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LEMUEL COVELL, MISSIONARY TO THE TUSCARORA INDIANS AND THE PROVINCE OF UPPER CANADA ; COMPRISING A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF MlSSIOxNARY OPERATIONS IN THE SHAFTSBURY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, UP TO THE TIME OF MR. COVELL'S DECEASE IN 1 8 6 . ALSO A MEMOIR OF REV. ALANSON L. COVELL, SON or THE FJRMEE, AND LATE A PASTOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHLRCII IN THE CITY OF ALBANY, N. Y. BY MRS. D. C. BROVi^N, DAUGHTER AND SISTER OP THE DECEASED. TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. BRANDON : TELEGRAPH OFFICE. 1839. "5^- '1 Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 183&j BY MRS. D. C. BROWN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Vermont District, /00377 RECOMMENDATIONS* "V :-*5V.:* "''"'MU*^' From the Rev. Abijah Peck. Dear «i«.« » il II II 3 ■frf CONTENTS. VOLUME I. CHAPTER I. Introductoryj Nativity; Parentage; Education; Apprenticeship; Majon.^ ; Sojourn in Cana- da; Return; Marriage; Disaster in Oswe- gatchie; Housekeeping; Profession of Reli- gion; Preaching; Ordination; Journal; Letter; Description of country ; Shaftsbury Associa- tion; Extracts from their Minutes; Circular; Henioval to Pittstown; Church in Troy; — Circular. CHAPTER II. Murder of his Mother; Derangement; Sickness; Restoration ; Visit to Shaftsbury and Sermon ; Half Brothers ; Extract from the Minutes of 1800 ; Baptism of Mrs. Covell ; Farm and Mechanic Shop; Beginning of Missionary effort; Corresponding Letter; Doings of the Anniversary of 1802. XII CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. Reflections; Temporal Embarrassment; Broth- erly-kindness; Doings of the Anniversary of 1803; His first Mission to Upper Can- ada; Return; Hymn; Birth of ^only son; Doings of the Anniversary of 1804; Partition of the Shaftsbury Association to form that of the Saratoga; Rev. Abijah Peck; Request to publish Missionary Narrative. CHAPTER IV. Narrative of his first Mission, with the appen- dix. CHAPTER V. Temporal troubles, and giving up of worldly concerns; Doings of the session of 1805; Second appointment to the Canada Mission; Letters to his daughter; Journey to Boston; Invitation from the church in Cheshire, Mass.; Occurrence among the Indians while on his Mission; Removal to Cheshire; Review of his sojourn in Pittstown. CHAPTER VI. Pastoral enjoyment; Session of 1806, peculiar- ly interesting; Extrncts fiom- fhe Minutes; Third appointment to Canada: General Meet- CONTENTS. Sill ing; Last leave; Letters and Poem; Sick- ness ; Deal : Affliction and mourning in many places; Funeral Poem; Personal de- scription; Kindness of the people; Uncom- mon trait of character; Summary view, and consequent reflections. CHAPTER VII. Session of 1S07 ; Visit of Elder Irish ; Extracts from the Minutes; Interesting Note of Dr. Baldwin; Elegiac Poem; Grave; Analysis of Sermons. MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. Introductory; Nativity; Parentage; Education; Appren- ticeship ; Majority ; Sojourn in Canada; Return; Mar- riage; Disaster in Oswegatchie; Housekeeping; Pro- fession of religion; Preaching; Ordination; Journal: Letter; Description of country; Shaftsbury Associa- tion; Extracts from their Minutes; Circular; Removal to Pittstown J Church in Troy ; Circular. To behold the present broad expanse of Missionary operations-— to see the holy flame spreading from land to land, from sea to sea, enkindling beacons of mercy on islands and continents, kingdoms and colonies, States and dependencies— to read the communications from men converted by these lights shining in dark places, from the error of their ways, to the worship of "the true and living God"— to behold idols and temples becoming prostrate before the effulgent blaze of truth, and the moral wilderness beginning to bud and blossom as the rose— it seems scarcely possible that it is still something less than forty years, since the first systematic effori was made to supply tb'^ destitute of our own mission field; and still less since that field has been extended to em.- brace the world. «It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." He said " let there be light, and there was light." He "saith, to this servant (jo, and he goeth; to another come, and he cometh; to an- other do this, and he doeth it." "Many have run to and fro, and knowledge is increased;" and our hearts are now frequently gladdened, by report from various and 16 MEMOIR OF distant stations, that the great Head of the Church, the one grand Missionary from on high, He who hath shown us the way, and bidden us to walk therein, is verifying to his humble followers the all-sufRcient promise, 'and lo 1 am with you alway." But "by whom did Jacob arise? for he was small." How many of the present generation are acquainted with the beginning of this department of gospel operations? "this day of, numeric- ally, small things?" Few, few indeed. And the design of this memoir is, to show, in connection with the histo- ry of an individual, the rise, and the progress, of mis- sionary effort in the Baptist denomination, in this portion of our country. Until 1802, nothing of the kind had been attempted among us in systematic form. A Baptist missionary, the Rev. Elicanah Holmes, had been previously estab- lished among the Seneca and Tuscarora Indians; but I am informed he was sent out by the New- York Mission- ary. Society, composed of different denominations, but mostly of the Presbyterian. Baptists had not then become sufficiently numerous, or sufficiently endowed, to do moVe than supply their own immediate territory. But at the date of which we speak, a simultaneous effort was made by the distinguished Baptists at Boston and vicini- ty, and the Shaftsbury Baptist Association. Probably neither body was aware, at the precise time, of the do- ings of the other. But as the two Associations corres- ponded, their respective views and doings became recip- rocally known and mutually understood. The projected limits of this work will confine us strictly to the doings of the Shaftsbury Association. — In the bright constellation of ministers composing that reverend body, no one shone more conspicuously than the subject of the present memoir. • Little is known of the minulisc of Mr. Covell's early 4 LEMUEL COVELL. 17 history. The more prominent events are as follow: Born at Nine-Partners, Dutchess Co., New- York, on che 28th of June, A. D. 1764. Left an orphan in his fourth year, he went to live with his mother's parents. His grand-father's name was Payne. He was a relative of the Thomas Payne, so celebrated for his patriotism and notorious as an infidel. Fortunately for Mr. Covell this Mr. Payne and his wife were both pious. Schools were then scarce in our country, and his grand-mother learned him the rudiments of language herself, that he might be able to read in the Psalter. He remained with his grand-parents, until he was fourteen, and in the course of that time, was sent to school six weeks. He was now apprenticed to a blacksmith, and while an appren- tice, was indulged with eleven evenings' attendance at a school " to learn to cipher." This completed his scholas- tic course. But the God of nature had given him inves- tigating powers of mind, and an aptitude to avail himself of all possible opportuniiies for improvement. It has been said by some writer, Mrs. Phelps, I believe, that no one can be a good reader without genius. If so, Mr. Covell was a genius of the first order. He possessed a vividness of perception, that enabled him to transfer the spirit of the writer to his own bosom ; and whatever author or subject he read, he appeared like one pronounc- ing his own sentiments. He wrote with great rapidity, yet perfectly intelligible, and became unusually ready and accurate, in the science of Arithmetic. He studied no grammar, yet his language was ever correct, ^n innate sense of propriety enabled him to detect inaccu- racy and avoid it. i On attaining his majority, he commenced business as a 'blacksmith in company with a Mr. Denio, in Shafts- bury, Bennington Co. Vermont. Here we begin to learn something of his moral character. It had one, one only ahade, but that was a shade, one too that he bitterly m 18 MEMOIR OF ir mourned over in after time, an addictedness to the use of profane language. He soon became endeared to the young, by a scarcely ever ceasing flow of good humor and sportiveness, and beloved and respected by all, for his obliging disposition, his uprightness in deal^ and his punctuality in business. As might be expected from a mind of his organization, he was quick in everything, of course hasty in his temper; but readily appeased, show- ing himself as willing to be cooled as to be irritated. — He never treasured up wrath, hoarded malice, or sought revenge. At that period the religious community was mostly Presbyterian. Baptists were comparatively few, and the more zealous among them weie called New Lights. A man at his shop one day dropped a word about his profanity and excessive gaiety. "O, well, said he, I shall leave it off by and by, and turn preacher. I mean to be a great Presbyterian minister yet — not one of these New Li.^hts." He remained in Shaftsbury about two years. We next find him with Mr. Simeon Covell, a brother of his father, in Lower Canada. While there, he experienced "a change of heart," but made no open profession of religion. About the year 1789, he came to Galway, Saratoga Co. New-York. That was the residence of all the own brother and sister he had. While there, he became acquainted with Miss Clarissa Mather, descend- ant of the celebrated Dr. Cotton Mather of Boston. — They married, and thought of returning to Canada to lill^ "But it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." With reference to his determination of settling in Canada, he carried Mrs. Covell to Suffield, Connec- ticut, and leaving her there in the bosom of her mother^s friends, commenced his return to his uncle, with a view to make arrangements for hiuiself with him. removmg and establishing LEMUEL COVELL. 19 It wd'j winter, and the country thinly peopled, espe- cially in the western part of New-York. Few indeed were "the lodging places of the wilderness," and the " way-faring man" must travel hours to go over all the intervening distance. He journeyed on foot, and while traversing the wilds of Oswegatchie, his sufferings from the severe cold were intense. While passing from one habitation to the next, a distance of many miles, his feet became frozen, and he was confined at the house where he put up, eleven weeks. Whether this circumstance changed his mind with respect to settling in that region, is not known. He however accomplished the small remnant of his journey, adjusted his concerns in Canada, with something of a sacrifice of property, and eventually- returned with his wife to Galway. There he commenced housekeeping, and there his mind became excited to confess Christ before men. It is matter of regret, that , wo find no written account of the work of Divine grace upon his heart, as it is ever interesting and profitable to compare notes with those who have been redeemed from the power and dominion of sin — to contemplate "the diversity of operations," and to behold in all "the same spirit." We have a precious relic in his own hand writing, of his early history as a herald of salvation. — We transcribe it verbatim. '''"Memorandum of preaching^ ^c. My first attempt to preach, was at Galway on the evening of the 21st of February, 1792. I was thea a member of the Third Baptist church in Galway. Since that time, a town, has been set off from Galway, by the name of Providence, which has occasioned the said church to assume the name of the First Baptist church in Providence. I was at that time laboring under many doubts and trials in my mind, with respect to the duty of preaching the gospel. Those trials prevented my al- 2* If 20 MEMOIR OF templing the work, except ia very few instances, till about the beginning of October, 1792. From that time forward, I continued to preach statedly, one-half of the time with the church where I lived, and the other half in a new settlement, about four miles from our usual place of meeling. Toward the latter part of the year 1793, the church gave me a letter of license to preach, wherever I thought it to be my duty. I then agreed to preach steadily with the people in the settlement above- mentioned, which was then a part of Galway. About the middle of August, 1794, a very great awakening took place ; a number were hopefully converted ; and on the last of December, the same year, a church was established in that place, by the name of the Fourth Baptist church in Galway, which was afterwards called, the Second in Providence. I removed my residence and membership to the newly established church, and in the year 1796, was by them regularly called to take upon me the work of the Gospel ministiy, by being publicly ordained to that purpose. With great reluctance I cou- senied to accept their call, and was ordained on the 11th of May of that year." The manuscript proceeds with the minutia of the doinsfs of the council, and ceremonies of the ordination, but as the following certificate presents us the summary, we omit the details. "At the same time I received the following certificate: Tliis may certify to all whom it may concern, that Lem- uel Covell is a member of the Second Baptist church in Providence, being a wholesome member and in good standing. Said church called on him to take the lead of them as a preacher, and after satisfaction of his call to the ministry, they called on several churches of the same faith and order to sit in council to ordain him. — Said council convened on the 10th ol May for that pur.- LEMUEL COVELL. 21 pose, and afcer a strict and critical examination, by a uuinber of ministers and substantial brethren, he was ordained oq the lUh of May 1796, by us as a presbytery. Joseph Counell, i Samuel Rogers, > Elders. Jonathan Finch, ) Providence, May 11, 1796." Mr. Covell then continues: "Not Ion? after, I began to preach in a stated way. I began to keep a journal of the times and places of preaching, and of texts of Scripture I preached from. I continued to keep said journal, regularly, about a year, during which time I often hud very serious reflections on the matter, and many queries presented, whether it was right. On the one haaJ, there appeared to me some advantage, or at least convenience, connected with such a practice. On the other hand, I often viewed it as carrying too much the appearance of a mechanic's book of accounts. At length, the latter had so much effect on my feelings, that I came to a resolution to proceed no farther in the practice. I committed my journal to the flames, and while it was dissolving to smoke and ashes, I felt a kind of enthusiastic satisfaction, which I then looked upon as good evidence that Heaven approved the act, but which I now believe was the effect of supersti- tion and ignorance, of which I then possessed a pretty large share, though I did not at that lime perceive or believe it. I have often thought since, that it would be matter of real pleasure to me, if I could despatch that act, and many others at that stage of my life, to ever- lasting oblivion, with the same ease I did my little inno- cent scrap of a journal. Several other small scraps of memorandums, which might have been of some use to me, shared a similar fate. Viewing these as acts of religious heroism, and being a little elated with the tho'ts 98 MEMOIR OF fff k vingr fitetd so signal a victury over my (iride, I madNi ■"»' jr» to sorn ! of my friends, what Iliad done, Ihe sirugu ^s I had felr ' i my own breast on the subject, and the conscious pleasure, as 1 called it, which I felt on the occasion. Instead of corretuing this error of my youth, ihey joined 'i my superstitious exultation, greatly admired, and highly commen led the supposed christian luttgttai^iaiity I had displayed. O, the power of super- stition ! Sometime before I was ordained, having had more time for deliberation, and experience having corrected some of my sincere errors, I felt real regret and mortifi- cation, that I had acted so rashly. I could then see no moral evil, but many real advantages, in keeping written memorandums of many things that occurred in the course of my labors as a minibter of the Gospel. I finally came to a resolution to lay aside such childish notions, and to do everything in my power to improve my own mind, and the minds of others. And believing that a recurrence to what had passed, might, in many instances, be a guide and monitor in future, and answer many useful purposes to myself and others, I determined to give myself free latitude to commit to writing what- ever I might from time to time deem proper or useful to be preserved. And I have only to regret that the cir- cumscribed state of my affairs in life has prevented my doing more in that way than I have. I should not have gi en myself the pain of committing the above circum- stances to writing, were it not that I wish, by honestly confessing my own mistakes, to dissuade my dtar uuih dren, for whose sake, principally, I have undecru.n 'o throw my loose memorandums into regular form, from being prevented by any superstitious qualms, from taking all just methods to lay a foundation in youth for pleaL'iii;., rn^'oad of uncomfortable reflections, in maturer LEMU fi L C OV E LL . 93 stages of llfo. And I e.irnesli/ entreat them to sufler the disinterested admonitions of an afVertionate father to have due weight on their minds, in eveiy period of their lives. To return to my subject. ^ After I was or-bined, I determined to keep an account of all the sermoaj T should preach, with a statement of ihe times, places, and occasions of preaching, and the texts of Scripture made use of. I also thought proper to keep an account of all my administrations of the ordinances, witlx the times and places of admiaistering. I also viewcl it my duty to keep a strict account of all marriages I ;;liould be called to administer, with the names of the persons, &c. I have hitherto kept my journal on looss piipcrs,' without reducing them to such a regular form as would render them intelligible to any person but myself. But viewing the uncertainty of life, and being desiious that my family and friends, may have the satisfaction, if any it can afford, of perusing it, after its author sleeps in the dust, I have now undertaken to reduce it lo sucli state, as to render it instructive to my dear family, to whom' in the fear of that God to whom I look for every bleasiag, I most afFectionaiely dedicate this work, ami (;ic future continuance of it, earnestly praying, that a Diviau bless- ing may rest upon the unworthy author, the performance, and all who may ever have the perusal of if. Lemuel Covell." Pittstown, Dec. 8, 1804. Here closes all that is now to be found of the auto- biography. It was continued to some consideiahle ex- tent, and it is to be feared, and lamealed that some one of those who had the care of Mr. Coveli's papers has been actuated by a mistaken delicacy, in cutting out from the manuscript history so many of the sacred leaves. They are gone, with much else that would have been 24 MEMOIR OP ^l pleasant and profitable, but there is an imperishable record on high ; " his name is written in heaven," and his works have followed him there. The next article at hand is, the copy of a letter to Mr. Joseph Osborn, which appears to have been an answer to a request from him. It is given verbatim. "Providence, Feb. 23, 1797. Beloved Friend :— I am now as ripe as I expect to be soon, to give you an exposition on the wise man's ex- pression, "Be not overmuch righteous, neither make thyself overmuch wise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?" 1st. Negatively, we cannot be really and truly right- eous to excess. Neither can we have too much of that wisdom that cometh from above. But, 2d. Positively, we ought not to be loo much talkalively, pretendedly, or hypocritically righteous : i. e. never pretend to be very zealous, or righteous, beyond what you really are, for the sake of making a show in the religious class ; for if you do, your hypocrisy will soon be discovered, and your influence as a reprover, or religious adviser, &c., will be destroyed; for who loves or dreads the hypocrite with all his sanctity? "Neither make thyself overmuch wise." Never pre- tend to abundance of wisdom or knowledge— or "think more highly of thyself than thou oughtest to think, but think soberly;" or else thy folly will soon be discovered by thy self-conceitedncss, and thy influence, usefulness, and reputation will be totally destroyed. "Be not overmuch wicked, why shouldest thou die before thy time?" 1st. Every instance of wickedness is more than we ought to commit, therefore to commit one sin is (in that respect) to be overmuch wicked.— But, 2d. I understand the text under consideration, to mean this: Be not presumptuously, or audaciously I- %\'i -,-.-»-> LEMUE L C V ELL. 25 wicked ; why shouldest ihou thereby expose thyself to the law, and be executed as a malefactor: or why shouldest thou thereby rush into some uncommon, or, as we often speak, some untimely death ? This is the best light I have on the subject. If you differ from me in opinion, be so good as to give me yours on the subject. May the Lord grant that you and I may be, not pre- tendedly or hypocritically, but really and truly righteous; not conceitedly knowing, but wise unto salvation, for Christ's sake.— Amen. I am yours, &c., Lemuel Covell." To Joseph Oshorn. Returning to the date of his ordination, we will re- sume the natural method of noting events in the order of their occurrence. But we are now no longer to trace him as a private individual merely. He has now become one of a chosen hand, that were to " prepare the way of the Lord," and " cast up in the wilderness a highway for our God." He is now to appear before us in new, and more interesting positions. As God had given hioi the spirit of a pioneer, so did he spread out the way before him, and point him along from post to post, from station to station, from adventure to adventure, if so we may say, until the principle had ample developement, and It might with truth be said, that he had " obtained grace to be faithful." In destitute places he planted; in less uncultivated portions he watered; where nothing had been done, he '' preached Jesus Christ ind him crucified;" where the foundation had been already laid, he labored to "build up in the most holy faith," ''becoming ail thmgs to all men, if by all means he might save some." The church over which he was now constituted pas- tor, was, as we may see by his journal, gathered under f j^m I MMfP ••>M*«#<>>^"«' 26 MEMOIR OF i H his ministration, "being the first fruits unto God" by him. As he was now to enter a wider field of operation, it may not be amiss to survey tlie ground. For an extent of several hundred miles west, and around Saratoga county, much of the country remained in its original wildness; and in several sections, the Indian still roamed his native forests free. But the forest and the Indian Were fast disappearing at the sound of ths axe, and the smoke of the wliite man's dwelling. The spirit of emigration has probably existed ever since the time our first parents went forth from the garden of Eden; and under its influence, settlements were fast forming in the region, and at the time of which we speak. Indeed there were some few townships that, both from appear- ance and date, might be called, old settled places; but most of the country was new — emphatically new. The gigantic growths of ages were to be levelled— the earth was to be subdued — habitations were to be reared — soci- ety formed— and the vvor'ship of God instituted and maintained. Truly the field was wide, the harvest or labor of ingathering of souls was great, and the laborers few. And those few needed, and most of them seemed to be endowed with, a double unction from on high. — Nearly every one was called to cfiiciate as pastor and evangelist too; and nobly did they fill the measure of their days. East of Saratoga, through Rensselaer Coun- ty, the south part of Vermont, and the northern part of Massachusetts, the country had been settled longer. — Framed houses. Baptist churches, and ordained ministers, were more frequent; and here, including Saratoga Coun- ty, were located most of the churches composing the Shaftsbury Association. This body, according to Mr. Benedict, "was constituted in 17S0, containing at first but five churches, vi/5 : Two in Shaflsbury, one in Chesh- cjng L E M U E L C V E L L . 27 ire, one in Stillwater, and one in White Creek. The principal ministers were Peter WordeUj Williatn Wait, Lemuel Powers, and Josepli Cornell." But as settlements increased, and the word of God grew and multiplied, new churches arose, and were added to the parent stock. They met annually, and published the Minutes of their doings, but the earliest number at hand is dated 17S8. At that session, they numbered sixteen churches, . eleven ordained ministers, eight hun- dred and three communicants. Nothing unusually inter- esting in their Minutes. But at their next session, holden at Hillsdale, Columbia Co., New- York, we find the 10th article of their Minutes to read thus: "As the churches of Stillwater and Hillsdale have signified in their letters, that their respective Elders, L. Powers, and Stephen Gano, (afterwards of Providence, R. I.,) are disposed to travel considerable part of their time, and preach the Gospel, and the churches acquies- cing therein have requested us to send supplies to, and provide for them, while their Elders may be absent. We heartily rejoice to find the churches' Elders engaged in the cause and spread of the truth— and appoint the fol- lowing supplies," &c. This is supposed to be the first and last record of its kind, until Mr. Covell's time. It assuredly is, unless some of the few missing numbers of their Minutes should afford something similar. But from the tenor of those at hand, that is deemed improbable. The Associ- ation was annually increasing in numbers and gifts.— Occasionally some church would drop off to unite with some other associated body, as it rose, still the annual returns show a iiett gain, and the pages of their Minutes occasionally something not altogether irrelevant to the interest of our own pages. The following extract from -.nc ruuidics ut l/i;^;Uiuiough It has no direct connectioa m MEMOIR OF with the history of Mr. Covell or the missionary doings, will still serve to make us somewhat acquainted with the men he was soon to become associated with. " Article 16. Voted to transcribe into our Minutes the following article, taken from the Minutes of the Warren Association of last year, as fully containing our senti- ments. That the Association being impressed with a sense of that freedom which every child of Adam is entitled to by nature, and of which they cannot be de- prived but by hostile usurpation, take this method of manifesting their hearty detestation of the slave-trade, and recommend it to all our brethren, to pray Almighty God, to hasten the auspicious day, when the Ethiopian, with all the human race, shall enjoy that liberty due to every good citizen of the commonwealth, and t\ie name of slave be extirpated from the earth." The Circular Letter of 1793, was from the pen of Elder John Leland, upon the Divine authenticity of the sacred scriptures. Our limits will deny us the rich treat of the entire letter, but we make room for the first para- graph as we pass : *' Beloved Brethren:— It is a leading characteristic of the Baptists, that without pope, or king for head— with- out spiritual or civil courts established by law — without a conclave of bishops or convocation of clergy — without legalized creeds or formularies of worship— without a ministry supported by law, or any human coercion — in discipline they are so far united in sentiment, respecting ihe New Testament, that a free correspondence and communion circulate among them. "They have no king, (on earth,) yet go they forth all of them by bands: The Bible is the only confession of faith they dare adopt— the final umpire they appeal unto for a decision of controversies." After an interval of four years^ we again find a copy L E MU EL COVELL. 