of something to say, that might relieve him. Gladly would he have kindled up into fierce anger, in selfdefence; but, then, not a word had been said to him. My remarks were all directed to Major Jenkins, and contained merely a rehearsal of what had been addressed to the children at Shreveport. The crest-fallen calumniator walked out from the cabin to the boilerdeck, "heavy and displeased," though totally at loss in what direction, or on whom, to vent his bile. He was followed by a number of young men, still laughing in full volley, and exclaiming, "O that buzzard! O that buzzard!" At the first wood-yard that presented itself, our hero left the company, and went ashore; and if he be capable of profiting by the lessons of that excellent teacher, Experience, he will most likely, hereafter, when he enters the cabin of a steamboat, "count the cost," before he attempts to play off his rude jests on any of the passengers.

SUDDEN CONVERSIONS.

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In the autumn of 1840, I concluded to visit the mineral region in Wisconsin. I had understood that a tide of population was pouring into that country; and I resolved to spend a few months in laboring there. Peradventure some Christian might be comforted, whose lot had been cast in a destitute neighborhood; peradventure some sinner might be converted to God, over whom the angels of heaven would rejoice; peradventure some little church might be planted, on which the early and the latter rain might descend, until it would grow, and become strong, and eventually prove a blessing to hundreds- perhaps, even, to thousands — of immortal souls. There is something very delightful, to my mind, in establishing a new church in the heart of a great, rising country. When you plant the acorn in the rich western soil, you cannot tell how deep that plant may strike its roots into the earth. You cannot tell how high its stem will shoot up towards heaven. You cannot tell how wide its branches will spread, how great will be the abundance of its fruit, or how many living creatures, in ages to come, will feed upon its fruit, and find shelter under its shadow. I had no connection with the Home Missionary Society. I went under the authority of that primitive commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every

creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved." (Mark xvi. 15, 16.) I had then no expectation of publishing an account of these labors. They were known to God, and to the community where they were bestowed. I desired for them no further notoriety. Nor should even a sketch of them be published now, but that I see, that, by doing so, I can illustrate great principles, and place important truths before the church, and before the world.

I took passage in a steamboat, commanded by Captain Miller, and ascended the Mississippi, to a point some ten or twelve miles above the town of Dubuque, in Iowa. I there went ashore, on the Wisconsin side of the river. There was no village, no farm, no improvement of any kind at the landing. A dim path put off from the river, across the wide Mississippi bottom. I took that path, and followed it through the tall cotton-wood timber, some six or eight miles. There I found a small village, stretched along a narrow ravine, that came down through the bluffs of the highlands. The name of the location was "Snake Hollow; " and the village was called by that name far and near. I learned that a miner, at an early day, while searching for mineral, had dug into a den of rattlesnakes; and that circumstance had given a name to the place, and afterwards to the village. I took up my residence, pro tempore, with a Jew, who was there selling goods, a very gentlemanly and hospitable man, who kindly invited me to make his house my home. And I commenced preaching to these people. We were greatly incommoded by the want of a suitable house. The small room in which our meetings were held, would not contain one half the people who were desirous

to attend; and, after spending a few days in this place, I went to Plattville, a village about twelve miles. distant, where the opportunity of a house for preaching was better. But scarcely had I reached Plattville, when Mr. Gay, a prominent man in the other neighborhood, came after me in behalf of the people of Snake Hollow. "You must return," said he, "you must return with me. I believe that God has begun a good work among our people." I determined, at once, to go with this man; and soon after we had returned, a Kentuckian, who resided there, came to me, and said, "You need a larger house for your meetings."

"We do, sir, very much," was my reply.

"Well," said he, “I have a house, that was fitted up for some play-actors, that were here not long ago. If you will go with me, and look at it, it shall be at your service, provided you think it suitable.”

I went with him, and lo, a room, about forty-two feet in length, by some thirty feet in breadth, well prepared to accommodate an audience! Some part of the fabric erected by the play-actors was still standing; but we soon had that removed, and commenced our meetings; and the Spirit of the Lord was in the midst of us, of a truth. In this place I preached three times a day, for about five weeks. Persons came in from all the country round, and many consecrated themselves to the Lord. A church was organized, and members added to it to the number of forty-four. Soon after our series of efforts commenced, I appointed an inquiry meeting, to be held early in the morning. The first person who appeared at the place for that meeting, was a young merchant. I must sketch a little of his history, because it illustrates the subject of "sudden conversions."

He came into the inquiry room, and told me, very frankly, that he had been living in sin, and that unmerited grace alone had held him up from a deserved hell. Said I, "Are you now willing to turn from sin, and consecrate your heart and life to the service of God? Are you now willing to trust in Christ for pardon and eternal life, and spend your days in keeping his commandments?"

"That is my determination," said he. 66 Relying on the grace of God for assistance, I wish to confess Christ before the world, and to unite myself with his church, that I may honor and obey him in all his ordinances."

"How long have you resided in Wisconsin?"

"I have been here about eighteen months." "From what place did you emigrate, when you came here?"

"I had been, for very nearly two years, with the American Fur Company, among the Rocky Mountains." "And where were you before you joined the American Fur Company?"

"I had spent four years in Texas, during the period of her revolution."

"But where were you brought up?

"I was brought up at Brownsville, in Pennsylvania, on the National Road."

"Were your parents pious people?"

"O, sir, I had at Brownsville a Christian mother, who taught me the Savior's name when I was very young. She prayed with me, and for me, and taught me to fold my little hands, and say, 'Our Father, who art in heaven!' And as long as I remained with her, she endeavored, by her counsel, her example, and her