50 BIOGRAPHY OF
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as truly a day of sorrow, and the impressions of it are indelible. Thus to the cause of truth I saerificed the friendshipof two large congregations, and an abundant salary forthe support of myself and family. I preferred thetruth to the friendship and kindness of my associates inthe Presbyterian ministry, who were dear to me, andtenderly united in the bonds of love. I preferred hon-esty and a good conscience toall these things. Havingnow no support from the congregations, and havingemancipated my slaves, I turned my attention cheerfully,though awkwardly, to labor on my little farm. Thoughfatigued in body, my mind was happy, and ‘‘calm assummer evenings be.’”? I relaxed not in my ministeriallabors, preaching almost every night, and often in theday time, to the people around. I had no money tohire laborers, and often on my return home, I found theweeds were getting ahead of my corn. [I had often tolabor at night while others were asleep, to redeem mylost time. a Under the name of Springfield Presbytery we wentforward preaching, and constituting churches; but wehad not worn our name more than one year, before wesaw it savored of a party spirit. With the man-madecreeds we threw it overboard, and took the name Chris-tian—the name given to the disciples by divine appoint-ment first at Antioch. We published a pamphlet onthis name; written by Elder Rice Haggard, who hadlately united with us. Having divested ourselves ofall party creeds, and party names, and trusting alone inGod, and the word of his grace, we became a by-wordand laughing stock to the sects around; all prophesyingour speedy annihilation. Yet from this period I datethe commencement of that reformation, whieh hasprogressed to this day. Through much tribulation andopposition we advanced, and churches and preacherswere multiplied. : For your information I insert the Last Will and Testa-ment of Springfield Presbytery. — BARTON W. STONE. 51
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