heaven. Here
are alio a great many fouls that muff die like heathens, except
they are viiited by faithful minifters of the gofpel.
There are various places in the country, which Congrefs pur-
chafed from the French, where fcarcely a faithful fermon Was ever
heard.
My hope revives in fecret, and in public preaching, that God
will pour his Spirit on us more abundantly, and that our brethren
will come and help us.
HEZEKIAH HARR1MAN.
Miffiflippi
54
MhTuTippi Territory, April 9th, 1804. '
SINCE I wrote to you laft, ibme things have occurred,
which move me to trouble you with another letter. Brother
Gibl'on has gone to his long home. He preached his laft iermon
on New-Year's day, and it was profitable to a great many iouls :
fince that time he has not been able, -at various times, to hold fa-
mily prayer. 1 was with him f.».ur- weeks before his death, and he
informed me that he was not afraid to die, and teemed to wifh for
the hour- 1-vifited him again about feven hours before he expired,
but he was then fpeechleis. On the fourth day of April, he was
taken with a high fever, and about midnight he began to vomit
Wood and in a fhort time loft his fenfes. He was reftlefs in the
forepart of the day, but:grew weak and calm in the evening, and
about eight o'clock he refigned his fpirit to God in peace. He
died at the widow Gibibn's' near the Walnut-hills, Claiborne
County, on the 5th day of April, lSO^, He was exemplary in
his conduct, and ufeful in his minifterial labours. He continued
labouring in the vineyard of the Lord as long ?.s he was able to
preach or pray. He exprefled lome time before, and in his laft
illnefs, a gieat degree of humility, patience and resignation to the
will of God ; though much debilitated with the consumption for
-two or three years paft. He was efteemed a real chriftian in this
territory, by the righteous and the people of the World. His work
of faith and labour of love is ftill proipering in this piace. " His
heart is ho longer the feat of trouble and torturing pain, it ceaies
to flutter and beat, it never Ihall flutter again."
The Lord has made bare his arm, in another part of the circuit,
a few days paft, and ibme have tafted of the good word of God
and the power of the world to come, and others l'eem deeply
awakened. HEZEK1AH HARR1MAN.
Wilmington, North Carolina, October 18th, 1804.
OUR firft camp-meeting began the 22nd of June, in Bladen
circuit, about ten miles from Wilmington. The power of God
was prefeht to wound and to heal. The cries of the diitrefTed and
the Ihouts of joy from thole that were healed, was truly awful and
pleating. The work broke out the firft day, and increafed until
JSunday evening and Monday morning, when Cod feemed to bow
the heavens, and come like the ruihing of a mighty wind, The
flain of the Lord were many, every mouth was flopped and con-
ferred that it was the power of God. On Monday morning we had
three perfecutors ftruck With the power of God, two fell and never
rofe until God fpoke peace to their lbuls. We fuppote that there
were feventy lbuls found peace with God through our Lord Jelus
Chrift.
Ouj
55
Our next camp-meeting was in Pee- Dee circuit, at brother E.
James's. Upon this occasion, God made bare his arm, and
worked for his own glory. Some fell under the power of God,
and others found redemption in the blood of the Lamb. There
is fti!l ableSTed work in that circuit. There was a camp-meeting
at the Hanging-rock, on Santee circuit. This was a time of
refreshing from the pretence of the Lord, to the fouls of believers.
Sinners were awakened, mourners converted, believers Sanctified,
and backfliders reclaimed'.
The next camp-meeting was at the Beauty-fpot, 21ft Septem-
ber ; ten preachers and numbers of people : we had fbme ftir on
Friday night ; but Was interrupted by the rain. We began the
exerciSe after breakfalt, and continued nearly till night, with very
little ftir ; but under the laft prayer the power of God came down
among the people. The faints began to fhout aloud and prait'e
God. And Sinners began to cry for mercy. Jn:a little time, there
were many agonizing on the ground. Some found the pearl of
great price. The work lafted nearly all night. J n the morning
I gave them my farewell, from 2 Tim. 12 verfe. This was the
gr'eateft time that was Seen among the: preachers, they were filled
with the Holy Ghoft. The laft camp- meeting is juft over laft
Monday, in Bladen circuit, by brother Gauteer's:- ten preachers,
and about Sixteen hundred people. This exceeded all that I ever
law. -The work broke out the firft day, and increated rapidly
until we left the ground. The Lord rode forth . conquering and
to conquer. The devil's kingdom fell like lightning to the ground..
Many Sinners fell under the Senle of guilt and danger, and cried
aloud as if in the agonies of death. Many praifing God for;parr
doriing love, it was truly affecting to See parents, with their
children in their arms, crying over them, and pleading with them
to Serve God. Children pleading with their parents, to flee from
the wrath to come. All Souls were made Subjects of the work,
male and female, whites and blacks^ rich and poor. From the
hoary-headed Sinner, to children ot nine years old, were the Sub-
jects of this bleSTed work. Many Sinners had to fly from the ground
or fall under the power of God. One Sinner that had been burn-
ing the negroes that were down, at laft fell himlell', and never
role till he was happy in God. We S'uppole that there were three
or four hundred christians. About twelve' hundred finners, and
out of twelve hundred, one hundred found th^ Lord. Wc left
the ground about two o'clock in the afternoon, and then feveral
lay on the ground . like dead men. We fuppoJe Since our firSt
camp-meeting, in June, there have been three hundred fouls
converted in and about Bladen circuit.. We had a powerful time
laft nightin this place. Some awakenings' in this town, this
year.
1 have laboured under great weakneSSe9,for two months ; colds
and fevers latterly^ and now 3 ibre leg* but have kept along"
hitherto.
56
hitherto. I do not expect much to take a ftation next year. I
expedt-to meet you in Camden. 1 am as much as ever thine to
obey. JAMES JEN KIN.
Norfolk diftrift, Virginia, (Mober 11th, 1804.
GOD is doing great things for us in .this diftri<3: ; Portsmouth
circuit is in a flame. From eight to fifteen are converted, almoft
everyday in fome neighbourhoods. We had a camp-meeting,
about fix weeks paft, near the town. of Suffolk, where we had a
great time of the power and pretence of God ; we had upwards of
fix thouland hearers ; the meeting began on Friday and continued
day arid night without intermiffion till Monday evening : during
whieh'time we had upwards of four hundred fouls, including the
blacks, 1 truft, truly and powerfully converted to God. Glory,
Glory, Amen I I'here were forae of the firft characters in thole
parts made the happy fubjects of converting grace. .Lawyer Y.—
is happy in God, as is alio Col. R.— — and his wife, and many
others, which would be too tedious to mention. I preached in
Suffolk on Tuefday after the camp-meeting, and added twenty-
two to the fociety in that place. Old brother Potts is all on fire,
and many fouls have found the Lord. There was ajpjeafing p.rof-
pe6t in Camden circuit. Several fouls have latterly been con-
verted there.
