THE
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS
OF
ELDER CHARLES BOWLES,
OF THE FREE WILL BAPTIST DENOMINATION,
BY ELD. JOHN W. LEWIS.
TOGETHER WITH
A* ESSAY OK THE CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE AFRICAN 7.ACE
BY THE SAME.
—ALSO,—
AN ESSAY ON THE FUGITIVE LAW
OF THE U. S. CONGRESS OF 1850,
BY REV. ARTHUR DEARING.
WATERTOWN:
INGALLS & STOWELL'S STEAM PRESS.
1852.
§SSM®8.
3ii offering this work to the public, it is not claimed
that all the dates are correct, or that there may not be
some inaccuracies in some of the circumstances related;
it would be beyond the expectation of the writer that it
should be otherwise. The journal of Elder Bowles was
quite limited, and the writer had no personal acquaint¬
ance with him as the subject of this work, so that much
of the information, concerning his early and latter his¬
tory, has been obtained by the writer, from those who*
were acquainted with him; and from Church and Quarter¬
ly Meeting Records. But we can assure our readers,,
that the most untiring efforts have been made to obtain
as much information, and to be as accurate as possible.-
And we are confident in saying, that the Work as a whole,
is correct, and may be relied upon, as a fair and impar¬
tial History of our beloved Brother Bowles.
CHAPTER I.
His Origin—Early Life—Enters the Army—Close of the War—His
Conversion—Joins the C. Baptist Church—Whitfield's Labors—
Withdraws from the C. Baptists and joins the F. W. Baptists.
Elder Charles Bowles, the subject of this Memoir,
was born in the city of Boston, A. D. 1701. IL's father
was an African, in the humble capacity of a servant.—
His mother was a daughter of the celebrated Col. Morgan,
who was distinguished as an Officer in the Rifle Corps
of the American army, during the Revolutionary struggle
for Independence.
His infancy was spent with his father; but while in
his childhood, he was placed under the care of Mr. Jones,
of Lunenburgh, Mass. At the early age of twelve, Mr;
Jones died, and ho was placed in the family of a Toiy.
But it appears that his young heart, did not readily im¬
bibe the sentiments of " the divine right of kings,'' nei¬
ther did he altogether fancy his new situation ; for at the
tender age of fourteen, we find him serving in the Colo-1
nial army, in the capacity of waiter to an officer.
He remained in this situation for two years, and then
enlisted, a mere boy, in the American army, to risk his
life in defence of the holy cause of liberty. He must
have learned here, to meet danger with courage and res¬
olution ; this was a portion of his life that called into
yigorous exercise that courage and perseverance, for which
he was ever after characterized. We know: very little of
of his military life, save that he served through the en->
tire war. "Wo may well suppose that he saw g)me hard
6
LIFE, LABORS AND TRAVELS,
service—had many narrow escapes—often moved on to
battle amid the roar of cannon, rattle of musketry and
death-dealing bayonets. His young heart must have of¬
ten stood appalled, amid the carnage which strewed many
a battle-field, and he must have turned away from such
scenes of blood and slaughter, sickened at the horrors of
war. But his heart was young, and all awake to the cause
of human freedom, which was then writhing in the grasp
of the British lion for existence; and he with others, ral¬
lied around the flag of his country, and fought on, till
with the blessing of God, the British cannon ceased their
roar, their serried columns were sent flying before the
Eagle of Liberty—and the tide of ministerial aggression
rolled back—our independence acknowledged, and the
foundation of a great republic laid deep in the hearts of
a rejoicing nation.
After the close of the war, and the disbanding of the
army, Elder Bowles went into the State of New Hamp¬
shire, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Soon after,
be was married to Miss Mary Corliss his cousin, a grand
daughter of the above named Col. M. Such was the con¬
dition and financial resources of the country, during and
subsequent to the war, that those who had so nobly sac¬
rificed their time and strength in the common cause, were
obliged to return to their homes unrewarded, save by the
pleasing remembrance of the victories they had won—
the gratitude of a nation of freemen, and the bright an¬
ticipation of the undisturbed enjoyment of civil and re¬
ligious liberty.
Soon after his marriage, he began to find that he was
raising his arm in rebellion, against a mightier king than
George the HI. He felt that he was living in open vio¬
lation of the just requirements of the King of Heaven,
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
7
wlio had created and preserved him, and Jesus Christ,
who had died to redeem him; and though his efforts at
rebellion in one case, had been crowned with success, he
now found that he was not only engaged against a migh¬
tier Prince, but in an unjust cause. He was led by the
power of God's truth to see that his condition was hope¬
less, and he forever lost, without an interposition of the
mercy of God, manifested in Jesus Christ. He began
to feel, that though he had escaped the dangers of the
battle field—though he had trod with fearless soul amid
the roar of cannon, the clashing of swords, and had seen
the fearful carnage of death all around him, he could not
stand before the Throne of his Judge—bear the angry
flashes of his countenance, nor endure the awful " depart
ye cursed," that shall fall upon the ears of those who re¬
fuse to lay down their arms at the feet of Jesus. On the
one side he heard the awful thunders of Sinai, threaten¬
ing death upon every violator of the divine law, and on
the other, he heard the hopeful invitations of Calvary,
offering peace and pardon to the penitent. After a hard
fought contest between the kingdoms of light and dark¬
ness, in which the throne of mercy was often besieged,
and his obdurate heart completely subdued, that blood,
which has been shed for the remission of sin, availed in
his behalf, and that voice that stilled the tempest on Ge-
nesareth's troubled bosom, whispered "peace" to his
guilty conscience, and bid Jiim sing the song of " dying
love and redeeming grace." He was taken from the hor¬
rible pit of miry clay, his feet established on a rock, and
a new song put into his mouth. His experience was sim¬
ple, but truthful. His feelings had undergone a change
that hold a striking contrast with the parade of the camp,
the din of the battle field, and the carnage of the deadly
8 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
bayonet. Although the christian's life is a warfare, yet
there are far more blessed assurances, than in the martial
contest, which stirs up the worst passions of our nature.
The one opens all the fountains of human sympathy,
breaks down national distinctions and barriers, and looks
upon all men as members of the human brotherhood;
the other dries up the fountains of humanity, interposes
barriers between those whom God has made of one blood,
and fills the land with lamentation and woe. Eld. B. now
found himself in a new position. He had served under
some of the most renowned generals, whose actions live
upon the page of history; he had charged fearlessly up¬
on the serried ranks of his countries foes; he had wielded
the weapons of slaughter and carnage. He is now called
upon to enlist in a moral contest; he is now to fight un¬
der thel eadership of the Prince of Peace; he is now to
lead God's sacramental host on to victory against the
ranks of the enemies of Christ's kingdom; he is now to
wield the sword of the Spirit, and plant the banners of
the Cross upon the ramparts of the enemies' citadel.
Elder Bowles soon after openly professed faith in the
Eedeemer, by receiving the ordinance* of baptism, and
uniting with the Calvinistic Baptist Church, in the town
of "Wentworth, New Hampshire. He then labored in
"Warren and adjacent towns. At this time, Baptist senti¬
ments were quite unpopular in the State, while Congre¬
gationalism exerted the all-controlling influence over the
public mind; and consequently, the Baptists enjoyed the
privilege, which all religions minorities have always en¬
joyed, of being persecuted and called heretics; and that
other privilege too, of enjoying much of the spirit and
power of the holy gospel.
And yet, the Baptists soon began to exercise the power
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
9
which they were fast gaining. They, like nearly all re¬
formers, were as unwilling to have their errors exposed,
as they had been ready to expose the errors of the Con-
gregationalists. Thus it always is; one class of men will
make reforms of a certain character, and then in their
turn, become the persecutors of the reformers of their own
abuses. But the spirit of religious liberty was beginning
to kindle in many parts of the country, under the suc¬
cessful labors of the eloquent George Whitfield. The
messenger of peace had scarcely reached the shores of
Britain, bearing the glad news of amity and reconcilia¬
tion between the two nations, before the propitious gales
t of heaven are wafting to our shores, this mighty herald
of the glorious gospel of a still more blessed peace ; to be
obtained with no weapons, but those chosen from the ar¬
senal of heaven—with no other spirit but that of his mas¬
ter, he came to negotiate a treaty between the court of
heaven and its revolted subjects. If the booming camion
and rattling musketry, were unable to bring back the
revolted colonies to their allegiance to the British crown,
the legate of the court of heaven, was enabled by the
power of the gospel, to conquer the the hearts of the col¬
onists. If the divine right of kings, received a mighty
overthrow on the plains of Lexington, Saratoga, and
Yorktown, the divine right of ecclesiastical tyranny and
sanctified oppression, received a mightier overthrow in
the pulpits of ISTew England. That spirit which persecu¬
ted the Baptists, with Roger "Williams at their head, could
not brook the freedom with which Mr. Whitfield assailed
their traditions and long standing errors. He was not
only successful in the conversion of thousands of hard¬
ened sinners, from destruction's dangerous path, but equal¬
ly successful in opening a new religious era in America.
Elder Bowles warmly espoused the cause of the Bap-
10
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
tists, and identified his interests with theirs. But he soon
found, that to give vigorous growth to the germ of free
ealvation, which had been sown in his soul, he must seek
eome'more congenial soil, where the free showers of heav¬
en might water the tender plant of gospel grace. By a
careful examination of the scriptures, the great chart of
all christian doctrine, and humble dependence upon di¬
vine wisdom, he was induced to withdraw from the C. B.
church, and attach himself to the infant denomination of
F. W. Baptists, then just springing into existence. He
had met with some opposition, in going forward in baptism
from his companion, and now to sunder that tie, affected
him deeply. But such was his conscientious regard for.
dutyy that every obstacle had to yield to it. Possessing
a mind fully devoted to the interests of the gospel which
he had espoused, and seeking only to labor for the salva¬
tion of his fellow men, regardless of frowns and flatter¬
ies, he enjoyed a large degree of the confidence of his
new associates in the gospel warfare. He made religion
a, practical, every day matter of conscientious business.
CHAPTER n.
His Call to the Ministry—Goes to Sea to Escape Duty—The Subject
of a Strange Dream—Leaves the Ship, and Preaches—A Revival
Commences, and he Enters the Gospel Field—New Trials.
Soon after his connection with his new associates, his
mind was deeply exercised upon the condition of the
world around him, and he began to believe that he had
been singled out from among his brethren, for the work
of the gospel ministry. From such a duty, he at once
shrunk; uot from any lack of interest, but he felt his in¬
competency for such an undertaking. A liberal educa¬
tion was generally considered, at that time, an almost
indispensible qualification for the ministry; and although
he possessed strong natural abilities, yet his hook educa¬
tion was nothing, as his journals will abundantly show.
Hence, should he attempt to stand before the people as a
public teacher, he would meet with nothing but coldness
and rebukes.
These, and many other difficulties of a pecuniary na¬
ture, threw him into deep trials; and he refused, like Jo¬
nah, to preach the preaching which God bid him. He
heard sounding in his cars, " wo is me, if I preach not
the gospelhis mind was so agitated, that he was un¬
qualified for business, and his temporal affairs began to
work against him, and like Jonah, he also " took ship and
fled," not to Tarshish, but from duty. Arranging his bu*
siness as best he could, he made for the sea-shore, and
embarked at Boston, on board a vessel, in the capacity of
cook. He continued to follow his business for three years.
12 LIFE, LAB0BS, AND TRAVELS,
His sailor's life, naturally led him into wicked society, the
consequence of which was, he became well nigh backslid¬
den in life, if not in Iteart; but still unwilling to relin¬
quish all hope of salvation. Amid the scenes into which
he plunged, there still pressed upon his mind, at times, the
solemn duty which he was neglecting; and when he saw
the angry waves lift themselves on high, as they were
driven before the furious blast, he felt a more fearful com¬
motion within his own bosom—he dreaded not so much
the lashing of the maddened tempest against the sides of
his shij), as the silent scorpion stings of a guilty conscience.
Thus he continued for about three years, in a sate ef dis¬
obedience. By times, feeling the awful responsibility of
his situation, and the fearful doom that awaited him, would
again silenc his conscience, and the voice of duty, by
joining intheribbald songs and jests of his rude ship-mates.
During the winter of the third year, of his Jonah's
life, and while the vessel was undergoing some repairs, a
female, an entire stranger to him, called at the vessel,
and, introducing herself, informed him that she resided
some thirty miles from that place in the country, and that
she had had a singular dream; in which, it had been
shown her, that an extensive Revival was soon to com¬
mence in that place; and that he had been shown to her,
as the instrument in the hands of God, of its commence¬
ment and spread. But he had not disposition to lift up
his voice in Jehus' behalf; and therefore treated the mes¬
sage with indifference and neglect, and it soon passed
from his mind. But he was not long suffered to remain
hid like Saul, " among the chafffor the woman made
her second appearance, accompanied this time by her hus¬
band; and again urged him to comply with her strange
mission.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
13
By much entreaty, he was at length prevailed upon to
send an appointment. At the appointed time he proceed¬
ed to the place, which, to him, was new. He began to
feel the embarrasments of his situation, the lack of holi¬
ness in his own heart, and his unfitness to preach the ev¬
erlasting gospel to dying men. But he endeavored to fill
his appointment as best he could. It seemed rather a
failure, than otherwise, and caused him to feel well nigh
discouraged. He returned from the meeting with the in¬
tention of giving it up; but the woman and her husband
had stronger faith in their dream than he; and pre¬
vailed upon him to leave another appointment. The time
arrived, the people flocked to the house, and there await¬
ed his arrival. On his way he passed through a piece of
wood, and turning aside, bowed himself before God, and
poured out his soul in prayer; his soul was delivered, and
he began to feel the awful condition of the unregenerate.
He arose and went to the meeting—-the divine power of
the gospel took hold of the heart of both preacher and
hearer; many cried for mercy, and some six or eight
"were converted. His doubts now fled like the dew before
the rising sun—his duty was now plain—his sea-faring
life was abandoned^ and he embarkud onboard the " Old
Ship of Zion," bound on a life voyage to the New Jeru¬
salem. He soon after left for his home, to make prepar¬
ation for his new avocation, with the full determination
to "■ confer no longerwith flesh and blood.'* But asatroiig
as this resolution was,, he found it quite shaken: when; he
met the opposition of his wife, and an irreligious, world,
. together with some whose duty it was to encourage liina,
all frowning in coldness upon his new undertaking.
He found that there was a difference between a circle
of young converts, and • ielf-righteous Pharisaical profes-
14: LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
sors. But relying upon the promise " Lo I am with yon
unto the end," he ventured forth upon his toilsome mis¬
sion. Amid all his discouragements, he found some warm
•christian hearts, who were more interested for the salva¬
tion of men, than for mere display and influence; and
who encouraged him to go forward trusting in God. Thus,
under circumstances to him encouraging, he entered upon
his great mission work of sounding salvation to a lost
world. Soon after, he received a license from the Con¬
ference to improve his gift in public. Although his ac¬
quired abilities were small, yet possessing a mind naturally
strong, he soon began to make decided improvement in.
his public administration. And wherever he labored,
some new evidence of his usefulness appeared, which
continued to give increased confidence to his brethren.—
With them his heart became warm in Christian fellow¬
ship, and like Ruth with Naomi, he determined to iden¬
tify his interest with the Free Will Baptists, to live and
die with them ; which resolution was strictly kept for more
than forty years. At this time there were but few min¬
isters of the F. "W. B. order in Vermont, and he felt it his
duty to sound the note of Free Grace and Salvation among
the Green Mountains. Although he was poor and uned¬
ucated, his noble soul lifted to God, now at the beginning,
for divine instruction and qualification for the arduous
work before him. If in his soul he could exclaim " "Who
is sufficient for these things?" he could adopt the lan¬
guage and sentiment of the bible, "not by might, nor by
power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord." Therefore, it is
evident that neither a desire for personal ease, or popularity,
or pecuniary benefit, induced him to enter the Ministry;
but the true motive was to promote the glory of God and
the salvation of men, to say with the good Apostle " The
love of Christ constraineth me," 1st Cor., 5th, 14th.
OP ELD. CIIAPvLES BOWLES.
15
Between the years of 1808 and 1817, Eld. Bowles spent
some time in Ashbumham, Mass., where he labored with
good success. We are not informed, whether a F. W. B.
church was then in existence in that place, but the senti¬
ments of the denomination were well received in that re¬
gion. After finishing his labors in this place, he went to
Gloucester in Rhode Island, and labored some in compa¬
ny with Elder Colby; who says in his journal, " after
meeting, I went to the south-east part of Gloucester, and
preached to two hundred people. This was a neighbor¬
hood, where brother Bowles had been preaching for a few
weeks before. A number of souls had been brought into
the enjoyment of religion, through his instrumentality.
I found that there was a great appearance of a glorious
revival in that part of the town." Elder Colby speaks of
brother Bowies' labors, on some other occasions, and
epeaks well of him. Elder Bowles spent much of the
year of 1813 in this town, occasionally visiting other
towns. He saw many converted under his labors in that
State; and doubtless, that many shall come up from there,
having their " robes washed and made white by the blood
of the Lamb," who have been redeemed through the la¬
bors of those faithful servants of God. Some may still
be living, who can praise God that they ever heard the
gospel from their lips. They are dead, but their works
still follow them.
There appears to have been some similarity of charac¬
ter between them. They were both earnest and faithful
laborers—both, men of deep piety—of strong faith—of
unshaken confidence in God—of fearless spirit, in the
presence of mob violence, and never quailed while Elijah's
God nerved their hearts and fired their souls. Brother
Bowies' confidence in God, was put to the test on several
16 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
occasions, when assailed by mob violence; and on one
occasion in the State of Rhode Island. In a certain town,
a hall had been fitted up by an irreligious man, for the
accommodation of that class of people who have theiir.
brains in their heels, and whose God dwells in their stom¬
achs, and whose zeal is drawn from the demijon, who
meet in the night to celebrate the orgies of Bacchus;
whom they worship by copious offerings of gold and health.
On the death of the owner his widow determined to over¬
throw the altar and the tables of the money-changers,
and drive them forth from the temple which they
had desecrated. But this could not be done, without
offending the worshippers of the heathen god ; and
he rallied his devotees to the rescue of his broken altars,
and Ills former temple of worship; for when the first
meeting was held for the purpose of dedicating it to the
worship of the Christianas God ; Bacchus assembled his
worshipers from his various altars, their faces burning with
zeal, and hearts filled with the spirit of their mission, they
seized the minister, dragged him to a pump, and drenched
him with water, until he left the place. Soon after, Elder
Bowles received an invitation to attend a meeting in the
hall: and was also informed of the character of the place,
and his probable reception. But always ready, like Paul,
to preach the gospel to barbarians as well as Jews, he ac¬
cepted the invitation. He had entered on a warfare that
knew no defeat, no retreat. His motto was onward. The
time of meeting arrived—a large concourse of people as¬
sembled, and Elder Bowles with the rest. Though he had
not come unarmed to throw himself into the dangerons
breach; but had chosen his weapons from the best arse¬
nal in the world.. He had gone to the annory of heaven,
and selected the old and tried armor of Paul; an d he
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
17
came forth having his loins girt about with Truth ; on
his black breast shone the breast-plate of righteousness;
his feet, were well encased.with a preparation; of the gos¬
pel of peace, and over his head he held the shield of
faith; on his brow rested the helmet of salvation, and in
his hand glittered the sword of the spirit; the whole hav¬
ing been newly burnished by praying always with all
prayer. The mob came too, with their hearts nerved
with the dark spirit of the pit, bent on deeds of violence.
But they knew not the power of that 'Mighty One, who
had commissioned this dark son of Ham, to sound his gos¬
pel to dying men.
They vainly supposed, that all they would have to do,
would be to enter the town, seize him and bear him away;
but this work which was so easily planned, was not so
easily done. Brother Bowles requested the brethren to
take their stand around him, and lift their hearts in silent
prayer to Daniel's God for deliverance. And when the
mob entered, there stood that adamantine breast-work of
prayer, girt around the object of their fury, who was send¬
ing his well tempered blade deep into the hearts of his
enemies, while he was defended by a chain of prayers in¬
to whose embrace it was dangerous for a mob to enter.
They saw at a glance the weapons which they must meet,
and their faces blanched, their eyes quailed, their hearts
faltered, and their arms were palsied; and after hesita¬
ting a moment, they retired from the presence of him
who had power with God. After service, and taking tea
with the family, he took his cane and his overcoat, passed
out into the street, and through the mob, they opening to
the right and left, as though held in awe by an unseen
hand, and he passed on, none daring to do him harm.
It is to be regretted, that brother Bowles kept no jour-
18 LIFE, IABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
nal of his labors while in Rhode Island. What we
gather is detached fragments from those who were ac¬
quainted with him while there. On leaving he returned
to New Hampshire.
CHAPTER III.
Moves to Vermont—Is Ordained—His Trust in God—A Shelter is
Providentially Provided—Is Exposed to a Mob—The Mob Converted
and Baptized—Has a Queer Text Given Him.
Some time during the year 1816, lie moved to Will-
iamstown, Vermont. July 24th, of this year, he came
into Huntington, and preached hie first sermon; com¬
mencing it by reading the hymn which commences thus:
" With love and pity I look round,
Upon my fellow, clay;
See men reject the gospel sound,
Great God! what shall I say?"
His labors in this place resulted in the conversion of
near an hundred souls. He continued to labor in this vi¬
cinity during the summer, with good success. He soon
after bought a farm in Huntington, where he lived with
three ol his children. As his labors had been blessed in
this place in the conversion of many, a church was organ¬
ized in the fall, of the Free Will Baptist Order.
On the 26th of November of this year, the church in
Huntington, of which he was a member, called a council
to sit with them, to examine, and ordain brother Bowles
to the work of the Gospel Ministry. The council consist¬
ed of Elders Webster and Maynard. This council, with
the church, set him apart to the work whereto God had
called him. His trials were severe, and often in his jour¬
neys, he knew not where to find a shelter. On one oc¬
casion, he started on a preaching tour—it was a cold,
dreary winter's dayafter riding through the day with¬
out food, for he was penniless, he began to think of supper,
20 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
and shelter for the night; but where to go he knew not;
he was far from home, and among strangers; but he
sought Jacob's God, and like him, prayed that God would
direct him to some friendly abode. What an object for
the protecting care of Ilim, without whose knowledge,
not even a sparrow can fall to the ground! that dark
son of Africa, kneeling- behind his cutter, upon the cold
snow, imploring the Divine protection. But as humble,
and dark of skin as he was, within his bosom pulsed as
true a heart as ever received the Divine commission, " Go
ye into all the word, and preach the gospel to every crea¬
ture/' It was heard and answered. Calmness filled his
soul—trust in God cheered him on his way; and giving
loose reins to his horse, he proceeded on his uncertain
journey, intending to let his horse take his own way.—
After passing several houses, his horse turned up to a
dwelling and stopped. He alighted and entered, re¬
questing the privilege of warming. While sitting by the
fire, a child some five or six years of age, began to weep
most sorrowfully; the mother took her into another room,
that she might quiet her; but soon returned, surprised
and astonished, exclaiming " "Who are! you ? where are
you going ? and are you hungry ?" He told her his name,
and that he was hungry. She soon prepared supper for
him, and her husband coming in, he was requested to
spend the night with them:. There being a meeting in
the place, he attended with the family; the appointment
was for a Methodist circuit preacher; but as it grew late,
and no one arrived, some one requested him to preach, al¬
though he was not aware that any one knew that he was a
preacher. His mind seemed led into the conditionof the
people, and he commenced the services; but before he
had finished the preliminary exercises, the circuit minis-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
21
ter came; but insisted on the previous arrangement. His
soul launched out freely into the deep waters of salvation
for lost men; and the mighty power of the gospel was
felt upon many hearts, which resulted in the conversion of
several that evening, and was the commencement of a
glorious revival in the place. Iiis success in this place
had a powerful influence upon him, in dispelling his doubts,
confirming his faith, and preparing him to engage in his
great mission work with new confidence.
"While laboring in the towns of Huntington and Hines-
burg, he met with much opposition, especially at the lat¬
ter place. Iiis labors had been blessed in the salvation
of many, whom he had the delightful privilege of leading
down the banks of the beautiful lake in that town, and
plunging beneath its placid bosom. And, as the work pro¬
gressed, and post after post of the enemy's camp yielded
to themartialled ho8ts of Zion, fears were entertained that
even the very citadel of the devil was about to yield; the
enemies of the cross of Christ began to gather their forces
for one grand onslaught upon the ranks of the Prince of
Peace. They thought to make their main attack upon
brother Bowles, who was the leader of God's host in their
recent victories; and if they could silence him, the rest
would be so intimidated they would abandon the siege of
their camp. But they had not yet learned the character
of the man whom they had selected as the object of their
hate. They knew him as a man; but not as the daunt¬
less servant of God—they had measured his physical
strength; but not the spiritual power, with which he be¬
sieged the Throne ofGrace—-they had calculated on the
physical weapons which he might use; but not on the
spiritual ones with which God had armed him from
heaven's arsenal ; neither had they ever measured arms
22
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
•with Elijah's God. But such is the fool-hardiness of some
men, that they never stop to think of the power which
they are about to assail. It was so in this case. Some
dozen or more, banded themselves together, and agreed,
if he held any more meetings in the place, to take him as
he came out of the meeting, put him on a wooden horse,
carry him to an adjoining pool, and throw him in; leav¬
ing him to extricate himself as best he might. Such was
the determined spirit of those engaged in the mob, that
no one even thought of a failure. Among the number,
was one young man, who had been somewhat acquainted
with Elder Bowles, while laboring in Rhode Island with
Elder Colby; this young man was so conscience-smitten,
that he could not rest, until he communicated the affair to
brother Bowles, so he went to him and informed him of
the whole plot. Brother Bowles heard the foul plot in all
its details, with perfect composure; and then said to the
young man, " go take your place with the rest, and say
nothing to any one about the information you have given
to me, lest you should suffer for what you have revealed
of their plans; and give yourself no uneasiness about me,
for God will take care of me y but I shall do tny duty
though the enemy trample me under their feet." How
much this answer sounds like the one Peter gave to the
Jewish rulers. He knew but one path, and that was the
path of duty; he never, when sure of being in that path,
stopped to parley about consequences. Hi6 faith in God
was unwavering, and he always felt willing to fall, if fall
he must, at the post assigned him.
The time at length arrived for the meeting; and while
the enemy are preparing the weapons of their warfare, he
is fitting himself. Behold him in yonder grove, bowed
low before the throne of that mighty Redeemer, in whom
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
23
he had learned to trust; with his soul shut up in its own
sanctuary alone with God. He feels the weakness of hu¬
man strength—he has never learned to trust to carnal
weapons, and has gone to arm himself with the panoply
of heaven, to meet the hate and malignity of a God de¬
fying mob. What a noble sight it is, to behold that de¬
spised servant of God, bowed there alone in the grove
seeking only a preparation or heart to bless his enemies I
What a contrast it bears with the object of that band, who
are now preparing themselves by whiskey and oaths to
effect their malignant purpose! While he is cherishing
the kindest feelings for their spiritual welfare, they are
steeling their hearts to every feeling of compassion and
humanity. God has heard that voice of supplication,
which was carried by angels from that forest up to heav¬
en ; calmness sits upon his brow, and faith adorns his soul.
The time for the meeting has arrived; Elder Bowles is
in the desk; the wooden horse is at the door, and the mob
painted and disfigured are in their seats in the house.—
Elder Bowles has taken his text, Matt. 23, 33, " Ye ser¬
pents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the
damnation of hell ?" and, in the earnestness of his over¬
charged soul, is proclaining the gospel to that audience,
just as though nothing had happened, or was in waiting
for him; the truth finds its way to many hearts, and
causes them to feel its mighty power. He has concluded
his sermon, sung his hymn, and is about ready to close
his meeting—he arises, but not to pronounce the benedic¬
tion—all eyes are turned upon him, while he proceeds to
address the mob. Said he, " I am informed that there
are certain persons in this house, who have agreed to put
me on a wooden horse, carry me to the pond and throw
me in; and now dear ereatwres, I shall make no resist-
24 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
ance at all—I am all ready; but before starting I have
-one request to make. I wish you to put one of your most
resolute men forward, because I have another subject from
God to preach on the way; and we will have music as we
go along, glory he to God, yes we will have music ; glory
be to God " This was said with his powerful voice, and
with such confidence in God, that it went like an electric
shock through the congregation, and produced an effect
upon the mob, that could scarcely have been equalled
had a bolt from heaven fallen in their midst; so complete¬
ly were they overcome, that they fell prostrate upon the
floor, and began to say like some of old, " Men and breth¬
ren what shall we do V The mob spirit was broken, and
quite another spirit had seized them. The man upon
whom they were about to vent their hate, is now sought
as the only one capable of affording them assistance in
this time of sore distress. They all soon submitted to the
Savior, and found "peace in believing, and joy in the
Holy Ghost."
A short time after the above narrated circumstances,
there might have been seen, one pleasant Sabbath after¬
noon, a large congregation gathering around a beautiful
pond of water, in the town of Hinesburg. If we closely
scan that assembly, we shall detect one who appears to be
a leader among them, whose complexion bears the mark
of Africa indellibly fixed there by nature's own seal, in.
whom we shall discover the speaker who addressed the
mob a few days previously. And on further examina¬
tion, we shall detect the countenances of some who might
have been seen on that eventful evening, bearing a wood¬
en horse toward the place of worship. Both parties are
here; but no wooden horse makes its appearance. "What
can be the object of those men who had threatened to
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
25
plunge that son of Ham beneath the very waves that are
now murmuring at their feet ? Hare they come here to
accomplish that fell purpose ? The case is now reversedT
and that colored man, so recently the object of their con¬
tempt, is, in obedience to his commission, " Go ye, there¬
fore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost," now about
to plunge them beneath the liquid wave, as an evidence
of their separation from the world and union with God,
Here was indeed, a mighty triumph of the power of the
gospel, worthy even of the days of Paul. Methinks the
hymns of praise sung by those happy converts, on the
banks of that lake, was caught up by Angels, and rolled
o'er the plains of heaven from ten thousand angelic harps.
Some of those who composed that baptismal group, have
gone home to heaven, to join with brother Bowles in sing¬
ing the song of redemption, while others are still laboring
in the Church Militant, to preach that gospel which they
found to be " the power of God tinto Salvation," to their
own souls.
Having now fully entered upon his work in this region,
he preached extensively in Richmond, Duxbury, "Water-
buiy, Stowe, Middlesex, and many other places; in all of
which he witnessed much of the power of the gospel, and
was instrumental in turning many from the error of their
ways to the true and living God. So deeply was he en¬
gaged in the work of the gospel, that he seemed always
ready to speak in the name of his Master. We find a
remarkable instance of this in his journal: On one occa¬
sion, he had an appointment near a tavern, in the town
of Richmond, in which a gentleman from New York had
put up for the night. In the evening the landlord inform¬
ed hi™ that a colored man was to preach near by, and in-
26 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
vited him to attend; but he indignantly refused, alleging
that the sermon was probably a borrowed one; but on
being again urged to go, consented on condition the land¬
lord would give him the following text, and he would
preach from it that evening. They went to the house,
laid the text on the desk and took their seats. It was
Proverbs, 30th chap., 18th, 19th verses, " There are three
things which are too wonderful for me; yea four, which
I know not. The way of an eagle in the air; the way of
a serpent upon a rock; the way way of a ship in the midst
of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid." At first
he thought of declining to preach from it at that time; it
was a new and difficult subject; one upon which he had
never studied, and upon which he was unprepared to
preach. Elder Nathaniel Bowles, a white man who had
labored much with him, was present with him at this
time, and they consulted for some time upon it. At last
he determined that brother Nathaniel should read a long
hymn to be sung, then make a long prayer, then read an¬
other long hymn, so as to give Elder Charles time to pre¬
pare his subject. When the last hymn was being sung,
the text appeared clear to his mind. He announced his
text, and after speaking for a few moments upon the lit¬
eral meaning, began, to make a spiritual application of
his subject. Elder Bowles in speaking of this scene says:
" The Spirit lifted the big gates of glory, and the power
rolled through the congregation; the gentleman who gave
the text was cut to the heart, and soon after converted to
God."
His manner of preaching was simple and practical,
never attempting to make any display either of ignorance
or learning, but always endeavoring to get at the plain
import of the subject, and urge its claims home upon the
OE ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
27
attention of his hearers, and when the gentleman, who
had supposed that he declaimed, borrowed sermons, come
to hear him, he found in the pulpit a plain man, speaking
the solemn truths of God's word, which came welling up
from the depths of his own experience, instead of a moun¬
tebank vending the nostrums of theological quacks. It
was the thrilling power of simple truth; uttered in an
earnest and feeling manner that produced such an effect
upon the congregation which he addressed. These ap¬
peals, backed up by a consistent, godly life, made him a
flaming herald of Salvation wherever he went.
CHAPTER IV.
1817, Renews Covenant—Revival in Washington—Sister Danforth—
Attends the Vt. Y. M.—Goes to N. Y.—Returns—Organizes a
Church in Hinesburg—Brother Colby Restored from Sickness—Or¬
ganizes a Church at Duxbury—Organizes a Church at Shelburne—
Organizes a Church in Huntington—His Labors During the Year.
January 1st, 1817, Elder Bowles renews covenant with.
God, and girds on anew the heavenly armor for the spir¬
itual contest before him. He writes at this time, " I feel
truly grateful to my Heavenly Father for past mercies,
and earnestly pray that my heart may be filled with love
to him; and with a spirit to labor in his holy cause. I
want to feel more for the souls of my fellow men—I want
to see more of them turning from the error of their ways
—from sin to holiness, and prepare for the enjoyment of
Heaven. I thank God for his presence the last year, and
hope to meet his approbation during the year to come,"
We find him at the commencement of the year, enga¬
ged as usual, in his Master's service. On New Year's
evening he preached at brother Simon Crock's house in
Washington. A deep interest pervaded the meeting, and
several backsliders returned from their wanderings; some
of the unconverted came forward for prayers, while some
young converts sang the Songs of Deliverance. Thus did
some receive indeed, a New Year's Gift worth possessing.
2d Jan., he visited Mr. Ely Sanborn, whose wife had
just embraced religion, and found him interested for his
salvation; and brother Bowles had great confidence that
he would soon join his wife around the family altar. In
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
29
the evening he attended a prayer meeting at the house of
brother John Thomas. Here the power of the gospel was
felt, and the slain of the Lord were thickly strewn around,
while many a broken heart was sending to Mercy's ear
the cry of "What shall I do to be saved?" Thus did
they enjoy a happy commencement of the year. Brother
Bowles continued to visit from house to house, encourag¬
ing the converts, exhorting the brethren to faithfulness,
and warning sinners to flee from the dangers thickly set
about their way.
12th, he attended an appointment at brother Chaney's.
Several backsliders were reclaimed, while the ungodly
felt deeply the dangers of their situation. Brother Bowles
writes, " a shout went up from the camp of Israel, which
made the kingdom of darkness tremble." He continued
preaching and visiting; while God blessed his labors
abundantly. He found many cases of deep interest which
called forth the fullest exercise of his faith and zeal.—
Those who appeared affected by the power of the gospel
in the meetings, he followed to the family circle; and
around many a hearth-stone were gathered a group of
anxious souls sending their petitions for pardon and peace.
Here the father rejoiced over the conversion of his chil¬
dren ; and the children rejoiced over the conversion of
the parents—the brother prayed tor a weeping sister, and
a pious sister saw the conversion of a long prayed for
brother. Methinks that amid those happy scenes, our
brother's color was entirely forgotten, and they loved to
hear the glorious gospel, which came all warm from his
devoted heart, just as, well as though he had been a " Pale
Face." If there is "joy in heaven among the angels of
God over one sinner that.repents," what ecstacy must seize
the heavenly host at such scenes as this. Oh! that many
30 LIFE, LABORS, AND~TRAVELS,
sinners who may read these lines, may be induced to
make the heavenly arches ring with the songs of joy over
their conversions.
After spending five weeks in this vicinity, and witness¬
ing the conversion of many, he left on the 18th to attend
the Strafford Quarterly Meeting, holden at Strafford.—
Brother Bowles and brother Spencer preached, and the
brethren enjoyed an interesting meeting. From Strafford
he went to Corrinth, visited and preached with Elder Na¬
thaniel Bowles and Elder King.
22d, he visited Chelsy Greene in company with Elder
Nathaniel Bowles and wife, preached several times, and
visited several sick persons. In the evening he enjoyed
an interesting prayer meeting; saw one soul brought in¬
to gospel liberty; spent the night at brother "Worthy's.
23d, he attended a meeting at brother "Worthy's. Here
lie met with sister Clarissa Danforth, a female preacher,,
who had been converted under his labors, and, believing
it to be her duty to warn her fellow men from error's-
ways, she had been sounding the gospel trump. It was
pleasing to him to meet with the fruits of his labors; and
especially those who were like him endeavoring to spread
the conquests of the gospel. On the subject of woman
preaching, Dr. Clark says, " if an Ass could reprove the
prophet Balaam, and a barn-yard fowl could reprove Pe¬
ter, may not a woman rebuke sin ?" Although as Mrs.
Child says, the classification of women with donkies and
fowls, is not very complimentary. Elder Bowles preach¬
ed on this occasion, and sister Danforth followed in an
exhortation. It was a time of refreshing; saints were
made to rejoice, backsliders cried for mercy, and sinners
began to feel their need of salvation. 25th, attended a
meeting at brother Sleepers, with sister Danforth. The*
OF ELD. CHAJXLES BOWLES.
31
interest seemed to increase. Sabbath 26th, he felt deeply
impressed with the responsibilities of his station and the
weight of the cause resting upon him. He preached in
the forenoon, and enjoyed good liberty. Sister Danforth
spoke in the afternoon, and produced a deep impression
on the congregation. A colored man and a woman, preach¬
ing in the same house on the same day, was rather a nov¬
el spectacle; but in the importance of their subject, color
and sex were all forgotten, and nothing but man's lost
condition, and the abundance of the atonement presented
themselves to their view. A prayer meeting was held
after preaching; many exhortations and prayers were of¬
fered, and it seemed a bethel to many a happy soul. Af¬
ter meeting, he rode seven miles to the west part of the
town, although the cold was intense, and met a good con¬
gregation at brother Ramsdel's, and preached to them the
word of life. The weather continuing stormy and cold,
he spent several days with the family in prayer and con¬
versation ; many a family still remembers with pleasure
the happy seasons which they have enjoyed while he was
their guest. How pleasing such past remembrances, to
the christian heart; and with what gratitude does the
convert, who was thereby permitted to receive instruction,
refer to those seasons of spiritual consolation.
30th, went to brother Sleeper's; in the evening he en¬
joyed an interesting interview with some neighbors, who
had called in to listen to his instructions and prayers.
Feb. 1st, he went to Turnbridge to attend the Yermont
Yearly Meeting. He met in the Elder's Conference some
fourteen ministers, and enjoyed with them an interesting
interview. How beneficial may such schools of the proph¬
ets be made, and what benefits may they not confer upon
every Quarterly and Yearly Meeting? Many of our
32
LIFE, LAB0BS, AND TRAVELS,
brethren too lightly appreciate them; some, who are un¬
willing to have their sentiments' examined, oppose these
conferences, on account of the discussions which they are
apt to create, by the bringing ill contact different opin¬
ions ; but how much better it would be to present, in a
christian spirit our different views, and compare and dis¬
cuss them fn a christian manner, than to stubbornly re¬
fuse all discussion, and then denounce from the pulpit all
who may choose to disagree from them.
As Elder Bowles was traveling much among the church¬
es, the Yearly Meeting thought best to give him a com¬
mendation to the brethren in the Yearly Meeting, and
wherever he might be called. Feb. 2d, some twelve hun¬
dred people came to hear the word. Brother Scales, from
Maine, preached in the morning from these words, " The
poor have the gospel preached unto them." Elder Bowles
in giving account of this meeting, says: "The preaching1
through the day was attended with mighty power; the
speakers seemed filled with the spirit of their mission, and
seemed to feel a fresh annointing from the Holy One; so
that the battle went hard against the king's enemies El¬
der Buzzel got his " new-light" coat on, and he cut his
length and breadth, until the devil's kingdom trembled;
The evening meeting held until after twelve o'clock at
night. Glory to Godv we all got happy!"
From the Yearly Meeting, Elder Bowles went on Mon¬
day to Chelsea, and heard sister Danforth; she spoke
from Rev. 17th, 4th, which led her to expose the man of
sin, " who sitteth upon the scarlet beast," " and was made
drunk with the blood of the saints." He next visited
"Williamstown, and preached the word of life in a school-
house ; where he did not enjoy much liberty; but it ap¬
pears that he ♦was not diseouraged, for he continued labor-
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
33
in g in that region, until by laboring day and night, saints
were made to rejoice anew, backsliders came flocking
home to Zion, and young converts sung the song of re¬
demption. How cheering are such scenes to the old pil¬
grim of the cross, who has been laboring for a long time
in the midst of discouragements and trials. The winter
of coldness is gone, and the singing of birds is come, and
the voice of the turtle is heard again in the land. Such
a scene is like an oasis in the journey of human life.
On the 13th of March, he bid adieu to those dear friends,
with much anxiety for their spiritual welfare, intending
to visit some of the lake towns. He passed through Bar¬
ry to Montpelier; where he found an old friend, with
whom he tarried for the night. From thence he went to
Middlesex; staid with Elder Brown, and preached in the
evening; the people appeared attentive, and the church
well engaged.
12th. After praying with the family and commending
them to God, he rode to Dnxbury, and held a meeting in a
•chool-liouse, and preached from Isaiah 42d, 11th. Much
interest was manifested in the meeting. Here he heard
again the songs of the convert, which was his chief de¬
light. He says of this meeting: " God had truly out of
the mouths of babes and sucklings perfected praise."—
After visiting some sick friends, and one sister in partic¬
ular, he went on through Bolton and Richmond to Hines-
burg, to fill an appointment.
Sabbath, 16th, Elder Dodge preached in the morning
from Romans 6th, 22d, and he preached in the afternoon
from 2d Corrinthians 12th, 11th. His soul was elevated
in the spirit of his work; and all seemed to feel the pow¬
er of the gospel, which was preached to them from those
two faithful servants of God. From this place, he went
34 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
to Slielbourne, and held a prayer meeting intlie evening;
After spending several days at Slielbourne, Willistony
Charlotte and Richmond, he went to Burlington on the
22d, and crossed the lake on to Grand Island, and went
to South Hero and stopped at "brother Hasketts. 23d, he
attended meeting with the Methodist circuit preacher,
who preached from Rev. 22d, 1st, and enjoyed a good
meeting. lie preached in the place in the evening, and
then went to North Hero. 24th, he crossed over to Platts-
burg, and visited the scene where the English and
American fleets met in deadly conflict during the last
war. Elder Bowles had once girted on the death dealing-
weapons and stood amid the crashing of cannon balls and
the whistling of bullets, had bared his breast to the mer¬
ciless bayonet, and perhaps, awful thought! sent the death
messenger home to some warm heart, and chilled the
blood in some veins, and sent some spirit up to its final
doom; but he had long since sought and obtained a full
and free pardon for all Ms sins; and now stood beside
that battle ground clad in the armor of peace—his weap¬
ons all moral—his message all glorious to friends and en¬
emies—his conquests a blessing to the defeated—and his
standard the blood stained banner of the Prince of peacer
with the Cross of Christ emblazoned upon its ample folds.
Success to the ebony leader of Qod's chosen people.
He spent several days in Clinton: County, Isew York:
attended to some business, and preached the gospel to his
fellow men as he had occasion. He soon returned to Ver-
mont through Pittsburgh, Hero, and Burlington. He
next went to Essex, During this route he spoke often in
meetings, aiming always to sound the gospel wherever he
had opportunity. Ssubbath 26th, he says, " I think that
J can say with John the Pevelator, " I was in the Spirit
OF EliD. CHARLES BOWLES.
35
sail ftie Lord's day.;" my soul feels happy in God—much
solemnity rests upon me as I find many souls under deep
conviction—poor backsliders trembling, and christians
pointing tliem to the Lamb of God who taketh away the
sin of the world." He seems to feel much like an ancient
one, who says, " I have no greater joy, than that my chil¬
dren walk in the truth." Such a state in the church I»
-certainly encouraging.
April 13th, he attended meeting at the house of sister
Irish, in Charlotte, and preached twice. One woman be¬
came convicted of her sins and cried aloud for mercy;
the interest soon deepened, and backsliders began to con¬
fess their rebellion against the government of Heaven,
and to seek forgiveness at the foot of the cross. This glo¬
rious work was the result of several meetings which he
had held in the vicinity. 14th, he went to Mr. Israel
Sheldon's, to visit his son who was quite sick. In the-
evening he attended a prayer meeting. 17th, he attend¬
ed a prayer meeting again in the place. 18th, he attended
the funeral of a young lad; and then went on to Rhode-
Island Corner, and preached in the evening, he
went back to Charlotte and attended another funeral.—
Death was among the people and uttering a fearM admo¬
nition in their ears, to prepare for their final exit. In the
evening he went to Hinesburg and attended a meeting..
Sabbath, 20th, he preached in Charlotte, and again in the
evening; when some came forward tor prayersthe
brethren were encouraged and cried to God for the- spread
of his kingdom. 21st, he visited a sick brother,, quite a
number of the neighbors came in and enjoyed a little
prayer meeting. Two of the number manifested much
seriousness. In the evening he attended a meeting in the
place, and some requested prayers. 22d, the interest of
36 LIFE, LABORS, AND TEAYELS,
the meeting continued and many were converted. Broth¬
er Bowies' soul was baptized anew for the good work, and
his spiritual armor was burnished for the contest; and
the brethren had got well into the spirit of a revival. He
had now been in that vicinity for some time, labored ex¬
tensively and seen his labors wonderfully blessed.
28d, he took his leave of the brethren, leaving many
still inquiring the way to Zion, and went to Bhode Island
Corners, intending to organise a church of the Free Will
Baptist Order in that place. "What was his disappoint¬
ment when he found some trials existing among them!
"What these trials were, he does not tell us; but after con¬
siderable effort on the part of brother Bowles and some
of the brethren, the trials were removed, union restored,
and a good spirit took possession of each heart. He then
organized a church, called it the First Free "Will Baptist
Church of Hinesburg. He spent several days in visiting
from house to house during the day, and holding meet¬
ings in the evening, Sabbath, 27th, he rode several miles
in a severe storm, to an appointment—preached twice du¬
ring the day, and had a prayer meeting in the evening;
and staid with brother "Wilcox that night. 28th, he vis¬
ited brother Tyler, and enjoyed a good season in the fam¬
ily, and found several under deep conviction; which
caused a deeper interest in his own heart. 29th, went to
"Williston, and in the evening attended a meeting at John
Taylor's; there was a large congregation present, and
some interest manifested. 30th, he preached in the eve¬
ning at Hinesburg.
May 1st, he preached at brother Michael's, in Shef-
bourne. He spent several days in this vicinity, exhorting
and praying from house to house, during the day, and
preaching during the evening in this place. Among
©£ ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
37
w families which he visited, was that of brother Irish,
'whose wife had just embraced religion. He next preach¬
ed at Hinesburg Hill, where the mighty power of the
gospel was manifested in a glorious manner; some were
«o intensely affected that they were unable to keep their
seats, and in the midst of the sermon they fell upon their
knees and cried for mercy; they continued for a long
time in this position, when at last they made a full sur¬
render to Christ, and obtained a, rich pardon of all their
sins. The enemies of the Cross of Christ were dreadfully
alarmed about their spiritual condition, and began to fear
that an awfftl retribution awaited them in the judgment;
while the old saints began to rejoice and gather new cour¬
age in the conflict. Sabbath, he went one mile to his
-appointment, and met a large congregation, so large that
nearly one half were obliged to remain out of the house.
He stood in the door and preached, so that the people
were enabled to hear out as well as in the house. In the
•evening he attends a prayer meeting in the same place;
the house was full, the brethren were well engaged, and
became so interested, that many of the congregation left
the house mocking, and saying that it was all wild fire;
but they soon returned. Elder Dodge gave an exhorta¬
tion, and Elder Bowles followed him, and many were
'deeply convicted of their sins. 5th, he went to "Williston
and held a meeting in the evenings until the 9th, contin¬
uing his visits during the day time. One woman seemed
almost in a state of despair; which caused him to ear¬
nestly wrestle in prayer in her behalf; he pointed her to
the Cross, and urged the necessity of immediate submis¬
sion to God. He then left them and went on through
Richmond to Bolton, and spent the night with brother
Webster- 10th, he went to "Waterbury, and dined with
38 LIFE, LAB0ES, AND TRAVELS,
Judge Butler; his visit was pleasant and he presented
the gospel as the theme of his conversation. Thus we
see that some, in high stations of life, are not ashamed to
associate with those even of a despised caste. How much
more honorable and manly, to welcome this representa¬
tive of a persecuted race, to his social board, than Phar¬
isee-like, spurn him with contempt from his presence, as
many of our Northern mushroom aristocracy too often do.
Thousands who have despised his race, may see the time
when they will be glad to be benefitted by the prayer of
even a black man. Many who would not listen to the
gospel as it falls from African lips, may desire, when it
is too late, to enjoy the seat of the despised in the Para¬
dise of God. In the afternoon he went to brother Hunt¬
ley's, in Duxbury, find spent the night.
Sabbath, 11th, he attended meeting at Duxbury, and
preached twice during the day, and attended a prayer
meeting in the evening; a man and his wife resolved to
become christians; and others felt the necessity of relig¬
ion. Elder Bowles always found some in this place, like
those in Sardis, whose garments were not defiled, and who
always found access to the Throne of Grace. He spent
the 12th in this place, being quite unwell. The 13th, he
went through Middlesex, Montpelier, Bolton, to Water-
bury, and spent the night with brother E. Cheney. In
the evening many came in to enjoy his society. How
often has the christian family circle seemed to those who
•eiyoyed his presence, like that little one in Bethany.—
S.uc£ <a man as Elder Bowles, finds but little time for idle¬
ness; if not delivering his message from the pulpit to the
solemn congregation, he is imparting the no less needful
instruction in social conversation. He spent several davs
in Washington, Corinth, and Orange.
'OP ELD. CHARLES JJOWLES.
39
Sabbath, June 1st, he preached at the house of brother
Thomas. A powerful effort was produced on the congre¬
gation^ several came forward tor prayers, and some found
Him of whoai Moses and the prophets wrotewhile
wanderers began to find themselves in a strange land, and
well nigh starved with the famine which was sore upon
them. The 5th, he visited Mr. Stevens, who was labor¬
ing under -deep conviction. He found him resolved to
persevere to the end; he enjoyed a happy season with
iiim in prayer- The 7th, he went to "Wheelock, to attend
the Wheelock Quarterly Meeting. He preached the in¬
troductory sermon, and enjoyed mucli of the divine pres¬
ence, He stopped while here, at brother Randall's. The
-ministers were in good fellowship, and all seemed intent
<on-building each other up in the holy faith. Sabbath, 8th,
Elders -Bachelor and Quimbv preached the word to the
.people in power and with the spirit of their mission; El¬
der Bowles gave an exhortation, and others followed with
strong confidence in God.
lit the time of this Quarterly Meeting, Elder Colby,
•whose health had been failing for some time, lay as ma-
•ny feared, at the point of death. Elder Colby says, " My
•friends soon, however, found that all was in vain; my
•stubborn cough was not to be checked by the virtues of
medicine, nor were my disordered lungs to be healed by
•the power of it; almost every person now despaired of
my recovery. The first week in June, it was evident that
I was failing faster than usual; my cough became ex¬
tremely distressing, which, together with the weakness
and pressure on my lungs and uncommon shortness of
breath, made it appear and not without reason, that I should
soon breath my last." Elder Daniel Quinby began to
believe, while thinking of brother Colby's case, the loss of
40 LIFE, LABORS, ASTD TRAVELS,
such a laborer in the gospel field, that the direction givers
in the 5th chapter of James, 14th and 15th verses would r
so far from being presumption, be applicable to his case.
He believed that if Elders Charles and Kathamiel Bowles,
Joseph Quinby and himself could visit him, and Elder
Charles Bowles, could exercise faith in such a prayer,
that Elder Colby would be raised. These views he com¬
municated to the above named brethren, all of w&om as¬
sented to the proposal except brother Charles Bowlcsy who
had no faith in the matter, considering him so near the
grave that lie thought it of no use to make such an effort,
which was to all appearance raising the dead. Brut after
considerable entreaty they all determined to go and see
Elder Colby; on the 9th of June they started tor Sutton*.
