“A gentleman in this place, on the 20th of February following, wrote to Mr. M. as follows: ‘I am happy to inform you that your labors with us have been blessed, and twenty have united with our church (the Baptist) since you left Montpelier, and twenty or thirty more will soon join, all of whom date their awakening at the time you lectured here. Bro. Kellogg (the Congregationalist minister) is strong in the faith, and his views are with Bro. Miller on the second coming of Christ.’
“On the 24th of November, he commenced a series of lectures in Jericho, Vt., which continued till the 2d of December. On the 28th of this month, he went to Stockbridge, Vt., and on the 30th, to Rochester, where he continued till the 6th of January, 1839.
“On the 7th of January, 1839, he wrote to his son from Bethel, Vt., that he had lectured in those places to large audiences, and was on his way to Woodstock. He arrived at that place on the 7th, and commenced a second course of lectures, which continued to the 14th. From that date to the 20th, he lectured at Pomfret, Vt.; from the 21st to the 27th, at Bethel, Vt.; and from the 28th to the 31st, at Gaysville, Vt.; from which place he returned home. On the 28th, he wrote from Gaysville to his son:—
“‘There has been a reformation in every place that I have lectured in since I left home, and the work is progressing in every place rapidly. The meeting-houses are crowded to overflowing. Much excitement prevails among the people. Many say they believe; some scoff; others are sober and thinking. Give my love to all—mother and the children.
I remain yours, etc.
“‘Wm. Miller.’
“On the 10th of March, he commenced in Essex, Vt., and lectured till the 17th. From the 18th to the 25th, he was at Williston, Vt.; and on the 26th, he commenced another course of lectures at Waterbury, Vt., which closed on the 1st of April. Having projected a tour into Massachusetts about this time, he was obliged to disappoint a large number who had solicited visits from him. As evidence of the great desire to hear him, he then had on file urgent requests from Frederick Daley, ‘Preacher in charge,’ Northfield, Vt.,—with fifteen signatures from Strafford, Vt.,—expressing ‘a great anxiety on the part of the public to hear a course of lectures;’ from Joseph Chase, Middlesex, announcing that the meeting-house had been opened for him without a dissenting vote, and urging him to come by all means; Wm. D. Leavett, Grantham, N. H.; urging his presence there, ‘at an early day as possible;’ Z. Delano, Hartford, Vt., wishing him to come as early ‘as practicable;’ Jonathan Woods, Dover, Vt., ‘many people being desirous to hear;’ Hiram Freeman, pastor of the Congregationalist church in Middlesex, Vt., stating that ‘the church would gladly see him, and were generally anxious for him to come,’ etc., etc.; none of which appear to have been complied with.
CHAPTER VI.
VISITS MASSACHUSETTS—INVITATION TO LOWELL—EXTRACT FROM THE LYNN RECORD—IS INVITED TO BOSTON—CONVERSATION WITH ELDER HIMES—PUBLICATION OF HIS LECTURES BY MR. MUSSEY—LABORS IN PORTSMOUTH—INTERVIEW WITH ELDER ROBINSON, ETC.