TO THE PUBLIC.

ers.

In writing the first volume of my life, there were many things not printed, which I think necessary for my benefit and the good of othI shall now in this second volume attend to what was omitted in the first, and have it printed in this, that the reader may have more information concerning the trials I have passed through, and the manifestations of God's goodness to me, and also what I have experienced since the first volume of my life was written. From information by different persons in different places, the books have been the means of the awakening and stirring up the minds of some to seek religion. This has caused me to rejoice and thank the Lord. I also feel thankful to my brethren of different denominations, who have assisted me in selling the books, and also to those who have purchased them. The small profits I have made on their sale, has been some help in the support of my family. When I have met with very poor people, who were unable

to purchase, I have given them away, so that the profits I have made, have been small on this account. I hope those who have been anxious to borrow the first volume to read, may be so interested for my welfare, as to purchase the second volume (if they feel able) for there are many poor persons, who are unable to purchase, and if I sell to those who are able to pay, I shall be better able to give to the poor.

NARRATIVE.

CHAPTER I.

Opposition from friends and connexions-Their hard sayings to me for leaving all to preach-Visit to New-Bedford, where I hear Elias Smith-Visits to Middleborough, Bridgewater, Taunton, Providence and Pawtucket., This Chapter contains interesting matter for every one that reads.

I left Newport in June, 1827, with a full determination to leave all and preach the gospel. had before this in some measure counted the cost, and expected persecution from professors and the ungodly world.But to be absent from my family was a great trial, and my friends and brethren, and near connexions, soon began to show opposition. Some said, 'Do you expect you shall get your living by preaching? If you do, you will be mistaken.' 'I would not,' says another, 'make my dependance, if I was in your place, on the cold hand of charity. You had better go to work as you have done, and preach a little once in a while, for the people of the world all think you are deceived, and not only they but a number of your best friends and brethren; and what encouragement you have to preach, we cannot see; and our advice is to go to work at your trade, and although you have met with misfortunes in business, perhaps it will be better times.' I told them I thought I had neglected duty for many years, and my prospects in this world were entirely cut off, and what was on my mind I should pursue; and that was to try it for one year, and see if God would open the way for me to live; and if my labors were blest in the course of that time, I should continue.'— 'But,' said they, 'how is your family to be supported?

you know that the scriptures declare, that he that does not provide for his own house is worse than an infidel.” I told them if the way was hedged up and I had no assistance for them to live, I was ready to give up preaching, and labor in some other way for their support; for I would never see them suffer. 'But you are going about preaching, and leave your family; it shows to the world you have not that love for your family which others have, and it causes a great deal of talk, and in this way you will not have many friends long, and you have already tired the best of them.' I then quoted this scripture-He that shall leave all, house and land, wife and children, for my sake and the gospel's, shall receive an hundred fold in houses and land, brothers and sisters, and in the world to come, everlasting life. As to my family, they are as dear to me as others are to them, and it is as great a trial for me to leave them, as it possibly can be; but I must have my faith tried, and Abraham of old had his faith tried, when he was called to give up Isaac; and I shall make the sacrifice, and wait for the event.

'I see,' said one, 'you are determined to have your own way, notwithstanding all the advice we can give, and it is of no use to talk to you.' In matters of religion, I always have been determined to pursue what I believed right; that the flatteries nor frowns of mortals should never turn me, though I think I am willing to be convinced, if wrong. The building will come down itself, if you remove the foundation; but if the foundation is Christ, it cannot be removed. If Christ is not the foundation, a small stream sometimes will wash away the sand, and the building falls. But he that is on the rock, the gates of hell will never prevail against him.

After leaving Newport, I visited my brethren `in Troy, Mass. The winter and spring before, a good work of the Lord had been carried on through the instrumentality of brother Elijah Peirce and Elder James Taylor. Here I was made to rejoice to see so goodly a number of young converts happy in the love of God. I put up at this time at my good old friend's, Samuel

their

Thornton, and found the same kind treatment with him and his family I always had in years past. How good is lasting friendship, and that charity that never faileth. Many there are, who, in the time of prosperity, appear friendly; but in the hour of adversity, friendship is gone like the morning dew. All this I have experienced, and can adopt the language of Solomon-the rich have many friends, but, the poor is forgotten by deceit.

I left Troy about the first of July, to visit my brethren in New-Bedford. Went on Sunday, heard Elder Abner Jones preach. While hearing the sermon, I had a great exercise of feeling, which caused me to tremble, and these words came with power: Speak to the people that they go forward-the words of God to Moses, when the children of Israel came to the Red Sea. Moses said to the people, Stand still and see the salvation of God; but God spake to Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. I wish the reader to remember, that the Israelites saw the salvation of God in going forward, not in standing still. Many who preach say, stand still and see the salvation of God.— But if the sinner ever sees the salvation of God, he must go forward agreeable to the commands of God. After the Elder ended his sermon, the prayer was made and the meeting immediately dismissed. I felt the impression still to remain as a burden on my mind to speak to the people to go forward. The following evening I had the opportunity to deliver my message to the people at the meeting-house, and had an unusual freedom in speaking, and many old brethren and sisters moved forward in duty, and spake of the great salvation of God and the joy of that salvation which they then felt. At this meeting I found brother David Chace, a young man I had not seen for a long time, one that experienced religion about the time I did, in Taunton, in the time of the great reformation. I felt greatly to rejoice to hear brother David speak of the goodness of God. He is a going-forward Christian, and such enjoy the salvation of God. I staid in New-Bed