The work is going on glorioufly in fome parts of Bertie circuit,
and has been powerful in Amelia circuit, and good times in
Greenfville and Meeklingburg circuits: and OldBrujafwick has
been vifited with a gracious (hower.
DANIEL HALL.
Newjbern diftrift, North-Qarolina, November, 1804.
THERE hasbeen a fmall revival of religion near Trenton,
Trent-River ; perhaps nearly one hundred added in that neigh-
bourhood ; alio Queen's-Creek near Swanf- Bridge, alio fame at
Yelverfton's Cotenthey. There have been fome revivals in many
parts of Roan -oak circuit, and the upper part of Tar-River cir-
cuit ; efpecially about Shous Church, the work goes on well,
among the rich and great.
At a camp-meeting, October 23rd, Ebenezer meeting-houfe,
twelve miles above Halifax, it was fuppofed we had about forty
fouls converted to God.
' At that awful place, Partridge's, we held a camp-meeting on
the fifft Friday in November ; we;had amoft powerful awakening
time ;
57
time ; we (uppofc twelve found the Lord on the ground, and we
heard of tome others, who prof efled, after -they left the encamp-
ment. rHJLLLlr rjivUCL.
^*- ■£* .*- © *> «*> «^»
i
Alexandria diftrift, Fredericks urg, December 3rd, 1804.''
SOON afteri the general conference, 1 commenced my firft
rout of quarterly meetings, at Fort-Royal, in Winchefter circuit,
on the 2nd and 3rd of June ; where we had a very gracious vifita-
tion from above ; and the Lord fhewed his approbation by the
renewal of nine precious fouls, transforming them into his own
image and likenefs. From thence the week following we were at
a place called Hedges chapel, in Berkley circuit : here we had a
fweet and precious time among profeffors, and about fix or feven
profeffed to find the pearl of great price : praifed be the name of
the Lord. . #
1 commenced my fecond rout of quarterly meetings with a regu-
lar camp-meeting, on Bull-fkin, near the white houfe in JefFertbn
county; this began on 11th of Auguft, and continued till the
morning of the 20th, and was conducted under the following
regulations: at fun-rife, each day, at the blowing of the trumpet,
the people affembled at the Hand for morning prayer : after morn-
ing prayers, I detained all the official characters in council : the
dciign of this council was_to correct any improprieties that might
appear, and fuggeft any thing that might be adopted to the advan.
tage and prosperity of the meeting. From morning prayer till 1 Q
o'clock, we got breakfavr. ; at ten o'clock there was preaching ;
at 3 o'clock we took a cold cut ; then fang, prayed, and preached
again.
As foon as evening preaching began, certain men, before apr
pointed for the purpole, took their ftatiori, lome round and through
the congregation, and forne others about the tents and waggons ;
the former of thofe continued their ftation during public exercife*.
The latter, with fubftitutes, continued (generally) through the
whole night. The bufinels of thole men, was to detect any and
all mifconduct in their power ; by this means we kept very good
order : and thus we continued ( with but ljttle variation) from the
1 lth to the morning of the ^Oth day, when we (truck tents, blew
the trumpets and journeyed ; in which time, we calculated on a-
bout fixty-four or fixty-five ocnverted. Hallelujah, prajfe the
Lord. It feemed as if 1 could live and die at fuch a place and ij,
i'uch exercile. . . •, •
On the 13th of October, we had another camp-meeting at Pipe-
Creek in Maryland ; here we were fruihated with rain, early m
Monday morning, lb that we were obliged to end the meeting that
day : notwithstanding it ended fo foon, it is thought, at a mode-
'-■ ' H-> >r .. • rate
58
rate calculation, we had from twenty-five to thirty converts •
witfreightyten, or twelve fanctifications : Hallelujah, again arid
again ! ! ! I think a well regulated camp-meeting, is one of the
belt inftitutions in the world, to quicken and ftir up believers, and
to get fouls converted. 1 would give it as my opinion, not to
continue nor have a i'abbath day in the time of a camp-meeting.
Whenever 1 have attended, there has been more mifchief on that
day, than in a whole week befides, and generally lefs good done.
At all events, the conductors of thole meetings (houid be very
ftriet, and keep the greateft decency and order poffible.
DANIEL HITT.
Baltimore, Odober 10th, 1804.
I have nothing to inform you of that will be Co pleating and
interefting to you as the camp-meeting we lately held on Hamp-
ton ground, near General Ridgley's ; the fpot of ground was fur-
riifhed us by the General. The meeting was held, September 20th,
21ft, 22nd, and 23rd, about ten miles from this city.
JU commenced on Thurfday about ten o'clock : We had not
more than about five hundred hearers. Our commencement gave
us !brae encouragement of the futurefucccfs of the meeting. The
Lord was preient with us, and his children were uncommonly
happy. : Some were awakened, and 1 believe, through the night,
a few" converted. By ten o'clock, on Friday, our congregation
had increafed to about one thoufand. No fboner had our exercifes
began, than the Lord was in the midft of the aflembly : many fell
to the ground and cried aloud fqr mercy. I never law chriftians
appear more fervent and interefted for mourners ; their prayers and
llipplication were almoft without intermiffion throughout the
whole day and night : Numbers found the Lord. Saturday was,
if poffible, a more happy day than thepreceeding. Our congre-
gation amounted to fifteen hundred at leaft, all appeared ferious
and attentive, the word of the Lord had free courle, it ran and
was glorified in the conviction of many, and in the conversion of
ibme, while numbers profefied to experience a deeper work of
grac=. Through the night numbers were brought into the happy
liberty of the children of God But the Sabbath, I believe, was
g«rerally considered as the greateft day. We met the rifing fun
by adminiftering the iacrament to about one thoufand communi-
cants, all of whom were in extacies of joy. By ten o'clock, we
had at! the loweft calculation, eight thoufand fouls on the camp-
ground AH the minifters of God, of whom there were thirty,
local and travelling, appeared to fee eye to eye, and lifted up each
other's hands.
While our hands were conftahtly held up by the prayers of
thoulands.
59
thoufands, the raoft unexampled iblemnity refted on the whole
congregation, and every countenance appeared to exp'rei's thete
wor.'.s, *• All that the Lord hath done, frill we do." Our ftrong
lunged men exerted themielves until the whole forreft echoed, and.
all the trees of the woods clapped fheir hands. God came near,
finners fell in abundance, chriftians rejoiced and fhouted, and a
glorious facrifice of praife al'cended to God. 1 am confident there
were not lefs than fifty converted through the courfe of the meet-
ing, though fome fuppofe more. Often did 1 think of your words,
*' lixtraordinary exertions muft be ufed to call up the attention and
awaken the minds of men in extraordinary times." 1 am recon-
ciled to camp-meetings fully ; but it was what 1 law and felt of
the great things of God's power that reconciled me, I have not
been fo happy for five years paft, to God be all the praife. On
the Monday morning we ft ruck our tents and departed.
Yours, in much love,
THOMAS SARGENT.