29 of their Minutes, dated 1798. Tlie statistics of this year are, churches, forty-seven, ministers, twenty-eight, communicants, three thousand four hundred sixty. This was probably the third time Mr. Covell had attended with his ministering brethren in their associated capacity. He still watched over his beloved flock in Providence, and was still returned by them lo the Association as their member and minister, though he had removed his resi- dence, and ordinarily preached in Milton, a town some few miles north. Though he must have been a junior among his brethren at this time, still we find him ap- pointed on various committees, and the writer of the Circular Letter. It is here inserted verbatim and entire. "Beloved Brethren .-—Among the many subjects that excite our attention, the necessity of gospel discipline in a church, claims high rank. No society can stand long without certain rules of decorum, which being broken, subject the delinquent to certain penalties. Jesus Christ, the king of Zion, and lawgiver to his people, has ordained rules and precepts, by which all our conduct as christians or churches ought to be regulated, and which when broken reduce the transgressor, if remaining in- corrigible, to an exclusion from fellowship. The design of Christ's discipline is, not to dissolve, but to perpetuate the union of his saints. The grand basis of their union is the love of God in their souls, which flows from the glorious fountain of love, the great Jehovah, through the adorable Mediator, by the agency of the Holy Spirit- Hence their fellowship is with the Father, and with the Son, and one with another. Brethren thus united have a fervent desire lo maintain thai union. When their hearts are burning with that love, they need but liltle reproof from one another. Each one will discipline himself. But alas, shall we speak il? facts demonstrate the melancholy truthj that the children of God, whom I'M , m i II 30 MEMOIR OF he has nourished and brought up, rebel against him. — They back-slide from iheir God, lose their first love, and transgress the commands of Jesus. Then the discipline of the gospel becomes necessary, first to reclaim the back-slider from the error of his way, save the lost sheep, restore the soul that has sinned, and hide ihe multitude of sins. As discipline should be administered justly and in season, so it should be in the spirit of meekness, love and humility. Much time and labor are spent in vain, and many are lost by a church, when too harsh in some instances, and too favorable in others— too precipitant with one, and loo indulgent with another. But when churches are exercised with as just motives, and as much of meekness and faithfulness as can well be expected in this imperfect state, how often are they obliged with the knife of discipline to perform gospel amputation, to cut off the infected member to prevent the mortification of the body. If a church neglects to withdraw from any brother that walks disorderly, and not according to the traditions received of the apostles, such church virtually partakes of his sins, and with an Achan in the camp, the Israelites cannot stand before their enemies. Sec- ondly, the discipline of the Gospel is to be used, to evince to all beholders, that the saints have no fellow- ship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and that they have so much loyalty to the Redeemer, that they will not walk with any who live in the breach of his commands, although in these respects they are as dear to them as a right hand, a foot, or a right eye. Neither are those members who have removed their residence and not their membership, to think themselves out of the reach of discipline, nor the churches where such mem- bers live, to think themselves excused from using faith- fulness with such members, — for, the nature of the christian economy dictates that the finishing stroke of discipline should be executed by the church, where their LEMUEL CO VELL. 31 membership is, but that the labor should begin by the persons who have knowledge of the crime. We conceive that members of churches (if circumstances concur) should remove their membership with their residence- otherwtse they grow careless and negligent, and often sinful, and thereby the cause which theyprofess to love IS brought into disgrace; and should not churches be as particularly watchful oyer the members of anothe church who reside among them, a, if they were Their own members in every ceremonious form? It is bv the just discipline of the Gospel, that the dignity and au hor tly of the church appears, her spiritual health is pre- served many of the cavil, of her enemies are repefled in embryo, and the union, strength, peace and fell wsh p of her members is greatly increased. We also add 2 we believe much of the leanness of soul, coldness and barrenness of mind, which so much pre^il at present among the children of God, is owing to the warn of due attention to the law, of Christ. Hear what He ays a LTwirL'T ™^' '"; -"' "^-P "^ 'vords, and my lather will love him, and we will come and take ud onr abode with hm." The intended limits of his let™ forbid us to enlarge. ' Froin the foregoing hints, dear brethren, you may e rn how necessary and useful it is, to pay a sS umversally observed among the churches, then would Zion appear beautiful as Tirzah, comely as JerusTw, and terrible as an army with banne"" We ,h. r' recommend it to you to be constant fnyourltyfrKn and impartial in discinlino « e • ^' '"'"iful the Lord » ' An , "'P''"^' , . '^^'"ont "> spirit, serving hat thp: '" '"'"' "Sl>' ^0 sl'ine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify you; Father who is in heaven " « R,«,i T S' , "' y*" Fthra^^dxr^--^--^^^^^^^^^^ you all, amen!"'^ '^'""""""'"' "' '"« "oly Ghost be with i 32 MEMOI R OF \i> < Nothing had as yet been done by the Association as a body, in the cause of Missions, fuilher than to supply by appointment, the shepherdless flocks within their ov^n boundary. To do this, made nearly every minister, m his turn, somewhat a missionary. It is delightful to contemplate the self-sacrificing spirit of the churches of that period— so willingly manifesting their neighborly love— so ready to listen to the Macedonian cry, " come over and help us." Their own territory was scarcely yet reclaimed from the condition of Missionary ground, but will not those who have the love of God shed abroad in their own bosoms, long to see the blessed flame spread from heart to heart, from land to land, from sea to sea, till the whole earth shall be filled with the glory of God? Several of the Elders spent much time in visiting places destitute of the preached word, thus comforting the scattered sheep of the wilderness, and sowing the good seed of the kingdom. Mr. Covell was one of those who thus went about doing good. Whether it would be right to claim for him, that he " labored more abundantly than they all," I leave. This is known that he labored much —that he sought not his own, but the things that were of God. No man could be more affectionate as a bus band, more kind and judicious as a parent, or more care ful to "provide things honest in the sight of all men ' Still the cause of his Redeemer was paramount to every other consideration, and he was never so happy as when employed about his master's business. Seeking "first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness," he felt a confidence that all things needful would be added thereto, not altogether in the way of salary, however— for his people were unable to do much for him— but he looked for a blessing upon the labor of his hands; nor did he bok in vain. By school teaching, and some manual labor, together with what he received occasionally for n > » LEMUEL COVELL. 33 preaching, he obtained a comfortable livelihood. He had "obtained favor of the Lord," in the gift of a com- panion who "did him good and not evil all the days of his life." He took unwearied pains in the instruction of his owm children, and counted sacrifice and toil a pleas- ure, to promote the cause of education generally. What- ever of learning he had, he had sought for as for hid treasure; of course he knew its value, and regretted only that he was obliged to desist from continued research. During this year, of 178S, he was invited to the pas- torate of the First Baptist church in Pittstown, Rensse- laer county. He accepted the call, rijoved his family and commenced his labors, about the beginning of the year 1799. Here was labor sufficient for one man, but the small and recently formed church in Troy, being desti- tute, he preached with them one-fourth of the time that year. Troy was not then what it now is, a large, popu- lous, wealthy city, with its many seminaries of learning and numerous edifices of public worship; and Baptists there and then were few indeed. But it pleased God to smile upon the labors of his servant, and pour out his holy spirit upon this small but enterprizing community and several were added to the church. The people became much attached to him, and one youn^ lady a school teacher, Miss Sally Brown, to express her grati- tude to her father in the gospel, as she considered Mr Covell to be, proposed taking his eldest daughter, then in her eighth year, into her school that summer, and her step- father, Mr. Rice, one of a respectable mercantile firm offered to board her for half price. As Mr. Covell then lived a mile and a half from any school-house, the gen- erous offer was gratefully accepted. Other tokens of respect were also shown to both parent and child. This circumstance is mentioned, partly in gratitude to God for any opportunity for intellectual improvemeut, and partly 34 MEMOIR or not to seem forgetful of past favors. " Bless the Lord> my soul, and forget not all his benefits." As has been said, Mr. Covell removed to Pittstown, not far from ihe beginning of 1799. His first charge, in Providence, about fifty miles distant, still remained "as sheep having no shepherd," and by appointment of the Association, it was his lot to re-visit them in February. Accordingly he went, fulfilled his appointment, and proceeded onward some sixty miles or more, further west, preaching, as he went, the unsearchable riches of Christ. In the Minutes of the Association of June following, among other appointments for Mr. Covell we find the following: " Article 12. The Circular Letter was called for and read, but not giving general satisfaction. Elders Leland and Covell, were appointed to prepare one.' ' Elder L-'- land having been previously appointed to write to a sister Association, declined. So we find, "article 17, tha Circular prepared by Elder Covell^ was read and ap- proved." We insert it verbatim. " The Elders and Brethren of the Shaftsbury Associa- tion, holden ai Stephentown, the 5th and 6th of June 1789, to the churches they represent, stnd greeting! Dear Brethren: — By the good hand of our God upon us, we have been preserved another year, and have had another social interview together. The good news, which we have received from several of the churches of our union, has had the cordial effect upon our hearts, that cold water has upon the poor, weary, thirsty trav- eller. It is matter of consolation to us, that the kingdom of the despised Nazarene is flourishing in any part of our apostate world. that we might see a more gen- eral display of the all-conquering power of sovereign grace, in the conversion of sinners throughout the habit- able parts of the earth. In short, our souls, we trust, are LEMUE L no VELL , 35 longing to see the final downfall of antichrist's kingdom, and to see the kingdom of Prince Emanuel extended to earth's remotest bounds. We have however had the melancholy news from some of our churches, that it is a time of declension among them, but we would encour- age those "who sit in darkness, and have no light, to trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God." Dear brethren, while your souls are flaming with holy emotions, in seeing and feeling the glorious work of Jehovah, and while our hearts are enraptured with the joyful tidings, permit us as those who wish to watch for ihe good of your souls, as well as for the honor of our Master, to suggest a few thoughts upon the importance of maintaining a close milk with God, while sojourn- ing here below. And first, as the efiects of true religion in the heart are real and unfeigned love to the divine character, and the most voluntary and cordial attachment to the dear Redeemer and his cause in this sinning world; it there- fore is of the utmost importance that we act in every department of life in such a manner as to demonstrate our real confidence in a holy God, and our hearty sub- mission to his government. Secondly, there is no way that we can evince to the saints that we love God, and consequently no way that we can enjoy their fellowship, unless we live a life devoted to the practice of religion. " By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles." Therefore if we would rejoice the hearts of the righteous, and enjoy their fellowship, we must live our religion. Thirdly, we cannot demonstrate to an opposing world the realities of religion, unless we adhere strictly to the great duties of "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking iiumbly with God." When professors of religion grow 3* aa MEMOIR or i'i I'l remiss ia their duty, instead of putting to silence the ignorance of loolish men, they weaken the hands and sadden the hearts of all God's faithful children. But the wound thus inflicted aflects no class so much, per- haps, as the ministers of the Gospel. How can a minis- ter hxjld up his head before an ungodly race of infidels, who deny the blessed truths of the Gospel and say religion is nothing but a mere trick of slate, a holy fraud, peculiar to the sacerdotal robe, invented and improved to get money, and to indulge themselves in idleness; while he sees those who profess to believe in religion, and boast of high attainments therein, living in sin, in the neglect of duty, and in direct opposition to what he feels constrained to declare to them from the pulpit. How must a faithful preacher feel when declaring from the pulpit those awful truths which cause infernal spirits to tremble, to see numbers in the assembly making derision, and knowing that the objects of their levity are sitting in his presence in the character of brethren in the Lord, their lives and conversation bespeaking them the "lovers of this present world, more than lovers of God." O, how painful must a sight like this be, to a true minister of Jesus Christ, and yet we fear many of them behold at times the heart-rending spectacle. And we really fear that much of the leanness and want of success in preaching, complained of by ministers, and much of the coldness and declension complained of by our churches, is owing to the want of maintaining a close wa,lk with (iod. Fourthly, our own comfort will be diminished in pro- portion as v/e backslide. It is " the willing and obedient soul" who has the promise of "eating the good of the land." Hear what the life of truth says, "If any man love me he will keep my words, and my father will love him, and we will come and take up oUr abode wiih him." f :f rfta LEMUEL GOV ELL 37 O, what words art- these— the triune God dwelling with a poor breathing parti- !e on this terrestrial globe. The example and testimony of ihe primitive saints prove that the happiness of the soul is inseparably con- nected with obedience to God; and the experieace of every true christian corroborates the importcnt truth.— From the few hints suggested, you may see, dear breth- ren, of how much importance it is that we not only profess but live religion. God, who has set his glory above the heavens, requires us "toglorifv him in our bodies and spirits which are his." He also in infinite wisdom has so connected our happiness with our duty, that while We are acting with the purest motives for the glory of God, we are at the same time pursuing our own happiness. O, the.i let us quit ourselves like^'men—be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Let us take to ourselves the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil. Let us remember that the honor of the cause which we profess to love is deeply interested in our living our religion. Let us evince to the world that the glorious work of which we are making our boast in the Lord is indeed the work of God. We have seen the enemy in some good measure baffled, and his forces somewhat scattered. But remem- ber, brethren, the Canaaniles are not all dead. There are many of them yet lurking not only around, but within us. The devil will rally his legions again, and perhaps Incredibility at the head of them. Tho' satan may continue sullen awhile, yet like a wild bull in a net, he will again rave and rage. By and by your lusts ^ill rise, your pride will swell, and temptations will pour upon you like a torrent. We do not say these things to damp the joyful, pious feelings of your hearts, •put tbof vnn ninu ronri'^m^a** iK«»* -oto- 4--- - » 38 MEMOIR OF you that he may sift you as wheat, and that the rtmem- brance thereof may make you watch and pray j and above all, look to the great Captain of your salvaiion.— Be diffident in yourselves, and dependent on God. Keep humble. Walk softly and be patient. And may the God of all grace stablish you, and build you up in every good word and work.— Amen." LEMUEL COVfiLL, 39 CHAPTER 11; la October of this year, (1799,) Mr. Covell was called .0 agomzc throush a trial, that probed his heart to the core It was the murder of his mother by her third husband. He had long feared the event wo-ld ensZ and had several years been solicitous for her to leave he own home m Mapletown, about fourteen miles distant and come and live with him. 'He had at last obtained her consent, and the day was named when she should eave her demomac* husband and trusuo the protection of a beloved son. But on. aniving at the place of her residence, he found the house ailed with people, and hi mother a murdered, mangled corpse. !'«''"""»« Let no pen attempt to describe the agonizing horrors of that soul wringing moment. What he greafly fird WahTu'ch"",? ^™. and it bowed him to the ear 1 was reTtor^H f I '"""' *"" ^y^P""-'"? «ends, he was restored from frequent faintings through the dav andm three days was able to take his place with the nat'u^ to wirhrnd' " ''"" '''""'' "'' '"'''' ""^'^^'^ lio*£dTnf hpfn'^ "">.'' °,"?« ^«^" ^ ««PtJ3t preacher, but 3;nge?ou8 ^He " .«l'"fr''; ^'"^ become profane, i?rascible- and .._"= r°"^- "e was a fearful examnle of what 1» i. «n k- -:--!: «F ^« «.Q unre warned domimon of ail the veoieful p"aaeio,i«. ""'" 40 MEMOIR OP lit As It respected the temper of mind with which he bore the stunning blow, the christian triumphed, even to feeling the spirit of forgiveness toward his diabolical step-father. But as a man he sank. His health failed he grew moody, absent-minded, prone to reverie, answer- ing questions as though he heard them not, and finally became ravingly delirious. A fever ensued, and his l^fe _ was m peril many days. During this sickness, in mo- ments of slumber, he would be audibly conversing with his mother, and entreating to go with her, as though that was his all-absorbing feeling. In a kw weeks he was measurably restored to health, but he never entirely recovered from the violence of the shock. He was now situated about twenty miles distant from Shaftsbury, and after his recovery from this exhaustin^r sickness, in company with one of his deacons, Mr. John Rouse, he re-visited this the place of his former resi- dence, and the scenes of his youthful hilarities. His former friends welcomed him to their houses, and throng- ed to hear him preach. He had indeed become a preache'r, but not «a great Presbyterian preacher," as he predicted' but a humble uiember of the sect which had formerly been so much "spoken against." A friend and youni^er brother in the ministry with Mr. Covell thus describes one of Mr. Covell's sermons during that visit: "It was," says he, "at an evening meeting, and la the same neighborhood where he had formerly lived. The words of the text were, "Which doeth great things."~Job, ix, part of lOih verse. He com- menced the discussion by showing what great things God had done in the works of creation. What greater, m the grand work of redemption. What great things God had done for z^ as a nation. What great things he had done for individuals. And what, great things God had done for him. Yes, said he, Covell has found whac LEMUEL COVELL. ^j great things God can do for the ^n.,] a r .«a I was We a.o„, ,o, I'^Miel 7r;:r; man, urging my way downward wiih fearVnl „;J? ^ Bu,i,ha.h pleased God ,o make bare ,h' aTon7 salvation n my behalf anH r..n °^ ^"^ ■he burning, l^l'Z'a^ZV.'T' T living witness, a happy believer andb. T '"■"'S'"' ' .he great .ru.hs I on'ce' dej^ J 2Tc\ TT'' "' great things for me of late A ftw w^ y ■ ""* "'""' was suffering the horrors of d.l . """' *"■" bed ofpain'and Z^s ButT""d'".' ''"^'"'^ "^ » hath rebuked the dis^!: ■resltfmV:e 's^rdr ^ n-e once more ,o enjoy the rich blessing of belnlcSS and ,n my right mind." He then closed wta^^ilf exiiortation to comp an^i c«« u meltings in store for thosT: e ,t '^«i: ^"'"f ^^^ ^^^ venerable narrator* -onZf th T'' '^^' '^^ I evrer attended \i ' ""^'^ '^^'"^'^ "^^^^in^s In the spring succeeding, he removed from his then <^ H ye;r n^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ AssocLon year, (isoo,) the following article; *The Rev. Isaiah Mnf ff^iinvt 42 MEMOIR OF 1 1 |i m i 'if 1 "Article 13. On motion of Eiders Webb and Covell, voted to recommend to the churches, to lend some as- sistance to the Baptist church in the village of Troy, towards building a house for divine worship. When we consider that their number at present is small, and consists mostly of females, there being not more than two or three males who can advance anything towards such an undertaking, and at the same time considering that there is a favorable prospect of their society's in- creasing, if they have a suitable place to meet in, and have preaching most or all of the time — which they might have if they had a house — together with the im- portance of having the cause of religion built up in that place, we flatter ourselves that oul* churches will come forward with promptitude, and contribute liberally for so noble a purpose. Would it not be well for each church to circulate a subscription paper in their own vicinity, and let people subscribe lumber, money, or any kind of produce saleable in market, and deliver it to Mr. Silas Covell in Troy, by the first of January next?" At this session, Mr. Covell preached before the Asso- ciation from this text: "For to one is given, by the spirit, the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowl- edge by the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit." As usual he received several appointments to visit other Associations and destitute and distant church- es, also to prepare the Corresponding Letter for the next year, and to superintend the printing of the Minutes. There was no signal shower of divine grace among his own people, yet the Great Head of the church did not leave his servant without witness of his approbation at home. The order of God's house was maintained, and souls were occasionally being born into the kingdom of God, and coming forward to confess Christ before men. At one of these baptismal seasons, it was Mr. pt delighted to make ample provision for family, kindred friends, and acquaintance. Accordingly he purchased a larger house and small farm, and commenced occupying the next spring, (1801.) He also commenced working at his trade, and was going prosperously on. His rep.^ tation as a blacksmith soon became first rate, and his punctuality proverbial. But to maintain this, he had to make large exactions upon the hours allotted to sleep, and labor long, when his already wearied system needed repose. The next session of the Association was held at Galway, and he by appointment re-visited and preached 10 his beloved first flock, the Sabbath before the session As usual we will make some extracts from their Minutes. "Article 16. Inasmuch as our beloved brethren, Elder Joseph Craw, and Elder Samuel Rogers have manifested an intention to travel abroad in the rourse of the present IZ: Z t" ^T' "^ '^'^'^"^ ""^^ P^^^^^^'^S in distant parts of the wilderness, therefore this Association do- hereby certify that they are ministers of good report, in good standing with us, and go forth in our fellowship; and as such we recommend them to the favorable notice and encouragement of all good people, wherever they k ngdom of God. And we sincerely pray, that a divine blessing may attend their labors, and crown them with Huunaant success." 44 *IEM OIR OP This article is transcribed into our pages for two reasons. B'irst, as a key to show the state of society in the then "wesV^ As is common in new countries, there were adventurers of various characters. Among the diversity were some who were a disgrace and annoyance to their species—impostors in the garb of preachers of the Gospel— wolves in sheep's clothing. Of course the people had become suspicious of strangers, and it was needful that the man of character should be furnished with undoubted credentials of his good standing. Second, Mr. Covell being Clerk of the Association, and the one as usual to prepare the Minutes for publication, the article was entirely from his pen, and is one among many instances to show that he had nothing of that spirit about him which makes men unwilling that good should be done by any hands but their own, or that any but themselves should have the name and the praise of doing well. Send, Lord, by whom thou wilt send, was the uniform language of his heart. The subject of missions was taking deeper and deeper root in his heart. Hith- erto short journeys and short visits were all that had been found practicable. He felt that a more systematic course of operation was needed. There was one brother, the Rev. Abijali Peck, with whom he privately com- muned on the subject; and we find the 12th article of the same Minutes (1801,) on this wise: « A proposition was made by brother Covell for raising a fund by contri- bution, for the purpose of sending missionaries to preach the Gospel in destitute parts of our frontier settlements, and as far as we may have opportunity among the na- tives of the wilderness. After deliberating largely thereon, the Association unanimously voted to recom- mend to the churches to take it into mature considera- tion, and those who are disposed to adoj)! so benevolent 4 plan, to signify it in their letters at our mxt session i LEMUEL COVELL. 