the unformed mind is specially exposed to the influence of skepticism. As yet he was a stranger to the renewing operations of grace. He soon learned the character of the book, and, recollecting his former exposure, determined not to read it. Having invented a suitable reproof, and wrought it into two or three poetic couplets, he put it into the book and returned it to the owner. The doctor was exceedingly mortified at having subjected himself to so just a reproof from a poor servant-boy, and never again attempted to obtrude infidel principles upon him.

Deacon Rose seceded from the first church in Granville, and united with a small company of Christians styled separates. While he attended on the Sabbath a meeting of his separate brethren, his wife strenuously adhered to the church, and no ordinary obstacle could detain her from the house of God on the Lord's day. It fell to the lot of Lemuel to accompany her, of which he has given a very amusing account. "I used to carry my mistress across the mountain Sabbath days to meeting. She was a member of Reverend Mr. Smith's church. In the winter our carriage was a one-horse sled; the box was two boards, with four round sticks to couple them together. In this humble plight I used to take a great deal of satisfaction in waiting on my good old mistress from time to time."

In the intermission, especially in the warm season, he often stole away into the forest, and spent the hour in devout meditation and prayer. At other times, when even but a boy, he sometimes collected his youthful acquaintances around him, and repeated in their hearing the morning sermon with wonderful accuracy. At night, whenever requested by Deacon Rose, he gave

him from memory a copious analysis of the sermons and other religious services of the house of God.

In 1775 the excellent and pious Mrs. Rose died. In her death he lost every thing comprehended in the endearing name of mother. She had adopted him as her own son in early infancy, and tenderly trained him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This memorable and grievous affliction he has recorded in the following words:" Soon after I came of age, God was pleased to take my mistress away, to my inexpressible sorrow. It caused me bitter mourning and lamentation."

CHAPTER II.

HISTORY OF MR. HAYNES CONTINUED TILL HE COMMENCES STUDYING FOR THE MINISTRY.

IN the life of every good man, with the exception of such as are sanctified in their infancy, there is a marked period, when the great change is experienced to which the Saviour refers when he says, "Ye must be born again." In some instances, men of high attainments in piety, instead of pointing to the time of this change, can only adopt the language of the blind man; "One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see." Baxter could tell neither the day, the month, nor the year in which he was made alive in Christ Jesus. Edwards, Brainard, Richmond, and many others, leave us in little or no doubt respecting the time of their conversion to God; of this class was Mr. Haynes. Though he has

left to us no means of fixing on the day, nor even the year, in which he was renewed in the spirit of his mind, yet he often spoke of a time, and particularly described the place where it occurred. In childhood, indeed, he was the subject of religious impressions, but it was not till his arrival at mature years that he was enabled, after a season of great distress, to accept the salvation of the gospel. In a letter written in answer to the particular inquiries of a friend, he gave the following account of this interesting event.

HIS CONVERSION.

"I remember I often had serious impressions, or fearful apprehensions of going to hell. I spent much time in what I called secret prayer. I was one evening greatly alarmed by the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. It was in that day esteemed a presage of the day of judgment. For many days and nights I was greatly alarmed, through fear of appearing before the bar of God, knowing that I was a sinner; I cannot express the terrors of mind that I felt. One evening, being under an apple-tree mourning my wretched situation, I hope I found the Saviour. I always visit the place when I come to Granville, and, when I can, I pluck some fruit from the tree and carry it home: it is sweet to my taste. I have fears at times that I am deceived, but still I hope. Reading a verse in Mr. Erskine's sonnets a little strengthened me. In describing marks of grace, he asks,

"Dost ask the place, the spot of land,

Where Jesus did thee meet?

And how he got thy heart and hand?

Thy husband then was sweet.'

"Soon after I united with the church in East Gran

ville, and was baptized by the Rev. Jonathan Huntington, minister or pastor of the church in Worthington."

Mr. Haynes, during his minority, enjoyed the labours of a faithful, evangelical minister, and has left, in a letter to a friend, the following tribute to his memory:

"You wish me to give a biographical sketch of the Reverend Jedediah Smith. I am not able to say much, being young, and much of the time inattentive and too indifferent to the preaching of the gospel; but I have the impression that he was an evangelical preacher. He used to make, at times, considerable impression on my mind. He used zealously to call upon the youth to remember their Creator. He would preach to us the dreadful state of the damned, and the necessity of being born of God. I used at times, after hearing his solemn addresses, in the intermission, to retire by myself up north of the old meeting-house for meditation and prayer. I remember that Mr. Smith was very pointed against vice and immorality.”

*

"The sentiments of Dr. Hopkins were very unpopular in that day. Many considered them as unscriptural. Mr. Smith, though a Calvinist, did not approve of them, which was the case with many good ministers; the doctrines of the gospel, being illustrated in a novel point of light, were not so readily embraced. The cause of division between Mr. Smith and his people was the subject of the qualifications for church membership. When he was called to settle in Granville, he suggested that he was inclined to be a Stoddardian, or in sentiment with Mr. Stoddard of Northampton, who did not hold evidence of grace to be a necessary term of admis

sion into the visible church. Many of the church thought differently, and were of Edwards's opinion. Mr. Smith observed that he had not investigated the matter so accurately as he could wish. Not much. more was said on the subject. He was ordained, though some of the members of the church were not entirely satisfied. There was good harmony existing between the minister and people for many years, and several revivals of religion, particularly among the youth. He was a man of remarkable piety, pleasantness, and affability."

To the above account it may be proper to add, that in 1776, the Rev. Mr. Smith, after a ministry of twenty years, was dismissed from his pastoral charge. Having preached his farewell sermon to his flock in Granville, he embarked at Middletown, with his family, for Louisiana, which was then nearly an unbroken desert. Previous to reaching the place of his destination, he went to the "bourn from whence no traveller returns." In a lingering passage up the Mississippi, being exposed to intense heat and a noxious atmosphere, he was attacked with fever, and in a phrensy leaped overboard into the river. By the efforts of the mariners he was rescued from the water, but soon after died, and was buried on the land. The river gradually encroached on the bank where he lay, till, in a flood, the grave, with its precious deposite, was borne away, and, as in the case of Moses, no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day." His bereaved family proceeded with a commendable perseverance, and founded a settlement in that remote country. The descendants of the Rev. Mr. Smith comprise some of the most respectable citizens in the State of Louisiana.