Brother Colby writes, "Sunday evening, June 8thrmr
father returned from Wheelock Quarterly Meeting, and
after relating what a wonderful season they had had, he
mentioned over the Elders who attended; they were men
with whom I was well acquainted, men who had been
made near to me. During the niglit I reflected how that
I had tried means to regain my health, by following the
directions of one and another, but that I had never followed
the direction of James, (in the above named chapter.)—
-Is any among you sick," «fcc. My mind had been much
exercised on this subject for some time, and now I resolv¬
ed to put it in practice. ISText morning, my father came
into my room, and I told him what I was about to do.
He seemed very much rejoiced, and very strong in the
faith that it was of the Lord. I asked him whom I should
get to go and call for the Elders of the chureh, and here-
plied that he would go himself; and while he was pre¬
paring, the very four Elders I had selected, came on
purpose to pray for my life, as they informed me." The
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
4:1
further proceedings of these brethren are detailed more
at length by others, than by brother Colby. When the
brethren arrived and found the remarkable coincidence4
oven then brother Bowles had no faith to pray for brother
Colby's recovery; but the brethren began to pray, not for
brother Colby, for none had faith enough to pray for him;
but all looked to brother Bowles, whose mighty prevail¬
ing power in prayer, had been abundantly witnessed by
them all, and on too many occasions, now to doubt its ef¬
ficacy, provided he oould get confidence that it was God's
will to hear his prayer. These brethren continued to pray
for brother Charles Bowles, whose mind remained the
same until the last brother had nearly finished his pray¬
er, when brother Bowles began, to feel a labor of soul for
brother Colby, and could hardly wait until the brother
had finished. When he had finished, brother Bowles be¬
gan to lift his heart to God, in strong confidence, and
with the utmost assurance that his prayer would be heard
and the sick restored. Their united prayers continued
one hour and a half, during which time, brother Colby
says, " I felt the power and spirit of the Lord God upon
me, and before they had done praying, every pain of body
left me; I felt perfectly happy, calm and as free from
pain as I ever did in my life. * * * *
I believe that I began to amend from that hour, I breath¬
ed much easier, and my cough began to abate.
This certainly was a remarkable case, and it bears ev¬
ery appearance of a Divine interposition. Remarkable
too, that no one had confidence in the prayers of any,
save in the son of Ham; that dark Ethiopian, despised
and abused as he often was on account of his color, though
his influence on earth was small, but in the Court of
Heaven, his prayers came up clothed with more than mor-
42
tipjEj LAEOCSj and travels,
fcal energy^ pressed their urgent way full up to the Divine
Throne, arrested the Divine ear and came away with his
request. His petitions might be spurned on earthT but
they prevailed with God.
9th. After visiting some families, and pointing the'
poor mourning souls to the Lamb of God, he left in com¬
pany with Elder Nathaniel Bowles, to go to Sheffield,
where they preached with good liberty to an attentive
congregation. Several backsliders and sinners came for¬
ward for prayers; some four obtained a hope in the [Re¬
deemer, after they had unitedly jpined in prayer. 10th,
they rode to Danville, some 10 miles; Elder Charles
Bowles preached with good liberty, and Elder Nathaniel
followed him in an> affecting, exhortation. 11th, they
went to Charlotte and attended meeting in the evening.
Elder Nathaniel preached with good liberty and Elder
Charles followed him in exhortation, and much interest
was manifest in the meeting. They then went to Mont-
pelier, and spent the night with brother "Wlieets ; Elder
Nathaniel left him at this place and went to Northfield.
Brother Bowles now felt quite lonely, and' retired to the-
forest that he might be alone with God, where he could
pour his whole feelings into his ear; and he found'the-
same God which Jacob met, and like him obtained a bles¬
sing. 14th, he attended meeting in Montpelier. "While
on his way to the meetings his soul seemed much distress¬
ed for the people he found but little liberty in preaching,
and on Monday the 15th, he again retired to the silent
grove and sought divine aid. That evening he held an¬
other meeting in the place, and- began to see some of the
effects of his anxieties ? so, interesting was the meeting
that it held until daylight. After resting a while, he
went to another part of the town and attended, th$ fumer-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES,
43
al of Mr. John Young. He then went to the Four Cor¬
ners, and met alarge congregation. 17th, he visited some
families. 18th, he held another meeting in Montpelier;
there appeared but little prospect of good there at present.
He went to Calas on the 19th and attended a iuneral;
he preached in the place, in the evening; there appeared
some prospect of good in the place, yet his mind was still
deeply interested for the people at Montpelier Four Cor¬
ners. Saturday, 20th, he visited Elder Page and attended
a Monthly Conference with the brethren at Calas, and
enjoyed a refreshing season. Elder Bowles says, " I felt
to cry aloud that Elder Page might be baptized anew
with the spirit of his divine mission. 21st. "With feelings
of solemnity he went to Montpelier Four Corners, and
preached to a large congregation. The people were at¬
tentive and solemn; the congregation increased so much
that the people were obliged to prepare seats in the grove.
A large congregation heard the word with deep interest.
He spent the night with sister Templeton, and enjoyed a
pleasant interview with the family. He spent some sev¬
eral days at this place and at Calas. Sabbath, 29th, he
preached to about five hundred, he had rather an unin¬
teresting time in the forenoon; but he says, " in the after¬
noon the waters began to flow, the spirit gave a lift, my
soul caught the fire and the wheels rolled easy." July 11th,
he took leave of the brethren, with whom he had spent
four weeks, and seen many converted and reclaimed, and
had had the privilege of baptizing many and joining them
to the church. 12th, he went to Middlesex. 13th, he
preached twice; brothers Dodge and Huntley attended
with him. After the afternoon service he rode six miles
^nd preached in the evening. 14th, and 15th, he spent
■sX Duxbury in company with brothers Irish and Huntley;
44 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
much interest was manifested in his meetings in this place.
After preaching on the 15th, he organized a Church and
established a Monthly Conference; the church was called
the " First Free "Will Baptist Church in Duxbury," and
was composed of ten members.
20th, he preached in Duxbury twice, Elders Manard
and Huntley being with him. In the afternoon one person
obtained a pardon of sin, and "rejoiced with joy unspeak¬
able and full of glory." After the afternoon meeting he
went to Watei'buiy and spent the night with Judge But¬
ler. 21st, he preached at Duxbuiy in the evening. 22d,
he started on a journey toward the lake, passed through
Bolton, and stayed on the night of the 23d. 24th, he
attended the funeral of sister Carmel of Richmond, Elder
"Webster preached and he exhorted; much solemnity rest¬
ed on the people. He went on to Hinesburg and attend¬
ed meeting in the evening; having no appointment, his
coming was quite unexpected, but he found the brethren
assembled in a school-house for prayer meeting, who were
greatly rejoiced at his coming.
Sabbath, 27th, two ministers attended with him. In
the evening he attended prayer meeting, and enjoyed a
refreshing season. 28th, he rode eight miles to Hunting¬
ton to an appointment, and spent the night with brother
Duffee; he and his wife having been somewhat backslid¬
den, were revived, through the influence of brother Bowles.
29th, he visited some families, in company with brother
Duffee, and suceeded in awakening some interest in the
minds of the brethren; and in the evening meeting, much
anxiety was manifest for a revival of the work of redemp¬
tion. 30th, he went to Shelbourne and preached free
salvation to a large assembly. 31st, he preached in Rich-
OF ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
45
mond; the same revival spirit was still alive and burning
in the hearts of the brethren.
August 1st, he went to "Williston and visited some six
or eight families on the road; thereby learning the state
of the people and getting prepared for his appointment;
arriving at the house, he spoke to the people with much
liberty. 2d, he attended meeting at Shelbourne, and es¬
tablished a monthly meeting, and organised a church, in
connection with. Elder "Webster.
Sabbath, 3d, he attended meeting with the new church;
a large congregation assembled. Elder Webster preached
in the morning, and Elder Bowles in the afternoon; some
souls seemed awakened, and one found the Pearl of Great
Price. He met here some of his old friends from New
Hampshire. In the evening he attended prayer meeting
with the brethren; which proved to be a Bethel to ma¬
ny souls; three sought and found the Savior, and sang
the song of redemption on the banks of deliverance;
while others were heard to utter the cry that fell upon
the ear of Paul, from the trembling tongue of the aston¬
ished jailor; and the old brethren rent the air with the
song that floated in melodious sweetness o'er the plains of
Judeah, when the star pointed to the manger, where lay
the World's Only Hope. 4th, he undertook to perform
gome manual labor for brother Irish; but being exposed
to a severe rain he took cold, and was obliged to desist.
He then went to Charlotte, and visited some families,
which appeared to give him as much delight as it did to
sound salvation in the public congregation ; and if we
may judge from his journals, much of his success may
be attributed to his private conversation. And this mode
of labor must be very useful to all ministers, as it gives
ithem such .access to their hearers as they cannot obtain
46 life, labors,. and> travels*
in the public discourse, and! it also gives him- a Knowl¬
edge of the state of his hearers, which affords him mat¬
ter for his public discourses ;• and certainly no man can
so well benefit his hearers^ as he can by knowing just
the state of all of their minds. 6th, he attended meeting-
in the evening, which was attended, with much of the Di¬
vine power of the gospel; the- brethren were thoroughly
aroused to a full sense of their obligations in the great
work of Salvation; some thirty resolved to seek peace and'
reconciliation with God; so that all might say with good
old Jacob, " The Lore! is in this place,'r but unlike him
they were aware of his-presence. The interest which had
been manifest on this occasion seemed to extend in many
directions. He continued his labors here for several day*
and witnessed a good revival of religion, in which many
were reclaimed and converted; which rejoiced his heart
exceedingly.
Sabbath, 10th, he went to Huntington and preached5
twice during the day in a school house, and attended a
prayer meeting in the evening at brother Dufiee's. Here>
also some were deeply convicted of their - sins, and came-
forward, to be prayed for. Be contmued his labors in
this place some four days, preaching and' visiting. In thi&
way he was enabled to sound sal vation to many who did*
not attend his meetings. His labors were eonstant and1
unremitting, when he was not employed ife» one way, he>
was in another, and like Paul, "he ceased not day 01*
night to warn every man." 14th, he went to Richmond!
and attended a meeting in which he enjoyed much liber¬
ty, and the divine blessing still attended his labors; for
in this meeting some were powerfully convicted of their
sins, while three found peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ. From this place he went to Duxbuiy, and
OP ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
47
as he traveled visited many houses, in all of which he
found more 01* less seeking the way of life. 16th, he at¬
tended the Monthly Meeting atDuxbury with Elder Hunt¬
ley and the brethren, and enjoyed a refreshing season. He
spent the night with Elder Huntleyv where he enjoyed a
praying-season with the neighbors.
Sabbath, 17th, he preached in Duxbury in the morning,
and Eit^r Manard in the afternoon; after which they
brokg bread to the church, and enjoyed much of the heav¬
enly influence of the Savior's dying love, which those
broken emblems symbolize in such a lively manner. The
monuments of Egypt stood upon their deep foundations,
pointing their heads towards heaven, to perpetuate, in
dumb language, their builders, long since forgotten. But
these simple emblems are never seen, bat they call, in all
their freshness, to our minds, the name and sufferings of
the author of our holy religion, and send a thrill through
each soul that unites it in a closer affinity with Him whose
death they symbolize. It appears that he labored in this
place until the 19th. He says, at this time he began to
feel anxious about his family, which he had left, to per¬
suade his fellow-men to be reconciled to God.
It appears that, though he labored very successfully in
the gospel, the brethren whose spiritual interests he pro¬
moted did not see that his temporal wants were supplied,
for he has been known to labor all night in the corn field,
and then go and attend his appointments on the next day.
Too many of our brethren have and still do plead a " free
gospel," as a cloak tq their covetousness. They will see
their ministers toil on in poverty and distress, while they
are hoarding up their thousands, and the only answer he
receives from them is, "trust in the Lord brother, lie
will reward you." It is true that God fed Elijah by the
48 LIFE, LABOBS, AJTD TRAVELS,
ravens, but did any of those brethren know of his send¬
ing to a minister from heaven, a barrel of flour ? Why
do they not furnish the minister with provisions for hi&
family, and trust in God for their pay ? Some of them
are as Elder John Buzzell said they were, he said on a
certain occasion, that " some brethren had rather pray
two hours than give a shilling for any cause /" 22d, he
went on through Bolton and Richmond to Huntington
visiting as he went, comforting the saints, encouraging the
converts, praying with the mourning souls and pointing
sinners to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of
the world. He preached in the evening at a school house,
and spent the night with brother Amos Dike; he found
Mrs. Dike under deep conviction, so that new work was
before him ; he bowed at the throne of grace and plead
in her behalf. Thus we find him always ready for the
work—always prepared either to preach, exhort or pray,
in public or in private. 23d, he went to Shelboume, and
preached in the evening; staid during the night with El¬
der Reed, and enjoyed a good visit. 24th, he attended
meeting at Shelbourne, in company with brother Manard
and brother Heath; brother Manard preached in the mor¬
ning, and brother Heath exhorted in the afternoon ; Elder
Bowles preached, and after sermon he and Elder Manard
administered the sacrament. It was a refreshing time for
the church. They held a prayer meeting in the evening,
of which he says, " the power of Elijah's God was in our
midst; many were deeply convicted, and bowed before
God to seek mercy and salvation at His hand."
20th, he, with the two brethren, preached to a large
congregation, and baptized five happy converts. Thus he
labors on, convicting, converting, baptizing, and organi¬
zing churches, being an instrument of much good to the
07 ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
49
people where he goes. 26th, he, with Elder Manard vis¬
ited from house to house ; in the afternoon they went to
Ilinesburg, attended a meeting and baptized six happy
souls, as the fruits of his labors in that region. 27tli, he
went to Shelbourne and attended meeting at the house of
sister Irish; the brethren got well engaged in the work,
and a good spirit began to animate every heart. He then
went to Huntington, and attended meeting in the evening
with Elder Thomas, from Stowe. Saturday, 30th, he met
the brethren in their Monthly Meeting, and enjoyed a
good meeting. Sabbath, 31st, he preached at brother
Durfee's, two souls obtained a pardon for all of their sins,
and sang the song of redemption. In the evening he at¬
tended a prayer meeting at brother Haskins, where the
same spirit seemed to characterize the meeting; one soul
was brought into gospel liberty. He spent the 31st with
the brethren in visiting the families in the place, and
searching out those who had been awakened, with whom
he conversed and prayed.
September 2d, he went, in company with brother Hew-
ett to hear Elder Beeman a Methodist minister, after which
they visited brother Haskins, who lay very sick. They
then went to brother Durfee's, and brother Hewett preach¬
ed to the people. 4th, he preached in the evening at the
same place. The 6th and 7th, he spent in Shelbourne,
preaching and visiting. Sabbath, 7th, he preached in
Charlotte, where the gospel found its way to many hearts;
some thirty came forward for prayers, and some of them
obtained a pardon of their sins. It must have been high¬
ly encouraging to this holy man of God, to have his labors
so wonderfully blessed with the conversion of his fellow-
men. The 9th, he went to "Williston and preached the
funeral sermon for Mr. Thatcher. He went the 10th, in
50 LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
company with brother Benson and wife, to attend a Camp
Meeting, where he spent some two days with but little
profit or satisfaction. He preached one sermon at the
meeting, and enjoyed a communion season with a large
number of Methodist ministers. 12th, he went to Hun¬
tington and attended a meeting; after which, nine breth¬
ren and sisters agreed to unite themselves in Church ca¬
pacity. 13tli, he attended meeting in the same place and
one more joined the infant church. And the prospect
seemed very encouraging for raising up a large church ii^
this place.
14th, he felt resting upon him great responsibility, and
felt quite anxious to see his labors successful in the vine¬
yard of the Lord. He went to Mr. Remington's where he
preached twice, and saw the conversion of one woman, and
four or five backsliders were reclaimed. In the evening
he held a prayer meeting at the house of brother Howe's ;
many came out to hear the word of truth, from many of
the faithful witnesses of Christ. 15th, he went to visit
several anxious inquirers, and encouraged and instructed
them in relation to the things of the kingdom. He found
aome who had obtained a rich reward for all their self-
denial. All of which seemed to encourage the little church
which had been established in this place. In his family
visits, he found a warm reception at brothers Hart, Dur-
fee, and many other places.
On the 19th, he went to a school house, and preached
to a large congregation in the afternoon, where much so¬
lemnity and interest was manifested, and some sought the
Redeemer. In the meeting, he received a line from a
brother, stating that his wife was laboring under deep
conviction, and he feared that she would become deranged.
And while the brethren were engaged in prayer, this broth-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES,
51
er and his wife came into the meeting, when all with one
accord lifted their hearts to the Throne of Grace,, and pre¬
sented their petitions to that God, who " "Will not quench
the smoking flax, nor break the braised reed." That God
who in the still small voice, as well as in the deafening
thunder, and the heaven-jarring earthquake, heard the ag¬
onies of those souls bent in prayer, around the mercy seat,
and spake the life-giving word, " Thy sins are forgiven
thee, go and sin no more." This victory caused a shout
to ascend from the camp of Israel, up to the gates of
heaven, was caught up by the angelic choir, and rolled in
one loud hallelujah full on the Eternal Throne. The awa¬
kening influence of divine power was manifest in the meet¬
ing, old backsliders began to think of the richly laden
hoard, which they had left far away in their father's house
—to feel the power of the mighty famine that was begin¬
ning to be felt in Babylon—were seen, with their heads-
bowed down in shame and humility, approaching the
once forsaken doors of that home, that had given them so*
much happiness; the father runs to meet them, in joy
and penitence they clasp each other in fond embrace—the
fatted calf is slain, and songs of redeeming grace and
dying love go swelling toward the city of the New Jeru¬
salem. But there is trouble in the devil's camp—his le¬
gions have been sadly defeated—some of his best men
have deserted him—lie stirs up the rest to deeds of wick¬
edness, and some run from the meeting crying, " wild
Jiref" It was such fire as their pride and selfisness could
not well stand, for the " arrows were sharp in the heart*
of the king's enemies, whereby they fell under."
20th, he went to Shelbourne, and spent several days in
his usual way of visiting and preaching. Several were
converted during his stay. 26th, he preached in Hines-
52 LIFE, LABORS, ASTD TRAVELS,
burg; on the 27th, returned to Huntington, and preached
twice to a large congregation. He says, "The great gos¬
pel trump was blown, and the brethren began to get ready
for the battle of the Lord." In the evening he attended
meeting in the same place, and one was converted. 28th,
he went to Starksboro, and preached with good suc¬
cess ; one was converted. 29th, he went to Hinesburg,
to attend a Church Meeting; some difficulty had got into
the church; and when danger approached the church, it
always touched his heart, and aroused his sympathies.—
The peace and prosperity of the church was as dear to
him as the apple of his eye; and when discord made its
appearance, he was always ready to give council and hush
to silence the elements of strife. He found some hardness
of feeling existing among the brethren; but after much
labor, it was all settled, and peace and harmony restored.
He spent the night at brother Titus'.
October 3d, he left Hinesburg, after laboring a few days
in setting the church in order, and went to Starksboro,
and preached in the afternoon. Some in the house began to
cry for mercy, and came to him after meeting and told him
of their distress of mind, and requested that he should pre¬
sent their cases at the Throne of Divine Mercy. 4th, he
went to Charlotte and attended Monthly Meeting with
the brethren, where he enjoyed a refreshing season, and
found the church well united and laboring together for
the salvation of their fellow-men. In the evening he went
to brother Paris' and attended meeting with brother Bee-
man, a Methodist preacher. How much better it would
be for the world if all christians would lay aside their sec¬
tarian prejudices, and labor heart and hand for the spread
of the common faith! How much better it would be, if
there was less sectarianism preached, and more gospel ^
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES*
53
But how often do we find, that when one denomination
commences some meetings in a place, and gets up a little
interest, another denomination will put in appointments,
and endeavor to oust the previous preacher; and two de¬
nominations can seldom hold a protracted meeting togeth¬
er, without engendering hard and unkind feelings before
the converts are all secured.
5th, being under some trials of mind, he had recourse
to that Being who has said, "If any lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not
and found peace to his soul. He then went to sister Irish's,
and preached twice to a large cangregation, with much
liberty; and as the fruits of his labors, one soul came
into the liberty of the gospel, and four or five bore testi¬
mony to the goodness of God, which they had recently"
witnessed in their own experience. 8th, he went to Hun¬
tington, and attended Monthly Meeting at brother Ross';
the brethren appeared much engaged in the cause of God,
and thirteen brethren and sisters related their religious
exercises, and offered themselves for baptism. "Who bap¬
tized these converts he does not say, but doubtless they
were baptized by brother Bowles.
From this time until the 15th of December, he labored
in this region; preaching and visiting from house to house,
witnessing much of the divine display of the glorious pow¬
er of the gospel. During this time near one hundred and
fifty souls found redemption in the blood of the Lamb,
and were enabled to sing the song which none others can
sing. In these labors he was attended by brother Manard,.
and with him attended eight or ten baptismal scenes, where
many happy spirits sealed forever their allegiance to the
Prince <of Peace. What is more beautiful than to see some
.score of newly redeemed souls, stand ranged side by side>
54 LIFE, LABORS AlfD TRAVELS,
near some placid lake, whose gently rolling waves break
in music whispers at their feet, inviting them to bathe
their consecrated bodies beneath its limpid waters. And
beside them stands the servant of the Divine Redeemer,
his head uncovered, while the gentle breeze wafts over hill
and dale, the holy accents that fall from his lips, and the
song of joy which wells up from happy hearts. And to
witness that group follow their Lord and Master down in¬
to the watery grave, receive the emblem of death to the
world, and a ressurrection to newness of life.
His labors in that region endeared him to many chris¬
tian hearts, some of whom have fallen sweetly asleep in
Jesus, and some remain until this day. He met with
some frigid looks and discouraging words, and some still
sterner opposition; but he could say with the Apostles to
the Gentiles, "none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my
course with joy, and the ministry which I have received
of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of
God." And to the brethren he could say, " I have cov¬
eted no man's gold or silverand to all, " I have not
shunned to declare all the council of God." He labored
not for a popular influence, or to lord it over God's herit¬
age, but his aim was to do all the good he could, and aid
others to do the same.
December 16th, he went to Hinesburg to visit the little
cliurcli there, and council and encourage them in the holy
warfare. He next visited Duxbury, and spent a few days
with the brethren, in preaching and visiting; though he
speaks of ill health for some days, but not enough to in¬
duce him to lay by the gospel armor. 23d, he is now
about taking his leave of this part of the country for a
•season. The parting scene was truly affecting; the breth-
OF ELD. CHAKLES BOWLES.
55
ren and sisters gathered around him to take the parting
hand; and as they gazed on his dark face, many could
devoutly thank God, that he had ever come among them
to sound salvation to perishing sinners. And others there
were, who had heard his sermons, his prayers, and his ex¬
hortations, all unheeded; to them he could not say fare-
well; for he had no evidence that would be their happy
lot. He had now labored seven months in this region,
and had organized four churches; one in Hinesburg of
nineteen members ; one m Shelboume of twenty-two; one
in Huntington of sixty; and one in Duxbury of twelve.
And he had seen converted under his labors, more than
two hundred souls. He certainly had great cause of re¬
joicing in the redeeming power of the glorious gospel of
the ever blessed God. As an evangelist, he was abund¬
antly successful, and is now reaping his rich reward for
all his toils.
24th, lie preached in Richmond, and then went to Bol¬
ton, where he was warmly received by Elder Huntley and
other christian Mends. In the evening he preached in the
place, and was greatly rejoiced to find the brethren so
warmly engaged in the cause of Christ. 25th and 26th,
he attended meetings in the place. 27tli, he met the
brethren in Monthly Meeting., where he enjoyed a happy
season, and had the pleasure of seeing several added to
the church. He remained in the place tor some days, at¬
tending meetings, with brother Huntley, antd hearing often
the cry for mercy, and the song of deliverance from souls
made white in the blood of the Lamb. And thus the end
of the year, found him still laboring in the gospel field;
unwearied and undiscouraged; daily making new con¬
quests over the enemy's hosts, and increasing the power
#nd friends of Zion. How pleasing would be the reflec¬
tion of every minister, to look over the past year and find
;two hundred souls converted by their labors.
CHAPTER V.
1818 His Feelings—A Communion Season—Attends the Strafford
Quarterly Meeting—The Huntington, Hinesburg and Shelbourne
Churches Received into the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—Broth¬
er Kimpton begins to Preach—Goes to Washington—Mr. Clark Con¬
verted in Answer to his Prayer—Has a Combat with a Christian
Minister.
January 1st, 1818, he says, " I felt to day to rejoice in
view of the abundant goodness of God, in blessing me so
wonderfully during the past year; and I am resolved to
dedicate myself anew to His cause; and to get more of
his divine love in my heart, for another year's campaign
in this glorious warfare."
• Sabbath, 4th, he attended meeting in Duxbury, in com¬
pany with brothers Manard and Huntley, and after the
afternoon service, they administered the communion to
the church, and enjoyed a heavenly season. In the even¬
ing they held a prayer meeting, where much of the pow¬
er of truth was manifested. Here he met Elder ^Nathaniel
Bowles and wife, on their way to Huntington. He says,
" The appearance of brother Nathaniel, was like the com¬
ing of Titus to his brethren." About this time he was
called to part with his wife. Doubtless he felt the be¬
reavement, which had fallen so suddenly upon him> but
it was doubtless a relief to him, for she had proved % se¬
vere trial to him, not only in the ministry, but ins the
sacred relation of husband and wife, and given him abun¬
dant reason to question her fidelity. He says, o^ thi*
bereavement, "I hope thatsbs has made a hapjyjr changed
OF ELD. CHA&LES BOWLES.
57
After ^attending several meetings with Nathaniel Bowles,
they went to Huntington. On the 15th, they attended
meeting at brother Gillet's; brother Charles preached and
brother Nathaniel gave an exhortation; quite an interest
was manifested in the meeting. They stayed that night
with brother Shaduck.
Sabbath, 18th, they attended meeting at the school
house, where were gathered some three hundred people.
Brother Nathaniel preached in the forenoon; after which,
they repaired, to the water-side, and brother Charles led
some converts down into the liquid wave, in imitation of
our Divine Redeemer. -Brother Charles preached in the
afternoon-; they then attended to the Ordinance, which
our Savior instituted on the evening previous to his cru-
eitixion. Although this Ordinance -has been celebrated a
hundred thousand times, yet it is never contemplate
without feelings of grateful remembrance. The mind al¬
ways lingers around Calvary with feelings of sympathy,
commingled with holy joy, at the scenes which transpired
*ipon its sacred top. The Garden, Pilate's Hall, the rug¬
ged nails, the cruel mockery, and the Mloi, Eloi, lama
aabbacthani, all rush upon the mind with the same fresh¬
ness that they did centuries ago.
19th, they left and went to Richmond, and attended
meeting; Elder Charles preached and enjoyed much lib¬
erty in speaking. They went to Elder Webster's and
spent the night. 20th, they went to Waterbury and preach¬
ed. 21st, they went to Duxbury and attended meeting
with Elder Huntley. 22d, he went to Washington, an<J
stayed with brother Sleeper, where he met his son.
24tli, he went to Strafford to attend the Quarterly Meet¬
ing. In the evening he preached at brother Kimball's.
25th, a large congregation collected, and Elder Bowles
LIFE, LAfcOftS, AlsvH TRAVELS,
preached; in the afternoon Elder Clark preached; the
meeting was quite interesting. He stayed with brother
Hacket that night; here he fotad a sister, who was so
deeply convicted six years previously, by hearing him
pray, that she never lost the impression, until she became
a christian. He visited Tunbridge, Chelsea, "Williams-
town and "Washington, in all of which he preached and
labored with some good results. 31st, he went to Cor¬
inth, where he found the brethren in rather a low state.
Sabbath, February 1st, he and Elder Bachelder attend¬
ed meeting with the people; Elder Bachelder preached
in the forenoon, and he preached in the afternoon. He
spent several days in Corinth, in company with Elders
Bachelder, and Nathaniel Bowles, who had again joined
him in this place ; they endeavored to excite an interest
in the minds of the brethren, and to urge upon them the
necessity of a closer walk with God.
7th, he went to Sutton to attend the Vermont Yearly
Meeting. The various Quarterly Meetings, reported some
cheering news; some progress in the great moral warfare.
Many brethren were permitted to greet each other again
in the flesh, and cheer each other on in the heavenly jour¬
ney. 8th, a large congregation assembled, to which El¬
der Sing preached the word of life, in the spirit of the
gospel, with a full demonstration of its power. It came
upon the people, like clouds full of rain upon the parched
fields} the hearts of the people were made glad, and sin¬
ners felt their awful responsibility to the God whose merer
they had slighted. His journal does not inform us what
other ministers preached at the Yearly Meeting. After
the Yearly Meeting, he returned to Corinth, where he la¬
bored until the 12th, when he went to "Washington, atid
stayed with brother Sleeper. a
OF ELD. CflAELES BOWLES.
59
14th, lie went to Duxbury and attended meeting with
Elder Huntley, Sabbath, the 15th, where he met a large
congregation, to whom he proclaimed the word of eternal
life. On the 16th, he went to Bolton and spent the night
with brother Webster. He spent several days in this vi¬
cinity, preaching and visiting. 21st, he attended tho
i^marterly Meeting. The variotts reports from the church¬
es, were encouraging. Elder Hacket preached the intro¬
ductory sermon, and some good degree of interest was
manifest in the meeting. Sabbath, 22d, Elder Bachelder
preached the first sermon, with much power and liberty.
" Elder Buzzell preached in the afternoon," says Elder
Bowles, " in his usual powerful manner."
It appears that this Quarterly Meeting was one of great-
interest ; many persons Were deeply convicted of their
sins, and a goodly number found pardon in the blood of
the Latnb» The ministers in attendance were Elders Na¬
thaniel and Charles Bowles, Buzzell, Bachelder and Hack-
ett. They scattered their appointments about the neigh¬
borhoods, so that the enemy was besieged on all sides.—
Elder Bowles says, " After the battle was over I went to
look up the slain and wounded; many of each kind were
found on the various fields. We brought them in before
the King to obtain a pardon for their acts of rebellion
•against Ms government."
23d, <the ministers of the Quarterly Meeting attended
with him a church meeting at Huntington, to give the
brethrea there some instruction concerning the doctrine
and discipline of the denomination. Elder "Webster, of
Bolton, united with the church at this time, and Brother
Bowles gave him the right hand of fellowship. They
then went to Hinesburg, and attended a meeting in a
«chool-h^uee. Elder Hackett preached, and the other
60 LABORS^ AND TRAVELS,
brethren followed in exhortation, after which they gave
the church some instruction in discipline and doctrine, and
the hand of fellowship.
24th, they went to Shelbourne, and met the brethren at
Brother Titus', where they enjoyed a pleasant interview
in christian society and worship. They then went to the
east part of the town and met the church at the house of
Mr. Hill. Here Elder Buzzell preached an interesting
sermon, which produced a good effect on the congrega¬
tion. The Elders then gave the church some instruction
and the right hand of fellowship—commending them to
God and his mercy. Here the ministers started and re¬
turned home. It appears that these brethren were a
council appointed to examine, instruct and receive these
churches into the Quarterly Meeting. 28th, he went to
Richmond, although the snow was very deep. On his
way he stopped at Hinesburg, and attended the monthly
meeting of the church, where he enjoyed an excellent
meeting.
Sabbath, March, he attended meeting in the forenoon
with the Rev. Mr. Jones, a minister of the Universaliet
order. The Elder says that "He preached veiy well;
dwelling upon the love of God to man." In the afternoon
Brother Bowles preached. Monday being stormy he
spent the day visiting from house to house, which he con¬
tinued to do with much profit, until the 7th, when Broth¬
er Kimpton carried him to Shelbourne, to attend the month¬
ly meeting. Sabbath, 8th, he preached to a large and
attentive assembly, and in the evening he met with the
brethren in prayer meeting. Several in the Congregation
resolved to become followers of the Lamb, and the old
saints obtained a new assurance of faith, and were encour¬
aged to press forward in the heavenly journey.
OF" ELD. CHARLES BOWLES/
61
9th, lie left Sbelbourne in company with Brother Kimp¬
ton, and went to Hinesbitrg and attended a meeting. As
Brother Kimpton had felt it to be his duty to improve in
public speaking, Brother Bowles encouraged him to do
so. They went to Huntington, and on arriving at the
house of Brother Koss, they met a brother from the Cha-
tauque Quarterly Meeting, in N. Y., with whom they had
an excellent visit. Thus it is with the christian heart:
wherever it finds the spirit of Christ, it finds friends.—
Come from what point of the compass they may, the same
spirit and sympathy pervades all hearts. After spending
several days in this vicinity, he left Brother Kimpton,
and went to Starksboro and held a meeting on the even¬
ing of the 21st at Brother Remington's. Quite a number
came forward for prayers, with whom the brethren heart¬
ily joined in a petition to the throne of divine grace,
which, unlike too many petitions, to civil magistrates,
found an attentive ear and sympathising heart, and receiv¬
ed a glorious answer.
22d, he met a large congregation at Huntington, and
the meeting appeared the most solemn of any he had at¬
tended for a long time. He attended evening meetings
until the 28tli. Sabbath, he attended meeting in com¬
pany with Elder Manard. Elder Manard spoke in the
morning, and he in the afternoon. The gospel done its
work upon the hearts of two, so that they fully resolved
to be for Christ, and found peace in the meeting. They
had a prayer meeting in the evening, and some ten rela¬
ted the joys of religion, which they had of late found, and
one found pardon from sin. 31st, they attended meeting
at the school-house. After the preaching two related their
experience for baptism. They then repaired to the wa¬
ter-side, where Elder Bowles baptised five, and Elder Ma*
62 LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
nard four happy souls, who had of late renounced " the'
pleasures of sin, to suffer affliction with the people of
God," having, like Moses, a "respect unto the recom¬
pense of reward." They then gave tlem the right hand
of fellowship.
He now began to turn his attention toward the other
part of the Quarterly Meeting, (the Corinth,.) and after
preaching in Richmond, Duxbury and Middlesex, he
went to Washington, where he labored and visited until
the 15 of April. He went to Orange, it being the day of
the Annual Fast; he preached at Brother Clark's, and en¬
joyed good liberty in sp.eaking. Elder Nathaniel gave an
exhortation. He continued his labors in this vicinity tor
about six weeks, and saw much of the power of the Gos¬
pel among the people. Between thirty and forty made
the happy choice of coming over on the Lord's side, and
casting in their lot with his people. He baptized some
twenty, and added them to> the church in this vicinity.
Brother Bowles was remarkably successful in his labors, he
scarcely ever spent much time in a place without witness¬
ing the conversion of more' or less people.
His soul seemed always- to be deeply stirred with aa
interest for perishing mamy and he seemed to be almost
certain of success. He was hardly ever known to fail of
seeing the conversion of a person,, for whom his soul was
drawn out in prayer. There is an incident related of him
during a revival in Hinesburg: A lady by the nam® of
Clark, had manifested a strong dislike toward hint refu¬
sed to hear him preach, and severely censured others for
u going to hear the Nigger preach." Brother Bowles call¬
ed on her at one time; found her in her usual mood tow¬
ard him. He put some questions to her in regard to her
religious feelings, and received a very short and angrjr
OP ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 63
answer. After talking a few minutes, lie requested the
privilege of praying with her, to which she made answer
very ill-temperedly, " I don't care, pray if you want to."
But he was not to be repulsed from his object in such a
summary manner. The devil had this time, a bold, fear¬
less, and strong enemy to deal with; and one who had
wrung many a victory from his iron grap. Brother Bowles
bowed himself before Elijah's God, and standing behind
the battlements of God's Eternal Law, aimed the pointed
weapons of Truth full upon her stubborn heart. She
stood leaning against a window for a while, but the ar¬
rows of conviction pierced her conscience so thick and
fast, that she soon fell upon her knees, and began to cry
for divine mercy, humbly confessing all her sins, and de¬
siring the " Nigger," whom she had so recently despised,
to pray for her. Thus was one, who was supposed to be
among the hardest, subdued by the power of prayer.—
Such faith did he exercise, that he made 110 calculation
on disappointments. He lived, walked and talked with
God. ¥e find him constantly laboring in the good cause.
Xo sooner does lie finish up his labors in one place, than
he is on the wing for another field of labor; and when he
arrives, it is not to enjoy the labors of others, but to put
shoulder to the wheel and roll on the car of salvation.
June 3d, he left Huntington, and went on visiting and
praying, through Richmond and Balton to Duxbury, 011 his
"way to the Corinth Quarterly Meeting. In the evening he
held a meeting with Elder Huntley and enjoyed much liber¬
ty in proclaiming a crucified and risen Savior. After sermon
two came forward and told their christian experience, and
were received into the church. The next day he preach¬
ed again, and two more presented themselves for bap¬
tism ; after which, they retired to the water-side, and he
€4 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
led tliein all down into the liquid wave, and buried tliem
as John did our Savior. Some, while witnessing this
pleasant scene, were deeply convicted of their many sins,
lie had labored much in this town the previous year, and
now is reaping the fruits of the seed which he then sowed.
But all the fruits of his labors will not be known, until
he shall, standing upon some proud eminence in the city
•of the New Jerusalem, witness the "innumerable ho6t
that shall come up out of much tribulation, having their
robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb
and hear the glorious song of Moses and the Lamb as it
rolls from ten times ten thousand tongues, o'er the plains
of the Paradise of God. Then shall hundreds who have
been saved from everlasting woe, seize his black hand and
thank God for so faithful a servant.
5th, he left Duxbury and went on to ISTorthfield, to at¬
tend some appointment there, that he might follow up
the labors of the Quarterly Meeting, which had been held
there a few weeks previously. But while he was labor¬
ing and anticipating some good in this town, work of a
different nature was preparing for him elsewhere. He
soon received notice of a severe trial in the church at
Washington, and an urgent request to proceed immedi¬
ately to their assistance. He hastened to comply with
this request, and soon arrived at brother Thomas', where
he met some of the brethren, and learned their matter of
trial. A minister of the Christian order had been amonjj
tliein, sowing seeds of discord, and attempting to divide
the church. After laboring for some days, he succeeded
in removing the trial, and again uniting the brethren in
one spirit 13th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the
church, where all agreed to maintain the Free Will Bap¬
tist doctrine, and to live in peace and fellowship with
each other.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 05
Sabbath, 14th, hemet a large congregation at the house
of brother Thomas, m company with Elder Moxley.: El¬
der Moxley preached in the morning, with good liberty,
and Elder Bowles preached in the afternoon from Gala-
tians 1st, 9th: " If any man preach any other gospel unto
you, than that ye have received let him be accursed."
After the evening meeting, he went to brother French's
and spent the night in discussing the doctrine of Trinita-
rianism and Unitarianism. It appears that the debate
waxed somewhat warm towards morning, though they
parted in good feelings. Elder Bowles says, that he be¬
gan to fear that he was looking too much at sectarianism,
and not enough at the good of souls, and was led to the
conclusion that even good christians might honestly dis¬
agree.
Elder Bowles spent quite a length of time in "Washing¬
ton and the adjacent towns, sometimes in company with
Elder Nathaniel Bowles, and sometimes in company with
Elders Bachelder and Carpenter, and saw much good
done, several found peace in believing and joy in the Ho¬
ly Ghost. 27th, he went to the east part of the town and
enjoyed a good season, saw some converted, and got his
mind free from trials, and took new courage to press on
toward the kingdom.
Elder Bowles was but poorly calculated for a life of
controversy; he did not like discussion of any kind, and
had much rather, avoid such conflicts. And, in fact, he
was almost wholly unprepared to meet any form of false
doctrine. He could do but little more than deny the sen¬
timents of his opponents. But when he'fell upon his
knees, stubborn sinners-and proud atheists would tremble
while helaid hold of ^the horns of the: altar,; and sent up
to tha court of heaven, his earnest ipetitione for the convic-
0
66
life, labors, and travels,
tion of adamantine hearts. Here was bis strong hold;
within this powerful influence it was dangerous for skep¬
ticism to venture. There is an incident related of him
which will forcibly illustrate the power in prayer, which
he at times exercised. A sister bad been for some time
sick, and had been anxious to have the brethren visit and
pray with her; but her father was a deadly opposer of
religion, and had on several occasions, driven ministers
from the house. Brother Bowles was invited to visit her,
and accordingly went to pay her a visit. After convers¬
ing a while with her, he requested the privilege of pray¬
ing with her; but she told him that she should be glad to
have him pray, but her father was up stairs, and was op¬
posed to having any one pray in the house, and would
probably come down and abuse him, if not turn him out
of doors. But he told her that he would risk all the con¬
sequences. He then went into an adjoining house and
called in several converts, told them to kneel down, and
lift their silent desires to God, while he prayed; and said
he, if the old man comes down, do not arise, but keep
steadily pleading at the Throne of Grace. Brother Bowles
bent himself low before the throne of divine grace, and
commenced, as he says, " "With a full head of water on
the big wheel, the gates of heaven were opened, and the
power of God was manifest in the room. I had not pro*
ceeded far when I heard the old man on the stairs, coming
down; I seized hold of the altar with a firmer grasp, and
cried at the top of my voice, God Almighty Stop Him,
FASTFN THE OLD REBEL OK THE STAIRS!" He
finished his prayer unmolested, and left the house. Soon
after the old man came down, and inquired, " Who had
been there praying ?" For said he, " I attempted to come
down and turn him out of doors, but when I had got half
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
67
way down, I found I could neither get down nor up, and
was obliged to stay and hear him through."
His attention was again calledto Huntington; but what
were his feelings, when
"Duty made him understand,
That he must take the parting hand."
Therefore, on the 30th, he bade the dear friends in this
yicinity, farewell, after commending them to the God of
all Grace; and passed through Willi&mstown, Northfield,
Koxbury, over the mountain to Westfield. Here he had
quite a controversy with an old Calvanistic Baptist, about
the " damnation of infants." He says, " God gave me
arguments, and turned the victory 011 the side of truth."
Strange, that any should be so blind as to think that God
could justly punish beings as innocent as himself! Can
they not read that it is against the guily, and them alone,
that his anathemas are thundered? But the old Cate¬
chism is still remembered, " In Adam's fall, we sinned
all." But according to their theory, it would read, " In
Adam's fall, Tie sinned for all." For certainly, we had
nothing to do with his fall, and therefore could not sin;
he, of course, must have sinned for us. Bnt, certainly,
every candid mind ought to be satisfied with the declar¬
ation " For of such are the kingdom of heaven." Cal¬
vinism found little favor with him, for he placed the sal¬
vation of a}l whom the bible addressed as responsible
beings, upon the ground of their practical obedience to
Jesus Christ. He did not constantly fill the ears of his
hearers with the discouraging story that " they could do
nothing to secure their salvation as though there waa
actual danger of their doing too much; but he urged up¬
on them the fact that God required from them instant
repentance, and required it too, on the ground of their
68 LIFE, LABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
abilit . to render it, and threatened a non-compliance with
his di-pleasure.
July 4th, he went to Duxbury, and found the brethren
well united, who with Elder Huntley, were laboring to¬
gether for she salvation of souls. After preaching with
them he v. ont to Kichmond, Bolton, and Huntington ; in
each of those places he found the brethren well engaged.
Sabbath, 12th, he held meeting in a school-house in Hun¬
tington ; a large assembly of people collected, who list¬
ened attentively to the word of life. 13th, he visited
Starksboro and Shelboume. 14th, he attended meeting
with a Methodist circuit preacher by the came of White.
Elder "White attended to the ordinance of baptism, and
Elder Bowles united in the service. He was always ready
to unite with all christians, where he did not conceive
that he must sacrifice principle to make the fellowship.
15th, he held a meeting at brother Durfee's, one woman,
related her experience in the meeting, and dated her
conviction back some three months, to a relation of his
experience, which he gave in that place. It turned out
better with this woman than with Agrippa, when he
heard Paul's experience, for she was more than u almost
persuaded to be a christianshe had been quite so.
17th, he spent the day in settling some difficulties in
the church. For this business he seemed to be highly
qualified; not by stringent disciplinarian measures, but
by making each believe that he had their real interests
at heart, which undoubtedly was the case, and thereby
inducing them to lay aside their jealousies and hatred,
and love each other as brethren. Again, he always sought
to heal difficulties as soon as they appeared, which was
much easier than after they had been long standing.—
18th, he preached at Richmond, and seemed higly bless-
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
69
ed with a mi
of the power of the gospel.
Some eighteen came forward to be prayed for; and oth¬
ers found themselves " almost persuaded to be christians."
19th, he went to Huntington and attended meeting; and
spent two or three days in the place preaching and bap¬
tizing. 22d, he was about starting eastward again, when
brother Benson arrived with a message for him to go im¬
mediately to Shelbourne, and settle some difficulty which
had arisen in the church. After obtaining Elder Webster
to attend his appointments in Duxbury, he left with an
aching heart to meet more trials among his brethren. Ar¬
riving in the place it was his first business to visit the
brethren at their firesides, and get their hearts well warm¬
ed with a good spirit, before meeting in church capacity.
24th, they met in church meeting, and after enjoying a
season in prayer, they proceeded to examine the difficul¬
ties, and settle them; which was riot a very difficult matter.
After spending a short time among the brethren, ho
again started for the east; preaching on the way in Rich¬
mond and Duxbury. 29th, he again met the friends in
Washington. lie found some rejoiciug in the liberty of
the gospel which they found since he left, and others still
seeking Ilim u of whom Moses and the prophets spake."
Sabbath, August 2d, he preached with the church in
this place, and continued his labors for some time, preach¬
ing and praying and visiting, as was his custom. In some
meetings, especially on Tuesday evening, he enjoyed
much of the manifestations of the divine goodness. Of
this meeting lie says, "I went to the meeting as Abra¬
ham's servant went to Messapatomia, u to seek a bride for
my master's son." • I had great liberty in opening the
meeting. I sat two hours in the meeting crying to God
in my soul, while the brethren were giving in their testi-
70 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
monies. "When I arose the spirit of God came down all
over mc—I cried aloud—God made bare his arm—it was
a little Pentacostical season—some cried for mercy—four
souls found peace through faith in Jesus Christ—the poor
sinner trembled, and the glory of God filled the house,"
Sabbath, 7th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the
brethren, and enjoyed a refreshing season ; some related
their christian experience for baptism, and were received
into the church. Elder Nathaniel Bowles preached in
the morning, from Revelations, 3d, 20, " Behold if any
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in and
Blip with him and he with me." And his wife gave a
weighty exhortation. Elder Charles Bowles at noon "bap¬
tized four, lie preached in the afternoon and baptized
nine more. He labored in the place during the following
week, and the work increased ; many were inquiring the
way to Zion, with their faces thitherward. But he soon
found it necessary to leave the work, and go to the Hun¬
tington Quarterly Meeting, for his labors there had result¬
ed in the conversion of several, who now desired to be
buried with Christ in baptism.
18th, he preached in Richmond, and baptized several
converts. He spent several days in Huntington and Char¬
lotte, and on the 22d, he left for the Quarterly Meeting
held at Randolph. The letters from the churches, as we
are already prepared to judge, were highly encouraging;
almost every church could report some revival interest.
23d, Elder Sweat preached an able sermon from Hebrews
2d, 3d, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great sal¬
vation V And Elder Webster preached in the afternoon.
In the evening Elder Buzzell preached, and was f 11 .wed
by Elder Ilacketin a powerful exhortation. Ha tar ied wth
brothers Skinner, Kidder and Blaiuhard, from whom lie
07 ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
11
received much kindness, and some presents with which to
supply his wants, for which he expressed much thankful¬
ness. After the meeting, he went to Washington and
baptized several.
31st, he again returned to Randolph; in the evening,
preached at the house of Captain Thompson. The revi¬
val spirit seemed to be in the meeting, and in fact, wher¬
ever he went he was pretty sure of seeing some converted.
And, black as he was, the people would flock to hear him,
and God would bless the word though it proceeded from
a black fountain. Elder Bowles used to say, " If people
will be blessed by the water of life, they must be willing
to drink it from a brown bowl." After holding one or
two meetings in Randolph and Brookfield, he returned to
Washington, where he spent the time in preaching and
visiting until September 12th, when he left to attend the
Huntington Quarterly Meeting, held at Huntington. Here
he met a large number of ministers, who had come up
from the various parts of the Vineyard of the Lord, where
they had been laboring for the advancement of the Re¬
deemer's kingdom. Here they congregated to enjoy their
quarterly feast. Elder King was chosen Moderator of
the Conference; the letters bore refreshing news from ev¬
ery part of the moral army; many a victory was reported
on Son's side—many a strong hold of the enemy taken—
and many had abandoned his cause, and thrown their in¬
fluence into the ranks of the Prince of Peace.
Sabbath, 13th, the congregation was so large that they
were under the necessity of dividing it. Elder King
preached to one, in the forenoon, and Elder Hacket to the
other. Elder King preached from Acts 28: 22,u But we
desire to hear thee, what thou thinkest; for as concern¬
ing this sect, we know that it is everywhere spoken
72 LIFE, LAB0BS, AND TRAVELS,
against." He spent several days in the place endeavor¬
ing to follow up the good impressions left by the Quarter¬
ly Meeting. 21st, he arrived at "Washington; held one
meeting, and then went on to New Hampshire far as
Springfield, and put up at brother Gilman's, where he
was cordially received, in all the warmth of christian af¬
fection. He spent nine days here, and preached eight
times. On the Sabbath, the meeting-liouse was filled to
overflowing, and the people listened with attention, while
he blowed the gospel trumpet that had awakened so ma¬
ny from the dead among the Green Mountains of Ver¬
mont. That gospel which had rescued so many from the
ways of death began to be ieit in the Clcl Granite State;
and before lie left some had been redeemed from sin, oth¬
ers had been sorely smitten between the joints of the
harness, and were ready to submit to the Redeemer. But
he must again be torn from an increasing religious interest
to attend the Vermont Yearly Meeting held at Corinth.
Saturday, he preached in the evening, and enjoyed a re¬
freshing timo; many spoke after the sermon. Sabbath,
Elder King preached an excellent sermon in the forenoon;
and Elder Fernald followed in an interesting manner in
©
the afternoon. The meeting concluded with evident to¬
kens of good.
5th, he preached at Orange ; the same success still at¬
tended his labors; many were deeply convicted, and the
cry of " What shall I do to be saved ?" was heard from
manv. He continued his labors in this town and Corinth
until the 11th, when he went to Washington, and met the
brethren in their Monthly Meeting. Sabbath, he preach¬
ed at brother Sleeper's, and enjoyed good liberty; the
people listened to hear the truth. After sermon they met
around the table of our Lord, where he invites all His
OP ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
73
children to assemble regardless of name and order, and
received the divine blessing in so doing. 13th, he went
to Williams town and attended to the ordinance of bap¬
tism ; Elder Nathaniel Bowles preached on the occasion.
After which, he returned to Washington. 14th, he left
Washington and went to Montpelier, and preached in the
evening; spent the night with Elder Woodworth. 15th,
he went to Duxbury and met with the brethren, whom ho
found in gospel order, and all overjoyed to shake his
friendly hand and listen to that strong voice which had
called so many dead sinners to life. He spent some time
in laboring in this vicinity, and saw some good accom¬
plished.
November 2d, he went to Hinesburg and attended meet¬
ing in the Rhode Island school-house. 5th, he attended
meeting at Huntington. Elder Stephens preached an ex¬
cellent sermon ; after which two came forward and related
their experience, were received into the church, and they
retired to the water, where he plunged them beneath its
limpid waves, as Phillip did the Eunuch. He preached
in the evening at brother Agent's. Elder Bowles was
destined to meet more opposition in the pursuit of his call¬
ing; he must not expect to wage so open and bold a war¬
fare, in the face of a powerful enemy, with impunity, and
not be subject to now and then an attack. . He met here a
person who,advocated a disregard of the Sabbath, with
whom he had some controversy; but keeping near the
Throne of Grace, he was enabled to save ,the sheep from
the devouring, wolves. 12th, he preached: at Huntington
Gore. In the evening he preached at brother Pratt's. A
large company flocked to hear the word; and as it was in
the days of Job, so it was with tins meeting, "Satanpre-
eented himself," in the form of a number of " lewd fol-
74 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
lowers of the baser sort." They at first disgraced the
poor Indians, by assuming their garb, and then disgracd
the meeting by appearing in it. Their evident object
was to disturb the meeting; but such was the power
of the gospel upon their guilty hearts, that they forebore
to put in practice their hellish purposes. Several related
their experiences, and offered themselves for baptism,
which gave a new impulse to the interest.
