CHAPTER X.

A time of thick moral darkness. -Miscellaneous extracts from his journal.-Anecdote-the lost sheep.-Illustrations of human dependence,- -a youth rowing up Niagara-floating ice-unskilful boatman.-Joyful change of feeling.-Death of a sister.-Attempt to divide his parish.--Refuge in trouble.-Harvest-thoughts.-Extraordinary supply of forage.-Motive in planting an orchard.-Traits of character illustrated by facts,---course to reclaim a Christian brother-reproof of an infidel-effort to remove an infidel from the board of school-visiters-admonition of some thoughtless youth -anecdotes in reference to a new house for public worship.

THE first twelve years, after Mr. Hallock's ordination were years of deep spiritual declension, in all the region round about him. We now find him in the midst of this dreary period-altogether the darkest time of the same length, which he was called to witness in the course of his ministry. To use his own language, in a sermon which he published some years afterwards: "spiritual things appeared gradually to decline, and the church was reduced to a very low and gloomy state." Yet, in this season of peculiar trial, we find him at his post, diligently sowing his seed in the morning, and in the evening not withholding his hand.

"Dec. 20, 1789, Lord's day. To-day, began to preach systematically. O that I might go forward in my proposed plan, only in the strength of the Lord Almighty.

"April 18, 1790. Religious matters, in this place, look darker and darker. My soul is perplex

ed to hear that children and youth get together for vanity.

"Aug. 8. I think, that if God should ask me as he did Solomon, what he should give me, I would answer; 'Lord, that I might be faithful!'

"Oct. 10. Have had but little freedom, this day, in public or private. It seems almost as if I could never preach again. O, such scenes are humbling and distressing; but they are for the best. In prosperity, we are apt to think we shall never be moved; but when God's face is hid, we are troubled. still, O my soul, in submission, for it is our Father's good pleasure. Had a little refreshment last evening in secret. Preached, on Thursday, a funeral ser

mon.

Be

Aug. 4, 1792. Resolved to fast and pray : 1. On account of my sins, the sins of my people, and of the land.-2. That I may be humbled under the testimonies of God's displeasure.-3. For Zion in her present melancholy state, especially in this place. -4. That I may search my own heart, and inquire whether it is not owing to my slothfulness, that the vineyard in this place is thus grown over with thorns, and broken down."

Far as Mr. Hallock was from superstition, he could yet receive valuable hints of duty from the more striking events of providence. One day, he took a walk into his field to see his sheep. On calling them around him, one was missing. After a general survey of the pasture without success, he returned to his house. The thought of the lost sheep still gave him inquietude. At length, he concluded to

go and make a more thorough search. To his equal surprise and joy, he found the stray sheep, in a remote corner of the field, alive, yet in need of immediate help. The poor animal had passed its head between two rails of the fence, and unable to extricate itself, had eaten into the earth every thing green within its reach. Having relieved the object of distress, he began to inquire with himself: "What use can I now make of this singular occurrence? Is it not possible, that some one of my spiritual flock is at this moment in deep distress of soul? I will go through the parish without delay, and ascertain the fact." He went; and actually found a member of his church almost in despair, to whom he was happy to impart counsel.

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Aug. 26. There are some unhappy difficulties among the members of the church; and if any thing is said which reproves them, I am rather accused of being partial. O that I might be prudent and faithful, and that peace may be restored to this church, I have been exceedingly tried and perplexed in this matter; but O may I love God, and share in the promise: All things work for good.'

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"Sept. 22. Had a church meeting; and, after prayer and considerable discussion, two contending brethren settled their difficulties; in which, it appeared to me, the kind hand of the Lord was evidently seen. 'O the hope of Israel'

"March 13, 1793. To-day, returned from the Monthly Convention at Brother Hawley's. Saw a number of my dear friends in the ministry--felt embarrassed in conversation and in every performance

-thought every body exceeded me, and felt great want of a Christian spirit.

"To-day, I am thirty-five years old; feel as if I never had done any thing, and never should, as a minister or Christian. O may I be humbled for my unprofitableness, and apply my heart unto wisdom. Think it has of late been some comfort to me, that all should be done in the name of Christ. Sometimes have very trying temptations; O thou, that didst deliver David's soul out of all distress, wilt thou save me in the hour of temptation."

Throughout his journal, Mr. Hallock mourns, often, and very bitterly, over his imperfectly sanctified heart. The temperament of his mind, especially in connexion with nervous debility, seems to have led him to prefer dwelling more on the dark, than on the lighter shades of his own moral features. Yet we are, no doubt, to ascribe these lamentations in great part to his deep knowledge of himself, and of God, added to the high standard of spiritual attainment at which he aimed. His sense of entire dependence on God, in the Christian course, he himself very happily illustrates, in the following terms :

"The way to heaven is up stream. It is like one ascending out of Ontario into Erie, and the higher lakes. But how will the inexperienced youth, in his little open boat, meet the tempest and billows! How, with nought but his hands and paddle, will he ascend the falls of Niagara !"

Somewhat similar imagery, Mr. Hallock employed, at times, in reference to the conversion of sinners. He was once in a neighboring town, where there

was a powerful work of divine grace. In going thither, he had travelled by the side of a river, covered with floating cakes of ice. Surrounded as he was with proofs of the mighty power of God in the repentance of stout-hearted sinners, he said with his accustomed originality and force, that the scene before him was not less wonderful than would be the sight, if the cakes of ice which he had just seen borne down on the strong current, should at once stop, and turn, and, contrary to nature, float up the stream. This anecdote is not more an illustration of Mr. Hallock's views in respect to the sinner's entire dependence on God for saving grace, than an example of his common practice in the application of surrounding circumstances to some useful end. Yet, with these views of man's dependence, he was eareful not to excuse any form of sin. No one could be farther from antinomianism. If he could not fully explain the harmonious connexion of divine agency and grace with human freedom and accountability, he firmly believed in its existence on the testimony of Jehovah. In a circle of ministers, where the nature of the sinner's inability was the topic of discussion, instead of his exact views, he stated the following fact: "A man in my parish, who is no sailor, lately made an attempt to cross a mill-pond, in a small boat. The water was high, and to his dismay he found himself gradually carried down toward the dam. In this extremity, not knowing how to manage the boat, he called to some persons on the shore. They cried out: 'Row on the other side.' All agitation, he replied: "I