Miffiffippi Territory, December 17th, 1804,
BROTHER Barnes and myfelf left Kentucky conference,,
the 4th of October, and arrived at this territory the 4th of No-
vember. We had appointments given out, &c. We have vifited
the circuit, and have found ibme kind friends and very attentive
congregations, and numbers have wept under the word. The
Lord was with us at our quarterly meeting. Numbers 1 believe
were powerfully awakened.
realbn to believe that five were converted, and twenty or thirty
powerfully awakened at this camp-meeting.
Methodifm is in its infancy in this country; but 1 have no
doubt that it will prevail in this, as well as in the other parts of
America. The language of my foul is, Victory on Death. 1 had
rather die than go to a circuit and not fee fouls converted to God.
1 can lay, here is my time, my talents, my life, and all a facrifice
to promote the caufe of religion.
In coming to this country, we had to endure hardships. We
Uept nine nights in the open air.
I am, yours, &c. .
LAUNER BLACKMAN.
Richmond diftrid, April 4th, 1805.
^orJ wAVE bcen tn the,ha,bit* of communicating to vou, the re-
markable occurrences which have fallen in my way from time to
H % time :
60
.time : but your being kept from us in tbe fouth by ficknefs, 1 have
been at a. lots where to direct my intelligence. Being informed
you will fhortly be in Baltimore. I mall endeavour to throw the
.following narrative in your way ; but paffing over a great number
of pleating l'cenes which might be noticed, for brevity lake, 1 thall
confine myfelf to the giving you a lift of the camp and other meet-
ings of magnitude, with their immediate eflefts, and then, in an
aggregate, the contequences of the meetings will be teen on a
more enlarged ibale ; though ftill much of their fruit will be
unnoticed, being (tattered generally over the circuits.
Dates of
meetings.
1804.
March 23— -27
Aprii 21- 23
c- «v'
s^
Places.
3 c>
55
S'
■■ '
8»c
?-
Befljord County,*
50
Campbell County,
24
40
Gool'e Creek,
lei
Lynchburg,
16
Tabernacle,
100
New- Hope Chapel,
100
40
Tabernacle,
150
140
Flat Rock,
20
Lynchburg,
50
New-Hope Chapel,
40
49
Tabernacle,
Charity Chapel, Pouhatau,
.48
100
60
Bethel Chapel,
50
Leftwich's Chapel, Bedford c
ircuit, 100
60
New-Hope,
30
19
BottetQurt,
50
Fincaitle,
20
7
Lbenezer Chapel, Bedford,
50
17
Tabernacle,
20
Oaks, Amherft,
40
13
Brown's Chapel, Campbell,
30
12
Chelhut Chape!, Frankly n,
10
11
Oarley's Chapel, Bedford,
20
13
1036
538
May 5 1 I
12... |5
— --17—21
30
51 June 1
June 3
-_8 — 12
July 20— -24
2S---29
Aug.. 3 7
3
17—21
31 Sept. 3
— — 7 — 1 1
— --21 — 23
Sept. 23 Oct. 1
1805.
March 29 April 2
Jn this great and glorious work, it may be obferved, that at the
clofe. of two months, 1 numbered Itx hundred converted, and five
hundred and twenty added to the church : and in the lix months,
and that principally at the meeting?, the number converted
amounted to eleven hundred and ieventy-iix, and eight hundtetland
* Referred to in- the Preface,
fifty
fifty ioincd the methodift epifcopal church. With the preachers
in the five circuits, Bedford, Bottetourt, Amherft, Cumberland
and Franklin, each having one or more camp-meetings, hundreds
are brought to God,, and into his militant church ; and other
denominations have ihared largely the fruits of our labours.
Jn this Work it may be remarked, that 1 have baptize near one
hundred adult believers, from ten to twenty at a tirrie ; and after
giving them the choice of the mode, there has not been one in-
itance wherein they have chofeh immerfion ; and the bleffing of
God has vivibly attended the ordinance by effufiori : and there are
but a few who have joined, but what profefled faring religic%
previous to their joining. Perleeution has raged in proportion to
the revival ; but hitherto the Lord has helped us— and we can fay
with the apoftle, 2 Cor. vi. 8. "By honour and difhonour, bjr
evil report and good report : as deceivers and yet true : as unknown
and yet well known : as dying and behold we live : as chaftened
and not killed : as fbrrowful yet always rejoicing : as poor yet
making many rich : as having nothing, yet poffeffifig all things.'*
8T1TH MEAD.
Baltimore, December 4th, 1803.
THIS letter is chiefly intended, to give you an account of a
camp-meeting recently helH about fifteen miles from Baltimore.
It began on the 24th of September, ami continued three days arid
nights with fcarcely an hour's intermiflion. In order to give you
a proper narration, we lhall divide it into parts. It was held in
a grove or foreft in a very retired fituation, with only one blind
road leading to it. There was a ftand erected in the midft of a
piece of ground containing three or four acres ; and round this, the
tents, waggons, carts, coaches, ftages, and the like were arranged
in a circular form ; and fires were kindled at the front of the tents
to accommodate thole who lodged in therh'.— The number who
encamped on the ground, were not more than two or three hun-
dred : this was owing partly to a fear of catching cold, and partly
to a prejudice they had taken againft camp-meetings. Fjdrri theft
considerations (it is poflible) we had not as many preachers as we
otherwile mould have had : But there wete twenty 6r riiore, tra-
velling and local. Our number of people on the week days, were
from one thouland, to fifteen hundred ; and about five thoufand
or upwards on the Sabbath. And although there were fo many,
I never law better order in a crowded concourle in any place. Jt
appeared thnt they were awed into reverence ; for although there
was a great fhout of a king in the camp, 1 turned my eyes in every
direction over the whole multitude, and could lcarcely perceive a
fmile upon one countenance, The order of our religious exercifes-
was
62
.was as follows. A horn was blown in the morning to colled the
people to a general pra?er-meeting at eight o'clock. After this
was ended, preaching at ten o'clock, in the afternoon, and at
night. One f'ermon was preached at each time, and two- or three
exhortations were delivered: during which time, the Lord in a
inoft extraordinary manner was working with the people ; many
fell down (lain with the f'word of theSpirit, and groaned like men
dying in the field of battle, while rivers of tears ran down their
cheeks: we had a number of fouls blefied on Satuulay and through
the Sabbath. But on the evening of the Sabbath, and the Mon-
day following, were the mod glorious times my eyes ever faw.
If we (poke to any of the bye-ttanders, they were melted down
like wax before the fire. It teemed that all their oppofition fled,
and their fouls were ftripped of every plea, but, God be merciful
to us finners. 1 feldom or ever taw a more remarkable hungering
and thirfiing after hoi inefs of heart among the profeflors. They
■were deeply and powerfully convinced of the neceffity of lanctifi-
cation. And this greatly increafed the convictions among finners.