Elder Bowles had given his whole soul to the work of
his Master; and when danger presented, he did not con¬
sult personal expediency or safety, but looked only at du¬
ty and never hesitated. It was no less his duty to preach
the gospel did a mob oppose, than to preach amid the
cheering responses of his brethren. He was not commis¬
sioned to preach where none opposed, and hold his peace
amid the enemies of the Cross; for these were the very
men that his mission was intended to benefit. "When fill¬
ed with the love of God, and a sense of the worth of
souls, his heart knew no fear—his eye never quailed—his
voice never faltered. He knew that at the Throne of Di¬
vine Grace lie was, through God, more than a match for
all his enemies,
14th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the church,
and found them all walking in gospel order, and in fel¬
lowship with each other. This, especially, rejoiced his
heart, as he had recently been called on frequent occa¬
sions, to witness a different state of things. 15th, he
preached with the church, baptized several converts, and
broke bread to them. The evening meeting was advan¬
cing with a deep interest, when it was announced that " A
woman was lost in the woods." Christ stayed in his prog¬
ress to Jerusalem, to heal the blind, and they stayed in
their worship, to searchforthe lost wife and mother. The
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
75
search continued all night, and in the morning she was
found.
"We suppose that the greatest stickler for "religious du¬
ties," could not find occasion against the abandonment of
this religious meeting to rescue that wife and mother from
distress and starvation. "Why then might not the servant
of God, utter one word of sympathy for three millions,
who are in a much worse condition? Go on, Priest and
Xevite, to Jerico, and attend to your religious cant, the
Good Samaritan is close at hand. Brother Bowles, whose
mind was always fruitful and ready to profit by every fa¬
vorable circumstance, seized upon this occasion, to impress
upon the minds of his audience, that if a woman lost in
the woods demanded so much sympathy ; how much
would not their fellow-men all around them demand, who
were lost in an interminable labryinth of woe and misery?
Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that much
more thought and effort are bestowed to preserve life,
than to obtain eternal life beyond this momentary exist¬
ence. The horrors of a death of starvation amid the wild
beasts of the forest, are terrible to a sympathetic mind;
but they are nothing when compared to the death that
never dies, as that is portrayed in most fearful colors by
Pollock:—
"Fast by the side of this unsightly th'njr,
Another was portrayed, more hideous still;
Who sees it once shall wish to see't no more.
For ever undisturbed let it remain!
Only this much I may or can unfold—
For out it thrust a dart that might have made
The knees of terro; quake, and on it hung,
Within the triple barbs, a being pierced
Thro' soul and body both; of heavenly make,
Original the being seemed, but fallen,
76
life, labors, and travels,
And worn and wasted with enormous woe.
And still around the everlasting lance
It writhed convulsed, and uttered maniac groans,
And tried and wished, and ever tried and wished
To die; but could not. Oh, horrid sight!
1 trembling gazed, and listened, and heard this voice
Approach my ear—This is Eternal Death."
17th, he visited from house to house, and met with
some of the opposers of the revival, whom he faithfully
warned from error's dangerous road. In the afternoon he
attended meeting with Elder Stevens, and heard him
preach from Isaiah, 12: 6 : " Cry out and shout, thou in¬
habitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in
the midst of thee." Some who had been deeply convict-
fed the evening previous, now personally requested brother
Bowles to pray for them; and after preaching they held a
prayer meeting, in which two were redeemed from sin,
and made " Heirs of the Grace of Life,-" while many
more were brought to consider on their course of life.—
In company with Elder Stevens, he visited and preached
through the town. The brethren were much strengthened
in the ways of holiness and comforted in the Lord.
25th, he went to Kichmond aad preached in "the even¬
ing, and continued his jouimey on through Duxbury, Mid¬
dlesex and Montpelier, in all of which places he preached.
December 2d, he arrived at Washington, and although
he had preached almost every day for a long time, yet he
entered another meeting on his arrival, and again sounded
Free Salvation, which was his constant theme and delight.
Sabbath, he preached at brother Thomas'; the people lis¬
tened attentively. He visited and preached during the
week at Corinth, Orange and other places. While here,
he met with, to him, a severe loss; his horse that had
borne him so many miles, was taken sick and died, leav-
OP ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
77
ing him destitute of means to attend his appointments,
except on foot. We can gather no information how or
when this loss was made up to him ; all we know is, he
was for a time without a horse.
Thus closes another year of his laborious and useful
life. He had traveled much, almost incessantly day and
jilght—he had met with trials and opposition from profess¬
ed friends and open enemies; but no opposition had shut
the path of duty from his tread—no time-serving expedi¬
ency had caused him to swerve from the prompt discharge
of duty; ever faithful, he had been eminently successful.
Amid all his trials he had seen much to rejoice his heart,
• and strengthen -his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many had been the cry which had fallen upon his ear
• from the penitent soul, and many the song of deliverance
that had swelled up from a soul unburthened of air its
guilt; and many had been the happy convert that he had
led down into the watery grave.
i One more year had passed away, borne on the: rapid
wings of Old Time, who never returns with the hoiirs he
has once borne away, that we may better improve them;
and his labors and sermons have all gone up to be entered
on the book of the recording angel. But Oh?*sinners
who have listened to his faithful sermons^ have your deeds
been as Worthy: to be entered there as his ? ! Are you wil¬
ling to be judged by your deeds ? If any ofyou are stall
'alive who listened to his entreating voice < and heard Ms
deep drawn groans in ydttr behalf, and: still tmreelaimed
to God, may you heed the warning of his voice still shak¬
ing in his godly life.
CHAPTER VI.
1819—Attends the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—Labors to Intro¬
duce System and Order—Is in Favor of Ministers receiving a Good
Support—Brother C. Huntley Licensed—Some Evil Reports Circu¬
lated against him—He Receives a Pension—Brother Bachelder In¬
volved in Trials—A Hail Storm—The Conversion of Brother Mc-
Callister—Organizes a Church in Stovve.
January 1st, 1819. In looking over the past year, broth¬
er Bowles felt much encouraged in the good work of the
Lord. He had seen so many unmistakeable manifesta¬
tions of the Divine power and blessing attending his
labors, that to doubt, for a single moment, in regard to
the path of duty, would be the most unpardonable infi¬
delity. To doubt the Divine goodness and protection for
the future, would be to deny his entire experience in the
past, and believe himself a maniac. So he is left no oth¬
er alternative, than to again renew covenant with God,
pledge future allegiance and fidelity to the captain of his
salvation, buckle on the armor anew, dr.vw the sword of
the spirit and commence again the warfare.
5th, he went to Strafford and attended meeting with
Elder Buzzell, and enjoyed a refreshing season; the can¬
dle of the Lord shone in their midst. 6th, he attended
Monthly Meeting at Corinth, and continued several days
in the place, visiting, preaching and praying. Went to
Hinesburg to attend the Huntington Quarterly Meeting.
The reports were still cheering, the Old Ship of Zion was
still breasting waves of opposition with success, while her
crew was yet on the increase. He preached in the after-
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
79
noon with much liberty, and was followed by Elders Ma-
nard, Stevens, Howard and Haeket in weighty exhorta¬
tions. In the evening the brethren went to brother Pain's
in Shelbourne, and he preached again; his text was, "For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the
government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name
shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." And quite
a good interest was manifest in the meeting.
Sabbath, 17th, a large congregation met at sister Con¬
ger's. The brethren held a prayer meeting at eight o'clock.
Elder Stevens preached an interesting sermon in the fore¬
noon. At this meeting, brother Bowles says, "About
the middle of the meeting, God appeared in mighty pow¬
er, and all of our souls were filled; we had a good heav¬
enly shouting time; the voice of the King appeared in
the camp of Israel." Elder C. Huntley preached an ex¬
cellent sermon in the evening; and the Quarterly Meet¬
ing closed its session in an interesting manner. After
the Quarterly Meeting, he spent a tew days at Shelbourne
and Charlotte, seeing some interest aroused and good pro¬
duced. 20th, he baptized some ut the latter place, after
which he went to Shelbourne, and labored to introduce
some system and order into the church. The church es¬
tablished a regular monthly meeting, a church meeting
for business, and a communion season once in three months.
It appears from brother Bowles' journals, that he began
to see the necessity of order and regularity in church gov¬
ernment. He found that difficulties and trials were worse
to settle after standing for some length of time, than
when they first appear. And where there are no regular
church meetings, they are more likely to remain unsettled
than when regular business meetings are established.—
80 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
The church also agreed to raise funds, to defray the ex¬
penses of the church, by a tax. It would appear that he
was in favor of brethren being taxed to help carry on
the cause of God. Neither, was he opposed to ministers
having a good support where they labored; and has him¬
self circulated a subscription to procure ministerial labor
in the Quarterly Meeting. However honestly p&st gen¬
erations have opposed the support of the ministry, we
believe the present opposition proceeds .more from covet-
ousncss than conscience. And if any one doubts it, let
them jusfc ask one of tlieso brethren, who is always telling
the brethren to " Trust in the Lord for their support," to
let you liave a barrel of flour, a good horse, or a little
money, and "trust in the Lord for their pay," and see
where their confidence " in the Lord is!" Not they ! they
had much rather recommend others to practice this rule
than to practice it themselves. We think Cromwell's
way of "trusting in the Lord," much better than theirs:
upon the eve of a certain battle, his soldiers were, as they
were wont, to be, engaged in praying and singing, but by
the way, they were rather careless of their ammunition,
exposing it to the rain that was then falling, said this stem
man,Soldiers trust in God, but keep your powder dry."
It is true, that he opposed a " hireling ministry," but
he must have intended only those who preach for nothing
but the fleece^ and have no care for th%fiooh ; or else how
could he collect money for the ministry ?. He was quite
worn down, and considerable unwell at this time.
February 28th, though atill unwell, he went to Char¬
lotte, and preached and baptized some eonverts. i He
epent the time in this vieinity untjj AprU;3d, attended
three baptisms, assisted-in settllng^eY^idifiicidfcies isi
the churches,and Bawanumbereonverted.
OF ELD* CHARLES BOWLES.
81
.April 3d) be leftfor "Washington in compaay with broth¬
ers George and Batter of that place; on his way he
preached at -Duxbury, Saturday and Sabbath. Sabbath
evening he went to brother Towl's and spent the night.
5th, the brethren from Washington left him and went
home, and he returned to Duxbury and appointed a church
meeting; when, after instructing them somewhat in the
doctrines and usages of the denomination, he gave them
the hand of fellowship and declared them a Free Will
Baptist Church. In the evening they met in prayer meet¬
ing; some bowed before the mercy seat for the first time,
and called upon God to have mercy on them. In their
church meeting, they gave brother Calvin Huntley a
church license to preach the gospel; and voted that Elder
Bowles' ordination credentials be entered on the town
records. Passing through Middlesex and Montpelier, he
arrived at Washington on the 10th.
Here he was destined to meet some severe trials. Some
who professed religion, combined their influence with the
ungodly, and put in circulation some evil reports against
his christian character. What these reports were, we are
not informed, but some of the brethren's minds had be¬
come alienated from him, and among others, brother
Sleeper, a man very dear to him, and whose house had
been his home. Brother .Bowles, jsays of this scene,
"When I arrived at Washington, I found the brethren in
monthly meeting; some;were,glad to see me; but one
and all wept like children. : I told them that I was inno-
cenfy and requested » Council for the examination of the s
report, to which tbey jagreed< < , I then Went to the grove
told the Lordall ahpwfc my troubles,/and glfcrytohis
name, - he heard me,?»<$ tgavemepsjaeeof soulj &nd aa
aseuranoe^f speedy vieto^?!; ISth^a Council,, consisting
82 LIFE) LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
of Elder Nathaniel Bowles, Deacon Joshua Folsom, Pe¬
ter Roberson, Joshua George, and E. Oummings, met with
the church, and after a careful and full investigation he
was pronounced innocent.
May 8th, the church held a meeting to take into con¬
sideration the conduct of the sister who had circulated
the reports against Elder Bowles, and after a full investi¬
gation, the church withdrew from her the hand of fellow¬
ship. After which, they heard the experience of several
converts, received them into the church, and he then bap¬
tized them. In the evening he attended meeting at broth¬
er Kamsdale's, which was an interesting season. He
continued to labor in the vicinity for some time, the pow¬
er of the gospel made a sensible effect upon the people,
and enabled him to experience the truth of Baalam's ex¬
pression : " Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob,
neither is there any divination against Israel." Thus he
continued to labor until the 22d of May, when the Quar¬
terly Meeting was held in the place. The Conference was
interesting, the reports from the Quarterly Meeting brought
good news of revivals in many churches. There were
nine ministers of our own denomination, and two of the
Methodist, present. The situation of the church in this
place still continued to press upon him, and to drive sleep
from his eyes, and to render his food undesirable. Amid
his anxieties for the welfare of Zion, he utters a wish that
he " may never again see Washington."
Sabbath, 23d, Elder King preached a weighty sermon
in the morning, and in the afternoon Elder Buzzell spoke
from Revelation 10; 6, " And sware by him that liveth
forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that
therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are,
and the sea, and the things that therein are, that there
OF ELD. CHABLE8 BOWLES.
83
should be time no more." In the evening a prayer meet¬
ing was held at brother Thorin's, and he says that, " The
best of the wine was at the last of the feast," and the
Quarterly Meeting closed its session with good interest,
producing a salutary effect upon the religious feelings of
the church.
About this time he received a pension for his services
in the army during the war of the revolution. He now
had some certain means of support, aside from that which
he received from the contributions of the brethren. He
went to Corinth, Bradford and Orange. June 7th, he is
called upon to sympathize deeply with brother Bachelder,
who was involved in difficulty with some of his neigh¬
bors. Having just been involved in trials himself, he
knows how to sympathize with those who are thus situa¬
ted. He went with brother Bachelder to Chelsea, and
here left him, and returned to Washington, to prepare to
attend the Huntington Quarterly Meeting. After visit¬
ing with those brethren, who had stood by him in the
midst of trials, he left in company with brother Clements,
to attend the above named Quarterly Meeting, and went
on to Chelsea.
June 9th, they left Chelsea, and, after riding several
miles, the sky began to gather darkness, the black clouds
began to roll up the western horizon, the storm spirit sent
forth the howling winds from their bowels, the thunder
uttered its deafening roars, the lightnings leaped from
cloud to cloud, and the tempest came driving on, like
some angry war-god eager for the fray. The treasures of
hail were opened, and poured in fearful blasts upon the
earth. The place where they took refuge, it appears, was
the retreat of others; and brother Bowles seized upon the
occasion to illustrate and enforce the necessity of escaping
84 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
the fury of that storm of Divinewrath which is threaten¬
ed upon the heads bf the wicked atthe judgment. The
storm' lasted some forty, minutes,-and spread its desolating
force some ten miles iii width, breaking glass, and doing
considerable damage to vegetation. He passed on through
Montpelier, Duxbury, Bolton and Richmond, and arrived
On the 12th at Huntington/ Here he met warm friends,
who were glad to flee him safely delivered from the snares
of the enemy, and ready to lead Zion's hosts afresh to the
conflict. Elder Woodworth preached the first sermon.
Brother Bowles says it came in power, and was followed
by many remarks from others, and a deep interest was
manifested. Elder Hacket preached Sabbath forenoon,
and Elder Woodworth in the afternoon. They held a
prayer meeting in the evening at brother Gillet's and the
saints obtained a view of the kingdom, and a shout went
up from the camp of Israel. He went from the Quarter¬
ly Meeting to Charlotte and Shelbourne, and preached in
each place." Here he found'some of his brethren sick,
Some:quite low. Brother Benson was quite sick with the
Consumption^ and he-did not expect to see him again m
this world, but the prospect of meeting in another and
better was bright.
24th, he went to Duxbury, and held a meeting in the
evening; several came forward for prayers, and some
found peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
25th, he w;ent to Huntington'. During this summer he
Kept no journal of his labors, but we are assured that he
was not idle in the good work-of the Lord. October 31st,
•he went to-Shelbourne and attended meeting; a large as¬
sembly met, and he preached three sermons and enjoyed
good liberty, and the people appeared deeply affected.
November 4th, he went to Huntington,quite unwell in
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
85
body, but happy in spirit. Sabbath, 7th, he attended a
meeting Sir the school-house; many of the brethren and
sisters "came up to the help of the Lord against the pow¬
ers of darkness." ' The Salvation of God was manifested
in a wonderful manner; sinners cried for mercy, and the
saints felt the vitalizing energy of the glorious gospel of
the Son of God. Each heart was quickened into new ac¬
tivity, and each sOiil wias encouraged for new victories.
During the week he preached twice and visited among
the people, encouraging and comforting the saints, and
warning the sihners. He continued preaching and labor¬
ing in this vicinity with some good success, until the 27th,
when he left, and went to Duxbttry, to attend the Month¬
ly Meeting of that church. He found them well engaged
in the good Work of the Lord, He preached therein the
evenings With good liberty. 28th, he went to Waterbury
and pfreached in the Little River 'neighborhood; the
brethren seemed well engaged in the work of redemption,
and he fondly hoped to see some revival interest soon in
this region.
30th, he went with brother Lord to Mansfield, and
preached in the afternoon, and in'theevening he preached
in Stowe, at brother Buzzell'si.1 December 2d, this day
was set apart to be observed as a day of thanksgiving
and prayer. Brother Bowles says that he felt truly thank¬
ful for the blessings of the' past year.; He preached: on
f.liift day at Little Riverj and in the evening held a prayer
meeting at brother Town's. He continued laboringin
the place, being encouraged by the good omens which he
had witnessed ; sinners and backsliders began to cry for
mercy and confess their eiiis with deep* penitence of heart ;
and even hardened infidels were cut to the hieart, -their
false theories became as flax when touched By fire^ and
86 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
they were not ashamed to cast them to the four winds of
heaven, and seek the more substantial hopes of the gospel.
The case of one Deist, is mentioned by brother Bowles:
A man by the name of McCallister, had for some time
embraced the gloomy sentiments of Deism, and rejected
the glorious hopes of the gospel. He had sacrificed the
bright prospects of the christian, for the dark and oblivi¬
ous hope of an " Eternal sleep," which once disgraced
the tombs of infidel France. He had been somewhat for¬
ward in his abuse of religion, and religious meetings.
He was induced to attend the preaching of brother Bowles,
and his attention was soon arrested to the vital question
of the truthfulness of the gospel system. It was a fear¬
ful struggle; often the power of gospel truth would put
to flight all former array of weapons by which he had so
long guarded his heart against the truth, and he seemed
ready to yield to the religion of the bible; but his old
doubts would soon rally themselves again to the contest,
and all seemed lost. Thus he stood vacillating between
these two contending powers. At length he invited broth¬
er Bowles to make him a visit. He went, and found him
under deep conviction, he requested him to pray for him,
but brother Bowles told him that it would be of no use,
unless he would pray for himself. He said he could not,
and that he had said that " no man should ever hear him
pray." But his agony of soul put to flight the last lin¬
gering doubt, and he bowed before the God whom he had
despised, and called earnestly for mercy and salvation.
That prayer flew with electric speed up to the mercy seat,
was presented by the Redeemer, in his own name, a par¬
don granted, and the late infidel with brother Bowles and
angels, joined in a song of redemption over the salvation
of one soul.
OF ELD CHARLES BOWLES.
87
16th, Elder Bowles attended meeting at brother Smith's,
in company with Elder Dodge. 17th, he met with the
brethren at brother Manard's; several were deeply con¬
victed, and one found peace. Sabbath, 19th, he went to
the "West Branch in Stowe, to brother McCallister's; the
people came from Mansfield, Waterbury, and the adjoin¬
ing towns, to the number of near four hundred. Great
solemnity pervaded the assembly. He preached with
much effect. Brother McCallister spoke in the meeting,
confessed his infidelity, and asked the people to forgive
him. A deep sensation was felt in every part of the con¬
gregation. He held a prayer meeting in the place in the
evening; many were deeply convicted, and some five
were hopefully converted. 22d, he held a Monthly Meet¬
ing at the Branch, and several came forward, related their
experiences, and the church received them; after which
Elder Bowles led them down to the water, and plunged
them beneath its gently rolling waves. Among the num¬
ber was the converted infidel, who followed his master
down into the watery grave, confessing the hopeless delu¬
sions from which he had been thus mercifully saved.
25th, he preached again with the brethren; after which
he organized them into a Free Will Baptist Church, and
gave them the hand of christian fellowship. Several un¬
converted persons, while beholding this scene, felt deeply
the force of gospel truth, and ere it closed were delivered
from the bonds of iniquity. Thus, as may be supposed,
the hearts of the saints were encouraged, and the converts
made glad by new accessions to the praying army. 24th,
lie was called to witness a solemn scene. He was invited
to the bed-side of death; he beheld a child in all the
bloom of youth, laying in the embrace of the grim mon¬
ster of the grave. Friends stood around the expiring ob-
88 LIFE) LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
ject of their love, waiting and weeping as the cords that
bound it to theirhearts were .snapped one by one. Some
were deeply affected, and requested brother Bowles to
pray for them.
28th, he called at the house of Mr. Stevens'; there was
a party of young people at the house, engaged in a ball.
Some of them, learning that he was in the house, came
into the room; and he, ever ready, to improve such an
opportunity, admonished them for spending their time
thus foolishly, and exhorted them to spend it in making a
speedy preparation for death and the judgment. They
left the room, but being troubled, soon returned, when he
told them if they would consent, he would be glad to pray
with them. They did so, and after a short exhortation,
he bowed in their midst, and prayed earnestly that they
might be speedily led to seek salvation.
30th, he went to brother Nathaniel Bowles, in Corinth,
and spent the night. 31st, although quite stormy, he
visited his daughter at Washington, and found that during
his absence, she had found the Pearl of Great Price.—
How rejoiced is the heart of the parent when it hears of
the salvation of the child, the object of its love, the idol
of its bosom J Do parents desire such glorious results,
let them live as well as pray > before their children, that
they may be influenced, by precept and example. And
yet -how many parents manifest in the presence of their
children a peevish and MM .disposition, giving way
sometimes to fits of anger and passion, and then wonder
that theirchildrenare not converted. " Be not deceived j
God is not mocked;;ipr whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he reap."
Thus another year had rolled into eternity; he had la-
bored and toiled in the vineyard of his master for twelve
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
89
months more, since lie consecrated himself to the gospel
work on the last new year's day. God had abundantly
blessed his labors in the conversion of many. He had
baptized many, and organized several churches, and seen
much of the display of Divine power. His work had
now gone up to be registered upon the great book of ac¬
counts, to be read at the Judgment, together with the
works of those to whom he had preached. God grant
that many of them may have a liappy meeting with him
in the Kingdom of Heaven,
CHAPTER VII.
1820—Settles a Difficulty in Waterbury Church—Attends the Corinth
Quarterly Meeting—Different kinds of Preachers—Ordination of El¬
der Samuel Lord—Visits the Grave-Yard—A Communion Season—
Goes to the Wheelocb Quarterly Meeting—Conversion of Sister
Quinby—Ordination of Elder Powers—Ordination of Elder Calvin
Huntley—Visits New Hampshire.
The year of 1820 was spent by Elder Bowles, mostly
in the Huntington and Wheelock Quarterly Meetings.
He was one of the most arduous laborers that ever enter¬
ed the vineyard of the Lord. His preaching, though
frequently every day, and sometimes several times in the
day, was but a small part of his work; when he had pro¬
claimed the word in public, he did not leave it to be
parched by the sun, choked by the cares of the world, or
devoured by the birds of forgetfulness; but his hearers were
followed to their homes, and personally labored with and
prayed for; and thus he was enabled to secure the fruits
of his labors more effectually. He was often called to
settle difficulties between brethren, which to him was the
most trying of all his labors. He speaks of one difficulty
which lie was called to settle in the church at Waterbury.
February 22d, it seems that he commenced with this
trial, as he was in the habit of commencing with all oth¬
ers, by visiting, conversing and praying with the breth¬
ren, from house to house, through the church, but more
especially with the disaffected members. And when he
had got as good a degree of feeling as possible, then he
called the church together, and endeavored to reconcile
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
91
the parties. He preached in the evening at brother
Town's, and had good liberty in speaking. " Spent the
night with brother Town, and labored hard to have the
difficulty removed." From this we infer that brother
Town was a party to the trial. Such was his anxiety for
the church, that sleep departed from his eyes, and he
spent the night in lamenting the state of bleeding Zion.
23d, the forenoon was spent in talking over the matter;
in the afternoon the brethren met at Deacon Darling's:
o /
much hardness was manifested by some of the brethren;
but after praying and laboring together for some time,
self began to give way in the minds of the brethren, and
the spirit of brotherly love to assert its former reign; the
cause of Christ again appeared the main object, and all
forgot and forgave their trials for His dear name.
26th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the church,
where all joined with one accord in renewing covenant to
walk together in union of fellowship. 27th, he preached
at brother Town's, and broke bread to the church. In the
evening he attended a prayer meeting at brother Gas-
kill's, where the spirit of revival was once more manifest.
Three presented themselves for prayers, and one found a
pardon for all sin. 28th, he went to Stowe, visiting as he
journeyed, as was his custom, thereby scattering the seed
the whole length of his journey. He says, " As I went
on to this place, I felt to ciy Lord revive thy work." In
the afternoon, he preached at brother Moody's at Stowe;
much interest was manifest in the meeting, and one young
man related his experience for baptism. They then re¬
paired to the water, and brother Bowles like Philip,
plunged the young brother beneath the yielding wave.
He attended prayer meeting in the evening, and a still
deeper interest pervaded the assembly. Some fifteen
92 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
presented themselves for prayers, relating in brief their
feelings and determinations. He continued his labors in
Stowe and Waterbury, until the last of March, seeing
anuch. good accomplished; baptizing quite a number, and
enjoying many refreshing seasons with the brethren, who
were so near his heart. Doubtless, some of the. fruits of
his labors are still living, and can refer with pleasure to
those scenes of joy in which they found salvation through
Jesus Christ.
March 26th, he went to Huntington to attend some ap¬
pointments which he had there. Brother Bowles spent
some weeks in Huntington, Starksboro, Hinesburg and
Burlington, preaching, visiting, attending Church and
Monthly Meetings, settling difficulties and laboring for
the spread of the glorious gospel of the Son of God. He
was never satisfied unless he was successfully engaged in
the great work for whicli he had received his Divine com¬
mission. Did he behold danger approach to disturb the
peace and prosperity of the church, his heart always beat
in sympathy for the people of God; and his earnest soul
besieged the Throne of Grace to avert the threatened
blow. Such was his strong attachment to the infant
churches, which he had established, that they placed the
utmost confidence in his devotion to their interests, and
consequently sent for him on all occasions of trial.
On the 26th of May, he again took leave of the brethren
in this region; and, after invoking upon them the Divine
blessing, and commending them to the protection of Him
who said, " Fear not, little flock,'5 proceeded on his way
toward the Corinth Quarterly Meeting. On his way, he
visited and preached in Washington, Duxbury and Rich¬
mond,, and arrived at Randolph on the 20th, where the
Quarterly Meeting was to be convened. The conference
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
93
meeting was interesting, and the letters breathed a spirifc
of revival interest. Sabbath^ 21st, Elder Clark preached
an. excellent and weighty sermon; after which, many-
warm exhortations were offered. In the afternoon, Elder
King preached a very instructive sermon. The meeting
was continued on Monday; Elders Clark, King, Buzzell
and Bowles remained and took part in the meeting. A
good degree of interest "was manifest in the meeting, al¬
though he speaks of no especial revival.
23d, he visited his daughter, whom he found well and
still striving to go to Heaven by, the way of the Cross.
He labored for some time in Washington, Topsham and
Corinth ; visiting and praying in his usual way, and
preaching Sabbaths and evenings. And here, as in other
places, he found much to do; and here also, his ears were
saluted with the sound of new born souls, brought by
his influence into the Kingdom.
Sabbath, June 11th, he preached in Montpelier, where
he met brother Woodard. Of this meeting brother Bowles
Bays, " In the afternoon, (Jod renewed my commission,
and annotated me from the horn of salvation. I drew
bow at venture, God directed the arrow, which smote the
enemy between the joints o^ the harness, and wounded
many a heart in the assembly, which caused them to cry
out,4 You meant me, you pointed me out!' " In the eve¬
ning he held a prayer meeting, in which one related the
dealings of God with his soul during the day.
12th, he left for Duxbury, on his way to attend the
Huntington Quarterly Meeting to be held in Stowe, where
he arrived on the 17th. He preached Saturday afternoon
from Ehilippians 2: 10, " That afc the name of Jesus ev¬
ery knee should bow." Sabbath, 18th, Elder Allen,
preached from Matthew 21: 44, u Whosoever shall fall
94 LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall
fall it shall grind him to powder." In the evening they
held a prayer meeting. During the Quarterly Meeting,
he stopped at brother McCallister's, where he received
every mark of christian kindness. 19th, Elder Bowles,
in company with Elder Allen, went to Waterbury, and
held a meeting in the evening. Elder Allen preached,
and brother Bowles and Haeket followed in warm exhor¬
tations. The brethren were highly edified and encour¬
aged. 20th, they left and went to Duxbury, where Elder
Webster left them, for his home, and the other two at¬
tended meeting in the evening, and tarried during the
night with brother John Davis. 21st, they went to Hun¬
tington in company, where they arrived, and attended
meeting in the evening. Brother Bowles says of this
day's journey, " I could say with the disciples, on their
way to Emeas, did not our hearts turn within us, by the
way." Elder Allen preached this evening, and brother
Bowles followed in his usual earnest style ; much interest
was manifested in the meeting. Brother Bowles seems
to have been well qualified to produce a powerful effect
in an exhortation; he was zealous and would often draw
much upon the sympathies of his audience ; his powerful
voice, united to his deep and practical experience of the
dealings of God with himself and others, qualified him
to touch the hidden springs of human nature, and open
the fountains of the christian heart. His talents were
probably better fitted for the exhortation style of preach¬
ing, than doctrinal. He was not what is called a sermon-
izmg preacher; he sought more to produce present effect
upon his congregation, than to make a regular siege upon
any place, by commencing in a systematic course of doc¬
trinal introduction, preparatory to urging a personal com-
OF ELD. CHABLES B0WLB6. 95
pliance with the requirements of God. Both of these
talents are valuable in the church; and one should never
be disparaged by the other; neither should the class pos¬
sessing the one be exalted above those possessing the
other. God has chosen them both, and we should never
undertake to decide which is the most useful in the church.
We doubtless have our preference for the one or the other.
Rather let each one make use of all the means in his
power to improve his usefulness, as best he can.
22d, they went to Sfrelbourne; having no appointment,
they immediately gave out one, and obtained a good hear¬
ing among the people. Brother Allen preached an ex¬
cellent sermon, and brother Bowles followed in weighty
exhortation. 23d, brothers Allen and Bowles parted.—
Brother Bowles spent some days in Shelbourne and Char¬
lotte. 25th, he preached at the house of sister Irish, in
Corinth, the assembly was large and the meeting inter¬
esting. July 3d, he spent in visiting. 6th, he went with
brother Allen to Waterbury to attend the ordination of
brother Samuel Lord. The council met at brother Town's,
and attended to the examination; in the afternoon the or¬
dination was attended to; sermon by brother Allen, from
Matthew 10: 16, and Mark 16: 15,16. The sermon was
able and interesting. The ordaining prayer by brother
Woodward; charge and hand of fellowship by brother
Allen; concluding prayw by brother Bowles. The breth¬
ren spent the night at brother Darling's. 7th, and 8th,
quite unwell, but went to Mannsfield to attend his ap¬
pointment.
9th, he preached in a school house. In the morning,
he had visited the Grave-Yard, and held silent converse
with his God, amid the tombs of the sleeping dead. His
mind was solemn, as he contemplated the scene that should
96 LIFE, LABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
transpire, when: the angel should come forth, and " Stand¬
ing one foot upon the sea, the other on the land, proclaim
that time shall be no more,"—" When Nature should die,
and God and Angels come to lay her in the grave,"—
when from each winding sheet, should arise the corpse,
which long had slumbered in its cold embrace, and, on
wings of ether, fly upward to meet the general doom,
And should he stand in that grand assembly, and amid
the congregations, which he had so often addressed, hear
the sentence of " Come," and " Depart," as it fell on each
successive soul ? He left that charnel-house of the past,
with stronger resolutions to "Declare the whole council
of God."
In the afternoon the congregation was so large, that
they had to repair to the grove. Here in nature's great
orchestra, surrounded by the warbling songsters, beneath
the bending heavens, Elder Bowles felt perfectly at home,
and his old trumpet was tuned again to the sound of free
salvation, and his strong voice sent the glorious news re¬
verberating through the forest. He loved to stand amid
such scenes, and picture to his fellow-men the beauties
and blessings of that gospel whose joy so enraptured his
own soul, and sent on angelic wings to feast around the
throne of God. 16th, he attended meeting at Middlesex
with brother Huntley. Brother Huntley preached in the
forenoon, and he in the afternoon.
He now resolved to visit again the Corinth Quarterly
Meeting. 17th, he went to Montpelier, and spent the
night with brother Woodworth. 18th, he went to Wash¬
ington, where he visited for some days, during which he
was quite unwell for a few days. One would suppose
that his constant labor would wear him down, and even
fasten disease upon him; for he must have encountered
OF ELD. CHAKLES BOWLES. 07
many storms in his constant travels from place to place.
29th, he preached the funeral sermon for a young mart
who was killed by a falling tree. "Surely in the midst
of life, we are in death." Sabbath, 50th, he preached at
brother Grant's.
August 3d, he went to Washington and preached in a
school-house near brother Stone's. After visiting a few-
days, he took his boy and left for the Huntington Quarter¬
ly Meeting. On arriving at Duxbury, the man who had
been keeping his boy arrived and desired to have his boy
return with him ; to which brother Bowles consented ; the
occasion of this affair we do not know. He arrived at
Huntington on the 5th. He attended Monthly Meeting
with the brethren, and "preached on the Sabbath. 8th, the
friends came to cut his grain for him; for which he ex¬
pressed much gratitude. 13th, he attended meeting at a
school-house in Huntington, in company with brother
Webster, who preached in the forenoon, and he in the
afternoon. After which they attended to the " Washing
of feet," a ceremony then practiced in several of our
churches. After which they attended to the ordinance of
the supper; in which they enjoyed a refreshing season;
the brethren and sisters shouted aloud for joy, while sin¬
ners cried for mercy; and two were delivered from the
power of sin; so powerful were the recollections which
this affecting scene called up from the tomb of the past.
Cruel indeed must be that spirit, which shuts many of his
recognised followers from the table of our common Lord.
In recognising us as christians, and excluding us from the
Lord's table, they say, we are fit for the kingdom of heav¬
en, but not fit for a close communion church. Well if we
are fit for the former, we will forego the latter ; let us
commune with Christ and we will not find much fault
D
98 life, labors, and teavels,
though some of his disciples will not own us fit for thei/v
table on earth.
30th, he went to Hinesburg, and preached at the Sweet
school-house; here the power of the gospel was felt in
some good degree. He visited and preached here until
the 25th, when he started for the Wheelock Quarterly
Meeting, to spend a short time within its limits. On his
way he preached at Middlesex and Montpelier, and ar¬
rived at Lyndon on the 2d of September.
He speaks at this time of the loss of a friend, Charles
Clark, whom he appears to have very highly esteemed.
3d, he preached twice in this place, with the church of
which Elder D. Quinby was pastor. 4th, he attended the
funeral of the above named Clark, and preached to a large
assembly, from Romans 5: 21, "That as sin hath reigned
unto death, even so might grace reign through righteous¬
ness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." After
the funeral service brother Bowles went home with the
bereaved family, and sought to comfort and console them
in this sad hour of their affliction. He spent a few days
in this and adjoining towns, but saw no marked signs of
revival, which induced him to think of returning home
again ; as he was not wont to labor long in a place with¬
out seeing some manifestations of a revival. Although
he had seen no signs of success, yet it was with much
doubt and misgivings that he started for home on the 8th.
He went to Wheelock to an appointment; but on his way
met Dr. Mags, who persuaded him to send back another
appointment to Lyndon.
9th, he went to Sutton and preached, and then return¬
ed to brother Quinby's in Lyndon, and attended a prayer
meeting in the evening. This appears to have been a veiy
interesting meeting and to have promised future success
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
99
to his labors in this place. Sister Quinby, who had not
embraced religion, was converted during the evening, and
joined her husband in the heavenly warfare. This was
not all; there were some dozen more converted during
the meeting. Brother Quinby got up near the portals of
glory, and looked over into the heavenly Canaan, and his
soul gave full vent to the heavenly bliss that flowed in
swelling waves within. The Old Ship of Zion seemed
equipped and ready for the heavenly voyage. He spent
a few days in the place, and saw much good done .; many
souls converted, the family altar reared around hearth¬
stones that had never before listened to the voice of pray¬
er ; and hearts that had never Wore tuned the songs of
Zion, were now filled with praise to the Redeemer. He
received a small compensation for his labors; and on the
14th, he left in company with brother Quinby for the
Huntington Quarterly Meeting, to be held at Huntington;
where they arrived on the 15th, and met the conference
at brother Gillet's at one o'clock P. M., which was quite
refreshing; the letters bore good tidings from the out¬
posts of Israel's camp. Sabbath, 16th, Elder G. W. Pow¬
ers preached in the forenoon and Elder Quinby in the
afternoon; both of which were weighty and to the purpose*
Sabbath, 17th, a prayer meeting was held in the mor¬
ning ; in the forenoon Elder Allen preached an excellent
sermon from Luke 14: 22, " The servant said, Lord it is
done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room."
After which brother Powers was ordained. Elders Quin¬
by made the ordaining prayer, Woodworth gave the
charge, Webster gave the hand of fellowship, and Bowles
made the concluding prayer* In the afternoon Elder
Bachelder preached from Acts 10: 3," He saw in a vis¬
ion evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an Angel
100 LIFE, LABORS) AND TRAVELS,
of God coming in to him, and saying to him Cornelius."
This was a powerful discourse, and the vast assembly that
had been listening all day to the Divine truths, which had
tallen upon their ears from the lips of God's servants, be¬
gan to fe< 1. the -force of those truths, and many were af¬
fected to tears. Strange indeed, that so many will listen
so often to an impartial description of their lost situation,
and still be careless and unmindful of the fatal conse¬
quences that await them in an awful and fast approaching
judgment. Men are excited to sympathy, and moved to
action by the affecting appeals that arrest their ears and
their attention in behalf of human misery, but a faithful
and true statement of their exposed situation in reference
to their eternal welfare has little or no effect upon them.
Calafornia's glittering treasures are sufficient to peril
health, life, and ferego all the happiness of civilized life;
but the priceless boon of eternal life with all the infinite
joys of the Paradise of God, are not worth one small ef¬
fort. Oh! deluded and sin-blinded man, rushing on to
eternal destruction and yet all indifferent to the fact so
long as the path sparkles with the debasing dust that has
cankered so many souls! Pause one moment, and calmly
reflect how you are to give an account for the hundreds
and thousauds of sermons which you have heard, and
have disregarded! What are your excuses for thus tram¬
pling upon so many Divine admonitions ? And what plea
have you for abusing so many mercies which the Divine
goodness lias >!i«»wered upon you ?
Elder Quinby preached in the evening at the house of
brother Gillet. And thus the Quarterly Meeting closed
its session with a good degree of interest among the breth¬
ren. 20th, he attended the ordination of Elder Leland
Huntley at Duxbury. Elders Webster preached an im-
OF. ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
101
pressive sermon, Lord made the prayer; Bowles gave the
charge, Lord gave the hand of fellowship and Bowles
made the concluding prayer. In the evening he preached
at brother Wood's in Richmond. 24th, he went to the
Hill neighborhood in Hinesburg, and preached in the
evening. This was a season of much interest to brother
Bowles and he says of it, " I felt happy in the Lord, and
could give glory to God for His many mercies."
Sabbath, October 1st, he attended the funeral of Mr.
Camel's child, and preached to a large congregation. Li
the afternoon he preached at the school-house near broth¬
er Ambler's, and then attended the ordinance of baptism.
One woman at the water cried, Lord have mercy on my
souL The 22d, he went to hear the Rev. Mr. Colver,
Baptist minister preach, and he says, my som felt tried
at his preaching; probably it was too Calvinistic for him;
for Free Grace was his theme always; he loved to hold
up to a lost world the wonders of a full and free salva¬
tion. October 6th, in company with brother Ambler of
Huntington, he started for the Yearly Meeting to be held
at Yershere. It was to him a pleasant interview to mee-
with brethren from the Quarterly Meetings, where he had
labored. The conference met on the 7th, it was a precious
time; Elder Bowles preached in the evening, and God
owned the Word and made it profitable to speaker and
hearers. On Sabbath, 8th, Elder King preached the
Word of Life with power, in the forenoon, and Elder
Knowlton in the afternoon, preached a sermon that seem¬
ed to melt every heart before the Lord. In the evening
Elder Bowles went to brother Simond's in Strafford, and
enjoyed a family visit. 9th, he went to Washington, to
brother Crooke's, and in that and some other families in
that community, he enjoyed interesting seasons in prayer
102
LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
and christian conversation; he found many souls here
congenial •with his own in the fellowship and labor of the
gospel with Christ the Great Head of Zion.
11th, he went to Corinth, and in the evening he heard
Elder Moss, from New Hampshire, preach; he says, "I
tried to speak a little in exhortation and the Lord helped
me, and we all had a good time together; some old back¬
sliders began to tremble; some came out and confessed
their wicked departure from God, and the old saints felt
on the wing for glory." On the 12th, he went to visit
some of his old friends in Hanover, New Hampshire.
He attended meeting in the evening at Mr. John Wells'
in Hanover, and during the meeting in the evening, one
soul found peace through the Holy Bedeemer's blood;
the presence of the Lord filled the place.
On the 13th, he preached at brother Black's in Canaan.
He says, " I felt to cry in my soul for God to make bear
His arm in this region." On the 14th, he came back to
Mr. "Wells' in Canaan, and preached in the evening; an¬
other soul came out into gospel liberty. This, with the
result of the previous meeting, was a very favorable omen
of revival interest getting in among the people. He con¬
tinued in the place until the 24th, and visited from house
to house every day and preached every evening; the
power of the Lord was felt among the people in a won¬
derful manner, and several were converted to God. On
the 23d, he baptized several of the converts; it was a
happy time at the water, notwithstanding great solemnity
appeared on the countenances of the multitude that was--
present, and God evidently set the seal of His approba¬
tion on the ordinance.
On the 24th, he gave the parting hand to the friends in
Hanover. He visited some friends in Lyme and Oxford,.
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
103
■on his way to Piermont, and held meetings at brother
Norns', Cobourn's and Koberson's. On arriving at Pier¬
mont, he found a good home at brother Ephraim Cross*.
On the 29th, he went to "Warren, and preached in the
evening) and pnt up at Mr. Stephen [Richardson's. On
the 30th, he visited some of his children, who were
living there, he also visited some of his old neighbors in
the place. He seemed to enjoy a happy time, and yet as
-he says, " It was a solemn time to me in reflecting what
changes the flight of time had made in the society of my
fellow-men." He seemed to enjoy the social greetings
of his friends in the place, and his was a temperament to
enjoy it; he was ardent in his affections as a beloved fath¬
er, and possessed those social qualities as a friend and
a neighbor, and although he had been absent for a soason,
friendship still existed.
November 1st, he preached at brother Corlis'. The 2d,
he took leave of his friends and his children, and rode to
Bradford, Yermont, and in the evening he preached at
brother George's. On the 3d, 4th, 5th and 7th, he visited
Corinth, Washington, Orange and Chelsea. Visiting du¬
ring the day, and preaching every night, and encouraging
the children in the good way of life. He'could say with
the good Apostle with a full heart, "I have no greater
joy than to see my children walking in the truth." On
the 10th, he visited Hinesburg, and spent the night at
brother Dow's. He says, " My soul felt happy in God.
I could joyfully shout the praise of the Lord my King for
His mercy and protection over me during my journey,
and my cry is, Lord roll on the victory of thy kingdom."
On the 13th, he went to Shelbourne and preached in
the evening at brother Hill's, and on the 14th, he visited
among the brethren in Charlotte. Sabbath the 17th, he
104 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
preached at the Dike school-house in Huntington; broth¬
er Peck preached in the forenoon, and Elder Bowles in
the afternoon; a good time was enjoyed, the Lord seem¬
ed to own the "Word, and accompanied it with the power
of the Holy Spirit to the hearts of the people. In speak¬
ing of the brethren and the church in Huntington, he
sa?s, " No one but God knows the feelings of my heart
in anxiety for the prosperity of that dear branch of God's
Zion, and no one but God knows the groans and tears and
prayers I offer for her spiritual interest." Brother Bowles
did not only preach the gospel zealously from the pulpit,
he watered it with his tears in the holy, happy commun¬
ion with God, and when he tells us of the travail of his
soul, be sure, dear reader, it is no unmeaning sentence.
He says, "On the 20th, I started for Washington, with
tears flowing from my eyes, I felt to cry, Lord let me see
thy glory, and let my fellow-men bow to the mild sceptre
of the dear Lnanuel. I took the parting hand, with the
deepest feeling I ever before experienced, my poor heart
seemed almost too full for utterance."
He went on visiting the brethren and holding meetings
in Bolton, Duxbury, Middlesex and Montpelier, the good
Spirit accompanying him on the way. At Chelsea, he
visited brother Richardson Crook, and enjoyed in the
family a cordial welcome; he also spent some time in the
family with his little son. Ho expressed much deep anx¬
iety for his spiritual welfare, he says, " I am not satisfied
that my children are supplied for their temporal wants,
that they are well fed and clothed—my soul groans before
the throne of God that they may be fed with the Bread
of Life, and clothed with, the Righteousness of the Re¬
deemer." He attended meetings and visited constantly,
in Williamstown, Chelsea, Corinth, Orange and Washing-
OF ELD OIIARLES BOWLES.
105
ton. And, Oh! how often Angels had to speed their way
up to the Court of Heaven to bear the glad news of the
triumph of the gospel over the stubborn hearts of men,
in the domestic circle or in the public congregation of the
people. And how freely did the Recording Angel regis¬
ter into the Book of Life, the names of many dear souls,
during this visiting and preaching tour of Elder Bowles,
that they may amidst the full fruition of Infinite bliss
sound the note of redeeming love in the paradise of God.
On the 15th, he went to Barry and visited some friends,
then went and spent the night at brother Woodworth's in
Montpelier. On the 16th, he went to brother Barneys in
Middlesex, and preached in the evening. On the 17th
and 18th, he held meetings with the brethren in Duxbury,
and enjoyed with them a precious season. On the 20th,
he attended meeting in the new school-house in Hunting¬
ton, and preached to a large assembly. In this meeting
he was happy in enjoying the aid of brother John Brew¬
ster, in a weighty exhortation and in spiritual, faithful
praying. Elder Bowles says, u Brother John seemed to
€njoy so much of the good spirit and so much holy, living
faith, it gave my soul a new lift for glory." During the
week he found quite a number sick, and among them,
some of his brethren who were dear to his heart. Li
speaking of his visit among the sick, he says, " At brother
Cotton's I enjoyed a weeping time, at the bedside of some
who seemed to be but a little from the grave; I felt sor¬
row to think of losing them out of the church; and for
the sinner, I felt solemn, to think he must come up to the
Judgment unprepared, unless saved by the grace of God."
After filling Ids appointments at Huntington, Shelbourne,
Charlotte and Hinesburg, he went back into: the Cbrinth
Quarterly Meeting, to tend appointments there, and wind
106
life, labors, and travels,
up the labors of the year. He preached every evening-
up to the last day of the year, in Washington, Corinth,
Chelsea and Orange.
On January lst, he says, " I look back on the past year
with deep feeling of gratitude. I feel that God has truly
been better to me than my fears, and I am satisfied with
the verified promise of the blessed Jesus, " Lo I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world." He has
been with me in the congregation of the people, and in the
prayer meeting, and around the family altar, and bless
his Holy Name, He has met with me in the grove, where
alone with Him, my soul has feasted on Heavenly Man¬
na." And, dear reader, where is there a fitter place to
hold communion with the great Deity, than the beautiful
grove, amidst the beauty of Nature! Romantic, pictur¬
esque and sublime, in harmonious stillness, all the engross¬
ing influences of the world, are shut out! There the soul
can become completely assimilated into the Spirit of God's
Holy Attributes. Such a course of preparation of the
soul for the work of God, is only in obedience to the holy
command of the Redeemer, in his instruction to his Dis¬
ciples, " When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and
when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who
seest in secret, and thy Father who seest in secret shall
reward thee openly."
It is evident that the lack of spirituality in the labor of
the ministry, and church at the present day, is the want
of more love and interest in secret devotion with our
Heavenly Father. And how pleasing it must have been
to brother Bowles, at the end of the year, to look back
over all the events and incidents connected with his labor,
and think of the often communions with God, and the di¬
rection the Spirit gave to his mind and feelings to see
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 107
•clearly the path of duty, and excite in him a disposition
to do what is right in the sight of God for the good of
men. Oh, may the Mantle of some of those good men,
fall on many of our younger ministry, who are coming up
to fill important stations in the church of God! It would
then be learnt, that the real eloquence that touches the
hidden spring of the human heart, is not simply the ora¬
tory of the pulpit, in rhetorical splendor, or logical rea¬
soning in literary or scientific dress, but the simple lan¬
guage of the soul, deep and pathetic, in the narration of
christian experience, as of Paul before Agrippa, that makes
the christian's heart to bound with joy and the sinner to
recoil before the power of truth. And in the grove is the
best place to learn that eloquence.
Dear Christian reader, may the Spirit of God teach it
to us all, as the best qualification for the gospel work.
And if it is, as is the oft-repeated remark, that it takes
the whole church to preach the gospel, how important that
•every member should feel his, or her individual responsi¬
bility, to be qualified to contribute a proper spiritual in¬
fluence for the prosperity of Zion, and for the salvation of
men. Doubtless, such were the means used in the days
of the Fathers in the denomination, that made the Word
of God mighty, to the pulling down the strong holds of
Sin.
CHAPTER VIII.
1821—Attends the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—A Case of Sui¬
cide—Ordination of Elder Josiah Wetherby—Labors in Brownsboro
—Prejudice against Color—Is called to Pray with a Man and his
Wife—Educated and Illiterate Ministers—A Preparation for the
Ministry—A Tour to the North Part of the State.
In entering upon the duties and labors of another year,
lie still found trials to encounter, and discouragements to-
overcome. The christian path, in which he is called to
tread, is the same now as ever. The declaration, " If ye
will live godly in Christ Jesus, ye shall suffer persecu.
tion," is as true now as ever.
January 11th, 1321, he left for Waterbury. taking his
little son with him. He spent the night at Montpeliert
with brother Wood worth, where he was kindly received
and entertained. 12tli, he preached at Middlesex, and
then went to meet the Elder's Conference of the Quarter¬
ly Meeting convened at that place. The meeting was in¬
teresting ; the reports were encouraging, and showed that
some advance was being made in the holy warfare. El¬
der Wood worth preached an interesting sermon in the
morning; after which, some interesting exhortations were
given. In the evening Elder Bowles preached at the
West Branch in Stowe.
Sabbath, 14th, in the afternoon he preached again, and
m the evening he went to Little River, in Waterbury, and
preached to a large congregation; some were convicted
of their sins, and one woman in particular, was much dis¬
tressed for her own soul's welfare. The brethren engaged
OP ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
109
in prayer, and continued their supplications for over two
hours. She at length yielded her heart to God, and found
peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, and joined with
them in giving glory to God for his dying love and re¬
deeming grace.
15th, he went in company with Elders "Webster. "Wood-
worth and Huntley to Duxburv Here he spent a week,
and saw some good (lone. While here, a young man
Iiung himself in Shelbourne. He had professed religion,
got into a backslidden state, and then committed the
dreadful act of suicide. From Duxbury, he went to Bol¬
ton, Richmond arid Hinesburg, to Huntington.
On Sabbath, February lltli, he preached in Huntington,
and enjoyed great blessing in the meeting, in seeing the
effect of the Word on the hearts of the people. On Mon¬
day he went to Shelbourne, to hear Clarissa Danforth
preach, and he says of the meeting, " It was a good melt¬
ing time; about twenty came forward to be prayed for,
and God manifested his power in great glory." Elder R.
Allen was with him in this meeting, and in co-operation
with Elders Bowles and Allen, sister Danforth was well
engaged. The brethren and sisters in Shelbourne and
Charlotte were well engaged in the work.
