with toryism; and I was informed, gave a very wicked man liberty, and promised to protect him in taking my life. For this purpose he was to lie in wait for me the next day. It providentially reached my ears that night before I went to bed, and as the wicked seemed thus inclined, I thought it expedient to withdraw to Mr. Arey's, where I remained two days; but being pressed in spirit, I could stay no longer, so I went to another part of the county. Many came out to hear, and the word was still attended with power to some hearts.

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Saturday 25th, my spirit was solemn, and I could not but expect that something uncommon would transpire. I withdrew to the woods, and spent much time before the Lord. I preached with freedom to a weeping flock, my friend Arey, who was a magistrate, and a man of note in the county, accompanying me to the place. In the evening we were repairing to his house, being about to preach there the next day; when a company of men, who had embodied themselves, waylaid me, with an intention to take me to jail. About sunset they surrounded us, and called me their prisoner. They beat my horse, cursed and swore, but did not strike me. Some time after night, they took me to a magistrate who was as much my enemy as any of them. When I was judged, and condemned for preaching the gospel, the keeper of the peace, who sat in his great chair, immediately wrote a mittimus and ordered me to jail. I asked him if he had never heard of an affair in Talbot county. Brother I. Hartley,* was committed to jail for the

* Mr. Garrettson adds the following particulars in a note: "Brother Hartley, a dear good man, and an excellent preacher, was so pressed in spirit, he could no longer contain, and the rulers laid hands on him, and confined him in Talbot Jail; but he preached powerfully through the window. The blessed God owned his word, and he was instrumental in raising a large society. He was confined a long time, till finally

same crime, that of preaching the gospel; soon after the magistrate was taken sick unto death, and sent for this same preacher out of confinement to pray for him. He then made this confession, When I sent you to jail,' said he, 'I was fighting against God, and now I am about to leave the world, pray for me.' His family were called in, and he said to his wife, 'This is a servant of God; and when I die, I request he may preach at my funeral. You need not think I have not my senses; this is the true faith.' He then gave brother Hartley charge of his family, and desired them to embrace that profession. Now, said I, I beseech you to think seriously of what you have done, and prepare to meet God. Be you assured, I am not ashamed of the cross of Christ, for I consider it an honor to be imprisoned for the gospel of my Lord. My horse was brought, and about twelve of the company were to attend me to jail. They surrounded me, and two, one on each side, held my horse's bridle. The night was very dark; and before we got a mile from the house, on a sudden there was a very uncommon flash of lightning, and in less than a minute all my foes were dispersed: my friend Arey was a little before the company, so that I was left alone. I was reminded of that place of scripture, where our Lord's enemies fell to the ground; and then this portion of Scripture came to me, 'Stand still and see the salvation of God." It was a very dark cloudy night, and had rained a little. I sat on my horse alone, and though I called several times there was no answer. I went on, but had not got far before I met my friend Mr. Arey, returning to look for me.

they thought he might as well preach without as within jail. Shortly after he was set at liberty, he married a pious young lady, and located. He did not live many years, but while he did live, he was very useful and adorned his Christian and ministerial character. He died in the Lord, and went to glory."

He had accompanied me throughout the whole of this affair. We rode on, talking of the goodness of God till we came to a little cottage by the road side, where we found two of my guards almost frightened out of their wits. I told them if I was to go to jail that night, we ought to be on our way, for it was getting late. 'O! no,' said one of them, let us stay until the morning.' My friend and I rode on, and it was not long ere we had a beautiful clear night. We had not rode far before the company collected again, from whence I know not. However, they appeared to be amazingly intimidated, and the leader of the company rode by the side of me, and said, 'Sir, do you think the affair happened on our account?' I told him that I would have him to judge for himself; reminding him of the awfulness of the day of judgment, and the necessity there was of preparing to meet the judge of the whole earth. One of the company swore an oath, and another immediately reproved him, saying, 'How can you swear at such a time as this? At length the company stopped, and one said, We had better give him up for the present;' so they turned their horses and went back. My friend and I pursued our way. True it is, the wicked are like the troubled sea whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' We had not gone far before they pursued us again, and said, 'We cannot give him up.' They accompanied us a few minutes, again left us, and we saw no more of them that night. A little before midnight, we arrived safe to my friend's house. Blessed be God, the dear waiting family were looking out, and received us with joy and we had a precious sweet family meeting. I retired to my room as humble as a little child, praising my great deliverer.

"During the remainder of the night, though asleep, I was transported with the visions, which passed through my mind. I had a confidence in the morning that my beloved Lord would support me. I saw in the visions of the night