"I was born, (says Mr. D.) in Hopkinton,N.H.Nov.6,1772. When about 8 years old, my mind was seriously impressed. I recollect that at certain times I was much affected with preaching.I was afraid to sleep at night. I knew that I was a sinner, and that I was liable to die in sleep and lose my soul. I then concluded that when advanced in life I would read and pray and become religious. My awful depravity and stupidity prevented my realizing what it was to be religious, or that the shafts of death were flying thick in every direction.

After this, I became thoughtless and unconcerned, and continued to live as though I was accountable to none, till about nineteen years old, being remarkably fond of childish vanities and youthful amusements. The winter before I entertained a hope that I had obtained the pearl of great price, I was more than ever captivated with scenes of carnal diversion.

In the town where I resided there was no settled minister. In Dunbarton, the town adjacent, the work of the Lord began powerfully to prevail. Young peoYoung people went there to attend meetings from Hopkinton where I then liv

ed; a number of them were powerfully awakened and returned in great distress. I began to think that it would be best for me to attend to the concerns of the soul, and to change my mode of life. I had no idea of the depravity of my heart, of my condemned state, or that it was necessary to be born again in order to salvation. I turned my attention to the Bible, and frequented religious meetings. I soon began to be anxious about myself, and saw that I was in an evil case. So astonishingly great was the pride of my heart, that I endeavoured all in my power to disguise my feelings, and to keep from the view of all, by whom I was surrounded, the state of my mind.

When desirous of hearing religious conversation, I would, if possible, get out of the sight of those, who might be conversing together on heavenly and divine things, that I might listen to the observations which were made. One afternoon I went to attend a lecture preached by Rev. Samuel Wood. When the people came out of the meeting house they collected in a circle round him. him. He began to propose questions to one and another who were under concern of mind.

When he came near where I stood, the idea was impressed upon my mind, that if he conversed with me particularly, people would say I was going to become religious, and so I should become a subject of ridicule. I left the circle and went off. There was an appointment for religious exercises I think to commence an hour before sunset, about half a mile north of the meeting house. I set out for the place where worship was to be attended; and when I was within about forty rods of the house, I met a company of thoughtless, rude young people. I was so afraid that they would think and say that I was becoming religious, that I joined them and went back. But I could not live in their company, any more than I could in the fire. All my past life came in review before my mind. I had an awful sense of my guilt and danger, and that I was exposed to hell and ruin. I went home, took my Bible and retired to my chamber, and spent the night in attempting to read and pray. I believe that from this time for three months while I continued in great distress, the idea was powerfully impressed upon my mind that I deserved to be damned, that it would be perfectly just in God to cast me down to dwell where darkness and horror reign. Life appeared to be exceedingly short; it seemed as though there was burt a step between me and everlasting wo. The world had now lost all its charms; a gloom was cast over all the objects and scenes in the natural world. I felt as though I would not move my hand to obtain all the property which could be possessed or enjoyed here. The idea was impressed upon my mind that I must pray, or go to hell. After I had attempted this exercise, being convinced that I had not

prayed in faith, but that I had been mocking God, I felt more criminal, and consequently more concerned than before I made the attempt. And still it was thundered in my ears that I must pray, or be damned forever.Thus I was constrained to attempt this exercise again and again; till at length I felt as though I wanted to be the whole of my time upon my knees at prayer. Night after night I never had my clothes off, or went to bed. My appetite for food was taken away. It was a time when fruit of different kinds was very plenty. I had no taste or relish for any kind of fruit any more than I had for the stones in the streets. I became incapable of attending to any kind of business; and still I had a great unwillingness that any one should know what was the occasion of my distress.