On the 13th, he went to visit the family where the young
man lived that hung himself. He was a son of Deacon Ben-
net of Hinesburg. Elder Bowles in speaking of the sub¬
ject says, " In the family we had a solemn weeping time,
the friends felt greatly afflicted, I tried to comfort them
with the consolation of the gospel." Thus we see thatEl-
der Bowles could mingle his sympathies with his friends
in the domestic circle, and weep with the afflicted, as did
the dear Jesus at the grave of Lazarus, with his sisters
Martha and Mary. On the 15th, he Went to Huntington.
110
LIFE) LABORS) AND TRAVELS,
"visiting and praying on the whole route, from house to
house, and manifesting the deepest anxiety for the welfare
of Zion. On the 19th, he held a meeting in the Thomas
school-house in Huntington. He continued to cry in his
soul in behalf of poor sinners, and his cry was constantly
lifted to Heaven, " O Lord revive thy work." Sabbath,
26th, he preached at the Alderbrook school-house, and in
the afternoon, he attended the funeral of a child. In the
evening he met in a prayer meeting at the Thomas school-
house; the majesty of God's power was manifest in the
meeting, and Elder Bowles, with some of the brethren,
got into a deep struggle in behalf of the impenitent. The
27th, he went on to Duxbury, and attended meeting in
the evening, and in company with Deacon Canada, he
spent some little time in visiting the brethren in the place.
March 1st, he went to Stowe to meet a Council to at¬
tend to the ordination of brother Josiah "Wetherby. El¬
der Bowles preached the sermon from Matthew 10: 16,
" Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves;
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves."
He enjoyed good liberty in speaking, and the meeting
closed with tokens of great good. We are not informed
who were the others on the Council, but he speaks of en¬
joying a pleasant interviow with them at brother McCol-
lister's in Stowe. On the 2d, he started to go East into
the Corinth Quarterly Meeting, but when he had got as
. far as Middlesex, he felt a burden on his soul to return
back to "Waterbury, and he accordingly turned to go back,
determined to follow the voice of the Spirit. On the
Sabbath, 4th, he held meeting at the "West Branch in
"Waterbury. He says, "This morning, my soul felt bar¬
ren, and I felt the need of looking up to the Throne with
more faith. I commenced the meeting trusting in God,
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
Ill
breathing out my soul in prayer; the Lord soon appeared
and let me into liberty to pray and preach the Word.
One poor soul came out into the liberty of the gospel,
and many fell under conviction.
On the 6th, he started for the Corinth Quarterly Meet¬
ing. He spent the night at brother Bennet's in Middlesex.
7th, he went on to Washington, and for several weeks he
labored day and night, visiting and preaching the gospel
of comfort to the children of God, and warning to the
sinner. A person not acquainted with the nature and
power of the gospel, might be led to suppose that a min¬
ister would get tired of the work to go over the ground
so often. But we assure our readers, that it was not in
Elder Bowles to feel a weariness in the discharge of duty
to God and his fellow-men, and it is evident that the peo¬
ple did not get weary in hearing him sound the gospel
trumpet, and tell of the glories of Paradise. It was pleas¬
ant to Elder Bowles to see on every visit he made, that
some poor sinner, was led by his influence to bow to the
Throne of Grace, and yield obedience to the government
of God. He could say with the good Apostle, " For as
much as our labor is not in vain in the Lord." During this
visit in the Corinth Quarterly Meeting, he speaks of one
meeting held at brother Nathaniel Sleeper's, as being at¬
tended with mighty power; he says, " It was a mighty
slaying time, the strong arm of God was made bear in
the meeting; we all got hold by Faith, and God moved
the Ark along, in great mercy to us all." In this visit the
lioly flame of reformation was kindled to such a hight it
seemed as if the whole Corinth Quarterly Meeting would
be deluged with the glory of the Lord.
On the 1st of April, he attended meeting at the dwel¬
ling of Deacon Canada, in Duxbury. On Saturday, March
112 LIFE, LAB0KS, MJ) TRAVELS,
31st, lie was with the brethren in Monthly Meeting, and
rejoiced to find them faithful and striving to live in gospel
order, and " Contending for the Faith once delivered to
the Saints." Elder Bowles could never be satisfied with
a mere form in religious duty, or Quarterly or Yeaily
Meetings merely through custom. Therefore, he began
to urge on the brethren in every church to occupy a posi¬
tion like the good Prophet on the Mount, look and watch
for the little cloud that they might enjoy an abundance
of rain. He now resolved to visit all the churches in the
Quarterly Meeting, and by prayerful, faithful labor, aim
to get the minds of all brethren fixed definitely on the
point, to pray for a general outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
to accompany the Word of Life to the hearts of the hear¬
ers. And, thank God, he was not unsuccessful in his ef¬
fort, for he met with brethren in all of the churches who
were ready to respond to the call, and second the effort he
had begun; and many in all that region, can look back
to their youth and beginning of manhood, and rejoice in
God that the Holy Ghost ever led Elder Bowles to weep
and pray among them; and many in the Heavenly Courts
with him, will rejoice to all Eternity, that they ever bow¬
ed with him at Mercy's Altar in this life, and gave up
their hearts to God, and joined with him in covenant.—
But all the results 0/ his labors will not be known until
revealed at the Judgment; then if minds can expand and ;
memory be active to enjoy that fnendly recognition pecu¬
liar to christian fellowship in this life ; when the'Infinite
Judge shall pronounce the happy welcome to enjoy a
home with Him' in heaven; the joy of so faithful a ser¬
vant of God will be co&'^ete. He can then with the
Bard of Israel say, ^ 1 sh&il be satisfied when I awake i&
thylikeness."'
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
113
Sabbath, 6th, he preached in Huntington, and after a
week's labor in that town, he went to Hinesburg, and
preached on the 15th at the dwelling of sister Conger. In
the evening he went to Charlotte and preached to a large
assembly of people, and during the week he held meet¬
ings every night and visited during the days in Charlotte
and Shelbourne. On the 19th, he went to a place called
Rhode Island Corners, and held meeting in the evening.
He says of the meeting) " The power of the Lord came
down in a wonderful manner;- some poor souls began to
cry for mercy, and one poor soul found salvation through
the blood of the Redeemer; backsliders began to tremble
and weep like Peter as the dear compassionate Jesus look¬
ed on them, as he did on him. I began to hear the inhab¬
itants shout from the top of the Rock, and my cry was,
Lord roll on the mighty power of thy salvation. I felt
that the Lord heard my cry. But a great trial came on
my mind on account of some difficulties I saw beginning
to get in the church. I began to get down at the foot of
the Throne and beg for Zion, and glory to God,, he heard
my cry, and granted deliverance and kept out the troub¬
le." On the 22d, he attended meeting at Shelbourne,
also on Monday evening 23d, and on the tn4th, he went to
Duxbury and preached.
On Sabbath, the 29th, he preached ty> a 'arge congrega¬
tion. On Monday he left Duxbury in company with Elder
Bachelder to go to Huntington. It was the time of the
great freshet on the Onion River, and the jotirney was
attended with great difficulty and danger, but with his
mind intent on the work,) they wa<ied through* the water
and got; to their appointments. Be says, " The Spirit <£
the Lord came down in a wonderf-.il manner in power to
our hearts. But Satan came ale-, among us iii the form of
114 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
a little opposition; but God overruled it." From this
$ime to the latter part of June, he was constantly on the
move in the work of the Lord, in company either with
Elder Webster, "Wetherby, Bachelder, or Huntley. He
preached every Sabbath, and for the most part of the
time every night in the week, and visited to a great ex¬
tent. It would appear astonishing that one man could be
on the way and perform so great an amount of labor, and
not break down; but when we consider Elder Bowles*
great devotion to the cause of Christ, and the great faith
and confidence that always prompted him in the work,
we have only to rejoice in the power of that Holy Being
who has said, " Lo I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world." At Starksboro, Shelbourne, Charlotte,
Hinesburg, Huntington, Richmond, Stowe, Underhill,
Brownboro, Middlesex and Duxbury, he held meetings.
He saw much of the Divine power manifested, and he
could say with old Balaam, " Surely there is no enchant¬
ment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against
Israel; according to this time it shall be said of Jacob
and Israel wliat liath God wrought."
During this tour, he attended the May term of the Hun¬
tington Quarterly Meeting, and enjoyed a mutual chris¬
tian interview with tiie ministering brethren. He speaks
of the meeting with feelings of deep interest, and it could
not be otherwise than interesting after so mighty an awa-
keing among all the churches in the Quarterly Meeting.
We look back to the history of those days, and contrast them
with the present with feelings of deep anxiety, we cannot
suppress the cry in our souls, " O Lord revive thy work,
in the midst of these years, in wrath remember mercy."
For truly the christians of the present day live too much
in theory, and less in holy practice than is important to
Of ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
115
roll on victories of the Redeemer's Cross for the conquest
of the world. And the great trouble is, " A wonderful
and horrible thing is committed in the land; the Proph¬
ets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear rule by their
means; and my people love to have it so; and what will
ye do in the end thereof." Jeremiah 5th: 30th, 31st.
On the 22d of June, he went to Jerico, in company
with Elder "Webster; and in the afternoon preached in
brother Reed's barn to a large assembly of attentive hear¬
ers. Here they found a few of the like faith with them¬
selves. The gospel found its way to many a heart, and
the cry of " God be merciful to me a sinner," was heard.
In the evening a meeting was held at brother Reed's
house, where some indications were manifest of a revival
of the work of salvation, and he and Elder Webster were
deeply interested to continue their efforts. 24th, they
met a large congregation; after an earnest struggle in
prayer at the Throne of Divine mercy; Elder "Webster
preached in the forenoon, and much interest was manifest
in the meeting. At noon they organized a Free Will
Baptist Church. In the afternoon he preached an excel¬
lent sermon, and many were deeply convicted, while two
gave all for Christ, and received a pardon of all their
sins, and obtained acceptance with God ; which enabled
them to return home praising God for salvation. In the
evening more than a score bowed at the Altar of Mercy,
confessing their sins, and imploring the Divine favor and
pardon; while four found the Pearl of Great Price. Al¬
though this was a new field of labor, yet he found warm
friends and welcome entertainment at brother Choate's.
After spending a short time with the new church and con¬
verts, he left for his appointment in Richmond, where he
arrived on the 25th, and attended meeting at the Hildreth
116 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
school-house. From Richmond lie went to Brownsboro,
and held several meetings; where he met with much op¬
position. The enemies of the truth in the shape of cold
professors, old backsliders and the unconverted assailed
him with their weapons, which none but such know how
to use. But by constant prayer and faithful labor for
their reclamation and conversion, the power of their en¬
chantments was broken, and victory turned on the side of
truth and righteousness.
Brother Bowles would often on entering a new place,
awaken much cruel and bitter opposition; and this from
various causes; partly on account of his color. There-
was then, and now is, a deep-rooted prejudice against the.
mere complexion of a person, which will manifest itself
in a variety of forms. Sometimes you will hear professed
anti-slavery men making a great ado about a " colored
man preaching to a white congregation ;v saying that they
are " friends to the colored race, but they will do better to
go among their own people and preach.'' Some of the
" baser sort" aver that they " will not hear a nigger-
preach." Where the heart is prejudiced against the race,
it will find an embodyment in some form in action. There
are some little aristocrats in all of our country villages,
who in imitation of city purse-proud nabobs, turn up their
noses at a colored minister; when at the same time, in
point of intelligence and good manners, the negro is far
their superior. One of these cod-fish aristocrats in the
shape of a member of a certain church, once invited the
compiler of this book to take tea with him; they sat in
the parlor conversing until it was served; when he show¬
ed his guest out into a back kitchen to a table to sit bjr
himself, while the family ate in another apartment. And
this too, a professed disciple of Him who said, " As ye
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 117
would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto
them." Shame upon such nuisances of Christianity; they
are a stench in the nostrils of humanity to say nothing of
religion. But in whatever form this opposition came,
brother Bowles was sure to overcome it in a short time;
his earnest prayers and faithful preaching made a power¬
ful impression upon stubborn hearts and soon turned ma¬
ny of his enemies into not only his friends, but also the
friends of his Master. Thus it was in this place; the op¬
position was not only overcome, but crowds flocked to
hear him, and before he left the place the saints were
greatly revived, and many sinners were convicted of their
sins. This greatly encouraged him to persevere in the
good work of the Lord in which he had been so long en*
gaged.
In July, he went back to Huntington, and spent a few
days with the. church in that town, visiting, preaching
and praying. Sabbath, 8th, he held meeting at the Thom¬
as school-house. 12th, he started again for Jerico in.
company with Elder "Webster. They found on their arri¬
val, that the good work, so well commenced when they
were there before, was still in progress. The brethren
were all alive to the salvation of their fellow-men. Sev¬
eral had found peace in the Redeemer. After laboring in
the- place for a little time, several came forward and rela¬
ted their experience for baptism. They accordingly ad¬
ministered the ordinance and gave them the hand of
fellowship and christian love. They then left the place
and Elder Bowles returned to Huntington, where his ear-
quickly caught the sound of the young convert, as it came
borne upon the evening breeze from the prayer meeting,
where were assembled the saints of the Bedeemer. He
also heard the groans of the mourner around the temple
118 LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
gates of Zion, and the shout of the old saints from the
camp of Israel.
He soon left for Brownsboro, and there met Elder "Web¬
ster, ready with him still to face the enemies of Zion.
On the 18th, Elder Bowles preached to a large congrega¬
tion, and found the opposition which had been raised
against him was now dead; and what was still better,
that many had been converted since his first visit, and
others were enquiring the way to Zion's gate, with their
faces thitherward. He visited Charlotte during the week,
and enjoyed a refreshing season with the brethren. 22d,
he went again to Brownsboro, and preached with good
liberty, many in the meeting cried for mercy, and the
power of the glorious gospel was felt in their midst.—
Monday, 23d, he went to Hillsboro, and preached in the
evening; he spent the night with a brother Howe, whose
grand-daughter was under deep conviction. Elder Bowles
with the family spent the evening, and the next forenoon
in praying for her, and exhorting her to submit and be¬
come reconciled to God. He then left for Huntington.
As lie journeyed along, he saw a man sitting at the door
of his house, deeply distressed on account of his sins, and
he begged the Elder to go into his house and pray for
him. " I found his wife," he says, " in great distress; I
exhorted them both to give their hearts to God immedi¬
ately, I knelt down with them, they seemed to be deter¬
mined to give up all for Christ. I started on my way,
and in a little while I found another in great distress of
mind, at a house where I called. It was a woman; I
strove to comfort her; she continued to cry M Lord save,
or I perish." I held up the great atonement I then
went on my way to Huntington, but before I got there, I
found another crying for mercy. I bowed again at Her*
OF ELD. CHABLE8 BOWLES.
119
cy's Altar, and before I got up from my knees, this one
found mercy and peace from God."
At Huntington, he found many sick; these received his
attention and enjoyed the benefit of his prayers. Some,
while enduring great pain of body, were happy in soul,
and gave glory to God; others in their sins, cried out in
great agony of soul. On the 28th, he went to Jerico; he
met with a brother Lee, a subject of the revival, who had
been a strong Universalist. He met Elder Bowles with
warm affection, and after some conversation he wished to
be baptized. Some of the brethren hesitated, on account
of his former character as an opposing Universalist; but
after he gave in his experience, all doubts vanished, and
the brethren gave him fellowship, and Elder Bowles bap¬
tized him. On Sabbath, the meeting was a time of great
comfort to the saints of God. On the 30th, he began vis¬
iting again, and in one house he found two women under
conviction. He kneeled with them in prayer and before
he got through praying one of the women found peace in
the Holy Redeemer, and began to sound the praise of the
Lord.
During the month of August, he labored in the towns
of Duxbury, Richmond, Huntington, and Bolton, and
some in adjoining towns. Many an incident of no ordi¬
nary nature, served constantly to nerve him up to the
great work, in which his whole soul was so ardently and
successfully engaged. He never labored long in a place,
unless he saw some open manifestations of the Divine
power in the conversion of his fellow-men. He was con¬
stantly on the wing, from one appointment to another;
however there was a constant necessity for other laborers
to gather up the dear converts which the Lord had set at
liberty through his instrumentality, and also to watch
120 LIFE, LABORS AND TRAVELS,
over the interest of the churches; although Elder Bowles
did much of such work.
During his labors in these towns, he often resorted to
the silent grove, and there bowed before his Heavenly
Master, and poured out his soul in earnest supplication
for Divine consolation, amidst all his trials and discour¬
agements. This to him was a favorite place, and one
where he often got his old gospel armor newly burnished,
and prepared for the heavenly warfare. But whether in
the silent grove, or in the study, the true Reformer of man¬
kind, must hold constant communion with his God, di¬
rected by the Holy Spirit, through the medium of His
word by prayer. The founders of the denomination, were
holy, devoted men; they were men who were ready to
peril their lives in support of gospel truth; but they owed
much to God for what they were as laborers in the vine¬
yard of the Lord, and everything for the success of their
work. As men and ministers, they did not enjoy the lit¬
erary advantages of the present age; but if they were
what refined scholarship would term illiterate, they were
nevertheless well instructed in a practical sense in the
doctrines of the righteous government of the great Sov¬
ereign of heaven. It is intimated by some, without foun¬
dation in truth, that those holy men, opposed education,
and gloried in ministerial ignorance. They did not glory
in ignorance; neither did they depend on education sim¬
ply in its power and accomplishment, or refined elegance,
to confound the wise of this world, and carry conviction
to the hardened heart of man. They doubtless improved
their opportunities as best they could, considering the ad¬
vantages of their times, in the infant state of the denom¬
ination. And if * they opposed anything of an educational
character in the ministry, it was the arrogance and con-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
121
ceit fostered in the character of the men who attempted
to lord it over God's heritage, and whose interest in the
work of the ministry, was controlled by worldly selfish¬
ness, rather than God's glory and the salvation of men.
For it must be remembered, that What those good men
lacked in Academic and Collegiate literary endowments,
they enjoyed in a clear pratical knowledge of human na¬
ture, and with discriminating minds, enlightened by the
power of the glorious gospel, and with consciences that
would not justify them in compromising God's truth for
worldly popularity.
In the name of God, for the honor and glory of His
kingdom, and for the good of poor erring man, they by
the grace of God, laid the foundation of the denomina¬
tional interest; they labored with untiring and unceasing
interest to show to the world the Infinite love of the great
Redeemer of mankind, and to respond to the sentiment
of the great and good Apostle, " For ye know the grace
ef our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for
our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty
might be made rich." In order to lead men to humbly
appreciate the Infinite love of the compassionate Redeem¬
er, these good men as fathers of the denomination, were
self-denying and grace-depending, and doubtless could
say in all their travels, with the Apostle, " God forbid that
I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
And also, "We have this treasure in Earthen Vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not
of us." Now such a ministry, rich in faith, and the grace
of God, and divinely instructed by the power and Spirit
of TTim who spake as never man spake, could not be with¬
out its influence, and-could not with any real degree of
consistency be denominated an ignorant ministry. It was
122 LIFE, LABOfiS, JLND TRAVELS,
just sucli a ministry as is needed in any age of popular
dependence on literary educational qualification for so
great a work.
Now if the present ministry in the denomination, with
greater literary advantage, in keeping pace with the edu¬
cational improvement of the present age, should possess
the same living faith, and practice the same holy self-de¬
nial, and grace-depending spirit of those good fathers of
the denomination, might not their influence be greater in
continuing on what they begun? And would not the
light of gospel liberty shine greater in all our churches %
I venture to say, no one can doubt it. "We cannot doubt
the importance, and advantage of an educated ministry
for the present age, to labor for the successful overthrow
of the kingdom of darkness, in all its combined popular
influence. The ministry should have a practical knowl¬
edge of the moral, and political condition of the world.
They should be studied in a thorough knowledge of hu¬
man nature, and the motives, feeling and influences that
impel men to action. And the more thorough his knowl¬
edge is, in the field of literary and scientific research the
better. It is an age of skepticism and gross error. The
human mind is in opposition to the truth of God's holy
word; but not in the spirit of mobocratic opposition, as
in the days of the fathers. Under the rule of Satanic
influence, there is employed the most cunning sophistry
and false-reasoning, to dupe the weak and unlearned, and
misrepresent the great design of an Infinite God, in the
plan and purposes of his Government, for the benefit of
the world. The human mind must be convinced in order
to be convicted. If the ministry " is set for the defence
of the gospel," none can doubt if ministers are to be suc-
<ces8ful the more they know, and the more they feel, the
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
123
greater will be the power of their action in the world.
And the greater their knowledge of history, both ecclesi¬
astical and profane, and.of philosophy, and law, and the
different departments of language, the more efficient they
will be in their calling. And if they would fulfil the
Apostolic injunction, "Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth," no one would have
opportunity to complain of ignorance or inefficiency among
the ministry of the present age. It is immaterial wheth¬
er this knowledge is gained in the Collegiate or Academic
halls, or under the discipline of self-culture in the 7ni«i~
night study, or in manual labor, amidst the daily a\ op¬
tions of life. I venture to say if a voice from the Sn^nt
grave of those holy men of the past could come to our
ears, it would justify these remarks in willing approval*
During the month of August, Elder Bowles made a tour
to the south part of the State, in company with Elder
Bachelder. He visited the towns of Washington, Corinth
and Orange, and preached in each place. 23d, he spent
the night at brother Whitcher's, in Danville, and enjoyed
an interesting visit with the family, of whom he speaks
with warm affection, as being kind to him. 24th, they
went to Wheelockto attend the Yearly Meeting, convened!
at that place. The Conference was well attended, but
some trials were presented which seemed to render it less
interesting, but still the Spirit of Christ seemed to pervade?
the meeting. He spent the night at brother Elian's,
where he enjoyed a happy season with the family, and
the friends who tarried there. 25th, the Conference as¬
sembled for business. At two o'clock, Elder Bowles
preached the introductory sermon with good liberty, from
Nehemiah 2d: 20th, "lie God of heaven, He will pros-
124 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
per us, therefore we His servants will arise and build.
But you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Je¬
rusalem." The sermon was followed by some weighty
exhortations, and a good degree of interest was manifest
in the meeting. In the evening the brethren held a prayer
meeting at brother Elkin's; it was a solemn, weeping,
rejoicing time. A spirit of revival pervaded the meeting,
and some good we think was done in the name of Jesus
of Nazareth. Sabbath, 26th, the Yearly Meeting met at
the Meeting House for public worship. Two sermons were
preached by Elders Quinby, and Bachelder, which were
very interesting and instructive. The Yearly Meeting
closed with a good degree of interest, and Elder Bowles
left an** went to Huntington. On his way, he was called
upon to attend and preach the tuneral 6ermon of a child
of brother Gross. He had good liberty in speaking, and
his soul seemed to launch out into the deep waters of a
free salvation. 29th, he went to Waterbury, and stopped
at brother Darling's, where he was received and enter¬
tained in a true christian manner; he enjoyed a happy
visit with this family. 30th, he visited some of the breth¬
ren and friends, and then went on to Bolton and Richmond,
visiting and praying as he went, endeavoring to comfort
and encourage the saints, and warn the sinner.
Sabbath, September 2d, he preached in Huntington, at
brother Barrows; a large congregation assembled to hear
the glorious gospel once moj*e from the mouth of him,
whom heaven appointed, regardless of his complexion,
and their hearts were cheered as they listened to the gra¬
cious promises which were held out to wretched man.
During the week he visited Burlington and drew his pen¬
sion, then visited at Shelbourne and Starksboro, preaching
and visiting as he journeyed. He speaks at this time of
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
125
some trials of mind and feebleness ofbody, but a strong
confidence in God, and hope in the Savior. Saturday,
6th, he attended Covenant Meeting in Huntington, at
brother Turrill's, where he enjoyed a good refreshing sea¬
son from the presence of the Lord.
Sabbath, 7th, he preached in Huntington, on Brown's
Hill, where some indications appeared of an evident in¬
terest in the good work of the Lord. 14th, he went to
the Quarterly Meeting at Charlotte, and met the ministers
in their Conference in the afternoon. They enjoyed an
interesting season together, giving and receiving mutual
instruction. Such seasons are pleasant and profitable,
where ministers come together in the true spirit of their
Master, as brethren and equals, with none of the spirit to
"lor it over God's heritage." 15th, the Quarterly Meet¬
ing Conference met and enjoyed a good season. The
preaching was in power and deeply interesting. In the
evening he preached and the power of the gospel was felt
upon many hearts; one soul found peace in believing, and
joy in the Holy Ghost, and several backsliders were re¬
claimed from their lost condition.
Sabbath, 16th, Elder Bowles says, " I felt happy this
morning in soul and body, and praised God in the fullness
of joy." Both husband and wife were deeply convicted,
and bowed with him around the family altar, which was
erected that morning for the first time, and besought the
Divine mercy and forgiveness on their sin-stained souls.
They then repaired to the house for public worship, where
a large congregation had assembled; here they enjoyed a
an interesting prayer meeting before the preaching; some
manifested their desire for an interest in the redemption
of Christ. At ten o'clock, Elder Bachelder preached, an
excellent sermon; it was delivered and felt in power. In
126 LIFE, LABOBS, AND TRAVELS,
the afternoon, Elder Kathaniel Bowles preached and was
followed by many very weighty exhortations, and a deep
impression was produced on the audience. At the pray¬
er meeting in the evening several came forward for prayers*
For several days Elder Bowles spent his time in visiting
from house to house during the day, and preaching in the
evening, in the different parts of the town. Several were
convicted and converted in these meetings, and his ears
were often saluted with the joyous sound of the happy
convert's voice in praising God, as also the sorrowing cry
of the penitent mourner beggingto God for mercy.
September 21st, he held a meeting on Brown's Hill, in
Huntington, in company with brother Boberson. He
preached a sermon, and after some exhortation from the
brethren, he gave an invitation to all who felt a desire to
be united in a Free Will Baptist Church, to come forward.
Seventeen came for that purpose. He gave them a sol¬
emn. charge in relation to their duty to God and one an¬
other ; they all joined hands in token of their union and
fellowship as christian brethren. He gave them the hand
of fellowship, and in prayer commended them to God,,
and then declared them a church of the Free "Will Bap¬
tist order. The little church started with a good prospect
in the midst of a glorious revival, and bid fair to become
a strong branch of the Zion of God.
23d, iie went to Hillsboro and held metting; the Spirit
gave him liberty in the place; he preached two sermons
and then attended to the ordinance of baptism at the in¬
termission. The seal of Heaven's approbation rested on
the ordinance; the candidates were truly happy in the
discharge of duty. God made bear his arm in mighty
power. In the evening he held a meeting at brother El¬
liot's. Quite a number bowed in prayer, one soul came
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 127
into liberty and shouted the praise of the Lord. Some
personally urged the brethren to pray for them. He now
felt that he must leave them in the hands of God. Duties
in other places called him away; but he with a heart
warm with christian sympathy, commended them to the
communion and fellowship of Heaven. After visiting
among his Mends in Shelbourne and Huntington, he went
on the 27th to attend a Church Meeting at Hinesburg, in
an affair between Elder Manard and the church. After
a meeting of great trial, it was adjourned, and groaning
in spirit, he Vent back to Huntington to arrange for a
journey to the eastward among the churches.
29th, he left Huntington and went on to Duxbury, and
enjoyed a pleasant visit at Deacon Canada's; and without
stopping to hold a meeting among the brethren, he pro¬
ceeded on his way to Corinth, visiting on his way at Mid¬
dlesex, Montpelier, Barry and Washington. On his whole
route it was one continual meeting. The Spirit of the
Lord seemed to go on before him, and over him, like
the pillar and the cloud before and over the camp of the
Israelites, through the wilderness. And he felt the con¬
tinual presence of the Lord of Hosts. Sabbath, 30th, he
says, " I felt a solemn cry in my soul that the God of vic¬
tory would appear in all his power, and rend Ahab, and
tear the Dragon in pieces, and give victory to Zion." He
spent several days in holding meetings at Brother Slack's
Thorn's, Crook's and others, until the 6th October. He then
started on his way to Tunbridge to attend the Yearly
Meeting which was to be held near that place. He visit¬
ed brother Hacket and others, previous to the meeting;
they enjoyed a warm and mutual interchange of christian
congratulation. It was the Apostolic usage in salutation
in these friendly meetings. He spent the night at Elder
128 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
Hacket's, and speaks of the visit as peculiarly pleasant to
him.
On the 7th of October, he went on to Strafford, where
the Yearly Meeting was to convene. In the Conference
he met with many of his brethren, both the ministers and
laymen. He says, "The Lord appeared at the beginning
of the meeting, and it gathered like a cloud of rain."—
On the Sabbath, it was judged that about three thousand
people met together. In the prayer meeting many hearts
were lifted to God; it was a time of great solemnity, the
brethren and sisters seemed resolved to lean on the strong
arm of the Lord for help. In the meeting for preaching,
it was at once seen that the holy cloud rested over the
camp. Elders Moss, Allen and Woodman preached pow¬
erful sermons, which were followed by weighty and sol¬
emn exhortations from the brethren and sisters. It was a
time of the Immanuel's power; the sinner trembled, and
the poor backslider felt the alarm. He says, "My cry
was, Lord send down enough of the power that the peo¬
ple may all bow to thee. I wanted to see my brethren
feel more of the holy reformation power from God, that
there might be a travail in Zion." In the evening he went
down to Strafford Hollow and preached to a large con¬
gregation, with great liberty. The Yearly Meeting closed
with good prospects of a good work of grace in the place.
On Monday, he visited during the day, and preached in
the evening. On Tuesday, he. went to Hanover and put
up at brother Samuel "Will's. He spent one week in
Hanover and preached eight sermons, and although he
endured some trials, he left the place giving glory to God
for His holy and continued presence, in enabling hiin to
proclaim the gospel of glad tidings to his fellow-men.
He says, " I knew my heart felt lifted to God, that he
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
129
would spread the light of His glory all oyer this region,
that men may bow to him." Many gave up the rebellion
and bowed to the Cross in deep penitence.
On the 16th, he took his leave of the brethren in Han¬
over and returned to Yermont. He visited at brother
Sleeper's at Corinth, then at brother Clement's at Yer-
shere. Here he was called to visit a woman lying at the
point of death, and in great distress of mind; she had
once been a professor of religion, but had backslidden
from God. The Elder had a great struggle of soul for
her; she seemed to tremble as she stood on the brink of
eternity, about to appear before a just God; she cried
greatly to God for mercy. He now left the place and
wended his way toward Huntington. He visited at broth¬
er Stevens' at Montpelier, then went to Duxbury, Bolton
and Richmond, and on Sabbath, 21st, he went to Hun¬
tington, and preached to a large congregation. 24th, he
went to Hinesburg to attend the Church Meeting, in the
difficulty between Elder Manard and the church. After
a trying time, the business came to a close, and the mat¬
ter was settled. Elder Bowles returned to Huntington,
and there, and at Shelbourne, IBllsboro, and Charlotte,
he spent quite a length of time in his gospel labors, in
building up the interest of Zion. He met with some
warm and sincere friends, and some severe trials, on ac¬
count of false friendship. He expressed himself thus on
this point, " Lord save me from false and pretended
friends; but one thing I have to comfort me, that the
honest and sincere man will stand, and endure hardness
as a good soldier, when the false and deceitful will fail."
It was peculiar of Elder Bowles that the opinion of the
world, true or false, although it often brought a trial to
his mind, never induced him to show himself false, ordis-
130 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
honest to the cause of God, or falter from tlie right path.
As a man of God, he ever stood ready to do his duty.
November 3d, he attended Monthly Meeting with the
new church in Xlillsboro. It was to him and the
brethren, a precious season; several converts came out to
the meeting, and told what God had done for their souls.
Two came forward and joined the church. It was the
first Monthly meeting the church had held; the brethren
seemed encouraged and strengthened. Sabbath, 4th, El¬
der Bowles went into the grove after the family duties
were done in the house where he had spent the night.—
There in nature's great temple, the God of Abraham and
Isaac, who appeared to Jacob while on his way to Padan-
Aram, appeared unto him, to endow him anew for the du¬
ties of the day. He says, " I cried unto the Lord to help
me, and my mind came out into the clear light. I went
to the meeting rejoicing, where my soul felt lifted to the
Throne of God. I had a good time in speaking; there
was a. mighty trembling in the meeting; more than forty
brethren and sisters spoke of the power and goodness of
the Lord. I believe that God will own this meeting to
His own glory, and the little cloud will overspread Zion.
A good many in this region have been brought out into
the liberty of Jesus; the spirit of reformation is sound¬
ing all over this region, glory to God. We have some
loving precious families in this community."
Sabbath, 18th, in company with Elders Lord and Hunt¬
ley, he attended meeting at Huntington, and broke bread
to the church. In this, amidst tlie abundance of his la¬
bors, and witnessing its glorious results, he felt truly that
his soul fed on the bread of heaven. At brother Dike's,
.in company with those brethren, he seemed to throw him-
. self into the cause, and gave all the gloiy to the Redeem-
01? ELD. CHAELE8 BOWLES. 1315
er. And to highten the joy of his soul, he received a
letter this day from.; Warren, New Hampshire, giving him
the happy intelligence that his daughter Sarah had just
been converted to God, and also his daughter Eunice v/ss
under deep conviction, and was seeking the Lord with all
her heart. This to him was glad news—his companion
had been called away from him by death—his children
were scattered abroad in the world, and exposed to temp¬
tation—he had commended them to God, as a kind chris¬
tian parent, and to see them coming into the fold of Jesus*
was to him a delight.
He continued his meeting in the place during the week,
until Sabbath 24th. He preached at brother Hill's during*
the day; the power of God was felt in the meeting. In
the evening, among those who came forward to be prayed*
for, were some who until this time, had not been induced'
to act at all as enquirers after truth; they now seemed
penitent. He says, " This week my soul felt the enlarge¬
ment of the kingdom of God. I can truly say that in.
some of our meetings, the inhabitants of the Rock did'
sing, and those on the top of the Mountain did rejoice in
the God of our Salvation. I think I never saw the saints
of God come up to the help of the Lord better, wi&
strength from God. We have had some good trembling,
loving, weeping, shouting times. Glory to God, my soul
has been happy on the way, even amidst trials." Elder
Bowles could doubtless, say with the good Apostle, " All
things shall work together for good, to them that love
God."
On Thursday, the 6th day of December, being the An¬
nual Thaksgiving in the State, he preached a sermon afc
brother Elliott's in Hillsboro. He says, "We felt
truly and sensibly thankful to God, that he had crowned
132 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
the year with the abundant blessing in the good things of
earth, and given us life and health to enjoy it. We felt
thankful that his mercy had led us on, to escape so many
dangers that so often beset our path, and threaten our
safety 011 -very side." It is evident that Elder Bowles
was not governed in his feelings of thanksgiving, by the
Executive proclamation of the State, but in all things that
he did, " whether he ate or drank, he would do all to the
glory of God." In the evening the meeting was attended
with Divine power; the brethren and sisters got hold on
the Holy Altar in living faith; some backsliders felt the
power of the Spirit and began to cry out for mercy, and
a good number of the impenitent came out before the
congregation and begged for the prayers of God's people;
two found pardon through the Blood of the Lamb, and
gave glory to God. The meeting was held at brother
Ewer's in the evening.
On the 8th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the
church at Huntington, at brother Turrill's. And on Sab¬
bath, 9th, he preached to an interesting and attentive
congregation in the forenoon at the school-house. In the
afternoon he attended a funeral in company with Elder
Bennet. Elder Bennet preached the sermon, and Elder
Bowles addressed the mourners and made the concluding
prayer. In the discharge of duty at a funeral, he was able
and efficient, and by the aid of the Divine Spirit, always
left a favorable impression on the minds of his audience.
In the evening lie preached at brother Fray's; the solem¬
nity of the day in the public duties had left so deep an
impression, it now began to manifest itself with power;
the brethren united with him in the services of the meet¬
ing with warm hearts; the exhortations and prayers
breathed a deep devotion to the cause of God, and deep
sympathy for the impenitent.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
133
10th, he went to Hmesburg. He says, " We had a
blessed good time. I believe that God is spreading the
work in great power, and my cry is, ride on King Jesus,
let thy kingdom be glorious." He expresses much grati¬
tude that the people were preparing him some clothing
for winter, and truly no man ever labored more deserv-
ingly of being made comfortable than he, for he was in
the work continually, his whole aim was to benefit souls.
He continued in^Huntington, laboring constantly until
the 27th. lie complained of being unwell in body, but
in mind he felt sustained by his great Master. He had
some interesting meetings in the place and often spoke of
the display of Infinite power. He went into many fami¬
lies to comfort the sick, and encourage the mourner to
come directly to Christ for mercy; and although he did
not meet in every house that cordial christian greeting,
he ever acted as a servant of Him who met with contu¬
mely and scorn, while in liis holy lite and labors, he set
an example for his followers in righteousness to be ac¬
cepted of God.
On the 28th, he started for Bolton, and held a meeting
in the evening. 29tli, he went to Waterbury, and met
the brethren in the Monthly Meeting; he preached in the
evening. As he returned to liis lodging he seemed to feel
deeply for the poor sinner, and he was heard to repeat the
words of the Poet—
« O! if poor sinners did but know,
How much for them I undergo,
They would not treat me with contempt,
Nor curse me, when I cry Repent."
He spent some days in Waterbury and Stowe, laboring
constantly day and night, and attended a Monthly Meeting
with both churches. He began to feel a great trial on
134
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
his mind, especially on Sabbath, December 30th; he had
an appointment to fill on that day, and he says, " It seem¬
ed as though all the powers of darkness were let loose
on my mind. After breakfast I tried to look up to God
from the family altar, but it was all dark to me; sisters
Amy and Mercy Davis, both knelt with me and the fam¬
ily, and they both lifted me up to the Throne by faith and
prayer—the light began to break into my soul—I went to
my appointment—my soul was on the wing—I could sing'
with the Poet—
"I love the Lord, he heard my cry,
And pitied every groan,
Long as I live, when trouble's nigh,
I'll hasten to His Throne."
He spoke with great power in the meeting. His soul
appeared to be in the perfect liberty of the gospel; the ef¬
fect of the meeting was glorious ; the babel of darkness
began to tremble. Thus we see the effect of prayer. O!
if the ministers of Jesus could enjoy the benelit of more
praying by brethren and sisters, when they feel the dark
clouds come over the ntfnd, they would oftener enjoy
greater liberty in presenting to mankind the great truths
of Heaven. It is deeply to be regretted, that too many
of our churches throw all the responsibility of the work,
both of speaking, and praying, and sympathising, 011 the
ministry. And if they are in the dark, the membership
will wait in supineness, until they are in the light and
liberty again. But the example of the sisters in prayer
with and for Elder Bowles, io worthy of imitaiion by all
the membership of Zion at the present day, that the min¬
istry may enjoy L?ip.
Thus ended another year of his faithful labors, with the
same unwavering exertions with which it commenced. To-
OP ELD. CIIAJRLES BOWLES.
135
labor in his Master's cause, was his chief delight, and to
see that cause successful was his chief, his highest joy.
And indeed when ho could discover no visible signs of
good in revival power, he was sure soon to leave for a
more promising field of labor. That this course is always
commendable, we do not pretend. "We do not always see
things as they are, and we must often " walk by faith,
and not by sight." But his gift and manner of preaching
was best adapted to an itinerant life. Had he spent his
life as a Pastor of some particular church, perhaps he
might have seen but small results of his labor. Thus the
year has passed off, and with it its labors, to be revealed
at the Judgment.
CHAPTER IX.
1822—The Death of an Old Saint—His Labors in Huntington—Re-
vival Interest—He Baptizes Several—Attends the Huntington Quar¬
terly Meeting—Preaches at Jerieo—Prejudice against his Color—
Returns to Huntington—His Visit to the Grove—His Labors in
Randolph—A Powerful Revival in Randolph and Brookfield.
1822. Another year is before him, with its duties and
responsibilities; but his heart does not falter at their pre¬
sentation, nor does his faith fail in the God from whom
he receives all his hopes. His soul is nerved for new con¬
flicts in the holy cause, and his heart is prepared for other
trials. January 2d, he left for Huntington. One of the
first duties he was called upon to discharge, was to attend
the funeral of an old man of over ninety, a resident of
the town of Starksbury. Thus he was admonished at the
very commencement of the year, that mortality had fixed
its seal upon all mankind, and that every departure of
man, serves but to remind us that our time is short in this
life, and ought to be improved to the best advantage.
This old soldier of the Cross had filled up the measure of
his days in usefulness. His death was sudden. But a
few days before his death he was at meeting, and exhort¬
ed the people, telling them that it was his dying testimony.
Thus he had gone from labor to reward. This occasion
was improved by Elder Bowles, to give weight to the
word preached at this time.
5th, he attended a Monthly Meeting with the brethren
at Shelbourne, and enjoyed a good season. Sabbath, he
preached at brother Elliott's to a large and solemn con-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
137
gregation, and brqjke bread to the church. The commun¬
ion season was solemn; a deep interest was felt in the
meeting. More than fifty were under deep conviction
among the impenitent. The church enjoyed a precious
season, while five precious souls found peace in believing
and joy in the holy ghost. He spent the night in the
family of brother Bushnell, where he enjoyed a pleasant
visit. 8th, he went to Huntington to attend to some bu¬
siness in relation to his pecuniary affairs. While in the
place he visited the brethren, to pray with them and stir
up their mind in preparation for the Quarterly Meeting,
which was soon to be held in the place; he says of him¬
self at this time, " I never enjoyed more of the love of
the Redeemer than now." 11th, he attended the Quar¬
terly Meeting at this place and took a deep interest in the
Conference which met on the 12th. The reports from the
churches were very encouraging. On Sabbath, 13th, the
congregation was so large for the public worship, the
brethren were obliged to divide the meeting, as one house
could not contain the people. The meetings were deeply
interesting; the word was preached in power, and the
brethren and sisters came forward with their testimonies
with much interest. He spent a few days in the place
after the meeting. 17th, he left to attend the Corinth
Quarterly Meeting to be holden in Corinth; but before
he left, he had a great struggle in prayer for brother Gil-
let's daughter, where he spent the night. She was under
deep conviction, and felt deeply her need of a Savior.
On the 18th, he went to Berlin and spent the night at
brother Strong's. 19th, he got to Corinth to attend the
Quarterly Meeting. In the Conference it was to him a
precious season. Brothers Pope and Robinsoiri related
their christian experience and call to the ministry, and
138 LIFE, LABORS, ADD TRAVELS,
they were received by the Conference for ordination,.
The letters from the churches bore a good report; the
brethren seemed to feel that the strong arm of God was
lifting his Zion above the power of the enemy. On Sab¬
bath, 20th, an immense congregation met at the meeting
house. Elder King preached the ordaining sermon from
2d Timothy 2d: 15th, " Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed;
rightly dividing the word of truth." The brethren of the
council then inducted brother Pope into the office of the
gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands.
It was a solemn and interesting season. In the afternoon
Elder Hacket preached a weighty sermon; it was follow¬
ed by many weighty and spiritual exhortations from the
brethren and sisters, and the meeting closed with much
interest. The holy presence of God appeared in the
midst of his people. He went from the meeting to "Wash¬
ington, the adjoining town, and for several days he had
to watch at the Ded side of his daughter Deborah, who
lay very sick, yet still he kept the holy armor on, ready
for warfare; he often stood among the people, lifting his
voice in the name of Jesus. In every meeting during
this tour, he witnessed much of the power of the Lord
manifested among the people; his whole soul seemed to
cry, Lord roll on the victory of the Cross; send out thy
great salvation; let thy saints rejoice in thee.
On leaving the Corinth Quarterly Meeting he visited at
Montpelier, Middlesex, Duxbury, and Waterbury, on his
way to Huntington. In each place he held meetings, and
strove to strengthen and encourage the brethren; he seem¬
ed to act as a sort of evangelical pastor, over all tho
churches within the field of his travel. And why should
he not feel an interest in their spiritual welfare ? He had
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
139
t>cen instrumental in the hands of God, in the organiza¬
tion of the most of them; he had given them th.3 hand
of fellowship, in welcoming them into the fellowship of
the Free Will Baptist denomination; he had led many of
their membership down into the liquid stream, and for
many of them he had bowed at the throne of grace, and
struggled for their deliverance into gospel liberty. And
as it was with the good Apostle, Elder Bowles wept and
prayed for them in christian care, and for them he toiled
on, amidst storm or calm, cold or heat, to serve them with
the bread of eternal life. If for the time being his labors
in the Huntington Quarterly Meeting cease, he is off to the
Corinth, then to the Strafford, or the Wheelock, the Rut¬
land or Enosburg Quarterly Meetings. The churches in
all of these were dear to him by the bonds of chistian
love in the power of the redemption of the cross of Je¬
sus. At Middlesex he enjoyed a pleasant home at brother
Barnet's ; he spent one week there holding meetings ev¬
ery evening at the school-house, at the same place on
Sabbath the 10th. On the 11th, on arriving at Duxbury,
he felt grieved to find that a trial had sprung up in the
church, and his coming among them at this time was
most opportune, and gave him the chance to check the
difficulty in the bud; he says of his labor here at that
•time, " I began at once to lift my soul in prayer to God.
I felt that we needed the aid of his strong arm to lift us
up. Glory to his name, he came in power to save us
from a serious difficulty." My readers are aware that
Satan often attempts, and .too often with success, to get
Ms dividing hoof among brethren, and too often to the
weakening the strong hold of Zion; and thank God, noth¬
ing can so effectually baffle his wicked schemes as the
spirit and power of the gospel, sanctified to the hearts of
God's dear faithful children.
140 LIFE) LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
On the 15th, he went to Huntington, and met the breth¬
ren in the evening; he found some happy in the hope of
heaven,and giving glory to God, whom he had left mourn¬
ing in their sins. The work of reformation was spreading
all around; he could say with a gospel heart, " ride on
all conquering king, ride on. Thy kingdom come, thy
will be done. Let heaven and earth agree to sound abroad
thy worthy name, till all our souls shall be on flame, to
rise and reign with thee." On Sabbath, 17th, he preached
with the church and broke bread to the brethren and sis¬
ters. On the 19th, he met a large congregation and de¬
livered to them the word of life, and then led several
happy candidates into the water and buried them in bap¬
tism in the likeness of the holy Eedeemer. The candidates
went from the water shouting and praising God. After
he got to the house, one woman began to confess that she
had neglected duty; while she was speaking to the peo¬
ple, the power of God came down, she fell to the floor,
and lay sometime; when she revived and began to speak
she wanted to go forward in baptism; the church gave
her fellowship, and Elder Bowles led her down into the
water and buried her in baptism, and then gave them all
the hand of fellowship into the visible church. He went
on Saturday to Starksbury, in company with Elder Kob-
inson, and on Sabbath, 29th, they held meetings together.
They found several under deep conviction; they begged
for mercy, and the cry sounded loud in the meeting, and
the work seemed to be spreading in all parts of the town.
On the 27th, he went to Bristol and attended the funer¬
al of sister Holcomb; it was a solemn time among the
people; the revival spirit was spreading, and the solem¬
nity of death had come on the mind while it was yet
tender, and the spirit of God seemed to lead them out
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
141
into the solemn consideration of the judgment. In the
evening he attended meeting in the same place; itiany
were anxiously seeking an interest in the Redeemer's
blood, and thank God, delivering power came down in
the midst of the people, and amidst the cry of the anx¬
ious mourners came up the shout of the redeemed from
the power of sin and death.
He continued in Bristol until the 2d of March, holding
meetings every evening, and visiting during the day j he
then went to Starksbury, March 2d, and attended Month¬
ly Meeting with the church; and preached on Sabbath
the 3d; the revival continued unabated; he says, " One
man came to me in great anguish of soul, and said he felt
himself a great sinner, and that there was no mercy for
him; he begged me to beg for him at a throne of grace;
brothers Holcomb and Bushnel got hold with me by faith,,
and we laid hold on the strong arm of the Lord, and God
heard the prayer of faith and brought deliverance to the
poor man, and the dear creature gave glory to God. I
believe that God will own that meeting to his own name's
glory."
On Monday, 5th, he went to Shelbourne; he says, "I
went on my way singing—
"Glory to God, that sent his Son,
To die for crimes that I had done,
And made Salvation mine."
I felt well in body and mind, my soul seemedto be lifted
on high. O, how sweet and blessed is the way of life and
salvation to my poor soulj glory to God." Thus we see
"him in the confidence and enjoyment of infinite love. In
Shelbourne, he visited brother Hill, an old gentleman,
and enjoyed with him a happy visit.; he also visited sev¬
eral other families from day to day, with the object con-
542 life, labors, and travels,
stantly before him of comforting the sick, and keeping
the mind of the sinner directed to the cross. He went
from Shelbourne to Burlington, to get his pension from
the Government; but on the way he visited and prayed
with the pe@ple in many families, not willing while m the
discharge of temporal duties to lose sight of the great
work of gospel labor; this was according to Paul's advice
to Timothy, "Instant in season and out of season," and it
was true of Elder Bowles, he did " Eeprove, rebuke, and
admonish, with all long-suffering and godliness." He
myii, " On my way back from Burlington, I got my mind
in a re very; I began to sink down into the spirit of the
work; my cry to C-od was, ' O Lord revive thy work, and
•0 pity poor sinful man, bound to the judgment—think of
poor Zion in tears and groans—think of the poor ministry,
in toil and weariness, and O, think of the dying love of
my dear compassionate Redeemer/ i\Iy soul got into the
deep channel cf the gospel, and got iiold by living faith
in God." Now, dear reader, if all the ministers of the
holy Jesus could get into this travail of soul, and the
membership of Zion would appreciate it as they ought,
what deep toned religious feeling would pervade the
church of God. The spirit of the work often fills the
heart of God's dear servants with indescribable joy, and
amidst bodily afflictions they can s:iy with the good Apos¬
tle, "If I must reach glory, I will glory in the things that
belong to my infirmity, for they work in me a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory," and again as the
Apostle says, " I live by faith in the Son of God."
Elder Bowles spent some time in Huntington holding
meetings, particularly at the Gore, a neighborhood where
he took great delight in meeting with his brethren in the
prayer and other religious meetings. On Sabbath, he
OF ELD. CHABLE8 BOWLES.
143
preached at the Thomas school-house in Huntington. It
was a time of great power; he says,- "It was a shouting
time, many of the brethren got so happy they gave glory
to God, until it seemed the very foundation of the king¬
dom of Satan trembled." He attended the ordinance of
baptism—the season was truly solemn—the impenitent
trembled and some wept and manifested deep feeling, and
said, " Pray for me." During the week, he met with an
accident that seemed to impress him more with gratitude
at the goodness of God. He was thrown from his horse,
though he was not seriously injured, it was a narrow es¬
cape ; he says, " I went on my way, and my soul was
happy as I sung—
" Prepare me Lord, for thy right hand,
Then come the joyful day,
Come death or some celestial band,
To bear my soul away."
A heart that can breathe forth such sentiments as these,
can always feel hapj>y in or out of danger, and in or out
of meeting, and thank God, it is always one continual
meeting to such a soul. He went to Alder Brook school-
house and met a large congregation; the presence of the
Lord was with him; the spirit of reformation shone forth
in great power. He did not get weary in preaching, nor
did the brethren get weary in following him up with
exhortations, as testimonies in favor oi he claims of
the Redeemer. And if it is true as is t-ileu expressed
that it takes the whole church to preach cite gospel, that
declaration was emphatically fulfilled in the co-operation
he received from his brethren. If he planted in the name
of the Lord, others with him watered. When he labored'
for the harvest of souls, others entered with him into the
labor with a kindred spirit of christian activity.
144 LIFE, LABOBSj.AND TRAVEIfl,
On Sabbath, March. 31s.t, he preached at StarksborOj in.
the morning he was in the grove and spent some time in.
communion with heaven; he went from the grove to the
pulpit, with his soul kindled up with the holy fire of God's
infinite love. He says, " I felt to ask God to give me
some sign that my labors would be blessed in this place,
and that I might hear the voice of the sinner crying this
day for mercy; and glory to God, I am not disappointed,
the begging of poor sinners for mercy and the trembling
look of the poor backslider has gone to my soul. O, my
blessed Jesus, how I love thy salvation—how I love to
point sinners to thy bleeding body and tell of the victo¬
ries of the cross. I love to hear that voice that stilled the
troubled waters, calm the poor sinners soul from fear, and
bid him live in thee."
