seemed to threaten the dissolution of the body, was healed, and peace and harmony restored. Mr. Garrettson says, "Having accomplished our business, we set our faces to the north with gladness of heart, praising the Lord for his great goodness." Returning to Baltimore, where he was appointed to labour, he set apart a day for fasting and prayer, and the Lord abundantly blessed him. Such, however, was the ardour of his soul in behalf of lost sinners, that he did not long confine himself to the city; for we soon find him in the country, where he makes the following reflections: "With delight I viewed the rising morn ; the fields are clad with a beautiful green; the creation is smiling, and the birds tuning their notes. Surely an immortal spirit ought to praise the Creator of the universe." After labouring for several weeks in Baltimore and the adjoining county with great success, he crossed the Chesapeake again to the Peninsula. "Having," says he, "a good horse, and being seldom sick enough to desist from travelling, or weary enough to complain, I could travel from twenty to fifty miles a day, and preach from one to four sermons. During the five or six weeks I remained here, I visited most of the circuits; the congregations were larger than usual, and never for the time had I brighter prospects. Many evil reports were raised against me; but my manner was to go straight forward in the line of my duty. When I returned many gathered at the Fork chapel from all quarters; and among the crowd, I espied my old uncle T. who had heard and believed the reports; and was determined, as I understood, to detect me in the midst of the people. Never shall I forget the day; for the Lord manifested his power: the heart of my dear old uncle was softened, and tears flowed down his face. After he left the chapel, he said to some of his acquaintances, 'Surely my cousin is belied.' He came and begged me to go home with him, which I did. The next day he followed me five miles; and the tears flowed plentifully.

When we were about to part, he asked me what compen sation he should make me, for the benefit which he had received. 'Will you,' said he, 'receive a suit of clothes?' I thanked him kindly, telling him that I had as much clothing as was necessary. He then put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out eighty continental dollars, which at that time were worth about twenty hard dollars: at first I refused; but he would not be denied. So I took them, and some time after gave them to brother S., a man who needed them. When we parted he told me that he expected to see me no more: it was even so, for some time after the Lord called him away.

"I continued in this circuit till the following spring, and enjoyed precious moments. Many were brought into gospel liberty, and added to the society; and some received the second blessing. I trust I grew in grace and knowledge during my stay; and felt myself an unprofitable servant: very unworthy of the many favours which I received from the precious, loving followers of Christ in this circuit."

Just before Mr. Garrettson visited the Peninsula, he gives the following account: "I went to bed very happy, but my night visions were uncommonly strange: I thought I was taken dangerously ill, and expected shortly to be in eternity. I doubt not but I felt just as dying persons do. I appeared to be surrounded with thousands of devils, who were all striving to take from me my confidence; and for a time it seemed almost gone. I began an examination from my first awakenings-then my conversion-my call to preach-the motives which induced me to enter this great work-my intention, and life from the beginning. In the time of this examination, every fear was dismissed, -every fiend vanished; and a band of holy angels succeeded with the most melodious music that I ever heard. I then began to ascend, accompanied by this heavenly host; and thought every moment the body would drop off, and my spirit take its flight. After ascending a vast

height, I was overshadowed with a cloud as white as a sheet; and in that cloud I saw a person the most beautiful that my eyes ever beheld. I wanted to be dislodged from this tabernacle, and take my everlasting flight. That glorious person, more bright than the sun in its meridian brilliancy, spoke to me as follows: 'If you continue faithful to the end, this shall be your place; but you cannot come now, return and be faithful; there is more work for you to do.' Immediately I awoke, and my spirit was so elevated with a sense of eternal things, that I thought I should sleep no more that night. Great and glorious discoveries have been made to me both sleeping and waking; but all the promises of heaven and eternal glory have been conditional. In Scripture we have a little, but significant word, if—If you are faithful until death, you shall have a crown of life. I would advise all the children of God to be very careful and watchful, and continue in well doing until death. Some suppose that we ought not to put any dependence in dreams and visions. We should lay the same stress on them in this our day, as wise and good men have done in all ages. Very great discoveries were made to Peter, Paul, and others in their night visions. But is there not a danger of laying too much stress on them? We are indeed in danger from a variety of sources; and the only safe way to escape from the illusions of error is to try every thing by the written standard: if enlightened by the Holy Spirit, by taking heed to that word which is a lamp to our path, we shall not be suffered to go astray."

CHAPTER IX.

Goes to Little York-Curious account of the conversion of a man and his wife-Effects thereof on the people-Goes to ColchesterCurious account of a deluded woman--Persecution rages-Visits a distressed man-Opposed by some soldiers who were quartered in the town-Powerful effects of the word preached-Attends conference in Baltimore where unanimity prevails-Great distress in Virginia-Rev. Mr. Jarret friendly to the Methodists.

On the 24th day of January, 1781, Mr. Garrettson set off to visit Little York in Pennsylvania. Stopping at a tavern for the night, he lectured on the 7th chapter of St. Matthew, and in time of family prayer the Lord powerfully awakened a gentleman who lodged there also.

Tuesday 25th, I went into the town, and in the afternoon the bell rang, and I preached in the Dutch church. The gentleman's lady (who was awakened the evening before) got her heart touched. When he came home in the evening, he spoke to this effect, 'My dear, I heard such a man last night as I never saw or heard before, and if what he said be true, we are all in the way to hell.' 'I suspect,' said she,' he is the same man whom I heard this afternoon in Wagoner's church. I believe his doctrine is true, and that we are all in the way to ruin.' 'Well,' said he, let us set about our salvation.' 'I am willing,' said she.

"Having an appointment, I preached at Mr. G.'s, the Lutheran minister: and after meeting we had an agreeable conversation. His mother and sister, whose hearts the Lord had touched, accompanied me to Berlin, where I preached to a large congregation with great freedom. I again had an opportunity in the evening to hold up a loving Saviour to the listening multitude.

"By this time a persecution had arisen among the people in Little York and its vicinity: the enemy of souls had taken an advantage of my two friends who were awakened:

A

Being under deep distress, and sorely tempted of the devil, not knowing what to do, at length they prepared water, and washed themselves; then put on clean clothes, and concluded that it was the new birth. After they came from their room, they kissed their two children, a son and daughter well nigh grown, and told them they were new born. Being in a great measure bereft of their senses, and the enemy ready to take every advantage, 'Come,' said they, 'old things must be done away, and all things must become new.' They then began to throw their old clothing and blankets on the fire; and among other things they threw on a large bundle of paper money. 'This,' said he, is an old thing, and must be done away.' The neighbours being alarmed, ran in and saved many things; but I suppose they did not sustain less than fifteen pounds loss. A minister was sent for, and he desired a doctor to be called; for they knew not what was the matter. Quaker woman came to see them, who said, 'she did not know of any one that could be of service to them, unless it was the man that was the occasion of it.' The cry was, such a man ought not to go through the country; and that some desired me to be apprehended and put into jail. I was about twenty miles off, but as soon as I heard of it, mounted my horse and got to them as quickly as possible. When the neighbours saw me, several gathered into the room. When I entered the house, I perceived that the woman looked strange, and the man was in bed under the hands of the doctor, with several blister plasters on him. I sat down by his bed side (she sat on the foot of the bed) and asked him what he wanted-To be new born,' said hę. Taking out my little Bible, I read and lectured on a chapter; and sensibly felt that the Lord was present to heal. It brought to my mind the time when St. Peter visited Cornelius. I believe in the time of the exhortation and prayer the Lord not only opened the way of salvation to those two distressed ones, but to several others who came