self. Breakfast being over, the Colonel called in his domestics, and then Mr. Vannist read a chapter from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and closed with prayer. He then informed the Colonel that he would like to have his horse saddled, for it was time for him to leave for Fishkill. His request was complied with, and he then set out for Fishkill Village, leaving Rebekah at Col. Brinckerhoff's, who was to follow immediately with his family, with Rebekah in his wagon.

Mr. Vannist soon arrived at Fishkill, and stopped at Stephen Purdy's, who then lived on the opposite side of the street from where the National Bank is now located. The house was demolished in 1836, by Nelson Burrough, who then owned the premises, and built the present mansion, now (1874) owned by O. H. Barnes. Mr. Purdy took charge of the Dominie's horse, and in a little while the sound of the bell was reverberating through the valleys, calling the people to the house of God, and when Mr. Vannist arrived at the church he found a large congregation assembled, who had come from New Hackensack, Hopewell, Fishkill Plains, Fishkill Landing, and the Highlands, filling the main body of the church. Rebekah was seated in Col. Brinckerhoff's pew with Martha Jane. Mr. Vannist took his text in St. Matthew's Gospel, twenty-fifth chapter, last verse, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." After his introductory remarks, he proceeded to review the condition of the two classes, the righteous and the wicked, in the world to come, that punishment hereafter was eternal, and he exhorted all the impenitent to make their peace with God, and

if they put off the time until a more convenient season, that season may never come, but the righteous would attain everlasting felicity, and all at last would be numbered among his Saints in glory everlasting. The speaker produced a profound impression on his hearers, and the vivid pictures that he drew of the two classes at the close of his sermon seemed to penetrate every heart. After the services were concluded, Mr. Vannist stated to his congregation that he would preach at either New Hackensack or Hopewell before he returned to Poughkeepsie, if any member of the church had a convenient place for him to hold service, and as he saw a goodly number of his congregation from there present, he would appoint preaching if any one would say where the service might be held. Peter Monfort, from Fishkill Plains, arose and said that he could preach in his barn. It was the warm season of the year, and he had not yet commenced haying; his barn being empty, there would be ample room to accommodate all that would be present. This offer was accepted, and then Mr. Vannist said that he would preach in Mr. Monfort's barn on Tuesday of that week, services to commence at 10 o'clock a. m. He then remarked that if any wished or was willing to hold a prayer meeting at their house that evening, they could signify by rising. Johannas Swart arose and said that he could appoint a prayer meeting at his house. The Dominie then said that a meeting for prayers would be held at the house of Johannas Swart that evening, and then dismissed the congregation.

In those days there was preaching only once on the Sabbath; the country was too sparsely settled to

collect a congregation more than once, and the village of Fishkill then contained so few inhabitants that only a small number lived in convenient distance even to attend prayer meeting. Mr. Vannist and Rebekah spent the remainder of the Sabbath with Stephen Purdy, and in the evening, with Mr. Purdy and family, they attended the prayer meeting at Mr. Swart's. The house is now the residence of John P. Green, and has been rebuilt several times. A little band of Christians had assembled to spend an hour in prayer. Mr. Vannist opened the Bible, which had been laid on a stand for the occasion, and then read a chapter in Revelations and offered a brief prayer, and then said that the meeting was open for prayer and remarks. An hour was spent profitably in singing and praying, and then Mr. Vannist closed the meeting, and he and Rebekah remained over night with Mr. Swart. On Monday they spent the day calling on his people in the village, and dining at Robert R. Brett's, now the residence of Mrs. John C. Van Wyck. The house, which was then a stone structure, was demolished in 1819 by Obadiah Bowne, who then owned the premises, and built the present beautiful edifice. The close of the day Mr. Vannist and Rebekah arrived at Cornelius Van Wyck's, now the residence of Sidney E. Van Wyck, of Revolutionary fame, known in Cooper's novels as the Wharton House. The architecture of this house is the same as it was originally, covered with scollop shingles, which were taken off about 1805 by the grandfather of the present owner. They remained over night with Mr. Van Wyck, whose family spared no pains to make it pleasant for them. Rebekah was entertained by Mrs.

Van Wyck and daughters, who accompanied her through their yards and garden. It was her first visit there and she admired the mountain scenery, the majestic highlands, whose tops were then gilded with the rays of the setting sun, painting with purple and gold a cloud that rested on Beacon, presenting a scene to her of indescribable beauty. After family worship, Mr. Vannist retired for the night, and spent an hour preparatory to rest in meditation, as he had an appointment on the morrow at Mr. Monfort's. A good night's

WHARTON HOUSE, FISHKILL VILLAGE.

rest refreshed him very much, and he awoke just as he heard the summons at his door that breakfast was waiting; when he hastily arose and made all haste to get ready, and when he entered the parlor he apologized for his not rising earlier, but Mrs. Van Wyck said that he was in time for breakfast, and then all were soon seated around the table, and Mr. Vannist returned thanks for past mercies, and His protecting care through the night. He then informed Mr. Van Wyck that they would be obliged to leave as soon as breakfast was over, as his appointment at Mr. Monfort's was at 10 o'clock. After breakfast, Mr. Vannist read a

chapter from the Psalms, and offered a prayer, in which Mr. Van Wyck and family were remembered at the throne of grace. Pompey was told to saddle the Dominie's horse and lead him to the front yard. Mr. Vannist, after thanking Mr. Van Wyck for the kind treatment that he had received from himself and family, and the many pleasant hours spent at his house during his stay at Fishkill, helped Rebekah on the pillion, who invited the Miss Van Wycks to return her visit, hoping they might enjoy a visit at Poughkeepsie as hers had been at Fishkill. They set out for Peter Monfort's. It was a lovely June morning, and the country just emerging from a wilderness, presented a wild and romantic scene. Primitive forests, dark and dense, yet covered the country, untouched by the woodman's axe, and as they journeyed over the solitary road, they passed the time in conversation. Occasionally a squirrel would arrest their attention, leaping through the tree tops, and a grouse or rabbit would flee from their seclusion at the noise of their approach, and disappear in the depths of the woods. Their progress being so slow, and time passed away so unheeded, that they did not arrive at Mr. Monfort's until half an hour past the time appointed. But a goodly number of his congregation from New Hackensack and Hopewell had collected in the barn, which was well arranged for the occasion. The ancient Dutch barns were built with a double frame work. The outer frame arose but a little way, when the roof commenced. A second frame work, twelve feet from the first one, went up, which supported the roof, and between the two frame works were the linters, where the hay and grain were stored. These linters