He felt a sore affliction in sympathy with the family of
brother Terrill; the old gentleman had been recently re¬
moved from them by death. Brother Bowles speaks of
them with much affectionate regard, and says " My soul
felt to mourn with them; I felt to cry unto the Lord to
make up the loss to the afflicted widow and children, by
being a husband and father to them." He next went to
a house near by, to visit and pray with a woman who was
in the agonies of death. He could feel the enjoyment of
Jesus' love and sympathy in all domestic affliction. As
Jesus wept with Martha and Mary, so could he with com¬
passion ; and as one noble characteristic of a good gospel
minister, he was not slow in getting to the bed-side of the
sick, or to the house of the mourner. Thank God, he felt
it to be one part of his great mission to " Comfort those
that mourn, and bind up the broken-hearted." During,
his visits, he found some happy in God, and some mourn¬
ing for sin and in deep distress. At brother Norton's he
fonnd several such.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
US
April 7th, lie preached two sermons in the place; he
enjoyed good liberty and saw much of the divine spirit
manifested in directing the power of the word to the
hearts of the people. He says, " Glory to God, the ref¬
ormation fire still keeps burning, and by the light of it,
some are frequently coming to Zion." Our readers will
clearly see the bent of his mind, a steady urging the bat¬
tle on against the king's enemies; and well he might say,
" The king's business requires haste." He says, in this part
of his diary, " Although my poor body feels about worn
down, I love to run in the work of the Lord, if I can on¬
ly see souls saved." On the 13th, he went to Hinesburg
and held a meeting in the evening at sister Conger's.
15th, he held a meeting in the evening at brother Daniel
Adgent's; he says, " I had a little contest with a believer
in universal salvation; a man came into the meeting and
made light of the doctrine of salvation through repent¬
ance and forgiveness of sins to obtain eternal life through
Jesus Christ. But glory to God, master Jesus came in
too, and gave me wisdom and strength to speak, the pow¬
er of God got hold of the man, so that he gave silent
attention." He went to Huntington and stopped at broth¬
er Ambler's; here he had reason again to rejoice in
the divine and superintending providence of God; he
went to pass out of the room, and by mistake went to the
cellar door, and fell to the bottom of the stairs; he being
a heavy man, it was almost a miracle that he did not lose
his life; he says, " I went to my bed with a heart full of
gratitude to my God; he saved old Daniel from the jaws
of the lions, so he saved me from the jaws of death!, to
live and see more of his saltation among my fellow-men."
On Sabbath, April 21st, he attended meeting at the
Thomas school-house, enjoying as usual a good time. He
146 LIFE, LAB0BS, AND TRAVELS,
continued to visit, preach, and hold prayer meetings.—
Sabbath, 28th, he says, "I felt very solemn, my mind
seemed to be all shut up; I went to the grove and prayed,
but felt no better; I went the second, then the third time,
when a gentle voice seemed to say to me go foward in
duty, and God, thy God, will be at thy side; I went to
my appointment; the Lord appeared in great glory; my
soul got into liberty; I preached two sermons and attend¬
ed baptism, and we went from the water like the Eunuch,
rejoicing." On the 29th, he went to Richmond, and in
company with Elder "Webster, attended a meeting on the
30th, at brother "Wood's; he preached two sermons to a
large and interesting congregation, and attended baptism.
May 4th, he returned to Huntington and attended
Monthly Meeting, and on Sabbath, 5th, he preached to a
large congregation and broke bread to the church. Up
to the 14th of June, he remained in the place, visiting
every day and holding meetings every night. During June,
he held meetings in Bolton, Richmond, Starksboro, and
Shelbourne; he attended two baptisms and attended sev¬
eral Monthly Meetings and the Quarterly Meeting at
Starksboro. Still he does not falter in the great work of
the Lord, but apparently every day's experience and toil
increases his interest in the work. At the Quarterly
Meeting his mind was some disturbed by a trial that came
in among the brethren in the conference; but a weighty
sermon from Elder Webster, followed by some good testi¬
monies from the brethren and sisters seemed to clear the
clouds away, and the Son of God began to shine down
into the meeting. On Saturday the meeting was deeply
and solemnly interesting. He says, " The wheels began
to move in good order." On Sabbath, 16th, the meeting
was held in Captain Hill's large barn; an immense con-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
147
gregation came together—the people were solemn—the
biethren were filled with the spirit—the divine cloud
hung over the place, as of old over the ancient camp of
Israel—two sermons were preached with power, and the
ordinance of baptism was attended—a deep impression
seemed to be left on the minds of the people. After
visiting some, and holding a few prayer meetings to en¬
courage the brethren, he left the place, and on the 21st,
he went to Jerico and attended Monthly Meeting. 22d,
he attended a Church Meeting with the brethren to settle
some business matters; he says of this meeting, "I thinV
God will own it to his own name's glory." 23d, he
preached to a large and attentive congregation. Still
like all good men, he had liis trials; the enemy in con¬
stant fear of losing ground, made continual assaults on
him from every side; he being a colored man, the deep-
rooted prejudice being so rampant in the hearts and ac¬
tion of wicked men, they took hold on that point to oppose
the cause of religion, and although God displayed his
mighty power through him, as an able instrument in his
hunds to shake the empire of sin, there was not found
wanting men ready to calumniate, misjudge, and cruelly
misrepresent, and constantly endeavor to embarrass his
mind; and often his trial on this account was great, not on
account of himself, but for the good of the cause of reli¬
gion ; he mourned that the enemy should do wickedly on
his account, and yet I do not think that Elder Bowles
would for one moment repine that in the providence of
God he was a colored man. As an evidence of this, I
will here insert a little incident showing the perfect satis-
taction of his mind: While laboring one time at Pier-
pont, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., at the Howard school
house, brother Crary, a "Wesleyan minister of the place,
148 lite, labors, and travels,
speaking in the meeting, was alluding to the American
prejudice against color j turning to Elder Bowles in the
presence of the audience, he remarked, that no doubt El¬
der Bowles regretted that he was a colored man. Elder
Bowies' countenance lit up with pleasure, as he answered
with a strong an emphatic, " No! never. Hundreds have
been led to Christ and converted just by my color."
This being scorned and rejected for the cause of Christ
and the good of men, and being prompted to do good by
christian motives, will not be without its reward. In Jer-
ico a new interest began to appear; the plants that for a
time had been withering by adversity, now began to feel
the effect of the holy gentle showers of God's heavenly
grace; a spiritual prospect hove in view. At an appoint¬
ment at brother Joy's, he had great liberty; the opposi
tion began to give way; he says, " Some of the brethren
and sisters began to reach out for a fuller enjoyment in
sanctification." By this time his soul began to lift itself
by faith, as he saw the banner of the cross begin to wave
over Jerico. He says, " My soul began to sing—
" I glory in my Savior's grace,
And sing my great Immanuel's praise,
My soul now longed to soar away,
And leave her tenement of clay."
In some instances the very men who bitterly opposed
him, met him as his warm friends, and loved to listen to
his voice. How true the words of the holy bible, " "When
the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord God shall raise
up a standard against him." From Jerico he went to
Underhill, and held several meetings with good success;
the spirit of the Lord accompanying him in his labors
in the place.
On the 25th, he went to Huntington and resumed his
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
149
labors with the brethren in different parts of the town
especially at the Gore. His time was constantly employ¬
ed. 31st, he was called on to attend a faneral, and in
the morning according to his old custom he went into the
grove, to fit his soul and mind for the duty. An immense
concourse of people came together; he preached from
Collossians 3d chap. 3d and 4th .verses, " For ye are dead
and your life is hid with Christ in God; when Christ who
is our life shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in
glory." Such events, in tine of religious awakening, if
lightly managed, often produce a wonderful effect; it
throws a deep solemnity over the mind; it has a tenden¬
cy to disengage it from the tempting vanities of life; it
often humbles the soul, and gives the spirit of God free
course in accompanying the word of life to the human
mind. No one more fully and candidly improved such
events than Elder Bowles; he says of the funeral, " I
tried to make all the advantage of it I could, to secure the
attention of the people to eternal things."
Friday, 2d of August, he went in company with broth¬
er Ambler, to visit TJnderhill; on the way he held meet¬
ings at Jerico, at brother Joy's. 3d, he attended the
Monthly Meeting with the brethren at TJnderhill; he
found the brethren well engaged, and several converts
came forward and put themselves under the watch and
care of the church. On Sabbath, 4th, he attended meet¬
ing at brother Choates and preached to a large congrega¬
tion of people. After the meeting he attended the
ordinance of baptism, and broke bread to the church. It
was a weeping, joyous time; the old saints shouted aloud
for joy, and the kingdom of Satan trembled. In the
evening, the brethren held two prayer meetings, one in
TJnderhill and one in Jerico; although they were but a
150 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
little ways apart, they were both well attended and the
Lord appeared in great glory; joy and gladness ran from
heart to heart in the meeting; the brethren seemed to be
in the spirit of the work. On his return to Huntington,
he went to Richmond and Bolton and held meetings. On
Saturday, 10th of August, he went to Hinesburg and at¬
tended the Monthly Meeting, and returned in the evening
with brother Ambler. Sabbath, 11th, he preached in.
Huntington; at noon he attended the ordinance of bap¬
tism; it was a solemn time, the people v,Teptinuch at the
water. During the week he held meetings every evening
and visited from house to house during the days; a deep
solemnity seemed constantly resting on the people.
On Saturday, 17th, he went to Richmond and attended
Monthly Meeting; he says, " Some poor penitent souls
came into the meeting, and after listening to the testimo¬
ny of the brethren they rose up and begged the brethren
to pray for them." It was truly a time of awakening in
all parts of God's Zion. On Sabbath, 18th, he held meet¬
ings in Richmond, in company with Elder Robinson. In
the afternoon Elder Robinson baptized two individuals in
the name of the Holy Trinity. Elder Bowles had up to
this time been laboring several months in the Huntington
Quarterly Meeting; he had attended on an average two
Monthly and two Church Meetings each month; he had
preached every Sabbath, and almost every evening in each
week; he had made many hundred family visits, and
prayed, and exhorted in every house; he had attended
nine baptisms, and several funerals. He now felt his
imnd drawn to the east, and he went into the silent grove
to give himself anew to the great Redeemer, and to coin-
mend his brethren and the churches to the care of God;
he could say with the Poet—
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
151
"How sweet the hours have passed away,
Since we have met to sing and pray,
How loth we've been to leave the place,
Where Jesns showed his loving face.
O, could I stay with friends so kind,
How would it cheer my fainting mind,
But duty makes me understand,
That we must take the parting hand*"
Elder Bowles' natural sociability, united with his warm
christian friendship, made him feel an ardent attachment
to his brethren and pity for his enemies, and enabled him
to enjoy the hospitality of every house where he stopped,
and feel it to be a pleasant home.
On the 20th, he left Huntington for the Corinth Quar¬
terly Meeting; he held meetings on his way, at Bolton,
Richmond and Duxbury. He visited brother Barnet's at
Middlesex, and councilled with some of the brethren.
22d, he went on to "Washington and spent the night at
brother Cheney's. 23d, after visiting his daughter, and
visiting some of the brethren on the way, he went to
Stafford Hollow, to meet in the Elder's Conference of
the Stafford Quarterly Meeting. He says, " This day my
soul is filled with praise to my dear Redeemer, while I
listened to the reports as they came in from the churches,
they speak of the brethren being faithful, and love and
union among the children of God." On Saturday after¬
noon, 24th, Elder John Buzzell preached a weighty ser¬
mon. Elder Bowles says, "Brother John got out into the
deep waters of the gospel; the holy ghost came down in
the camp; the brethren brought forward some weighty
exhortations, and thank God, we had the power of the
king in the camp, and felt that the big gate of glory was
wide open so that the waters of life run free; glory to
God." On this route he held meetings in Corinth, Wash-
152 life, labors and travels,
ington, Chelsea, Berlin and Orange, and on the 30th, he
preached a funeral sermon at Montpelier. 31st, he went
to Duxbury and attended a Church Meeting, and on
Sabbath, September 1st, he held a meeting at brother
John Canada's in Duxbury. In all his meetings, he felt
deep solemnity in prayer for the presence of God to ex¬
cite the brethren to interest and awaken the atttention of
the impenitent to eternal things. He spent some little
time in Duxbnry, in manual labor by day, and preaching
at night; he says, " "While my hands have been employ¬
ed by day, my soul has been lifting to God in sweet med¬
itation. I have enjoyed a full foretaste of heavenly glory."
With Elder Bowles, we can all feel an assurance that re¬
ligion is a constant and faithful companion to all those
who love communion with God; it accompanies the ser¬
vant of God in any and every condition of life, when they
will cherish her loving spirit.
On Sabbath, September 8th, he preached in Hunting¬
ton. On the 13th, he went to Stowe, to sit in the Elder's
Conference of the Huntington Yearly Meeting. The
public worship of the Yearly Meeting was held with the
Stowe and Waterbury churches, they being near together.
The reports of the churches came in quite encouraging;
this seemed to warm and animate his feelings and enlist
his christian sympathies more strongly with the brethren
in the Yearly Meeting, to make one mighty effort to wage
war on the camp of the enemy. From the Yearly Meet¬
ing he went to Huntington, and for several weeks he was
engaged in manual labor daily, and holding services in
different sections of the town, and on the Sabbaths he
preached in Huntington, Charlotte, and Richmond. He
in the time attended two funerals, and visited some among
the sick. He made the grove his study room, where his
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
153
soul studied deep into the great things of God's spirit. la
the grove, the falling leaf, the fading foliage, the moss-
grown oak, gave to it all a sombre appearance that filled
liis soul with solemnity in view of the dying condition of
men. In that grove, away from manual and intellectual
labor, his mind was free to soai aloft; here he could look
from the silent grove, away to Olive's Mount, and by faith
learn a lesson of vital importance to his spiritual exist¬
ence ; or he could look from that grove away to Tabor,
and by faith, view the king in his glory, in his wonderful
transfiguration in his kingdom, giving a faint glimpse of
an idea of the power and effect of his eternal glory, by
the ecstacy of Peter's joy.
On the 7th of November, he left the Huntington Year¬
ly Meeting, went on to Eoxbury and held a meeting, vis¬
ited among the brethren, then pursued his journey on,
visiting and preaching at Chelsea, "Washington, Corinth,
Orange, and Topsham. He saw during this route, much
of the power of the great Immanuel, in bringing out the
poor backslider into the light. The sick on this route felt
the benefit of his prayers, for he was often by their bed¬
side. November 29th, he went on through Tunbridge to
^Randolph, and joined Elder Pope in a protracted effort;
Elder Davis also united with them. The Lord made bear
his arm in power. He was kindly received and entertain¬
ed by the brethren; he says in reference to the state of
things in that community, " I believe that God is prepar¬
ing the way for his work to be revived in pow er; a solemn
weight of heavenly truth seems to hang over, and rest on
the mind of the community."
December 1st, he attended meeting at the East village,
with Elder Pope; he preached two sermons at the meet¬
ing house. On the 3d, he went in company with brother
154: LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
Thomas to Brookfield, and held a meeting in the evening;
the power of the Lord came down on the people, and
seven came forward for prayers; he says, " Such was the
power and effect of the spirit on the hearts of the people,
and the cry for mercy, the brethren began to settle down
in the work, and urged God to lay too his helping hand;
they remained on their knees in the mighty struggle in
prayer about two hours; several poor mourners came into
liberty, rejoicing in the Lord." On Wednesday, he at¬
tended Monthly meeting with the brethren, and preached
in the evening; he says, " The little cload continued to
spread, and the sound of an abundance of rain was heard."
On Thursday, December 5th, was the Annual Thanksgiv¬
ing in the State. He went to the school-house on Ayer's
Brook and preached a sermon from Jonah 2d: 8th; he
says, " I think God never favored me more in my life
than this day; some in the meeting cried out aloud for
mercy and poor backsliders came trembling home to their
father's house. Glory to God, it was a day of great
thanksgiving to my soul." In the evening he preached
at the same place; the power of God seemed to increase;
between twenty-five and thirty poor sinners came forward
for prayers, and the old kingdom of sin and darkness
trembled in very deed; his soul seemed to be on the con¬
tinual rise to the throne. On the 8th, he held meeting at
the East village in Randolph, in the meeting-house; he
preached in the forenoon, and Elder Pope in the after¬
noon; they were accompanied by Elder Hacket. The
spirit of reformation seemed to be fully roused; God was
owning his word daily, in the convincing and the convict¬
ing the hearts of poor sinners. On the 12th, the power
of God was the most powerfully felt; after a short ser¬
mon the brethren and sisters gave in their testimonies;
OF ELD. CHABLES BOWLES. 155
the reformation spirit went through the meeting to such a
degree many cried aloud for mercy, and the brethren con¬
tinued in prayer until about three o'clock in the morning.
Ten souls came out into the liberty of the gospel. He
says, " Old Satan's kingdom got an awful shake; we went
from the school-house to brother Blanchard's, but as we
got into the house, one woman fell on her knees and cried
out, "Lord save, or I am lost! O, pray for meI drop¬
ped on my knees, and with others we struggled about
one hour; God came down and set her soul at liberty.
But others began to cxy for help from God, but my bodily
strength had so much gone, I was obliged to retire to rest."
On the 13th, he says, " The whole community is alarm¬
ed at what God is doing, so many have been converted,
and the converts going from house to house warning their
friends of their danger; old difficulties long existing in
the churches have been settled by the brethren; the spirit
of the Lord leading them in the way of victory." Sab¬
bath, 15th, although he had attended meetings every night
for a long time and often been in the struggle for souls
the whole night, he preached two sermons to an attentive
and large congregation and broke bread. In the evening
he attended a prayer meeting, quite a good number came
forward and told what God had done for their souls, oth¬
ers came forward to be prayed for. On the 17th, he at¬
tended meetings in the afternoon with Elder Pope. Elder
Pope preached a weiglity sermon; tliey then repaired to
the water and attended the ordinance of baptism. On
Wednesday evening, 13t.li, Elder Bowles again addressed
a large congregation ; the interest continued to increase;
the cry for mercy was loud, and the brethren brought in
their testimonies in quick succession. 19th, he preached
in the afternoon to a large congregation; after sermon
156 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
several related their christian experience in the dealings
of God's mercy to them, the church gave them fellowship,
and Elder Bowles went down again into the liquid stream
and "buried them in the likeness of the dear Bedeemer.
He says, " My soul never felt abetter day; the holy dove
of heaven came down in very deed, and rested on us; the
cry now came up from every quarter, " Pray for us," by
those whose hearts had been wounded by the arrows of
truth. The penitent now eagerly pressed forward to the
mercy seat at every meeting, and some in each meeting
found mercy from the hands of God." It was truly a day
of joy in Randolph, Brookfield, and the adjacent towns,
and the whole community seemed to be in a blaze of ref¬
ormation glory. On Saturday evening, 28th, fifteen came
forward for prayer and several of them found mercy be¬
fore they left the house. 29th, he met a large crowd of
people; he preached in the forenoon, and brother Thomas
in the afternoon; and he preached again in the evening.
Some thirty-six penitent souls found their way to the altar
for prayer; some left the meeting to avoid conviction, but
they were stopped on the road and compelled by the spir¬
it of God to return to the meeting and bow before God,
and beg for mercy. One proud young woman got some
eighteen rods from the house, her heart began to melt,
she yielded and returned to the meeting, and gave her
heart to God.
And thus the revival spirit continued to the close of the
month and the close of the yeai*. This year was began
by a deep struggle in prayer by Elder Bowles, in behalf
of poor perishing sinners, it closes with joy in heaven and
on earth, over the rej)enting sinner turning from the error
• of his ways, to the joys of eternal life.
CHAPTER X.
1823—The Revival Continues in Randolph, Brookfield, and Redfield
—He leaves to Attend the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—He and
Elder Pope Engages in a Series of Meetings—Visits Enosburg—
Meets with Opposition in Wellingford—Organizes a Free Will
Baptist Church in Enosburg—Visits New York—Spends the Year
in a Glorious Revival in the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting.
January 1st, 1823, Elder Bowles is still found in the
field of gospel labor, with his soul bowed like a cart un¬
der sheaves. He says, " I this day feel to give glory to
God for his great mercy to me. I want to renew my cov¬
enant with him, to live more devoted to his cause. Last
night I felt truly solemn; I spent the night until 4 o'clock,
praying out the old, and in the new year. O, what glory
filled my soul in the secret communion with God." In
the afternoon Elder Bowles left Huntington to attend an
appointment in Iloxbury. On the way he visited the
families of several brethren, and urged them to renew
covenant with God. In his meeting in the evening the
holy spirit of God came down; seven poor penitent sin¬
ners came bending the knee before God; four souls came
into sweet deliverance with Jesus. A new year's gift, in¬
deed. After the joy of these delivered souls had been
expressed a little, the struggle began again and lasted
some three hours; the children of God gained the victory,
lie then went to brother Wilcox's to spend the night, and
there found three of the family in deep distress of mind,
lie bowed with them around the family altar; he says,
" Betsey was in great distress and begged aloud for mer-
158 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
cy. I went to rest with a heavy heart for her; the next
morning I went to the barn and begged before God a lit¬
tle, then went in and joined with the family in prayer,
and glory to God, Betsey came into liberty."
3d of January, he went to Brookfield and held a meet¬
ing in the evening; the Ldrd appeared in their midst;
several came forward for prayer, and one came into liber¬
ty in the meeting. One man rose up in the meeting and
acknowledged his guilt in opposing the cause of God; he
said that he had tried to prevent his sister from going to
the meeting, but God had done so much for his siste*, and
children, and his father, on coming home from the meet¬
ing one night after he had retired to bed, and testified so
much of the power of God, he felt compelled to give up
all opposition, and come to the meeting and yield his heart
to God. He cried for mercy, and God appeared to his
deliverance. Elder Bowles finding the work had got well
begun, entered into the spirit of it with much energy; he
and Elder Pope spent about four weeks in Eandolph,
Brook field, Braintree, and Roxbury. About thirty souls
were truly converted to God, and scores of poor back¬
sliders were reclaimed, and many more poor mourners
lingered at the gospel pool, desiring to be washed from
sin. lie and Elder Pope baptized a large number of the
converts. He now took his leave of t!;e dear brethren,
and the dear converts, who had been made nigh to him
by the blood of the precious atonement.
9tli of February, he started for Huntington to be at the
Quarterly Meeting in the afternoon; he arrived at Mid¬
dlesex and attended Monthly Meeting with the church;
here lie met Elder Lord and with him and the brethren
enjoyed a precious season. On Sabbath, 5th, he attended
meeting in company with Elder Lord ; Elder Lord preach-
OF ELD CHARLES BOWLES.
159
ed in the forenoon, and Elder Bowles in the afternoon
from Songs of Solomon 4th: 12th ; it was a solemn melt¬
ing time. They then broke bread to the church. On the
6th, he started on for Huntington, and after saluting the
brethren at Duxbury and Richmond, and encouraging
them and cheering them with happy intelligence of the
work of the Lord where he had been, he arrived at Hun¬
tington on the 9th. He says, " I felt in my soul to thank
God, that he had spared me and my dear brethren to
meet again on earth, to join again in the worship of the
Lord." On the 10th, he met in the Quarterly Meeting
Conference ; much interest was manifest among the breth¬
ren in meeting with Elder Bowles just from the battle¬
field in Zion's warfare. On the 11th, the spirit seemed to
hover over the meeting; the meeting seemed to begin
with bright prospects of resulting in good. On the 12th,
the public meeting was attended by an unusual degree of
power; the preaching was in the spirit. Immediately
after the holding the Quarterly Meeting, Elders Bowles
and Pope began to make preparations for a protracted ef¬
fort within the bounds of the Quarterly Meeting, by vis¬
iting from house to house and urging on the minds of the
people the importance of eternal things ; and these efforts
were not without their effect; good omens began to ap¬
pear in the church, both in districts of the Ambler and
Thomas school-houses. On the 26th, meetings were held
in the Thomas school-house; Elder Pope preached in the
forenoon, Elder Bowles in the afternoon, and Elder Pope
again in the evening. The meeting seemed to be making
a good impression. He says, "1 began to feel the need
of more of the power of the spirit to get hold on the arm
of God by faith; I went into the grove to covenant anew
with God to be put into the work all harnessed; I think
160 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
I begin to hear the sound of abundance of rain." Elder
Lord now came on and took hold with them with much
heart-felt interest. They visited extensively every day in
the week, and held meetings evenings and every Sabbath.
Elder Bowles extended his labors into Jerico, Bakersfield,
Cambridge, Enosburg and Underhill. He says, "At Ba¬
kersfield I put up at Mr. Fay's; I had a long talk with
"him on the freedom of the will; I think I found my way
to the throne; I had good liberty in conversation. At
Enosburg I enjoyed a precious visit with my old friend
and brother, Asa Ladd; he had been made near to me by
the blood of Immanuel; his loving wife had been lately
called to her eternal rest,.but I am sure our loss is her
eternal gain in glory."
Sabbath, March 9th, he held a meeting in the Block
school-house in Enosburg; the meeting was attended with
power; sinners began to cry aloud for mercy; some were
deeply burdened on account of their sins. In the evening
quite a number of people met in a prayer meeting at
brother Alpha Ladd's; a solemn weeping time was en¬
joyed. 11th, he had to turn his attention to another sec¬
tion, he had been in the place nine days and had preached
ten sermons, and rejoiced in seeing the work of God revive
in the hearts of the children of God; many backsliders
were reclaimed from sinful wanderings from God, and
quite a number of sinners had been converted to God;
his soul had took new courage as he had bowed at the
throne of grace. He says, "I felt a solemn cry in my
soul, that God would ride on in his all-conquering power,
and subdue his enemies by the power of his love." At
Bakersfield he enjoyed a happy visit at brother Carrol's;
he says, " Our souls were filled with the power of God's
love as we knelt at the family altar and lifted our souls in
OF ELD CHARLES BOWLES.
161
thankfulness to heaven; I felt to cry in my whole heart,
let the inhabitants of the rock sing; let them shout from
the tops of the mountain; let Zion's king come down, and
let there be the sound of his voice in the camp of Israel."
On Sabbath, 17th, he held a meeting and preached at
the house of brother Story in Enosburg; the power of
God was felt; the penitent began to cry for mercy, and
the people of God with a promptness in holy confidence
in the Redeemer came up to the help of the Lord against
the mighty. God seemed to own the meeting and his
spirit gave new courage to his saints, and also to Elder
Bowles. Monday evening, 18th, lie preached at the house
of brother Joy; the spirit of reformation seemed to be on
the increase. On the 19th, he held a meeting at Rich¬
mond at brother Mitchell's, and enjoyed with the family
a happy season in waiting on the Lord. On Sabbath, 23d,
he preached in Huntington, and during the week his voice
was heard day and night in the meetings and around the
family altar. 30th, he preached at the Gore in Hunting¬
ton, and continued his labors during the week.
April 5th, he attended Monthly Meeting with the
church at Huntington. On the Sabbath, he preached and
broke bread to the church; during the following week he
visited and held meetings in Charlotte, Shelbourne and
Burlington. On Sabbath, 13t.h, he preached in Shel¬
bourne, and Sabbath, 20th, he preached in Starksboro;
and the evenings of each week he held meetings in the
different neighborhoods in each ol those towns, and in all
of them he enjoyed much of the divine glory of God.
On the 21st, he left Starksboro and visited at Bristol, Mid-
dlebury and Salsbury, and in the families of brothers
Hubbard, Mason and others, he enjoyed some good re¬
freshing seasons in prayer meetings. He then visited
162 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
Lester and Goshen and held meetings; the presence of
the Lord came among the people; the spirit of reforma¬
tion began to sound in the hearts of the saints of God;
several church meetings were held, and the brethren be¬
gan to feel the importance of gospel order in the church,
that the word of God might run, have a free course and
be glorified.
Sabbath, 27th, he preached at Lester Centre, the peo¬
ple were solemn and attentive and seemed to receive the
word of God with joy. 28th, he left Lester, and went
to Brandon and held some meetings, then he went to
"Walingford and sounded the gospel trump; he found ma¬
ny who were willing to let their voice be heard supplica¬
ting divine mercy from the Lord. He also held meetings
in Dorset; God owned the word also in this place. He
held meetings in the bam of a brother Crafft; a great
crowd came out to the meeting; in the evening he held a
prayer meeting, it was a weeping time, the holy spirit sent
•home the truth with power. He now directed his efforts
•to Walingford, where he contined several days proclaim¬
ing a free salvation in the name of the Lord. In this
rplace he met with some opposition from the old standing
Baptists and the Methodists; he says, " It was a sore tri-
;al to my mind to see the conduct of those who profess to
be the disciples of the Prince of peace, standing in the
way of any one aiming to do good to his fellow-men.',
But still amidst all opposition in the place from such a
source, he had the confidence and suuport of heaven; he
did not relax in his christian warfare against the kingdom
of Satan. God gave him liberty in speaking and prayer,
and constantly stood by his side to strengthen his hands
and his heart in the contest, and before he left Waling¬
ford he had the happiness to hear the cry of the penitent
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
163
sinner for mercy at the foot of the cross. At the last
meeting he held in the place, the presence of the Lord
was wonderful; he says of the meeting, " I think I never
saw more of the glory of God and his heavenly power w.
all my life; the children of God shouted for joy; the
poor backsliders cried out for mercy, and some sinners
were converted to God in the meeting. No doubt a deep
and solemn impression was made on the mind of the com¬
munity that will be remembered in eternity."
He now visited Clarrindcn and held one meeting, theii
went- to Goshen ; he says, " I went on the way crying in
my. soul that God would go before and prepare the way of
Zion for the power of reformation." After spending a
little time in the place he went to Benson, and the 28tK
he preached at brother Carter's ; in this place the power
of opposition began, to show itself; the power of God.
came down in the meeting; this made the enemy rage
with great fury; he says, "I began to cry in my soul, O
Lord revive thy work, In the midst of these years, in wrath,
remember mercy." lie spent several days in Benson, la¬
boring with good success, not only in meeting but in vis¬
iting from house to house, warning and praying for the
people, and constantly enjoying good liberty in the work-
On June 2d, he took leave of brother Carter and his
family and the brethren in the place, with deep feeling
for their interest in eternal tilings; he had enjoyed a.
pleasant home with them; their hospitality had been free-
ly extended to him, and in the spirit of christian love,
their hearts were knitted together. Elder Bowles' next
places of labor were Comwell and Orwell; in both places
he held several meetings to good acceptance, God blessed,
him and gave him good liberty of soul in speaking; he
enjoyed a pleasant home at brother Torries in CornwelL
16*4 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
He j■ w turned liis attention homeward to Huntington,
and topped and visited at Starksboro and preached four
days in the place, or six sermons ; he found the brethren
well engaged; after praying with them, he took his leave
of them r:;d went to Huntington. He says, "I felt to
give glor to God that he had spared me and the dear
brethren t .> meet again; I felt happy in God to see the breth¬
ren so well engaged in the good work of God; I can truly
say I love my Redeemer with my whole heart." Elder
Bowles always felt a pleasure in getting home to Hun¬
tington, it was to him a favorite spot, God had conquered
it for him, putting down the host of opposition in the
powers of darkness ; many who were once his bitter ene¬
mies had been made nigh by the blood of the Lamb; he
had led them down into the liquid stream and buried
them in its limpid waves ; he felt towards them as a fath¬
er, his attachment to them and they to him as brethren
was mutual, and Huntington was to him as Jerusalem and
Mount Zion was to the Jew. He could say with the holy
bard of Israel, " For my brethren and my companion's
sake I will now say peace be within thee."
June 8th, he held meeting at the Jones' school-house,
the people came out in a crowd to listen once more to his
voice. During the week he visited from house to house,
and on Friday, the 13th, he met in the Elder's Conference
of the Quarterly Meeting with the church at Richmond;
a good time was enjoyed in the Conference, and in the
Quarterly Meeting the power of God came down on the
meeting; the preaching was in the spirit and power of
the Lord, by Elders Bowles, Hacket, Carter, Pope, and
Moxley. God owned the word to the quickening of the
saints, many warm exhortations were given and several
came forward for prayers. On the 18th, he started in
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
165
company with Elder Pope and visited Shelbourne, Char¬
lotte, and Hinesburg; some very good meetings were
held; God blessed the word, sinners began to tremble and
cry for mercy. 22d, he returned to Huntington and spent
a little time among the brethren, holding prayer meetings,
and visiting the sick, of which quite a number were then
in the place. 26th, he started for the Corinth Quarterly
Meeting, he did not spend but a little time in the Corinth
Quarterly Meeting at this time, only a few meetings in
Chelsea, "Washington, Corinth and Orange. 30th, after
visiting in "Washington, and a few of his brethren, he
started to return homeward, he visited and held meetings
in several town on the route, and like the good apostle,
saluting his brethren from house to house as he went
along. At Waterbury in company with Elder Josiah
Wetherby he held one meeting, and one in Stowe.
On the 1st and 2d of July, he in company with Elder
Moxley, visited and held two meetings in Morristown ;
then passing on he visited Johnstown and Bakersfield and
then went on to Enosburg, and on Sabbath, 6th, he preach¬
ed in Enosburg in brother Lawrence's barn. He spent
the week in visiting and praying with the people during
the day and holding meetings every evening. On Sab¬
bath, July 13th, he preached again at-brother Lawrence's
barn; the way of God in a revival movement seemed all
dark to him, his mind begun to be in a strugglein a deep
trial, and he began to pray to God for duty to be made
plain to him; he says, " I began to wish that I had not
come into this region, because I could not feel as thus
saith the Lord, as to what was duty; but glory to God,
the cloud began to break—my soul was let into liberty—
the way began to look clear—I felt happy in my God—
gome mercy drops began to fall on the people—the car of
166 LIFE, LAB0BS, AND TRAVELS,
salvation began to roll on with power." On the 14th, he
went to Berkshire and held some meetings with good suc¬
cess, God seemed to own the meeting by sending home
the word of truth to the hearts of some of the people, and
deeply convicting sinners of the error of their ways. His
next move was at Enosburg at the east part of the town;
here the way began to open for the raising up and organ¬
ising a new church; his eye got hold by faith.
On Saturday, 19th, he held a meeting at the Block
school-house, and preached from Acts 2d : 42d; it was a
time of deep interest, several came forward to be consti¬
tuted into a church. He says, " My soul began to take
courage, I felt that the time to favor Zion had now, fully
come in this place; I felt great liberty from the Lord, and
could walk in the sweetest communion with the great
head of the church and enjoy the light of his glory." On
Sabbatli, the 20th, he preached in brother Lawrence's
barn, in the forenoon he preached from Malachi 3d: 1st,.
2d; he says, "The spirit of the Lord seemed to rest on
the meeting—it was a time long to be remembered—my
soul was lifted on high." During the intermission he
went forward and organized a Free Will Baptist church,
(this church consisted of five members, and onr venerable
father in the gospel, Elder Perley Hall, now of Enosburg,
was one of the members ; it was the origin of the Enos¬
burg Quarterly Meeting,) giving them the hand of fellow¬
ship in gospel order, then gave them a solemn charge,
commending them to God in humble prayer. In the af¬
ternoon he preached a short sermon, the congregation was
interesting and deeply affected. He says, " I now began,
to see how short-sighted I am; when I came into this re¬
gion I was full ot doubts and hardly knew what to do;
but gloi*y to God, he is all-sufficient in every time of
OF ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
167
trouble and trial, but I will put my whole trust in him,
and ever say—
"Long as I live when trouble's nigh,
I'll hasten to his throne."
O, my heart does pant for a deeper work of grace to fit
me better for his work."
On the 22d, he went to Sheldon, and held a meeting
with good success, but he says, " I had a great trial on
my mind on account of a conversation with a brother about
church government, and the use of articles and a cove¬
nant to govern the church of Jesus Christ, for I am of the
opinion that the bible is a sufficient rule, and government,
in faith and practice for any christian church." Elder
Bowles, like many of his cotemporaries in the gospel
work, unfortunately opposed any written articles of faith,
or church covenant, as savoring too much of human gov¬
ernment in the church. But experience has taught their
successors in the great work, that for a church to walk in
gospel order and maintain a consistent and mutual disci¬
pline, they should embody the principles and sentiments
of the bible in a disciplinary rule for the church, whereby
there may be a unity among the members.
His labor in Sheldon was attended with good success;
the Lord owned the word and made it quick and power¬
ful in the hearts of the people. Notwithstanding his trial
of mind, he says, "I enjoyed a precious season with the
brethren; the Lord sent his holy approving seal on our
meeting." He left another appointment to hold meeting
in the place, and by request consented to come and visit
around among the brethren and friends. On Saturday,
the 26th, he returned and attended the first Monthly
Meeting with the new church in Enosburg; he preached
a sermon of about one hour's length, from Proverbs 22d:
168 LITE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
4th, w By humility and the fear of the Lord, are riches,
and honor, and life." The power of God was wonderfully
displayed in the meeting; the saints of God were made
to rejoice in a glorious manner; many warm testimonies
were given in by the brethren and sisters, and some who
once professed religion, but had fallen into a backslidden
state, came into the meeting and got melted down under
the influence of the gospel. Sabbath, 27th, he held a
meeting in brother Lawrence's bam; an immense con¬
course of people came out; he preached from Romans
12th: 1st, " I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sac¬
rifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." After sermon, several came forward and rela¬
ted their experience, the church gave them fellowship,
and Elder Bowles led them into the water and buried
them beneath the limpid wave, after which he returned
to the house and broke bread to the church. In the even¬
ing he held an interesting prayer meeting with the breth¬
ren ; it was a day of joy and gladness to him and the dear
brethren of the new church. 30th, he went to Berkshire,
and in the evening he enjoyed an interesting visit at
brother Raymond Austin's, in prayer and christian con¬
versation with some of the friends who came in.
After laboring in Berkshire and Sheldon for a few days,
preaching in Sheldon on Sabbath, July 3d, he began to
see manifest tokens of good in that region; the people
received him kindly and very generously contributed to
his wants. 5th, he went to Bakersfield, and visited the
brethren and encouraged them in the faith of the gospel.
He then went to Underhill, and after spending the week
in holding prayer meetings and preaching, on the 9th, he
met in a Church Meeting and helped get some little diffi-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
169
eulties out of the way. Sabbath, 10th, he attended meet¬
ing in Underhill in company with Elder Webster; both
preached during the day. At 5 o'clock Elder Bowles
went to Jerico and held meeting with the brethren. 13th,
he attended meeting in Richmond, in company with
brother Thomas; brother Thomas preached a sermon, af¬
ter which Elder Bowles went to. the water and attended
the ordinance of baptism. 15th, he preached in Duxbury.
16th, he went back to Richmond, and attended a Monthly
Meeting with the brethren ; he felt under some trials be¬
fore the meeting began, but the deep interest of the
meeting soon dispelled all his trials and his soul was lift¬
ed in joy and he enjoyed a good season.
On the 17th, he preached in Huntington and attended
the ordinance of baptism, his cry was continually, Lord
send down thy power and convert poor sinners. This to
him was always a duty to secure God's holy will. On
the 23d, he attended Monthly Meeting with the church in
Underhill, in company with brother Thomas; the power
of God was wonderfully felt in the meeting; some fell un¬
der the power and laid without strength for a long time.
The spirit of revival was felt among the brethren, and the
people of God began to array themselves for the mighty
contest with the powers of sia. 23d, Elder Bowles preach¬
ed during the day, and brother Thomas in the evening.
Thus tihey continued for several days preaching, praying
and exhorting and visiting from house to house. He then
went to Duxbury and united with a Methodist brother in
a reformation effort; in these meetings a loving spirit per¬
vaded their hearts. His spirit was so catholic, and his
soul so filled with the divine power, he could always unite
with any evangelical christian on gospel ground to oppose
the kingdom of Satan and build up the interest of Zion.
170 LIFE, LAUOBS, AND TRAVELS,
He spent several days in Duxbury and "Waterbury; he
attended a Monthly Meeting with each church. He says,
" We began our effort in holding a few meetings in Wa-
terbury and found some of the brethren in great trial with
one another, but glory to God, he gave us the victory, the
holy spirit began to melt their hearts, and we had a good
weeping, forgiving time, every one seemed ready to
confess."
Up to August 5th, he was laboring in Waterbuiy, Stowe,
Duxbury, Richmond and Huntington. 7th, he preached
in Starksboro, and continued to visit and hold meetings
until the 14th; he met in the conference of the Hunting¬
ton Quarterly Meeting which met with the Starksboro
church. On the 15th, and 16th, he met with the brethren
i n the Quarterly Meeting; he says, " We had a visit from
the king of glory in our meeting; souls were converted
to God." On the 17th, eight persons were baptized, and
nine were united to the church. He says of the meeting
that day, " Almost all the unconverted part of the con¬
gregation cried out for mercy, and at Charlotte, and Hun¬
tington, the reformation influence was mightily felt; the
spirit of God is spreading all around a new and glorious
state of things; my soul felt encouraged in God; I felt
to cry to God for more grace to enable me to preach plain¬
er and better, in the spirit and love of my Redeemer."
It was a trait of character peculiar with Elder Bowles,
that if his preaching did not effect the hearts of the peo¬
ple and produce good result, attended with the divine
power, his mind could not rest satisfied. He made relig¬
ion a matter of conscience, the foundation of real devo¬
tional feeling, both in public and private life.
On the 23d of September, he left Huntington to visit
the churches in the Rutland Quarterly Meeting. On this
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
171
route he visited Bristol, Orwell, Bradford, New Haven,
and Cornwall. 27th, he crossed the lake to Putnam in
!New York, and assisted in the recognition of a Free Will
Baptist church, as a member of the Rutland Quarterly
Meeting. 28th, he preached with the new church, and
attended the ordinance of baptism; the power of God was
wonderfully felt in the meeting. After meeting he joined
with the brethren in a mighty struggle for some three
hours, for some poor penitent souls in the meeting; sev¬
eral came into liberty. 29th, he recrossed the lake into
Vermont, and preached at Stony Point in Benson. He
spent some days in this vicinity, visiting and holding
meetings ; several were brought into gospel liberty. He
then started to attend the Yearly meeting to be held at
Corinth within the bounds of the Corinth Quarterly
Meeting. In company with brother Thomas, he visited
Goshen and held one meeting, then went to Randolph on
the 3d of October, and held another.
On the 4th, he met the brethren in Yearly Meeting;
he says, " On the way to this place I have enjoyed much
kindness in many dear families; O, may God bless them,
and now in the Yearly Meeting my soul feels full of joy
to meet my dear loving brethren; I have heard to day,
my precious brother Elder John Buzzell preach a good
sermon, it was given in the spirit and with power; my
soul has enjoyed a heavenly feast. The reports came in
truly refreshing and encouraging to his saints. Glory to
God that he dwells among his people." On the Sabbath
a congregation of some three thousand people met for pub¬
lic worship, Elder John Buzzell preached in the forenoon
•and Elder Bowles in the afternoon, and the Yearly Con¬
ference was held on Monday and great harmony prevail¬
ed ; after its close in the afternoon, Elder Buzzell went
172 LIFE, LABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
to the water and in presence of a large concourse of peo¬
ple he baptized a number of happy candidates. After
Elder Bowles had spent a few days in Chelsea, Washing¬
ton and Barry, he went on to Huntington, visiting Mid¬
dlesex, Duxbury, Waterbury and Richmond.
25th, lie went into the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting,
visiting on the way at Cambridge, Fletcher and Bakers-
field, crossed the Missisco River into Enosburg; it was
stormy and cold, but his heart was warm in heavenly
hope. On Friday 26th, he met in the conference of the
Enosburg Quarterly Meeting, and on this day and the
27th he enjoyed a comfortable season. On Sabbath, 28th,
he enjoyed the j>rivilege of hearing Elders Manard and
Nathaniel Bowles preach the word during the day, and
he preached in the evening. The spirit fell like a mighty
shower on the hearts of the people, and on Monday eve¬
ning he preached again in the same place, also on Tuesday
evening, the mighty power of reformation began to sound:
on the two evenings ten souls came into gospel liberty.
He continued within the bounds of this Quarterly
Meeting until the last day of December, 1823. Although
for a while great opposition manifested itself, he enjoyed
the confidence of his christian brethren, and God made
bear his arm in a wonderful manner; many found the
pearl of great price, and went with him down into the
water. His labors during the whole time would average
one sermon a day, besides extensive visiting, and prayer
meeting. The ungodly fell before the power of God, like
Dagon before the Ark; the work spread into Berkshire
and Franklin and into the province of Canada. There
were several interesting incidents connected with this re¬
vival : in one family the spirit began to move on the heart
of the woman of the house; she began to read the bible,
OP ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
173
but after a little while she stopped this, and said that the
reformation was all delusion ; but the spirit continued its
striving, one morning her husband arose from his bed and
built a fire, when all of a sudden she began to scream
that unless she got religion, she should feel the fire of
hell; she said she had put the subject off too long, and
feared that there was no mercy for her. She begged her
husband to pray for her; he dropped upon his knees, and
she fell upon the floor and cried for mercy, it was a sol¬
emn time, the whole neighborhood was alarmed, and
crowded in; the cry was that the power of the reforma¬
tion was overturning everything. At Captain Ladd's, the
Captain in trying to beg for his wife got the burden on
himself for his own soul. Elder Bowles says, " It was a
time of the great Immanuel's power, parents and children
all begging for mercy together. The urgodly all alarmed,
while the hopeful christian was lifting the prayer of faith
to heaven. The struggle lasted until about eleven o'clock,
A. M. Mrs. Ladd came into liberty, shouting the praise
of God ; the burden left her husband, but he did not feel
the joy that his wife did.
The following Sabbath, Elder Bowles baptized Mrs.
Ladd and five other persons, and the following Sabbath
Captain Ladd and several others went forward in baptism.
Another incident occurred,—a very respectable man of
good morals, came into the meeting often, but seemed tried
with the noise of the meeting; the power continued to
settle down upon him until he acknowledged that he felt
strangely, but continued to oppose the meeting in his feel¬
ings. On one evening, Elder Bowles accosted him and
urged on him the great importance of immediate submis¬
sion to God. Soon all the brethren fell upon their knees
and began to beg for the power to come down on the
174
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
meeting. Soon conviction fastened on the man, he threw
himself across a bench for fear that he should fall upon
the floor, but the power of the spirit got hold on him, he
fell prostrate 011 the floor and cried to God for mercy, be¬
gan to confess his opposition to the meeting, and begged
the brethren to forgive him, lie called his wife to him and
confessed to her kefore the meeting, and for several hours
lie laid in a mighty struggle; it was a time of awful so¬
lemnity and power, but God soon appeared and set the
man and his wife at liberty.
On the following Sabbath, this man with his wife and
several others, came forward and told their experience
and were received in baptism. In this revival about one
hundred and fifty persons were converted to God; two
■churches were organized. It was truly a refreshing har-
vest; those who had " gone forth weeping bearing precious
seed, had returned rejoicing bringing their sheaves with
them." All opposition had fully yielded to the power of
truth. Elder Bowles went from this place to Underhill
and Jerico, and attended Monthly Meeting with both,
churches, and helped set things in gospel order. lie also
■yisited and held Monthly Meetings with the churches in
Duxbury, "Waterbury, Richmond and Hinesburg, conse¬
quently he must have been on the wing night and day,
going from town to town, seeing much deep conviction
and some blessed conversions in every town, and what
was comforting to him, the converts were bold and un¬
flinching before the opposers of the revival, and they
manifested great readiness to do duty and take up the
cross in baptism, for many received this ordinance at his
hands. He says in closing the year, " I feel a spirit of
joy and gratitude in my heart for the blessing and mercy
of God in closing this year; to him be all the glory for
what has been done."
CHAPTER XL
1824—His Labors in the different Quarterly Meetings—He goes to
Canada—Enjoys a Revival in Enosburg—Organizes another Free
Will Baptist Church in that Town.
January 1st, he says, "I feel truly solemn this day,
when I think of the great goodness of God unto me. I
have had many mourning hours alone in secret oyer the
condition of poor Zion, and I have had many hours in joy
and comfort with the brethren; I love to struggle with,
them for the deliverance of poor sinners. On the whole,
I can thank God and take courage in the great contest
against the power of sin and Satan."
4th, he left Starksboro in company with Elders Hill
and Manard, and 'brother Mason, to attend a Quarterly
Meeting, the name and place not mentioned in his jour¬
nal ; but we think it was the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting.
5th, he attended the conference; he says, "The reports
came in encouiaging from the churches. On Saturday,
Elder Manard preached a comforting sermon. On the
Sabbath, they met for prayer meeting, the holy spirit
came down among them, filling their hearts with the spirit
of labor. At ten o'clock they met in Beacon Carter's
bam, Elder "Woodworth preached in the forenoon, in the
afternoon Elder Bowles preached from Rev. 20th: 11th,
15th, inclusive. In the evening brother Thomas preached;
it was a time of power. Elder Bowles now took his leave
of the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting for a season, to attend
the Huntington Quarterly Meeting at Duxbury. On the
176 LIFE, LABOES, AND TRAVELS,
way, he visited several of the churches and rejoiced to
see them in travail in the spirit of the gospel. In many
families he enjoyed the pleasure of joining in religious
family worship ; his soul seemed to feel in the ecstacy of
joy at the thought that all these dear families will one
day unite in one in the holy kingdom, and God even the
Father will guide them into the fullness of infinite joy.
In the Elders conference he enjoyed a great consolation
in hearing the reports from the different churches. And
on Saturday, the 12th, in the Quarterly Meeting, the pow¬
er of God was graciously felt.
Sabbath, 13th, the brethren met at eight o'clock for
prayer meeting, and at eleven o'clock A. M., Elder Pope
preached a powerful sermon, God sent the power of con¬
viction to the hearts of sinners, a mighty cry went all
through the meeting. After sermon the Elders and breth¬
ren engaged in prayer, a mighty struggle lasted some
three hours and four souls were brought into gospel liber¬
ty, and a number of poor backsliders were brought into
gospel deliverance from their wanderings. Late in the
afternoon, Elder Bowles preached a short sermon, but was
interrupted by the cry of the convicted and the shout of
the redeemed; it was a time of the power of the great
Immanuel. The holy reformation fire had begun to burn
to the great astonishment of the host of opposition. On
the 14th, he left Duxbury and went on to Huntington,
then to Enosburg and spent one week with the brethren
in visiting and holding meetings. 20th, he went into the
grove in the morning, and there alone he held a sweet com¬
munion with God. He says, " I poured out my soul to
God for a fresh animating from heaven; my soul seemed
to mount up to God." He preached two sermons at the
Block school-house^ and in the evening he held a prayer
OF ELD. CHABLES BOWLES. 177
and conference meeting. During the week he'preached
every evening to large congregations, his soul all the time
urging itself near the holy throne.
27th, he says, " I went this morning to my old place in
the grove, God as usual met me there and blessed my
soul with his holy love; I felt some of the upper river
flow down to my soul; I could drink and drink, and still
it came down." He preached two sermons at the Block
school-house ; it was a melting time. On the 28th, he
met persecution from a quarter little expected; the Meth¬
odist brethren for some cause began to oppose him; he
says, " I looked on so much in trial of mind, I began to
see that I was getting into a hard spirit; I began to cry
to God to help me out of the difficulty; I found it is bet¬
ter to suffer wrong than to do wrong, my cry to God was,
to forgive them, and me, and fill us all with his spirit;
my soul got into the enjoyment of sweet peace in the Re¬
deemer, for I believe the Lord heard my cry." He con¬
tinued his effort in different parts of the town, the people
continually flocking to hear him. The whole comfnunity
appeared to be under a religious interest
On Saturday night, July 3d, he spent at his friend Ed¬
ward Johnson's, to rest for the Sabbath; he speaks of the
family with warm affection. On Sabbath, 4th, he attend¬
ed meeting at the school-house in the south part of the
town; some five hundred people came out; the women
filled the house; the men fixed seats in the front part of
the house, and the Elder stood in the door; it was a sol¬
emn time, conviction fell on the hearts of the people like
rain on the earth; God owned the word. At noon he at¬
tended the ordinance of .baptism, and at the water the
Lord made, bear his arm in power. At five o'clock he
preached again with great liberty to a congregation at the
178 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
house of ^brother Rice; several poor backsliders were re¬
claimed, and one sinner was brought into liberty from Sa¬
tan's power; the saints of God shouted for joy. He says,
" I felt this day that I had made a Sabbath day's journey
towards the heavenly land."