O my brother, if you had been there, you would have been pleaf-
ingly aftonifhed 1 On the one hand, you would have feen a poor
firmer leaning with his head againft a tree, with tears running from
his eyes like drops of rain upon the ground, and lbmebod - going
and pointing him away to the bleeding Lamb of God upon the
crofs. And on the other hand, you would have feen a whole
group of people, and from the midft of them, you would have
heard the piercing out-cries of the broken-hearted penitent. And
to turn your eyes in another direction, you would iee a grey-headed"
father and his children, crying to God to have mercy on their
fouls. And in the mean time, you would have feen lbme groan-
ing under as deep diftrefs and agony of heart, to be cleanled from
all unrighteoufnefs, as ever you law any under the guilt of unpar-
doned (in. 1 could have led you from that, to a place where the
divine blefling was manifeiled fimilar to the glory which appeared
in the tabernacle of the congregation, when the wandering ii'rael-
ites fell down upon their faces and fliouted : it was a tent filled
with happy fouls, to the number of fourteen or fifteen, who had
either been converted, fandlified, or had received ibme remarkable
blefling that day. And while (landing near that favoured (pot,
you would have beheld a fight enough to tranfport the mind of an
angel. The crowd parting, you would have feen three or four
perfons advancing towards you, bearing along a poor heavy-ladened
firmer,' who had been lying helplefs upon the ground, groaning
bitterly to heaven, being overwhelmed with grief and forrow of
heart, and the dreadful onfets of guilt and fear. You would have
feen him or her with the head hanging upon one ihoulder, -borne
along by the arms, with the tears ftjeaming copioufly, crying,
V Lord, fave, or J perifh— lave or 1 fink into hell ! " At length
in one. of thofe highly favoured tents, where the glory of God was
manifefted,
63
manifested, God would break the bars of iron, and cut in funder
the gates of brafs, and let their louls at liberty from every bond
and letter, and fill them with a holy triumph : and in the mean'
time, the long of the Lord would be railed, in Such melodious
melting ftrains, from every glad heart and tongue, that for a few
minutes, you would be lb abforbed in contemplation, and loft in
the villon of God's prelence, that you would imagine yourlelf
already in I'aradiie. Hofanthib in the bigbeft ! Hofannab in tbe higbefi I
" Prayer ardent, opens heaven, lets down a ftream
" Of glory, on the confecrated hour
" Of man, in audience with the Deity."
No human language is Sufficient to defcribe the joyful emotions
that were railed on that occafion, and the glorious dilplays of the
power of laving grace. 1 was informed that there were not three
minutes for one whole night, but what they were jn the exercifes
of ringing or prayer. So it continued nearly through the whole
meeting, except in time of preaching. But as to the number that
were convicted, converted and Sanctified, we cannot certainly
determine ; but we may be Safe in conjecturing, that there were
as many as one hundred or upwards. Thefe camp- meetings are
the belt calculated to rid the mind of the world, to ftrip the foul
of pride, and to work upon the tender feelings of the heart, of any
thing 1 ever law in the whole courfe of my' observation and expe-
rience. The appearance of the place, at night, was truly "Solemn,
and at the lame time romantic. While going to it, along a
meandering path through a thick wood, you would hear the
preaching, Singing, and other exerciies, Some diftance off : but at
length, all of a Sudden, you would be ftruck with the fight of a
large congregation of people, a whole train of fires around, candles
and lanterns hanging to the trees in every direction, and the lofty
oaks, with their (breading boughs, forming a canopy over your
head, and every thing confpiring with the Solemnity of the- night
to make the place truly awful. . j
This is but a faint description, th* reft I leave to your own
imagination, to paint out in livelier colours.
1 remain yours, aitectionately,
SAMUEL COATE.
n
'
New-Jerfey, June 7th, 1802.
me d to tell them what God was doing to the South, where 1 had
ncing
tvhich
could
IN order to raile the people from their Laodicean ftaie; 1
jned to tell them what God was doing to the South, where 1 had
peen travelling, and telling them the neceffity of experiencing
lomething of the kind among themfelves, and that a religion which
64.,
could not be felt fo as to make the foul happy, would not fupport
us in death. I found the people began to give a ferious attention
tp the word, and one here and another there, would be cut to the'
heart, and added to the ibciety. r , ,,
God attended the word with power— about fix fell. I he peo-
ple icemed rtricken with great amazement at this new work as
thev called it ; and many continued in the houie and prevented
me "from meeting the fociety, with any regularity. This being
the cafe, I fpoke to the members generally, that if there were any
witneffes for Jefus, they would come forth ; they arofe and fpoke,
and Chrift fealed the teftimony by a manifeftation of his power,
cutting down upon the right hand and on the left.
1 fang and prayed, and difmiffed the congregation : there was a
finall fpace of filence, but God did not difmifs them, but laid to
his mighty hand, and continued to kill, and make alive through
the whole night, till breakfaft time next day.
, Since this time, the work of God continues to attend our feeble
performances, both at preaching, clafs and prayer meetings, and
a general alarm has taken place.
B'leffed be God, notwithftanding, fome have been expelled,
and otheis have died, and a confidcrable number have moved to
the weftern country, we have nearly doubled the number of mem-
bers this year. But ftill it may not be amils to obferve, latan ran-
ges, finners and formal profeffors oppofe the work, but God s
power is evidently manifetted.
The work of God itdl proipers in this place, and alio commu-
nicates to different focieties in the circuit.. In Rookaway Valley,
the work is powerful, and many are added to the church. I he-
Lord is thrafhing the mountains, and driving finners from their
lurking places to feek a fhelter; in the Rock ot eternal Ages. At
fitter Meads, near Pumpton in our clafs room, the power of the
Lord fell on about ten profeffors, and the mott of them profeffed
fan&ifying faith. I am now impreffing the neceflity of holmels ot
heart upon thofe that profefs juftify ,ng gr^ce. ^ ^ jv-g
June 2nd, 1802.
AT Harford quarterly meeting, three were converted. At
Little York, we had a gracious time : the Lord was with us m-
love and power. On Saturday our meeting concluded with a
Ihout for joy. On Sabbath morning we had as great a time at
the Lord's fupper, as 1 have feen for the number, lhe aged men
fell from their knees proftrate on the floor, and gave glory toGodi
for what their eyes had feen, and their hearts had felt. In Hun , (,
tingdon circuit there is a great and good work. J he preachers u
65
and people are happily united. In Frederick circuit, finners are
converted. In Montgomery circuit, I was not able to attend the
quarterly meeting, but I am told they have a growing work of
God.. In the city of Baltimore, they have had Ibme ingathering
of lbu!s iince conference, and many quickening feal'ons.
WILSON LEE.
Baltimore city, Auguft 10th, 1802.
THE pari th church at Chefter town, eaft fhore, is under the
care of the Rev. Mr. Dulhields.
Their parlor has introduced, in addition to the ufual eftabliftied
forms of the epifcopal church, prayer-meetings, and an aflbciation
meeting for thole who feel dif poled to join in a more clofe union
and fellowihip.
