Chapter 4.46 – The Subject of My Call to Preach Renewed

At 2 o’clock, P. M., I tried to preach in the same church to a full congregation. Text from the general epistle of James, 1st Chapter & 25th verse. At night I spoke in the old Methodist church for the first time, from these words; “We have found him of whom Moses and the Prophet’s did write, Jesus of Nazereth, the son of Joseph.” My mind was much exercised on the subject; receiving light from Heaven. I preached one sermon in the School-House at Catskill from these words; “I will give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and they shall not harm you.” The Lord was there of a truth. After this, by request, I spoke in the white Methodist church from these words: “Therefore, cast not away your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.” The Lord was there, and assisted the clay to speak in his name. On Monday night I spoke from these words of Paul to the Hebrews: “If the words spoken by Angels, are steadfast,” &c., which had its desired effect. On Saturday I left for Albany, taking with me a good report for the Elder of our connection; after which, we wrote for him to come and form a Society, which he did sometime afterwards. The Elder was kind, and gave me appointments frequently. He held a Protracted Meeting, at which all of our laborers were successful. I preached seven sermons in Albany and one in Troy; after which I felt moved upon to visit Binghampton, and sister Tilghman was on her way to the same place to visit her father and mother, from whom she had been absent for some time, preaching the Everlasting Gospel of the Kingdom. But we were detained on the canal some time; but the Captain was kind and treated us well. After five days sail we arrived safe, and found our friends well; but not well in the Lord.

As soon as I enter a city I can feel the spirit that I may have to contend with; but by the permission of the Elder I filled appointments for a week or two, and then left for Montrose Quarterly Meeting. Preached five sermons, and passed through many things that were not agreeable, but duty makes labor light. I also spoke to a white congregation. After riding five or six miles and back the same night, and preaching two sermons in the town, I returned again to Binghampton, and held the Christmas Watch-Night meeting, as I found it was about to be omitted, and feeling interested, made application to the Trustees the Elder being absent, and thus gained permission. It was a task for me, as sister Tilghman was sick; but the Lord was with us, while we rejoiced in the light that had come into the world. Glory to God for the gift of his Son. In the morning three of us attended the Episcopal church, and associated with them in receiving the Lord’s Supper. At night I preached again, and I felt zealous in the cause of God, who was, and is ever faithful to his promise; “Lo! I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.”

The Elder then returned and urged me to stay, but I saw my way was onward. Alter preaching once more, I was aided on my way to Owego, where I found the enemies were many, standing in opposition to female preaching, or preachers of any kind; but God always clears the way for his people. While they were preparing to have a dance rather than come to hear preaching, and boasting that they would invite the Elder to come to it, God laid his heavy hand upon the man that was to play the fiddle for them; he fell sick on the floor; but he was determined to carry it out, and sent for another man, and he refused, and at last this Goliah-like man was glad to send for the Elder to come and pray for him. “O! sinner, thou cans’t not measure arms with Jehovah! He is a man of war, and the Lord is his name.” In this very place, God worked miracles among them. I preached on Friday night, Sabbath morning, afternoon and night—and God worked wonders; converting some of the most wicked among them.