grey stockings, and shoes, like those of the Gibeonites, "clouted on my feet;" but my garments were no doubt as acceptable to God, as if they had been more clerical. He looketh not on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

My text was, Rev. vi. 17, "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" It was with much weakness and trembling I got through the services of the morning.

A travelling preacher passing that way, was invited to preach in the afternoon; but I was requested to perform the third service, and retained for the next Sabbath.

I continued preaching in Hampton, by the request of the Committee, until June 21st., when the Society held a meeting, and passed the following vote: "At a meeting of the First Baptist Society in Hampton, held on the 21st. day of June, A. D. 1814. Voted, to request Mr. Gustavus F. Davis to continue preaching with said Society."

A true copy.

Signed, PHILIP PEARL, Moderator."
THS. GROW, Jr., Clerk.

I have stated already that when I went to Hampton I had no licence, or letter of approbation to preach. My minister and some of the private members of the Church to which I belonged, heard of my course, and desired that I would visit them, and consult on the subject. This I considered to be my duty, and immediately repaired to Worcester. I declared to the Church, my impressions and views in relation to the work of the ministry, to which I believed God had called me, and also told them, that though I did not approve of young

men's preaching, in ordinary cases, without special permission from the Church, yet in the circumstances under which I commenced, I could see no guilt in it. I also preached to them from Rom. i. 15, 16. The members appeared to be fully satisfied, and unanimously granted me their approbation. The following is a copy of the letter which I received:

"The Baptist Church of Christ in Worcester to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, sendeth Christian salutation;

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'Whereas the bearer of this, Mr. Gustavus F. Davis, has made known to us the exercises of his mind relative to the gospel ministry, and also improved his gift before us agreeably to the order of our Churches, we do recommend him as a brother in good standing with us, and whose moral character is such as to have a good report of them that are without; and also possessing gifts for the ministry which we think he ought to improve for the edification of saints, and for the awakening and conversion of sinners, as God in his providence may open a door for him.

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Commending him therefore to the blessing of Almighty God, and to the fellowship of his saints, we subscribe ourselves yours in a precious Saviour. Done in Church Meeting,

June the 26th, 1814.

WILLIAM BENTLEY, Pastor." Having received my licence, I returned to Hampton, and resumed my labours. But I had many conflicts.. In a month or two after my return, I was tempted to believe I had committed the unpardonable sin, and sometimes resolved to return my licence to the Church, but was dissuaded from it by my friends. Once on the

Lord's day, I arose in the congregation, and told them I had no message from God to deliver, and twice was under the necessity of sitting down without finishing discourses which I had begun to preach; but from time to time, through abounding grace, my mind was relieved, and I continued to address the people in Hampton and vicinity.

While labouring in Hampton I supplied the pulpit, in great part, by exchanges. My youth attracted numerous auditories, and my hearers listened to me with great apparent interest. As there was a revival in Colchester, I spent several weeks in that town and enjoyed much in witnessing the work of God. A sin. gular occurence happened in one of my visits to Colchester. A child of the Rev. William Witter, pastor of one of the Baptist churches, was dangerously sick. One day when I was at his house, it was thought the little sufferer breathed her last; her eyes were closed, and I was requested to preach her funeral sermon the next day. Having an appointment to preach at the distance of two or three miles in the evening, I immediately left the house, and rode to the place where the lecture was to be delivered; and at the close of the services, announced to the congregation the death of the Rev. Mr. Witter's daughter, and appointed (by his request) the funeral.

At the time appointed on the following day, I repaired to his house, but what must have been my surprise to find the child still alive! About thirteen years after this he sent me word from New York, that the child whose funeral he once requested me to attend, was now a living healthy girl of fifteen !

In the early part of January, my brother James P.

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Davis, residing in Pomfret, a town adjoining Hampton, accompanied me on a visit home; and as I then believed, and as subsequent events proved, I saw, for the last time, all the family together. The parting scene was impressive. It was, with several of us, a weeping

season.

In the winter I exchanged with Rev. William Bentley of Worcester. This gave me an opportunity to visit my friends in that town. On my return through Thompson, where there had been a revival, and about two hundred had bowed to the sceptre of Jesus, I accosted a fellow traveller on the road in the following manner: ‘I understand, Sir, the King rode through this place a few months ago.' 'A King!' said he, 'I never heard of it.' I understood,' continued I, that he rode " prosperously because of truth and righteousness." Silence ensued. At length I again addressed him. Then it seems you did not see him?' 'No,' said he, 'nor any one else.' 'But,' said I, there are many witnesses who testify that they saw the King of Kings, and the King of Saints." By this time he began to understand that I referred to the recent revival, and we conversed plainly on the subject of experimental religion, of which I found him lamentably ignorant.

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During the cold season, I visited Preston twice. Here I found a band of joyful believers in Christ, a branch of the Second Church in Groton; and March 11, 1815, received an unanimous call to become their minister.

After due deliberation, I concluded to accept it, and on the 19th of the same month, preached my farewell sermon at Hampton, from 2 Cor. xiii. 11. “Finally, brethren, farewell."

On the first day of July, 1814, Mr. Davis commenced a diary, which he continued until within a few days of his death. From this I shall have occasion frequently to make extracts. Those which follow, will show the state of his religious feelings from the time he was publicly approved as a preacher, until his settlement in the town of Preston, Ct. April, 1815.

"1814, July 1st. Enjoyed a peace in my soul during a conversation I held with Br. C. who I heard preach the night before from these beautiful words: "There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God." How good the Lord is in providing a rest for his people, where the wicked cease from troubling. Visited the town of Thompson and was rejoiced to find that God is yet pouring out his Spirit there, and is calling in sinners and giving to young converts from eleven to fourteen years of age a spirit of prayer. Felt to sing the praises of the Lord. Oh that I might sing with the spirit, and with the understanding also.

2d. Went to

Pomfret, and put up at the house of Elder Grow. Found his daughter very sick. With her I had some conversation about her soul's eternal interest. I hope the Lord will convert her soul, and that she will not leave these mortal shores until by faith she has seen the Lord's Christ. To-morrow I am to preach at Woodstock. I am much tried to know what texts to preach from, but as thy day is, Oh my soul, remember so shall thy strength be. Felt some spirit of prayer, and towards the close of the day my mind was in a measure relieved.

4th.

This morning had some communion with God in secret prayer, and meditated on the depravity of