the beggar, proves, that the soul of the bad man, and the soul of the good man, existed after death. But, notwithstanding this, I was not contented; I wanted ocular evidence. Never did Moses long more to see "that goodly mountain, and Lebanon," than I longed to have heaven opened to me, that I might see if there were spirits, and if they were happy; for the universe still looked in disorder; creation in dark confusion, and happiness out of existence. At this time, it appeared to me, that three or four angels or spirits, in a cluster, came and took their stand a few feet from my bed-post; light was dazzling around them, and they appeared pleasant and happy. I saw no real shape, and heard no voice, but the Saviour seemed to be near them, and the heavenly world was full of light. To me, it was then plain, that there was a boundary between heaven and this world, where so much wrath, horror, and misery reigned. If it could be supposed, that all this was nothing but heated imagination, arising from enfeebled nerves, yet the effect was amazing. For seventeen days I had been without any idea, that any part of the universe was free from darkness, distress and confusion, or that any creatures possessed pleasure. But now the boundless regions of heaven opened to view, where light and serenity displayed their beams, and where the inhabitants seemed pleased and happy. This so diverted my mind, that all the horrors of being dead, and part of the horrors of dying, were removed. When I reflect on the weak state of my nerves—the distress and close thinking of my mind for four hours, without a moment's respite, this appearance did then, and does still, look to me, as if it saved me from total distraction. For, after I have found a heaven of light, with happy beings in it, the lower world appeared much better; I could then see a mixture of goodness in creation, and the glory of God shining through the whole. This, however, gradually prevailed on my mind, for it was several days, before I got entirely reconciled with creation. I will here add, that the little band of angels, or supposed angels, continued in their charge three days and nights and then withdrew.

Notwithstanding the deliverance which I obtained from this real or supposed appearance, yet dreadful clouds and darkness were round about me; but the little strength which I had received assisted me in what followed. The next attack was this: "You are firm in the faith that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and the only Saviour of sinners, and that the Christian economy is true; but according to that belief, what evidence have you in your own mind, that you are one to be saved by Christ ?" This called my attention to several things. I admitted that all men (myself among the rest) by nature were unprepared for heaven, and that no exercises of ours, while in that state of enmity could be pleasing to God; that unless men were born again they could not be saved; that Christ saved men by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Granting

this, have I ever experienced this change? I knew that almost nineteen years of my life, from infancy on, was exceeding vain; that for several of the last years of that time dancing and merriment was superlative pleasure; that some change then took place in my mind, which not only stopped my career, but made those exercises abhorrent, so that I could not remember that I ever had had a single desire to return to them again. That change turned me to religious exercises, in which I had taken delight, and that I had continued, more or less, in them until the then present moment. This seemed encouraging. But then considering the weakness of my views at the time of that change, the unsanctified nature that was left, and the evils that had mixed with my religious exercises all along through the whole, I was at some loss what conclusion to draw. I next took a survey of my ministerial life. On which my reflections were as follows. When I began the work, I was so well covinced that a gracious change of heart and an internal call were essential to form a minister of Jesus, that nothing would have tempted me to undertake the work, short of a belief that I had both; but though I believed I had, and undertook for fear of offending the Lord, yet I might have been deceived. Since I undertook, I have travelled through many fatigues, over mountains and waters, through storms and tempests, with little or no prospect of getting a penny for my pains. Yea, many hundreds of miles, pinched with hunger, sometimes for want of the means of supplying the wants of nature, and at other times to save what little I had, to supply the wants of my family, that I might travel and preach the more. It has not been rare to preach six months successively, without receiving six dollars for it. But was it not from curiosity, to see the world and those in it? Was it not the effect of ambition, to be taken notice of by others, as a man of talents? Add to all this, such languor of soul and in. difference of mind have attended me, that the evidence seems against me. But, to do myself justice, I have many times felt such travail of soul for the conversion of poor sinners, such a constraint to point out to them their ruin and recovery, that I could boldly say, "the love of Christ constraineth me." And often, when I have been preaching, I have felt such pain, pity and desire for the people, that the tears have run from my eyes. At such times I have felt as if my preaching was with power, with the Holy Ghost and much assurance, as if I was certain that the word of life in my mouth was eternal truth. Add to this, the heart pleasure which I have felt when sinners have turned to the Lord, and it seems to form an argument that I am in the work and favor of God.

My life, as a moralist, I next examined, thus. I have had but little dealing and few contentions with men, since the time I professed religion. I have ever thought that little sacrifices were the cheapest settlements; yet I have found covetousness and ill-will in myself towards others. Indeed, my thoughts, my words and actions (having a little good in them, as I hope)

have had a preponderance of moral evil, so that the scale turns against me. How then can I be justified and accepted with God? Here a number of texts seemed to volunteer themselves to solve the query.

