exertions, though I did what I could to prevent them. I begged them to wait for the Master, and let him take the lead. Extravagance was carried to the greatest height among the blacks, for many of them continued it for hours together. Such things, when the power of God is not in the camp, tend to dissipate the mind. The most I can say of this meeting is, there was great attention paid to the word preached. During my stay I got accommodations at my friend Shockley's-a rich friend, who was within call of the camp ground, where my friend Chalmers and I retired for lodging. It is a blessing to have able, wise, and prudent rulers in the church; but to my grief, I say we have some whose zeal and imprudence go far beyond their knowledge; but, thanks be to God, there are men of piety and knowledge to check their precipitancy, or we might soon bid farewell to good old Methodism. Glory to God, I think it will stand, though encumbered with many disagreeables. There are thousands in this country deeply pious. The Methodists have the whole business to themselves in this country. There is scarcely a minister of any other denomination.

"Monday 7. I had an appointment at Dover to-day at three o'clock. We started early this morning, rode twentytwo miles, and got in by twelve o'clock. I feel a little weary. The church was nearly filled. I discussed two heads of doctrine-the lowest and the highest degree of Christian experience. Brother Chalmers made the application, and we had a precious season. This town looks old-in fact, there are very small improvements made in any part of this country, except in matters of religion. We stayed at Mr. White's, brother to Dr. White, an old friend. We had a number of my good friends to tea.

Tuesday 8. To-day I preached at Blackstone's chapel. Dined at Ringold's. At three we had a large congregation. After speaking more than an hour on the various parts of prayer with great freedom, while the power of God was

graciously displayed, and I was much spent, I asked brother Chalmers to speak on the duty and benefit of prayer, which I had promised to do if strength permitted. He did so in a very pertinent manner, for he is an excellent preacher. He began travelling when he was sixteen, about twenty years ago, but has been located several years. Brother Whitby, a worthy man, where we now lodge, (who was once a travelling, but is now a local preacher,) said, For your encouragement I can tell you that under the sermon you preached in our chapel, as you went down, a poor sinner was awakened, who has since found pardon, and is now happy in God.

"Wednesday 9. My appointment is at Chestertown in the evening. My good friend Chalmers leaves me this morning. As Basset's camp meeting begins to-day, and he expects to meet his wife from Baltimore, I have no other chance to see my old friend, Dr. Anderson, who is very ill from a fall from his carriage. I think it a small thing to go twenty-five miles out of my way to see so worthy a member of the church, and the fruit of my poor little labours more than thirty years ago. I rode twenty-five miles, and dined at Chestertown, at brother Harris's. In the evening I had the church full of serious hearers, and to my agreeable surprise the Doctor was among my audience. I had a most sweet season among my friends. My sermon was from Psalm xlviii, 12, 13. 1, I spoke of the church ministry, beauty, and order; 2, her strength and fortitude; 3, her privileges; 4, her testimony.

Thursday 10. Our worthy brother Burniston accompanied me to the camp ground.

"Friday 11. A very rainy day. I preached in a large tent, on the necessity of holiness. Mr. Harris fell under the word, cried for mercy, and found peace. He is not a member of our church. Brother Chalmers got under such a deep travail of soul for holiness, that he fell under the power of God, and lay for hours; and when he came

to, rejoiced in the perfect love of God. I was requested by some of my old friends to call this meeting; among others was Mrs. Bruff and her sister Ward. These holy women are full of the perfect love of God. This meeting held several hours. I likewise called a meeting in the preachers' tent at the same time;-the tents rung with the praises of God. The poor blacks seemed almost ready to fly. There is, nevertheless, a probability we shall have a great meeting. Many of our good friends have come from Baltimore. I must leave you. This minute I have been conversing with Mrs. Bruff;-she tells me, at the above-mentioned meeting three besides Mr. Chalmers were brought out, and several led to feel the necessity of holiness. My dear love, there is a struggle in the camp. I will tell you more when we meet. God bless you and yours. I am in the cause of God; nothing else would reconcile me to so long an absence from you. I remember you at the throne of grace;-there also remember me; I can only stand by grace. While I am writing, prayer, praise, and shouting are all around me."