While

One Lord's-day I attended worship, when the sacrament was administered at evening. A number of us tarried, who did not belong to the church. It was almost sun-set when the people left the meeting-house. numbers were conversing upon the green before the house, I had such an awful sense of my guilt and danger, that I could not refrain from weeping, if from crying out aloud. I was in a flood of tears. People then saw, for the first time, what a situation I was in. The minister came and conversed with me, and gave me good instructions. After which, kneeling upon the ground, he prayed with and for me. He then observed that I must retire home-that I was in the hand of God-that I must repent or perish-believe, or be damned. Never after this, that I recollect, did I feel as though I cared what people either said or thought of me. The idea was strongly impressed upon my mind that I should be miserable forev

er-that I should soon be in hell. I became emaciated almost to a People were greatly concerned about me, and were afraid that I should die. As others obtained relief, the thought would from time to time arise in my mind, possibly God may have mercy upon me. I was laying out different ways in which I should be converted if I were ever saved. Sometimes used to think that I should see a light, or hear a voice from heaven. I was tempted to commit some great wickedness, that I might have great concern and powerful conviction.

One day about noon, I took up a book upon sacramental exercises, and retired into a room by myself, sat down, and began to read. In a moment, quick as thought, my burden and distress was removed! The book appeared to be full of God-full of glory-different from any thing I ever saw before. The glory of the Lord seemed to be shining all around me-in the heavens, and in the earth. I saw people at work in the field, who were professors of religion. I won dered, that they could refrain from praising God aloud. I thought that every body felt just as I did. If they did not, I was persuaded that I could convince them. I felt no inclination to eat or drink, when people were going in to get refreshment. I

retired into the orchard, and continued more than two hours, joyful and happy, being constrained to praise God. I had lost sight of myself. It was not a question in my mind whether I should be saved or lost.

A lecture was to be attended that afternoon at the meeting house. I set off to go, just as I was, without shifting any of my clothes. As I passed along I 0vertook a young man of my acquaintance. I asked him if he

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did not feel thus. He said no, he felt just as he had always felt. I was perfectly astonished-could not again open my month. hasted along-took my seat in the house of God. About the middle of the exercises I opened the book in which I was reading when my mind was first relieved, to see if it would appear to me as it had done. It did not appear just so. At the close of the meeting, I felt greatly afflicted and grieved to see how stupid people were. I could not retrain from tears-was constrained to weep abundantly. The people as they went out of the meetinghouse stopped upon the green. I had a sister then under concern. The first thing I knew, I was talking to her and others, urging the importance of becoming religious-of having an interest in Christ. I continued three days and three nights joyful and happy as I could be in this world, before I had the most distant idea that what I had experienced was a change of heart, or that I was in a safe state. I was constrained to rejoice, that the Lord God omnipotent reigned-that all intelligences were in his hands and at his disposal. When I came to compare my feelings and exercises with what I found in the Bible, I began to take encouragement to hope that I was truly converted.

After my mind was relieved, my bodily health seemed to be recruited at once and my strength to be restored. I was surrounded with the agreeables of this world, and might have reflected on engaging prospects before me; but I longed exceedingly to die and be with Christ. I felt greatly concerned for sinners-was constrained to talk to every one I saw. For six months I enjoyed a heaven upon earth. I scarcely knew what it was to experience doubts or fears, clouds or mists of

darkness. I used to attend a great many meetings, to go to a distance. I got but little sleep, but generally felt well. Having related to one of the church members what I thought the Lord had wrought in me by his grace, he observed, if you have experienced what you now relate, you have important duties to do, and suggested the propriety of my going forward to put myself under the watch and care of the church. About that time numbers were going forward to relate their religious experience, with a view of publickly espousing the cause of Christ. As I neglected to improve that opportunity, my spiritual comfort and resolution were less, till one Lord's day in the meeting-house at the close of public worship, I opened my mouth and declared what the Lord had done for my soul. When the time for the sacrament to be administered arrived, there were forty one besides myself, forty two in all, who were received into the church. The holy ordinance of the supper was blest as a means of great good to me. My soul was filled with peace and joy. It was truly an interesting season. I could say with David, a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. God gave me great and very earnest desires for the salvation of immortal souls. Nothing I so much longed for as to be useful in the world. I felt concerned for my fellow creatures whenever I saw them, and was constrained to speak to them when walking the streets, and to urge the importance of being reconciled to God. In some instances when I began to converse with an individual in the road, others would come along, and people would leave their houses, till a very considerable number would be collected. Some young persons, at the distance of fourteen or fifteen miles,

