He spent the principal part of 1831 in the vicinity of his residence, in which time additions were made to his society, which then was in a state of prosperity. From special request he visited Stafford, Genesee County, where, fourteen years before, with the assistance of Elder Levi Hathaway, he had organized a small church of eleven; a reformation immediately began, which, in the language of Mr. D. Millard, "was one of the most glorious revivals ever experienced in that region of country. Within a few months, he baptized, in Stafford, not far from fifty," about half of whom were young men of talent. Under date of October 12, 1831, Mr. Badger writes:—
"It is now nearly twenty years since I engaged in the great and responsible work of preaching the Gospel. I regret that I did not engage in that work earlier, and that I have been no more successful. But, with all my lack of qualifications, I have every year had something to encourage me; I have baptized about one thousand persons; I have had the pleasure of seeing twelve of that number become useful ministers of the Gospel, and many have finished their pilgrimage on earth with joy. Of late, I have been more than ever encouraged, and, notwithstanding my embarrassment on account of ill health, my spirit is alive to the good work, and my heart is warm to the interests of Zion. The church at Lakeville, Livingston County, has also been blessed of late. I have, within a short time, baptized six persons there. In Tompkins County, our brethren have been abundantly favored with revivals. In Cayuga County, also, the cause is prospering. Elder Morrill has had an addition to the churches of his care of about eighty members, this year."
"Several of our brethren in this country have, the present season, finished their course in this world. We have taken sweet counsel with them; we have joined them in commemorating the love and suffering of the lowly Jesus; we have mingled with them in songs of praise and sweet devotion on earth, and now look up with trembling confidence and cheerful hope to the time when we shall be permitted to join them with improved capacities, in an immortal song of praise to God and the Lamb in heaven."
On March 27th, he attended the funeral of Mrs. Thomas Pease, of Rochester, one in whom the Christian virtues were said to have shone with mild and constant brilliancy. Speaking of this event, he says:
"While I sat by the bedside of my emaciated friend, and saw her health, her beauty, and relish for life gone, and the strong attachment of friends presenting their last claims to a heart which had always responded in emotions of kindest friendship, but which could respond no longer, I heard her in a low whisper say, 'Oh Lord, grant me thy smiles and thy presence, and I ask no more.' Here, said I, I see the end of all perfection. Oh God, 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.'
"After I left she appeared much revived in spirit, and made choice of the text on which I should preach at her funeral, which was John 14: 2: 'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.' How delightful to see a child of God looking up from the verge of the grave to those mansions which Christ has gone to prepare for his children."