CHAPTER XVI.

Appointed to the New-York district-Some account of his duties -His sermon on the union of fear, hope, and love-General Conference in 1808-Attends the first delegated Conference in 1812-His views on some parts of our ecclesiastical economy-Appointed a conference missionary-His letter to the Rev. Lyman Beecher-State of that controversy-Mr. Garrettson's views. of the subject-His charity sermon-Not pleased with being returned a supernumerary -Domestic enjoyments-Makes a journey to Albany, Schenectady, Troy, &c.-Returns home--Solemn reflections-Makes another southern tour-Visits New-York, Trenton, Burlington, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Abington, and his native place-Reflections on the state of the people-Goes to Baltimore, and participates in a revival of the work of God in that city-Returns to Rhinebeck.

In the year 1811 Mr. Garrettson was appointed again to the New-York district, over which he presided with

dignity and usefulness four years. He was every where received, both by preachers and people, as a father in the gospel, and his word was often attended with power to the hearts of his hearers. It was at this time that the writer became more intimately acquainted with this venerable servant of God; and still remembers with pleasure and gratitude the tenderness with which he was treated by him. With what delight have I accompanied him to some of his quarterly meetings, and witnessed the devotedness of his soul to the service of his divine Master.

Mr. Garrettson occasionally employed the hours which were not otherwise devoted to the services of the sanctuary, in writing. Though his publications are by no means numerous, yet they are sufficient to speak for him, since his voice is hushed in the silence of the grave.

The first publication was an account of his experience and travels, from which copious extracts have been made in the first part of this memoir. The second was on the evils of slavery, a copy of which I have not been able to find.

It was about this time that he published his sermon "On the union of fear, hope, and love in the believer." The object of Mr. Garrettson in this sermon was to show how fear, hope, and love, coexist in the heart of a true believer in Christ, balancing and regulating each other. "Fear and hope to the soul of a Christian," says he, “ are like the cork and lead to the net; the cork keeps it from sinking, and the lead from too much floating;- -so it is in a spiritual sense; fear keeps hope from rising into presumption, and hope keeps fear from sinking into depair."

"There is also a union in the souls of believers between fear and love. Love without fear would become secure, and fear without love would be slavish. Love is the dearest companion of filial fear. There is nothing more fearful than genuine love, and nothing more loving than filial fear. These two graces sweetly draw the soul to God. Love is

the grace that unites the soul to God, and fear keeps it from departing from him."*

At the general conference held in the city of Baltimore in 1808, on account of the great increase of our work, extending over so large a territory, the number of travelling preachers continually multiplying, it was resolved to establish a delegated general conference, to be composed of a certain number of delegates to be elected by the several annual conferences. This measure, so necessary for the well being of the Church, had been in contemplation by Bishop Asbury and others, elders in the ministry, for several years. When it was first proposed at this general conference, it met with a determined opposition, and was finally lost by a very considerable majority. Towards the close of the conference, however, it was reconsidered, and presented in a somewhat modified form, and very unanimously adopted.

The first delegated general conference was held in the city of New-York, in May, 1812. Among others, as delegates from the New-York conference, was Mr. Garrettson; and such were the respect and confidence manifested toward him by his brethren, that at every subsequent general conference he was selected as one of their delegates. In this character, though he often differed with some of his brethren on certain points of church government, he always manifested the most stern and inflexible opposition to any innovation upon the established doctrines of the church; at the same time cheerfully bowing to the will of the majority on matters of indifference.

In respect to the question on which the general conference have long been divided in sentiment, namely, whether the presiding elders should continue to be appointed as they now are by the bishops, or be elected by the annual conferences, it is well known that Mr. Garrettson

* Those who wish to see the whole discourse may find it in the Methodist Magazine (in which it was republished) for July, 1825,