45. and likewise to make a liberal eontribulion and send it forward at the same time to begin siirl fnJ. I .r«,.din,he hands of such .Zj^^ tltl theAssocUon may appoi„. ,<, „ceive ,ho ame and appropriate it to the above use, as thev shall f ' to tin,e .hint proper, and to c™.rihu,e ann 'a, t^ Z ame, uH the churehes so contributing shall jU,ht have sufficient cause .0 discontinue such con.ribuL » '^ Here then was the commencement of vs elti- Missionary effort in this section of the B^mL, 1 • a.ion-or raiher this was the fi s step 'wardlr.r .ntroducing of the holy leaven, which w rde'ti ed to send the bread of life to npri^hinn. *u "«s"nea to names of Covell and pick mavlM""''"'''' """ "'" rolled among other ve;::able m! n^r h'?' "";■ the origin of American Baptist Hoi LlZ'""""' "' Agreeably to the appointment of the prpced n,, „„. he wrote the Corresponding Letter for thfs sels of W transcribe nearly all. ' '"is session. We " ne Shaftshury Asmciation, to the several ^'""'^t'onawithw/umwecorrewond- Are you m health dear brethren? We .rusTwr^ no. ask you this question with the perfidl, tUVa" murderous Joab, with the fatal daWer inhi.T^A i with th, glowing affection of .eX::etw-\r:: nendship m our hearts. Inasmuch as our co— d ence logdly proclaims we are friends n«m„ "^ time to offer a few remarlr, ,J,h,' ^ " "' " '"'^ feraarics on the nature nmi o^^^* c Chrutian Friemhhip. I, is not xIhLT/£ f which inclines the rich in .his world ,0 , otwith ff "; .' employ as instruments^ nor that sp|fi.h i: - , ^l'^'^^' 46 MEMOI R OF ^P ■m bestows gifts with the sole design of effecting its own purposes. It is not that party spirit which circumscribes itself to those of its own cast; nor that contracted spirit which delights only in those of its own family. It is not that versatile spirit which is easily attracted by new objects, but can retain no lasting attachment to any ; nor is it that blind, bigoted spirit which never discovers any imperfection in the object of its delight, and therefore maintains an obstinate attachment, supported merely by predilection J but that friendship which is the subject of this letter; is that divine principle which, by assimilating our souls to the great eternal source of all true friend- ship, knits and cements them in the most indissoluble union. This is undoubtedly what the apostle means by the unity of the spirit : Eph. iv, 3— by the fellowship of the spirit: Philip, ii, 1— and by that oneness by which Christ is all and in all : Col. iii, 11— but more particu- larly that charity delineated m 1 Cor. xiii. To trace this glorious principle to its exalted source, is a work at once pleasing, interesting and sublime. In this delight- ful stretch of contemplation, we have the infallible word for our guide. Let us listen a moment to its language. " The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, or ever the earth was. Then was I before him as one brought up with him. And I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him, rejoicing in the habitable parts of his earth, and my delights were with the sons of men." " And now Father glorify thou me with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. As thou Father art in me, and I in thee." Here we have the most interesting description of true friendship, and are led to see that its true source is in the ever-blessed God, and therefore its nature is heaven- ly and divine. ******* LEMDEL CO VELl. 47 Having thus by tracing this lieavenly stream to its sonree dtscoyered us nature, let us for a moment .ura on atteolion to its L essed eiTecls. • * * » The effects of divine friendship are, a complete rscon- cil.at.on to God, produced in the hearts of the most obdurate and rebellious sinners, by the powerful operation o< divine love shed abroad in their hearts by his holv spirit by which that enmity of heart is removed, by wh,ch they were opposed to God and his law. and full of malice and hatred one against another. Their beins united in the delightful bonds of love and fellowship and mutually engaged to promote each other's good, and that holy communion with God and his people, which ever, chr.st.an enjoys in a greater or smaLr degree _ the rebel into a loyal and faithful subject, the alien and stranger mto a child, and the foreigner into a fellow citizen. It causes the sinner to love the things he once hated and to hate the things he once loved. It constrains Its subjects to „n.te all their efforts to build up and main- tain the visible cause of God in the midst of a sinnin. world; and to comfort, encourage .and edify one anoTef in those things which pertain to his kingdom. Hence we see, dear brethren, that cAristian friendship is the same m nature with that love which dwelt in the bosom of the Father towards his only and beloved son and .s transmitted through him to his people, his brde who see that It is the same spirit of union by which the Messed Immanuel dwelt in the bosom of the Fathe before h.s works of old, and was daily his delight. ThI by which the Lord Jesus dwells in his peopl , and h s Father in him-that by which they are made perfect iu wm. Th.5, dear brethren, is that three-fold cord which 48 MEMOIR OF neither life nor death can dissolve. This is ihat imraul able, all powerful principle, which in its progress hath run through all the divine dispensations, and effected all its beneficent purposes in defiance of all opposition. ****** Let us then, dear brethren, unite our efforts to culti- vate union and harmony, while we are pas&ing through this vale of tears, till we arrive in that upper and better world, where Divine friendship reigns, in all its unfad- ing glory, and sheds its benign infiuences on all those happy millions who surround the throne of God and the Lamb forever. ■v. With the utmost pleasure, we receive your messen- gers and friendly letters, from year lo year, and we smcerely desire to continue our correspondence with you We refer you to our Minutes for an account of the al- terations that have taken place since our last, and the present situation of our churches. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort., be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you, which is the sincere desire and earnest prayer of your affectionate brethren m the bonds and fellowship of the Gospel. By order of the Association, Caleb Blood, Moderator, Lemuel Covell, Clerk:^ 1802. The next anniversary of the Association was held at Pittstown, with Mr. CovelPs church. As usual lie wnc clerk and publisher of the Minutes. The body consisted, at this time,, of 44 churches, 34 ministers, 4220 communicants. Extracts from the Minutes run thus: *' Article 6. The Circular Letter having failed, brother i^ovell was appointed to prepare one, and present it to- morrow. our messen^ LEMUELCOVELL. 49 7. The proposition for contributing to the support of a preached gospel in the destitute parts of the wilderness recommended to the consideration of the churches in our last year's Minutes, was taken into consideration: and as several of the cliurches have certified their appro- bation, and sent forward money to carry the same into eflfect, and as some of the churches seem in suspense for want of sufficient knowledge of the plan by which the application of the money is to be regulated, therefore appointed brethren Blood, Hull, Warren and Barnes a committee to prepare a plan for that purpose, and present It beiore tne Association rises. 10 Brother Coveli who was appointed to prepare a Circular Letter, and the committee appointed to prepare apian for the regulation of the missionary contribution, presented a plan with the necessary introduction, and requested that it might be printed in place, of a Circular —which was agreed to. The Letter and Plan, The elders and brethren, met in Association, at Pitts- town, June 2 and 3, 1802, to the churches which thev represent, send greeting: Beloved Brethren:-^ln our last year's Minutes, we recommended to you a proposition for raising money hv annual contribution, for the support of the gospel in destitute parts of the wilderness^ and whereas, some of the cnurches have manifested their approbation and sent forward their liberality, while others seem in suspense, and call for further information as to the desi-n of such contribution, and tne rules by which it is to be conducted. We therefore think it our duly at this time to give you a particular statement of the design of said contribution, ■ind the rules by which the application of it is to be regulated And, 1st. The design of the proposition is, 10 place things in sunh a «i'fnnt;r,n o^ ♦ li_ .i . * 60 MEMOIR OF ciation to send able and faithful ministers to preach the gospel, and endeavor to build up the visible cause of the Redeemer in such parts of tiie United Slates or the Canadas, as are destitute of gospel privileges, and as lar as they can have access among the natives of the wil- derness. 2. The design is to prevent, as far as possible, the prevalence of imposture in those parts of the world, and for the better accomplishing of these purposes, the business is to be regulated by the following PLAN. Ist. A committee of twelve brethren, six ministers and six other brethren, shall be annually chosen, so long as the Association shall judge it expedient to send out missionaries, which committee shall have a Chairman, Clerk and Treasurer, of their number, who shall be chosen at their first meeting after their election. A ma- jority of said committee shall be a quorum to transact business. 2d. The duty of the Committee shall be first, to take charge of the contributions made by the churches for the assistance of the missionaries. Secondly, they shall faithfully examine all candidates for the mission, and recommend such, and only such, as they judge to be pious, able, judicious and experienced ministers of the gospel. Thirdly. When the committee recommend a missionary, they shall determine the time of his mission, and the places where the duties thereof shall be per- formed, which shall be in new settlements in the United States, or the Cann Jas, where ihe inhabitant re desti- tute of a preached gospel, and cannot obtain it. The missionaries shall keep a fair account of their expenses, during their mission, and make due returns to the com- mittee of the same, together with a journal of their travels. If more money have been furnished to ^hem than they have found necessity for, they shall return the same to the Treasurer of the committee ; but if the sum LEMUEL COVELL. 01 *ivanced has not been sufficient to defi;ay their necessary expenses, such deficiency shall be made up to them, if the state of the funds will admit. Fourthly. The com- mittee shall furnish each missionary with such sum out of the treasury, as they shall judge sufficient to bear his expenses during his tour, and no more, unless the special circumstances of the missionary require some extra consideration,-in which case they shall have a ri^'ht to act discretionary. Fifthly. The Treasurer shall iTeep a particular account of all the sums contributed, and of all monies disbursed. And the Clerk shall keep fair records of the proceedings of the committee, both of which shall be annually exhibited to the Association, and pub- lished in their Minutes, for the satisfaction of the church- es. Sixthly. The committee shall have no fee nor reward for their services. Listly, this Association shall have a right to alter any of these articles, or make such new ones, at any of theii- annual meetings, as time and experience shall point out to be for the better. And any church disposed to contribute shall have a right tc dis- continue their contributions at any time (hey may think proper, upon giving the reasons of their so doing. Thus, dear brethren, we ' . M before you, our design and the rules we mean to observe in prosecuting the saiiicj and we must use the freedom to beseech you"*, with united hearts and iiands, to step forwaru in support of the glorious kingdom of the blessed Immanuel. We beseech you, brethren, ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Chri r, that though he Avas rich, vet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty miir' t be made rich. O let it never be said, that those who have been made partakers of the infinite benevolence of the dear Redeemer, should have so little regard for him, as to grudge to pan with a little of their property in SUDDOrt of his; pancp O p^-i^iim! --^--j t ■«* .- — ^., ..», vtitiiuiai cwvctuuaauss: r»iay 4* 3» EM I R OF the Lord deliver ys from it. Finally, let us all unite our efforts, both at home and abroad, with our gifts and our property, to propagate the truth and build up the cause of religion in a sinning world. And may the Author of all true benevolence, so instruct and influence our hearts, that we may be willing to spend and be spent in his cause. And may his holy spirit crown our feeble efforts with abundant success, to the praise and glory of his grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord." "11th. Pursuant to the first article of said plan, the following brethren were chosen a committee for the purposes therein mentioned, viz: Elders Peck, Blood, Webb, Hull, Craw and Covsll,— and Deacons Rouse, Matteson, Brewster, Carpenter, Green and Stillwell." Note at the close of the Minutes. " The Cominittee appointed to superintend the mis- sionary contributions, beg leave hereby to inform the churches and all good people who may be disposed to contribute for so laudable a purpose, that they have appointed deacon John Rouse of Pittstown, their Treas- urer, to receive such contributions, and keep a true account of the same. This will be published in our Minutes, next year; therefore, if any churches, or indi- viduals, on seeing our plan, should feel disposed to contribute for its encouragement, they can convey the money to him, at any time hereafter, and he will give proper credit for the same. And said committee further beg leave to recommend to all who feel interested in the upbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom, to cast in their mites to promote the same. This committee have ap- pointed to meet at brother Faring Wilson's, in West Stockbridge, the day before the next meeting of the Association, at 1 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of re- ceiving the returns of missionaries, the accounts of the LEMUEL COVBLL. 53 Clerk and Treasurer, the contributions, and of making out their report to the Association. By order of the Committee, Caleb Blood, Moderator. Lemuel Covell, Clerk.'''' Elder Blood of Shaftsbury volunteered to go as a missionary, a few weeks, his ministering brethren mean while supplying his pulpit, so that his peopk need suffer no more tnaa their ' equal share of privation. This was the i:ule adopted and followed out by the Association L all similar cases. ►♦►©^SH**- CHAPTER III. ^^nif.'^ n'^ "^^"^PA"! Embarrassment; Brotherly-kind- ness; Doings of the Anniversarv of l^in^ li- i^ Delightful indeed would be the task of tracing the curse of those whom God hath called to minister t i-oly thmgs, were they never found engaged in any ser tie earth earthy, and sometimes they find, or deem they find occasion to be occupied with earthly interests. Thev Have the same passions as other men- and c„m..:„.: »ioop to the common ambition of seeking earthlytreas- A. 54 MEMOIR OF ure. These passions of the human heart, opaque in their nature, or having become so by defilement of sin, if not kept in subjection by that principle which makes us, to the full extent of the command, "seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness," rise up, and as they gain the ascendency, exclude from our view the superior advantages of relying solely on the promise of God. The preacher is also man. The love oi family is in him, to say nothing of the love of gain. In com- mon with others he is a pilgrim on the earth, and must gain subsistence for himself and those dependent upon him, as he passes along. Fie is journeying to the celes- tial city, and his direct course lies through the valley of humiliation. But ranging along in close proximity the mountain of care presents to his view, multitudes, traversing its elevated paths, and ascending its lofty eminences. All are eager to secure, as they pass, the varied and tempting inducements of the way. He sees many succeed, accumulate treasure, and provide for their heirs with the fruits of their labor. He, too, is templed to try. He commences, toils, ascends, surmounts un- looked for obstacles, and urges on his arduous way, in spite of all impediments. But in all his anxious prog ress, he finds with pain, " 't was distance lent enchantment to the view," and hid tne thorns and roughnesses. No conscious approbation of his God and king sustains him in his dark foreboding hours, or gives him solace in per- plexity and fatigue. But an inward voice is heard, saying, "who haih required this at your hand?" Have I not said that they which minister at the altar, shall live of the things of the altar? Therefore, take no tho't for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put on. Do not I know that ye have need of all these things? "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and W'V LEMUEL COVELL. 65 >us way, m all these things shall be added unto you." Struck with the rebuke of the Holy Spirit, he sees, he feels the folly and ingratitude of his course, and covered with wounds and bruises, he penitently returns to the path of under- standing, seeks the balm in Gilead, and is healed of his hurt, finding the truth of his master's saying, "in the world ye shall have tribulation but in me ye shall have peace." Mr. Covell soon found by experiment, that the com- plicated burthen of farming, blacksmithing, pastoral duty, frequent and imperious calls from various distances, more than he was able to sustain. Something must be sacrificed, but that something must not be his devoted- ness to the cause of his beloved Savior. The la^iguage of his heart was, " If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my * ^;ue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not sJem above my chief joy." Hitherto he had labored at his anvil alone, but now, he built a larger shop, hired a head workman, with others to assist him and thus measurably released himself from ") ^ ies of the forge. But from that date his prosperity dsclined.— Though his business was enlarged, and his credit in- creasing, still the eye of the master was necessarily much of the time wanting among his concerns, and the consequence was, business was not conducted with that correctness, economy and faithfulness, requisite to make it profitable. By this mechanical department of his operations, he eventually suifered much loss. During this period of worldly care, his sympathies, as a brother, were again called forth by the affliction of a beloved [half] sister. Like him she had been deeply stricken by the manner of their dear mother's death, and her surcharged spirit had drooped like the flowers of the field. She had just begun to revive from the long S6 MEMOIR OP melancholy,— had been recently married, and was look- ing forward with rational ground of hope, when suddenly her prospects were darkened, her hopes buried in the grave, by the drowning of her husband in the waters of Hoosic River. Mr. Covell immediately rode up to Mapletown, attended the funeral, and adjusted the affairs of his deceased brother-in-law, and brought his bereaved sister to his own house. There, in the bosom of his family, she found a welcome and a home, until in after years she was married the second time. Indeed his house was ever the home of his brethren, his kindred according to the flesh. 1803. The next session of the Association was at- tended at West-Stockbridge, Berkshire Co. Massachu- setts. Article 7th of their Minutes: — "The committee charged with the missionary concerns reported, that during the year past, ^34,93 had been contributed. That they had employed Elder Blood in a mission of ten weeks, through the country from Cayuga to the head of Lake Ontario. That he had received )j$30, and expended but ^22,34 on his said mission. That he had made a particular and circumstantial report of his travels and labors, and the apparent hope of doing good, by sending missionaries into those parts. Prom which the commit- tee conclude there is ample encouragement to continue our exertions to spread light and truth in the infant set- tlements of our States, and among the poor savages. — Voted that this Association do cordially approve of the doings of our said committee, and of the labors of our beloved brother Blood, and do heartily concur with them in opinion respecting further exertions of the same kind. Resolved, Tlint brother Blood be allowed to retain the balance remaining in his hands of the money he received of the committee. Resolved, That this Association will continue to do ail in iheir power to encourage the raisfeionary business, LEMUEL C VE LL. 57 and for this purpose appoint Elders Peck, Blood, Webb Hull, Craw, and Covell,— Deacons Rouse, Curtis, Mat' teson, Coman, Upham, and brother Jacob Ford, a com- miitee to superintend the missionary concerns for the present year. Article 16. Query from the 4th church in Shaftsbury: Is it just and equal, to fix it as an article in the plan of sending missionaries, that they shall bear all the burden of their missions, except the unavoidable expenses of travelling? Resolved That for the future we will leave it to the discretion of the committee, to allow the missionary such compensation for liis services as thev shall think proper and report to the Association annually for their satisfac- tion—anything in our plan or constitution to the contrarv notwithstanding. ' In this, as in every session of the Association, much was required at the hand of Mr. Covell, and various were the appointments he was called to accept. Ke was still clerk of the missionary committee, and of the Association, and continued to be so, so long as he lived. Preparing the Minutes for publication and forwarding them to the churches, also uniformly devolved upon him. We gather still further from the Minutes. And first, by counting the accredited sums v/hich the churches sent in to the mission fund this year, we find ,'$78,94. The committee in their report, speak only of what they had received up to the lime of this convening of the Associ- ation. Of course what was now remitted by the various delegates would be included in the report of next year. Light was breaking in, churches were awakening to a sense of their responsibilities, and beginning to respond to the sentiment, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, to send forth more laborers into his harvest."— Elder Covell and Elder Warren were now selected, or ,.,„,.,_^aj iQ icavu ail iQi v^urisi 5 sake, ana go 58 MEMOIR OF fonh bearing the word of life to those who sat in the region and shadow of death. Article 20. Voted, That our next meeting be at the Baptist meeting-house in Clifton Park. Appointed brother Covell to preach the introductory sermon, and in case of his failure, brother Hull. The Missionary Com- mittee are to meet at Elder Peck's, the day before the meeting of the Association. 23. Voted the Rev. Mr. Ayer and his congregation the thanks of this Association, for the use of their meet- ing-house, and other expressions of politeness at this session. Appointed Elders Worden, Blood, Covell and brother J. Ford, a committee to wait on Mr. Ayer and present the same. On the 23d of August, Mr. Covell commenced his contemplated tour. Deep must have been the love he bore his Savior, and strong the desires he felt, that the new settlements should be crowned with altars to the living God, or he could not thus have voluntarily fore- gone so much that makes life dear to man. By leaving his business he must suifer pecuniary loss; a companion justly endeared to him, was in precarious health; his children standing in daily need of his instruction and care; his people warmly attached to him, esteeming no preaching equal to his own, with many other considera- tions of usefulness, all conspiring to retain his feelings, and secure his presence at home. But what is even home, wife, children, business, friends or personal con- venience, to one whose soul is filled with burning desire to proclaim the riches of God's free grace to a perishing world? He confided all these endearing interests to the care of that Redeemer whose grace had torched his heart, and whose providence had called him to go far hence unto the Gentiles. Cheerful was his obedience to the heavenly vision. The term of his appointment w^,% LEMUEL COVELL. 59- l.m.ted to three months, and after having visited the xtent of the tour proposed, he set hi. face for home ; but finding on h,s return route, calls and work that he deemed u a duty not to leave unattended to, ho pro! longed his m,ss.on to upwards of four months. On the evenmg Friday, ,|,e last of December, he arrived a! home^ The Sabbath following was an intense 7 od day, but the news of his arrival had somewhat spread and considering the severity of the weather, many at- tended the meeting for public worship. He gave a suc- cinct account of his (our and success, and at the close of the usual exercises, he remarked, that possibly some m,gh be suffering from the inclemency of the weather, and he would give opportunity for any to retire tha wished to but ,f any felt disposed to remain for the purpose of hearing an Indian song, cold as he was him- self, he would endeavor to give them one he had found m his absence. Not an individual left the house, and he sang in a clear and thrilling tone, THE TRU..„p„s„,. OR^CE In'tHE WILDERNESS » From realms where the day her first dawnings extends, The Son of the gospel, in glory ascends ! Ye forests attend, while your children combine In accents unusual, in transports divine. Involved in uncertainly, darkness and death, The clouds of destruction hung over our path, mi yon rising splendor enlightened our way And pointed our steps to the regions of day. ' A council, on high, has been held, to enquire For help for mankind; and peace kindled the fire Provision is made for the nations distress'd • And with Ihe jjcUreasure, all lands shall be bless'd .W. opinion .eWroi,eo„s;we„„„Mirhap";J",'„l;lfo'f,!!ro,.d: 60 MEMOIR OF The chain of salvation, lei down from above, Cemented by justice, and brightened by love: The safety of hope, the conductor of grace, Joins heaven and earth in its mighty embrace. On high see our Jesus, the penitent's friend, With banners of mercy, compassionate bend; Inviting the wretched, rebellious and vile, From ruin to flee, and repose in his smile. The Prince of Salvation is coming, prepare A way in the desert, his blessings to share: He comes to relieve us from sins and from woes, And bid the dark wilderness bu ' like the rose. His reign shall extend from the east to the west, Compose all the tumults of nature to rest. The day-spring of glory illumines the skies. And ages on ages of happiness rise. The brute-hearted tempers of men shall grow tame, The wolf and the lion lie down with the lamb; The bear with the kine shall contentedly feed, While children their young ones, in harmony lead. The serpent shall dart all his venom in vain, The rattle-snake, harmless, shall bask on the ]>laia : The infant shall play on the hole of the asp. And, smiling, the folds of the cockatrice grasp. jVo more shall the sound of the war-whoop be heard, The ambush and slaughter, no longer be fear'd; The tomahawk, buried, shall rust in the ground, While peace and good will to the nations abound. All spirit of war, to the gospel shall bow, The bow lie, unstrung, at the tail of the plough ; To prune the young orchards, the spear shall be bent ; And love greet the world with a smile of content. LEMUELCOVELL. ^l Slight tinctures of skia shall no longer engage, The fury of jealousy, murder and rage ; The white and the red shall, in friendship be join'd, Wide spreading benevolence over mankind. Hail! scene of felicity, transport and joy! Where sin and vexation shall scarcely annoy : Rich blessings of grace, from above, shall be giv'n, And life only serve for a passage to heav'n ! Roll forward, dear Savior, roll forward the day, When all shall submit and rejoice in thy sway : When Avhite men and Indians, united in praise, One vast hallelujah, triumphant, shall raise! As the news of his return circulated, people poured in. from all directions. Some to see a beloved friend and pastor, they had feared, from his protracted absence, was lost to them forever. Some to learn the success of the lioly enterprizej and some to look upon a man that had performed such a wondrous journey,--and what to some seemed more wondrous still, that he had been in the midst of the Indians, and had returned unharmed.— While the tide of congratulation was yet flowing, a new occasion of rejoicing occurred,— the birth of a°son, an only son. Much solicitude had been felt on this subject by many of Mr. Covell's friends. Hitherto his children had been daughters. Many had long been desirous to see one in the likeness of their beloved pastor, and now that dieir wish was graiilied their joy was unbounded.— Neither was this event without its wonted effect on Mr. Covell's own mind. It was a new and powerful tie to bind him to the earth, and perhaps no father ever more intensely felt the endearing fetters twine about his heart. But still the christian triumphed over the man, and he still held himself as ready to do the bidding of his Lord and master as though he had stood lonelv and isolate m ^ MEMO I R OF all the earth. To leave his family and suffer bis business to decline, was at any time trying to bis natural feelings, but he felt as did David, that he would not sacrifice to God of that which cost him nothing. He was doubtless permitted to take the eagle's wing, and from some exalted point of contemplation to survey the grand scheme of human redemption as it included man in all ages and through all time. With the solicirude of a yearning heart, he glanced his eye over the yet ungathered multi- tudes of every nation, tribe and tongne on all the face of the earth. And O, to bear some humble part in the agency of redeeming these precious millions to God, was worthy any sacrifice in his power to make. He who had said, ^Heave thy fatherless children, /will pre- serve them alive, and let your widows trust in me," had manifested himself a covenant keeping God, and that was sufficient whenever the occasion might require. The rolling months soon brought the increasingly interesting anniversary, and according to appointment Mr. Covell preached the introductory sermon, from Prov. xxiv, 30—34: "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding ; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw and considered it well; I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man." Article 8ih of the Minutes says, "The committee charged with missionary affairs, reported, that during the year past, they have received ninety-nine dollars and twenty-two cents, including the surplus in the fund at our last session— that they had employed brother Warren of Salem, and brother Covell of Pittstown, in a mission LEMUEL GO VE LL. 63 ommittee through the western country, from Cayuga to Long Point, on the north side of lake Erie, in the Province of Upper Canada. That bn)ther Warren had spent up- wards of three, and brother Covell upwards of four months on said mission, for which the committee had voted them fifty dollars each. That brother Covell had made a particular and circumstantial report of their travels and labors, and the prospect of success attending our exertions in those parts. And in particular, that in the town of Charlotteville, at Long Point, in Upper Canada, they baptized thirty persons, and gave them fellowship as a church in sister relai jn, and that the said church had sent a letter by them to the Association, desiring to be received into their connection, and to be visited by their ministers as often as possible, and that missionary labors may be continued in that Province.