£eirig_at Chefter on '■Friday night, the Qth ult. (the night of
their attoeiation meeting) obferving their meeting- continued
unulually long, and hearing them fing and pray alternately, I went
to the- church between nine and ten o'clock— finding the door
open, went in— two women were in diftfefs, crying to God for
mercy : the Rev. Mr. Dulhields, and the members of the aflbci-
ation, alternately exhorted them, prayed for and with them, and
SHEETS y?nS 3?d \Util* Sc"r"Ujr (.un* at our Places of worfhip,
*£? ■? ^alons of refreihings from the pretence of the Lord
While 1, waspreient, one of the women, Mrs. N , nuhlirlir
proclaimed that the Lord had lpoken peace to her foul-fhe reioiced
fnTvi'f dec'anng.that fe canrie there in diftrefs-was then happy
in the Ljord :• a long of prade immediately was lung, ddcriDtive
of the pleafing change. They continued 'praying- withy and ex-
horting the otifer woman in diftrefs, to believe in the Lord Jdus
Chrift and the Lord would convert her alfo : (he did not profefs
ten o'clock6 m6ht-th« meeting was difmifled about half paft
,-n Sf hat G°?'S mLni? er£ and Pe°Ple mav fee eye to eye, and unite
of he kinemd0om0of0th,he Redeemer's kingdom/and the deftruK
oi rne Kingdom ot the grand enemy of man.
ISAAC BURNISTON.
K Hartford circuit, July 15th, 1802.
vifif^ H P *i? wrote to you laft from Baltimore circuit, 1 have
ful tfe Z f ?T °l^ihaT» and can inform vou w'th Plea-
favoured places^ " ltretchlnS «* M*K&Q lave in lome,
1 In
66
In George town and Federal city, we have had a gracious fea-
fon ; three fanners cryed for mercy. The love-feaft was one of the
belt leafons I have had at any of the quarterly meetings. On the
Wednesday night following, we had a ihout in the city : one of
the three that had been in diftrefs found peace with God. The
meeting continued till twelve o'clock at night.
In Calvert, the preachers have joined one hundred and fifty in
the iociety, fince the conference held in April, and Come are con-
verted every vifit the preachers make. Ten or twelve whites found
peace at the quarterly meeting, and about twenty blacks. The
preachers are upon the mountain top. At the Annapolis quar-
terly meeting, we had three or four converted.
WILSON LEE,
Rhinebeck, July 26th, 1802.
IN the morning our love-feaft began, and God was with us :
the fire burnt higher and higher,' till it burft forth in a flame, i'o
that the rejoicing and prayers of many were heard through the
town. The church windows were open— many fpe&ators were
around, and many, who were not members, within. The power
was fo great and genuine, that the whole itemed to be awed : I
do not recoiled: to have feen a 1'mlle oh one face. This power
continued through the love-feaft and facrament. - At eleven
o'clock, preaching began — we had a good time, though the
power was not lb apparent. I cannot teftify that any were born
again ; but I have reafbn to believe fanners were awakened : and
we are under lively hopes that we have feen the beginning of glo-
rious times in Rhinebeck, for which bleffing we have been pray-
ing upwards of eight years.
FREEBORN GARRETSON.
I bless God for the glorious difplay of his power, which I
have felt and feen. Many fervent prayers have been put up for
Rhinebeck ; God has heard and is anfwering them. Four per-
sons in our houle on the Flats are under powerful awakenings.
The face of the chriftians fhine, and their hearts are full of ex-
pectation .that this is only .the beginning of good days. Sunday
was a day of power. A little boy in love-feaft ipake like a man
of forty : and t'uch a power attended every word, that there was
a general move among the whole congregation.
I am, dear fir, your friend and fifter,
CATHARINE GARRETSON.
Pittfburg,
67
Pittfourg, Auguft 10th, 1802.
I bless the Lord, his work continues to (bread and grow with
very pleafing profpeds, but in Come circuits more extraordinary
than others. Our congregations are larger this iumrner than the
laft, particularly io at our quarterly meetings. .Prejudice tails,
yea, melts like the Ihow in the opening fpnng. 1 he : congrega-
tions are deeply affeded-— whilft many cry out, What mall 1
do to be laved ?" ' ■„ . .
1 aim exceedingly pleafed with the profpeds on the welt ot the
Ohio. On a late vifit to that country, my tbul was exceedingly
comforted with the young converts : love and union rule ml he
hearts of preachers and people* We have had a confiderable addi-
tion of members, this laft quarter, and tome very glorious and
profitable quarterly meetings.
1 am your's, in the gofpel of Chrift, r,,-,X7,„
THORNTON FLEMING.
September 16th, 1802.
I received yours from Philadelphia, and was made glad to
hear of the great things that God was doing in the north. You
can recoiled: with pleafure, the glorious things that are wrought
in this diftri<ft, in the year 1 789, but the unhappy divifion which
took place foon after, chiefly by one man, to the injury of many
E-ecious fouls, was one grand hindrance of the work. But the
ord has given lbme late gracious intimations of his pretence
amongft us once more : may We hope never more to leave us, as
a people ; the work began on Whitfuntide, at a quarterly meeting
at Mabry's chapel, at which time and place about ten fouls pro-
fefled to be converted ; and from thence it fpread through many '
parts of the circuit ; and 1 humbly hope from that time one hun-
dred and fifty ibuls have been brought to God. It will give you
great confolation to hear that God has vifited the families of the
ancient methoditts, especially in the young and riling generation ;
among tfrefe are Dromgooles, Wyches, Hobbies, and Pelhams.
We had thirteen that profefled converting grace at Merit's chapel,
Brunlwick circuit. At Ira Ellis's meeting houfe, at the laft quar-
terly meeting, we had twelve converted, if no more, among
thefe, Edward Dromgoole's fecood Ion and daughter, profefled
to be born again. In ihort, the Lord is bringing home abundance
of the ancient methodift children. SmTex, that you recoiled was
favoured in the laft revival, is vifited in this ; 1 underftand that
about one hundred have been converted in the i'pace of fix weeks.
It began at Jones's chapel, at our quarterly meeting, fixteen fouls
profefled to have found: a change. You well recoiled how it was
at this chapel in the year 1787, and God is gracious ftill. In the
1 % fettlement
68
fettlement of Lloyd's chapel, numbers have been brought to
Chrift. There has been a great and gracious work in the Amelia
circuit. There-is a revival in fome focieties in Cumberland cir-
cuit. The work is confiderably great in Bertie circuit. There is
a fmall revival in Portfmouth circuit. Camden circuit has gained
a little. I hear that John Chalmers, fen. has been at Norfolk^
and the flame is kindled, and marry are con vei ted. Remember'
me in all your prayers.
I am, fir, your's in love,
JESSE LEE.
-^- .*--#-© jf ^*^-
Union Town, (Weft Pennfylvarria) November 27th, 1S02.
IT will give you pleafure to hear of the profperous irate of the
Pittfburg diftrict, which I will joyfully communicate.
Our congregations, in general, are large, ferious, attentive,
and affectionate, even to weeping before the Lord.
