"While I was at Nobletown, the church and congregation at West Stockbridge gave me a second call to settle. I assure you, sir, it was hard to deny them, but the difficulties appeared so great, that I have done it a second time. I have now preached three Sabbaths at Lenox, they urge me to stay longer, but I feel obligated to go to Clinton. This morning, by the leave of Providence, I propose to set off on my journey. Notwithstanding I am going into the wilderness, at a great distance from my friends and from all ministers, yet I am pleased with the prospect which is before me-my heart is much set upon it. They need preaching in that country, it is rare that candidates launch out so far. Mr. West proposes to go up in September for the purpose of forming a church. I hope God may use me as an instrument of doing good, that he will enable me to be faithful, and that I may not bestow on them labor in vain. In the hands of God the cause of Zion is infinitely safe. He is able to show himself superior to all opposition."

"Dear Sir,

"Clinton, State of New York, Sept. 21, 1791.

"Before I left the county of Berkshire, I wrote you one or two letters, but could find no direct opportunity to send them, and I think it is probable they never reached you. Now I am deprived of health, which renders me unable to write any thing more than just to let you know my situation. The intermitting fever has been preying upon me almost four weeks. It has torn off my flesh, taken away my strength, and reduced me to a very feeble, helpless, and dependent state. However, in the midst of judgments I experience mercies innumerable. The people in this place have been kind to me, and have spared no exertions to administer to my comfort. This place is not called unhealthy; the people all appear to be

remarkably robust. But I need correction; I deserve the rod; and it is no wonder that God sends down his judgments upon me. Oh, that I may be enabled to say from the heart, 'It is good that I have been afflicted,' that God's judgments may not be sent down upon me in vain.

"This is an excellent country of land; such a tract as there is here, is not to be found in New England, you may depend. But it is the State of New York, and the regulations are such as I do not like. In every letter I request you to write to your friend."

"Honored Father,

"Lee, June 5, 1792.

"By Mr. N. I expect an opportunity to convey a letter to you, though I must say, I entertain some hope that you will accompany him to the ordination. I am full of company now, so that I can write but a few lines. I have enjoyed my usual health since I left you; have been preaching at Salisbury and at this place. Providence has so ordered things in regard to me, that it appears plainly to be my duty to settle in the work of the ministry in this town. It is now almost two years since I first preached here, and at that time I had not the most distant thought that it would ever be best for me to settle here; but God, whose providence is universal, and who governs the world in infinite wisdom, has ordered differently from what I expected. The church and people are happily united in the affair of my settling, and have made proposals, in regard to support, which are comfortable. They give me *£200 as a settlement, and £60 salary the first year, to be increased £5 a year till it arrives to £80 a year, which last sum is to be the permanent salary. They also give me my wood, and to encourage me about

*This was to be paid in annual instalments of £50 each year, for four years.

building, individuals have obligated themselves to pay more than £30 in labor and materials.

"But my thoughts are more employed about the greatness of the work in which I am about to engage, than the manner in which I shall be supported. The work of the ministry appears greater and greater to me. I am sometimes almost ready to sink under it, and to cry out Who is sufficient for these things?' But these words, 'My grace is sufficient for thee,' are sometimes comforting. The burden on my mind, at the present time, is very great. To-morrow is appointed for my ordination, and I have solemn and affecting scenes before me. It is a great thing to take the pastoral office over a church, and to be set as a watchman. I need the prayers of all God's people. I hope you, sir, will remember me at the throne of grace.

"I want to see you, and to talk with you on the subject which was introduced, at the time when we last parted. I feel inexcusable that I have said so little to you on that subject. The thought affects me— -it greatly affects me, that you should be the parent of so many children, and never dedicate them to God. It is your indispensable duty. The word of God points it out to you in a very plain manner. I feel afraid that you will pass through life without ever complying with the ordinances and institutions which Christ hath appointed for his followers, and in which all Christians take delight. I can do no less than to call up your attention to this subject. I hope, sir, you will think of it with seriousness and

candor."

CHAPTER III.

REVIVAL SOON AFTER HIS ORDINATION-HIS THEOLOGICAL SENTIMENTS-HIS MARRIAGE-HIS LETTERS TILL 1800.

SUCH were the feelings with which the youthful pastor entered upon his work. The church, over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, had been some years destitute of a pastor-had been greatly opposed and sorely tried; and the religious aspect of the community not the most encouraging. But the minister, as appears from an examination of his sermons written at that period, commenced his labors by a very plain and full exhibition of the discriminating doctrines of the Bible; those, too, which are most offensive and trying to the natural heart. In his diary recording the mercies and providences of God towards him, we find the following account.

"In a few weeks after my ordination, it pleased God to excite a very general and solemn attention to the things of religion, among the people committed to my charge. The Spirit of God came down upon us, and, in its effects, was like a rushing, mighty wind. There was great consternation among the people. Some were in distress, some were filled with joy; but the finger and power of God were so clearly evinced in the work, that none pre

sumed to make opposition to it. This revival of religion was of long continuance, and exhibited marks of great purity. It occasioned an accession to the church of more than one hundred persons. I record this as a token of the rich and astonishing mercy of God."

The following very brief extracts from his letters, written during the progress of this revival, contain all the additional particulars which have been collected from his own pen, except what are contained in his general view of the revivals during his ministry, published with Dr. Sprague's Lectures.

"Sir,

"Lee, Dec. 4, 1792.

"There is a continuation of the religious awakening among us, though it has considerably abated. The number of those who entertain hopes of their being brought out of darkness into marvellous light is large. More than seventy of this description have come to my knowledge; with the most of whom I have had some conversation. Since my ordination, fifty-two persons in this town have made a public profession of the religion of Jesus, and joined the church of which I have the charge. You will easily see that this must make my labor great; for our mode of admission is by examination before the whole church. God hath done great things for us in this place, and the glory is all his due. What demands are made on us for grateful hearts!"

"My dear Friend,

“Lee, April 1, 1793.

"Since my last letter I have been in good health. My labor is very hard. The serious attention is not yet wholly abated, though it is much less than what it has