with whom I had been acquainted, lay with peculiar weight upon my mind. I set out and travelled about half the distance on foot, and then hired a horse and proceeded forward. When I arrived at the place of destination, the young persons were in bed. They arose-I conversed with them on the great things of eternity-they were much affecteddesired me to pray with and for them. Some of the number experienced no peace or comfort till they hopefully found peace in believing. My mind was greatly exercised about preaching the gospel. A candidate then supplying the pulpit sent for me to come to his lodgings, conversed with me relative to the subject-encouraged me to go forward-presented me with the book I should first need to study, and observed, if I went forward to obtain education, it should be a gratuity; otherwise I might return it, or pay him for it."

It will be perceived by our readers that the preceding account of the views and experience of Mr. Davis was recorded by himself. We have no particular knowledge of the immediate course which he pursued after the advice he received from the above mentioned young candidate. We believe, however, that he entered upon a course of studies, preparatory to his admission as a student in Dartmouth College. He was graduated at this respectable Institution in 1798. By whom, and where, he was first approbated to preach, we know not. In 1804, he was ordained to the work of an Evangelist by the congregational ministers, forming "the Association of the Western District of Vermont." From a document presented to Mr. Davis by the scribe of that Association, it appears, he was highly esteemed for his person

al piety and ministerial labours. It is stated in this testimonial that, "The Association being in general personally acquainted with Mr. Davis, and particularly with his past faithful and useful labours in a number of towns in their vicinity, after some natural inquiries, unanimously concurred to favour his request, and voted to proceed to the usual examination. And having obtained good satisfaction with respect to his regular standing in the visible church, and approbation to the work of the ministry; his experimental acquaintance with true religion-his religious sentiments -his literary and theological improvements, and his call in providence to the work of an Evangelist, they unanimously voted to proceed to his ordination." Agreeably to their vote he was ordained the same day.

Mr. Davis remained in connexion with the Congregationalists till the year 1816, when he saw it to be his duty to be immersed on a profession of faith. Having submitted to the ordinance of baptism agreeably to the usage of apostolic times, at his request he was ordained to the work of an Evangelist on the 14th of November, 1816, at Lyme, in Connecticut. See Mag. for 1817, p. 38. From this period he laboured in various places with unwearied zeal. Besides preaching, he used all his influence in procuring funds for Missionary and Education purposes And while he exhorted others to acts of benevolence, he set the example himself. It is much to the credit of Mr. D. that notwithstanding his pecuniary means were very limited, yet he assisted several pious young men in obtaining literary advantages and devoted much of his time and property in promoting the cause of Foreign Missions. A few months before his death he wrote as follows to one of the

Editors. "More than fifteen years ago I paid over $100 for the use of a young man of the Baptist denomination, who was looking forward to the ministry, (to assist) in the improvement of his mind. I have paid into the hands of the treasurer of the Connecticut Auxiliary Society to aid the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, $300. I have collected for the Seminary under the care of the Board about $500 and to Deacon Loring, for the assistance of young men called to the ministry, $56,53 I really believe I have been instrumental in the hands of God of bringing into different churches of the Baptist denomination, eight hundred members. But Paul called himself a fool for boasting. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Mr. D. was peculiarly abstemious in his manner of living: frequently depriving himself of his regular meals, and sleep. He spent much time in fasting and prayer. He seemed unusually devoted to God. His health appeared to be gradually declining for several months before his death. He continued, however, to ride from place to place until within a few days of his death. Four or five weeks before his last confinement, he called on an old acquaintance, where it was observed, that he appeared to lament a want of that freedom of access to the throne of grace, which he had been usually favoured with for many years. He seemed desirous of the prayers of all the people of God. on his return to the same place a few days after, he appeared to enjoy the divine presence in a comfortable degree. On being asked by his pious friend, how those doctrines of the gospel which he used to preach, now appeared to him? he replied, "God's