Our laft quarterly meeting upon the Ohio circuit was a time
of great power. The work pf the Lord began upon Saturday
night, and continued till the breaking of day upon Sabbath morn-
ing. Three pr-jfefTedfanctifyirg grace, and leveral were converted.
Sabbath day at the f upper of the Lord, the power of God cams
down to my aftonifhment, 1 was an eye-witnefs to the converfion
of fouls, but What manner 1 cannot fay : indeed you might look .
in almoft every direction, and you would fee poor finners, and the
-vvorft of all tinners, backfliders, crying to God for mercy.
The work has broken out in Clarkfburg circuit ; but in a molt
eminent manner about Martin's meeting houf'e. It feems as if
God was about to convert all the people in that fettlement. In
Union-Town, we have had a gracious quarterly meeting, and a
goodly number pmfeffed to be converted to God? at that meeting ;
■ the work continued fiom the morning till f'ometime in the evening.
In Pittfburg, there is a iteady progrei's of the work of the Lord.
Jn \vefi- wheeling circuit, manv are added and numbers are
converted ; four and Ave at a meeting ; with a happy continuance.
1 am, dear fir,
Your affectionate fon.
In the gofpel of Chrift.
THORNTON FLEMING.
-
November 13th, 180?.
I am now at the quarterly meeting in the Yadkin. Brbthet
Mc Kendree is with us. The Lord has been- powerfully prefcat
this
69
this day, and we are looking for greater times to-rriofrowandfhe
next day ; the Lord is doing wonders throughout the diftrict : the
holy flame has caught and is going on very confiderably in all the
circuits. 1 fuppofe at the feveral quarterly meetings, the fecond
time I went round the diftrict, not lefs than five hundred foiils
profefled to find the Lord. Hail JeCus ! thou art our king, and
we will praife thee. JAMES DOUTH1T.
Near. Fredericks-bay, December 14th, 1802.
PERHAPS I now take up my pen with more cheerfulnel's to
write to you than ever before, inasmuch as I have it in my power
to communicate more pleafing and interetting intelligence relative
to affairs in the difrridt. When I parted from you in Auguft, you
requetted that if any thing extraordinary mould occur, you might
hear of it by letter. The Saturday after leaving you, the quar-
terly meeting for Fairfax circuit was held in Leefburg, at which
time and place, there was a vaft concourfe of people collected. In
the courfe of this meeting there were two profeffed to be converted,
and one fanctified. At the meeting for Stafford and Lancafter
circuits there appeared to be a confiderable move, but there were
none converted. In Alexandria, we had a move in the congrega-
tion, and it woa thought there were fix or eight converfions a-
mong the blacks. From the appointnrcnt you ah<l Philip Bruce
attended in Harrifonburg, the work went on with fucceis for the
fpace of nine days, jn which time it is thought, there could not
have, been feis than one hundred and fifty converfions. Finding 1
could not attend the October quarterly meeting for that circuit,,!
requefted brother Jefferfon to t'upply my place there, and at Pen-
dleton. He tells me that their meetinglafted three days, and
there were about twenty converted, and not lets than fix or eight
fanelified, and at Pendleton there were eight or ten converted.
In November, at the Alleghany quarterly meeting, 1 met our
venerable old friend bifliop Whatcoat, who has flood his frontier
rout through New York and Pennsylvania to admiration. He
tells us the profpects through that part of the work are increafing.
At Alleghany we had a confiderable move, but none converted.
The week following at Winchefler, there were eight or ten con-
veriions. The next week we were in courfe at Fairfax old cha-
pel, here there were twelve happily converted to God, and one
fandtified.
Jn the courfe of the laft, quarter, firomithe *eft account 1 have,
there, muft have been one hundred and fifty or upwards added to
the l'ociety in Rockingham circuit. If brother Ward's account
Ihould differ from this, you muff make this lubmit to his. There
have been a few added in Pendleton.
In
70
Jn the Berkeley* and Winchefter circuits, I fuppofe there have
been one hundred and fifty added in the courie of laft quarter,
nearly all of whom profefs to be converted, and the work It ill
goes on.
In and about Charleftown, in Jefferlbn countv, the prof oect
feems to be increafing ever fince the Auguft quarterly meeting
there. ^ " °
In Old Fairfax, theTe is a very pleafing work going on. There
has been a number of conversions in .the courie of the year, and I
think the work is on the increafe.
John Pitts is on his ftation in Frederickfburg. There is lome-
thrng doing among them there. He tells me that they havchad
twelve or fourteen con verfions there fince his arrival, and a num-
ber appear to be under deep awakenings.
When 1 was laft in Lancafter, about fifty had been added fince
the conference.
■; Thefe accounts, compared with many others, are Verv fmhll,
yet I cannot but view them as Something very great for this part
of the country. 1 flatter myfelf with having ; ft ill greater times.
DANIEL H1TT.
Alexandra. April lft, 1803.
THE Lord ic ftill wlih us. Monday, in the young women's
dais, two found the Lord. — Taefday night our meeting continued
tHl two in the morning. God fpoke peace to ten ; four-out of
the ten conversions were very powerful. 1 think! never faw i'o
much of heaven, as 1 faw in their countenances. One found the
Lord on Wednelday night. Glory to God ! the profpect: is pleaf-
frfg r God hns blefledusfar beyond our molt fanguine expectations ;
but we are looking for far greater things yet. The thousands and
tens of thoulands of prayers daily going up to God, like clouds of ■
incente, will, we make no doubt, prevail with the Malter of
aiJemhlies. Your's,
JOSEPH ROWEN.
Rockingham, (Virginia) Odober 23rd. 1802.
THE work continued the day you left us till one-o'clock
Tuefday morning, without intermiffion ; and as we had no inten-
tion of continuing it' longer, no appointment was made; yet,
through the miftake of a bby, word, went to Lenvil's creek that
the meeting continued, and feveral came in on Tuelday. Brother
Caftfe being ftill in town, they, concluded to hold a prayer-meet*
ing,
71
ine' and the Lord was with them of a trutfc&veral were con<
vered and gave glory to God^-The meeting continued till three
in the Sning, and appointment was made for meeting at one
oVlocCl went and preached, the meeting .continued )>***fg**
o'clock it night ; the power of the Lord was pretent to hea L
The°Cnextatdan;gat four o'Sock, we met again and , continued till
ten at night, which was truly a great time. The next day,
Friday" we met at eleven o'clock, in order to receive • mcmbere
we read and enlarged upon the rules, then gave liberty to thole
who deiired to join, to come forward, and*fifty-two were ad-
mitted, the moft of whom profeffed converfion at ^ mee\.ng
we then had a powerful time, and meeting lafted. till four a clock.