— And likewise, that a very large number of the inhabit- ants of that Province had sent by them a written request that a permanent mission might be established in those pans. And furthermore, that there is great appearance of benefit resulting from labors of missionaries among the savages, especially, the Tuscarora an Seneca tribes, where brother E. Holmes has been laboring for some time with a good degree of success, and that the chiefs of the Tuscarora tribe had sent by them a friendly "talk" in wriiins, to the Shaftsbury Association, thank- ing them for the notice they had taken of the nations of their color, and expressing their wishes for further in- struction. From all which the Committee unanimously conclude that the prospect of advancing the Redeemer's kiagdom in those portions of the wilderness is greatly brightened since our last report, and therefore, that there is not only additional encouragement, but a loud call for us to continue and increase our exertions in the mission- ary business. Resolved, unanimously, That this Association do I f. 64 MEMOIR U F cordially approve of the doings of our committee, and the labors o our brethren, Warren and Covell, as report- ed, and do heartily concur with them in opinion, that Crod in his providence, is loudly calling on us to continue and increase our exertions for the iurther promotion of the Crospel la those parts. 9. Therefore resolved, That we will do all in our power to encourage the missionary cause, and for this purpose wo do appoint Elders Pect, Blood, Webb, Hull Craw, and Covell, with brethren. Rouse, Upham, Daniel Kogers, Hendrix, Salmon CI ild, and Francis Choat, ii committee to superintend the missionary business the ensuing year. 10. Called on brother Covell to read the letter from the church at Long Point, and the talk, from the chiefs of the Tuscaroras, alluded to in the fore^^oing report, and a speech delivered by him to the said Indians, which he accordingly did. ; 11. Voted to comply with the request, of the church at Long Point, by receiving them into our connection, to be known in our Minutes by the name of the Baptist church of Christ at Charlotteville. It was also thought proper to send an answir to the talk from the Tuscaroras. and also to the letter from the church at Charlotteville, and the people in that Province. The amount of missionary monies sent in by the churches at thi^ session, together with some donation ; on the spot vvas -"^QLOSi. The committee charged with missionary aflliirs, have agreed to invite the liberality of their christian friends and the public generally, for the encouragement of so noble and important an undertaking as that of spreadine- the gospel, and inculcating its maxims amonn- the poor natives of the wilderness, and the destitute inhabitants of inlant settlements. And for this purpose have direct- ed their Clerk to furnish a number of subscription papers not only to the members of said committee, but to such other brethren or gentlemen as may feel disposed to LEMLEL COVELL. 65 unite their efforfs in so hmUJ see .hat whatever monTe „/ n"" ","''""''""?. '"d «> "on paper,, or by „r 1 V'"''"'"''' >■>' '"'=1' '"bscrip. commiilee, on or before il,„,r, Treasurer of ihig «ee.i„, Of .ho As,o^ i r. 2:,"; "'";"'>" •"« -« >o all who o.st in .heir m ,'erei, " h'"'^" " '"'^ S'^^» "°n or private donation 1-, '"d' "' °' '"''"'^ ai-pointed to ti.cet at the hon,„ !f n .'"""»'"ee havo Hoosic Fall,, ,he d.^ 2e ,L ""■" "^"""^ ^*'J-'» Association, for the „ur„oV 7 °"' '""''"' "f ^^e - may be' present r: ,„„:„?'.?= ^•'"'' •'""'"•-n. Clerk and Treasurer, ' re" ii„"Ltorf' °' ""' r.es, and doing wha.evor ,„a;i- ,? , ' "^ •"'^»'''""- pursuance of the duties of thdr 'ii-.T "'""='"•!' '"> By order of the C .„','',««., for the consider!. i^^'/t'^:: ""'T '"" ''^^" '"f' "Article 17. Took „„ , ,„ "•"' ""«'• ion of the Assoc a, o,7a„ a?,""""" 7"'"'"'^ => <"-'»- Resolved, Conside i'„r,L " T""- ""'""'"""n, es, the dist'ance Ih 'nIaS tu rT''T°^™^'=''''""'. meetings, the vast expense „«": ■,''' '" ""end our great a number in one p^E and "^ ""' "^'^.""S "f so churches have expressed a wi'h to t v." ■',"."'""''' "^ ">« fore If any number of ,he chur.l ». ° ! ''"'"''■'''. 'h"e- an Association by the.n elves k.U "'^ ''"P"'/'' 'o f"™ entyear, and giJe notice , he If '- ""''"' "^ "" I"''- ""7,"""-'= «"' fellowship in'odoiZ "'" """"S' vr:str„:u:s.::t.^'-'--™- on the formation TX '""'"'''' •"' '"''^''""'S Hndson River, ^tb: ^::772:!l7i: t "' 66 MEMOIR OF next, at 10 o'clock A. M. Three churches were added to the body at this session, the one at Troy, which now numbered forty-one, with Elder Webb for their pastor, the one at Lansingburgh, and the one at Charlotteville' Upper Canada. The whole number was now forty- eight. Their ordained ministers were, James Pettite,* 1 Canaan; Elisha Barns, 2 Canaan; Job Champion, Chatham; Peter Worden, ] Cheshire; John Leland,* Aaron Seanier,* Josiah Godard,* Seth Jones,* 2 Cheshire; Asa Todd,* Chesterfield; Jehial Fox, Chester; Abijah Peck, Clifton Park; Jeduthun Gray, Great Barrington; Tiiomas Purrinton, Hadley ; Clark Rogers,* Hancock; Amasa Brown, Hartford; Abel Brown. East-Hillsdale; Wm. Throop, Kingsborough Elisha Langworthy, Lansingburgh; Hezekiah Gorton Mayfield; Joseph Cornell, Jonathan Nichols, Milton Elias Lee, Ballston Springs ; E. Smith, Partridgefield J. H. Ellice, Northumberland; L. Covell, 1 Pittstown, S. Huat, 2d Pittstown; J. Finch, Providence; J. Hart- well, Sandisfield; J. Craw, Saratoga; S. Olmstead, Schodack; L Matteson, 1st Shaftsbury; C. Blood, 2d Shaftsbury; Justus Hull, A. Baker, Berlin ; Isaac Webb Troy; D. Stark, Williamstown. This was the last time they ever all assembled as members of the same body. The proposed convention at Milton was attended, and another at Galvvay, the January following ; the results of which were, a seceding of several churches from the parent body, and a new organization, called the Saratoga Baptist Association.-— All the churches west of the Hudson, excepting the one at Clifton Park, were incorporated into the new body. At their first session, they numbered 15 churches and 8 ministers. Elder Covell and several other ministers from the parent body met with them. Elder Covell preached with them from John i, 17: "For the law was * Those v-ith tliis mark* were not present. Chi l-E MUEL COVELL 67 gveny Moses b„, jrace and iru.h came by Jesus Ch„s." He reeeived several appointments from th m .0 vrsu other Assocatrons with which they wished to op^i a correspondence and finally wasgratified with thefoW mg vote, recorded in the 15th section of their Minuter "Voted to recommend to the churches that thev con- tinue eontrtbute for the missionary cause, and for- ard thetr donation.- to the Shaftsbury Association °. their next session, by Elders Craw, Barber, and ^0^'" As has been said, the church at Clifton Park d. I not unite with the new Association. Elder A. Peck th. pastor did not wish to be separated from the predou and of orethien, with whom his soul had drunk such ODj and deep communion. Neither did his S: ,fesb„ 1 brethren feel that they could yet spare him, as he was Board The seceding churches also, on the same prin- ciple 01 preserving the concentration of missionar eC concurred m the arrangement, so that the perfect harmr ' ny which had hitherto subsisted rema^nedlnt.tr Tie mission spirit had become a bond of perfect union and to Mr. Peck his dear brother Covell was de "est of 11. From his hand, he had received ordination -wtl. him he had set m deep absorbing counsel since the first formation of the missionary committee, and their hearts were knit together like tiiose of David and Jonathan - True, their lots were diiferently appointed. While one was called to go out and do valiantly for the Lord of hosts, the other was stationed to abide by the stuff. And most nobly has he performed his stewardship, defended the truth at home, and by his munific'ent donations sent out the word of life to thousands. While nearly all his former brethren have fallen around him, he still survives and still proclaims the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus to poor dying men. '■J -4j :t¥; 68 M EMOIR F Returning to our date of 1804, and the doings of that session, we note further, that Elder Gorton, of May field, was appointed missionary for this year, on the same route Mr. Covell took the year before. When the brethren came to hear the verbal account of Mr. Covell's mission, they were importunate with him, that he should publish his narrative, deeming that it would promote the blessed cause. Perhaps this will be as appropriate a place as any, for its insertion. It rs rendered verbatim and entire. ^EMt'EL COVELL. 69 CHAPTER IV. ihe souili-wesiem parts of , hi 'l^^'-X"*. ^d into Canada: PorforZ/blLcLd C^rT'J V-. ^<'^" m company with mi Obef WarJei IflT"""^' tlie Fa 1 of 1803- Wirl. <,„ 4„ "arren, ol Salem, in eral Speeches "o anTforthlSS. '^"'"""'''.S ^»^- TOTHECANDID READER ^kfilLTnT:!" ""'" "'""' '" «'^^ " ^'^'^«""" of n ZToTl '^ """°"'"»' '"" ^""' Elder War- en, ana of the reception we met with in general • and etng destrons of giving all the infomtation ^n m „ .i>at mtght afford any satisfaction to those ;.ho feel t c'sted .,, the spread of the gospel and the enlargel .; of the Redeemer's kingdom-I concluded to pubUsha 1 c.se narrative of our travels, believing that such a narr^ "vc would be best calculated to give the de're inW anon. I made known my mind on the subject to E wTr Warren, my ftllnw traveller, and desired'h m .o^ni'e ^v■th me ■„ the publication. He assured me tha"! ..3 would re^nder il v^'on er r^:;: T ""' ■-epara^.ely,mi::^bf::::LTe?r:l^el^f''r gance, and be productive of unhappy conlf r 1/ Bu: . - - na,. .„d«vured lo weigh every circumstance 70 MBMO I R OF with as much candor as I am capable of; and, upon mature reflection, I can see no just reason why any should censure me for publishing what is really true — provided it can be, in any degree, beneficial to those who wish well to the cause of Christ, or in anywise subser- vient 10 the upbuilding of his kingdom. Whether these effects virill attend the subsequent narrative, or not, de- pends entirely on the will of the Great Disposer of all things; and to Him I am heartily willing to submit the issue. That it may be, in some degree, useful lo the lovers of mankind, and subservient to the cause of the Redeemer, is the sincere desire of The Public's devoted Servant, LEMUEL COVELL. Pittstown, July 2Stb, 1S04. LEMUEL CO VE LL. 71 A NARRATIVE, &c. Oa Monday the 22d of August, Elder Warren ar- rived at my house, and at 5 o'cloek P. M. nreaciied a sermon at our meeting-house, from 1 Thess v », „„ had unlortunately taken a very heavy cold'a 'C days before he set out from home, whieh so aflected his lu„i that ,t was wuh great difficulty he could speak so ast be heard distinctly. On the morning of Tuesday, the 23d, we set oiT from my house on our journey, and at 4 in tlio P. M, arrived at the Baptist meeting-house, in Clifion P.nrI , nhe'e brother Warren preached a sermon on the be„. i.s „d pleasures of wearing the yoke of Christ. After sermon we went home with Elder Peek, and spent the evcl" m a very agreeable manner, and I believe for edification" Wednes.lay, 24th-We rode about 30 miles, to Mr.' Nicholas Rouse's, at CobuskiU, where we tarried ali Thursday, 25th-Rode to Wooster, a town to the south of Cherry-Valley, in the count of Schoharie _ Th s town IS but newly settled, and the peopl. very destitute of gospel privileges. There is a smal Bap^l' church there; but they have no ordained minister- In the afternoon preached a sermon to them: tirey seemed eally rejoiced at our coming ,o visit them, Lc v^ y desirous of the privileges of the gospel minis ry. Ato preaching we had a very pleasing interview whh " number of the brethren, who stayed for some conversa! tion. At evening, we went home with Deacon French where we spent the night. I thin'- .—.-.-•..' 72 MEMOIR OP m litute situation of these brethren, and their anxiety for maintaining a Christiar., travail, they are entitled to the assistr^"^,! e of such chuiches and ministers as have it in their power to lend them assistance; and, especiallj^, to the notice of missionaries. Friday, 26th— In the afternoon we rode, accorijpsinled by Deacon French, and several of the brethren, to Cher- ry-Valley, whera we heard a Mr. Farley, an open eon-j- munion Baptist, preach. After his discourse was ended, the people seemed very desirous rJiat one of us should give them a sermon. There was a pe-^on to be baptized, and we concluded, if time would permit, to comply with their request, after the administration of the ordinance. VV'e repaired to the water, Mr. Farley adridnislered the ordinancu^ and the people returned to the house, in order 10 hear prcdchinv'. Broih'jr Warren being still afflicted v/ilh hoarseL's.;-^, desired me to preach. I delivered a short disoou I ;•,}.', fiom Rom. v, 1. Here we found a num- ber of brethren of the open communion order, some of them very zealous and devotional. It was proposed to hold a religious conference this evening, to which all parties consented. We went and took supper with a Mr. Waldo, a Presbyterian brother, who treated us with the utmost civility, and refreshed us in a very hospitable manner. In the evening we repaired to the place ap- pointed for conference, and had a very agreeable inter- view in religious conversation, prayer, and singing praises to the great Author of all things, and source of every blessing. Saturday, 27th— We pursued our journey, intending to ride, 'his uay, as far as Exeter. Part of the way we had the company of Mr. Farley, and some of his brethren, who were returning to Richfield, the place of their resi- dence. We had considerable discourse with jbem, as we rode together, respecting their religious o:nions, LEMUEL COVELL. 73 especially that of open communion. When we parted With tnem we agreed that one of us would preach with them on Monday next, at 4 in the afternoon. This eve- ning we arrived at Deacon Hodge's, in Exeter. Deacon Hodge and his wife were formerly members of the church with brother Warren: they were much overjoyed to see us and entertained us in a Christian-like manner Lord s-day 28th-Brother Warren preached in Deacon Hodge s neighborhood, and I rode about 6 miles, and preac ed with Elder Palmer's people, in Exeter, he ieing absent. Here I met with a number of my former ac- quaintance and brethren: we enjoyed mutual pleasure in seeing each other, and had a happy season in social worship. I preached with them twice in the day time and once at evening. ' Monday, 29th^It 10 o'clock A. M., I preached at a school-house, near Deacon Hodge's, and after sermon bDpUzed a woman. Here brother Warren met me, and after dinner we rode to Richfield, accompanied by Elder Tayler, of Burlington, Deacon Hodge, and a number of others, to meet with Mr. Farley, and his people. I preacned a sermon to them in the afternoon, and brother ^^ arrcn in the evening. After the evening sermon, we went home with Esq. Jeffords, and too": lodgings. Tuesday, 30th- We rode, accompanied bv Elder Tav- er, to Elder Vining's, in Litchfield. Elder \ ining and his wife were greatly rejoiced to see us. Brother War- ren preached in the neighborhood this afternoon. At evening we rode about 3 miles, to a school-house, where 1 preached to a pretty large assembly, who had collected upon very short notice. This was a lime to be remem- bered with gratitude to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. After worship, brother Warren went home with Elder Vining, and I stayed in the neighborhood.— We parted this evening, in order to take diffprpnt mnroc 4k S y-MUj: 74 MEMOIR OP and agreed to meet the next Monday, at Cazenovia.—- Wednesday, 31st— I rode to Utica, where I preached in the evening. After sermon, had conversation v/ith a Mr. Hubbell, who was desirous of being baptized. It was agreed to attend on the adniinistratioa of the ordin- ance the next morning. Thursday, Sept. 1st— At G in the morning the people collected, and I baptized brother Hubbell. Same day rode to Mr. Benjamin Brayton's in Trenton; went to see a Mr. Bull, with whom I had some business, and re- turned to Mr. Brayton's, and took lodgings for the night. Friday, 2d — Returned to Utica, and preached in the evening. Saturday, 3d— Rode to Paris, and preached at 11 o'clock, A. M. In the afternoon rode to Esq. Payne's, at Hamilton, and took lodging for the night. Lord's-day, 4th — This day and evening I preached two sermons with the people in Hamilton, and had a most agreeable visit with Elder Ilosmer and his brethren. Monday, 5th — Rode to Cazenovia; found brother War- ren preaching to a number of brethren, with great free- dom, and the assembly deeply affected. After preach- ing, we had some conversation with some of them, con- cerning their situation. There is a church in this place, but they are few and weak, and destitute of a minister. They informed us that they were laboring under some embarrassments, on account of a labor they had taken with one of their m.embers, which issued in his excom- munication: that after he was excommunicated, he and a few disaffected members, had called a council, and complained to them against the church: that the said council had condeinned the church, without giving them a hearing; and lUat the church were dissatisfied with the doings of said council, and wanted f.o be advised how to proceed. We advised them to send for a council LEMUEL COVELL. 76 zenovia. — of ministers and brethren, and to invite tiie former coun- cil to attend the meeting, and see if matters could be brought to an accommodation. They agreed to hearken to our advice, agreed on a time for the meeting of said council, and invited us to attend it on our return— to which we agreed. In the afternoon we rode about two miles, to a school-house, where I preached a sermoiv to the peoi)Ie. After sermon, we went home with Deacon Covell, and spent the night. Tuesday, Gth— We rode together as far as Pompey, where we parted, to meet again on Thursday, at the Salt- Works, at Onondaga. This afternoon I rode alone to Esq. Lamb's, in Pompey-Hollow, where I was most cordially received, and kindly entertained. There are a number of scattered brethren in this place, who are des- titute of gospel privileges. I staid and preached with ihem this evening, and lodged at Esq. Lamb's. I was really affected to see a number of brethren, some of whom i had been acquainted with, in a destitute, scat- tered situation, thirsting for a preached gospel, and none to administer it to them. Wednesday, 7th-I rode to the widow Jerom's, on Pompey-IIill, where I preached in the afternoon, and tamed all night. In this neighborhood, likewise, the people are destitute of a preacher, and some of them very desirous of enjoying gospel privileges. Thursday, 8th-Rode to the Salt- Works, in Ononda-a where I met wirh brother Warren. At this place there IS little or no attention paid to religion; but the people, generally speaktng, lead a very i,^moral, and some of ihem a very dissipated life. There were a few Individ- uals, however, who seem, at least, willins lo invite ministers to preach, when they call to visit them. They mvited us to preach-we consented-in the evening the people collected, and I gave them a sermon= Whether 76 MEMOIR OP it was for the sake of a novelty, or some other reason, 1 oannot say 5 but the people pretty cenerally came out this evnnirig to hear preaching, and gave pretty good attention. I think missionaries would do well to visit them; for if they have no great relish for preaching, they certainly rui v i;. Friday, 9i.ii— We roue to Col. Lawrence's, in Marcel- lus. In thi^ town they have no settled preacher. There are some Baptist brethren, but the greater part are Pres- byterians, isider Warren preached in the evening, and they were very desirous t}-- ouv oi u. should tarry with them over the Sabbath. After conferring between our- selves, we concluded to gratify them— Elder Warren coiiiiluded to go as far as Aurelius, and I consented to stay with the people in Marcellus. Saturday, 10th— Brother Warren left me, and I went and made a visit v/ith some brethren in the western part of Onondaga. There is no church in this place, but a number of brethren, who live remote from, any place of stated worship, and keep up meetings every Srbbath among themselves. They are destitute of preaching, unless some minister visits them occasionally: which is not very often the case. I spent the day in visiting them and preached with them in the eve ;'ng. Lord's-day, 11th — Freached twice v;ith the peoph^ at Marcellus, and in the evenin rode to Capt. Hatch's, in Aurelius, whei .' I [;;eached sermo , and stayed all night. The people in this neighhnrhonJ are destitute of stated preaching Monday, 12th— I rode to Klder Irish's, who lives in a part of the town of Aurelius, an 1 at 4 in the afternooD, preached with his people. After se mon, returneU * • his houLe for lodgings. He: I ;ain met w'h brother Warren. This evening v re . «red peculi; I y agreed- ble, by the conipany of a numoer of brethiv in the w minisi Elder upon world, oC diff sioned ferenci return. Tue Norton west c Oaks', people, are no\ ing, the of then neighbc stay an ran, fini Wed Bloouifi a most who coJ church name oi the chu tbem li\ Tliin number persons la the ai aing ro( Jenimisc member preachin %f* LEMUEL COVELL. 77 r reason, 1 came out iretty good ell to visit preaching, in Marcel- er. There :t are Pres- cning, and tarry with twcen our- ^r Warren Jiisented to and I went estern part lace, but a ly place of ry Srbbalh preaching, y, which is in visiting 3 peopb^ at Hatch's, in stayed all lestitute of > lives in a afternoon, rneU ' • hib '♦h brother 'ly agreed ia the rajmslry who l.appenod, proyidcntia, to meet us at KLlor „sl.'. We had a long confe.. i„ .i," ,"„ „:' upon the s,ate of religion in ,hi, ,a.. of >he w sem wor d and received information eonccrnins -some ~ of d>fficuly,n the church at Scipio, winch had oce .toned a d.v,s,on in said church. After a len^tU cot fence, we agreed to attend a council at S„ipl„, [Z. Tuesday i;;;h-Wo rode, accompanied by Klder Seb. Norton to the town of Phelps, which lies about 13 mi west o( the Cayuga lake. We put up at the widl Oaks , and I preached a sermon in the evenin. to a lej people, who came together upon very short nouce wl are now ,„ a par. of the country, where, generally 'speak! tng, the people are very destitute of nreaching, and mat of t™. very desirous to hear it. The people „ ,hi' ncghborhood were very anxious that one of us luM stay and preach u uh them the next day. Brother Wi rcn, finally concluded to stay. Wednesday, Uth-I left brother Watren] and rode to Bloontfield, and put up at brother Lyon's, where I had a .nest prec. •. ,me in preaching .0 a sm'all aslem ly who colleced .n very short notice. There is a bIp « church , .,s place, who have a set.led minister, by' he TciJt '"'^«-.™-'^'«">e members of he churcl. Ik. „ scattering, or, at least, manv of tbem live remote fro.a , leir place of meeting. Ti irsiiay, 15iu-I had a very agreeable "vi.if -r-.k number of .he members of the' '.urch d Wh : t: person,, who appeared to be under ,0^ awakelr- In the afternoon I preached with m- and in •hi mng rode back about four mile, and 'peac d a. Z" i JenimisoB's, u, Canandaigua, who is ZTZ J' |me.uberofaB.,.tis.churVwbich'Vde;a„.ror:::.^: preaching. Here I i.,et with brother W. We if i mrn'm"'* 78 M E M O 1 11 OF spent the nijiht together at brother Jcminison's, and the next morning rode to brother Lyon's, at Blooniliold, where we spent the day in the most agreeablo manner, with the family, and some others who came in to see us. In the evening we went to a house where brother Warren had appointed to preach. We found a pretty large as- sembly collected. Brother Warren preached a most excellent sermon: after him, I delivered a discourse.— They sal with gi at patience, and many of them, seem- ingly, with pleasure. This was a solemn meeting. In this place we discovered that the Lord was carrying on his work of grace, in the conversion of sinners. SatUi lay, 17th — This morning, very early, a brother Chapman called, to inform us that a young man at his house had obtained a hope of the pardon of his sins, the day before. He seemed almost overcome vi^ith joy, and insisted on our calling to see the young man before we left the place. After offering up solemn prayer to God, for his protectif 11 and blessing, we took an affectionate leave of brother Lyon and his family, and went home with brother Chapman; where we found the young man, and a number of brethren, who had collected on his account, praising and magnifying the Lord for his goo !- ness; while several young people were muchv^cted with a sense of their sins. This was a solemn, joyful season. Oh ! How beautiful the work of the Lord ap- pears! "Well may we praise him: all his works are perfect." After some time spent in conversation, we commended them to God by solmen prayer; and, after exhorting them to continue steadfast in the faith, took leave of them, and pursued our journey as far as Charles- ton, where brother Warren stopped, in order to spend the ^ Sabbalh, and I proceeded as far as Elder Firman's, in Hartford, on the Genesee river — who received me joy- fully ; and we spent the evening: with peculiar pleasure, ia religious conversation. f" l-EMOEl, COVELI.. 79 wuh Elder F,rma„'s people, in .wo din-ercnt ^JTZl a.eve„,„gro.la.r Warren arrived, and preacl,ed i'n , same neighborhood. Monday 19.h_We left Elder Firnran's, crossed .he Oo„e.ee nver, and rode .oge.l.or .o a small so.. "I!; called Ganson's set.lemen., where bro.her wTrr^n s.opped .0 preach in .he evening, and I rode alone .0 nm, where I preached ,n ,l,e evening, and s.ayed all Tuesday, 20.h-Bro.her Warren arr.ved abou. eleven o-clock ,n .he morning; and about 1 in u,o afternoon we set o/I ,0 „d„ .hrough what is ealle.l ,he Eigh.een- Mde Woods. Wo had not proceeded far, before i began .0 ra,n. Th,s was .he first tiu.e we had any rain ,0 ride m smce we left home. We were in the wilderness vu out house or shelter, all the afternoon; and most o . e ,nne u ramed e.vcossively. We were soaked to .he . m with wa.er. and had very muddy riding. A little alter sun-set, we arrived at a tavern, just at the end of he long woods, kept by a Mr. Van Deven.er. Here we ound^the house full of people, who had been doin' town buJ.ness, and were detained by the excessive rain' many of whom hved at such a distance, they could not' ge. home that niglu. When we arrived, they were in a very h,gh and merry mood-some singing foolish son., -some laughmg loud-some swearing-and some al- most he pless: al seemed to feel, more or less, the eifccts of whisky. In the midst of such a revel, we could no. expect to enjoy much tranquillity. We were determined however, .0 try how far a portion of truth might prove an antidote .0 .he disorder .hat seemed so prevalent ainong them. As soon as ourpoor, suttcing horses were provided for, we informed the people of the house .h»r 80 futtftny 1 ill 1 1 ff MEMOIR OF we were missionaries; and thar, as Providence had cast our lot among t^^m for the night, we were willing to preach to thera, if they were disposed to give their at- tention. The landlord made known to them our pro- posal, which hnd its desired effect. Their carnal mirth stopped, almost in an instant:— they expressed a willing- ness to hear preaching; and within fifteen minutes, there was almost a profound silence, in place of so much noise and confusion. As soon as the necessary prepara- tions were made, I went to preaching, in wet clothes, without changing a single article of them for dry onesi and had a very comfortable time in preaching, and a very attentive assembly. After sermon, a few of thera went away, and the remainder treated us with all the civility and -especi due to our character. This we ven- ture to recoiu as one evidence of the benefit resulting to society from a preached gospel, even in this world. That which will calm such tumultuous assemblies, so that sober men can enjoy peace, must be truly beneficial. Wednesday, 21st- We rode to Buffalo, a small vil^ iage, at the mouth of a creek of that name, just at the foot of Lake Erie; where, to our inexpressible joy we met with Elder Elkanah Holmes, missionary to the North-Western Indians, and his ladv, who received us With the utmost civility. This, however, was not the place of their residence— that being at Fort Slusher about 27 miles down the Niagara river: but Elder Holmes was waiting at Buffalo for an answer from the Seneca nation of Indians, who were holding a council at their village, about 5 or 6 miles up the Buffalo creek on the subject of building a house at their said villa«re for public worship, and for educating their children.l We intended to have crossed the Niagara river, into the province of Upper Canada, the next dav; but Mr. Holmes was not willing we should leave him till he hac caived LEMDEL COVBLL. 