In the evening, he went to brother Edward Johnson's
and spent the night. His soul got into a struggle for three
young women there. He exhorted them in the name of
the Lord to bow to God and repent of their sins ; they
began to humble; he requested them to kneel, which
they consented to do. A struggle of several hour brought
all three of them into liberty. The glory of God filled
the place in a wonderful manner ; great solemnity seem¬
ed to pervade every heart. 5th, he says : " I feel to praise
God for his continual goodness to me, for the presence and
glory of his power in my own soul, and his divine power
in the hearts of the people." He went this day eight
miles and attended meeting in Richford ; then to Frank¬
lin. In this region he spent a number of days in visiting
and holding meetings. It was a time of great comfort to
him. As he visited from house to house, his soul seemed
fired with holy zeal, and he seemed to feel a desire to have
the same spirit infused into the hearts of his brethren and
all christian friends. A travail of soul continually in the
strength of the King of Zion, among the members of the
church, always inspired his soul with holy boldness and
courage in the cause of truth.
Sabbath, 11th, he attended meeting at the school-house
in Franklin, in company with brother Joseph Kimball.
12th, he took his leave of his christian Mends, and went
to Canada. His first meeting there was of much interest.
In Duns Pattent, he spoke from Colossians 3d: 3d, 4th r
« For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God,.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
179
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with him in glory." A great crowd of peo¬
ple came out to hear; he says, " I felt as though I was
preaching a funeral sermon for some one in the crowd;
the people appeared solemn, the power of the spirit ac¬
companied the word to the hearts of the people in a won¬
derful manner." He did not spend much time in Canada,
his appointments in the States hurried him back. But on
the 15th, 16th and 17th, lie enjoyed great liberty in
preaching on the Pattent. On the afternoon of the 17th,
he started back to the States and again began his labor at
Hichford. The Lord showed some signs of a mighty re¬
vival in the place ; several found peace in the holy Ee-
deemer, and some were reclaimed from a backslidden
state; he attended one immense meeting at the barn of a
brother in the place, and on the evening of the same day,
he met with the brethren in Conference Meeting at the
school-house ; the presence of the Lord appeared in their
midst. On the 29th, he attended meeting at Enosburg;
the power of God manifested itself; many came forward
for prayers; the conviction settled deep on the hearts of
sinners ; the cry was raised in the meeting so deeply from
the people, his soul began to feel a mighty struggle in
prayer; the kingdom of Satan began to tremble. After
meeting he went to the water and led some happy disci¬
ples of Jesus down the banks in the example of the Re¬
deemer ; the cloud of mercy hung over the place. In all
of these meetings he held on by faith in a firm grasp on
the promises of God, and seemed to feel like good old Ja¬
cob, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." 31st
of July, he met an immense congregation of people, and
preached to them the word of life; after sermon he was
followed by some good exhortations. He proceeded and
180 LIFE, LABOB3 AND TRAVELS,
organized another church in Enosburg, of the Free Will
Baptist order. All at once the spirit of revival seemed
to be gone, a dark cloud came over the community. He
gays, " I went to the grove and spent considerable time
in prayer to God; his infinite glory appeared; my soul
felt the power of the blessed light."
August 1st, he again preached to the people in the
forenoon, and at noon he went to the water and baptized
some happy candidates for tlie new church ; the blessing
of God attended the ordinance both to the administrator
and the candidates; the spirit of God went with them
back to the meeting, where he preached again, and then,
attended to the ordinance of the communion. As the
members of the new church, together with other christian
friends came around the sacramental board and received
the emblems of the Redeemer's dying love, every heart
seemed to unite with tin Poet and say:—
" Why was 1 made to hear his voice,
And enter while there's room?
While others make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come."
The people of Enosburg had now great reason to rejoice
that they had been able to see the great salvation of God.
Deep-rooted prejudices had all given way before the pow¬
er of truth and love; the hearts of christians seemed to
warm together, and the whole seemed to open a new era
in the life of that community. Elder Bowles was called
on in this placebo help settle a family difficulty and rec¬
oncile the parties; it was between the senior and junior
members; the latter being married and living apart from
the former, they would not visit one another, nor speak
peaceably together. Elder Bowles went with the young
man and his wife to the house of the young man's father,
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 181
and after exhorting, and hearing from both parties, he
bowed in prayer. While at prayer the young people fell
upon the floor and began to confess to the parents, the
parents to the children; it was a convincing, convicting
time; each heart began to melt in love, God came in
great power and deliverance and set the mother and
daughter-in-law into glorious liberty. It was a shouting
time; religion melted and humbled them before God and
one another, and brought them into a blessed fellowship
together. He says, " All glory to God for what I felt on
leaving that house; my soul could leap for joy in the
great Immanuel."
During the time up to the 3d of September, he labored
in Underhill, Jerico, and Starksboro, attending the Month¬
ly Meetings with each church, and preaching about every
evening or holding prayer meetings. He also visited ex¬
tensively from house to house, among both professors and
unprofessors of religion, for he felt with the dear compas¬
sionate Redeemer, that he was called to " Seek the lost
sheep of the house of Israel." Not a day nor hour was
spent by him unoccupied in the cause of God; he was
ever abundant in labor, and with him there was always
enough to do. If the harvest was truly plenteous and
the laborers few, he not only prayed the Lord of the har¬
vest to send forth laborers into the vineyard, but he ever
stood ready in willingness to step in himself and labor
with a zeal truly commendable, with an unceasing and
untiring effort to promote the interest of men and the
glory of God. But notwithstanding all his joy in the
/prosperity of the cause, he felt a sorrow at this time, at
the workings of Satan in some of the churches, particu¬
larly at Franklin. But he did not forget his place of re-
Borfc in secret communion with God. Thus in joy or sorrow,
he ever stood ready to obey God in the path of duty.
182 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
September 3d, he went to Enosburg, in company with.
Elders Hubbard, Webster, Davis and others, to attend
the Quarterly Meeting. At this meeting nothing of im¬
portance took place, yet still they enjoyed an interesting
season ; the power of the spirit of God filled their hearts;
the preaching was in power. 8th, he returned home to
Huntington and got ready to attend the Huntington Quar¬
terly Meeting at Middlesex. lie enjoyed a pleasant in¬
terview with his old associates in the ministry. It was a
meeting of great interest; two souls were brought into
liberty; the backslider began to feel a trembling to return
to the fold of the Redeemer. In the conference much
union prevailed ; the ministers truly appeared to see eye
to eye in the great work of regenerating grace, in secur¬
ing the spiritual interest of mankind. The Quarterly
Meeting left a good influence on the whole community in
"Waterbury, Stowe, Duxoury and Richmond; the refor¬
mation flame began to spread; it was a time of the Me¬
diator's power. Elder Bowles felt no disposition to lay
off the armor, but often in the grove in holy communion,
he bowed before God to buckle it on closer and get a firm¬
er hold on the sword of the spirit; he would get his eye
on the judgment as also on the cross of Calvary; he felt
his heart in the spirit of it, and in the language of the
good apostle, he could say, "The love of Christ constrain-
eth us, for we thus judge, if one died for all, then are all
dead." And being dead in trespasses and sin, the power
of the holy atonement alone must save the sinner by his
repentance and faith in Christ. This he aimed to urge on
the poor sinner. He labored in this revival until the Jan-
uary term of the Huntington Quarterly Meeting held at
Huntington. Unwearied in mind and strengthened in
body, amidst the excessive toil, he left the field of refor-
OF ELD. CHABLES BOWLES.
183
mation in one place, only to labor to kindle up the refor¬
mation flame in another place.
In closing the year, Elder Bowles felt, as he says, a
heart-felt gratitude to God for his good success during the
year, and for his manifest glory in the closing up of the
year. Under his ministry during the time, God had, in
a wonderful manner, stood by him and warded off every
blow of the enemy, that no harm had befallen him, and
under his ministry many had been led to the mercy seat,
and there met the compassionate Redeemer. The num¬
ber of conversions during the year had been great. He
had baptised many of the converts; he had organized
three churches, and had done much in the name of God
to strengthen others by prayer and council. He says in
the commencement of the New year, " My soul is drawn
out more after God. I can say with the good David,4 as
the hart panteth after the water brook, so my soul pant-
eth after the living God.' I rejoice to be able again to
covenant with my God. O, how I want to be all filled
with His holy spirit, and clothed upon with my house in
Heaven, so as to be dead to the world. I want to do more
for his blessed cause, and see more of his converting pow¬
er among men." One happy trait in the christian and
ministerial character of Elder Bowles, he always felt him¬
self dependant on God, and so much sympathy for poor
sinners, he could not stop at the end of the year to rejoice
over his glorious victories. The old year left him and the
new found him in a position that bespoke the deep lan¬
guage of his soul.
At the Quarterly Meeting in Huntington, the delegates
came in with holy reformation flame in their hearts; it
breathed out the prayer of faith, and glory to God, the
hearts of christians in a time like this formed a blessed
184: LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
prayer book for those who had to stand upon the walk of
22.on and blow the gospel trumpet. The preaching was
in the spirit and with power; the exhortations all told
that practical religion had formed the possessor in new
life, and all could say with the holy Bard of Israel, " One
thing have I deserved of the Lord, and that will I seek
after that I may dwell in the house of God forever; that
I may behold the beauty of the Lord and enquire into
his temple." After the Quarterly Meeting at Hunting¬
ton, he spent the remaining part of the winter in meetings,
attended by a deep revival interest in Bakersfield, Shel¬
don, Enosburgh,'Franklin, and in the province of Canada.
Many were converted to God during this time. He bap¬
tized many, and organized one church of twenty members.
In April he returned to Huntington to attend to some of
his temporal affairs, but in this he did not spend much
time, for Israel's happy king could rejoice in Mount Zion,
as the place of rest, in its literal glory. Elder Bowles
could say with simple truthfulness—
"My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life, or breath remains,
Here my best friends and kindred dwells,
Here God my Savior reigns."
CHAPTER XII.
Elder Bowles continues to labor in the several Quarterly Meetings
in Vermont—Sent a Messenger to the several Churches in the
Enosburg Quarterly Meetings—A Letter to a Friend—Attends the
Enosburg Quarterly Meeting—He bears the Yearly Meeting Epis¬
tles to the several Churches—History of Jeffrey Brace—American
Slavery—Character ot some American Ministers—Death of Jeffrey
Brace.
In the last chapter we have written, closes the journal
of Elder Bowles. We deeply regret that his education
was not such as that he might have been the author of
some interesting letters to some of his friends, by which
I could gather more of those interesting expressions so
characteristic of his life. But few letters were found among
his writings, and they are short and on business of one
kind or another, and not at all interesting in this work.
But several biethren who were much attached to him, and
often in conversation with him, remember with lively in¬
terest his warm and animated conversation in the family
circles, where they would meet together to enjoy the
hospitalities of a home, after the toil and fatigue of the
Quarterly Meeting Conference. It always seemed to in¬
terest him to get a number of young ministers around
him, and then rehearse the wonderful power of God in
rolling on the victory of the Redeemer's cross.
Our dear departed brother, Elder Samuel B. Padden,
often expressed great satisfaction in listening to him.
During 1825 and 1826, Elder Bowles continued to labor
as an evangelist in the different Quarterly Meetings, and
186 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
laboring some on his farm in Huntington, with his chil¬
dren. But whether in the pulpit or in the field, his heart
was with the Lord in the greatest and best of works, the
prosperity of Zion, and the salvation of men.
In 1827, the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting Conference,
found that several of the churches within its limits were
losing ground in the spirit of gospel order, and were be¬
coming delinquent in many of the great duties of evan¬
gelical church organization. A letter was prepared by
vote of the conference, and addressed to them as a sort
of admonitory advice, and Elder Bowles was appointed
to bear it to the different churches. It was a fitting ap¬
pointment ; he had been among them and dropped the
tear of sympathy, in the time of planting the principles
of the gospel as good seed in their heart; he had watched
with a yearning heart the progress of gospel truth among
them, and now if there were erring ones, any getting cold
and in danger of departing from their first love, he was
the man who could throw around them the arm of love,
and by the power of faith take hold on the arm of the
Lord and draw them again into the sunlight of the great
ImmanuePs glory. By a communication of his to a friend,
written on the 28th of June, 1827, we may learn some of
his feelings. He says, " Last Sabbath I preached at Rich¬
mond ; it was a very solemn time; although I have been
over the ground so much for so many years, still I find
much pleasure in the same work. Glory to God, it will
never wear out. My poor body often feels worn down,
but I feel strength from God equal to my day. Glory to
God, he will take care of me in every time of need. I
have been looking up to God by faith. My soul feels a
wonderful cry, as I have been making my arrangements to
leave home to visit the churches, and I have had some
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
187
sweet and comforting hours in the grove. I have never
intended to put the armor off, still I want to be sure that
it is well buckled on in the name of the Lord, and while
I am getting things ready for the body, I want to have my
soul fed and blessed with the bread of eternal life, so as
to rightly fulfil my mission."
"We learn by this communication of Elder Bowles, that
as was usual with him, the grove was still his preparing
place. On the 28th of June he preached at Jerico, and
on the 29th at Cambridge. In both places the word wa&
blessed to the hearts of the epoaker and hearers. He felt
some trials, but his mind was filled with joy, that some of
the dear brethren were firm and steadfast in the faith of
Christ. On Saturday the 30th he attended the Enosburg
Quarterly Meeting, at Fairfield, and preached the open¬
ing sermon. In speaking of the occasion, he says, " My
soul felt lifted on high; I felt to shout Glory to God to
hear the warm exohrtations and prayers from the dear
brethren. They all seem like loveiiig children of a dear
family. On Sabbatli trie preaching and exhortations
were in power. Quite a number of ministers were pres¬
ent from several quarterly meetings. In attending the
communion of our Lord's Supper, the Jioly ghost came
down and overshadowed the place with God's infinite
glory. The shouts of the old saints made the kingdom of
darkness tremble mightily. The poor penitent sinner be¬
gan to cry to God for mercy, and backsliders began to
tremble." On Monday he preached to the Church again.
He says : " We had a good time; the holy, loving Jesus
was in our midst; the brothers and sisters present spoke
very feelingly. After they got through, I delivered to
them the Quarterly Meeting Epistle,and the church voted
to receive it. After meeting three came forward for pray
188 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
ers, and bowed down With us at the throne of grace with
deep conviction on their minds. 0, may God have mer¬
cy on them ! I bless God for his all prevailing power to
help his servants."
2d of July he went in company with brother Shaw to
the east part of Enosburg. Elder Shaw preached a weighty
sermon. It was a melting time in exhortation and pray¬
er by the brethren and sisters. The bold hearted and
backslider began to tremble mightily, and the good spirit
guided the Ark along. Elder Bowles then delivered the
Quarterly Meeting Epistle, and it was received by the
vote of the church, and the church manifested a good dis¬
position to co-operate with the Quarterly Meeting in good
faith. This gladdened his heart, as in his communication
he expresses much satisfaction that so many of his breth¬
ren were willing lo live for God and Heaven. On the 5th
he went to North Enosburgh, and met a large and inter¬
esting congregation. The church came out with much in¬
terest. Some of the members took hold with a good de¬
gree of zeal and christian spirit, and welcomed him as the
messenger of the Quarterly Meeting with christian affec¬
tion.
At the close of the exercise he presented the Quarterly
Meeting epistle. The church voted to receive it, and take
the advice of the conference and walk in gospel order,
try and induce all of the delinquent members to unite in
gospel travail. On the 12th, Elder Shaw accompanied
him to Faniham; Elder Shaw preached a weighty ser¬
mon, and the brethren and sisters followed it with warm
exhortations. Elder Bowles found the church well enga¬
ged, though some of the members were on the back ground.
He faithfully pointed them to the great Redeemer, setting
forth to them the many tokens of his love they had enjoy-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
189
ed. lie then in an affectionate manner presented to them
the Quarterly Meeting epistle ; the church unanimously
agreed to adopt it, and regard its advice. He then at¬
tended to the ordinance of baptism ; his soul was lifted
in the fullness of joy. Sabbath, loth, he met a large con¬
gregation again in Farnham ; the meeting was attended
by mighty power, and the people manifested a commend¬
able degree of liberality to him, in a collection for his
benefit to aid him in his temporal wants. After visiting
the north part of the town, and a place in Berkshire call¬
ed Slab City, the west part of Enosburg, Bolton, Enos-
burg, Starksboro, Richmond and Stowe, he went on
praying to the Lord, and encouraging his brethren in the
object of his mission; he everywhere enjoying the co-op¬
eration of the churches.
"We gather the above items from one of his communica¬
tions to one of his friends. He manifested in the com¬
munication much satisfaction in the accomplishment of
the task imposed on him by the Quarterly Meeting. He
doubtless could say with the great and good apostle Paul,
" I have no greater joy, than to see my children walking
in the truth." And thank God, this is a source of the
greatest consolation to a humble, faithful minister of Christ.
Now an enquirer might be at a loss to know what all this
labor would amount to, considering Elder Bowles' literary
acquirements could not entitle him to any important, or
conspicuous position in the church or society. I answer,
the church of God on earth has been, and is now, more
indebted to good men, than learned men, for her enjoy¬
ment in moral power, and excellence in opposing sin, and
being enabled to obey the injunction of the Redeemer to
let her light shine before men, that they seeing her good
works might glorify our Father in Heaven. For saith the
190
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
lioly bible as the word of God, " Not by might, nor by
power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." It is the spirit
of the Lord in the hearts of good men in the church and
in the ministry, that has given edge to these sermons
and exhortations, that has made infidelity wince under
the power of truth. It was this that drew the deep groan
and tear from their eyes and hearts—that melted the ob¬
durate heart of the sinner and led him to the Redeemer's
cross to obtain mercy. And such a spirit now in the
church and among the ministry, accompanied by literary
intelligence, will do much to elevate the church in a high
state of spiritual and moral excellence.
Although Elder Bowles was a colored man, his manly
bearing; his noble spirit, and his amiable christian char¬
acter, so greatly endeared him to the people of Vermont,
he was warmly recognized as a brother. And as Yermont
as a State, Is identified with the American confederacy,
in the great political and ecclesiastical interest of the
American nation, God only knows, how far the influence
of that man lias been felt in revolutionizing the public
sentiment of the State, against the abomination of Amer¬
ican slavery. But I cannot doubt that it has been, and
still has an influence in destroying prejudice against color.
And not he alone, as a colored man, for cotemporary with
him was another colored man in the State, of remarkable
influence as a christian, and a bible scholar, although he
was once a slave in Is ew York. I allude to brother Jef¬
frey Brace. I am acquainted with several brethren, in
whose hearts were planted the seeds of Abolitionism, by
the simple tale of that man's wrongs, inflicted by the cru¬
el slave power. Said one brother, to hear Elder Bowles
preach, and brother Jeffrey Brace talk, was enough to
make abolitionists of a whole community.
OF ELD. CHA.RLES BOWLES.
191
Ko doubt many who read this book, and this allusion
to brother Jeffrey, have read with pleasing interest a book
once published, giving a minute history of that man.—
Brother Jeffrey was kidnapped in Africa when a small
boy, together with a little sister. They were bathing in »
small pond of water near the home of their infancy and
parental affection, the dearest spot on earth to them, far
more than any spot on this land of legalized heathenism
and baptized oppression. While there, enjoying all the
happiness of youth, and unconscious of danger, the cruel
man thief came there, and with a heart seared with crime
and cankered with avarice, which the slave buyers and
drivers in America had fitted for that business. In a mo¬
ment he thought of the money they would bring in the
land of freedom and bibles. The next moment his tiger
grasp was upon them, and the heel of oppression, crush¬
ing every tie that bound them to home, where waited in
anxious expectation their fond parents. They were soon
placed on board the slaver, the death prison of thousands
of their fellow countrymen, and with a cargo of their
friends and countrymen, to endure all the horrors of the
middle passage, they set sail for the land of whips, and
chains welded and riveted by the descendants of liberty
loving patriots. Men, who themselves, boast of liberty
and equal rights to mankind. A land where amidst the
loudest professions of Christianity, human misery and
suffering has scarcely a parallel in the history of nations.
On arriving to this land to be exposed at sale in the slave
mart, they were plunged in the deepest misery and wan¬
ton cruelty by the merciless oppressor. And amidst the
reading of the American Declaration of Independence,
" That all men are born free and equal," they were legal¬
ized into chattels, to endure all the caprice of a master
192 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
during their earthly existence, with the scalding tears
chasing each other down their youthful cheeks, as they
stood among strangers, to meet the bitter scorn. It was a
sight to be pitied. Alone in a land of foes, to be used
only as avarice may dictate, and lust demand—no doating
mother to attend to their wants, and to anticipate every
childish wish—no fond bosom upon which to lean their
aching heads, after being forced to toil all the live-long
day—no strong father to protect them from harm, and
guide their unwonted feet in the paths of childhood; but
the whips and chains their only relatives, and money the
only tie to their master.
But what cares American despotism for the crushed
hopes and woes, and rent ties of parental affection. The
African slave trade is declared piracy by the American
laws, but a trade equally as cruel is sustained and sanc¬
tioned by American laws, and religious statesmen and
priests, by the forum and pulpit. Of this trade, Thomas
J. Randolph, Ex-Govemor of Yirginia, says:—" Is it bet¬
ter, is it not worse, sir, than the African slave trade ?
Yes, in my opinion it is much worse. Here, sir, the mas¬
ter tears from the mother's arms, sells into a strange land,
subject to cruel task-masters, individuals whom he has
known from infancy, whom he has seen sporting in the
innocent gambols of childhood, and who have been accus¬
tomed to look to him for protection from childhood."
Such a sentiment from a Yirginian is worthy of consider¬
ation.
In one single year, the State of Yirginia alone, has sold,
and sent from their friends and homes, into the southern
sugar plantations, rice swamps, and cotton fields, forty
thousand human beings. And during the same year, the
four States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas,
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES. 10o
purchased more than two hundred and fifty thousand
slaves. And this is a necessary part of the system, the
whole system as it exists in this American Confederacy.
Thousands have an abundance of tears to shed over the
foreign slave trade, but none to mingle with those shed
by the victims of domestic slave trade. Pulpits resound
with well paid declarations against kidnapping in Africa ;
but cry " steboy " to the vile human blood hounds, who
hunt down and kidnap the poor, panting, flying fugitive
in. America. Among this class may be found many of
the Doctors of Divinity of the different, religious denomi¬
nations of the North, and in ecclesiastical affiinity with
the Rev. Dr. Spring of New York city, who with cool ef¬
frontery to the spirit of humanity and bible religion, de¬
clared that, " If one prayer of his could set free every
slave in the country, he would not dare offer that prayer."
Oh, how different this spirit and conduct, to that of the
Divine Redeemer whom they profess to imitate. He in
the generous spirit of Heaven proclaimed, "The spirit of
the Lord God is upon me, for the Lord hath annointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to
lieal the broken-hearted; to preach deliverance to the
captive, and the opening of the prison doors to them that
are bound. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord ;
and the day of vengeance of our God, and comfort them
that mourn." The compassionate Jesus could not pass by
the scenes of suffering and misery without an expression
of holy sympathy ; he did not, nor could not connive at
the local or national systems of his day, or wink at the
evils therein incorporated. What a contrast this, with
the sentiment of Rev. Dr. Parker of Philadelphia, who
»ays, " There are no evils in slavery but what are insep¬
arable from every other relation, in civil and social life."
194
LIFE, LABORS AND TRAVELS,
And with these sentiments and others of a similar stamp,
agree Dr. Moses Stewart of Andover, Bev. "W. M. Bogers
of Boston, W. Crumell of "Waterford, and Doctors Taylor
of New Haven, Hopkins of Vermont, and Orville Dew¬
ey of New York, all men holding important stations in
the American church, and some of them at the head of
Theological Institutions in the land. These men, togeth¬
er with the two great political parties of the country, ex¬
ert their combined influence to crush God's poor in the
very dust, and consign this nation to perpetual bondage,
and heathenism.
But to return to our poor friendless children. It was
fortunate for poor Jeffrey and his sister that they both fell
into the hands of one man, a circumstance that does not
often occur in this land of whips. But this good fortune
was soon suddenly rent by the system under which they
were doomed to suffer. His sister for some real or imag¬
inary fault, received a severe whipping, which ended all
her sufferings in this land of oppression, and her young
spirit took its departure for the bosom of a just God, where
color does not change justice, and where every slave hold¬
er must soon give an account for all their wrongs done to
the poor African. This was a sore affliction to brother
Jeffrey. He used to speak of it with deep feeling; he
says, " "When I looked upon her motionless form, I could
not comprehend the meaning of her silence, and tried
hard to awaken her from her long still sleep; and learning
her situation I desired to die with her."
To the poor suffering slave, death is often a welcome
messenger; for under the system of despotism, he has
nothing to live for in this life. Slavery deprives him of
the enjoyment of wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters,
and the social enjoyments of life. Despotism aims a well
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
195
directed, legalized blow on his manhood, and in the lan¬
guage of the Southern Slave Code, " Slaves shall be ta¬
ken, deemed, and reputed, as chattels personal, in the
hands of their owners, executors, assignees and adminis¬
trators to all intents and purposes whatsoever." After
brother Jeffrey had arrived at the age of manhood, he
made a profession of religion, and not a mere profession,
he was a true christian at heart, as all who knew him
could attest. At this point allow me to say, many indi¬
viduals, and even some professors of religion, often at¬
tempt to justify the system of American slavery, and the
slave trade, on the ground that " it takes the African
away from heathen darkness to enjoy the advantage of a
christian country." To every candid mind this will ap¬
pear a poor apology, to employ the agency of wicked
spirits combining all the elements of the dark pit, carried
on by men of wicked motives, to accomplish the plan of
redeeming love. If the infinite mercy of God does snatch
a few of the wretched beings from the darkness of hea¬
thenism, by applying the rich blood of the great atone¬
ment, no thanks to men or devils. It will not exhonerate
them from the guilt and crime of despotism—it will not
atone for the devastation and carnage of the wars on the
African continent, instigated by the slave trade, and all
the demoralizing influences on the millions coming in con¬
tact with the nefarious traffic. Shame on any American,
christian who will attempt to defend the system on such
a plea; and shame on tlie American christian, who will
compromise the principle of justice, and eternal right, to
support any political organization, that will legalize or
justify the heathenizing human beings in a professedly
christian land. 4^11$
^Brother Jeffrey, after serving many years in slavery,.
106 LIKi:, LABOllS. AN1) TJtAVKI/i.
was ;; last *et tree. But at (vliat time, or by what means
I am; >fc informed. As a cotemporary with Elder Bowles,
his noble pious character had a powerful influence on the
public mind in Vermont. He had a powerful and won¬
derful memory, a trait characteristic of the African race,
:md altho;. xh for many years during the latter part of his
life, he \v. perfectly blind. he had the bible so complete¬
ly committed to his memory, that he could repeat it chap¬
ter and verse from Genesis; to Revelations, with an accu¬
racy truly astonishing. One might sit down with him.
and open the bible in any place, and commence reading
in any chapter or verse following, and so continue to do.
it has boon »aid of him. that if the bible was lost, and
not a copy to be found on earth, if a good writer should
<>it down with him, he could repeat from memory so that
a complete copy could be again produced. At Camp,
Quarterly, or Yearly Meetings, Conferences, 01* associa¬
tions of all denominations, an interview with brother
Jeffrey, was eagerly sought and enjoyed, by ministers and
people. Now, kind reader, be assured that two such kin¬
dred spirits could not be without their influence in helping
shape the mind of the community in Vermont. Truly
favorable to the cause of impartial freedom, Vermont
now stands among the first of her States in the American
Union, in political denunciation of the system of slavery
in all its abominations ; her Green Mountains have ech¬
oed the deep toned voice of a majority of her citizens in
her legislative proceedings; while the ecclesiastical pro¬
ceedings of her religious bodies, especially the Free Will
Baptists,. have had a great influence in revolutionizing
public Sentiment. Brother Jeffrey Brace in life, was use¬
ful, and in death was happy. It may truly be said of
him, " His record is on high."
OF ELD. CIIAKLK8 BOWLES.
197
Up to the 22d of May, 1834, Elder Bowles continued
to live in Huntington with his daughter and her children,
and occupying his time in farming some, and itinerating
in the several Quarterly Meetings. At times the clouds
seemed filled, and occasionally a holy shower fell on the
churches. He had many precious opportunities to go
down into the limpid streams, and bury the happy con¬
vert in the likeness of the great Immanuel. He often
during this time, enjoyed happy communion with God,
and his brethren, in breaking bread to the churches in the
several Quarterly Meetings. Religion was his only, his
entire theme. No excitement in the community of a
secular or political character could tempt him aside from
the cause of God. lie lived in Vermont at a time when
the State was completely convulsed in a popular excite¬
ment on the subject of Free Masonry—when the pulpit
and press was drawing every man into the whirlpool of
excitement. It was said of Elder Bowles, that he turned
not to the right or left, if his sympathies were at any time
needed, and by him manifested, it was for truth and right,
and it was peaceably conveyed to them that needed it.
On the 22d of May, 1834, he broke up house-keeping.
By a letter to one of his friends, it seems that it was a
solemn time with him, he had lived in Huntington
about twenty years with some of his children and grand¬
children. And although he was a faithful and laborious
minister, doing the work of an evangelist, he was an af-'
fectionate father, and as a citizen and neighbor he was
much respected. Many of his friends in Huntington,
were warmly attached to him, but he felt it to be duty to
go, and he could not confer with flesh and blood, in his
own rest and ease. He in company with his daughter
Eunice and her children, went to Rutland. On the eve-
198
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
ning of the 29th, he enjoyed an interesting prayer meet¬
ing. He spent several days in the place holding meetings,
and visiting; at first nothing appeared encouraging, but
soon there appeared a giving way, and one evening twen¬
ty persons came forward for prayers. Then the waters
of free salvation began to rise, the cloud began to break,
the cry began to be heard in all directions. Through the
months of June and July, the Elder's soul seemed to be.
in a constant travail for Zion in that community. In one
meeting, he says to a friend in a letter, " "We are having
a wonderful time in this place; last evening the power of
the Lord came down in great majesty—many cried for
mercy—the struggle lasted some two hours—at last vic¬
tory turned on Zion's side. Glory to God." During the
remainder of the year, the Elder attended several pro¬
tracted meetings in Rutland county. In all of them the
power of the great head of Zion was more or less mani¬
fested. We do not learn that he went to house-keeping;
probably he did not, but his children and grand-children
went into different families of his friends to live.
During the years 1835 and 1836, he found a home
wherever duty called him to labor as an evangelist. In
those two years, he spent much of his time in the Corinth
and "Wheelock Quarterly Meetings, though he attended
the sessions of the Huntington and Enosburg Quarterly
Meetings, and labored some with the churches. 1S36,
was the winding up of his long and faithful labors in
Vermont. For thirty years he had been familiar with the
mountains, rivers and vallies of the State. He had trav¬
eled thousands of miles, enduring midsummer's heat and
the pelting storms of winter; he had wept in many a
family circle over the erring wanderer, and the returning
penitent prodigal, and could the rocks and trees speak,
OF ELD CHARLES BOWLES.
199
they could tell of many groans and tears in the silent
grove, that fell from his eyes and heart, in deep sympathy
for poor erring man, while the Angel guard watched over
him in his solemn hours. He had seen the grave close
over many a lovely youth, and manly form, as well as the
aged, and in all places, his heart did sympathize like the
compassionate Jesus at the grave of Lazarus while he
wept with Martha and Mary. In imitation of the dear
Jesus, Elder Bowles often wept at the bed-side, and at
the grave, with those that wept, and rejoiced with those
that rejoiced. The spirit of humanity was cherished
there in the sjmpathiesand prayers of a Colby, a Bowles,
a Haynes, a Jeffrey Brace, and others, that shows that
religion with humanity as its soul living in the heart of
the humble, faithful christian, will have an abiding exist¬
ence somewhere. And it can be said of such men in
much truthfulness, in the language of the Poet:—
"It shan't be said that praying breath,
Was ever spent in vain.
This shall be known when we are dead,
And left on long record,
That ages yet unborn may read,
And trust and fear the Lord."
Elder Bowles in leaving his friends in Yermont, could
say with the Poet—
"How sweet the hours have passed away,
When we have met to sing and pray,
How loth we've been to leave the place,
Where Jesus shows his loving face.
Oh, could I stay with friends so kind,
How would it cheer my fainting mind;
But duty makes me understand,
That we must take the parting hand."
CHAPTER XIII.
Prom 1836 to 1843—He moves into New York—An incident on the
way—His Labors in Hopkinton and Lawrence—Several Churches
Gathered—The Fulfilment of a Curious Dream—He becomes Par¬
tially Blind—Ordination of Brother Baldwin—He Attends and
Preaches at the First Session of the St. Lawrence Yearly Meeting
—His Health Fails—His Death.
Sometime during the latter part of 1837, Rev. Charles
Bowles 2d, son of Elder Bowles, then Pastor of the
Presbyterian church in Hopkinton, New York, came into
Vermont to visit his father and friends. Seeing the great
good affected by his father's labors in the Eastern States,
he urgently solicited him to visit Northern New York,
and spend some time as an evangelist. After making it a
subject of enquiry and prayer to the Lord, he made up
.his mind to go, and after making suitable arrangements,
as to his temporal affairs, he bid adieu for the present, to
his friends in Vermont, and turned away from the Green
Mountains with deep feelings, to occupy a new field of
gospel labor. He crossed the beautiful Champlain and
trod the soil of the Empire State, with a solemn cry in
his soul to God to accompany him on his route. Like old
Eleasar, he begged for Divine assistance to bless him in his
journey, and crown his labors with success, and send some
Rebecca in his way. In passing on the turnpike by way
of the Chataguay woods, he came in the evening to a shan¬
ty of wood-cutters, and asked a lodging among them;
although a rude set of wicked men, they not only opened
their cabin to him. but their hearts were open to give him
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
201
a cordial welcome. There in tliat lonely e.pot, among
strangers, the man of Go?1 rested his body, while his soul
travailed in pain for them to enjoy the blessing of
saving grace. In the morning before he left, he bowed
at mercy's altar to lift the voice of prayer in their behalf.
Its influence had not effect only in heaven, but in those
wicked hearts; several of them were deeply effected and
promised him that they would seek the Savior and give
their hearts to him, which they afterwards did. It pro¬
duced a change; the sound of the woodsman's axe in ita
deep echo in the forest, mingled with the deep toned echo
of his voice, in praise to the great Immanuel, opened a
new era in the scene in the history of that forest living.
It was a fitting place to dedicate one's self to God ; in the
bosom of nature, amidst all her beautiful harmony, where
religion could appear natural and send forth its sponta¬
neous out-gushiug of a generous nature; it is a perfect
emblem of the blessed heaven, where the soul is harmon¬
ized with the works of God, and sees God in the exist¬
ence of the whole. The humble cabin with all its appur¬
tenance*5, the rugged clift, the sombre appearance of the
forest, may all appear uncouth to the eye of popular re¬
finement, amidst the stately edifices of art, but thank God,
nature is free from that endless monotony so common in
refined society, as everything is instinctive so is it harmo¬
nious. In the spring all nature dances and skips in glad¬
some merriment, while the tender vine, with all its
kindled, springs up and throws its arms lovingly around
the sturdy oak, the maple, or the beach, while the little
rill warmed by the smiles of spring goes bounding and
singing in beautiful harmony with the music of the birds,
and all seem to be in love with one another. It seemed
quite providential for Elder Bowles, that his journey to
202
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
New York lay through, the long pathway of the Chata-
guay, and that poor hut of the woodsman laid on that
route.
On arriving at Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, he
found some of his old Yermont acquaintances, and some
whom he had led down into the liquid stream in Ver¬
mont. This no doubt gladdened his heart anew for the
contest. He loved the Free Will Baptists, and in looking
over the extent of country from Lake Champlain on the
east, to the River St. Lawrence and the Lake Ontario on
the west, no organization of that denomination had taken
place, either as churches or conferences. The character
of the community was not to appearance very flattering
in encouraging the organization of another religious sect.
People had begun to settle in the country from almost
every nation, English, Dutch, French, Scotch, Irish, Ger¬
mans and Yankees, forming quite a heterogeneous class
of community. With almost all kinds of religious opin¬
ions of course, there would be no small amount of bigotry
and sectarian jealousy; and yet, notwithstanding all this,
Elder Bowles' faith in God, that his blessing would attend
the promulgation of gospel truth, and make room for free
salvation, was so strong, that he predicted he should live
to see an organization of Free Will Baptists from Lake to
Lake. He soon bought a small farm in Hopkinton, and
let it to his son. Bev. Charles Bowles, 2d, situated his
children who were dependent on him, so that the proceeds
of his farm could afford him some pecuniary benefit.
The first ground he broke in gospel labor was in Dick¬
inson, which resulted in the organization of a church at
that part of the town called Burnt Hill. But as most of
the members lived within the limits of the town of Law¬
rence, the church was called the First Free Will Baptist
OF ELD. CHAELES BOWLES.
203
Church in Lawrence. This was the last of the year 1837.
At the September session of the Lawrence Quarterly
Meeting, in 1849, its name was changed to the First Free
Will Baptist church in Dickinson. Elders Bundy, and
D. Colby, were laboring at the same time in the town of
Lawrence, and on the 5th of July7 1838, assisted by El¬
der Bowles, they organized a church in the west part of
the town, called the Second Free Will Baptist Church,
embracing within its limits what is now the First Free
Will Baptist Church in Hopkinton, and the First Free
Will Baptist Church in Brasher. The former was set off in
organization by Elder Wm. Whitfield, the latter part of
1838, and the latter by Elder Newell, the fore part of
1839. Elders Bundy, Colby, and Bowles, labored some
in Moira during the fall, and then the winter session of
the Quarterly Meeting was held in the place; after its
close, Elders Mores Cole and Stedman Cummins, spent
some weeks among the people, laboring in word and doc¬
trine. The community enjoyed a heavenly shower of
grace; a number were baptized by Elder Hart, and soon
after, Elders Cole and Hart effected an efficient organiza¬
tion of a church.
The Quarterly Meeting though young, was composed
of the 1st and 2d churches in Lawrence, 1st church in
Mores, 1st church in Parishville, 1st church in Moira, and
1st church in Potsdam. The prospect now began to be
encouraging, and the hearts of the brethren began to be
gladdened in prospect of an efficient organization. And
while Elders Bundy, Colby, Hart, Cole, Whitfield, and
others, were laboring among the churches to enlarge the
borders of Zion, Elder Bowles went in company with
Deacon Willis of Parishville, to visit Pierpont. The
people there had no 'knowledge of the Free Will Baptists,
204 LIFE, LABORS, AND THAVKLS,
and the fact of his being a colored man, he drew much
attention and created much interest among the people.
His first meeting was held in the Howard school-house.
He next preached at the Beach Plain school-house. In
both places multitudes came out to hear the word dispen¬
sed by one of the disfranchised race of Ham. Still all
else appeared discouraging. A powerful sectarian influ¬
ence sought to crush everything- deviating from the secta¬
rian track of ages ; as sectarian bigotry and superstition
always does, without hearing or investigating. But this
hard master whose sting is in his creed, had now assailed
the wrong man. He might have looked on this dark son
of Africa, and, backed up by all the mountain of preju¬
dice hanging over him like a mill-stone, and imagined
him an easy prey. But he was as much mistaken as was
Apolion when he met (Christian in the Valley of Humili¬
ation. Brother Bowles was too old a soldier to be easily
vanquished ; his weapons were not carnal; he like young
David, had slain his Lion and Bear in Vermont; he was
ready to meet the uncireumeised destroyer of God's holy
vineyard. His faith was to be brought into action, and
his confidence in his God encouraged him to hope.
But in such an emergency, he went not to councils or
synods, but he went to the great head of the church, and
in answer to prayer God was pleased to encourage his
heart, in a singular dream at brother Merrit Howard's.
He dreamed that he was in the barn where brother How¬
ard was threshing grain; that he heard a rustling in the
hay, and putting his hand in, took out a squirrel, and then
another, and continued to do so until he took out twenty
He interpreted this dream as ominous of the organization
of a church of twenty members, and thus predicted it to
brother Howard, and told brother Howard that he would
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLfcS.
205
be a Deacon in the church by tlie representation of the
first squirrel he took out. He labored on until a number
professed religion, and others were reclaimed, and pre¬
pared to form a church. Hie modern Sanballats. Tobi¬
ases. and Gersems, appeared in opposition to the works,
but the walls of God's spiritual Jerusalem must go up in
the name of the Lord. On the 20th of January. 1839.
he met the brethren at the school-house. Brother How¬
ard and his wife, with some others from the Methodist
church came forward arid united with the church. Elder
Bowles was partially blind, ami the brother who took
down the names reported nineteen; Elder Bowles was so
influenced by his dream of twenty squirrels, that he ex¬
claimed there is one more, and in his characteristic man¬
ner, he said, you, dear creature, if you are in the house?
eouie right forward. A young man at the back part of
the congregation rose up and acknowledged that he had
been sitting trembling under the cross, and gave in his
name. The church was then organized, and brother How¬
ard was chosen Deacon, according to the interpretation of
the dream. The church adopted a covenant and a plan
for a regular Monthly Meeting, and agreed to walk in gos¬
pel order in mutual fellowship, and confidence as a living
branch in Christ as the vine.
On the first Saturday in February, Elder Bowles and
Bundy met with the new church in their first Monthly
Meeting. It was a happy time among the brethren and
sisters. All seemed satisfied with bible discipline. At
this meeting the church voted to ask admission into the
Quarterly Meeting, as a member of that body ; which
request was granted at the June session of the
Quarterly Meeting. Elder Bowles continued his labors
with the church until the summer, when Elder N. W.
206 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
Bixby, from Vermont, came into the place, and relieved
him from liis labors there for a while. He then went
back to Dickinson, and united with the brethren there in
getting the affairs of the church in gospel order. lie gave
up his form in Hopkinton, and took a small place in Dick¬
inson, and went to housekeeping with his daughter who
had lived with him in Vermont, lie then went to Ma-
lone and Chataguay, and broke the ground for the gospel
seed, am'I in the latter place, he organized a Free Will
Baptist Church. He there enjoyed the co-operation of
Deacon Sargent, and found a home at his house, that truly
gladdened his heart. He also assisted in the organization
of a church in Malone, called the Malone and Constable
church; he subsequently did much in building it up in
the interest of Zion. Churches had been organized in
Mores, "West Plattsburg, and Peru in Clinton county,
bordering on Lake Champlain, so that it seemed likely
his prediction would be fulfilled. Churches had been or¬
ganized in Stockholm by Elder Hart, and West Potsdam
by Elder Cole. Elder Bowles had now quite a field of
gospel labor as an evangelist. One thing it will be im¬
portant here to mention, he had become quite blind in
Ms natural sight, but his spiritual discernment was clear,
his memory was good, and he had the bible well stored in
his mind; it was his study in which he took delight. He
would name the chapter and verse as his text and repeat
it; he would name the number of a hymn in the book,
and repeat it with as mueh precision as he could with
sight, and the book before him. On being introduced to
a brother or sister, he would take the tone of their voice in
his mind, and ever afterward recognize them by their voice
whether in or out of meeting, and call them by name.
As a fact on this point, we give an instance, while he was
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
20T
holding meetings in Pierpont: Elder "William Whitfield
a licensed minister, then living in Lawrence, (a brother
that Elder Bowles had never seen, but only heard his
voice,) came into the Howard school-house while Elder
Bowles was preaching; after sermon, several brethren,
and sisters spoke in exhortation. Elder Whitfield, as an
entire stranger in the meeting, rose up and began to speak;
as soon as he had done speaking, Elder Bowles exclaimed,
brother "Whitfield, will you come forward and close the*
meeting. He knew brother "Whitfield readily by his voiceK
though he did not know until then that he was in the
town.
It was a great consolation to him and his brethren, that
he loved the blessed gospel and loved to preach it, al¬
though deprived of that important faculty, the power of
sight. Thank God, he had the consolation to know that
in the heavenly paradise, the sight will be restored and
the enjoyment of life and love will fill the soul with in¬
finite joy. In a clear day, Elder Bowles could discover
objects moving before him, and could see a person stand¬
ing between him and the door or window, but he could
not distinguish one person from another. Although El¬
der Bowles was blind, the brethren and friends manifested
a warm christian sympathy for him, and even the youth
in every family he visited, esteemed it a great privilege
to wait on him and lead him about from house to house,
and to his meetings.
On Sabbath, 8th of December, Elder Bowles on a coun¬
cil, with Elders Bundy and Newell, attended the ordina¬
tion of brother Abram V. Baldwin, at Nickolville, St.
Lawrence county. At the same conference, Rev. Joseph
Kimball, a minister of the Protestant Methodist church
was received as a member of the Quarterly Meeting.
208 JLIFJB, I.ABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
Thus the little hand of christian and ministerial strength,
seemed to be on the increase. Elder Bowies' heart leap¬
ed for joy at the progress the cause of God seemed to be
making in Northern New York. At the February ses¬
sion of the Quarterly Meeting at Parishville, the church
in Pierpont organized by Elder Bowles, and the church
in Chasey organized by Elder Baldwin, were received as
members. At the June session of the Quarterly Meeting,
Elder Bowles enjoyed the pleasure with bis brethren, in
welcoming Elders John Davis and George Hacket from
the Vermont yearly Meeting, to help in gospel labor in
this Quarterly Meeting for a while. At this session of
the Quarterly Meeting, brother Richard Parks was li¬
censed to preach the gospel. Soon he had the happiness
to join his brethren in receiving the church of Hermon
and Dekalb as a member.
At the eleventh session of the Quarterly Meeting, held
at Nickolville. the subjects of temperance, missions, and
anti-slavery came up for consideration, and it was recom¬
mended to the delegates to lay it before the several church¬
es, calling for au expression of sentiment on the subject.
Thus Elder Bowles had lived to see the day when the
poor colored man in chains, with whom he was in part
nationally identified, pitied by those whom he had been
the instrument in leading to the cross of the compassion¬
ate Redeemer, to obtain pardon from sin, and the slavery
of Satan. At this session of the Quarterly Meeting, his
old friend Dc. aeon Carlton McEwen presided as modera¬
tor. Deacon McEwen early embraced the cause cf liberty,
and afterward did much in co-operation with the friends
of the African, in annihilating the spirit of unholy prej¬
udice existing against the colored race.
A t the January session 1841, held at Mores, Clinton Co.,
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
209
he had the joy and pleasure of knowing that two more
brethren were licensed to join the Quarterly Meeting.
They were brothers Enoch Drew and Loderwick Squire.
And at this session a resolution was passed to unite with
the Jefferson Quarterly Meeting to organize a Yearly
Meeting. The Jefferson Quarterly Meetings were Free
Communion Baptists, but had concluded to unite with
the Free "Will Baptists in forming one body in church or¬
ganization. At the June session, Elder Bowles took part
in licensing brother Alfred Day of the Hermon church,
and in the ordination of brother "William Whitfield, of
the Lawrence church. Soori after this, Elder "William
Warner came into the Quarterly Meeting, from Vermont,
and labored to good acceptance with the brethren. At
the June session in 1842, Elders Oilman Sanbon, andl
Stedman Oummins, from V ermont, attended and received
a cordial welcome- among the brethren. It was a great
consolation to Elder Bowles to know that the little one
was becoming strong in the Lord, and gaining favor with
the people in Northern New York. In July, the dele¬
gates of the Quarterly Meeting met at Fowler. After
committing the interest of Ziori to God as the great head
of the church, and pledging to each other mutual fellow¬
ship, the brethren united in organizing a Yearly Meeting,
to be known as the St,. Lawrence Free Will Baptist Year¬
ly Meeting. So that the prediction of Elder Bowles waa
literally fulfilled; the organization had extended from
Lake to Lake, across the entire [Northern New York.
Elder Bowles had now arrived to his eighty-second year
of age, and some over forty of his ministry. The giant
frame, and powerful lungs, that had sent forth such migh¬
ty sounds of gospel salvation, that so often shook the Ba¬
bel of darkness, began to fail, like the mighty Oak that
210 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
had breasted the storm and the tempest. He had some
temporal means, by way of his annual pension from the
government, the amount of which with some presents
from brethren, was sufficient to make him comfortable,
in company with one of his daughters, he went to Malone
to spend his last days. He bought a small farm of a Mr.
Hildreth, and went to house-keeping with his daughter
Eunice. He continued to preach with the church, as
his age, and feeble health would permit. He doubtless
felt to say with the Poet:—
" Happy if with my latest breath,
I may but gasp his name,
Preach him to all, and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb."
In October, 1842, the first session of Yearly Meeting
convened at Lawrenceville, in the Congregational meet¬
ing-house. Elder Bowles arrived in town, very feeble in
health, and put up at brother Luther "Whitney's; but not¬
withstanding his infirmity and feeble health, it was a great
day with him; his soul seemed to mount up as in the
chariot of Aminidad. Brothers and sisters from Lewis,
Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton counties,
had come in to represent the interest of Zion, within the
bounds of Free Will Baptist organization; many of them
he had never seen, but knew them by voice, and their
hearts were all blended together in the fellowship and
communion of the gospel. The business of the Yearly
Meeting Conference was done in harmony; the sermons,
exhortations and prayers of the brethren and sisters were
in the spirit of the gospel. On Saturday, Elder Bundy
led Elder Bowles into the pulpit; it was an interesting,
affecting and solemn sight; blind and borne down by the
weight of eighty-two years, yet bearing up a spirit full
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
211
ot* hope. The scene drew tears from many eyes in the
congregation. They were tears of affection and christian
sympathy; hut many of those who wept, wept not as
those who weep without hope. Thank God, they knew
by experience, that arm on which he leaned. He rose
up and with a strong voice gave out the 820th hymn in
the Christian Melody. He named the number, and dis¬
tinctly repeated the hymn:—
" And let this feeble body fail,
And let it faint and die,
My soul shall quit this mournful vale,
And soar to worlds on high.
Shall gain the disembodied saints,
And find its long sought rest,
That only bliss for which it pants,
In the Redeemer's breast.
In hope of that Immortal Crown,
I now the cross sustain,
And gladly wander up and down,
And smite, and toil, and pain.
I suffer on^my three score years,
'Till my deliverer come,
And wipe away his servant's tears,
And take his exile home.
O, what hath Jesus bought for me,
Before my ravished eyes,
Rivers of life Divine I see,
And trees of paradise.
I see a world of spirits bright,
Who taste the pleasures there,
They all are robed in spotless white,
And conquering palms they bear.
0, what are all my sufferings here,
If Lord thou count me meet,
With that enraptured host to appear,
And worship at thy feet.
212
LIFE, LABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
Give joy or grief, give ease or pain,
Take life or friends away,
But let me find them all again.
In that Eternal day.''
After prayer, he rose up and named the first chapter of
Romans and sixteenth verse, " For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto sal-
ration, unto every one that belie veth."
Although Elder Bowles greatly desired to preach at this
session of the yearly meeting, to leave a dying testimony
his anxiety of mind was more than his bodily strength.
He was not able to finish his sermon, and he called upon
Elder Bundy who sat by him in the pulpit, to address the
people. It is said to have been an unusually solemn and
weeping time. His voice had become much broken by
age and long use; still his soul seemed to dive into the
deep fountains of God's infinite love. The sympathy and
love of every christian heart in that meeting seemed to
flow on in holy harmony, iu the great channel of gospel
liberty. A remark has been made to me by sister Tur¬
ner of Fowler, who was present at the meeting, that it
seemed like a little Heaven on the earth. After meeting
Elder Bowles was led back to Brother Whitney's, where,
many of the brethren and sisters flocked in to take the
last earthly look of one about to put off the holy armor.
Elder "Whitfield remarked to him on shaking his hand, he
'hoped to meet him again on earth. He feelingly exclaim¬
ed : " No, never, Brother Whitfield, in this world, but I
hope we shall meet in Heaven." He was fully conscious,
that his bark was nearing the port of endless bliss. By
faith he could look to God and exclaim with good old Sim¬
eon, " Now Lord, lettest thy servant depart in peace, for
mine eyes have seen thy great salvation, which thou hast
<;F ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
213
prepared before the face of all people." Alter taking-
leave of all the friends, commending them and the inter¬
ests of Quarterly and Yearly Meetings to the care of Heav¬
en, he went in company with a brother back to Malone.
Being infirm, he gave up the place he was occupying, and
broke up house keeping. His daughter went into the
family of a friend to live, and lie employed his temporal
means in paying his board in the family of a Mr. Fuller.