wVmet again at candle-light, at which time 1 intended to have
preached in defence of the work, but the Lord came down .in
nn-hty power, and defended his own work. In the time of the
firft prnfer, the work broke out, and many of the Lord s people
became prophets, and a number of new ones were railed up;
Meeting continued till next morning. This was thought to be the
molt powerful time, and thegreatert number converted, that had
been, for the time, through the meeting. We had intended th,.t
this night mould dole the meeting, but feeing tuch mighty works
were done through the name of Jefus, we were contained to
continue on Saturday and Sunday. We began on Saturday at four
o'clock, by finging and prayer and admitting members, and con-
tinue tin a™ Vu^Tk at night. Sunday at eight was our
love feaft, at eleven was public meeting; and continued till eleven
at night. And this truly was a great day, a memorable time,
thefe two laft days we joined fifty-five perfons, lb that the whole
number admitted was one hundred and {"even, the moft of whom
profeffed juttifying grace ; befides the number converted, that
were in fociety before, and numbers that did not join, being,
members of other l'ocieties. During the courie of the meeting,
f'uch power attended, that numbers were ftruck down quite in-
active, and fome in a rneafure convulfed ; one lay more than fix
hours before he arofe ; a number of others not lb long. It is
remarkable, that there were many more men than women, thus
ftruck down, Ibrriebfwhom came, as they laid ; to make fport ;
and one, lent as a (py, became the lubject of this work. 1 hardly-
need to tell you, that generally when they role, it was with a
new long in their mouths, even praile to the Lord, with clapping
of hands, leaping and fhouting aloud ; and exhorting others to
turn to the Lord, who had (hewed mercy unto them.
Bleffed be the Lord, the work ttill goes on in ieveral parts of
the circuit, and is fpreading more generally. ; Our quarterly
meeting, which was nnce, was held in the woods, ievepl.eame
in waggons : it lafted three days, and the laft day and night was
the greateft time ; great good was done— —Ieveral profefled julti- ,
ficatioti, At our common preaching, prayex and clais meetings,
the
72 .
the Lord pours out his Spirit, fo that we have manv times of re-
frefliing from the pretence of the Lord From what has been done
and is:ffcill doing, we are i encouraged to hope for great times ftill,
and have therefore appointed a meeting at Chriftmas for three
days. Your's, in much love,
JAMES WARD.
Mayfield, December 11th, 1802.
I had, for a confiderable time before you were here, been
under deep convi&ion of fin, and was made deeply ienfible of my
fallen condition, and of the neceflity of the merits of a Saviour.
The obiervation which you made when you left us, expretfing your
fears that I fiiould haltat being analmoj} cbrijtiant made.a deepand
lafting impreflion on my mind. I was made to double my dili-
gence, and cry continually to God for his redeeming love, thro'
the ali-atoning blood of the Lamb.
On the firft day of Oclober laft, it pleafed God in his great
mercy, in a confiderable degree, to manifeit himt'elf to me, and
to relieve me from the load of fin under which fny tbul had been
ib long opprefled ; and on the eighth of the fame month, at the
camp-meeting at Rehoboth, it pleafed God, in his infinite mercy,
and all-redeeming love, to give me a el»«««*a mcwiifcaation b£dm£
love and power, that my fi "S were forgiven, through the merits
and blood of the dear- Redeemer. O help me to praiie and mag-
nify the holy King of Righteouinefs, for his great and unmerited
goodneis.
1 have great reafon to thank the Lord that I have continued to
feel much of the power of his love. J every day experience more
of his loving kindnefs and fee new beauties, and feel new plea-
fures in a religious life. 1 pray to be humble, and'to leek con-
tinually to pofiels the meek and lowly fpirit which characterized
our great Mafter. Remember me, dear and reverend fii, in your
prayers, that 1 faint not.
We have abundant reafon to praife and glorify God for the great
and wonderful revival of religion in our neighbourhood and coun-
ty. The Lord has been pleated to pour out his Spirit in an extra- ■
ordinary and wonderful manner, fince your laft vifit to this part
of the world. Many have come to God and been made happy in
having the witneis?of his holy Spirit, and very many are ftrongly
convinced of fin, and are crying to God for the faith that is in
Jetus. May the Lord mightily pour out his Spirit on all who teek I
his love to know. Indeed Georgia appears to be alive to God.
Accounts from almoft every part of the ftate, bring the glad ti-
dings of the manifeftations of his love to tinners. May his gofpel
run and-be glorified until it fhall cover the whole earth, as the;
waters cover th« great deep. The
73
The Lord has begun a glorious work in our family, and I have
much reafon to hope, through divine mercy, that the time is not
far diftant when we mall praife and adore his hely name with one
heart and with one voice.
O may God in his infinite mercy and goodnefs, haften the happy;
period. Dear fir, affilt my feeble prayers for myfelf and them ;
believe me your obliged and affectionate fervant,
M^LLY STlTH.
WE enjoy great peace and harmony through the circuits, and
the work of the Lord profpers. We have had ibme of the greateft
meetings of late that I have leen in the weftern country. At the
facrament in Limeftone and the quarterly meeting in Miami circuit,
the power of God was awfully manifested among the people. Some
of the worft finners and mofr. violent oppofers to religion, were
fubjecfs of the work, and we hopej were happily converted from
the error of their ways. Wm. Mc KEN DREE,
Greenbrier circuit, April 2nd, 1804.
IN June, 1803, brother w.^rritl^ brother L. C. vifited my
fchool, and glory to God, many both old and young felt the
power of convicting grace. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,
they held quarterly meeting: on Friday, many concerted ;.on
Saturday, ibme ; Sunday1, the way feemed open for the work to
goon. And in September, brother J. W. with brother W. C.
came again— at my fchool, ibme converted ; on Friday, at Gilboa,
many converted ; on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, at Mount-
Tabor, fourteen or more profefled faith. From this time, the work
went on with and without preachers.
From September, to the l§th of November, we fuppofed one
iundred were converted, in the big and little levels. On the
19th of November, our camp-meeting began at Giiboa, which
lafted nine days and nights, with very little if any intermiflion.
The number attended was from five to fifteen hundred. The
number converted* fuppofed from one hundred and eighty to two
hundred. JOHN P1NNEL.
**- «** *■ 0 ■*- -*■ ***
Extrac? of a Letter from William Heath, to
Ezekiel Cooper.
Lynchburg, July 25th, 1804.
/ TO you, I fuppofe, it will be matter of joy, to hear of the
gtoipenty of Zion in thefe parts of the Lord's vineyard.
K The
I
74
The camp-meetings, which have been ufual, in the fouth and
weft, for fpme years, never began with us, till the laft ipritig.
On the 23rd of March, a camp-meeting was held by Lorenzo
Dow,* in junction with a number of other preachers and minifters ;
at winch, fifty fouls profefTed to find peace with God ; from this,
the work 6f God fpread, in almoft every diredtion ; for many were
awakened at this meeting, who, afterwards found the peari of
great price. At the feveral meetings, which were held at Flat-
.Creek meeting-houfe, by the 16th of April, twenty-four fouls
profefTed converting grace ; and the work has continued more
rap-d it that place ever tince : forty have joined the church there ;
and fixteen in the neighbourhood above that, have profefTed con-
venor: and planted a ibciety among us. In the town and vicinity,
from the beginning of the work, in April, until nbw, from fix,
to twelve, and fixteen, at a meeting, have profefTed to find the
pearl of great price ; fb that from a clals of twenty members, we
have now one hundred and fixty. — Blefs the Lord, O my foul!
and let all the people magnify his holy name !