81 h.s answer from the Indians; and we also had a mind .OS ay and hear n. We put up our horses where ,hey m.gh.bereoruu,nga]mle,and spent three days in th's pl.ce; durmg whtch time, we preached twice to the people, and nad much agreeable conversation with Mr Holmes There .s no stated meeting for religiou w«: sh,p held .„ th.s place, nor any religious society for^,". On Saturday, the 24th, Red Jacket, the chief Sachem that they had pretty much got through with their co^ sultations, and concluded to have the house built After hearing this message, we look leave of Mr. Holmes and agreed to attend with him, at the Tuscarora village the next Saturday This afternoon we crossed over to p„„ Ene, .n the British dominions, and put up at Do!" Chapm's a gentlemen from the Staie of NewS who resides there. The Doctor and his lady treated us with the utmost friendship and hospitality Lord's-day 25th-We went about two miles down he nver where the people were notified to attend pub he worship. There was a pretty large assembly, cot sidertng the situation of the place; and the people gave very strict attention while we both preached-the one L the momma, and the other in the afternoon Monday, 26.h-We set out this morning upon a tour down the river, and spent the week, till Friday ni,ht i„ riding and preaching from one place to ar,other,°al™." the river and in its vicinity. In the course of this w«ek we formed an acquaintance with a number of pecnle who treated us with the utmost friendship and hospital!: ty.and did everything i„ their power to afford u« such information and assistance as was necessary and useful to us in the prosecution of our mission. Anions other, a Mr Archibald Thompson, who lives at Stanford bou; 7 or 8 miles below the Great Falls, was neculili 4"' «9 MEMOIR OF viceable to us. He nursed our horses in the best man- .ner— found us horses to ride, accompanied "us himself where we went, in many instances: in short, he seemed anxious that nothing should be lacking on his part to render the place agreeable to us, and enable us to be serviceable to the people. Besides him, many others in the same place were very kind. About two miles from the village of Newark, lives a gentleman, by the name of Sweczey, a member of the provincial parliament in this province, who distinguished himself as our friend. On Friday of this week, brother Warren preached at his house, by his particular request. While we were there, we were treated wiih peculiar friendship; and at eve- ning, he and his lady accompanied us to aueenston, where we had an appointment for evening preaching.— After worship, when he took his leave of us, he insisted we must visit him again before we left the province ; and solicited hard that one or both of us should preach at Newark, as soon as we could make it convenient.— This night we lodged at a Mr. Rose's ia Queenston where we received every mark of friendship that could be shown. Mr. Rose and his lady were formerly from New-England; they are neither of them professors of religion, but they behaved towards us in a Christian-like manner. Saturday, Oct. 1st— This morning we crossed the Niagara river, at aueenston Ferry, and went about half a mile up the river, to a Maj. Beech's, where we met Elder Holmes, and went with him to the Tuscarora village, about three miles from this place. We spent ihe afternoon very agreeably, with the Indians, and at evening returned to Maj. Beech's and took refreshment. Brother Warren crossed the river again this evening, in order t.) spend the Sabbath at Stanford, and I concluded to stay and spend the Sabbath with Elder Holmes, among the Indians. LEMUEL COVELL. 83 Elder Holmes del vered ihL ' ^'''^'"••led, and which was imepreed o r'"^""'''''*'''^'"""''' shot, pause, I delS L^T '" t"' ""'"• ^f-er a as I was sen. ou b?1h X^/f '>°"""^'''^' «'»'' missionary, I had calLd ,„ ^'"'■^'"'y ^^'"ciation, as a' form an a^nainlant w' r.i:: 1:?%''-''-. -<> approbation .0 instruct theVin^^he" 'sp'el" T" ""'" swered by the r Chjpf -w/o • ■ ""^P®^* 1 was an- .-n. speech 'Lp'ri^TnL:" thtt' ?"' T'^ """ Spirit, for putting it into the heZlfl .•""' <^""" '" visit them, and ins.ruc them T ,f *""" P'"?'* wise to my brethren fortendtV^"?""'' '""""'^- them, and to me for caTlinr? ^ missionaries to visit close of his speecl/tS^:X;''-;-^, at the be very glad to have me snpn^ ^"°" *""''» before I returned home li . "' '""' '''"'- ">»«' m return from L^ Po ^f " J" """'", '° "='"■' °» day. We then took leave rf. 1,1 '"''^' ^™" ""'^ Beech's .mrt t„„i '*■"' "'eturned to Maior in the same ne Sorhood a! '"' T"'' "' ^ ^'^ ^'""='^' 'on, on the othe? sidetfl'e";;:: '"e evening at Queens- province, would far exceed Z / ^. ? '^''^' ^'^ *^^« narrative : I shall LZT '"''"^''^ ^^'"'^^ ^^ ^^is ageneralvietl^/ fw r the last week, formed It ^'^' '" '^" ^^^^^^ of serviceable to us in afTordino. T'r • '' P^^^^^^^ly Places we had occas on to 4^^ "^7'^^- - .*« -an, ty vi^su. He accompanied us on 84 MEMOIR OF- r iiir our journey: we rode from place to place, and preached as often as time would admit. The people, in almost every place we visited, were very anxious to hear preach- ing— would run together, on the shortest notice, and many of them seemed very much aflOected with what they heard. We found no church of the Baptist order, though there were a number of brethren in several places. There had, a few years since, been a Baptist church at the Thirty-Mile-Creek, near 30 miles from Q,ueenston; but they have pretty much lost their visibility, although a number of the members still reside there. We found sevvvtal societies of the Methodist order, who in general were very friendly, and some of them seemed very glad to hear us preach: in particular, at Burford, a little be- yond the Grand River, we found a large society of them, who treated us very kindly, and were very solicitous for preaching. While I made a short visit at Burford, broth- er Warren made a visit with the Mohawk Indians, on the Grand River, preached to them, and was very civilly treated by them. The savages are the most civil people in the world, in time of peace; and are a living example for the imitation of white people, in point of good man- ners On the evening of Saturday 8th, to our great joy, we arrived at the Long Point settlement, where we were most joyfully received. At this place we found a num- ber of Cliristian brethren, who had lived a number of years without the privileges connected with gospel or- dinances, for want of an administrator. They had fre- quently «ent the most pres'sing requests to one and anoth- er, but had alw ;"., been unsuccessful. The candid would not censure a people thus situated, if, on obtaining the long wished-for opportunity of receiving the adminislra- lioo of those sacred ordinances, ihey should discover a little innocent enthusiasm: this was the case with them; LEHDEL COVELL. 85 and I should set him down f«- » ^ . t ijxm aown lor a stoic, who wonlrl «nt have been moved i„,„ some degree of .erdernTrae T solemn, p.ou, ecstasy, ,hat appeared amo g h m dmjt x::zin":s--xs:eiif^^^^^^^^ oarselves sharp prel " t* LT '"^ ^' "" """ seemed ,o pre/aiUn ve^yd Ic io'" TT:"h T ""'"" notice of our comi„<. and wtrl ^''^^ ^ad previous pared to receive u Thl " '^"^ ""^^^"'^ ?«" prove in pub >e Z' Z^ "' .'"" '''*""^» ^^o im- and Fairch," * Bro h '/f^"''!'.-' "' ""'"" °'^'"«'' tance from th body of L brl ?'"'' '' ^•""•' '''^- timcs. Brother Fkch 1.1'"' ''''"' *''''"'" «.h them i"dS tu eiLToTlh"'"' """' '^'"^ and when we arrived 1=^ f " *'' ""lained, been baptized Stw b !;, f ''■'"='' '""' '''™' us about 15 miles from ^b?" "'"' '"'^""™^''> "et us there. We '!» " ^ '"" ™™'. ^-xi accompanied which was"!: j;:; r Si-, ,''"' •'^ v^"^ °"« °^ ZTtT: ''''^~V^' ■"""'■'»" ^™ took an affectionate nd f1 mm' """ ""•" •' Burford. Brethren Finch '!!i!!!:;i^l^;>emjore,„rn ,o Uueenston, and brother both these bretw'"^''^""'^ *'" ^^^'^^^'^ '« the ordin;ii;;;;7f 86 MEMOIR P Warren set out on a tour to the River Retrench, in com- pany with those two brethren. On my return, I preached at a number of places, where I had left appointments as I went out; and on the evening of Friday, 21st, arrived at our friend Thompson's, at Stanford. Saturday, 22d — This morning I went to Glueenston, crossed the river, and went to Maj. Beech,'s, where I met with Elder Holmes, after an absence of three weeks, and went with him to the Tuscarora village, and had a pleasing interview with the Indians. At evening we returned to Major Beech's, where we met with a Mr. Palmer, a Baptist minister, from Peeks-Kill, accompanied by a Deacon Bentley, from the same place, and a Mr. Marsh, from New- York, with whom we passed the eve- ning very agreeably. Lord's-day, 23d— After breakfast we all went to the village, where we met a pretty large collection of the Indians, and a number of white people j when, for the first time, I preached to my Indian brethren, by an inter- preter. We spent some time with them, after preaching, and then returned to Mr. Cook's, where I preached at 4 o'clock, and spent the night. Monday, 24th— According to previous arrangement, I crossed the river, and went in company with our friends from New-York, and Mr. Thompson, to Newark, where I preached in the evening, and went home with my friend, Mr. Sweezey, for lodgings. The next morning I tarried v/ith him till my company arrived, when I bid him and his family an affectionate adieu, after receiving the most pressing solicitation to call on him, if I ever came that way again, and his kind wishes for my pros- perity and safe return home; and rode to Q,ueenston, where we parted with Mr. Thompson, crossed the river, and proceeded to Elder Lolmes', at Fort Slusher. I spent the remainder cf the week with great satisfaction^ lEMOBL aovr.LL. 87 « this place; preached once, a.>d made preparation, for a counc. mib .he Indians on Saturday. Elder Holme :n°dh",I,r''""^"'"' ""^ -r,.of rrienOsr; Saturday, 29th-Elder Holme, a'ccom,-,anied me to the vtllag . where we held a council with' ,he I,"L1° I gave them a talk in writing, and agreed to iet them m councl the next Monday, to receive their answt LordVday, 30.h-I preached to them again, and had much conversatton with them, after preaching/ and thea wen. across the river, and preached in tl.e evcninr« Mr Thompson's, at Stanford, where, to ,„y sreat W I met with brother Warren nfrcr „„ „i, . , ^^' ' forlnirrht Tl>„ ,' ■il'seiicc of almost a fortnight. The account he gave me of fai^ tour while we were apart, added greatly to my j„y and eZ.^a^ •II u . ^S'«'^ment, crossed over to ihe Indian village, where I me. with Elder Holm.,, hold the pro- posed council with them, and received , oir talk to be presented to the Shrf-.,ury AssociaUon. ^ft our councl was concluded. i.o,k a solemn and affec La" leave of them, and returned to auee,i.'i„ ;„ „ with Elder Holmes, and lo^jTuTk^JT^ oe« morningr we wen. to Mr. Tho.,p.o,,',, and snen! the day very agreeably; and at eveui',, K! e. HoC preached a mon excellent sermon on ih. .uuretf go pe preaching. Alter worship, brother Warren arrived and we all spent the night together. ' Wednesday, Nov, 3d-This morning, after prayer we i«ad a solemn parting with Elder H,.|,„es and Itf^^ Thompson's family, and rode to For. Eie 'where we crossed the river, and spent the night at Buffiilo. b^flr \?""''"^ '"^ '■""''" '» "'y "»"•••>'!'«. I would oeg tiie attention of tho fo,,i.. ,^ . i-. .. ,' '""° ■ ;FHiS 88 MEMOI R OF situation of the people in that part of the province of Upper Canada which we visited. Fort Erie is at the foot of Lake Erie, just where the Niagara river falls out of that lake. In the neighborhood of this fort is a pretty large settlement, sad the people entirely destitute of a preached gospel. The village of Newark lies oa the south shore of Lake Ontario, just where it receives the Niagara River. There is an exten- sive settlement contiguous to this village, and the people almost without gospel privileges. Tjiere is a Mr. Addi- son, an Episcopalian minister, who lives not far from Newark J and a Mr. Young, a Presbyterian, who lives in town; otherways the people are entirely destitute, unless now and then supplied by the Methodist riding preachers J and that very seldom. The distance from Fort Erie to Newark, is Upwards of 30 miles, and all the way pretty thickly inhabited on the river; and, in many places, large settlements back from the river. At the mouth of Chippeewa Creek, a little above Niagara Falls, is a large and thick settled neighborhood, (almost a village,) and a settlement of considerable extent up the said Creek. A town by the name of Stanford lies on the river, a little below the Great Falls, that is pretty large, and thickly inhabited. In this town there is a Mr. Eastman, a Presbyterian minister, who preaches statedly in three different places. The village of dueenston is situated on the bank of the river, about 7 miles above Newark: in its vicinity is a pretty large settlement; and within two or three miles, a small village, at the Four- Mile-Creek. These two villages, and the adjacent set- tlements, are entirely destitute of stated preaching.— From dueenston goes the main country road to the head of Lake Ontario, which is upwards of 50 miles ; and thence, one way, round the head ot said lake, to York, &c., and the other way, to the Grand River, where it m^^ LEMUEL COVELL. 5 province of 89 iver: and, in mkes vanous d.rect.ons, and leads the traveller through an excellent country, of vast extent, and many settFe- ments formed, and rapidly increasing. From the Grand River the mam road keeps on to Long Point on the north shore of Lake Erie, -^wards of WO m^s frl aueenston. I„ the whole cf this extensive counr from the Niagara River to Long Point, in one direcUon .0 the River Retrench, the Governo 's Road fa Tn another, and to York in a third, according Ttlfe bes" information we conld obtain, there are but six ordained preachers, of any denomination, except the Methodi"ts and not many of them. Besides the L Presb er „s and one Episcopalian, already mentioned, there is a Ger- man, of the Lutheran order, settled abou 10 or 15 miles from Queenslon, (his name I do not recollect) a Mr Phelps, an Episcopalian, not far from the head of Lale Onta^o. and a Mr. Culver, a Presbyterian, about 10 „ 15 miles from Long Point; he is not, however, settled with any particular people, and being old and su^e annu- ated, does not preach very often. fo^nnu J,t' " '■T'' f ' .'''''^^ "•"^'-'""^ from the United States, al^ongh there are a considerable number from Kurope They have been educated in different prkct P es and habits of religion; but I venture to asserC h y ow as httle bigotry to any particular sect, as an^ LZ pie that can be found on earth. The preacher th'at ap- pears and behaves in character, is sure to obtain ahe'r- >ng hoth from high and low, from ministers and people where proper notice is given. It is not to be supposed howl ever hat they ave no preference as to particular system!; but being in a destitute situation, many of them are glad to hear preaching from any man of good character. In ne respect they are like people in every other place" some are very inattentive to anything of a religious nature, while others are verv desirn,,, .r K.,„, ;..!.3. "? 'iU ■jJM^M 90 MEMOIR OF and I may say, without exaggerating, that a great pro- portion of them appeared very much engaged, and very anxious to hear the gospel. As a testimony of this, they sent a written iLqnnst to the Shaftsbury Assnriution^ praying them, in the most pressing terms, to st d -ore missionaries into that country; and, if possible, to st 'e one permanently there. To this request more than 1 50 persons, many of them in eminent stations, affixed their signatures; and the number might have been greatly augmented, if it had been thought necessary. In short, there appeared a g-eneraZ solicitude for a preached -os pel. The mission of Elder Blood, accoTuing to appearance, was attended with many happy consequences; especially in rousing the attention of the people in many place i to hear preaching ; and I hope, in some instances, to their everlasting good. Mr. Dunlap and Mr. Proudfit have each made a tour in that country, and have left evident traces of their usefulness. May the Lord of the harvest send more faithful laborers I And shall ,ve, my Christian brethren, stand idle, or look on whh cold indifference, while God, in his provi- dence, is hndh calling, "Go ye into the vineyard, and whatever is i-hi I will give you?" No; let us awake to a sense of the importance of the object— let us take warning by the admonitions of Heaven, and be encour- aged by his promises: ''The idle soul shall suffer hun- ger—The willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land." Let us not be content to dwell in our ceiled houses, and see the house of G'ocZ lie neglected; or in- dulge ourselves in sloth, till the clouds of just indigna- tion shall blacken over us, and burst in one awful storm of judgments on our guilty heads ! • ^ But, it will be answered by some, this is mere enthu- siastic declamation. I answer, let such go and see fat LBM EL .vBLL. » fhem^elves; and if they have the least degree of true lehgion at heart, thev will share more or Jew i same kind of enthu^ sm. ^u, say some, have v ^ . enough to do at home? I« th. re not work enough ,r all our ministers, v hout going to Canada? And do we not ueed their number greatly increased among our- selves? So tne . ^ser ouid interrogate, if a few pence were calleu for to promote a public good. But suppose tLere is work enough for all our ministers, ind more if we had tnei. among ourselves; shall we indul: that se.fis..r" ,, contrary to the genius of the «t, ^ we will not consent for those who are enlireh ute to share with us in the privileges we enjoy ? . ,uch niggardliness never be indulged by those w profess 'he Chrisi.an . ligion. What is 50 cents per year, to be oted for the .nread of the gospel? One pound of cea and one of ir the less in the course of the year, would more than unount to it; or, what would be of far less consequence, one ribbon the less! And if each professor of Christianity in this country would contrib- ute half that sum annually, what a Jund would be raised for the promotion of the greatest good! And what an infinite satisfaction would each liberal soul enjoy, m the thought of having cast in a mite into the treasury of the house of God ! On our return from the province of Canada, let me mvite the reader to call, and make a short visit with the poor savages Elder Elkanah Holmes i appointed by he New-York Missionary Society, n^ a missionary to the north-western Indians. His labors have been chiefly With the Senecas and Tuscaroras; and much the greater part of the time with the latter. The greater part of the fc^enenas are well inclined to receive the gospel, and the maxims of civilization; though there are some of them opposed to It, which causes some trouble, and in crt rn< ^>. c^^^^.o. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .«'-.*^ ^j 1.0 I.I I4a|2j. 12.5 1^ 1^ 112.2 1.8 1:25 III 1.4 .6 ff^ 7i ^;. /A 'f*- '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ i\ # :\ \ 'O c> '^ 'V- ^ /> m •92 MEMOIR OF degree, retards his success with them : notwithstanding, the balance of circumstances is much in his favor with them. With the Tuscaroras he has been much more successful. In less than two years, he has had the happiness to prevail on them to abandon many of their savage notions: they have entered into solemn covenant with him, to abstain from the use of spiritous liquors, of all kinds; to observe the Sabbath as a day of religious worship, and to do everything in their power to restrain licentiousness among the rising generation, and become acquainted with the Christian religion. To this coven- ant they adhere, with a scrupulosity that might be an admonition to white people. There is a very convenient house erected in their village, (at the expense of the State) for the purpose of meeting for worship and edu- cating their children. They have an English school taught by a young Indian, who has a good share of Eng- lish learning, and is a very sober, respectable man. The solemn and orderly manner in which they attend public worship; the correctness and melody of their singing, and the solicitude and affection wiih which they listen to a preached gospel, afford incontestible evidence of the success of his labors among them; and, at the same time, hold out the strongest inducements to prosecute the missionary business among other tribes of the same color. I do not say these things merely for the sake of prais- ing our brother Holmes: the conscious pleasure he enjoys in contemplating that his labors have not been prompted by selfishness, nor prosecuted with indifference, together with a view of the success attending them, evincing that Heaven approves his undertaking, must afford him infin- itely greater satisfaction than the prais: s of my feeble pen. But my design is, if possible, to engage the atten- tion of my Christian brethren, in general, to an under- LEMUEL COVELL. Q^ taking so laudable in its nature, and hitherto so benehcial: m Its effects, as to render it worthy the attention of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, or have any, true de- sires for the good of souls. pJt'^GoTnd '?'"", t"" .^''"" «"« •» his disci- pies, 10 (ro, and teach all nations," &c. iiolds rmnrf ., ,resen., and will forever, and is equally b ding on a gospel mimsters. The aposlles might, undoubledlv have found full employ at Jerusalem, in leadlg aid' eomforfng the brethren, without going abroad taU was not the will „f God they should contiH," small a circle; nor could they have complied wiiith^ .njuncliou of their commission in so doing buTwhil some of them tarried there, others we'io sir e' Genl.es; and by such means ihe gospel was s r dl In short, the progress of the Christian religion IVnm place to place, has uniformly been by the la fof ^n erams, or missionaries; and must continue to ptr ,s' bv .he same means, (so far as human means are nlZl- sary,) through the whole ivorld. Once more. It is the command of God that those who so on this warfare should be provided for by those who profess to be friends to his cause. How fnconsLI, hen, ,s It with our professions of regard for the unbl , .ng of the Redeemer's kingdom, a^d f„ tt /o'd " souls, ,0 be unwilhng to spare our ministers! „oT and hen. to go and bear the glad tidings of the oosTel^n .Slant climes; or, if we coldly content for hC'o ' send them unprovided for- Such a spirit i v^ry dl?! ferent from that which actuated the saints i„ pr mitte ..mes; and ,s directly contrary to the command of He7v en, and to the genius of the gospel. Let us then, awake universally, and use our utmost to send the gospel to the western boundaries of Lr ^ unent. While we are praying for the "^eL ~ "94 MEMOIR OF «t D ft'' gospel— for the enlargement of the empire of the Re- deemer—and for the conversion of the heathen— let us cast in our mite, as the Lord hath prospered us, for the attainment of those glorious ends. Let not our practice contradict our prayers, nor put us to the blush at the throne of grace ! The providence of God is loudly calling upon us to be up and doing— the earnest solicitations of the poor sav- ages chide our slothfulness— and the hope of success in sufficient to prompt our zeal. Already has the holy fire begun to kindle in the hearts of many : may it soon become a universal flame ! To return to my narrative. On the morning of Thurs- day, the 3d of November, we left Buffalo, and pursued our journey homewards. We called at most of the places where we preached on our way out, and in many where we had not. On arriving at Bloomfield, we found the work of the Lord going on, in a very comfortable man- ner: ma»y young people, and some others, had been made to rejoice in the pardon of sin, during our absence. I made a two-days' visit in the neighborhood, while brother Warren took a different route. The weather was now very uncomfortable; but no inconvenience was sufficient to prevent the people from attending meetings for worship. Their hearts were on fire! I preached with them four times, and then took a most afiectionate leave of them, and rode to Canandaigua, made a visit with the brethren there, preached with them 3 times, and left them, though with real regret. On Wednesday, the 16th, I joined brother Warren again, at Scipio, where, according to appointment, we attended a council. From Scipio we took difierent routes, and preached chiefly in places where we had not visited before, till we met in Onondaga, the Monday following. LEMUEL COVPrr 95 Wednesday, 23d-We this day arrived at Ca«„ • where, accordinff to awrporv,,. * «^"^ea at Oazenovia, order .'o settle s!me mZ^l r.""'""^" » '"""oiLia' .ome individaals; andt J C?."'"'""' '""' matter,,. I have reason toblLrlZ.''''- '" """'» •ome degree benefieial. At Z > """""^ "" '" Elder Peter Ph. Roots Eldfr H„ "^ °* "^^ "« ^'* «e pretty „„/h del, tufe:?';;'! ;!/"'/ "" ^"""''^ desirous to hear. Preaching, and seemed very On the morning of Saiurdair ih. oci, br brother Warren, and rode Tn ''""''"•" J"'"''* snowstorm, ,o the' boundart. „f r*"- r"™"''""'"''' parted; brother Warren in ?.i^- "'^"''' ■"''«'« ^^ ■•"Oneida, and then pursue his wf '"• '^°1 "'^ «''^^''"' without joining me a/ak n^? '-"mediately home, »pend the SabbatUn Wes^ ^TV ^""'^ ''"»'"'«<' 'o ■»e a. a certain pface ^ hat ,1" ' "l^ "'"'^ '» ""«' and spend the ensuin ° t\^"[ "" ^""•'"y evening, with them,I rode ,o wf T '""' "'^- After parting and spent he niih.l/"^"""'''' =" ^'^ Stockbridge IndianLprea hX'e ,:r"' ^^ "'"' ""» '«"' "^ Westmoreland, me Eld r Root' """/' "'"'"^ «">« '« "iig sermon. ^'""'' ""^ P'^'ehed an ere- it;:ktiSs"',h'e"r^'' f '-^^^'-.^ « ^siting and preacht aldonT 1 ^^'""''"l^d, was waiting f„, .^eir answer, wC w arS af BuT fr .he na^e of o^ d :b:o:rer:f v'^r'^' ^*''^^'- .0 be a propi,e,, ajaia'st le b din! „'A,:\° P"'^""' c«n„gany boots from .he whi, pe'op „ 2 ,^"''' "'" tion of their children n- h^ '^ "^^ ms.rnc- pal chiefs of ,he One da:a t d c^"""'' '"^ P™"'" P-ent. The object was'^c elf 7"'' "t"" ^""^ iween .he two contending , '^""""^""i^n be- ">.h. be bui,t, .h:°rs r/rd;;; it* .^ "-"^ instructed in .he princinles of .h„ 7 "" """'<"> I'y general and a.;:: fa^r L^r^'ith":"'"''™' on the result of .his council T^!L ^''"'"''^ Jacket, was a strenuous advocalforr' •""""•' "^^^ pel and building .he house and ! '^''/"'^"""S ">« SO^" were on his side Aft"'' „ "•""">' "^""^ ""'i™ Jec. upwards f en dt;r' '"'"""""• ">« """ i-ave the house b^ilSd'titrMrnr'"'"" "• them at their connp.-J L , l^oJmes to meet l.i» the folTowr sSrinl"' ''^'' '"''^' "^'--^ ^ »" of the gentlem n' h ; fte, 7/27" k' "" ""'""■' the same to wri,ln„ . no'oa"er named, who commi.ted -'e,bearg:hri::trr^'''''^""""^''-«'«- D 1 of 1 hav ting long and shall Fc repcE erati( custo are r whicl Fa^ for ou CUStOE ihey ii render passed wester Fatl of not I auuml] and oth odge of LEMtJEL COVBLL. "9$ A SPEECH, 10 the North-western IndlZ '"^''' "^i^noiary Father— We thank the Great Spirit abovo f^r ii.. of.eeti„, together ^>^iX wl' tt^^ZZl have made so many delays on our oart nn/7 , and concluded, in a »enml co„„ 7,!" !"" ""'"''"''■ shall be no dii^cu.t/a'Srru:';:';^ ''"-"" •''- Fat!