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Egypt, that they may serve himself, not idols, nor themselves. God said, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.' And he finally brought them to Canaan, to serve him in his temple there. So he will finally bring all his converts to heaven, to serve him in the perfect service of that perfect eternal world, in all the agility of the winged seraphim. O of what importance it is that the ‘five,' that the twelve,' yea, that all the church, and all who may yet join, should continue to walk with God, and faithfully serve him through all the wilderness unto death. Some, after all, when they had got into the wilderness, turned to idolatry; but, to forsake the Lord, after he hath redeemed us, must be the sin of sins, the guilt of guilt, the folly of folly, and the way to the woe of woes. But how pleasant and profitable are the fruits of obedience. 'Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.' The depravity of the human heart is beyond utterance; and the holy God is not seen by it, any where, in any thing, nor in any way, but to be opposed by it. How necessary is the new birth!

"Rev. R. A is here, and expects to preach for us to-morrow. He says, the awakening has been more or less for five years in Pleasant-Valley. He spent a Sabbath there, not long since-thinks he never saw Christians more awake in prayer. May we not hope that awakenings will continue, so long as the church are awake and fervent in prayer?

"As to your first question, my brother, it is a matter of doubt, whether a church ought to insist on a

confession for open sins, committed before conversion. I would not forbid, nor insist upon it. The whole life of the impenitent is nothing but sin. And his confession of Christ implies his sorrow for all his past life of sin. But, as to the second question, it appears to me that all confessions, made by backsliding professors for open sins, should by all means be made in public before the world. In the year 1803, I wrote my own mind fully, on this subject; and to me the arguments have lost no weight by time or reflection. I send you the sermon which contains the arguments. May you, may we, and all the churches be guided right for Jesus' sake. "I am, dear sir, your true friend,

"JEREMIAH HALLOCK."

"March 13, 1807. I am, this day, entering my fiftieth year-O solemn thought! The past mercies of another year are many; but O how little thoughtful have I been, and how fruitless to God. I think, I never saw so much unbelief, and such depths of depravity in my heart, and such need of constant support from Christ, as I have the past year. O thou prayer-hearing God, to thee would I look, and on thee would I cast all my cares, through Jesus Christ. And do not let me live to dishonor thee, and thy dear cause. If thou shalt continue me in this world, another year, wilt thou be my strength and make me fruitful to thee, in the Gospel ministry and in Zion; may my shoe be iron and brass, and as my days, may my strength be.' If I am to die this may it be in honor to Jesus and his cause.

year, O

To this

end wilt thou grant me the light of thy countenance. O cast me not off, now my days are closing and my strength failing; but be the strength of my heart and my eternal portion. And, as my salvation is nearer, if I am thine, than when I believed, O may I live more like a pilgrim, and be more spiritually minded; that when thou comest I may love thy appearing, open to thee immediately, and hasten to meet thee with joy, to the praise of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

CHAPTER XIV.

Miscellaneous extracts from his Journal.-Second mission to Vermont. -Letter to his elder son at College.-Raging sickness among his people.-Letter to his brother.-To a son.-New-Year reflections.Letter to a son.-Generosity of his people.-Death of a sister.-His elder son is graduated. Special prayer and fasting.-Trial in his son's choice of a profession.-Letter to him.-Letter to his parents. -To a son.—Joy at the prosperity of others.-Tour of preaching.Letters to friends.-Joy in the divine government.

"JANUARY 7, 1807. This day, Homan, my second son, is twelve years old. O Lord, I would thank thee, and give him up to thee. O wilt thou have mercy on him, and make him thine, that he may grow up before and for thee.

Jan. 18. My soul hath been in much deadness and darkness, to-day-O how tedious and distressing. If I am not deceived, it is not this world that I want, nor any thing in it. But, I long for a Gospel view of Jesus, and of the glory of God in him; for humility and spiritual freedom in prayer, in meditation, and in all the things of the word. O Lord, wilt thou, who sufferest the swallow and the sparrow to build their nest where they please; let my poor soul rest under the light of thy glorious Gospel.

"Feb. 1. Received a precious letter from my greatly favored and dear brother W. O Lord, I am not worthy, that thou shouldst allow one of thy ministers or people to write to me. O make this letter refreshing to my soul, and to all who read or

hear it; and bless and keep thy servant W———, and thy dear people in H, more and more.

"Feb. 8. Last Friday, my dear son, Jeremiah, sat out for college-O Lord, I would give him up to thee-may he have a prosperous term, and wilt thou take and put him into thy service."

This son entered Williams College, in the autumn of 1806. Mr. Hallock's days of fasting and prayer were, at this time, very frequent. In closing the account of one of them, he writes: "I seemed to have the most liberty, in praise. I sometimes think, whether we are not apt to dwell too much on the dark side." We now find him, at the request of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, performing a second tour of service in Vermont.

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July 29, 1807, Wednesday. About ten, this morning, I left home, after prayer, in which we endeavored to commit each other to the Lord. It was hard to part with my family and people—was rather feeble and gloomy. O Lord, wilt thou be my strength, guide, comfort, and defence from my sins and all my enemies. O take care of my dear wife and children, and aged mother; and be the shepherd of my dear flock. Make my journey prosperous, and useful to thy dear children. Do all for us, and be all in all unto us, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

66

Aug. 7. Rode to Rochester. Found some Christian friends here, with whom I became acquainted six years ago. I now begin to enter on missionary ground-O Lord of the harvest, to thee alone would I look for direction, strength, and suc

cess.

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