On the 5th of May, a meeting was appointed at a place, fifteen
miles above us, called the Tabernacle, to be held three days ; but
the work was ib great, that it continued five days, day and night,
■with very little intermiflicm : in which time, nnp Hundred were
thought to obtain true confc.fiun. from the 12th to the 15th
of May, at a place called New-hope, five miles from town, we
had another meeting, which continued alio day and night, at
which, there were about one hundred profefTed to get converted ;
and many are daily added to our numbers. From the 1 7th to the
22nd of May, meeting again, at Tabernacle meeting-houie, at
which place the people encamped on the ground, and continued
preaching, praying, and other godly exercifes, night and day, for
the five days, in which time, one hundred and fifty were thought
to be favinglv converted ; and one hundred and forty joined the
methodift church at that time and place. From the 8th to the
a 2th of June, another camp-meeting was held at Charity, Chapel,
Powatan, at which, one hundred ibuls were thought to obtain
laving converfion ; and fixty joined the methbdift church. From
the 20th to the 24th of this month, we had a camp-meeting in
Bedford, at Leftwitch's meeting-houfe, at which, one hundred
and ten came forward, and gave teftimony of their faith, that
God had converged their fouls. Very many are the prayer, clais,
and preaching meetings, not mentioned here, at which the Lord
pours out his Spirit in a wonderful manner. Confidering -the low
ebb of religion among us, before the revival began, 1 can truly
fay, that 1 never law or read of greater times: true, the times
mentioned by brother Cox, in his letter to bilhop Coke, in 1737,
were great j but 1 was in the whole of that revival, as well as
this, and it is my opinion, that this revival far exceeds that.
The glorious work isfpreading in various dire&ions, and exten-
fivelv.
75
lively. It is chiefly among the methodiits ; though our prefbyterian
brethren are very friendly, and labour mightily with and among
us. Indeed my brother, we hope,t and, at times, are clmoft led
to believe, that the glorious millenium is ufliering on ! Proclaim
at your pleafure the contents of this, or any part.
I am, in the belt of bonds,
Thine, &c.
WILLIAM HEATH.
The Experience of Richard Greaves, of Dinwiddle County, fate
of Virginia, who departed this life in the month of May, 1 800.
Transcribed fr obi his own writing,
IT has been about twenty years lince I have been acquainted
with the goodnei's of God, and nearly the fame time fince J had
realbn to believe that I ftood in a ftate of acceptance with God,
Still 1 have felt the war between nature and grace lb itrong, that
1 was afraid, many times, 1 Ihould fall by the hand of my enemies,
without lbme greater deliverance, i have many times had a
pleafing view of a field of religion before. me, of loving God with
all my Tieart, but wnen I o-ttpmnted to come to God for it, that
T might rejoice ever more, pray without sealing, and in every
thing give thanks, it appeared to be fbmething at a diftance that
1 could not lay hold of. So 1 have been for leven or eight years
praying for a clean heart, and power over my- enemies ; i'ometimes
hoping, fometimes delpairing, till about the firli of laft June,
when I Was well Convinced that 1 did not fully believe the doctrine
of ianctification, for 1 thought, if 1 believed that there was luch
a bleffing for me, and it was ablblutely necelTary for rne to prepare
for heaven, 1 could not relt without it ; that 1 Ihould go into del-
pair if I did not receive it, and now I began to pray in earneit,
that God would open my underltanding, and give me to lee and
feel the need of pure love, and dil'cover to me, as 1 could bear,
the depth of inbred fin, that I might not relt tatisfied with any-
thing'{hort of that perfect love that calf eth out fear. God did
ibon dilcover to me, as 1 had never leen before, the depth of my
corruptions, and gave an inward hungering and thirlting after full
falyation : 1 faw luch a fulnefs in God's word, and luch a willing*
nefs in him to give his love, that one evening after 1 had been
pleading his promiles, I felt a peace and Itrong confidence in him ;
£n hope iprungup in, my heart that God would cleanle me from
my fins, and give me power over my enemies : In this hope 1 went
to bed and felt my heart ftill breathing after full falvation, where
he poured down luch love as I never felt before. In an cxtacv^f
joy, the language of my heart was, Is God come to cleanle we
frpm, fin ? The impreffion was i*o great, that it affected my body
76
as I lay. The next day I felt fiich joy and peace, yet I wag not
allured that the work was wrought ; only one text ran greatly in
my mind ; I did not know where to find it, till one told me that
it was in the t "th chapter of John—" t'anclify them through thy
truth — thy word is truth.'-' 1 read the chapter, and found fuch a
fulneis in it of what my heart defired, that if ever I felt hunger for
food, or thlrit for water,, 1 now truly hungered and thirfted after
full ialvation ; my faith was ftrong : but though 1 law believingly
iuch a fulneis in God's word, and had fuch a tafte and relifh for
fpiritual things, yet 1 was not ettabliflied in the faith. The lan-
guage of my heart was, "give me love or elle 1 die." Indeed
God did create in me fuch a hungering and thirfting after perfect
love, that nothing could fatisfy but God himielf. For near four
weeks 1 felt iuch keen pain within, that 1 could al moil fay, I
prayed without ceafing, but with little joy, only fometimes 1 re-
joiced in hope, that God was near to cleanfe me from my tins ; it
appeared to me worfe than death, my God to love, and not my
God alone. 1 thought my ftate was lingular ; 1 had iuch confi-
dence in God : 1 believe, I never had fuch power over fin nor lived
18 near to God, for the time before. The things that 1 i'aw and
had to do with in the world, had no weight at all upon my mind,
yet fomething kept me from ftepping into the full liberty of God's
children, till I was brought into £"**> *»atyeiB as I never had felt :
it was. on Monday, the end day of July, 1799, the Lord poured
down hisbleffing into my heart. In the evening, my happinei's
increafed till I went to bed, with raptures of joy unknown, by an
hearing my prayer and filling' my heart with pure
truly fay, that Jefus was mine in all his offices, and I was his : in
n few days my rapture of joy abated, and 1 had fome temptation
-andJ-h;.;ggle ; not that 1 had any reafon to doubt of the work being
-wrought, but if it was coniiftent with fuch a work of grace for
me tohave fuch feelings ; but I foon discovered the device of the
enemy to rob me of my confidence, and the Lord multiplied my
peace. 1 now, notwithttanding temptations, feel the abiding
witneis: my mind is flayed on God: Chriit is my objetSt : 1 am
willing to take him for my portion, he is the faireft among ten
thoui'and, he is altogether lovely.
f FINIS.
1-wH. Forihav Printer. ••►«*
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