During the fall of 1842, and first of the winter of 1843.
he attended a few meetings, and visited in the neighbor¬
hood. His health continuing to fail until the last of Jan¬
uary, when he was attacked with the erycipelas in the
feet, which began to prostrate him, as it began to work
in the blood, and effect the whole system. It soon became
apparent to his friends that the disorder was of a malig¬
nant character. He failed so fast that it became impossi¬
ble to move him to a place more convenient for the friends*
to administer to his wants. It was his wish to be carried
to Brother Walter Hildreths, but Brother II. being very
low with sickness, and Elder B., in the opinion of the phy¬
sician, too feeble to he moved, it was thought best for him
to be kept in the place where he then was. To this he
calmly acquiesced. The family was poor, and the house
was small, consequently there were not those convenien¬
ces his friends wished. But they were untiring in their
exertions to do all in their power to alleviate his suffer¬
ings, and cheer his passage over Jordan. Brother Samu¬
el Whidden was with him almost constantly. Bro. Hil-
dreth, whom he had baptised, with his wife, in Vermont,
many years before, was with him as much of the time as
his son Walter's sickness would allow. Other brothers
and sisters were often in by his bed side, and his son
Charles was with him during the last of his sickness ; and
214 LIFE, LABOKS, AND TRAVELS,
when he coukl leave his father's bed, he filled some of the
appointments made by the Elder before his illness.
A few days before his death, by his request Dea. Carl¬
ton McEwen of Lawrenceville, his old friend was sent for
and came speedily to his bed side. lie was perfectly con¬
scious of the close of his earthly life. But he had no fear
to tread the banks of Jordon. Tiic religion that had borne
him on amidst scoffs, and tumult, and toil, and life, for
forty years, that had been his comfort and consolation in
the silent grove, and his joy in the pulpit, now shone
forth in his soul, in its power and majesty. Amidst the
struggle of disease and death, he could reach out and take
hold on the Infinite hand that had lifted him over many a
billow in life, and although there were moments when the
power of his disease overturned the throne of reason, the
genius of Heaven, the power of religion, would right it
up again, and thus alternately his disorder and religion
would triumph over the poor body, and often he would ex¬
claim, " Glory to God, I am almost home. Bless the Lord
my soul is happy!" He could realise the sentiment of the
Poet:
" What's this that steals upon my frame ?
Is it death ? Is it death ?
Which soon will quench this vital flame,
Is it death ? Is it death ?
If this be death, I soon shall be
From every pain and sorrow free,—
I Shall the King of Glory see,
All is well! All is well!"
How true is the language of the poet in reference to
the situation of the dying saint in the last great struggle
in life!
" Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft as downy pillows are.
While on his breast I lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there."
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
215
On being asked if lie had any fears of death, he replied
with his characteristic earnestness: Ko, glory to God,
all is well. He lingered until the 16th of March, 1843,
when the manly form that had stood on many a hard
fonght battle-field, both in carnal, and spiritual warfare—
that had faced so many dangers unharmed, and breasted
so many storms in the Redeemer's cause, gave way be¬
fore the last conqueror, and yielded itself to the cold sep¬
ulchral stillness of the tomb. And that spirit whose moral
power had held in awe the excited and maddened mob—
had won so many victories over the powers of darkness
—had been instrumental in extending the cause of truth
to thousands of impenitent hearts—and cheering on their
way the faltering ranks of the great Immanuel's army—
bid adieu to its earthly tenement, and conveyed by bright
seraphic messengers, winged its flight to the courts above.
There to enjoy an eternity of rest, at the right hand of
God, and to participate in all the joyous results of his
faithful labors in this life. There, where the cruel, and
soul-crushing caste spirit against color, can never thrust
its hideous form, for the very reason, that those who pro¬
fess it, have no inheritance in that place of equality.
Such was the triumphant death of this old soldier of
the cross, " Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." " How
cheering to stand in the chamber where the good man
meets his fate," and witness the sublime triumph of the
gospel in chasing away the gloom of the grave, and light¬
ing up the dark abode with the rays of hope and joy, and
its power to bear the spirit safely over the Jordan of
death, and land it upon the banks of fair Canaan, infi¬
delity looks not thus into its grave of endless sleep, whose
dark labyrinth sends back no cheering sound of a glorious
216 LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
resurrection, but one long, long eternity of dreary, lone¬
some, solitary non-existence, unbroken by the sweet an¬
gelic songs, that cheer and enrapture the christian in his
passage through its caverns. No! No! Infidelity, we
envy not thy death of endless oblivion. But rather let
us be cheered by the presence of Him who passed the
bounds of the tomb, and wrought out a royal high-way
from its cold embrace up to the paradise of God.
'Die funeral services were attended on the 18th, and al¬
though a violent snow storm was raging, a good number
of people came together, to pay a last tribute of respect
to his memory, and consign his mortal remains to its final
resting place. The sermon was preached by Elder Will¬
iam "Warner, of New Hampshire. At the next session of
the St. Lawrence Quarterly Meeting, he was affectionate¬
ly remembered, and a short Biographical sketch of his
life and labors was placed upon the records of the Quar¬
terly Meeting, and it was voted that a subscription be re¬
ceived to purchase a grave-stone to mark the spot of his
rest. And thus the good and useful man, passed from
earth to heaven, and hundreds could apply the language
of the Poet:—
"How blest the righteous when he dies.
When sinks a weary soul to rest,
IIow mildly beams the closing eye,
How gently heaves the expiring breath.''
Of his family of several children, we cannot learn that
but three survived him, viz: Charles, Deborah and Eu¬
nice. His son Charles, a Presbyterian minister, late of
Pitcairn, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., died in the Fall of
1850, at Pitcairn. Of the daughters, we have now no
certain knowledge; nor of his grand-children, excepting
the son of Rev. Charles Bowles, now residing at Pitcairn.
CHAPTER XIV.
1 doubt not that many of the friends of Elder JBowies
remember with pleasing interest, many peculiar traits in
Ms character. It has often been said of him that he en¬
joyed a perfect contentment with his lot. His color and
identity with the African race, never gave him dissatis¬
faction with the order of an all-wise Providence. The
principle of noble, generous manhood, was interwoven
in every fibre of his existence, and human right was writ¬
ten on the whole volume of his human nature. And his
noble nature and manhood, subdued and controlled by
the spirit and power of Divine Christianity, he could easi¬
ly forget himself in national condition, or humble ances¬
try, and say in the language of the good apostle, " By the
grace of God I am what I am." His sympathy was for
the souls of men ; for their spiritual welfare irrespective
of color, adopting the sentiment in the language of the
Apostle Peter, " Of a truth I perceive that God is no re-
jspectorof persons, but in every nation he that feareth him
and worketli righteousness, is accepted with him." And
in view of this trait in his character, how true is the lan¬
guage of the Bible, " Godliness with contentment is great
gain." This undoubtedly kept him in the enjoyment of
perfect love in the fulness of gospel liberty. Kind read¬
er, may it be ours always to enjoy such patience and con¬
tentment in God.
Friendship was a decided trait in the character of Elder
Bowles ; and while he loved his friends, he pitied his en-
218 life, labors, and travels,
emies. If his religion led him to seek the repose of his
body, and the communion of soul, at the home of some
dear christian friend; and if while enjoying their kind
hospitality, and kind attentions, and enjoying that inter¬
change of thought and sentiment in fellowship and love,
it was not in him to turn with a hatred look from the abode
of sorrow and suffering, though that home was the abode
of his bitterest enemy on earth. He could reciprocate the
friendship of those that loved him, and with a sincere
wish for the happiness of every one, he did not confine
his frieneship to loving friends only. Such conduct on
his part, always gave him the mastery over the prejudices
of the people, and the sincerity of the motives of his
heart that prompted his friendship, could not be viewed
by his bitterest enemies, without at once claiming their
respect, and disarming them of all opposition to the gos¬
pel. Yet to turn the tide of enmity to friendship, it was
not in him to compromise principle, or lower the standard
of moral excellence of the Redeemer's cross. With him,
no sect of christians had a preference in the enjoyment of
his friendship, merely for name or party; his christian
spirit was perfectly Catholic, and his love of the religion
of heaven so much a matter of conscience, the first, and
only impulse of his heart in christian friendship, was to
love them as christians, and not as sects. And thank
God, this christian sentiment in friendship does not die
with the body, it is of holy, infinite origin, and it will
unite souls in infinite bliss in endless joy. No doubt ma¬
ny dear christians on this earth in all the pains and afflic¬
tions, incident to mortal life, anticipate the enjoyment of
holy friendship, with Elder Bowles in Heaven.
Sociability, was with him an amiable trait. And this
always drew around him those who took pleasure in learn-
of eld. charles bowles.
219
ing the history of the past. Often the wakeful youth
would trim the midnight lamp, and forget the weariness
of the body in want of rest, in listening to him. And
with aged, middle-aged and young, in the social or do¬
mestic circle, would feel entwining around it a holy influ¬
ence, as he would often intersperse his conversation with
gome deep-toned, soul-stirring expression of love and
praise to God, for his wonder-working power. In his
visits in all the families, the youngest member of the
family met his social greeting as cordially as the elder
members. In fact, he was the man of the people, for the
people's good. Qualified by friendship and social ties,,
and love fornouls, to fulfil the great injunction of Christ
to Peter, Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.
Eccentricity of Habit was peculiar to himself. It was
not a studied effort to be odd, for the sake of being odd.
He lacked in acquired literary ability. His logic and
rhetoric, was the effect of the spontaneous out-gushing of his-
noble soul; and it ever furnished him with a good store of
ready wit, and a keen perception of everything calculated
to give impression. At the time of the organization of
the 2d Free Will Baptist church in Lawrence, he in com¬
pany with Elders Bundy, Newell and Colby, met a large
congregation in brother E. Norris' barn. After sermon,
arrangements were made to attend the ordinance of bap¬
tism. After several had come forward and related their
christian experience, there was a pause, a holding back
from duty by those whom the Elders knew ought to go for¬
ward. During the silence in the meeting, a cock flew up
on a beam and crowed; Elder Bowles exclaimed, now
the cock has crowed, but do not like Peter deny your
Lord and Master. The circumstance and the remark had
the desired effect; several came forward in the discharge
"2*20 life, labobs, and travels.
of duty. Hi* odd, eccentric wit, was shown on another
occasion in Pierpont.. After quite an interesting time in
baptism by immersion, a pseudo Baptist minister preach¬
ed one Sabbath at the Howard school-house; after sermon
he gave out that on a certain time, he would preach a
sermon to prove sprinkling right, instead of immersion,
and wished the people each to bring their bible*. Elder
Bowles had listend with attention, but chose not to get in¬
to disputation; he exclaimed with hi^ usual eccentric
manner, the people might as well bring their almanac
with them. It was said, this remark accomplished more
iu the minds of the people, than a long time spent in a
theological discussion; it showed them that a prayerful
investigation after the truth as they had been doing,
would lead them farther into the light to know duty, than
all the ministerial discussion that could be got up. A
young brother in the ministry once said to liim, father
Bowles, what would become of me, if I should be as odd
as you are ? You would go to hell. It was a short and
prompt answer, but its true meaning was, the young
brother would have to affect, what was perfectly natural
and spontaneous with Elder Bowles, and it would turn
him off from the simple, genuine spirit of the gospel.
His Theological Yiews were plain and simple, and his
fiigures peculiar to himself; and if sometimes there was
wit, there was no lack of solemnity, and if by it he gain¬
ed a victory over an opponent, there was no glorying with
him, merely for the honor of glorying. Like the good
Apostle he could say, " God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of Jesus Christ my Lord." Atone time
while in Dickinson, a Methodist minister called on him
to enjoy a christian conversation ; it turned on the sancti-
fication of believers; the minister contended that after
pr ELD. CHAKLES BOWLES.
221
the sinner is pardoned and justified, a new work of con¬
viction in burden for depravity is begun in the soul, and
carried on until it results in sanctification. To this, Elder
Bowles objected, and being asked by the minister how
long he supposed it was between justification and sancti¬
fication, the Elder replied: Bring me a good live maple
coal, and I will put a spoon-full of good powder on it, and
if you can tell me how long it is between the touch and
the flash, I will tell you how long it is betwen justification
and sanctification. This gives his idea of the subject that
as justification is completed, sanctification begins, and
thus the soul goes on to perfection. As his early chris¬
tian association was with the Baptists, he early imbibed
some of their Oalvanistic sentiments, which he ever after
retained, notwithstanding he became identified with a de¬
nomination whose views were strictly Armenian. Still
he never came into any unpleasant collision with his
brethren, on any point of theological difference; his ready
wit and friendly manner, always in a christian spirit, kept
him in good fellowship with them.
Liberaxtty was a trait in his character. As far as he
had the temporal means, he was always ready to aid the
afflicted, and any needing help. It was said of him that
if a brother, to his knowledge, was under embarassment,
if it took his last dollar, it went freely to aid him. JSTot
with the intention of usury, for many a dollar of his pen¬
sion went to relieve others without note or security. It
seemed to be his aim and desire to live to do good to men
both soul and body, without any selfish interest to control
him in his action. But he was rich in faith, and an in¬
heritance of unfading glory. He could truly say with the
poet:
222
LIFE, LABORS, AND TRAVELS,
" Nothing on earth I call my own,
A stranger, to the world unknown,
I all their goods despise.
I trample on their whole delight,
And seek a city out of sight,
A city in the skies.
There is my home and portions fair,
My treasure and my heart is there,
And my abiding home.
For me my elder brethren stay,
And Angels beckon me away,
And Jesus bids me come."
His faith and confidence in God, was in true religious
sentiment. He was bold and fearless, yet not in selfish
obstinence. But when he would venture forward and
seem to hazard everything of life and safety, it was in
trustful obedience to God. At one time, when it was the
intention of a mob to injure him, he was earnestly en¬
treated by a young man who was informed of all the
movement not to go to his meeting at that place. But
without any appearance of faltering, he said, " I shall
certainly go and do my duty, and God will take care of
me." He did go, and God did take care of him, and
made that good man the instrument of the salvation of
some of that mob, proving the truth of the Bible that" all
things shall work together for good to them that love God.'
He " feared not man who after they had killed the body,
could do no more, but with filial love he u feared that God
who after he had killed the body, could cast both soul and
body into hell." Would to God that every gospel minis¬
ter possessed such a humble, trustful spirit.
To conclude this memoir, dear reader, may we not hope
that both the writer and reader may enjoy much of that
spirit that gave our dear departed brother such a trium-
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
223
pliant passage through life. Doubtless some of the read¬
ers of this volume, have breathed a silent desire that they
may die the happy death of Elder Bowles, that they might
have the same confidence in God, the same assurance of a
blessed immortality, and the same blessed views of Heav¬
en as an eternal home. But, dear reader, these blessings
are not attained by simply wishing for them. It requires
the action of the soul in studious obedience to God in the
duties of religion. Balaam exclaimed " let me die the
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,"
but for the want of right, active obedience, on his part,
we have no assurance that his prayer was ever granted,
or his desire ever attained. If we would be spiritual and
enjoy constant communion with God, we must love to en¬
joy the works of nature. One writer has said with much
truthfulness, "Nature is the best place to exereise the
praying spirit. The silent grove, the velvet lawn bedeck¬
ed with flowers, the shaded brook, the mountain cleft, the
works of God, are wonderfully calculated to impress his
being and his attributes on the soul of man." If we as
christians were as spiritually minded as we are capable
of being, we might hold more direct and constant com¬
munion with God and good spirits, and they would be our
spiritual conductors and companions in secret devotion.
What is it but walking with God as did Enoch, until God
took him. What is it but talking with God, as did Abra¬
ham! What is it but wrestling with God, as did Jacob!
And what is it but walking in the footsteps of the great
Redeemer up the summit of Olivet, and bending 'neath
the sparkling canopy of Heaven, at Mercy's Altar! Such
a course of action now would afford the church the oppor¬
tunity of enjoying a living gospel ministry.
m
LIFE, LABORS, AKD TRAVELS,
LINES
To the Memory of Elder Charles Bowles, by Mrs. Wealthy Stanton,
of Pierpont, St. Lawrence C'o.,\N. Y.
The memory of the just is blest,
Though 'neath the dust his ashes lie,
And memory faithful to her trust,
Turns fondly back to days gone by.
I never saw his aged form,
Nor heard his messages of love,
Though dark his brow, his soul was white,
As those who dwell in light above.
Yet I have seen his lowly cot,
Although it now in ruin lies,
And many as they pass that spot,
Will gaze on it with tearful eyes.
It is not in some lovely vale,
'Tis not with moss or ivy crowned,
But where the good man lives or dies,
Methinks it must be hallowed ground.
Beauties of nature as of art,
Can never make a mortal blest,
He had a palace in his heart,
And Jesus was its only guest.
That day will never be forgot,
When to the pulpit he was led,
And stood a monument of grace,
Between the living and the dead.
How often did the tear-drops start,
Unbidden from his sightless eyes,
To think that many a wretched soul,
Would slight the Savior's love and die.
And when that mournful hymn he said,
Tears filled full many a gazing eye,
To think that tall and reverend head,
So soon beneath the turf must lie.
OF ELD. CHARLES BOWLES.
225
Farewell, my friends, farewell, he said,
My toils on earth are almost o'er,
Full well I know like Paul of old,
That we shall meet on earth no more.
Oft from the beautiful Champlain,
To the St. Lawrence' rolling tide,
Those lovely wilds I've traveled o'er,
And preached the Savior crucified.
But I shall tread those wilds no more,
Bright Angels whisper this to me;
My sightless eyes shall soon unclose.
And I my Savior's beauties see.
Now he has laid his armor by,
And gained his long-sought happy rest,
His spirit stands before, the throne,
And sings among the happy blest.
And many a sinner saved by grace,
The offspring of his faithful prayer.
Shall glitter in his spotless crown,
Which then shall deck his forehead there.
LINE S
On the death of Elder i'liarles Bowles, by timith Crar;/, of Vierpont.
.Xew York.
Come all my friends both far and near,
Who loved the man who sought your souls,
Come drop the sympathizing tear,
And weep with me for father Bowles.
For days and weeks and months and years,
He plead with sinners to repent,
While every prayer was wet with tears,
And every sermon as he went,
From town to town, from State to State,
He still kept up the constant cry,
Repent, repent ere 'tis too late,
Prepare my friends, prepare to die.
.226 LIFE, LABORS, AND TEAVKLS,
He preached with power, and always flain,
That made the cold professors quake,
He never preached for filthy gain,
But for the dying sinner's sake.
His sight alas, at length grew dim,
His voice grew husky to, and dry,
He had^a son, he sent for him,
To come and see his father die.
The aged Patriarch called his son,
And took his Charley by the hand,
Tour father's race is almost run,
And he is near the spirit land.
But Charles when father is no more,
When in the grave his ashes lie,
Tell others that they may adore,—
That father wan't afraid to die.
Bright Angels are from glory come,
And hover round my dying bed,
To take me to my blessed home,
As soon as erer 1 am dead.
Thus died this holy man of God,
Thus calm he sunk into his rest,
And though he lies beneatkthe clod,
No doubt he sings among the blest.
A faith like his, gold cannot buy,
Nor all the wealth beneath the poles,
If in such triumph you would die,
Then you must live like father Bowles.
ESSAY
Ob the Character and Condition of the African Race..
BY ELD. J. W. LEWIS.
CHAPTER I.
The sentiment uttered by the great Apostle Paul, in
his admirable addess to the Athenians, contained in Acts
17th; 26th, " That God liath made of one blood all na¬
tions of men to dwell on all the earth," is worthy the man
and the christian. And a corresponding sentiment in the
American Declaration of Independence, " That all men
are created free and equal, and are endowed by their Cre¬
ator with certain inalienable right*, among which are life,
liberty, and the pursuits of happiness/' is worthy the
patriot and the statesman. But the most absurd idea of
the present age, in the minds of many of the human race,
is in the .sentiment, that the standard to judge of a man's
ability, and mental capacity to enjoy, and appreciate these
blessings supported by self-evident truth, depends on his
color or nationality ; that one man has a right to throw
aside his obligation to universal brotherhood, and pro¬
scribe a human being on account of his cojor, a cause over
which he has 110 control.
It is insisted by American pr. jr. Jlee,- that natural in¬
stinct in the human character leads one man to hate anoth-
AN ESSAY ON THE
er of a different color, as a matter of physical necessity;
that the ir. tention of God in the creating and diversifying
the human race was to have set up between them a bar¬
rier, guarded by absolute hate, and supported by absolute
will. Thin sentiment is incorporated into the theological
creed of the American church, into the political system
of American democracy, and into the civil jurisprudence
of American law, and the social and domestic organiza¬
tion of American society; manifesting a spirit that well
might shame the whole range of European Despotism,
and aiming to drive the colored man from within the pale
of human society. This spirit combines the priest and
politician, with all the corruptness of political and eccle¬
siastical action of this American nation, in an attempt to
unman the African race and doom them to a miserable
degradation. Thank God, the privilege of man to enjoy
" life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," is based on
quite a different foundation, involving the great princi¬
ples of infinite right, and demanding finite acquiescence
to Divine benevolence.
If the wisdom of God has diversified the human race
in complexion, habit, both national and local, his justice
holds man responsible only for his moral conduct in the
formation of his moral character, and on nothing more in
his own existence has he control; and there cannot be
any conceival ' right under any circumstance in life, for
one to prevent another from improving his moral, mental,
or physical condition by the exercise of the faculties
which God his Maker has given him. The existence of
right is coeval with the Divine government, and right is
right, God's no more, man's no less. God's right cannot
abridge man's right, much less, man destroy his fellow-
man's. In the support and administration of the univer-
AFRICAN RACE.
sal.government, God has power to create and destroy; his
power is unquestionable. But Infinite justice and Divine
mercy stand between his power and my right, and he has
no power to destroy my right and the privilege of my
manhood, on account of my color, a cause in my exist¬
ence for which he, and not myself, is wholly responsible.
Government grows out of the wants and necessi¬
ties of our natures, not by arbitrary appointment, but as
a matter of necessity. God proclaimed from Mount Si¬
nai, in all the majesty and glory of his great name, the
principles embodying the great1 organic code of his moral
government, and which should be the corner stone of all
human governments, whether a Theocracy, a Monarchy,
or a Republic, and Christ re-proclaimed the same without
taking away any of its obligation 011 man's part, or les¬
sening the claims of the Divine government. In Mat¬
thew 7th: 12th, Christ says, "Therefore all things that
ye would that men do to you, do ye also to them, for this
is the Law and the Prophets."
My natural rights is a gift of my Maker, growing out
of my nature, and my relation to him. I have a right to
read, write, work, in that way and department of labor
that I like best, and use the avails of my labor in that
way which is most satisfactory to my own mind; and go
where I please. But in doing all this, I have no right to
infringe 011 my neighbor's rights or withhold amenability
to the Divine government. If then my fellow-men author¬
izing government to exercise arbitrary will over me it
is a usurped and wicked dominion that 'is 110 law,
not being founded in justice, and impartial justice de¬
mands the trampling such enactments under foot, as being
opposed to God and humanity. For no power on earth,
.acting under any legal authority, can trample down my
230
AN ESSAY ON THE
right, without stepping over the boundaries of God's do¬
minion. But the attempt to identify the Throne of God
with the throne of iniquity, is one prominent feature of
American depravity. And the attempt of civil govern¬
ment under a pretended sanction of the Divine authority,
to legalize a system of wrong, to make it right, for the-
convenience of others in arbitrary will, tends to weaken
the grand structure of Christianity.
Infinite benevolence has always characterized all the
efforts of God to benefit the human race, and could I be¬
lieve that God, after creating me with faculties as a man,
and a heart to feel, and a soul to be benefitted by that
religion whose author was sung in the rapture of the heav¬
enly host, saying " Glory to God in the highest, on earth
peace and good will to menand then stamp me with a
colored skin as a black man, and by an act of arbitrary
power despise his own work, and create in a white man, a
principle in spirit to hate, abuse and injure me, to gratify
his pride, and wicked ambition, it would destroy in my
mind at once, all love and reverence to that God as a good
being. I should be persuaded to believe, that the chris¬
tian religion had become greatly corrupted by supreme
selfishness and tradition, contrary to the spirit of God;
or that God is an unjust, unmerciful, and inconsistent be¬
ing ; or tlitit all tilings in the universe exist without a
God, anil arc controlled by its own power, independent of
Infinite will, and that the God and Devil of this world
are combined in one, in the wicked, cruel disposition of
men in their control of tlie governments of the world.—
This I feel, and say as a colored man, and as a represent¬
ative of the African race, and in defiance of a corrupt
public opinions. I say it on the truth of eternal right.
Human nature is human nature, the world over, in the
AFRICAN RAGE.
231
black man as well as the white. And in human nature
are the elements to form human character, in moral ex¬
cellence, by the power and exercise of the intellectual
and moral faculties in all the different races of men—the
opinion of American despotism and American prejudice
based on negro-hate, to the contrary notwithstanding.
Now all the base villiany that has attempted to snap
the chain of human brotherhood, and involve the human
family in hatred, is without the sanction of the God of
Heaven. Like good Abraham, in true and fraternal fel¬
lowship with his Maker, we can say, " Shall not the Judge
of all the earth do right." Our religious sentiments teach
our minds the great idea of right in the Infinite; hence
whether we are thrown out of society, like the good John
in banishment on the Isle of Patmos, or the multitude of
Hindoos around the temple of Juggernaut, or the Indian
in the western wild, bending to the Great Spirit, or the
Native African, bowing to the serpent, or the many tribes
of the earth in the darkness and superstition of heathen
mythology, bowing to their uncouth idols, the divinity of
the moral government of God, reaches the conscience,
and dictates the sentiment of right, however much per¬
verted human nature and the influence of sinful habits
may lead them away from the true God.
Truth and justice are intuitive perceptions in the hu¬
man soul, and even where there is no system of civil gov¬
ernment, conscience often enforces these observances.
But in coming into the United States, in the nineteenth
century, a nation professing to acknowledge the Divine
government, and talking of right in Congress, in the Leg¬
islature, Southern rights, and Northern rights, rights of
Capitalist, of the Mechanic, the Manufacturer, and the
Agriculturist, yes every body's rights are talked about,
232
AN ESSAY ON THE
but nobody's rights are understood properly. A sort of
judicial blindness obscures the moral perceptions of the
great mass of the people of this nation, because of the
supreme selfishness that leads man to infringe on his
neighbor's rights, to promote his own purposes ; many of
the people tread the holy courts of the Lord, and hear
road and sung the following line-:—
'• Blessed Redeemer how Divine,
I Cow righteous is this rule of thine.
Never to deal with others worse,
Than we would have them deal with us.
This golden lesson short and plain.
Gives not the mind or memory pain,
And every conscience must approve.
This universal law of love.
"Tis written in each mortal breast.
Where all our tenc.'rest wishes rest."
!Nothing can be 2 a ore beautifully sublime than the lan¬
guage and sentiment of this poetical exhibition of the
golden rule of the Xtedeomer of the world. And happy
■would it be for the American nation i: it were something
more than a mere rhetorical flourish, or a splendid theo¬
ry. This sentiment practically maintained, "would abolish
war; it would give a death blow to intemperance, and it
would raze the citadel of despotism to the ground. It
would proclaim this country the asylum, where love, the
tenderest plant in Eden's garden, would fill every soul
with a fragrance that would give joy to all the inhabitants
of Zion. Honestly then every one should say, "One is
our Master, even Christ, and all we are brethren. Enjoy¬
ing one great plan of redemption, justification, and sanc-
tification, through the spirit 0+' the living God; and
supporting the noble Apostolic declaration, " .Neither
AFRICAN BACE.
233
Jew, nor Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but
all one in Christ Jesus." These sentiments are the cardi¬
nal virtues and excellences of bible Christianity, designed
to support the mighty structure of christian benevolence,
and fraternity between man and man, of all the human
race.
CHAPTER If.
Physical Condition of the African Race, as compared with the other
Races of the Human Family.
It is extremely humiliating to American pride and ar¬
rogance, to be obliged to acknowledge the African race
as a part of the human family, and in equality, in physi¬
cal, intellectual and moral goodness, to be obliged by the
obligation of universal brotherhood, to sustain fraternity
with them as sentient beings. Many are in almost open
rebellion with the Divine government of God. And the
monopolizing proscription, a legitimate fruit of American
despotism, will condemn the sentiment let it come from
what source it may, if it dare advocate the equality of the
human race, in the right to the enjoyment of life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. The honorable position of
the Hon. ¥m. H. Seward, of New York, ia the Senate
of the United States Congress, did not screen him from
the aspersion of the enemies of freedom, when he dared
utter the noble sentiment in that body, that " There is a
Law above the Constitution of this Nation. It was con¬
demned not only by the dominant political power of the
nation, in its base subvserviency to Southern slavery. The
popular, current religion, and the popular current litera¬
ture of the whole country, aid in condemning Mr. Sew¬
ard's sentiment, as dangerous to the interest of the nation,
for their pulpit and presses, with unblushing effrontery to
the Divine government, have raised the cry of treason, in
234
AN ESSAY ON THE
concert with the voice of political demagogueism in the
country. The Rev. D. D. Whedon, an esteemed Metho¬
dist minister, and a popular Professor in the Michigan
University, has recently been made to feel the inquisato-
rial power of the popular, current religion, literature and
politics of the country, by an expulsion from his place and
standing with the Faculty of that College, for daring to
preach the sentiments of the higher law from the pulpit.
It is insisted that there must have been more than one
Head or Representative of the human races; that the
800,000,000 or 900,000,000 human beings on this globe,
and speaking some 1,200 languages, and also diversified
in color, from the blackest African to the whitest Europe¬
an, could not have obtained an existence from one Paren¬
tal source. But all reasoning on this point is mere
speculation, for whatever was the Parentage of the human
race originally, the Deluge left Noah at the head of the
human family, from whom the earth is now peopled. So
that the oft-repeated declaration that the African race de¬
scended from Cain, is absurd. It is said " the unnatural,
and wicked conduct of Cain towards his brother Abel,
brought down on him the displeasure of his God, and that
he was marked by a black skin." But this is begging the
question, and stating points without authority; for there
is no proof that the original complexion of our first Pa¬
rents was any nearer the European, than the African race,
and if the mark on Cain was the color of the body, it is
just as likely to be a white as a black one.
And if an ugly, unnatural disposition is the result of
that curse, is not the European on a level with the Afri¬
can ? Has not jealousy, hatred and revenge, marked the
conduct of the one as well as the other? Has not the
pathway of human life of all nations been darkened by
AFRICAN BACE.
235
deeds of crime ? Has not the soil of Europe, Asia and
America, been stained by tlie blood of murdered brothers,
as well as Africa ? Has not human nature alike been
vitiated by the original transgression of Adam ? And,
does not the Apostolic declaration of Peter before the
household of Cornelius the Centurion, apply to man with¬
out regard to color, " Of a truth, I perceive that God is
no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that fear-
eth him, and worketh lighteousness is accepted with him."
And as In tlio bible declaration, man is made but a little
lower than the Angels, in his condition as man, whatever
be his color, his manhood bears him up in noble dignity
above all the other animal creation, and viewed in his
mechanical construction he is a mystery to himself. The
frame of bones skillfully put together, to be willed into
motion, is a master-piece of Infinite wisdom; this frame
covered with muscles, forming a part of his existence,
is supplied by a beautiful chemical process in him¬
self, in operating the aliment carried into the stomach as
the great and well skilled laboratory within him; then
the arrangement of the nerves throughout the whole sys¬
tem, as a sort of telegraphic communication to the soul;
the blood vessels to convey the vital stream which con¬
tains animal life to all parts of the system; the heart, the
great reservoir with its hydraulic principle to keep in per¬
petual motion the pulsation; all fitly and wisely arranged,
and this whole system covered with a skin to guard it.
£Tow in viewing this wonderful material construction of
the human body, where is there any difference but simply
in the covering of the body, an effect that classes and
distinguishes the human race nationally; but which cannot
add or detract from the perfection of their physical con¬
struction. This covering consists of three parts, viz: 1st,
236
an essay ON the
" The cuticle or scarf-skin; 2d, the reto mucorsum, and 3d?
the cutis. The 2d lies between the 1st and 3d, and con¬
tains the colorso that it is not in the flesh, blood, bones,
or the muscles, of which the human body is composed.
Here is a phenomena, truly a philosophical wonder in the
human existence. We see the effect, but the cause lies
beyond the scope of finite minds. A great Infinite and
Eternal God, has wisely arranged all this, and an attack
on color or any peculiar diversity in national existence, is
an attack on his Infinite prerogative, and the assault must
in the end recoil on themselves, and will fix a guilt ob.
their characters which must be answered to at the Judg¬
ment.
As the coloring is in the covering of the body, it can¬
not effect those laws peculiar to human beings, for the
great principles of physical law, supported by Anatomy,
."Physiology, and Phrenology, are alike in all human be¬
ings, in natural or original character, irrespective of color.
JBut national or local habits affecting the treatment of the
body in its physical condition, will aave a controlling in¬
fluence in the developement of the physical man. This,
united with the geographical locations, subjecting the
body to different atmospheric temperatures, gives differ¬
ent character and appearance to the human system. Not
that I would be understood as saying, in my opinion, that
this is the whole and sole cause of the difference in com¬
plexion of the human race, without Infinite design for
purposes fitly adapted to human convenience. But it is
often argued farther, that " the African is wholly inferior
to the European, as his color subjects him to a hot climate,
where a natural imbecility incapacitates him to rank with
intelligent beings." If this idea be carried to that extent,
that the nature and condition of the colored man, com-
AFRICAN KACE.
237
pels him to a hot climate simply on account of color. I
declare it false. I know by experience as a colored man,
my physical habits having been formed in a cold and
Northern climate, the ability to endure depends on an
acclimated life, and if the physical habits of a white and
colored man be formed alike in early life, in a tropical
climate, they will be equally affected in a frigid climate,
and so vice versa.
Another point is important to be well understood. AH
human bodies are subject alike to the same disease, and
the color of the body does not require any variation in
medical treatment, that is, in the same locality. I know
that the principle of medical science is differently under¬
stood by different nations, in different stages of mental
improvement, and diseases assume different character ac¬
cording to the different climates and modes of living, on
all races alike, where the early habits are formed alike.
In the American or European cities, where the population
is made up of people of different nations, and forming
quite a heterogeneous mass, in refined improvement, the
manner of living becomes more complex, and consequent¬
ly diseases become more complex in the human system,
and a complex medical treatment is necessary. In the
rural districts of the American or European civilized or
enlightened countries, or in the rude and barbarous states
of society in all parts of the world, a more simple or nat¬
ural mode of living, gives to disease a more simple charac¬
ter. Hence where man is alike circumstanced irrespective
of color, there are the same physical characteristics, andin
whatever state or condition of society they live, all have
a system of medical science, and nature teaches all to go
to earth's great laboratory either in the mineral or vege¬
table department, and find remedies for all diseases of the
AN ESSAY ON THE
body. And all tlie advantage the American or European
has over tlie African or Indian, is, that civilization, and
art, combined with native genius, has enabled them to
systematize the theory and methodize the practice, in a
more tangible manner; and yet they are not always more
successful in their treatment.
oSTow I suppose some will still object to the idea of equal¬
ity of the races, on the ground that, " they are not equal
in strength, in intelligence, and in talent.'"' To convey
the idea that the peasant is equal with the prince, the
slave with the rich planter, or the weak and imbecile gov¬
ernments of some of the African, Asiatic, or European
nations with the more powerful nations of tlie earth, in
moral or physical ability naturally, is absurd in the mind
of modern despotism, because aristocracy cannot live
without distinction? Well let us examine this point a
moment, and see if it cannot be shown by history, that
individuals in different nations, at different periods of the
world's history, in poverty, obscurity and apparently in¬
ferior talent, and looked down upon with scorn and indif¬
ference, by their more powerful neighbors, have not by
dint of native talent and self-exertion risen to honor and
distinction. And I ask, are the Europeans above others
in this % I answer, No! What gave Russia the power
over the rude Circassian, to hold them as a part of that
Empire in such base servility ? It was art and civiliza¬
tion, giving the proud Russian intelligence over the Cir¬
cassian, and nothing in the argument of superior natural
ability; for when the Circassian in his turn became intel¬
ligent, he dared throw off Russian rule and assert his
rights as a man. What gave England power over the
poor China-man, to band their iron wills to British rule %
It was the intelligence of England. So it is in the entire
AFRICAN RACE.
289
history of the human race, so that the superiority of on&
class over an inferior one, is only the result of improved
opportunity in becoming intelligent, in the progress of
civilization.
But again, the inferiority of the African ra«e, is urged
on the plea that they being the descendants of Ham,
subjects them to the curse pronounced by Noah on
Canaan. This is used in justification of American slavery.
I know that Africa is denominated the land of Ham, and
the colored man wherever he is met, is called the son of.
Ham. But to attach a stigma to that, and degrade him
in slavery for that piece of history in the transaction in
the domestic concerns of [Noah, is absurd, and shows a
want of knowledge of the peopleing of the earth. That
a curse was pronounced by Noah, is not to be denied
and that Ham was the sub-representative from Noah of
the African nation is true. But it must be borne in mind,
that the curse fell only on one branch of Ham's family
by declaration, viz: Canaan, his youngest son. For he
had four sons, viz: Cush, Misraim, Phut, and Canaan.
After the flood, Noah built a vineyard, and by a singular
mishap, became drunk by the wine of it. Ham one of
his sons discovered his plight, and in an indiscreet man¬
ner, made it a subject of ridicule to his brothers, Shem
and Japlieth. They by turning their backs on their fath¬
er's shame, covered him. The history of it is found in,
the 9th chapter of Genesis, from the 18th to the 29th
verse. In the 25th verse it is said, " Cursed be Canaan,
a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren." In the
27th verse it is said, " God shall enlarge Japheth, and he
ph all dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan shall be his
servant." Now why the curse of Noah should rest on.
Ham's youngest son Canaan, is involved in mysteiy, and
240
AN ESSAY ON THE
cannot be accounted for, except on tlie supposition that
Canaan possessed more than the other sons, the disposi¬
tion of his father—was more than the rest the idol of his
father, and that a declaration against him would be a
keener affliction to Hani, than if it had been against him¬
self.
The displeasure of Noah with Ham, and the curse pro¬
nounced on Canaan, did not disinherit either. For in the
division of the earth, between Noah's family, Shein had
the East and South of Asia, Ham had Syria, Arabia and
Africa, Japheth had the North and "West of Asia and
Europe. Canaan had eleven sons; he settled them in
Asia, in that part called Canaan, after his own name.
From them sprang the Jebusites, the Hiveits, the Girga-
sites, the Amorites, &c., &c. "When God called Abraham
out of Chaldea, and showed him all this land, he promis¬
ed it to him and his seed to possess it. Now Abraham
was a descendant of Shem, and ninth in generation from
him. After many eventful periods connected with the
history of Abraham's posterity, God brought them out of
Egyptian bondage, by a mighty and strong arm, and gave
them the possession literally of the land of Canaan. The
Canaanites were mostly destroyed, or brought into bond¬
age by them, in fulfilment of Noah's declaration, and
God's covenant with Abraham. But some of the descend¬
ants of Canaan, were not in servile bondage to the Jews,
but merely tributary to them, and some enjoyed great
friendship from the Jews, as did the inhabitants of Tyre
and Sidon. Sidon was built by Sidon, eldest son of Ca¬
naan, and Tyre was built subsequent to it, by Sidon's
descendants. Here Hiram, King of Tyre, reigned cotem-
poraneously with King David, and Solomdn, Jewish
monarchs. Hiram aided much by men and materials, in
AFRICAN RACE.
241
"building the Temple at Jerusalem. The Phoenicians
sprang from the Canaan branch of Noah's family, and
connected with the Tyrean government, and the royal di¬
adem was in Hiram's family until the Phoenicians with,
the whole Tyrean government was swallowed np in the
Chaldean or Babylonian empire. And many of the Ca-
naanites under the declaration of Noah, in bondage to
the Jews, were by the proselyte system of that nation,
merged into the system of Jewish theocracy, and became
eminent in that nation.
The Carthagenians were also descendants of the Ca¬
naan branch of Ham's family. For during the sovereign¬
ty of Pygmalion, seventh in reign from Hiram, over the
Tyrean government, Sichaeus, possessing great riches and
power, awakened the jealousy of his brother-in-law, king
Pygmalion, who by an artful manoeuvre, in one of their
sports in the chase, contrived to have Sichaeus pierced
through with a dart. After his death, Dido his widow, sis¬
ter to the king Pygmalion, fearing the immense wealth
she inherited from her husband might involve her in dif¬
ficulty with her brother, managed to get her treasury
conveyed away from the Tyrean government, and with a
colony passed over into the North part of Africa, and laid
the foundation of the mighty empire of Carthage, a na¬
tion that flourished in splendor until it became merged
into the Roman empire.
This was the first and only colony of Canaan's descend¬
ants that ever settled in Africa. And the history of some
of the mightiest nations on earth, as descendants of Ham,
proves that Divine Providence did not at any time recog¬
nize distinction between the Ham, Shem, or Japheth
branches of Noah's family. As cotemporaries in civil and
ecclesiastical fame, there were some of great renown.
242
AN ESSAY ON THE
Each contributed an equal share of physical and intellec¬
tual strength, in laying the foundation of human great¬
ness. Nimrod, grandson of Ham, laid the foundation,
and built the city of Babylon, 2229 years before Christ.
Coeval with it, the city of Ninevah, the capital of ancient
Assyria, was built by Asher, son of Shem, and 2d cousin
to Kimrod, in 120 years after the Babylonian and Assyr¬
ian nations were united into one government, by Ninus.
And after his death, Semiramis his wife, succeeded him
in the government, and ruled the nation with great abili¬
ty. 2188 B. C., Menas eldest son of Misraim, and grand¬
son of Ham, and cousin of Nimrod, laid the foundation
of Egypt, and raised up a powerful government.
The settlement of Ethiopia was by the Cush branch of
Ham's family. Their first settlement was on the Persian
Gulf. They then spread over India and a part of Arabia,
particularly that part laying on the coast of the Red Sea.
As they increased as a nation, some of them passed into
Egypt, and became somewhat identified with the descend¬
ants of Misraim; and finally they settled the country
south of Egypt, called Ethiopia, as well as Nubia, and
Abyssinia. They became so scattered they were denom¬
inated Oriental or Asiatic Ethiopians, and African Ethio¬
pians. They retained a national resemblance, only the
former had straight and long hair, while of the latter on
going from an Asiatic to an African hot climate, the hair
became curly. Xerxes the great Persian monarch, in fit¬
ting out his great Grecian expedition, had some of both
in his army. They were all called Ethiopians, although
there was this continental distinction. The Ethiopians
had a Monarchy, and in the 8th chapter of Acts, refer¬
ence is made to one of the Queens of that country. s The
Abyssinians were near akin to the Ethiopians, and those
AFRICAN RACE.
243
countries contiguous. The Abyssinians embraced the
christian religion about the year 300, when Frumentius
was raised to a high office in this country by the Queen
of Ethiopia. He was ordained Bishop of that country
by Athanasias, Patriarch of Alexandria. Their religious
creed was, that Christ possessed only one Nature, a Di¬
vine, and that the Human was absorbed in it. In the
triumph of the Saracens, the church of Abyssinia was lost
sight of until nearly the close of the fifteenth century;
John II, King of Portugal, accidentally got some knowl¬
edge of their ancient history, and opened a correspond¬
ence with them in behalf of the Catholic faith. Great
pains were taken to bring them under the temporal and
spiritual rule of the Pope of Eomc, but to 110 avail. The
faint glimmering of their primitive faith is seen in the
nation, through a correspondence between the late Xing
ItsaTakley Gorges, and the British Consul in Egypt.
The way has been opened and a portion of the Holy
Scriptures has been printed in the Ethiopian language?
by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Now the proud Anglo-Saxon may turn away in scorn
from the descendants of Cush ; they may curl the lip in
bitter contempt at the sable brow of the Ethiopian or
Abyssinian, but thank God, they cannot annihilate from
memory a history of the past; and if Shem and Japheth
"have got to the summit of civilization, and literary fame,
Ham is at their heels. If we go back to ancient history,
we shall find Euclid in the family of Ham, and one of
the most celebrated Mathematicians; at Alexandria, he
founded one of the most celebrated Mathematical schools
in the world. His writings on Music and Geometry, with
his fifteen book? on Mathematics are greatly celebrated
both in ancient and modern history. Euclid, in the Amer-
244
AN ESSAY ON THE
lean or European colleges, is in higli repute, and some of
his works have gone through numerous editions.
The foundation of Greece, so celebrated in literary fame,
was laid by the descendants of Shem; but the Gush and
Misraim branches of the Ham family helped elevate it
in national prosperity. Sicyon, the first settlement, was
made by Egialtes. Other settlements of colonies enabled
them in a few years to establish a nation, with a dynasty
which lasted about 300 years; but the nation did not
flourish. Danaus, an Egyptian, overthrew the first, and
established a second dynasty. Gecropes, also an Egyp¬
tian, laid the foundation and built the city of Athens, and
Cadmus a Phoenician, built Thebes, and introduced into
Greece an Alphabet of sixteen letters; afterward eight
more were added, making twenty-four; it was about 1519>
B. C. Greece could soon boast of a Homer, a Hesiod,
Herodotus, and Lycurgus, of the Spartan branch of the
nation. Greece was indebted to descendants of Ham for
helping the Shem and Japheth posterity to make her
what she was in all the glory of literature, and the de¬
scendants of Ham are not now in a modern age, without
representatives to prove distinguished ability in literature,
science, and civil government. Among some of the dis¬
tinguished divines and writers, descendants of the Ham
branch of Noah's family, is Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
in Africa. As a scholar and christian he was eminent.
Tertullian and Cyprian, were natives of Carthage in
Africa, and Origen a native of Alexandria, were all three
celebrated scholars and divines in the christian church.
These, with a host of others of the Ham descent, give to
the world ample proof that with the descendants of Shem
and Japheth, they did much to eleviate the inhabitants of
the world in civil and ecclesiastical government, and ex-
AFRICAN RACE.
245
pand the human intellect in strength by the power of
literature and science. But I have not the space in this
Essay to go into the history of Ham's race with such
fullness and accuracy as could be desired, in their distant
Jiistory of the past; but enough is said to show the proud
Anglo Saxon race of the human family, that all of Ham's
blood has not run in the veins of the lowest rank of Af¬
rican life, and that it did run in mutual relationship be¬
tween Ethiopian, Egyptian, Phoenician, Babylonian,
Philistian, Colchian, and Sidonian, or with the most pop¬
ular nations of Shem and Japhetli. I have denied the
curse of Cain or Canaan, as resting on the African, as the
cause of their color or degredation. I have also spoken of
several nations and individuals, as going out of one fam-
ly, to show the probability that geographical location and
difference of climate, must have had the effect to cause
the diversity of the human appearance, as to color and
features, for even on the African continent there is a great
difference. The jet black Madagascar presents quite a
Contrast with the white African Albino race. The Moors,
the Egyptian, the Hottentot, the Ethiopian of the interior,
the Arab, all have peculiar national characteristics, both
in complexion and physical appearance, and the laws of
hereditary descent has wonderfully maintained those na¬
tional characteristics peculiar to those nations, in every
country where they have been scattered.
In physical endurance and enjoyment, they have shown
themselves not inferior to the European race. The color¬
ed man has stood beside the white man in toil and hard¬
ship, in mid-summer heat, and mid-winter cold, by sea
and land, and with him braved the most imminent dan¬
ger, and his arm has moved the implements of mechani¬
cal, agricultural and commercial labor, both to endure and
AN ESSAY ON TIIE
enjoy in equal capacity with the European. They have
been borne down and stigmatized for the last three or
four centuries, by a cruel proscriptive spirit, that has in¬
stilled into the mind of the present generation, the idea
that they are the worst part of the human lamily; and it
would be a wonder if .some of the African race should
not fall into the idea that they i.rast be as a matter of ne¬
cessity below the rest of the hurnan family. But this is
a fact worthy of consideration, that this country as well as
Europe, are indebted to the African race for endurance in
physical strength in the cultivation of the soil, and the
enriching the nation. And it v/iil he a marvel if at the
Judgment of God, in the revealing the 26th chapter and
21st verse of Isaiah, the blood of the poor African does
not appear to the guilt of the American nation. Yes!
the poor Indian and African, has had to endure much
suffering and bloodshed; enough to sink this nation in
infamy, and it is a question in the mind of many, "why
an Infinite God can allow such a violation of human
rights, and so much physical suffering, and so much
blood-stained soil. I find a great consolation in this selec¬
tion of the holy bible in 2d Peter 3d: 5th. But while
they endure so much in toil, no people on earth enjoy
more or are capable of enjoying more physically. The
proof of this is seen in their extra exertions in being free
from tyranny, and in the exercise of their bodies as free
men.
The declaration of some that the African is willing to
be in slavery, is false; it is contrary to his human nature.
And it is proved false, by oft-repeated cases of abscond¬
ing from slavery to British soil, to enjoy physical and
mental freedom. Such a declaration is one of the mean
subterfuges to which the tyrant and his abettors are driv-
AFBICAN RACE.
247
en, when pressed by Infinite justice and truth on the great
question of right between man and man. God created
every man with all the elements and spirit of freedom
interwoven in every fibre of his existence; with human
rights written on|the whole volume of his human nature.
The body is only to bear about his manhood. If by the
operation of slavery, one being of the human family
whatever be his color, becomes so far reduced in igno¬
rance and forgetful of his obligation to himself, and his
God, as to be willing to be a slave, and consent to inferi¬
ority, so maoh the more the guilt of the nation that up¬
holds it. But remove all the evil effects of slavery, as
well as slavery itself—strike down its black flag, and un¬
furl the banner of freedom in the name of humanity—let
the pure generous spirit of christian philanthropy pre¬
vail, and there is not an African in the nation but would
feel far happier in the enjoyment of freedom, than in
slavery. And I hazard nothing, in saying that this day,
the three millions of slaves in bondage now in this na¬
tion, in their embittered condition, rendered inferior not
by theAlaws of nature, but by the physical force of arbi¬
trary power, are kept so without their choice, by the
combined civil, political and military power of the nation.
While the unscrupulous, time-serving, popular American
Christianity, keeps public opinion continually against
them. This corrupt public opinion every colored man of
us has to feel and endure in almost every turn of life.
CHAPTER III.
The Moral Character and Condition of the African Race.
Mankind, irrespective of National character, or color,
are constitutionally moral, and naturally religious.—
I agree with Fowler, that "piety of some kind, and
AN ESSAY OX THE
religion in some form, have ever constituted one of the
leading motives, and one of the all-engrossing pursuits, of
mankind." There is no condition of savage or barbarous
state of human life, but what history or tradition carries
the mind back to the antediluvian age of the world, where
an acquaintance with God was more familiar than at the
present age. The conceited Chinese, the degraded Ethio¬
pian, the benighted Hindoo, the wild and noble Son of
the Forest, all have entered into the texture of their minds
the ideas of an infinite God; and the moral faculties are
located above all the animal propensities, so that the most
degraded savage is not without conscientiousness and
veneration, which lead him to love and admire diviner
objects in the universe of God. They see a God in the
sun, moon, or stars, in the fire, or water, or the polished
or uncouth objects of human invention. All excite and
interest the human mind. Although so many are involved
in Heathen Mythology and Pagan Darkness, in the gross¬
est ignorance, I doubt if there be a nation or tribe on all
the continent of Africa, from the most degraded Hotentot
to the more civilized and improved Egyptian, or the half-
civilized Moor, but have some intentional motives of right,
under the guide of the moral faculties. The fires on the
altars of Carthage, Abyssinia, and Ethiopia, kindled by
Ciprian, Augustine, Origen, Dyonisius, and others, still
flicker, and through tradition reflect some faint rays to
the minds of the sable inhabitants, under the control of
nature's laws. Now the question is, does the operation of
transportation, in all the horrors of the middle passage,
and the degrading effect of absolute despotism in a land
foreign from their native home, prove a blessing or a curse
to Africa ? The question is easily answered. It is a curse.
For what Paganism begun in the dark age of barbarism
AFRICAN RACE.
24$
in Africa, American civilization completes. That is the
destruction of human dignity, the unmanning man of his
manhood ; for the tenure by which the African is held in
this nation, is, that slaves are not to be ranked with rational,
or sentient beings, but are to be "deemedsold, taken, and
reputed to be chattels personal in the hands of their owners
and possessors, their executors, administrators and assigns ,,
to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever." I
doubt if any portion of Shem or Japheth's posterity, in
the same position as the African descendant of Ham,
would stand higher in an enlightened world. Bar every
door to mental and physical improvement, to the English¬
man or American, set in motion the whole machinery of
despotism on them, turn the scoff and obloquy of the
whole civilized world against them, and thus embitter'
their condition for four centuries, by turning against them
the entire military, political and civil power of the world,
and the degraded condition of their ancestors, the ancient
Gauls, would be far above them. They would be as low
as the most degraded African in this country. Aiid yet,
even now, amidst all the power of despotism, with all
its legitimate evils, manhood is not destroyed in the African
race. In domestic and social life, there is as much virtue,
according to their numbers, as among the whites, either
North or South.
