unaffected. So hardened, indeed, had I now become, that I despised and ridiculed the people of God, would hearken to none of their reproofs, and disregarded all their counsels; even refusing to kneel during family devotions! O, my long-suffering God! May I never forget the goodness that spared such a rebel as me!

CHAPTER II.

CONVERSION-ATTENDING AND FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES.

In the month of June, 1809, my parents and sister P. attended a camp meeting in Deerfield, Herkimer county.* When they returned and gave me an account of the meeting, I told them there was no occasion of spending so much time, and being at so much expense to worship God, when there were meeting houses enough and near at hand. Yet I felt a desire to behold the novelty of such a scene, and resolved if one were appointed at Westmoreland, in September, as was then contemplated, I would attend. My mother said she wished I had been with them, as it might possibly have done me some good; remarking, that several were awakened and converted there, who went as

*It was at this meeting that the Rev. John Dempster, the missionary to Buenos Ayres, South America, was converted to God.-ED.

careless and unconcerned as I then appeared to be. She mentioned two young persons in particular, who went from Litchfield. One Miss M., a gay young lady, was powerfully awakened soon after she went on the ground; and never rested till she knew her sins forgiven. The other, Mr. Kent, a cousin of hers, was much displeased with her, and told her she should never take any more comfort while she remained at his father's house; and was so exasperated that he would scarcely be seen in the tent long enough to sleep or get refreshment. But God soon brought down his lofty spirit; so that, in the agony of his feelings, he cried aloud for mercy, and desired the prayers of those around him. Nor did he seek in vain; for he soon found delivering grace. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, became a useful member, and has for several years been faithfully employed as an itinerant preacher.

Soon after her conversion, Miss M. came to our house. I found her to be a very amiable young woman; and when alone with her, I asked her many questions, and conversed freely with her on the subject of religion. Yet I would not be persuaded by her to set about the allimportant work of repentance and reformation; for I loved pleasure, and was resolved on seeking it.

One sabbath morning in the latter part of the month of August, as I was sweeping the floor, my mother said, "Parma and Maria" (deacon B.'s daughters) "have experienced religion or

are under concern of mind." I was literally amazed. As soon as I recovered my recollection I replied, "I don't believe it; for I saw them two or three Sundays ago, and they were then as lively as I was." She said, "That might be, and they be serious now." My father added, "If you go to hear Mr. Steel to-day, I hope you will try to profit by what you hear." I went and took a seat in the gallery. Parma sat below in her father's pew, and I shall never forget the solemnity that was depicted in her countenance. Maria sat in the gallery, and listened as for life to every word that fell from the speaker's lips. During the intermission we went to Mr. A.'s. P. and M. laid off their hats, took their Bible, selected a few friends, and retired to the chamber. During the afternoon service I could not help reflecting on what I had seen and heard, and was somewhat affected. At five o'clock I went with my brother and several other young persons to Sangersfield, and, under the pretence of attending meeting there, went to see an uncommonly large child!*

* It has occurred to the editor, that some of his young readers may be curious to know something further respecting this "large child." Mr. Ichabod Fisher, formerly of Sangersfield, Oneida county, N. Y., had two children, Willard and Lucy, both of whom were very large. It is not certain which of them is intended in the text. At the same age, we are informed, they were nearly of the same size. About twenty-five years since the editor saw Willard in the streets of Utica. He was then between four and five years old, and was said to weigh nearly two hundred pounds! Respecting the fate of this great-little boy

However, after we had satisfied our curiosi ty, we did go to meeting. After we had been there a short time, a young lady arose, and in a most feeling way invited the young people to seek religion. This affected us much, and we left the meeting talking on religious subjects; but, strange to say, before we got home we began to compliment each other; which was a fatal stab to my seriousness, and I was soon more hardened than ever!

On the succeeding Saturday my father went

it is difficult to obtain any satisfactory information. He emigrated to the "far west," some years since. Report says he is still alive, but that he is not so large a man as might have been anticipated from his precocious growth.

The history of poor Lucy is a most painful one. Being so very large, she excited a great deal of curiosity. Availing themselves of this circumstance, her friends, very improperly we should think, carried her about as a public show! Among other places to which she was taken her friends carried her to the city of New-York. While there, her attendants left her alone in an upper room, intending to return in a few minutes. When they did so, they found her clothes had taken fire during their absence, and were almost entirely burned from her person. She suffered a few hours, and was then taken to a world of spirits.

The editor is too little acquainted with physiology to indulge himself in any speculations as to the cause of such overgrown bodies as those which these poor children were obliged to carry about. Perhaps, indeed, the case involves an insolvable mystery. Be this, however, as it may, all may learn from it a lesson of humiliation and gratitude. Who hath made us to differ? We are neither dwarfs nor monsters. We are neither so much like other human beings as to be confounded with them, nor so diverse from them as to attract the public gaze. praise thee, O thou adorable Creator!-ED.

May we

to one of the neighbours; and when he returned, said to me, "A. thinks she has a soul, and feels deeply concerned to know what will become of it: you have one too, and ought to be as much concerned as she is." This, with much more that he said, alarmed my guilty conscience: but I was determined that no one should know it. The next day I told an intimate friend I was going to sit alone, and hear Mr. Steel preach. She desired to sit with me, but I refused, and took a seat in the gallery near the pulpit. Some of the time I heard with deep attention, and when I looked at those who were serious I could not refrain from weeping. But fearing lest I should be discovered, I would occasionally look at my gay companions with a smile, and was glad when the exercises closed. Prayer and conference meetings were soon established in different parts of the town, and the multitudes that attended evinced the deep anxiety of the people to save their precious souls.

The next sabbath Mr. White preached at Mr. Cooley's barn. The preceding evening Mr. M'Bride—the very individual I had told I did not want religion-came to our house, and asked me if I would go and hear Mr. White preach? I told him I would, but that I must first go to the morning prayer meeting with N., agreeably to promise. But, to my great surprise, the latter told me she had concluded not to go. Relieved from this promise, I went immediately to Mr. White's appointment; but