"In the month of January I left school, rode to Hatley and Stanstead, on the shore of Lake Mogogue, where I spent certain days, and attended several meetings. The greater part of the winter, when out of school, I spent at Ascott, Compton, and Westbury, where I had good times, though mingled with trials and temptations. The first day of January, 1813, was a very glorious time at a general meeting in Ascott. Mr. Gilson, and a colored man by the name of Dunbar, who was both a godly man and a faithful preacher, were our principal speakers. In the month of March I took a journey to Shipton alone, where I enjoyed a glorious meeting, and made an engagement to return in the spring.
"During this month, my eldest brother came four miles to hear me preach. He requested me to make an appointment at his house, which was near my father's residence; and but few of our family had ever heard me speak. His house was one where I had attended many balls and had met assemblies for vain recreations. The audience to whom I spoke was composed of my parents, brothers, sisters, neighbors, and my fellow youth, who had been my old companions in sin—circumstances that rendered my cross very great. My father's presence made my embarrassment much greater, as I knew the critical cast of his mind, the extensive reading and education by which his intellect was enriched. I observed that my father selected a seat with his back towards me. Excessive as my cross was, I could not be reconciled to this. I arose and presented him my chair, and when he had again taken his seat, I read a hymn from the Methodist collection, which was sweetly sung by the young people, my brother serving as chorister. After prayer and the second singing, I announced my text, at which every countenance fell, a general surprise being visible all around, and the young people appeared as solemn as if the day of doom had dawned. I believe I have intimated heretofore that, as a town, the people were irreligious. My text was Matt. 23: 33. 'Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers! how can ye escape the damnation of hell?' My text was harsh, but my discourse was mild. I first noticed the natural qualities of serpents and vipers that constituted the analogy of the passage, and that furnished the reason of their being so called. Second, I described what I considered to be the damnation of hell. Third, I endeavored to show how we might escape this, and the necessity of improving a present day of grace. I then addressed myself to the assembly in the following order: 1st, to my parents; 2d, to my brothers and sisters; 3d, to the young people; 4th, to the neighbors. This was indeed one of the most affecting scenes I ever had witnessed. When I came to address the young people in relation to our former sports in that room, and to express my regard for them, and to tell them of the new and better inheritance I had discovered, some wept aloud, and at the close several said 'Pray for me.' I name this circumstance, as it was the first time my parents ever heard me preach, and it being a time deeply impressed on my own memory. After this I rode four miles, and preached in the evening at Mr. Benjamin Sleeper's, in whose house a most beautiful child lay dead, and which on the following morning received its burial."
I find, on another page of his journal, that the sermon here spoken of bears date March 23d, 1813.
"I now began to reflect on the situation of the people at Shipton, and felt it my duty to return to them, as in that and in several adjoining towns there was no minister. I accordingly made preparations and started, April 1st, 1813. On the way I spoke several times, to good assemblies; arrived on the 6th, and found from multitudes a joyful reception. A reformation immediately began among the youth, and the spirits of the aged pilgrims revived like the golden life of a second summer. This, to me, was an evidence I could not doubt, that it was under a heavenly guidance that I had come to Shipton. I made it my home at Capt. Magoon's, where I enjoyed, with the aged people, many very happy hours; they were indeed the excellent of the earth, and I hope their numerous kindnesses to me may receive a thousand-fold reward.
"In the month of June, I made my first visit to Ringsey, to which place I was invited by Col. Bean, one of my father's particular acquaintances, likewise one of the principal men in this community. Though invited on a personal visit at his house, which was about sixteen miles distant, I found, on my arrival, a multitude assembled, to whom I spoke, under the conscious aid of the higher power. Several dated their conviction from this meeting, and through all the town the reformation spread. After speaking to them a few more times, I returned to Shipton; and in a few weeks visited them again, where I found several happy converts and many whose heart-cry was for mercy. Thus the work spread until it was thought that upwards of one-half of the grown people had experienced religion; I say experienced religion, for religion is not a matter of theory but of life. Its home is not in the dry speculation of the brain, but in the field of experience. Religion in theory is like the pictures of trees and flowers; they may win the eye and the fancy; but these pictures do not blossom, nor grow, nor bear fruits. The juices of life flow in the roots and branches of everything that grows.
"Col. Bean, my good friend, whose house was always to me an agreeable home, and some of his children, found peace in Christ. He continued a shining light until his death, which was about one year after. The many pleasant days and nights enjoyed with him and his agreeable family afford pleasure in their recollection; and though these cheerful scenes are not to be recalled, I trust they may be resumed in a better state of being.
"The latter part of August I was invited to attend a meeting in the upper part of the town of Ringsey, a place whose inhabitants were said to be remarkably hardened and wicked. I thought a place like this should not be shunned by a minister whose commission it is to seek the lost. At the time appointed there was a general attendance. I had rode a long distance, and both myself and horse were very much fatigued. I had no attention whatever paid me as to refreshment, nor did their sense of civility or bowels of compassion disturb them with a single thought about the needs of the faithful animal that had done its part in helping them to a minister, and that stood very patiently by the side of the fence. I stood, a stranger, in the midst of glaring spectators. I recollect that when walking through the assembly, I felt an emotion of tenderness and solicitude for them that nearly impelled me to tears. I spoke to them from Zech. 9: 12, and, if ever the Being who gave me my mission assisted me in fulfilling it, it was then. Though very feeble in health I spoke to them over one hour, and the power of God came down upon the assembly, and many wept aloud. At the close I gave opportunity to any who wished me to pray for them to indicate their mind by rising, when the greater part of the assembly arose. The cry was audible and general, 'What shall I do to be saved?' In my closing prayer I could scarcely be heard. Though late, I mounted my horse, and rode nine miles to Shipton, where, at the house of Mr. Heath, I was kindly treated. But I was so weary and exhausted that I retired without refreshment, and did not visit Ringsey again for several weeks, leaving them to work out their own salvation. I then proceeded up the St. Francis river about seventy miles, to the town of Dudswell, where I found a happy circle of Christians. When I again returned to Ringsey the scene was wonderfully changed. Old and young flocked into the streets to meet and welcome my return. I could not pass a house where I was not urged to go in. I occasionally spoke to them during my stay in that country. Truly in this place were the songs of the old and the young mingled together.
"In the month of August, we held at Shipton a general meeting. Mr. R. Smith preached a very interesting discourse on Saturday, from Gal. 3: 26: 'For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.' Sunday morning Mr. Avery Moulton spoke from Acts 3: 22: 'A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up.' Mr. J. Gilson next addressed the assembly from 2 Kings 5: 13. After him I endeavored to speak from Zech. 9: 17: 'For how great is his goodness, how great is his beauty!' Several happy converts were baptized at this meeting by Elder Moulton.