Mrs. C.'s Discouragements

Mrs. C.’s discouragements — Personal holiness a pre-requisite to usefulness — Earnest wrestlings — Joyful confidence — Mrs. C. receives the blessing of sanctification — Prayer answered in an outpouring of the Holy Spirit — Spends the winter with Rev. Mr. V. — Infidelity — Lamentation in verse.

From this time I began to recover, and in a few weeks was able to leave my room. In the month of September Mrs, C, from Unionville, came for me to pay them a visit. They lived in a delightful little village; but there were few pious persons in the place. Soon after I arrived Mrs. C. complained to me of her lonely situation, informing me that she was the only Methodist in the place. I urged her to i:)ray for the conversion of her neighbors, reminding her that God was a prayer-answering God. In such a course she had little or no faith, as nearly all her neighbors were Universalists. I, however, still ur-ed her to pray for them, assuring her that nothing A-as too hard for the Lord. I also urged upon her the necessity of living a holy life. She confessed that her mind had been greatly exercised on the subject, and her impressions had been deepened by reading the life of “Hester Ann Rogers.” On the first Sabbath after my coming to this place, I went with Mr. and Mrs. C. to the Methodist Chnrch, a mile and a half distant. In the evening I found myself so much fatigued that I concluded to remain at home alone. I did so, and found my heart drawn out in prayer in a very peculiar manner, for the family and neighborhood. I was enabled to lay hold of the promises of God by faith, and was especially led to plead the promise, “When they cry unto me with all their hearts, I will hear them;” and, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name I will do it.” A wrestling spirit of prayer was breathed upon me, and I besieged the throne of grace in behalf of this people. It seemed to me that I was talking with God face to face. The burden of my prayer was, that this people should speedily be converted to God. I was filled with the Divine presence, and received the full assurance that my prayer would be answered. I seemed to be filled with the fullness of God.

I retired in this state of mind, and when I rose in the morning I had a full conviction that God was about to raise up a people for himself in this place. I then besought Mrs. C. to give herself no rest till she had obtained the blessing of sanctification, and gave her such instructions as I was able to give in regard to the mode of obtaining it. On the next Tuesday evening I went, in company with Mr. and Mrs. C, to attend a meeting at the Middle ville Church. After the sermon there was an invitation given, to those seeking the forgiveness of their sins, to come forward to the altar. Mrs. C. arose, and expressed herself as exceedingly anxious to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “At this altar,” said she, “God pardoned my sins; and at this altar I desire to be sanctified throughout soul, body, and spirit. For this I solicit your prayers, and for my unconverted husband.” She then kneeled at the altar, and had no sooner done so, than she was powerfully blessed. She arose and said, “God has taken away all my sins, and filled me with all his fullness.” She now found her faith much strengthened in praying for her husband and neighbors, and believed that they would soon be gathered into the fold of Christ. The next morning I returned to brother Baldwin’s. After giving them an account of my visit, I desired them to pray much for that people, saying that I believed the Lord had commenced a good work among them. Brother Baldwin said he had very little hope of their conversion, as they were mostly Universalists.

But, in opposition to all hope, God heard and answered prayer, and, in less than three months, there was an interesting class formed of heads of families, who met at Mrs. Carpenter’s house, her husband being one of the number, and Mr. Baldwin became their leader. I have often availed myself of the privilege of attendint? these meetings, and received some very powerful manifestations of the love of God. May the great Head of the Church and Bishop of souls preside over them, sanctify them wholly, and keep them faithful to the end!

The following winter. Rev. Mr. Yancleave being the preacher in charge over the Springfield and Middleville Churches, I was invited to spend the winter in his family. Soon after going there I took a violent cold, which affected the tumor in my side so as to cause an abscess, with which I am afflicted to this day, and which will probably accompany me to the grave. My winter home, however, proved a very delightful one, and I received every attention wiich I could desire. While here I was afflicted by hearing of the low state of religion at Middleville. Infidelity had exerted its witherino- influence among- the inhabitants, and the adversary of souls seemed to reign unmolested. I spent many sleepless nights in wrestling with God for the utter subversion of the kingdom of darkness in this place. I also heard that Thomas Paine’s birthday had been celebrated by a large number of persons, who had assembled there for the purpose. This afflicted me much, and I was led to cry,

Great God! look down with pitying eye

On this dear branch of thine, Which thine own hand hath planted here

In this unfriendly clime.

Oft have these mourning children met,

And poured out sighs and tears
Before the common mercy-seat,

Where Jesus answers prayers.

But still, they no relief can find

From their distressing fears: Thine enemies march through the laud,

And smile to see their tears.

They bid defiance to our King,

And contradict his word; They scorn to hear the Savior’s name,

And trample on his word.

Lord, why is this? we trembling cry.

Wilt thou not hear our moan? Say, shall this branch, that withered lies.

Again revive and bloom?

Lord, thou canst tell — the work is thine;

The help of man is vain:
On this dear branch arise and shine,

And it shall live again.