As soon as liberty from the yoke of Britain was
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chieved, the priests’ salaries were abolished, and our parsons generally left us, and many returned to England.Every man did what seemed right in his own eyes;wickedness abounded, the Lord’s day was convertedinto a day of pleasure,.and the house of worship de-serted. A few Baptist preachers came in amongst us,some of whom I well remember, as Samuel Harris,Dutton Lane, S. Cantrell, &c. They began to preach ‘« BARTON W. STONE. 5 >. to the people, and creat effects followed. Multitudesattended their ministrations, and many were immersed.Immersion was so novel in those parts, that many froma distance were incited to come in order to see the or-dinance administered. I was a constant attendant, and was particularly in-terested to hear the converts giving in their experi-ence. Of their conviction and great distress for sin,they were very particular in giving an account, andhow and when they obtained deliverance from theirburdens. Some were delivered by a dream, a vision,or some uncommon appearance of light—some by avoice spoken to them, ‘‘ Thy sins are forgiven thee’’—and others by seeing the Saviour with their naturaleyes. Such experiences were considered good by thechurch, and the subjects of them were received forbaptism, and into full fellowship. Great and good wasthe reformation in society. Knowing nothing better, |considered this to be the work of God, and the way ofsalvation. ‘The preachers had the art of affecting theirhearers by a tuneful or singing voice in preaching. About this time came in a few Methodist preachers.Their appearance was prepossessing—grave, holy,meek, plain and humble. ‘Their very presence check-ed levity in all around them—their zeal was ferventand unaffected, and their preaching was often electricon the congregation, and fixed their attention. TheEpiscopalians and Baptists began to oppose them withereat warmth. ne Baptists represented them as de-nying the doctrines of grace, and of preaching salvationby works. ‘They publicly declared them to be the lo-custs of the Apocalypse, and warned the people againstreceiving them. Poor Methodists! ‘They were thenbut few, reproached, misrepresented, and persecuted asunfit to live on the earth. My mind was much agitated,and was vascilating between these two parties. Forsometime I had been in the habit of retiring in secret, morn-ing and evening, for prayer, with an earnest desire forreligion; but being ignorant of what I ought to do, I a 2“= :*
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