^r-We have heard the advice which you have repeatedly g.ven us, and have taken it coolly fato consM eration, so that ail our people may understand , To' , customs are diiTerent from ours: We ogree to yoirs bu 'Z Tu ^f" '" '■"S" ""^' "t our own cust'om^ whtch have been handed down to us by our forefrther J-o^Aer-Some years ago, the reason which we -.siVn for our forefathers not laying hold of the gosnel a .ll customs of the white people, is, that theyl pi d' tha they mhabtted a tract of country sufficiemlv eCs tl to render them independent of the white people; but yo„ passed by and looked overus, and wen. to v sit „„« western nations. of ^ottr!?"' ^"'°^'^ '^' '"^^^"^' ^^^' ^«"«d the evil of not attending to good advice. Forinstanrp w/ a number of different nations-Delawari; Tuscaror^ and others- Who, from a want of education and a know ' «dge of your customs, have been deceived by the wK^ " »7# ' " • '« l:l i . 'i ililUPH' 100 MEMOIR OF ittt' people, and become their slaves, and have been seen at. their doors, cutting wood and making brooms, to earn their bread ; when, if they had followed the customs of their forefathers; they would have known better, and would not have been there. Father — This is the reason why we gradually com- ply with what theJVIissionary Society has recommended to us, that we may not be deceived and taken advantage of, like those we mentioned before. We have great hopes from the information we have received from the young Chief, whom the Missionary Society have now under their care, that he will be of great service to us, and be able to read our papers, and explain all writings which we may receive from the Missionary Society, oi on any other business. Faihei — It has been recommended to us by your great Chief, General Washington, that we should be united as friends and brothers, and learn to cultivate the soil, and attend to everything that would be for our comfort and happiness. Father — You have been sent here by a number of those who wear the same cloth with yourself: Their good intention in sending you among us was to open our eytfs, and to instruct us in those things which will be for our good. Father— We are convinced that the Missionary Soci- ety are friends to the Indians. Father — You have taken a great deal of pains and trouble, in coming among us to instruct us for cur good. But we make not the smallest doubt that there are a number of Avhito people who have doubted whether v/e ' shall eves lay hold of the gospel, and. of the good in- structions which you have come so far to give us:— But we hope to convince those of that opinion, that our LEMUEL COVELL. 101 OD, that our mended to us. No. ,),at wo sa Xa. 1 tillli", '"?" Father- Wc Imvo been a long ,in,o counscllin. amo, . rselves abou. building ,l.e house for wo si JZ- edaea„„g our children, which you have reco me„ ed t . s; and are now ail agreed that i, shall be b U a .h" place where you have sluck the stake; and h ne thaH Missionary Sodrv fo ^^'"' '''""'' ""'' "'' Lave heard -he g:<;d efferuTrl/rj Tl' "• ^' ^^'^^;^^^^^^^^^^^ carry hini n Jearnino- • bnf xviii i ^ " '''^^ ^^^"2 to the Missionnr. ^ ."" ^eave it to our fathers, .o";zrsfr.r;rLtutVt^nsrr^^^^^^^ Falher-Vpon thi, subject we will stop; but probablv say so,„e.h„g further on another subject ^ '' num^ TrutwUhT"' "' '"■"• """ ^^ ''"" -« - ~::,^rtv?-r/- were aftPnr?ln„ ' ""'' ^'"^^^^ ^^en were attending to our customary worshin. .bnnt 102 MEMOIR OF middle of cold weather. We make it a custom to meat together at that time, at our several villages, (which is a custom handed down to us by our forefathers) to return thanks to the Great Spirit above, for the success we have had in hunting our game for the support of our families. Father— There is another time when we return thanks to the Great Spirit: It is when our crops become ut for use— it being from Him that we receive all those good things. These customs now mentioned we intend to continue in ; and we hope you will have no objection to our fol- lowing them. Father— You would not like to have us deprive you of any of your customs ! How would you feel if we were to insist on your leaving off your customs, and adopting ours? For this reason, Father, we will retain the customs before mentioned, and attend to yours; and pray to the Great Spirit, that both may lead us to happi- ness. Father— This is all we have to say at this time— only that we wish that a copy of the Talk delivered this day may be sent to our fathers, the Missionary Society, and that one may be left with us; so that if it should be forgotten by our old men, it may be seen and understood by our children hereafter. An extemporaneous reply to the foregoing Talk^ by the Reverend Elkanah Holmes, missionary. My Children — I thank the Great Spirit above, that I am allowed to meet with the chiefs of the Senecas, Onondagas and Cayugas this day. I thank you all, my children, that you have been so kind as to meet me here at this time. I* have had a great desire, ever since I met you, at your (ire-place, last fall, to meet you again in council.. *rr ■■EMUEL OOVBLL. 108 I observe that you have ,aid to me, that you are .orry ha° ih^n iT ,"""'»°«'l ""y d^'-y: But I retnembe^ hat when I first came to visit you, I requested you to be dehberate, and cool; and to do nothing in a hurry. You! doubtless, remember, that I have often told you that i was a great thing ,o receive and obey the gospel of Jesu.CAr,„. I have also often told you, that if ,0,^ were hasty m making up your minds, you would be hasty m forgetfng: that, therefore, there was a necessity of calm dehberafon upon matters of such .neat importance. I have been well acquainted, ever since last fall, that you have had a great deal of trouble and difficulty in your nattons; and I have been much concerned about it. Smce hat t.me, I have often prayed to the Great Spirit above, tha he would help you to settle your difficuWe.^ m a way that would make for peace. Now 1 thank.he Great Sp.rt. that he has heard my prayers so far, .1... you have peace and good-will among you. Now, Children, if I had time, I would be glad to re- day , but I have not t.me at present. But I will tell you this, Jam well pleased with the most of what you have Now, one thing more. Children, I will say to' you. I hope by the leave of the Great Spirit, to return home, and to consider of the Talk that you have delivered ,0 me at this timej and to return with my interpreter, and give you an answer in writing; that you, and your chil- dren after you, may always have it in your power to d^v-M . '^^' '" ''"'>' "• ^''« y"" >>"• 'Poken this Soc'ie'v tha.'tb'° ""'\'' ""^ "^ " '" 'he Mis«on.ry Society, that they may know what I have said to you.- !oT T»irf "^'° J°" '"J"'''' «"<» themacopy of your Talk to me at this time, and also leave .ne wilt you, "" 104 MEMOIR or All that I have farther to say, is, that I pray that the Great Spirit may bless you with peace and good-will among yourselves, and make you happy in this world, and prepare you for happiness after death. "Buffalo Creek, 28th Sept. 1803. We, the subscribers, do hereby certify, that we were present when the speech of Red Jacket, a Sachem of the Seneca nation of Indians, vms delivered to the Hev. Elkanah Holmes, missionary to the North-western Indians; and that the above is a correct translation of "'it, as interpreted to us by Messrs. Johnson and Smith, Indian interpreters. And likewise, that the extempo- ^raneous reply of the Rev. Elkanah Holmes to the Sachems of the Seneca, Onondaga and Cayuga na- tions, assembled in council at the time of the delivery of the aforesaid speech, is also above correctly stated. DAvm Thompson, Justice of the Peace, County of Genesee. John W. Brownson, Lieut, of nth Reg. U. States Infantry.^^ A few days before I left the Tuscarora Indians, agree- able to previous arrangement, Elder Holmes and myself attended a council with them, at their village ; where, after a short introduction, I delivered them the following Talk; and, by their request, left a copy of it with them. Sacheme, Chiefs, Warriors, and all you of the • Tuscarora Nation here present, attend ! Children — I thank the Great Spirit above, for the opportunity 1 have had several times heretofore, to meet with you at your fire-place, to worship the Great Spirit, and to con- verse about the gospel of Jesus Christ: arid I feel thank- ful to him that I have the opportunity of meeting so many of you here this day ; and I pray the Great Spirit ^"1 LEMUEL COVELL. 105 to help „, that we may all attend to the business before ^rwelattll:'''"'^^"'^"'---^''-''^ CMdren-Viow I thank .he Great Spirit that he has thank you, Children, that so many of you have been so kmd as to come to this place to meet at this time CMUren-1 will now speak a few words in your ears, to let you know .he reason of my coming."!,^ you at your iire-place. ^ M,j Broaers-The ministers that sen. me in.o .his country are un,.ed in the same good cause wi"h you good fathers and kind friends, .be New-York M^sioLr, Socre.y-they are all 0! .,em friends to you, a do" the nattons of your color; and feel a desire to open you eyes to see and your ears to hear, the good word of 21 gospel, so that you and your children may receive it wi^h all your heart, and .hat i, may make you wise and hap y '» this world, and happy after death. " Chmren-Yoa must know that your fathers the ot al CO ors and languages; and that tbty pray the Orea Spirit above, to open your hear.s, and ,he hear, of oro.liers, the Missionary Society of Now- York to Ik.en .0 .he good words .hey have r^pea.edly Jo en „ «" and 1. made us very glad to hear .ha. you hadso ft; showed your good-vvill towards them, .ha. you hid ~ ceived our good brother Holmes, when .hey sen. hi* t feurChriT'^^r"" """ """- '" .he o5o feus Christ, and to teach you ,he will of ihe Great amrm-Nov, this is the reason .hat* out brothers i-iiaisurs V.L. seiu me aud my brother into this 106 MEMOIR OP country to preach to the white people, directed us to eome and visit you, at your tire-place, and to see how far you had gone in the good path, and to hear you speak your minds about the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we can tell them, when we return to their fire-place, what situation you are in, so that they may know what to do hereafter. CAi7c/re?2— Therefore I have come with father Holmes several times to your fire-place. I have seen the good attention you give to what he says to you from time to time. I have heard the good words you have spoken to him and me when we were with you— I have heard you sing praises to the Great Spirit— I have heard you thank the Great Spirit for sending missionaries to preach the gospel to you— and I have heard you say that you intend to go on as fast as you can, and that you desire to be led into all truth, so that you and your children may lay hold of all the good things that are spoken to you in the holy book, and hold them fast to the latest generations. And now, Children— I have a few things to say to you; I thank you for your kindness to father Holmes— I thank you that you believe him to be your friend, and that you are friendly to him. He is your friend, and a friend to all the people of your color, and desires to do you all the good he can. He desires that all your nations may re- ceive the gospel, so that you may be wise and happy: and I thank you that you are kind to mother Holmes, and that you are pleased with her, and behave well tow- ards her. I hope you will remember that your father Hoimes has come a great way to preach the gospel to you; and that he has taken a great deal of pains to assist you, so that you now have a good house built, to meet in to worship the Great Spirit, to hear the gospel preached to you; and for your children to meet in, to learn to read, and sing praises to tlie Great Spirit, and to learn all good things. LEMUEL COVELL. 10l7 ChMr -^Look on father Holmes! He is old and must sooL ..aye you, and go the wajr that all our fathers have gone. Then you will never more hear him speak to you about the will of the Great Spirit, nor about those good things that will make you wise and happy. Then you will need some other one to instruct you as he has done Now, Children-U you are kind to him and mother Holmes, and if you open your ears and listen to the good things that he takes so much pains to teach you and receive them with all your heart, then your good friends and fathers, the Missionary Society, and the ministers that have sent me to visit you, will feel more encouraged in their hearts, and their hands made more strong; and they will send more missionaries to preach to you the gospel of Jesus Christ, and kad you further in the knowledge of all those good things which will be lor your happiness, both in this world and after death ~ But If you and your children are not kind to father Holmes & mother Holmes,and if you do not listen to the good word^ which he speaks to you, then their hearts will sink, their heads will hang down, iheir hands will fall and be very weak, and the tears will run down their cheeks! Then, they will be afraid to send any more missionaries; and missionaries will be afraid to come among you. Children-^ovr I am pleased to see that you give good attention when you meet to worship the Great Spirit, and to hear the gospel preached. 1 am pleased to • see that your young men give good attention, and behave civilly. It makes me very glad, and makes my hands feel strong, to see how kind the Sachems and Chiefs are, in keeping good regulations among their people, and for the kind words they have said to me when I have- been with you heretofore. I am pleased to hear you sing praises to the Great- spirit. 1 am pleased that vc\n aro tKn^ur.,! ._ .l- y^ 108 MEMOIR OF lla Spirit above, for sending missionaries among you. I am well pleased that you have said to me, that you intend to go on as fast as you can in the good path ; and that you desire to be lee* into all truth, so that you and your chil- dren may lay hold of all the good things that are spoken to you in the holy book, and hold them fast to the end of your life. Now I will say one thing more to you. I was pleased when I was with you last Lord's-day, to see that you remember to observe the holy Sabbath— you were all peaceable on that day — your old men and your young men were all still and quiet, and there was no playing balls, nor any other disorderly behavior to make disturb- ance. Now this makes me very glad, that you have gone so far in obeying the gospel, that you all behaved well on that day. Children— The earth belongs to the great God above! He made it for himself: and He made the first man and the first woman ; and all men, of every color and Ian- guage, came from them, and therefore are all brothers.—- Now the Great Spirit commanded the first man and woman to cultivate the soil, and subdue its wild nature, so that it might become tame, and bring forth food, and all good things for the use of man, so that they may be comfortable and happy ; and that they may flourish and grow up like tall trees, and have many branches. For this reason it is the duty of all men to be industrious, and to work at some calling or business that will help to subdue the earth, and make it fruitful; and the gospel of Jesus Christ requires them so to do: and you may see, if you will look around among white people, how much *inore comfort, and how many more good things those enjoy who obey the command of the gr^at God, in these things, than those do who live in idleness or by hunting. Now I hope you will be willing to be industrious, and to LEMUEL COVELI. . 109 be honest and sober, and >o take the greater part of the barthen of calfvaung the soil upca yourselves, instead of leanng it npon yo„r women, that you may abundant- y prosper, and have abundance of all good thingsTand 1 am very glad to see ,ha, you have begun so to do If you go on as you have begun, you will soon be a wise and happy people. Children-l expect your fathers and brothers, the m,ms ers who sent n,e to visit yon, will make their neck! Ions efore I return to our fire-place, wishin. 1 .ea, what I have seen and heard among you. Now, CA«*m_I expect soon to bid yon farewell and return home, and tell the good news of wh„ fT -ong you, to all those go'od wile pop el ,;;:;",:•: the happmess of Indians, and to let them know thl lood words you have spoken lo me Tk„ c . ^ leave with you wha't I "J. Z to^ytt^d y'^V: you may read it often, and that yorZyolj'Zl may remember it; and that it may be remeSed^ " latest generations, that I am your friend an^b 1 1 that those who sent me are friend and brlh"' '"" - -sh yot. happ;ness, hothtr^irrnra^^:^ Sachems and Chiefs! You are ihe fathers of ihis nation t i. be faithful to watch over th m a I 2;^. '7'" ^^^^ that they obpv the Jjnli r t ^'' ^°°'^' ^°^ see the Grea't &!::^rL:^^;^^ti ^\V ''-' «o this people. ^ ^""^^ ^"^ ^^ ^ Wessing Warriors ! You that are Husbands! ,^imr^. '^-^M-..,4 MO MEMOIR OF w Remember that the holy Bible requires all that have wives to love them, and not be cruel td themj but to do them good, and provide things for their comfort and hap- piness. And to those of you that are Wives! That holy book commands those women that have husbands, to love them, and be kind to them, and help them take care of their children, and keep them clean and wholesome, and teach them to love and obey the Great Spirit. You that are Little Children! The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches little children to obey their parents in all things. Therefore, I beseech you to be good children, obey your parents, and hearken to what old people say to you, that you may be wise and happy. Now I pray that the spirit of all love and peace may dwell in all your hearts, and make you love Jesus Christ and one another, and all men, and live in peace and quietness among yourselves; and that after death we may all meet together in that world of joy, where all those of every nation and color, that have obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ here on earth, will unite, and forever continue, together with holy angels, to sing prais- es to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, who make but i}ne God— Amen. ^ ^ ^ Lemuel Covell. Tuscarora Village, Oct. 29, 1803. On the Monday after the delivery of the foregoing Speech, I received the following Talk from the Sachems, in behalf, and in the presence of the nation ; which they requested me to present to the Shafisbury Association. Fathers and Brothers! ^ We are very happy to meet you here this day, and that vre are well and in health. As many of us as are her<;, LEMUEL CO VELL. Ill have met to let you know our minds, and what we have to say. I thank the good people, the ministers, that they have sent missionaries to visit our fire-place-to preach the gospel-the will of the Great Spirit, to us. Our whole nation thanks the ministers for their good will to our nation. ^ Wc hope that the Great Spirit may protect you safe on yourjourney home-that you may find all at y»ur fire- place well. We pray that the Great Spirit may prosper your labors. j r t- I say to the good people, that when they see our mis- takes or errors, that they will not think hard of us be- cause we meet with a great many difficulties in the way. We slowly go on to get acquainted about the Great Spir- it-for we think we are firm in taking hold of the gospel. We say now, all we Chiefs of our nation, we hope that the good people will not be discouraged about us because other nations of our color do not receive the gospel; for we are sure that we wish to be instructed We are Chiefs-we do all we can to persuade our young men and our children to be taught in the good way-that they may become acquainted with the gospel to the latest generation. s p i, Second Sachem,-! am very much pleased, and thank the ministers. I send my love to the ministers of the Shaftsbury Association, who sent you to us to preach the good word to us, which we have felt in our hearts • First Sachem-l send word to my nephew, George that he would not be uneasy about us- we have put off drinking spiritous liquor-we feel happy to live a sober lUe-I wish that he would keep from liquor, and not taste one drop, so that he may be sober. You may know by this, that I am glad always to see ministers, and hear their good words. Sacaresa, >« "efV plied with .heirreqoe? f^r hV^r f f""^ ■""' '»'»- aice with them, but was 111 ^ °^ ^""^"^ »'='J''«i'"- wi.h the Elder.' I dilnof 2 1 >' *''^'^''' '" '" """^ onn mention it. A, I wa '';^. ""'''!""»''. "or hear any if .here were any way bv U ."^, ""1 '^'"'"^''' I "-o't would call and sneTd ,h . ' '""''^ ^"'^ "><'" <>"'. I «nd them I coJno advise" t if "^"^ ""'""^ '» '0 enquire for, and oonseqen'tl had coir', ?"' """^ put up at Elder Wordea's About V "' ^° ='"' ;«™ry pensively wi,hi:-abf«tira"SlE,derw'- den's, whom should I meet hnf ihT " ^"■ ">i"Hng of. I did no. «oo.nizet, ' """" ' ^'^ "'^^ k»ew me, and seemed ver7 Id , ' "'"""'«■>«, but he if any of Elder WordenTmel"' 'T "'l' ' "'^"^ "^^ him if they did I would l^f '""^ "'" ^r' ">" - as not I bur'ther 7lZ "1 "^"" '" i"' ''^'"■ pleasing candor th». I,/. answered, with a fi-eif'a :'X:o^yZ:x:'i7^'' ''-^^^ his house, and if I would inrnT' . ^ J"" "^^'^^ fa- as he had, he Zt rideH.:"?""'"^ "' """ 'ain me. I turned h.,.h „ -.r ^ Pleasure to enter- ^ein. .he persori^ttdrj" Afte^ hThT' "' ''' m horse, he said he had occasTon ,„ ! , ^.'^ P"' ""' and would return soon Hi, „ /^ ^ * '""^ *^'«'^'' forgo..e„ her also. We soon feM ""''"""'''"" '""' afar a while I men.ioTed .„ her b""'-"'""^'"""'' '"«' invitalion I received l,.7 <='feums.ance of the he .0 see .he pe Jol'^ X^'^r'' 'T ^""' ' ^'">'"'' yo».hinkyoushourdVnow.he!'f r b m" """'° again? I answered T Z l , '^ " ^'"'"'^ «ee .hem innocea. raiid f "°.^' ' ''""'"• ^fter a ii.Ue herself weTe t 7^^ '^^Z'l Z Tl '" ""^"^"^ -" - very happy i„ .^ayT^X '^^^^r^ ^l^J 120 MEMOIR OF entertaining me. You may well think I was pleased, but I could not help feeling a little mortified. Mr. Brown (for that was his name,) soon returned, and to my joy and surprise, my old friend, Deacon Carpenter, withhim. After much agreeable conversation with the Deacon, I made known to him my wish respecting his sulkey.— ■ He very cheerfully consented to let me have it, and Mr. Brown agreed to go in the morning and fetch it for me. The distance was about four miles. Thus all my wishes unexpectedly met their objects. Tuesday, 2d, went with Deacon Carpenter to Elder Worden's. He was gone to the place where I was to preach. We went on and soon arrived there, as the dis- tance was only about a mile and a half. The meeting was to be at a Mr. Mason's, who was son-in-law to Deacon Carpenter. At a house just by, was a Hewly married young woman, who was just at the point of death. She was worn out with a lingering consumption. A little before her sickness confined her, the Lord had mercy on her through a precious Redeemer She was very happy in her mind through her whole sickness, and died in the triumphs of faith. When I called to see her, her strength and voice were so far exhausted, that it was with great difficulty she could articulate, so as to be understood, but among all the persons I ever visited or saw in the mo- ments of approaching dissolution, she was the most understandingly, the most fully, the most sweetly resign- ed. She said, if it was the Lord's will, she could live ever so long in her feeble, d-stressed situation, without a murmur, but yet she could not refrain Irom rejoicing in the prospect of soon leaving this world of sin, to be with her blessed Redeemer. O that the Lord would grant you, my dear daughter, to know the sweet influence of that religion which is able to support the soul in the strug- gles of dissolving nature ! May you, my dear, be ena- LEMUEL C'OVELL. 121 bled to choose that better part which wilJ «. steady and unshaken, through TttL ^ T"' ^"" and give you that c n/dence in fd/'''''*'"^'^ '^ ^''^^^ ihat when you are called r! f P'''^°"' ^^^^^^^ regions of the dark va el onh?\'V°"^^' ^'^ ^^^^^^^ -y say amid all itsl^r^^^^^^^^^ you for thou Shalt be with me thvrnH T u ^' "° ""'^' comfort me. ' ^^ '°^ ^"^ ^^Y staff they While I beheld this dear child of Pn^ u-a^- a solemn, but cheerful Tdieu to th fl '^''!"^ " ^°°^' and just as it were spread! ^ r le'^l^f • ""^'"'^ wing her flight frnm iK L celestial pinions, to almost wish myself i„ her place ^01,,' u"""'" of leaving behind a number of deaf hl^ "'""^''' M»y a gracious God grant mvde Hi''' " '"""''''" prepared through ricit ll'a sZ ei?; t^ rLThaf '^ awaus . em i„ .ime, and for a glo^l^L^ '1' Afte solemn prayer with this departing spirit iZLn aifectionale and affecting leave of her .ill ' u T, ° in a world of eternal reaWes I h^v k '^'i' "'" »i»oe, her faith did not Ir^le he in thl I'T f """"' red'str'wi'"^ ^'" -^ '-etr o7;" --™Xa.!SreCpr::.t:s:---' "Why do we mourn departing friends, Or shake at death's alarms? ;T is but the voice tliat Jesus sends lo call them to his arms." ' We went to Mr. Mason's, where Mr. Brown met me With the carriage in which T w^c t^ • . • my journev Thp nl ,7 ""^^ ^^^' remainder of yjournej 1 he people collected about half nast tPn -» «« >i,„ ,„, ii„, ■„, „: : • i' ,^." » s 122 MEMOIR OF covenant." The season was truly solemn and impres- sive. The case of the dear dying woman, was still in my view and I wish it might never be erased. In the afternoon I rode to Savoy, accompanied by Elder Worden and Deacon Brayton, where I preached again and went home with Deacon Ingram for lodgings. This evening I spent with great satisfaction in the Dea- con's family. He has several children grown to maturity, and two young people living with him besides. None of the young people, except one of his daughters, make any profession of religion, but they were all very civil. 1 made a long evening in conversing with the deacon, his wife and daughter who is a member of the church with them, and at the close was much delighted in hearing the young people of psalm tunes. They were all excel- lent singers. One of his sons has an excellent bass- )iol of his own making, and performs music on it ex- ceedingly well. Here again I must make some reflec- tions, "l could not refrain from thinking while I was here, how much more commendable a family of young persons appear, who have been trained up in the habits of sobriety, and who when they want a little recreation, can find full satisfaction in such amusements as are in no wise calculated to raise uncivil or licentious exercise or desires in the youthful mind, than those do who treat all seriousness with toial neglect, if not with contempt, and choose such recreations as are calculated to ensnare the mind, and often lead to licentiousness, and terminate in disgrace. And yet how strange! the latter generally think themselves much above the former, and often look upon them with contempt. Such are the mistakes of, 1 fear, many young people. Wednesday, 3. I took an early leave at Deacon In- gram's, and pursued my journey through the heat and dust, sometimes almost suflfocaied, but enjoyed a tolera- LEMUEL COVELL. 