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. David describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is God that justifies. The just shall live by his faith," &c. These texts seemed to breathe the spirit of life into my soul, and constrained me to say as before, "here is a Saviour for a sinner." And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus the righteous. Summing up the whole and judging as well as I could, I formed the conclusion, that my soul was interested in the salvation of God. Fleeing, however, to those texts which were my city of refuge, through all the conflict, "Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief, Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed." From this, and from the view of those happy spirits, which seemed to stand sentinels over me, just after the clock struck three, I fell asleep. So that my conflict, such as I never had before, lasted five hours. When I awaked in the morning, I found my body and mind very feeble, corresponding with the words of David, "I am feeble and sore broken—thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons." In the year 1791, I was tossed in a tremendous sea storm about fifteen hours. The wind assuaged about the appearance of day-light. I knew not whether to rejoice for my safety, or tremble at the boisterous ocean which was beating all around. So it was with me at this time. Notwithstanding the signal deliverances which I received the night before, yet dark boding fears, clouds and malignant suggestions were all around me. Several texts of scripture seemed, however, to be whispered in my ears by the Holy Spirit. "The joy of the Lord is your strength. Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory. I will not leave you comfortless. Because I live ye shall live also. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory."

ADDRESS

TO THE ASSOCIATION OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY, CHESHIRE, MARCH 4, 1813.

Young Gentlemen: From the epoch of the funding system, until the present moment, there have been strong exertions to turn our elective government into a government of confidence and perpetuity. These exertions had prevailed so far, that in 1798, the friends to the rights of man exhibited their mourning weeds, at the symptoms of death in the pulse of the genius of liberty. But that kind Providence, which produced a Washington to deliver us from the invading foe, presented a Jefferson, as a mound of our liberties, who snatched the constitution from the talons of its enemies, and turned the government into its natural channel. This day, young gentlemen, you assemble to commemorate the inauguration of the man who saved his country from the curse of despotism. Yes, ye Sons of Liberty, ye celebrate the virtues of Jefferson, which secured to you the blessings that Washington achieved. High and doubtful was the contest between the imitators of monarchy, and the advocates for a representative democracy, in 1800. The latter prevailed by only seven electoral votes. But now, after trying the Republican administration twelve years, notwithstanding the combination of Federalists and Clintonians—the discontented and disappointed—and notwithstanding the unfavorable events of the campaign, on the line of Canada, on an appeal to the people, there are thirtynine electoral votes more for Madison and war, than there are for Clinton and submission, and the choice of members for the thirteenth Congress, about the same majority. This majority includes about one and a half million of inhabitants, and (leaving out the territories, which are not incorporated into states) the eleven states, which are republican, and approve of the administration of Madison, contain three times as large an extent of territory as the seven states in opposition. The self-named peace party, who are always at war with their own government, are so far in the back ground, that they are one and a half million in the minority, and possessing but one fourth part of the soil. The majority on the republican side is more than five times as large as it was when Mr. Jefferson was elected in 1800. And when we consider the vast extent of south-western terri

tory, rapidly populating, lying entirely in the republican climates, the prospect brightens before us.

If there were causes of resistance and war in 1775—if the three-penny act on tea, and a claim to tax the colonies without the voice of their representatives, justified the war of the colonies; there is seven times the justification for the present war. These causes I shall not enumerate at this time; they are fresh in all your minds. But hark! do you not hear the groans of your brethren! How do the cries of seven thousand of them, confined in British floating prisons, rise to heaven, and cry to you! The voice sounds, "help, help, for God's sake, help!" Spend not your time in unmeaning parade, like the militia of Massachusetts, in drinking toasts of patriotism—in volunteering to stay at home—in striving for of fices or disputing about politics; but arise and avenge our wrongs, and never sheath your swords, or stack your arms, until the soil and shores of North America are freed from British cruelty.

The two first campaigns in the revolutionary war, were so disastrous by the camp fever and defeats, that thirty thousand soldiers were lost, yet success smiled at last. The idependence of the United States, cost eighty thousand lives: and after the destruction of much property, in addition to all that was paid to the army, the states were involved in a debt of about seventy millions of dollars. This debt, in the first twelve years of our general government, was increased to eighty millions. During the eight years of Mr. Jefferson's administration, the debt was reduced to about forty millions of dollars; and but for the unjust attack on our commerce, by foreign powers, it is morally certain, that by this time the debt would have been reduced to a trifle. But a continuation of these attacks on our com. merce and seamen, with other causes, have imperiously called to war; of course our debts must increase. But, young gentlemen, it is expected, that, while, like Spartan youths, you learn to know and plead for your rights, so also, like them, you will patiently bear that burden which is the price of your liberty. Those of you who are not rugged enough to bear the bur dens of the camp, will be pursuing some lawful course with industry and prudence, for vain is the pretence of patriotism in the man who wastes his time in useless parade, and neglects to act well his part in life to support society.

Notwithstanding the difference of the administration of our general gov. ernment, in respect to laws and measures for ourselves, yet the President, have alike, and uniformly, treated all other powers with justice and impartiality. I know not of an instance to the contrary; the demands of our government have always been reasonable, and their measures conciliatory. War, and all the causes of it, were shunned with the utmost vigilance, but all would not prevent insufferable outrage on moral right, and