another. I trust some of them were prepared, but must leave them in the hands of God. I now more than ever saw the necessity of being watchful and devoted, and desired to live every day as though it were my last. But after all God had done for me, I was often forced to exclaim

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;

Prone to leave the God I love!"

Sometimes I felt the roots of pride springing up and troubling me. I will mention an instance, though at first view it may appear trifling. I was invited to a quilting, and felt an inclination to appear not quite as plain as I had done; though I had no disposition to wear any thing that would be readily called superfluous. When putting on the extra article I felt some rebukes of conscience, but regarded it as being so trifling that I thought I would wear it, till something seemed to say, "Do you think Deborah (a very gay young lady who died of the prevailing epidemic a short time before, in a state of insensibility) would now wish to appear in such a manner? Certainly not then why should you?" After prayer and examination I became perfectly satisfied I was wrong, and governed myself accordingly. I found if I would preserve my conscience tender, I must treat it tenderly. When I reached the place of my engagement such was my gratitude to God that I could scarcely refrain from weeping. Had I given way to the first evil, I might have been easily overcome by

the second, namely, a light and trifling spirit; and so have dishonoured the cause of God. But in both respects I have graciously kept from sinning against him. Glory be to his name for ever!

CHAPTER V.

SEEKS AND OBTAINS A FULLER BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IN the summer of 1815 I lived with brother Elijah Davis, at Sauquoit Creek. Three other young women, all members of the M. E. Church, resided at the same place. My religious privileges here were great; and as every member of the family was a professed disciple of the Saviour, it might truly be said, "How good and how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity!"

The preacher on the station, the Rev. Abner Chase, was a strict disciplinarian; but very mild and condescending, holy and useful; being zealously engaged in preaching the gospel and building up the walls of Zion. Nor were his labours in vain in the Lord. Sinners were awakened, mourners comforted, and believers "built up on their most holy faith." Thus circumstanced, I daily felt an increasing desire for a greater conformity to the will of my heavenly Father. The more closely I followed the teachings of the divine Spirit, the greater

need I felt of having every power, and passion, and affection of my soul " brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Nor could I rest at all satisfied while the roots of pride, or unbelief, or any other besetting sin, remained in my heart. I was sometimes led to think the long-sought blessing near. But again unbelief, with a sense of my unworthiness, prevailed, causing me to think that when I had used a great deal more self-denial, fasting, and prayer, I might expect it; but not now. Still I thought no sacrifice too great for me; feeling a constant and increasing "hungering and thirsting after righteousness;" with a strong conviction that if I persevered, the blessing would be mine. In this I was not disappointed.

October 28, 1815, I attended the quarterly meeting at Sauquoit; and at the evening prayer meeting the Spirit of God was poured out upon his people in a remarkable manner. There were present many witnesses of perfect love, who, with breathing thoughts and burning words," related what God had done for them. O, how infinitely desirable the blessing appeared!

It seemed just before me, and my brethren encouraged me to lay hold of it by faith. But Satan suggested, "If you obtain it you will soon lose it again; and you had better remain just where you are." I replied, "He that hath kept me thus far in a justified state, will keep me to the end in a state of sanctification, if I do but trust in him." I was now more clearly convinced than ever, that the reason why I did not

obtain the blessing, was simply because I lacked faith in the blood of the atonement, even that blood that " cleanseth from all sin." It is faith in God that overcomes our mountainous difficulties, and brings the soul out into "a large and wealthy place." Mark xi, 22, 23, 24. St. John says, "This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

I commenced praying vocally for sanctifying grace," pouring out my supplications," like my divine Master, "with strong crying and tears;" and in a few moments my soul was so overwhelmed with the divine presence and glory that I fell to the floor. I remained in this state some time, now and then partially recovering my strength. But my prayer to God was, that I might never rise again without the witness of perfect love. A severe struggle followed, for Satan suggested that I was happy enough now, and that there was no need of any thing further. But this only increased my anxiety to be lost and swallowed up in God. And, blessed be his name, it was not long before I could say, "My Father God, with an unwavering tongue." Yes, my poor soul was emptied of sin, and then filled from the ocean of eternal love. God was mine and I was his. He was all, filled all, surrounded all. Should I attempt to describe a thousandth part of what I felt, language would fail me. To comprehend

it one must experience it. The place was indeed " none other but the house of God, and the gate of heaven."

My strength was soon restored, and I told my brethren I had experienced a greater blessing than I had ever before, but did not tell them I was "made perfect in love;" for I chose to prove the blessing before I openly professed it; though I soon found God had not lighted up the lamp of life in my soul to be "put under a bed or bushel." After the people dispersed I retired, but for some time could get no sleep, being filled with wonder, love, and praise. My meditations were sweet. I thought, Is it possible that I have received so great a blessing! I who have been so great a sinner, now saved by grace! made an heir of God, and a join their with Christ!! I felt that it was indeed, and beyond all doubt, a matter of fact; and my only desire was to know and do the will of God. It was now powerfully impressed upon my mind, that it would be my duty to confess in the presence of God's saints what had been done for my soul. After a severe mental conflict I yielded to the impression, and then fell asleep. When I arose in the morning I went to the book of God, earnestly praying to be guided into all truth. The first words I opened to were, "A false witness shall perish; but the man that heareth speaketh constantly." I thought, Surely this is a deep lesson of instruction to me: I must attend closely to the teachings of the divine Spirit, lest after all