123 hie state of health. Nothing remarkable occurred for several days On the evening of Friday the 5th, I ar- rived at Mr. Grafton's, a Baptist minister at Newtown, about 8 miles from Boston, where I staid the ni-ht Mr Grafton was going a long journey, and very "earnestly requested me to preach for him on Lord's-day the 14th to which I consented, but with some reluctance. Saturday the 6. I rode to Boston, where I arrived about 2 clock m the afternoon. I put up at my worthy friend Doctor Baldwin's, where I was joyfully received aod treated with all the attention that politeness, and real christian friendship, could dictate. I spent the Afternoon with much satisfaction, and agreed to preach with his people the next day, and at Doctor Stillnian's meeting- house iQ the evening. But Oh how short sighted are poor mortals ! how readily elevated with ho^.es! and how suddenly cast down with fears! I went to bed with every pleasing anticipation that could animate a person in my situation. I rested pretty well the fore' part of the night, but as near as I could judge, about 3 clock in the morning, I was most violently seized with the chohc. You know I am subject to that complaint, but I never before had it with that degree of severity as now. I vvas in the most exquisite torture, in an upper room, and no mortal near me, that I could make known my distress to, or ask for any assistance. Racked with pain and my whole frame distorted with spasms, I for awhile gave up all hopes of ever beholding the face of a fellow creature again on this side eternity. Beincr among strangers, I was loth to interrupt the repose of the lamiiy. I continued in this distressed situation, till about day.break, or a little after, when the urgency of ray case removed all scruples from my mind, and I con- cluded to try to find some person, who might be a wit- ness to my dissolution, which I viewed io be just at baud 124 MEMOIR OF With all the strength I had, it cost me several desperate efforts to get down stairs, though the stair-case was not more than ten feet from my bed. I lay at the foot of the stairs for some minutes revolving in my mind what method to take, to acquaint the family with my situation. A stranger in the house, I knew not what apartment to resort to, where I might find any of them. The awful silence of night was not as yet broken, and all its hor- rors seemed now to present themselves to my imagina- tion. Think my child for a moment how your father must feel in such a situation. I never saw a time before, when I thought tears could have been of any use to me; but now, I thought if your dear mother could have been present to soothe me, and ray dear Deidamia and her sisters, to weep over me in the pangs of dissolving na- ture, which I conceived swiftly approaching, it wpuld greatly alleviate my distress. Here I felt, if I am not deceived, the unspeakable satisfaction of an interest in the Friend of the distressed. I most earnestly implored His assistance as I was brought exceeding low, nor did he seem to reject my feeble petition. After lying in this condition awhile, I concluded I would try to rouse the attention of the family. Hoping ihat by this time some of them were awake, I called aloud, but received no answer. A solemn silence reigned through eveiy part of the house. I then collected' all the resolution I was mas- ter of, to make what I concluded would be my last effori. With much difficulty, I raised myself from the floor, but could not straighten myself if I might have gained a king- dom. With my hands on my knees to support my •tor- lured body, bowed down with pain, I hobbled from room to room, called at every door, but no human being could I find, (I afterwards found that they all slept above stairs.) I recollected having observed a bed in the Dr.'s study, ;-|pR f#^^ LEMUEL COVELL. 125 and concluded it wag possible he might sleep there but how to get up stairs a^ain, this was the trying question I however with much ado, got to the foot of the stairs* and on my. hands and knees clambered to the head of rhem. I then in my stooping attitude, made my way to the door of the study^ and called to Doctor Baldwin who to my mexpressible joy, heaid and answered me. With much difficulty I returned to my bed, after an absence of perhaps haif an hour. My strength was completely ex- hausted, and from the efforts I had made, and the extreme pain I endured, I ^vas almost completely drenched in sweat. The good Doctor reached my bed almost as soon as I did myself. He showed the greatest concern for my situation, and proposed sending for a physician. I ob- jected to this fur the present, concluding my case would soon be determined one way or the other. The li^ht of day had now almost entirely chased away the shades of mght. Doctor B. hastened to bring me a large dose of castor oil, which I took immediately. He sat awhile bv me and with all the tenderness of a sympathizincr friend endeavored to soothe my distracted mind. O, I never can forget him. In about an hour my pain began gradually to abate. The oil began after awhile to operate as a cathartic. By 9 o'clock, I was in a great measure re- lieved from pain, though not wholly soj but O how weak' my appetite for food and everything else but cold water entirely gone. ' Here I must break off my narrative, for a moment, and make a few reflections. How just and holy are the ways of God, how wise are all his counsels, and I may add, how just was this dispensation towards me ! You know in some measure, my child, how highly I had calculated on this journey and visit. Without feelino- sufficiently sensible that all my dependence is on God"^ I had fondly anticipated nothing but happiness while at Boston. The evening before this sad morning, the Doc- ea,att bad some effect on me for ihe better. My ^' ^ -m 130 MEMOIR OP spirit, were sra,lunlly rising. In .he evening preacheJ S discourse from Gul. ii, 20: "And .he he »h,c.> t ; live in .he llo.h. I live by .l.e ■" ' "'J 'l, ^"^\ God who loved n.c and gave himself for me. lb, °a, .be li,.. a,tenM.. I h^a made ,o preach m Boston. 1 felt much faligued and retired early. Wednesday, 10. Arose .his morning .olerably refresh- ed w^alLd ; and .ouk .be morning air, conversed fee- y wi b Dr. Ualdwin and others. 1 began .o fee la ht o ITe like being sociable, bu. s.iU '-"^ "' J^^" . , ,' neli.e for food. I .ried to appear as cheerful as possible r ugh the day, but felt considerable P-- »; -;;;;^ .„ the while very weak. A^ventng went , Ute mee. Mr. B ooks of uL.on, and Mr. Collier of Char es.ow , and preached to a large audience, from Prov. vtu, 20, 21. Tfound when 1 came to speak that my s.reng.h was very much imp.^ired. After meeting, the above ment.on Z t s called and sat a few minutes w,.b me, and I Vr. „rcach at Charlestown the next evening. 1 :rve, u vcl' through .benight. At 2 o'clock next Iv I wen-, accompanied by Dr. Baldwin and d.ned tl I't Ors. llman. After dinner, and some very agree- lb conversation, returned to Dr. Baldw.n's and soon *to walked over to Charlestown with a brother AlcoU alter wa. ^ j ,1,^ remainder of the r: :nty itirntly. In .he evening Dr. Baldwin ^Brooks came over and we all went .o the mee '„. wh«e I preached with great freedom, from Isata ins. wncrc 11 cnpak no. Went - ., 'l felt really refreshed by speaking. Went f'"'" ,1. Mr Col ier and took lodgings. Bu. weatt- home ^-;"^ f ;^^f ;, „ i„ed unto me. I arose on rr-^"tS. hut Pco'rW, my old complain, seemed Irtu^y, l<:iii^^ ' ^ ^^, ^j,,, ^^ to view the rre;-. wt;'.he hrave Genera. Warren was MIM LEMUEL VOVSLL. J3, i» ballla at ihe beginning. „r ,!,„ Ia,e war. The siW.. of ihis conse.T„u.:ti:":::::":?s;<' "-f ^- Trr; ».rong beyondlo cen io A n'lT' ""*'' """ """'« of huge bar, of iron o .ed toJe Lr^in' T '""""''' manner. Tbe builditlg i, .b^ee t ' „ e ^ .^^f ^' .hc» caiculated fur on, so^e^^^tt d^u^Tr:: mor person,, bn, all of .betn sufnoie„,ly'„r„„; Xme al hope of an escape when once confined in .ben - After viewing ibis awful mansion of ibe sons of 27 pa..on, 1 ,00k an affec,io.,ate leave of Mr r„n ; remrned to Dr. Baldwin's wbere iLi ""'' ia— wi.b .be stan"d,:;tr.: 7.::'^ it .he object, and the encouraging prospect before „, The Commtttee passed several resolutions respecL ^l future opera.ions of the missionary business Ah , . o^o ock .bis afternoon, I .ook up myUTn^rodt o Col. Dana's, a. New.on. Here it seemed as if I had lit mo a new world. Away fro,„ .be noise and s iflit crowd of .be ci.y, in a pure aimospbere, wi.h goodanf wholesome water, I almost forgot that I'bad been fckl ' fouad a k.«d and most pleasant family, and made my 9* 132 MEMOIR OP „av here till Lord's-day, the U.h, when I went wuh he« to Mr. Grafoa's meetir.g-house, and preached two d courses from John vii, 17. Returned ana took tea .^^.1 nana and rode back to Boston and preached :" ', rJe °o:co„r?e of people, from 1 Samuel .ii. 24. 1 now fit my health so far restored that I could preac wilut beiJg very much fatigued ^ 's -entn ha „,ach freedom in preachtng, ^^^ '^^^^."JX^.^^," ,in.e After worship 1 returned to Dr. I^'lf'^'f ^ J"""- nr'«;.nto .n Mr. BoUes of Salem, and Mr. Brooks ^^led IdTacr a few rr.oments agreeable conversa.to, Ty all bade an affectionate adieu and rettred. Monday, 15, rose early and felt trruch refreshed- Spent th J greater part of the forenoon tn v.sittng a. sev- !ra Pla est especially at Mr. Alcotfs, who showed mc nanv tie s o chtistian respect and generost.y. Abou o^bck 1 wen. to Mr. Bingham's where I had engaged o d ne Mr. Einghanr* was not at home but Mrs. Btng- L 1 ad showed me ma.y tokens of polt.eness and re- !!, durin-v my slay in lo.vn. Hearing of ray illness, : ;r "o t °mrout, all came a considerable distance ou foot 'to s°ee ,ne several times, and showed the most friend- ! oUd ude for my recovery. After dinner, and som. ircab e conversation, she handed me a choice volume ff. mv'elf and the valuable present for you. I then took fo, <°1f'^^\ i 10 Mr. Alcotl's-took leave of rafd 'f:mily-re,urned to Dr. Baldwin's, and afte. turi ' into soitre mutual engagements respecting mis- ,iT,i,- we took a solemn and affeclionate leate raloS'urexpecting ever to meet again till w. torn IV Inow set out for Providence. I felt retir^lv.::;/ -on l^vlngBoston, a place wherein — — -~Z ; 7~Zi^\\ known ns author of the Ameriran * Mr. Calel) B'"?^'^' \' .^^^ ' i" , a d "^'^^^ years an extensive Pr^eoptor, Co!n:.a..anC).ator^^c a^^ ^^ Mr. Covell's house u l.ook-Beller m i>"^,^""- ,,"" "'"' Pittbtowa tUo >ear bcluft.. LEMUEL COVELL. 133 in a little time endured much pain and affliction, but had also enjoyed much satisfaction, and had received many tokens of christian love and generosity. A place where I left many dear, precious, and worthy brethren and friends. I spent the night with Mr. Grafton's family, at Newton. Tuesday, 16. Rode to Elder Reed's, in Attleborough, who received me joyfully. I tarried the night at his house. Wednesday, 17. Elder Reed accompanied metoProv- idence. We arrived there about 12 o'clock— went to a Presbyterian ordination, and heard a discourse on the occasion, from Dr. Elliot of Boston. Towards evening, Mr. Channing, a yout.g minister from Boston, preached a very good sermon at Mr. Wilsoi. meeting-house.— Here I mot with Elder Cornell and his wife' I had no doubt with mutual joy. Here I was introduced to Mr. Gano, Mr. Pittman, and Mr. Jones, ali Baptist ministers; and to Mr. Messcr, who is also a Baptist minister and President of the University. They all treated me with the utmost friendship and cordiality, and the people in general sliowed me many tokens of generous friendship. Mr. Brown, in particular, seemed to express all that hu- man language is capable of expressing, and to give his language emphasis— made me a present of ten dollars. 1 Ptaid almost a week in this place-preached seven times in town, and once at Pawfucket, about 4 miles distant.— My visit here was peculiarly agreeable, and I enjoyed great freedom in preaching. There is a very powerful work of grace going on here, and in many of the adja- cent towns and neighborhoods. It afforded me peculiar pleasure to see numbers of the dear youth setting out in early life to serve the Lord, with souls on fire with di^ vine love. Oh, Damia, shall I ever be so happy as to p^ee yoii and jour dear sisters, like these young people, If n ' ;; ^ i ■ ■ i i/|4#4r'4 134 MEMOIR OP forsaking the vanities of this deceitful world, and em- bracing that sweet religion, which alone can make you happy in time or eternity? On the naorning of Tuesday 23, having bid my friends an affectionate adieu, I set out for home. I arrived this evening at Elder Dodge's in Lebanon, Connecticut. I preached with his people, and tarried ^with him, till 1 o'clock P. M. of the next day. Here also is a precious work of the Lord among the people. From Lebanon I rode to Hartford, where I preached at Deacon Bolls', and took lodgings at Deacon Robins'. Thursday, 25. I rode through Suffield— called to see a number of your mother's relations, and put up at Mr. Hasting's in Westfield. Friday, 2G. Rode to Cheshire, and lodged at Mr. Bliss'. Saturday morning, I rose early, intending to ride home, but to my surprise and disappointment my horse was lame and could not travel. Necessity obliged me to stay with them over the Sabbath. I felt very uneasy, but was oblicred to submic to the will of Providence. We had a very comfortable meeting on Lord's-day, 28thj and I have reason to be thankful that the Lord made my poor efforts effectual in comforting his dear people in this place. Monday, 29. My horse was still lame, but not so much so as on Saturday. I took leave of my friends, and by riding part of the v/ay, and walking the other part, I arrived home, to my inexpressible joy, about 5 in the afternoon, and found your dear mother and children all well. Thus r have given you some account of a long, fa- ti.^uing, though very agreeable journey. And now, my dear child, 1 wish you to receive the instruction of a father, and while the perusal of my narrative may excite your filial sympathy, for a parent struggling thro' scene? LEMU EL COVELL. 135 of fatigue and sickness, let it be a lesson to teach you the uncertainty of all earthly felicity, and may you be so happy as to put your only trust in that Almighty Friend, who is the only support, and the only hope of your affectionate father. Lemuel Covell. Deidamia Covell, at Hoosic Falls. Important results arose from this detention, so unpleas- ant to Mr. Covell at the lime. The people at Cheshire felt that he had been sent to them by the providence of their Heavenly Father, that he was just the man they needed, and they must obtain him if possible. But he was bound in spirit as well as by appointment, to revisit the scenes of his former toils and hopes, and did not feel at liberty to enter into any other cnangement at that time. He however frankly told the committee that waited oa him, his situation ia Pittstown, and that he could not think of leaving his charge there, without fulfilling the compact he had entered into with them. Cheshire was a kind of " trosAeu" among the towns, and the people had become wealthy. On learning the terms upon which only Mr. Covell was to be obtained, they felt much the spirit of Jacob, when the seven years which he served for Rachel seemed but few days' unto him on account of the love ho bore her. So to rai?e the f$700, to effect Mr. Covell's liberation, seemed a light thing unto them if they might but secure him unto themselves. The mat- ter however was to sleep until after he should have ac- complished his mission to the west. He set out on his mission, towards the la?t of August, and returned in the early part of March following. Of the several letters he sent home during his absence, non« are now to be obtained. It is well recollected, however, that they were rich with report of his varied labors and success. Sonie of the immediate results of the mission are recorded in the minutes of the A.ssociatioa of the fol- ■#^-^J Vi^; m MEMOl R OP lowing June. One event, however, of no small impori- ance lo the parties concerned, will not he found on the pages of the minutes. On arriving at the ladian station, Mr. Covell found his red friends in much trouble and agitation. A woman was about to be executed, burned alive, as a witch. Some of the chiefs and head men were displeased with the sentence, and determined that it should not go into effect. They were on the verge of civil war, when Mr. Covell arrived. He met in council With them on the subject. He showed them the fallacy of believing in witchcrait, the absurdity of the idea that human beings held occult intercourse with the devil in person, so that by his i)ower they were able to foretell future events, to annoy their fellow creatures and do them harm. He made it apparent to them, that it was the Author of the Universe alone who governed it; and that he governed it by a system of love. That he had mani- fested that love in various ways, but in nothing so much as in the great plan of Redemption. That instead of taking vengeance upon us when we had rebelled against him— had become enemies to him by wicked works, and justly incurred his righteous displeasure,— he had given his only son to suffer in our stead, that we through his merits might be pardoned an:: restored lo the divine favor. And that if God had so loved us, we ought also to love one another. And as God for his son's sake had forgiv- en us our great trespasses, so ought we in like manner to forgive our fellow creatures their trespasses against us. Thlitwars nnd contentions and strifes were contrary to the mind of the Holy Spirit, and that if we would enjoy the smiles of our Heavenly Father, and rejoice the hearts of those that love him, we should listen to the Gospel of bis dear Son, and be kind one to another. The poor savages were melted by the exhibition ol unmerited kindness. The UOU'a n »"* /I LEMUEI, CO>VELL. 137 execuiion was abandoned, the poor prisoner set free, the hostile chiefs reconciled, and the whole community rejoiced. They thanked their dear father Covell, for the pyins he had taken to come and see them, and' for the good words he had spoken to them. They thanked the Great Spirit for putting it into the hearts of his white children, to remember iheir poor benighted red brethren. They hoped their fathers would not be discouraged with them, because some of them had done wrong, for it was still their desire to be led into all truth, and to walk in the good way.* He remained with them and his dear brother Holmes, if I remember right, about three weeks. They made hini several presents, as tokens of their gratitude and regard. The application from the church in Cheshire, was re- newed soon after his return, and eventually he bade fare- well to his beloved flock in Pittstown, and moved with his family to Cheshire, in April. He had sojourned in Piilstown something more than seven years, and through all his vicissitudes, had ever enjoyed the entire confi- dence of his church and people. There was one in- stance, and only one, that has ever come to the writer's knowledge, whei? a part of his congregation felt dissatis- fied. It was on account of a fourth of July oration. Politics as usual ran h'gh, and opposite parties were bit- teragainst each other. In that day they were designated by the terms "federal" and ''anti-federal." It was not in Mr. Covell's nature to be an inactive member of any thing. He espoused the anti-federal principles, and though he never descended to electioneering, he used, as occasion seemed to require, to express himself freely' oa •! wrote (his account as 1 received it, second or third handed but 1 have since been told, that the U. S. Agent for the Ind anJ was also there, and .hat to convince .hem of The fallacy of tl "ir I e- he , he took somo of .lie stuff they ,,retended the woman hud used to bewitch people, and nte it before their ej^es. m 138 MEMOIR OF the subject, and render a reason for the opinion that was in him. Of course his political sentiments were generally known. I will not aver exaclly as to the date but I believe in 1803, he was selected as orator of the day at the celebration of the national festival. Some expressions in the address, gave umbrage to those of the opposite sentiment. But the impression, except in a very few instances, was not lasting. The oration was published by request of the committee of arrange- ments, but it ha. probably long since been numbered among the things that are noi. Mr. Covell was decidedly the champion of the cause or education, and intellectual improvement. He ever ex- erted himself to obtain the best of teachers in his district school, frequently making great sacrifice to accomplish th^ object. By his exertions mostly, a town library was got up, and so long as he resided there, and performed the office of librarian, it was well sustained. In his church he had enjoyed union and peace. There was not at any period of his connection with them, what might, in the lan- guage ot the day, be called a " great reformation." But each year, as it passed, was marked with expressions of divine approbation. Their returns, as found on the minutes of the Association, show an annual increase of numbers by baptism. Their mutual accounts were now to be sealed up to the day of final adjudication ; and what- ever may have been faults on either side, if any there were, there is just ground to hope, that many of his flock in Piitstown, will ultimately be found as stars in the crown of his rejoicing. LEMUEL COVELL. 139 C PI AFTER VI. Pastoral enjoyments; Session nf iQnr i- . esting; Kxtracts IVornr minutes . %7T^^ '"•^'^■ mem to Canada; General mppnaT' ^ ''' ^^f'^'"^" and Poem, Sickness De^.T^^^A^^^ ingin many place? Funer''p"'''n" '"^ ^^°"''»- nh- \ L """'' '^'''^""y ^"J 'brotherly love subsisted betwepn hiir. o^.i u- • • ■J'^'jy luve, "n ihe ground '' ".'n.s.cring breihren ,hea ElclerEphrai,„ Sa^vyerhaJ .pc„> pan of ,he winter ?i'itota;:^'M:co"T.''""^'''''"^^^^^ .ndseuloddol / """'' P"'-'''''-'^e'i a farm :-.-,a„d„t:t:::„!7-:;rj;,;-r: rnme , ,vere not laid u,,o„ /./,„," fi.j, „„„ „,„j, [" ^°" ^ut rather helpmeets one to another. ^' Ttic Association convened in Troy that year Th. ess.nwas^cuHarlyi„..estin^^ 'inceo s"^ ""'^ --^brother, Deacon Seth Covell ^•nce or Saratoga, was there. His friend. VU .n , ;» Elder S.P, Gaao, of Prowfe^'f « '"e.e. and the latter moderato. of the sessio;. And to 140 MEMOIR P him who had watched over the interests of the church in that place, with paternal solicitude, it was no light matter of enjoyment to see how the pleasure of the Lord had prospered among them. When he first became acquainted with them in 1799, they were a small and feeble band, with only a private room tilted up to hold meetings in. But now, they were 76 in number, with a settled pastor. Elder Webb. They had completed a large and commodious house for public worship, and had a highly respectable congregation. Tliey who had so recently required aid, were now both able to provide for themselves, and to impart aid to others. Truly the ban- ner over ihem had been love. No wonder that m the overflowing of his heart he was ready both to give and receive the exhortation, " therefore be ye always abound- ing in the wjrkofthe Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Extracts from the minutes of the annual festival, will best show the doings of the interview and the interim. ■ 6. The following Report was received from the Mis- sionary Committee. "Your Commiltce, charged with missionary affairs, beg leave to report, that during the past year, we have received 172 dolls. 41 cis. which added to 40 dolls. 3i cts. the surplus remaining in 'he Treasury at our last meeting, amounts to 212 dolls. 44 J cts. That we have employed Elder Jonathan Finch three months, as a missionary, for which services we have paid him 50 dollars. That we have employed our brother Lemuel Covell, six months, as a missionary ; for which we have paid him 100 dollars. That 3 dolls, have been laid out for the printing of a number of copies of a ridu or Constitution of a Missionary Society-amount- ing, in ihe whole, to 153 dollars, leaving a surplus m the Treasuiy of 59 dolls. 44i cts. as appears per Treas- urer's Report. LEMDEL COVBLI,. 141 "That brother Finch has made a Report to this fnm mittee. of hi. travel, ,hro.,h a par. of the State of Vet t. o„r and tlje settlements in this State, on the west of Lake Chatnplain. That the said report of brother pLf has met our cordial approbation, and imp re e , ' 1 ' the .mportance of continuing missionaryTbo fn^T ..arts, tf practicable. That brother CoveUhTs "T report of his travels and labors throuo, tb. ' parts of this State, and in the Province VoUT'" .la, both among the white people and I„di:n^'^''TA,";''" r.'port has also met our approbtiion ,„ 1 r '""' the belief, that we have inereasinlen ~"''™' "" '" o.r utmost eifurt,, to s^^Z^^J^^^'Z" '" "'" Both the said nnssionary brethren Inve \T '""; "'"'• .0 -he Association, to wlich, a:; ^iT^l^Z' ooHa^ me°™?reX!::S IT '° "'""' "'' " a Plan of a Missionar " Soci ,' thaTlT" V '"" "P "P such a Plan and tb^tl , ^^^ """-e drawn pL have been ^rL^ted t whi:ht:j:;r t1 T' our present meeting, a Committee fromT; / " Association have attended with us ftr he "'"^^ uniting their efforts with ours in promo iU.h ^'"^°'' °' ry interests and that the twrComm|"-l° '"''''''"''" ally agreed to recommend to botH T, '•™'""- ^ .heir -engthinpursuingtatoye":rr;rer By order of Committee, Troy, June 3, 1806." ^™'"' '^'"'"■■■' ^"■''■ The foregoing report wasaccented ami ifco~- • brethret,. Finch and Covell called ,,n! ,'''''"'''' lexers alluded to, and to ' ve It T ^"''"^ "■« counts of the sta.; of .M„~:ryr;:X^^^ 142 MEMOIR OP which they did, greatly to the satisfaction of the Asso- ciation. Brother Finch presented two letters, from the churches at Plattsburgh and Peru — thanking the Associ- ation for sendinjj a missionary into those i)nrts, and re- questing the continuation of such favors. Brother Co- veil presented a letter from the church at Charlotteville. in Upper Canada, manifesting theii gratitude for past favors, and earnestly requesting like favors in future ; and especially, that a permanent missionary might be sent into that couniry. He also presented a letter from a church which was formed at Townsend, in the same country, while he was ihcre last fall— requesting admis- sion into the Association, and corroborating the request of the church at Charlotteville, respecting the continua- tion of missionary lobors in that country. The said church at Townsend was cordially and joyfully receiv- ed into the Association. Brother Covell also presented a written talk from the Tuscarora Indians, expressing their thanks for the notice we have taken of their nation, in sending our missiona- ries and our friendly talks to them from time to lime, and requesting us to enter into a covenant of friendship and brotherhood with them : this talk was accompanied by three strings of wampum, as a token of their friendship, and as a confirmation, on their part, of such a covenant. The interesting account brother Covell gave of the state of that nation, the contents of their friendly letter, and the emphalical token of their friendship, expressed by the strings of wampum, occasioned tears of joy and grati- tude—and at the same time the strongest emotions of pity towards our poor brethren in the desert. The wam- pum was presented by brother Covell, in the name of the Tuscarora nations of Indians, and received by the Moderator in behalf of the Shaftsbury Association, as the coafirmation of a lasting friendship. LEMUEL COVELL. 143 7 After hearingr the foregoinjr report, and the docu- ments accompanying it, together with the verbal accounts of our missionaries— «-^wuuis Resolved, unanimously, That this Association do cordially approve the doings of our Committee, and the labors of our brethren, Finch and Coveil, as reported and that we will do all in our power to proinote the good work which has hitherto been attended with so .reat a blessing; and, in order to carry this resolution into effect we do appoint Elders Blood, Hull, Webb, Peck, Ken' drick and Covell-and brethren Upham, Rouse, H^ndrix West, Choat and Rogers, our Missionary Committee fo^ the ensuing year. 8. Resolved, That suitable answers be sent, by our next missionaries, to the several letters received from different places ; and in particular, that brother Coveil prepare an answer to the talk from the Tuscaroras, and and present to-morrow for inspection. 9. Adjourned, to meet to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock Sermon this evenining by brother Gano, from Heb. xii,' 12. The letter to the Tuscarora Indians was read, ap- proved and ordered to be sent ihem by brother Coveil next fall. » 13. Resolved, That brother Coveil provide a staff* and bear it, with said letter, to the Tuscaroras, as a token of our friendship, and as a confirmation, on our part of the covenant of friendship and brotherhood confirmed'on their part by the strings of wampum. 16. Appointed brethren Webb, Blood and Coveil as s Committee to publish the whole of our correspondence with the Tuscarora nation of Indians, as soon as they *To which was afterward added, by Mr. Covell's sugg^io^ tobacco box and pipe, of silver. 144 « EMOI R OP shall ihink adviiable, after collecting the necessary ma terials. 17. Resolved, To request the Saratoga Association to appoint a Commitiee, to meet with ours at their next meeting, to direct in applying the money collected for missionary purposes. The Commiliee charged with Missionary Contribu- tions, avail themselves of this opportunity to inform our ministers, churches, brethren, and friends in general, that besides the money comprehended in the foregoing sched- ule, we arc authorized to set down 50 dollars ai^ a present from Elder Stephen Gano, of Providence, (R. 1.) to our fund. We hope it will not be taken amiss, if, while we acknowledge our grateful obligations to him for this noble act of generosity, we beseech all such as feel in- terested in the second petition of the Lord';} Prayer, to imitate this worthy example of Christian benevolence! We have appointed our next meeting of business, to be held at Cheshire, the day before the next meeting of the Association, at 1 o'clock, P. M. at the house of Capt. Jonathan Richardson. The correspondence, alluded to in Article 16, was never published, and, thus far, has the writer of this sought in vain for the documents brought forward at that session. They are gone with many other interesting papers once in Mr. Covell's kee-ung, but blessed be the Lord for his kindness in sparing to us so much. Mr, Covell :igain accepted the appointment of missionary for three T'lonths. It was th iught . expected by manv, that he would f^pend this first year of his new pastorate, ■with his own people ; but his heart was toward the hea- then of the wilderness, and the dear wailing churches so rficently planted in Canada. Closing paragraph of the corro.-ponding h tter, by El- der Kendrick. Might I would Sooma > w I'fiMUEL COVBLL. 1 his Ploasmff anniversary whini, „ , altenJed will, a sweet savor LI n ■ "''"' •"" ^"> >li0 8rc,u«,e„,bly above, wliere w. V"'"""" "'g""" meet you all i„ person. 'Til H „ ''°'" "« '™S 'o f.e..er. and M,3,e„ger, as .okenro/rove!"" "''"' '"" rears .hat he declined si^^iL ,, , '° """^ '"""^i'- .l.e Minutes, « ,est,» sal F I " L """^ "' ""•' <='"»« of •0 f »)c ...ere is bul cnTl'a^ ,t C" '■■: '"■'"''' "^S'" perform the duty." ^ Association that can In preparing^ the Minnm^ i our last, our a^ed ,v^ ';;,m, ?'%'? ''• «• " -»« '-laborer in .h; Gospe^E e CUfc R "'"" "'' <■•"- cock, has been called from h!. fin. ,°""'' o*^ «"«- Jaly he came out to Trov n! ,^ ^^^^ "" "''"'<"» "f w"h ;„; 148 MEMOIR OP ready saddled and equipped for him to depart after the expected call. The morning worship in which aJl united, as may well be supposed, was touched with unusual solemnity and fervor. After prayers they all rose to their feet, and standing sang the " garden hymn." While the last stanza* was sounding, the dear brother of their hearts and hopes and prayers, took every indi- vidual by the hand with a look that reflected the inward radiance from the excellent glory. With the closing of the strain, they went silently out and departed. We might have known it was the last meeting, the last part- ing; such seasons come not twice. Nothing remained but to give his trembling family the parting kiss, the last adieujt and go. About six weeks after his departure, his family received the following letter : To Mis. Clarissa Covell, Cheshire, Berkshire Co. Mass. Tuscarora Village, 27ih Sept. 1806. My dearly beloved Wife and children : I now, for the first time, sit down to write you, and inform you of my safe arrival in this place, and present comfortable state of health. ' I arrived here, last Lord's day morning— found Mr. and Mrs. Holmes in comfortable health, and the red people all well. I heard Mr. Holmes preach to them io the forenoon, and in the afternoon delivered them a short discourse myself. The saohetns and their people re- ceived me with tokens of joy and satisfaction. I inform- ed them, after public worship, that I had a talk and pres- ent for them from our Association, and should be glad to know when it would be agreeable to them to meet in ■ - - - - - • - — **'Now here's iny heart and hero's uiy hand, To meet you in iliat heavenly laud, Where we shall pa.* no more." t«' Dear parent, was it such ? it was, where thou art gone, 4.i:„..« ,,,■,,} rarnur.tlla arp it Rniiiid uDknown."_/7m/)'M„ .1 • r ».d the council fire was cover^ed^ fi.; I'yi'::;, ""'"'"■ The occurrences of my journey have no, been mate.i- lly different from those of former journeys, only thaT I hav^e^ performed this much quicker tl J ;ithe[ I'^Ll 1 called at Worcester, and made your sisters, Tirzah an Polly, a visit, preached there "the firs. Lrd's day IT I f T- ^''^^ ^^'« '» '"l^-ble health bu^ ■hey had heard, though not so directly as to be denended on, that their brother Thomas Mather is deeeas'ed 1 have not heard it confirmed, but I fear it is true fo it has „t" ',? ""^'^*" ">e region where he live the yea past. I have enjoyed attd still enjoy an unusuali: I " 150 MEMOIR OP State of health for me, and feel no apprehensions on ac^ count of my health, though thousands should die around me. I have the promise of God, that I shall live as long as he has any work for me to do, and I have no desire to live a moment longer. I have always found and still find, the climate of this country very congenial to my health, and this circumstance at times, speaks in my ears louder than thunder— doubtless you understand my meaning— and I pray God, I may understand and not resist the meaning of his providence ! I have not yet been across the river into Upper Canada, but have seen some of the people from that side. Un- derstand my friends in general are all well in those parts. I expect, if the Lord will, to cross the river next Wednes- day, and make my way to Long Poit.t. I expect the company of Elder Holmes till I reach the Grand River, and that of Elder Irish through the journey. 1 shall re- turn here, perhaps, by the middle ot October— shall write you again soon after my return to this place. I entertain hopes you will have written mo before you receive this, but if you have not it will be needless for you to write afterwards, as there will be the utmost un- certainty whether I receive it. No occurrence has yet raised a doubt of my being able to return at the time appointed. I have left several appointments, as I came along, tor preaching on my return, in order to lay myself under a necessity not to stay too long here; for I confess, that unless something much stronger than my inclinations should impel me to it, I never should leave this coun- try till the imperious summons should call me away from these mortal shores to that bright world from which, blessed be God, there is no return." * ♦ ♦ . * * "Mrs. Holmes sends her love to ybu all, and her best wishes for your welfare. Give my love to all our breth- *****-*r^'^**«4Ast ^-EMUEL COVELL. 151 very dear fnend a„?:::;r ''""''• ^''' ''' ''''■ of r/mlwlLr °"' ^ "^ J™"^^> ^^ ' --ecu. -. Wi,r'al.tr;:::jfr' ---o. was landed hear, refreshed ^nJlytllZTL"''^ '■^" "^ communicate at ihis ,1,1 r, u^ ""' ^'"" ' have to .;>e ^eanfelt p.ea's'^e T^^^^r^'' '"°»" ^ "he tardiness of i|,e wh^plc r "^"^ " '° ^^K. 'f was matter of jo to o, ,h '"v '''''"'' ^"^ ""'"k mail stage, were eouallv T"""*^'' "' "'"'^ "^ '^e hours more had IpsedLf "'^ '^°'' '^ '"™'^''™' deprived me oft ^t,^ r:,;:,r7'./'-uId have long and fatiguing iournev t r n ""^'"'^ '"' "y ^h-e^,ed peculiar satisfaction in rSr::!l.r-r But I must proceed T arvir,^ i • , . , ■he mornin,of Ws da ."nt 7' !,'"''^^"'» worthy friends, Mr and mU H i ■^''"'"' '"" ^^^ i.ea..h, and in as eood's .i.tr as""*;!:! T^""""' stances will possibly adrnit I ,M 7 , "' '"■'=""»- Mrs. Holmes is not wJl ""' ''°"'*''"' "'"''«« tensions of what ma! ,'1 T""' ■ ""''""'■""'""« "PP"" had a trying so nTU P'^«« ■» ["t«re. They har. supported hirher Ho ' •'? ^'' ''**'' '''^'»«'r p-ise, Lo \v: w- r /rat?': Teix'r ^''"'• - of Chris, hut realize L ,Cu. lit 'ri ":!!; 152 MEMOIR OF f-j^ conscious he is in his blessed Master's work, and it is enough. Tiiat our worthy Elder Holmes enjoys that pleasure in the midst of his trials, is beyond a doubt in my mind." These trials arose mainly from circumstan- ces connected with an attempt to supplant Mr. Holmes, and secure the ground under a different influence. They are detailed in the letter before us, but as they do not properly come within the scope of this work, they are omitted. About the same time, and probably while there at the " loved village," he wrote the following lines. They ap- peared after his decease, in the Magazine published at Cazenovia, by the Rev. John Peck, the present distin- guished Agent of ihn New-York State Baptist Conven- tion, &c. The Publisher gave them the name of the "ASPIRATION." " One happy evening calm and bright The world stood silent by, My muse arose and took her flight To reach the lofty sky. My soul on airy pinions flew, And joyful clapt her wings, And soared aloft to take a view Of sweet, celestial things. Thro' climes and worlds before unknown, She reached the happy plains. Where on a high, majestic throne, My smiling Jesus reigns. There the eternal Father sits ; And there the sacred Dove ; All meaner joy my soul forgets, To take her fill of love. There hymning seraphs chant their songs, With ever new delight. There I beheld angelic throngs, In robes divinely bright. -"*'—*«•'«»«•»»*&**», 'TprfTWiw" """♦A' LEMUEL COVELL. Who once were here beJow, ' Complaining: pilgrims like to me. Now /reed irom all their woe Their harps can never be unstruntr So near the Great Supremer""^' I listened to the notes they sun- And Jesus was their thetne. *" They at the fountain head ol bliss Drink ever fresh supplies: ' fc^!'/°^",r"P'''^ed with this, 1 hats found beneath the skies. Why must I grovel here below, Where sin and sorrow meet And scarce a drop of comfort know While theirs is bliss complete. ' Yet happy souls, T would not ask 10 take your seats above- lam unequal to your task' Ol service, praise and love. Beneath your feet some humble olacP Will set my heart at rest : ^^'^' Only the nearer Jesus' face, 1 ne more divinely blest. An A" *^'P^"^.^'^^ °n his smiles. And centered in liis love- Not earth nor hell with all their wiles bhall e'er my soul remove. I'll wait my heavenly Father's will And stay till He si Jl pleasJ; ^ My warmest wishes to fulfil And grant a sweet release. ' 153 1» 154 M E M I R F Then I'll recline my weary head, And bid ihe world adieu ; And leave my flesh ainonj; the dead, To love and sing with you." * And soon, probably much sooner than he expected, his heavenly Father did please,—" his warmest wishes to fulfil, and grant a sweet release." He Crossed over to the Canada side, as he had contemplated, and proceeded about forty miles to the town of Clinton, county of Lin- coln, and put up at the house of a Baptist brother and friend, Mr. Beam. Whether Mr. Holmes and Mr. Irish were in company with him at this time, is not known to the writer ; but it appears from subsequent information that Mr. Irish proceeded onward, and was unaware that his brother Covell was sick or at least dangerously so at the time. He was attacked by the typhus fever— was sick about a fontnight, and partially recovered,— the fever returned upon him, and in a very few days laid his poor weary, way-worn body to rest in the bosom of ils parent earth. " But O tho soul that never dies, When once if leaves tht3 clay ; Ye thoughts pursue it where it flics, And track its wondrous way." During the first stage of his sickness, he spake often of his family, as though it would have been a satisfac- tion to be with them while he was sick. Not, however, that he lacked for suitable attention. The good people, in whose house he wap, felt that it was a great privilege to have him with them ; and they ministered unto him with all the kindness and care in their power, and pro- cured the best medical advice to be obtained in that region. After the relapse of the fever, it was evident that he could not survive. Saying nothing himself about his family, he was asked if he had any anxiety respect- ing them? he replied,—" Not any, I have given them up 'T»5»'T' ■•;- •*«^fe LEMUEL COVELI, . 155 ;letl, his ishes 10 over to •oceeded of Lin- ther a»d ir. Irish nown to jrmation vare that isly so at ^er — was 'ed, — the 3 laid his )m of its ake often satisfac- however, d people, privilege unto him and pro- 1 in that 5 evident self about \f respect- I them up .0 lie Lord." Hi, s.renglh soon failod, so & he could not speak above a whi.per. The last words that could Dr WauT-- '" ^"""""'■' '^"■^ =""«' ^'""^as fr<"u " '"'■' lil" '« n iliTnin, an empty show, But lh m h,s more immediate presence, not indeed in an earth iV a ctuary but ,n ihe heaven of heavens, the holy of ty like thi ? that men were wise, that they would consider their latter end." Elder Insh thus speaks of this mournful event, in a setts Baptist Missionary Magazine : "At a meeting i„ Ch.rlotteville, I heard that my dear brother Covell was dan.orously ill: , therefore concluded .0 leave them, and go and see him and then return agat The attention appeared so great in many places Iha I coa,d„o.thi„,,U,my,,,leavethemfi„all atthep s t Aecord,n»ly, on Wednesday, I set out, accompanied Irom the place where brother Covell was sick. We rod. I 156 MEMOIR OP until we came within 20 miles of the place, when we heard he was dead and buried! Oh, how my poor heart fell! I was left among strangers, ahuoit 300 miles from home, and one of the most dear and intimate friends I ever had, taken away in such an unexpected time. But the Judge of all the earth has done, and will do right. Brother Covell had done his work, and went off in the triumphs of faith. We came to the place next morning, and found Elder Holmes engaged in preaching his funeral sermon; and a solemn time it was. After sermon we attended to settling brother Covell' ; business, and the next day set out on our return to Towns^nd, where we arrived the day following, and found the church met to- gether; and when we informed them of brother Covell's death, the whole assembly seemed most deeply affected. It appears that this church was mostly the ^fruit of his labors in his former visits. Wnen he was with them the last year, he assisted in their constitution. I think I can truly say that there never has been any preacher in these parts more highly and More universally esteemed than he was; and a greater and more universal lamenta- tion I never heard in any 'lace Tor any man, than in Upper Canada for him. Bni alas! he is gone. May God grant that, like Samson, he may slay more at his death than he has in all his life. Some of the church in Townsend in their lamentation would break their silence and cry out, "O my father in the gospel!" O, that blessed minister of Christ, who was used as God's in- strument to open my eyes— shall I never see him again in this world." We then joined and sang the third hymn of the secona book of Dr. Watts, and concluded the opportunity in prayer to Almighty God, that he would sanctify this dispensation to the good of many precious souls. Respectfully your brother, David Irish. LtMUEL CO VBLL. 157 To complele-our history, wc must return to Cheshire About ,h,oc weeks before Mr. Covell was expected to return, hts laraily were agreeably surprised one morning by tbeentrancoof their dear and I„„s „iej Wend, Daoa Rouse, aecompanted by ono of .he neighbor,. All snrantr wth gladness to u,eet the holy ™a„, but be c u "" < meet them ,v,th answering joy. After exchanging some few words of enquiry about health, the good old mTn sat down ercome with emotion. Mrs! Cov wa" s rcely less ,g„a.ed. After an embarrassing pause The eldes daughter, .nquircl if Deacon Rouse had rec ved ■iny late news from her father? "My child said h^ mr father U p,al, without the help of ( 'ay I II lend him my poc, mortal tongue, to-day Then hark ! and hear what Covell has to say : " My Avife ! ihe partner of my former bed Our conjugal enjoyments now are dead ' We bound ourselves for life, but life is gone- Those who had wives, are now as though they'd none Fleshy connections never can abide, Within these mansions where I now reside • Yet friendship dear, and fellowship divine ' Are heavenly things, whirh never can decline " Clarissa ! weep not for me; 'tis vain • My face you never will behold again. ' A widow's hardships you must belir awhile • Exposed to injury, distress, and toil. ' Always remember what the Lord hath said •I'll be the widow's God, the orphan's aid :' ' Trust in his word; iio never spake in vain- He'll guide and guard you through this world of pain • Then m full glory you shall live anH .«;„. "* i ^in , iilJ •' ,; 160 MEMOIR OT « My first born, Deidamia! hear your father's voice! In youthful days, O make ihe Lord your choice. All things beneath the burning sun are vain, But Christ is life, and heaven is boundless gain. Repent of sin, believe in gospel grace. Then, when you die, you'll see your father's face. " Sally ! my lovely Sally, you must die ; , Let youthful charms give way to piety. Though I am dead, like Abel now I speak: O tall, like Mary, at your Savior's feet. For sinners, Jesus bore exquisite pain; Let not his blood be spilt for you in vain. " Cordelia! know thy father loves thee still: Though, cheerfully resigned to the Almighty's will, My station now forbids all earthly care, To feed your body, or your dress repair; Yet one grave warning I am sent to give : Look at your Savior, and your soul shall live. "Julia! my youngest daughter, charming child, Be not by wicked customs e'er beguiled. The virtuous pattern ; let the virtuous throng, Govern your passions, and command your tongue. Regard your mother, still her counsels hear, Keep from her eyes the parent's painful tear. "Alanson! my son, ray lovely, only son! Farewell, my bjibe; thy father's glass is run. Whose hand may guide you, what your lot may be, Is ciily known by the great Deity. Know, then, thy father's God, my son, in youth; Receive the Savior; trust the word of truth. Out of the mouth of babes, God can ordain Surprising strength, to stop the mouths of men. "Brethren and neighbors, when I left the town, I little thought I never should return ; But He, who governs all things, did ordain, That you and i should never meet again, LEMUEL COVELL. 161 Now Lelan'a i^Hu:^^. t^"""'^ '-^- = Brethren ! the Drearhn. ^ "*^*-"fs his own : And the cold ..rounrt h7 7 '""^^ ''"^ fleS. Zion, whosere/ L ; 'nr;"'"': ^'™ "° ^ The sadness ot yo^ ZZ' IT '', ''"• And say, our friend and pastor. ealNH Bui let not funeral tea s n on , f ""''■'>'• Mourn for your sin- V 7 . ''" ''""^' To send this t„.e::f:!;'t;:;:rr:r^''^-""^«^^ Tl.ot,.h prophets dird!," 'T" '°^'-^- He will preserve thelTl , ' ''"'" '" ''"^'. SoTeral cbituaiT notT '" '"■"' '™^'-" k« .ae nru-cle „ I' "„ ;".- P^-'i-^'-d at the ,i„„. clopedia" is a very Cd 11 ''■' "^'"sion, E„ !.' -^^« is presented ; , aueCT "' f'™' »"• The words descriptive of his p.ton t / ,' "f ' '^"'' » '"^^ elow the common stature IXf'^T ">= ^^^« rather l.e became very thin and 2e IT '",°^""""^' "-"S'' '"S great expansion of intec' r - ""' '"'"" '"'^-ot- d«k blue eye; of deep r, d 1,^?'"'^?°" ''''*. "nd '«hcr strongly marbd^„d fac, i""', '"^'' ' ^^'-""<^s He ever exhibited grea nea „e ^r ''" '" """' ^^""«- "O'ce was clear and ntnieul! , "'' »''''•■ "His -Basing, his doer „e" tl ior, '"f"" "'""'^ »" P'^aehing of the most o ,d and . ' '° "''•^'' ""'' '"' ^^'hc religion he p ot ted M?"'?™' ''""• «= Known, nn- h- ui - ^^^^"j and AviiPiovrr h^ - "".highlv and universally esieeraed" "' MEMOm OF Time would fail to enumerate the lamentations, tBe mourning., exci.ed by .his unlocked for this dark my. terious, humbling Providence. Suffice " to say they were co-extensive with his acquamtanoe. But the esti ra on in which he was held, was not r<^^»f'f}'J erf alone. For his sake many, ve,y many, de .gh.ed to Sow kindness to his mourning widow and iatherless chUdren. The dear people in Cheshire, came m w A "h r rcewiU offerings, making ample provismns for the l^oLingwinter B,..L^n.U^^^^^^^^^^^ rSThHrtrairidt:!.^ too cal^vilb testimonials of love to 'h^ '""f »°* "" rmr« ^vith the o..er members of the church and so- »tLrt::sl..ng inhabitants of their land. Brother Webb III sented a written Talk fmr. .1,= t P"^^" which they express thfrht ,"""' ^''^'"""' '" but the Otseffo Assorin L t ■■ ^^"^ associated Shaftsburv year organized a board of miLioZlLj^ "'^ L^^«' ^his same I-wtoa's Hi.ory of the NerSritX Sp^t toll^t^^' 168 MEMOIR OP They wish to continue receiving missionaries from us, and that the chain of friendship may be kept bright. — Brother Irish presented letters from the churches in Townsend and Charlolteville, importing their steadfast- ness in the truth, and expressing their thanks to the Association for their epistles of love, and missionary services to them; requesting that they maybe continued. He also gave a particular verbal account of the last in- defatigable labors of brother Covell, and of his triumph- ant death, through an unshaken failh in his Divine Re- deemer. 7. After hearing the Committee's report, together with the documents and verbal accounts accompanying it, Eesolved, unanimously^ That this Association do cor- dially approve of the doings of the said Committee, and the services of brother Finch, as reported: — That we think it our duty to continue our exertions in sending missionaries into destitute places; and in order for this, we appoint brethren Blood, Hull, Webb, Peck, Glass, Kendrick, Upham, Rouse, Hendrix, West, Himes, and Hinmau, our Missionary Committee for the ensuing year. 11. Appointed brethren Webb, Hull, Peck and Ken- drick, our Committee, to wait on brother Holmes, agree- able to his request ; to consult with him on measures for the continuance of his mission among the Indians; and whatever may relate to the good af Zion: and that they prepare and send, in behalf of the Association, a Cor- responding Letter to the Tuscarora Nation of Indians, in answer to their written Talk to us. 18. Appointed brother Kendrick to answer the letters to the Association, from the churches of Townsend, Charlolteville, Plattsburgh and Peru. 19. Ordered, that a Dirge, composed by a young lady,* * I have learned that this young lady was a sister in the Ste- pheutowa church, but have hever been able to learn her name. LEMUEL COVELL. 169 on the death of brother Cnvnii k utes. "^'"^ ^' P''°^e^ with our Min- Coveir. widow 'and chUdl , '/..TJ" °"'""'" like precious oi„.„,en. poured f^rth. "'' ^'"^ Tl,e Committee charged with missionary affair, .nl. Ibis opporluh tv to 's, lake have appointed' brethn tlGl^r^.V'^' '"^^ Committee to the Saratoga AsfodaLnto'''""''"' " coalition with ih^m ■„ „ association, to propose a -.ngmisiii?, rirpitri?"' "'''-' "' brother Kendrick a committ e o makT.h- ' "'"'""'' .0 .Oe Vermont Association!' wXf: tZZZi: and place witf^h J'" ""' """' "' "'^ ''»"« "»« ■ate 'w opp „„ /™:t""^ ^r™"-'- --J -l-r brethren ;„ ,7 "" '^ '""sl earnestly to entreat their benevolence, „.a D. B^StL^u^ h^i^r^'^US^V^^eSl: 170 MEMOIR OP » subscription, and so to form a district in each of their congregations or pu ishes, and each district, (should it contain only ten subscribeis, one dollar each,) is request- ed to send a trustee to mtet at the time and place nbove alluded to. ELEGY, ON THE DEATH OF BROTHER LEMUEL COVELL. Hail, sacred Muse! inspire a female pen With flowing numbers, and a lofty strain, To sing 0*" CuvLLi. .s late, untimely fall; A shining light, remov'd from Zion's wall, And sunk in night: darkness involves the poles, And a broad gloom o'erwhelms our weeping souls : Scarce can we hope an equal orb will rise, Since his bright soul has pass'd the lower skies: Zion stands trembling; all her pillars mourn; Her richest dust lies hid in Covell's urn. Let gloomy cypress weave a mournful.shade, And bending willows hang their drooping heads Around the spot where his deai uody lies, In distant lands, beneath inclement skies. No warlike au3, nor deeds of martial ... ne— Of sanguinary heroes, tain his name: Not all the honors of a uuted field Could add " charm, or one new lustre yield To CovEL' worth Religion';i vot'rv shines In diff'rent wreaths, wrought out by ski" divine. Meek, mild, intelligent, and full of lot'e— His office ^ucred, giv u him from above. Nature and grace their richs^t gifts be tow'd, To adorn tb-- ma a, and form tb.; caint J God: HescL 'd'^ ign'd, by thp Alm.^hty h nd, To SOI I t gospel tram] t through tv e laud. His deep disct rnment, anu is ready wit, And native eloquence, pronouace him fit "■E*' EI, OOVSLL. To spread the tidiu, .f ,alva,io„ round, H,s worth well known, hi, brethren send him forth To pteach the gospel i„ the distant north, n seem'd God erown'd l„s labors with succes. To si^ead the gospel in the wilderness: ' L.ke Paul he planted churches, and ordain'd Elders who .nighuhe truth maintain: To feed te flock, and daily bring to view, Fr^. God>s great treasure-house, things/old and new His great success charm'd all his brethren so Agatn he's calPd-again submits to go, ' ^here superstition rear'd its horrid head And Ignorance n 1 witchcraft terrors spr'ead- Sed.t,ous murm . .js thtough the village ra„- Inferna rage and malice led the van > Tl> unburyM hatchet, and the bloody knife Proclatm the onset of approaching strife ' CovEi,,, arrives !-but not with sounding car Nor legtons, train'd in all the arts of war ' Waumg .be dread command to strike th; blow ro lay usurping chiefs and warriors low ' A one „„arn,>d, this heav'nly champion stood, Una vM by savages, who thirst for blood • leekness and love adorn'd his steadv brow Wn,k truth encircled, like the radiant bow' Persuas.ve eloquence, like summer showers', 1 anght them, tu ove to God, and love to man Were sacred vir,: .s, and surpassing far ' The honors :,ain'd b, fierce, unnai'^l war. Heav>„le„.i,s. j,,assi„amcr,alhand P »-. restore, and order, ,l,..gh the land: Sub,n,ss.ve war .,s, bendi-.- -don crave ni ^^^IHl 172 MEMOIR OP To prove they were sincere, the triple wampum gave, (Emblem of peace) by Covkll's hand tliey send, Who gladly bears il to his anxious friends. His friends receive with joy ihe peaceful sign ; Enraptur'd hearts in solemn praises join T' adore the pow'r, and bless the hand divine Thai could perform such wonders; could control The fiercest passions of the savage soul. Sure infidels must stand amaz'd, and own The gospel has a pow'r to ihem unknown : Own 'twas its gentle influence that subdu'd The untam'd savage, and the native rude. Again commission'd, on his friends' behalf, CovKLL provides, and bears th' appointed staff To the first sachem— and the box, that shows The circle of God's love, that does enclose The human heart— with silver pipe is sent To the chief warrior; but, with wise intent To have the tube inserted, by his hands : The emphatic sign with ease he understands. A token to confirm their wish, to join In lasting friendship ; shew their whole design Was pure benevolence to all the race, Though darker hues spread o'er the Indian face : Sweet charity embraces all mankind. Her ardent zeal flows free, and unconfin'd. But, ah ! his race of glory now is run ; His labor's finish'd, all his work is done; A few revolving weeks, with grief we find. Ends his career, and closes his design — Death shuts the scene! Hark ! from the wilderness, of late, we hear — The piercing sound salutes the lisl'ning ear : CovELL is dead !— the weeping churches cry : CovELL is dead I— the echoing hills reply. '''WI^]^. ^ ]^^^-?fW^^^f it^f- LEMUEL C07ELL. ITS Well may the church appear in sackcloth dress'd, To mourn the man, the Christian, and tho priest. Cheshire, the seat of Covell'^ late abode, Feel most severely the chastising rod, Their ardent wishes were fulfill'd awhile ; They shar'd his labors, and enjoy'd his smile. Alas ! too soon iheir pleasing prospects end ; In vain they mourn their dear departed friend: No pray'rs can alter or reverse the doom That call'd the righteous from the ills to come. But who can paint the anguish, speak the pain Of his lov'd partner, and her orphan train ! Uepriv'd, at once, of husband, father, friend ; One fatal stroke their earthly comforts end : The heaving bosom, and the streaming tear. Best speak their grief— their heavy woes declare. Must they be left, in solitude to pine? Or. will united brethren nobly join "T' assuage the ihrobbings of the fester'd part, "And stanch the bleedings of the broken heart ?" Surely the widow's judge will deign to bless Each act of kindness to the fatherless; Will render double for such favors shown, To soothe the widow's and the orphan's groan. Here stop my fancy, and reverse the theme: Though he deserv'd our love, and high esteem. Yet let us not contemplate Zion's fall, Though a wide breach is made within her wall: Jesus still lives 1 the rock of ages proves— A firm foundation that can never movej Built on this roclc, the church must ever stand, Though tempest sweep, and thunder shake the land !" A letter from Elder, now Dr. N. Kendrick, who went on the same mission tour in 1808, informed us that the -% 174 M E M I R P church in Clinton, where Mr. Covell died, had enclosed his grave with a decent fence, and had erected a perpet- uating monument at their own expence. He also sent us a copy of the inscription, but the letter not having been in my possession for several years, I am unable to present an accurate copy here. closed perpet- sent having ible to