But in domestic habits of refined life, there is as pure
and mutual affection, whether parental, conjugal or affi¬
anced, in the pledge of love from sex to sex, as among any-
class of the whites. It is often that the enraged feelings
of a colored man in slavery have clung with desperation
to the miserable hut where was the wife of his mutual
love, and the children, the pledges of then love. And
the tears coursing down his cheek was a sure indication
£50
AN ESSAY ON THE
that there struggled in the man a noble sentiment of
moral worth. And when the unbridled passion and liber¬
tine spirit of the slave tyrant, wielding the power of
irresponsible despotism over his poor victim, attempted
to outrage the innocent female slave, her affianced affection
to a kindred spirit in slavery enabled her to resolutely
resist the master, and subject herself to the cruel lash.
True, they are not all so, neither are the whites. Human
nature is human nature, the world over, in all nations,
whatever be the color. And when that human nature
has become corrupted by immorality, by the predominance
of the animal propensities, it becomes vicious and un¬
happy.
In social life, the African has shown himself mutual
and sincere, in friendship. He has gone beyond what
many Europeans would do, by consenting to " suffer wrong
rather than do wrongand often in the wretchedness of
slavery has the poor African drawn upon the affection of
the younger portion of the slaveholding community by
his warm affection in social and domestic life. Let
mankind of all colors and conditions into the native element
of their existence, open every avenue of the human soul
for a spontaneous outgushing of pure, generous nature,
and native instinct leads the mind into the enjoyment of
the law of reciprocity, and has done much to prove the
identity of human existence. But let those laws be tram,
pled down by arbitrary power, to make way for caste, in
the element of popular communities, let sociability be
theorised and refined and man taken out of his native
element, and the exercise of his faculties under the con¬
trol of wealth, honor or supreme selfishness, and he has no
right to complain of God or the colored man, if there is a
wide expanse between the races, for it is the work of art
AFRICAN BACE.
251
and not of nature, and it is as uncongenial to human
nature as it is contrary to the justice of the Divine Law.
And it is not a hard matter to show that it degrades the
upholder of the system as well as the being it attempts
to stigmatize.
The sentiment of hospitality is a noble characteristic in
the African everywhere, at home and abroad. Moral
sentiment lifts him above selfishness. But in his own
native wild, notwithstanding the curse the white man has
carried to the very threshhold of his cabin door by th&
slave trade, the African heart has been open to kindness.
The celebrated English traveler, Mungo Park, has given
some touching accounts, as also the Eev. George Thomp¬
son, Missionary to Africa, by the American Missionary
Society. In an exploring expedition to the interior, to
urge the principles of christian peace, instead of that cold,
misanthropic spirit that a distinguished African would
meet at the most of the cities and villages of America, the
hearts of Kings, Chiefs, and People, were open in generous
hospitality, to comfort and rest him in the toil of liis jour¬
ney. Forgetful of the wrongs of the past, inflicted on
their country by the white man, they met him as a friend
though a stranger among them. In Africa, or Europe,
or America, at the "West Indies, anywhere and every¬
where, no people have been more generous and hospitable
to friend or foe, in sickness or health, in prosperity or
adversity. I am speaking of their natural character, the
natural moral sentiment. I do not bay that all Africans
are correct 011 this point. In either can I or any man say
that all Americans, or all Europeans, are right on it. It
is far from being the caws. But I heg of proud Americans
when they speak of the African on this point, t> -pealc of
him truly.
252 AN ESSAY ON THE
In urbanity and manly deportment in reciprocating the
common courtesies of life, colored men and women have
shown themselves not inferior. I know that the pro--
slavery spirit of the age reports the colored race as low,
vulgar, and discourteous. That pro-slavery spirit meets
the colored man, woman and child, at every turn in life.
The bitter sneer, the coarse, vulgar laugh, is aimed to
lower him in the estimation of society, and rank him in
inferiority in the world; but the men who cherish such a
spirit, exhibit in their characters their moral degradation,
and no decent, respectable, colored man or woman should
notice it, any more than they would the whining snarl of
a barking cur, ever ready totfjaelch out his canine spite
at every passer by. If I couHr speak to the ear of every
colored man, woman and child, I would urge them never
to forget self-respect, but adopt the noble sentiment to
" suffer wrong rather than do wrong." And I assure all
friendly readers of this humble work, that the improved
and intelligent portion of the colored people, in apprecia¬
ting the spirit and labor of the anti-slavery enterprise,
feel willing to contribute all they can of moral worth and
manly deportment to help disenthrall an injured race.
It is no doubt the fact that the character of the colored
people has a great influence in the progress of the anti-
slavery cause in this country. Every indecorous act on
their part is used as a weapon by the pro-slavery spirit of
the age against the cause of freedom, in trying to show
that the colored people are not fit for freedom. But it
must be admitted that not a larger amount of immorality
and discourtesy exist, according to the amount of popula¬
tion, than among the whites, as the calendar of crime will
show in the different States, North and South. Popular
prejudice will exaggerate the bad conduct of a colored
AFRICAN KACE.
253
man, while at the same time it closes all eyes to the claims
of the colored man in moral worth. But from such a
green-eyed monster as that, that draws its life from slavery
the vilest of all systems of iniquity, a system that is com¬
posed of every ingredient of wrong, the colored man has
nothing to hope. It is towards him uncivil and despotic,
in whatever latitude he lives in this nation.
A sense of honor is manifest in the natural character of
the African race. It is often said that the slaves are a
thieving set of beings, and that the colored man in general,
North or South, set free from the restraint of slavery, with
its kindred associations, would be a pest to society. Popu¬
lar prejudice creates in the mind of the American people
many bug-bear stories of theft, burglary and outrage com¬
mitted on persons and property. It is not an uncommon
thing to hear statements of this kind made in many parts
of the North. Now in candor we ask, what is the reason
of all this ? Why do the people entertain this idea ? Is
it because there has been found some colored men and
women dishonest? If the suspicion is based on this, then
we say the white people are to be suspected on the same
ground. "We do not say that the colored people are any
more honest than the whites as a body. Neither can we
admit that they are any less honest. Human nature in
them is under the same debased, depraved state, under
sinful influences. But when in them, as has often been
the case, the moral faculties have predominated over the
animal or lower propensities of the body, there^has stood
up the noble specimen of manhood, honorable in intention
and action, in the discharge of the duties of life. One of
the most beautiful exhibitions of honor, associated with
national patriotism, is the conduct of Tousaint Laoverture,
the African chieftain, and Washington of Hayti. When
254
AN ESSAY ON THE
the hopes of that nation rested on him in the most critical
moment, when France, her mighty antagonist, could hope
in nothing in a fair contest, while Tousaint stood in the
front rank of freedom, she attempted by stratagem to bribe
him into dishonor to his country, France knew him as
intrepid and brave. She knew him as a statesman, but
she knew him not as a man of moral worth. His two sons
had been placed by him under a tutor in France, to be
liberally educated. They were now within the power of
the cunning Napoleon. They were sent to him under a
truce, holding him bound by an obligation to return them
if he would not betray his countrymen to the insolent
demand of the planters, under the French government.
His position and conduct would do honor to the patriot of'
any country or age. Though those sons were now within
his power, and in his bosom struggled the father's love as
he pressed them to his fond embrace, he would not break
his pledge to return them, nor yield one point of his own
countrymen's interest to the slave power. Tousaint's case
is not an isolated one.
There are colored men, as farmers and mechanics, in
many communities, in many of the now slave-holding
States, where an honorable treatment is manifested towards
them. Men in those communities, laying aside the unholy
prejudice against color, will admit this tact of honor and
moral worth in such colored men ; and often, with all their
prejudice, they have been compelled, as a matter of fact,
to admit it I do not suppose that all colored people,
placed in like outward circumstances, would manifest the
same moral deportment. Neither do I believe that all
white men, placed in the outward circumstances of Wash¬
ington, or a Bumtt, or Brainard, or a Page, or a Whitfield,
would be like them in honor, patriotism, or moral worth.
AFRICAN SACE.
255
Men will be vicious or virtuous, as it happens, white or
black, according as the moral faculties or animal propen¬
sities predominate, to determine the moral character. Still
custom and habit, under the control of public sentiment,
have much to do in controlling those faculties and propen¬
sities. In Canada, under the English government, where
the colored man is assured a right sentiment is towards
him, and he is encouraged to enjoy his manhood where
humanity bids him welcome and extends to him the hand
of friendship, in hie transformation from a chattel to a
man, his moral faculties have raised him at once to an
honorable position in society.
In 1850, Father Henson, a colored man in Canada, went
to England on a mission in behalf of the Canada colored
population. He himself had once been a slave. He bore
honorable testimonials, and among documents sent by
him was one from the Sheriff of the District, showing
that in a population of 5,000 colored people, in 15 years
not a crime had been committed by any of them requiring
an arrest. Now this cannot be said of the same number
of the white population in any part of this great American
[Republic. The colored people of Canada, although most
of them are fugitives from American slavery, long exposed
to its corruption, have been enabled by their native powers
of mind to lay hold on sufficient moral worth to maintain
good faith with the Canadian government in mutual friend¬
ship.
Industry, economy, and frugality, are important traits
in the human character, and so far as the colored people
have been able to act in any department of business in
life, they have shown a commendable ability to carry out
these important traits. I am aware that there is a lament¬
able degree of prodigality in some of the cities and large
256
AN ESSAY ON TIIE
towns in the United States, in such cases, but a little ox
110 thrift in temporal welfare. I am also aware that popular
prejudice exhibits to the world such cases as the general
character of the colored race ; but it is unjust, unfair, and
the effect of meanness or the part of their enemies. But
notwithstanding the spirit of negro hate, some have proved
themselves worthy of respect, and worthy of praise, for
their indominable energy in surmounting difficulties and
rising in earthly comfort, by industry and economy. In
the city of New Bedford, Mass., quite a number of colored
people have become v/aalthy. Richard Johnson, a colored
man, rose fjxm poverty to a state of affluence. As a man
of piety and industry, he gained the esteem of business
men in tltat city. His example was followed by other
colored citizens, and his and their influence is felt in that
community. Ir, the city of Philadelphia, where exists
the most rabid negro hate, more so than in any other city
of this nation, the colored people, by industry, economy,
and good discipline, manage to enjoy a comfortable living.
In one year, by an official report, we learn that the tax on.
their real and personal estate supported all the colored
poor in the city and left a surplus to help support the white
poor.. In mercantile and mechanical operations, the col¬
ored people in that city have done well. Several are
excellent artisans, and if they were Anglo-Saxons, with
the same ability, would be honorably elevated in society.
They have gone on without capital, and 110 favor from the
country. And yet, by industry and rigid economy, they
enjoy many facilities for turning their talent to good effect.
I doubt whether any class of whites in the same situation
could have done better, and made a better living. But
the city of New Bedford, or Philadelphia, does not mon¬
opolize all the talent and moral worth of the African race.
AFRICAN RACE.
257
Xet the reader visit some of the colored farmers in the
vallies of the Penobscot, Kennebec, or Androscoggin, in
Maine, or some in Jefferson, Oneida, and other tie-
in New-York. In truth, in many of the rural districts, i:>.
many parts of the non-slavehoidmg States, facts woiil«l
silence the tongue of slander, asserting that the colored
race is low, lazy, indolent, improvident, and debased as a
whole.
The spirit of gratitude is a commendable trait in the
African character. In no race of men is it more exhibited.
The memory of a friend and some friendly act of kindness,
as often indelibly stamped on the heart and is borne down
to the grave. It is often said by the opposer of African
freedom, that to set the slaves free would be to involve
the nation in utter ruin, because they would seek revenge
on their now cruel masters. The history of the acts of
Birney, Thome, Brisbane, the Grimkies, and others, can
easily refute this argument. There is not a portion of the
slave or free colored population in the United States, but
if, could they enjoy an act of kindness in emancipation
and enfranchisement from slavery, and all its consequent
evils, they would quickly forget and forgive the injury
and injustice of the past, and hold their benefactors in the
warmest affection. Divest men of popular pi*ejudice.
warm their hearts by the spirit of christian philanthropy,
and they will not for one moment doubt it.
CHAPTER IV.
Intellectual Character.
It is often asserted by the pro-slavery spirit of the
country, that the colored man has no natural intellect, and
that he is not capable of appreciating the blessings of
freedom, and only acts out in literature and morality,
258
AN ESSAY ON THE
what he learns from the white man. Such a sentiment
•expressed is a mere burlesque on human nature, especial¬
ly as the advocates of this sentiment maintain and sup¬
port the system of popular education for their own rising
generation, in Colleges, and Academical Institutions, and
Free School instruction. "Webster whose giant mind has
grasped, the principles of constitutional law and conduct¬
ed the diplomacy of nations, once sat at the feet of a
primary teacher, and from an Alphabetical to a Collegiate
education, gained within the venerable walls of old Dart¬
mouth, he learnt what others knew before him. And so
it has been with the greatest Statesmen and Divines in
this or any other nation. All have predecessors and
precedents, whether in law, medicine, or theology. To
find a man white or black, that can know everything or
anything, in science or literature, without having learned
from some one in advance of him, would be a marvel in¬
deed. No one has ever passed from the cradle to the
grave, independent. Then to talk of superiority or infe¬
riority must be on some other idea than color, or nation¬
ality, seeing that some of every nation, of all colors, have
risen to great distinction, while some of each have sunk
to the greatest depth of degradation and ignorance.
Hie African race is capacitated in common with the
other races for great and noble actions, connected with
the destiny of human life. Now an action in human life
is not to be judged of by its nobleness and greatness, in
some great physical daring, but the inherent virtue of
the act, giving it its intrinsic value. But whether as the
world calls great, or great in moral excellence, the repre¬
sentatives of the African race have stood, and do now
stand, side by side with the European race, in mental and
moral capacity and in intellectual cultivation; under self
AFRICAN RACE.
259
government, they have done equally as well as any other
race of men. Lewis "Wells, a black man, and a slave in
Maryland, was taught the letters of the English Alphabet
by moon-light, by his old master's son. He managed to
economize his time, and besides meeting the exorbitant
demands of his master on his services, he gained enough,
that through the medium of a friend he got books; es¬
caping the vigilant eye of slavery. He alone, as his own
master and student, made astonishing proficiency, and at
the age of thirty-eight he bought his freedom, and came
forth before the world an eminent chemist and surgeon,
and became distinguished for his talents and received a
diploma as an M. D. James McEwen Smith, M. D., of'
jNew York city, a colored man, was rejected at eveiy Col¬
lege door in this country; he went to Europe and was
admitted into one of the first Colleges there, and grad¬
uated with honor; went to France and was treated with
distinguished respect, as a scholar and a gentleman, as
well as in England. Yet on his return to this country,
pro-slavery hate proscribes him. Still he has borne him¬
self up like a man. Dr. David Ruggles is also a black
man; yet a man of talent, at the head of a Hydropathic
institution in one of the New England States. He has
proved himself equal with many white men of his profes¬
sion. In the New York Central College in Cortland Co.,
Professors Reason atAllen, are "both colored men, and
under the administration of the Eg v. President Grosve-
iior, they have sustained themselves with ability.
G. B. Vaslian, Esq., of Syracuse, 3T. Y., and Eobert
Morris, of Boston, Mass., liave honorably sustained them¬
selves in the judiciary department of the country, as
lawyers, and they are both colored men. Samuel R.
Ward and Frederick Douglas, are both colored men, and
A ESSAY OX THE
vet tt. .-V arc ii"!' a whit behind many of the popular and
talented editors "f the da}'. The first as editor of the
";Impai'tM Citizen,'5 published in Boston, Mass., the oth¬
er editor i' rhe " North Star," (the paper has a large
subscript ".i list, and nov,' bears the name of Frederick
Douglas' Paper,) published at Rochester X. Y. They
hare been slaves, and Douglas5 freedom is only dated
back to a few years, and yet he is a writer of merit, and
as a speaker, it was once remarked by an American Ste¬
nographist of merit, " that Lord Elgin, Governor General,
of Canada, and Frederick Douglas, were the only two
public speakers that he ever listened to, that he could
report verbatim and give it to the public without correc¬
tion." Any member of the American Congress, wonld
consider this a great compliment. Charles B. Ray, Sam¬
uel E. Cornish, Stephen Myres. and others, have sat at
the editorial desk, and although they are all colored men,
they have done much to show that Africans are men of
intellect. Rev. James AV. C. Penington, D. D., is a col¬
ored man, a full blooded African. He is Pastor of the
Shiloh Presbyterian church in the city of New York, and
was Doctorated in Divinity by the University of Heilden-
burg in Germany. He was a slave and his freedom was
purchased in 1850. His predecessor in the Pastorate of
the Shiloh Church, the late Rev. Theodore S. "Wright, a
black man, was a distinguished Theological scholar. Rev.
Peter "Williar-1. Rector of St. Philip's Church (Episcopa¬
lian) of New York city, the Rev. Isaiah De Grasse, Alex¬
ander Cromwell, Charles W. Gardner, Amos G. Beeman,
and a host of others, that space will not permit me to
record, are among the proscribed African race in the United
States—arc men of literary ability. In the West India
Islands, some of the most talented journalists and states-
AiltlOAX KA.CE.
261
moil are colored men, and one of the distinguished mem¬
bers of the late French Assembly, representing a large con¬
stituency in one of the Colonies, was a colored man, and
he filled his seat with dignity and honor to himself and the
nation.
Let us turn for a moment to the Haytian nafebn, and
behold Tonsaint Laoverture, one of the most remarkable
men of his age. Born a slave, and reared on the planta¬
tion of one of the aristocracy of the colony, he was gifted
by nature with a mighty intellect, and a studious mind.
At an early age he was learned to read by a young friend,
without the knowledge of the slave power. He went on
alone, fathoming the rich mines of science and literature,
until his mind was elevated in all the grandeur of man¬
hood. Solitary and alone, lie sounded the principle of
Civil Government. He learned the true merits of patriot¬
ism, and calculated on what it would cost to break the
yoke of oppression and free his race. He studied the
rules and tactics of military campaigns, and with an
intuitive mind he unravelled the most intricate questions
that lay in his pathway. When the hour arrived, it found
Tousaint Laoverture ready for the crisis. He flung off
the plantation slave, and stood up a man. The eye of all
Europe was looking on him. The oppressed and disfran¬
chised rallied around his standard. But though in power,
he was generous. Though he had long been robbed of his
rights as a man, he forgot himself once a poor plantation
slave, and planned the retreat of his old master and his
family, before he struck the first blow for freedom, lest
the pillars of the Bastile of Despotism should crush them
in its fall. He stood over them as a friend and a brother.
But although generous and magnanimous in domestic and
social life, both to friend and foe, he was inflexible and
262
AN ESSAY ON THE
uncompromising in his opposition to the unjust govern¬
ment under which his race had so long groaned. He
had started for its overthrow. His noble soul had long-
been in communion with the spirit of freedom. He had
walked in her temple by the silent moonlight. He had1
examined her most abstruse recesses. And when be drew
the-sword for freedom, the minions of slavery trembled.
France feared the result. By the consummate skill and
bravery of Tousaint, he drove the French government,
with Napoleon at its head, to see no alternative but to
abolish slavery in Hayti or lose the country. France
proclaimed liberty to ail, and as the best policy she could
adopt, appointed Tousaint governor-general and comman¬
der-in-chief of the Colonial Government, and for twelve
years his administration did much topromote the interest
of the country. His dispatches to Napoleon and the
Home Government were manly, patriotic and statesman¬
like. In his Cabinet his ability was equal to his task.
At the head of the Haytian army, his indominable energy
inspired his men with so much patriotism that they never
feared to meet danger. And truly said an English author¬
ess, Tousaint Laovertiire was the master spirit of the age.
But Napoleon's brow, now glittering with the imperial-
diadem of France, determined on making everything bow
to his iron will. The monarchies of pld Europe trembled
at his tread. Kings and courtiers bent suppliantly before
liim, and even the proud Pontiff of Rome, with his
hierarchy, left the Vatican to do him homage. All but
the liberty-loving Tousaint and his compatriots yielded to
the wishes of the haughty Emperor. They could not do
it any farther than he regarded their rights. They were
determined if the planters came back to the island to live,
they must all live together as freemen, or the blacks would
die in the struggle.
AFRICAN SAGE.
263
General Leclerc was appointed to succeed Tousaint in
the government. He came to Hayti with an array of
power that would have startled any ordinary man, and
he came determined to obey the Home Government, to
gratify the wishes of the planters, and reinstate slavery
—the greatest act of folly ever undertaken by Napoleon,
for after twelve years enjoyment of liberty, in all civil
and domestic rights, France might as well have pent up
the lightning of heaven as to confine the spirit of liberty
in the bosoms of those black men, from acting in defence
of their lives, in defending their rights at all hazards.
Tousaint exclaimed, on seeing the fleet of France bearing
Leclerc and his force to the Haytian shore, " All France
has come to Hayti." He retired peaceably from the gov¬
ernment, and stood on the defensive, and it was only by
treachery and the violation of the national honor of France
that they got Tousaint into their power. Yet his country¬
men had imbibed too much of his noble spirit to be con¬
quered into slavery. Any man viewing the situation of
Hayti in a right light, without prejudice because they are
black men, must admit that Tousaint's patriotism and
mighty efforts equalled "Washington's, and some of his
deeds are more brilliant, because he had to operate under
greater disadvantages to free his nation. And had Tousaint
Laoverture been of the same complexional stamp of Gen.
Winfield Scott, his deeds of military valor, under such
disadvantages, would have placed him before Gen. Scott
in the applause of Americans, but yet, although a black
man, his name and the memory of his great deeds live
embalmed in the hearts of many impartial philanthropists
in all parts of the civilized world. The Haytian govern¬
ment, 1st as a Kingdom under Christoph, 2d a Republic
under Boyer, and now 3dly, an Empire under Soloque,
264
AN ESSAY ON TIIE
lie bearing- the title of Fostin I., Emperor of Hayti,
though the people of that government have appeared
unstable in ;heir civil and political form, it is false in the
assertion that it is the result of their African character.
Other nations have fluctuated in their government policy
as well as the Ilaytians. England has not, it is not
for the -want of a Gror.r.vi-}: an<". hi* faithful coadjutors.
France has changed iuviir.rc-hy to another until
it is now a Republic."' jX'tUit* ti;y '.•"vraal city, has been
changed in its policy.. r * v.-ry civil government
on earth, whether the des ceii'.uuit s «.'i tS hem and Japheth,
or juLiiiii, uwVe ucL-u i_Lxiiitary and political
excitement, until some of ^hom have become settled
in sufficient justice to promorc the common welfare of
mankind partially.
The African race have not been wanting in representa¬
tives to adorn the honorable professions of life, and yet
the American prejudice, a legitimate fruit of slavery, has
stood at the door of Academical and Collegiate Halls,
and at the gateway of all the business departments of
the country, and levelled its anathemas at the colored
man whenever he has dared to approach them for the
purpose of benefitting himself 01* his children. And
many a noble-souled colored man has sunk into wretched
obscurity andunhappiness, and much valuable talent been
buried and lost to himself and the world, and the Divine
Government robbed of an amount of influence that
should aid it in the accomplishment of human happiness.
* Since this Essay was written, another revolution has taken place in
France, under the management and perfidy of Louis Napoleon. It is
now difficult to determine whether to call it a Republic or Monarchy.
AFRIOAN RACE.
265
CHAPTER V.
It was said by wicked Cain to liis Maker, " Am I my
brother's keeper ?" How solemn and awful was the voice
of an infinite God to him in reply. " The voice of thy
brother's blood crieth to me from the ground." And now
in the solemn controversy between justice and oppression,
who of all the American people dare say before the God
of Heaven, in reference to the poor African, " Am I my
brother's keeper?" The blood of the poor Indian and
African in the American soil, is an awful witness against
the American church and the American nation. The deeds
of dark crime and outrage against humanity have black¬
ened their national escutcheon and tarnished their religious
character. For if slavery is a creature of law, popular
public opinion sustains that law, and the popular religious
influence controls public opinion. For on philosophical
principles, we cannot expect water to rise above its level
at the fountain head. Neither can we expect the princi¬
ple of morality to rise above the church. And thank God
it cannot rise above the true church of God*; but under the
monopolizing ecclesiastical rule of the American church,
many of the leading sects of religionists make the religion
of the membership mere nominal, so that the popular
current religion of some of the leading denominations
goes directly to sanction and sustain American oppression,
with all its consequent evils. And in many instances the
men of the world take the lead in that reform that tends
to alleviate the sufferings of mankind, and elevate them
to their proper sphere in human life. And if a humble
few of the disciples of the Holy Jesus dare obey the
dictates of conscience and the spirit of God, with his Holy
Word to take gospel ground for the reform of the world,
AN ESSAY ON THE
and the enfranchisement of the human race, they are
charged in their doctrine with Infidelity. True it may he
infidelity against the sectarianism and monopoly of the
denominational rule and against despotism. But to charge
it as infidelity against the cause of God, is often proved'
false. Although the inquisitorial spirit and action of the
American church in proscribing many of its members for
conscientiously condemning and opposing the evil system
of American slavery, and condemn the aiding in degra¬
ding the African race for a cause over which they have
no control, does most certainly identify that church with
the power of despotism, and involves it in the guilt of"
oppression, it is folly for her ministry or membership to
cry out, " Am I my brother's keeper ?" They cannot say
in truth, that they are free from guilt on this subject, in
the face of the fact that they have hoodwinked truth, and"
made expediency turn the scale of justice to gratify the
caprice of the unholy oppressor.
For the truth of this I appeal in candor to a candid
community, to view the action of the American Board of"
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, in all its operations
from first to last, and I ask where has been seen the first
act of that body of any appearance of christian philan¬
thropy, to relieve poor bleeding humanity, in the condi¬
tion of the African race? And does not the popular
current religion of the Presbyterian church, tolerate the*
negro pew, and the most wicked intolerance towards the
colored man or woman that enters their temples of wor¬
ship? Does not the leading influence of the Presbyterian
church in America, help support the most abominable
cast, while its current religion puts in motion the machin¬
ery of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, as well as the Presbyterian Board of Foreign
AFRICAN RACE.
267
Missions, taking the price of the souls and bodies of men
to pay for the means to convert the heathen world ? Thus
stepping over and trampling down the noble sentiment of
Apostolic religion, that " God is no respecter of persons."
"What then can we expect from wicked political men, on
the ground of humanity, under the teaching of such re¬
ligion ? And is the leading American Baptist, or Meth¬
odist, or Episcopalian religion, in their educational, or
missionary, or national ecclesiastical operations, a whit
better, in its favor of bleeding, suffering humanity, in the
condition of the colored man ?
When Doctors of Divinity of many of the leading sects,
with cool, unblushing misanthropy, employ their pens to
argue the divine right of the American people to sustain
a system of robbery, concubinage, bigamy, adultery and
every violation of the moral decalogue, against the Afri¬
can race, and wicked men constantly echoing the voice of
the pulpit in sounding out thsse sentiments to stigmatize
and proscribe the colored man, is it a wonder that his
condition is no better ? And is it not a marvel that so
.many have risen so high in improvement and moral worth ?
But as a colored man, I rejoice in God, that all the relig¬
ion of the country is not under the rule of despotism,
and all the christian hearts of the country are not bowed
at the shrine of corrupt sectarianism. The angel of mer¬
cy can often bear the spirit of christian sympathy to the
humble cot of the poor colored man, and a faint glimmer
of light from the star of freedom sometimes breaks the
gloom over our pathway of life, and the blessed word
hope, often lingers in our ears as a source of consolation
in God. And if on account of our color, our character
will not entitle us to a better condition among our fellow-
men on earth, we will try to maintain a sufficiently religious
268
ax essay on the
and moral character, to entitle us to an inheritance with,
the people of God, in that blessed kingdom, in immortal
light, " "Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the
weary are forever at rest.'' Thank Gel, tnere is one heav¬
enly equality, for u Neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian,
' Seythean, Bond nor Free, but. all one in Christ Jesus." I
thank my God, that in tbi- the po >r colored man can en¬
joy a glimmer of hope, amidst the toils and the trials of
human life.
Dear reader, it is my Omni prayer, that you may all
enjoy that immortal life. If your sympathies have been
pent up from us; if you have either politically, socially,
religiously, or domestically, thrown your influence against
us, by helping to sustain the system of American slavery,
may God forgive you, for with all my heart I pity your
condition at that Judgment to which we are all approach¬
ing. For be you assured, that Infinite Justice will not be
bribed, or turned away from the principles of right, for
any purpose whatever. And be you assured that God
overlooks not the deeds of the wrong-doer, for he takes
cognizance of all human acts in tins life, not to be forgot¬
ten at the Judgment.
AN ESSAY
Oil (he Fugitive Lav/ cf the U, S. Congress of 1850,
BY REV. AllTIIT'U BEARING.
Obedience to the Fugitive Law, is treason to Civil Gov¬
ernment. What is the design of this law % It designs to
arrest, no matter by what means, the panting fugitive from
Southern bondage, and in a forcible manner, drag him
back to chains and unrequited toil. And it further de¬
signs to compel, by pains and penalties, every Northern
citizen, to lend his aid in accomplishing this object. Our
object in the discussion of this subject, will not be to dis¬
cuss the constitutional character of this law, but to show
that it is a flagrant violation of every principle of just
civil government, as well as divine government. And if
this be shown to be the character of this law all christians,
at least, arc absolved from its allegiance.
Our first object then will be to ascertain the foundation
of, and wheuce arises our obligations to civil government.
Civil government in its requirements, is not an arbitrary
institution. It does not depend for its authority upon the
•will of the legislator, nor its position upon the statute
book. The legislator may pass upon it his most solemn
vote, and the judiciary may give to it the sanction of law;
but since neither can impart to it obligation, neither can
give to it any validity, no more than the village lyceum.
270 AN ESSAY ON THE
For if legislators and judges are the sole executors of
law, our duties and obligations are placed at the mercy
of a fickle, changing multitude, upon whom all officials
depend for their elevation in society. Obligations arise
to-day, and fall to-morrow, like the dew before the rising
sun, ever varying their chameleon form as fast as the
multitude changes, that elevates one set of political aspi¬
rants, and displaces another. If the arbitrary enactments
of legislators, he law. and we under obligation to obey
them, then crime may "be virtuous, and virtue criminal;
even murder to-day may ::ieer the approbation of the mul¬
titude, and to-morrow be forbidden under pain and pen¬
alties.. This, a* will be seen, strikes a death-blow at all
just government, and 2 .'lakes it the mere arbitrary will of
unstable popular opin ion instead of the voice of obligation;
as all just government is, and ever must be. In vain may
the political stock-jobbers of the " lower law " spin out their
yarns of cotton logic, to enforce obedience to not only ar¬
bitrary, but unjust legislative enactments, crying "vox
populi est vo.e Dei." And in vain may they call us " trai¬
tors," all those who refuse to bow down before the god of
Southern trade. And the same may be affirmed of e very
precept that has no authority other than the will of the
legislator. Right and wrong are and ever must be the
same, legislate as yon please; the essential qualities of
either can never be changed. As well might you attempt
to change the colors of the rainbow by legislation. Right
will still be right, and wrong will possess all its essential
sinfulness. Though great legislators may " compromise "
the one, and nationalize the other, their ipse dixit will never
affect the transubstantiation.
But civil government, to have any claim upon the regard
of the citizen, must grow out of, and meet the necessities
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. 271
of, human nature. Before human beings existed, no civil
government was established, for neither human relations
nor human wants existed. When man was created, human
wants, and dependencies upon each other, bound him to
his fellow man; from these wants and necessities sprang
obligations to mutual respect and protection, so that civil
society is not a state arbitrarily imposed upon man, but
is the legitimate result of the development of his nature-
He is born into civil government as really as he is born
into the world; so that the idea that man is born into a
state of lawless individuality, and that on entering civil
relations, he must " surrender his natural rights for the
good of the whole," only to be cherished by tyrants. For
the great design of civil government should be, to secure
the undisturbed enjoyment of natural rights. Natural
rights are to be enjoyed for the good of man instead of being
surrendered. So wisely has civil government been insti¬
tuted, that the highest well being of all its subjects can
only be secured by the recognition of all their rights. It
is the slave holder that demands that the rights of some
shall be surrendered for the good of the whole; and let
him practice it personally if he chooses. Thus it will be
seen that civil government exists as naturally among men
as the family government between parent and child.—
Obligation is and must be the very soul of law; the sine
qua non of every civil duty.
THE DUTIES OF LEGISLATORS.
As civil law or government is but the obligations which
grow out of our necessities and relations, so it follows as
a matter of course that legislators cannot make or unmake'
lawsy no more than they make or unmake the constructive
principles of human nature. As well might chemists
2T2
AN ESSAY ON THE
attempt to make and abolish the laws of chemical affinity,
make and abolish the laws of gravitation, as to make and
abolish those rales which govern man in his relation to
liis fellow man. The chemist enters nature's great labo¬
ratory iv.id begins to experiment upon the element which,
surrounds him, that he may ascertain the precise law by
which their several atoms are governed and controlled.
This he knows to be the only way by which their chemical
qualities can be known. How supremely ridiculous it
would appear to every intelligent mind, to behold an
assembly of experienced chemists making speeches, and
using all manner of intrigue and chicanery, in order to
pass a vote that oil and water shall hereafter mix, and to
finally "compromise" the matter by declaring that they
shall mix " south of thirty-six thirtybut when great
legislators resolve by " compromise " that injustice shall
bq justice^ south of such a line, the exhibition is no less
ridiculous. If it is the chemist's duty to examine the
mineral world that he may ascertain the nature and qual¬
ities of its various substances, and from them deduce its
laws, it is the legislator's duty to ascertain the demands
of human nature, the relations which bind him to his
fellow man, his natural rights, and thence leam the laws
and obligations which he is to enforce upon man. How
much those herds of hungry politicians, who gather around
our capital with both hands in the public treasury, watch¬
ing another horde who stand just back, impatiently watch¬
ing for their turn, have mistaken their calling, vainly
supposing that they have come up with their wise heads
and empty pockets to make justice and injustice, and
encourage industry among the people by keeping the
treasury emjpty. With the idea that law may be made
and unmade at pleasure, the great object is to flatter or
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
273
frown a majority into their favorite schemes, and it goes
forth into the world to be executed by " proclamations,"
and " all the military at the command of the Executive."
As well might the chemists pour water and oil into a
vessel, and upon its refusing to mix, issue a " proclama¬
tion " and summon the military with cannon and musketry,
and after reading the " riot act," commence pouring in
the grape and canister, to " execute the laws and preserve
the union. The one is just as reasonable as the other.
Tou may as well vote and bring your cannon to compel
what shall be physical law, as what shall be morally
binding upon the citizen.
Obligations cannot be created or annulled by legisla¬
tion. It will be seen in the light of this reasoning, that
obligations cannot be created or lessened by any enact¬
ments which may have received the sanction of human
legislation. If law rests upon human obligation, and
obligation result from the natural relations which bind
man to his fellow man, it is very evident that these obli¬
gations cannot be changed until you can effect a change
in the relations existing between man and man; and that
these relations cannot be changed so long as human
nature remains as it is, and human necessities exist. Could
obligations be created or abridged by the acts of. constitu¬
ted governments, then is the serf, who trembles at the
approach of sceptred tyranny, under obligation to heed
the demands of his oppressor. According to this theory,
one government is as heaven-ordained as another, and it
is of course wicked to seek its overthrow; and all laws
emanating from the legislative authority, no matter how
that power may be constituted or sustained, or what may
be its character, are to be implicitly obeyed, without men¬
tal reservations. On what ground do republicans find
AN ESSAY ON THE
fault with the tyrannies of the old world, but on the ground
that all just governments spring spontaneously from those
relations and natural ties which bind man in one equal
brotherhood, and that those tyrannies disregard and tram¬
ple upon those natural relations and rights of their groan¬
ing millions. They also believe that a republican gov¬
ernment is founded in the natural relations and obli¬
gations, which exist prior to, and entirely independent
of, all legislation. What do we mean when we complain,
of "bad laws?" If we mean anything, we must mean
that the legislative enactments are contrary to natural
justice, and disregard the acknowledged relations existing
in the human family. These enactments, in order to lay
any claim to our obedience, must create an obligation at
the same time that they are made, and if there be an
(^ligation to obey, then they cannot be bad ; for evidently
we never can be under obligation to do wrong, so that if
we are under obligation to obey them, they cannot be
wrong; and consequently it would be wrong to repeal
them. And the Medes and Persians did right in never
changing their laws.
If all obligations of a civil character are created when
the statute is enacted or the constitution adopted, then a
nation destitute of constitutions and statutes, are under
no obligations to maintain order and justice among them¬
selves, for there are no obligations binding upon them.
There is no legislation creating obligations. And should
murder, theft and arson, ride triumphant over the best
interests, and prey upon the lives of the community, no
guilt would attach to the perpetrators of these deeds,
because no legislation had created obligations to refrain
from these deeds, if it be true that legislation creates
obligation. But if civil government should rest upon
FUGITIVE SLAVE LA.W.
275
obligations, and not obligations rest upon civil govern¬
ment, then a nation destitute of the forms of government
are bound to ascertain and enforce these obligations, in
the shape of civil law. To illustrate more clearly,—if
murder is wrong because of the relations man sustains
to his fellow man, and not because legislation forbids it,
then it is the duty of legislators to suppress that crime, as
a violation of natural rights, by proper restraints. To
make this subject still clearer, if possible, let us take the
case of the license law. When a town unanimously vote
to grant license for the sale of ardent spirits, men gener¬
ally consider it right to do so; but when they refdse a
license to sell alcohol as a beverage, they generally look
upon its sale as a public wrong, and an immoral business.
From what source does the traffic and use of ardent spirits
derive its character? from the civil statute ? or from its
effects upon the human system ? If from the statute book,
abolish all legislation on the subject and the business is
altogether innocent. But does human legislation make
the misery and wretchedness in our land occasioned by
the use of alcohol? or are they occasioned by the natural
and legitimate effects of alcohol upon the human system?
"Why, every man will answer the latter. So then all
legislation upon the subject will fail to give the business
character until it can change the physical system so as to
prevent all injury resulting from its use as a beverage;
and thus it is that every law, to have any claim upon the
citizen, must rest upon and grow out of some prior obli¬
gation.
In the light of this reasoning, and application of the
principles, let us examine the condition of the slave. If
legislation does not create obligation, then whence arises
the obligation which the slave is under to render service
27G
AN ESSAY ON THE
to his master ? -Does it result from his color ? If so, what
amount of African blood must one; have to be under obli¬
gation to limit him up a master and place himself and
posterity under his supremo control ? This is a very im¬
portant question, for we find African blood existing in our
population from one per cent, to the full blooded African.
draw the line where you will, a portion of those who
are now in slavery will be liberated;, and a portion now
free will become enslaved, And what evidence have we
that the color of the skin brings a man under obligation
to spend his days in slavery ? And how do we arrive at
the evidence that the negro color, above all others, is the
peculiar color proscribed by this law of nature ? By what
logical process has the fact been determined ? !N"ot by
one ancient custom," whereof the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary," for the first slaves of the Hebrews
were not negroes. Neither were the slaves in the days
of Christ and Paul; so that we are at a loss to determine
the precise period when it was discovered that nature
designed the African race for slaves.
If, then, as we have shown, the whole system is unnat¬
ural, and therefore wrong, has not the slave the most
undoubted right to escape from this position into which
he has been forced in open violation of nature, and con¬
trary to his own will? If no human legislation can im¬
pose an obligation upon him to assume such a position,
certainly no legislation can make it criminal for him to
escape from it. He has an undoubted right, then, to
assert his liberty and use the same means to secure it
•which any man may use to prevent being placed in the
Bame situation; for every effort made to arrest him is an
effort to enslave him. Resistance to the slaveholder is
the same in kind which Washington made against British
aggression and servitude.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
HAVE WE A KIGHT TO AID TIIE SLAVE IX TITS EsCAI'E ?
Has one man a right to " love Ids neighbor as himself?"
Ought we to " do ruito others as we would have them do
unto us V—are questions of the same nature, and may
all receive the same answer. Let us test this question by
the principles which we have laid down. Suppose there
is no legislation on the subject, and the captive is heldby
mere brute force as the Indian holds his prisoner of war,
and has been enabled to escape from that bondage. Are
we under obligation to restore him to his enemies \ All
will answer this question in the negative. Where, then,
is the obligation to restore him ? But have we not shown
that obligations cannot be created by legislative bodies ?
and if not, whence arises the obligation to restore the
fugitive ? The Fugitive Act can place us under no obli¬
gation, unless it rests upon some natural necessity, unless
it is necessary to secure natural rights, unless some good
to the human race is to be secured by it. If we are under
no obligation to aid in his return, may we stand calmly
by and passively see him manacled and earned back to a
doomed life of misery and wretchedness? We now ap¬
peal to the relations which exist between man and man,
for these relations are not bounded by the geography of
color, nor determined by the latitude of parentage.
These natural ties call upon us to assist, by all proper
means, in protecting the natural rights with which every
man is endowed in his very existence, and until he for¬
feits their enjoyment we may not see him deprived of
them, and plead innocence, no more than the Priest and
Levite could pass the wounded man, and not mistake the
law of brotherly love. The principle which is violated in
his arrest and enslavement, is not confined to him, it is
the same tenure by which we all hold our title to liberty
278
AN ESSAY ON THE
and life. If we give our consent to its invasion in one
instance, we invite its disobedience in a thousand cases,
and we have sanctioned a measure which may enslave
ourselves and our children. If the soul stealer and seller
may break through the strong obligations of human nature
and sieze his victim, and receive our passive acquiescence,
he may upon the same principle, again sever the ties of
humanity and send us to a life of unpaid toil, and our
conduct on the former occasion will tell our friends not to
interfere in oar behalf; thus we sustain all the tyranny
in the world by sanctioning it in one case.
And if we may not stand calmly by and see a fellow-
man forcibly consigned to hopeless bondage, are we not
under the strongest natural obligations to defend him
against lawless violence ? For if the act has not natural
obligations to sanction it, it must be perfectly lawless. If
the slave has a natural right to defend himself, against
violence upon his rights, we have the same right to main¬
tain inviolate his rights, as he has, or as we have to
maintain our own. If all men are equal, and the life
and happiness of one man is as valuable as the life and
happiness of another, I am in duty bound to defend the
life and liberty of another man, as much as my own. And
any other position would make one man's life naturally
of more value than another's. If one man's liberty and
life may be taken with impunity, a great principle is
overthrown, and no man's life or liberty is secure for a
single moment. If a slave defends his life, he does not
defend it merely because it is his, but he defends the great
principle which secures life and liberty to all men; and
on this ground we clear that man in law, and do so be¬
cause we wish to maintain inviolate the natural tenure
upon which we hold our lives and liberties.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
279
In defending the slave against the " Fugitive Bill,"
which does not rest upon justice between man and man,
and is therefore no law, because no man is under natural
obligation to obey it, but it looks only to physical power
for its support, and is therefore lawless violence. "We do
not trample upon any natural obligation, therefore upon
no law ; but our resistance is much against legislative
violence, and in support of law. We then are the law-
abiding people; and all who aid the slave catcher are
lawless mobs, and are endeavoring to establish the same
system that now holds the groaning millions of Europe
in abject slavery. All the thrones of the Old World rest
upon this principle, that " the law making power must
be obeyed;" and all the sceptres of tyranny are lifted up
in its defence. It is for the overthrow of this law of ty¬
rants, that the noble Kossuth has bared his manly bosom
to the hired assassins of crowned despots, and is now
thrilling England and the United States with the thunder
of his eloquence, which is fast rolling a wave of natural
justice beneath the thrones of Enrope, that shall cause
the knees of their kings to smite together like those of
Beltshazzar.
If the " Fugitive Bill," should be obeyed, it demands
obedience from the fact that it rests upon natural justice,
and the natural obligations existing between man and
man; and if it rests upon these relations, they exist in
Europe as well as in America. And if we are under ob¬
ligations to return the fugitive from American slavery,
we are under the same obligation to return the fugitive
from European slavery. Then upon this principle let us
seize the fugitive Kossuth, when he lands upon ourshores,
hand-cuff him, and send him back to his Austrian master.
And let every fugitive from European despotism be served
280
AN ESSAY ON THE
in the same way. Let us for once be consistent with our
democracy.
Obligations grow out of natural necessities; no man
has a natural right to enslave his fellow-man, therefore
when enslaved, he has a right to escape, and if he has a
natural right to liberty, every man ought to aid him in
regaining that liberty; hence no one violates natural law,
when he aids a slave to escape. Thus we reason, and
thus we believe. Upon this view of the question what is
the duty of every christian ?
It must be an acknowledged point that his relations
and obligations to his fellow-men, transcend all constitu¬
tions, and tramples upon all human legislation that forbids
him thus to do. His sacred religion bids him to honor all
those relations existing between man and man, and which
are so inseparably connected with human happiness. And
that provision of the " Fugitive Bill," which forbids our
feeding or clothing the bondman, comes in direct contact
•with the entire spirit of every natural obligation, and de¬
nies to us the exercise of the common sympathies of our
nature, thus imposing upon us the most imperative duty
to disregard all such inhuman enactments. And the very
life and progress of the christian system depends upon
the unwavering opposition of the church to all legislation
which throws itself in the progress of its heavenly mission.
To whom must poor and bleeding humanity look for
protection, if the church is deaf to her entreaty ? And
from whence shall she look for deliverance, if the arm of
the church is paralyzed ? Politicians will never recognize
the principles of natural justice; they will never endan¬
ger their craft by giving to humanity their aid, especially
when she is forsaken by her friends, and those who are
bound by the principles of their religion to act the part
of the good Samaritan.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
281
"While writing this Essay, I have been traveling in
Pennsylvania, and I everywhere find, not only a hearty
co-operation in favor of the Fugitive act, but an increas¬
ing feeling to expel the entire, colored population from
the State. Where! Oh! where shall the poor persecuted
colored man flee? Taken from his native country and
consigned to hopeless bondage, and his posterity after
Mm, and despised because they are slaves, and when they
attempt to get free, hunted like a partridge upon the
mountains, and no where find any sympathy! Just go,
gentle reader, in your imagination, into the bosom of the
poor flying fugitive; doomed if taken, to spend a life in
bondage, constantly subjected to the will of another, and
driven on to unpaid toil at the crack of the whip. He
has resolved to escape from the cruel state in which he is,
and to seek a clime where he may spend his life without
the fear of the soul driver and the auction block. Mark
Ms progress: skulking along through the forests and
by-paths to elude Ms pursuers; and equally jealous of
every man he meets, for full well he knows that but few
of those who bear the human form carry a human heart.
He constantly feels that he has no friends, and that any
man would again consign him to hopeless bondage for a
few dollars, and even at command of public opinion with¬
out money. Thus traveling on toward the North star, his
mind constantly balancing between hope and fear; he at
last meets a man, whom, from his appearance, he judges
fills the sacred office, and professes to be actuated by the
spirit of his Master. Hope begins to brighten in his eye,
and his heart begins to be cheered with the anticipated
friendship of a fellow-man in whom he can confide his
aching heart. lie addresses him as Brother, for he is a
member of the same church, and tells him of his forlorn
382
AN ESSAY ON THE
condition, and entreats protection at his hands. But the
supposed friend after speaking of " Abraham's stores,"
and the "peculiar situation of our Northern brethren"
tells hi™ that " he would not make one prayer, if it
would liberate all the slaves in the world."
How must the poor man feel, as he contemplates his
condition, forsaken as he must feel himself to be by
God and man, and left as common prey to the soulless
hordes of soul traffickers ? If there is any spmpathy in
the church for human suffering, let it be manifested in be¬
half of the poor persecuted and hunted black man. The
justice of God will not always sleep; He will arise for his
persecuted poor, and then their destroyers shall feel that
injustice cannot always hold the sceptre of power. "We
feel sometimes almost to murmur that the oppressor is
permitted to drive the clotted lash semi-diameter deep
into the quivering flesh, with impunity. But the cup of
indignation against this nation must be filled ere it is
drank. When the day of retribution comes, as come it
must, wo to the oppressor, "the beam will cry out of
the wall," and judgment sure and awful, will be poured
wihout mixture of mercy upon the oppressors of this nation.
We think that the position assumed in the commence¬
ment of this Essay, has been abundantly sustained; that
civil government grows out of natural relations, and that
these relations exist alike in all men—are alike sacred to
all; and that the obligation to observe them is equally as
binding upon one as another. Hence just, civil govern¬
ment is bound to protect the natural rights of every human
being under its jurisdiction. To show that we are not
alone in view of civil law, let us give a few quotations
from good authority:
" That we should live honestly, should hurt nobody, and
fugitive slave law.
283
should render to every one his due, to these three princi¬
ples is reduced the whole doctrine of law." Justinian.
" The law of nature, being coeval with mankind, and
dictated by God himself, is of course superior to any oth¬
er. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and
at all times; no human laws are of validity, if contrary
to this, and such of them as are valid, derive all their
force and all their authority, mediately and immediately,
from this original." Blacxstone.
In conclusion, we ask the reader to carefully study the
principles we have laid down, and then ask himself the
question whether he is under any obligations to pay any
heed to the " Fugitive Bill ?" And whether he ought not
to aid the slave just the same as he would if it had
never been placed upon the statute book?
It is evident that the Fugitive Act denies and tramples
upon this principle; and should its principles become
everywhere prevalent, no just government could exist on
the face of the whole earth. Not an advocate of this
worse than Algerine enactment would for a single moment
incorporate its principles into the civil code that was to
govern his own liberties. None pretend that it is just
except when applied to the black man or slave. No one
would be willing that mere property should be held on
any such principles. Should they be incorporated into
the frame-work of civil government, tyranny and misrule
would everywhere prevail, so that the observance of this
act would sap the very foundations of all just government.
And in resisting this act, we do not merely resist its effect
upon the colored man, but reject it as a palpable viola¬
tion of every principle of civil government, at war with
all the rights of man, and regardless of all the require¬
ments of God.
284
AN ESSAY ON THE
If we refuse to admit the relations tliat l>ind us to one
portion of the hu2nr.11 nice, from what premise shall we
deduce our claijn to brotherhood with, and protection from,
any other portion i Every argument in support of the
chattel system, drawn from any other source than the fact
that the negroes art slaves, is an argument that will sanc¬
tion the enslavement of any other race. And the same
argument drawn from nature against the African race,
may be adduced against many other portions of the race.
And if they are to be denied the common rights of man¬
hood on natural grounds, from what source shall we claim.
our fraternity with the human race ? Therefore, when
we sever the chain that binds them to humanity, let us
remember that we cut our own bark from its moorings,
and send it adrift upon the shoreless sea of misanthropy;
when we deny to them the common right of humanity,
we break up the human family and make every man an
isolated fragment, with no common centre around which
he may unite in sympathy with his fellow man. To deny
the negroes the common rights of man, is to deny that
he is a human being; and if he is not a human being, why
make laws to punish him for the commission of crime ?
Every law upon the statute book is an admission of his
manhood; and every penalty inflicted for crime binds
him in iron bonds to our own fallen and depraved race.
Then with the admission of his humanity should come a
recognition of all the rights and immunities inalienable
to such a relation. For the rights grow out of, and are
inseparably connected with, his human nature. And to
deny his rights to life, liberty and equality, is to deny his
rights to humanity; and to deny his humanity is to deny
our own, for both are established and denied upon the
same grounds.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
285
It then becomes our duty to establish civil government
upon the broad and universal principles of natural jus¬
tice, which guarantees to every man an unobstructed
exercise of all liis natural lights, whether he be of Amer¬
ican, European, Asiatic, or African extraction, and to
impartially punish every violation of this Magna Charta
of human liberty and fraternity.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
His Origin—Early Life—Enters the Army—Close of the War—His
Conversion—Joins the C. Baptist Chureh—Whitfield's Labors—
withdraws from the C. Baptists and joins the F. W. Baptists, page 5
CHAPTER H.
His Call to the Ministry—Goes to Sea to Escape Duty—The Subject
of a Strange Dream—Leaves the Ship, and Preaches—A Revival
Commences, and he Enters the Gospel Field—New Trials, page 11
CHAPTER HI.
Moves to Vermont—Is Ordained—His Trust in God—A Shelter is
Erovidentially Provided—Is Exposed to a Mob—The Mob Converted
and Baptized—Has a Queer Text Given Him. page 19
CHAPTER IV.
1817, Renews Covenant—Revival in Washington—Sister Danforth—
Attends the Vt. Y. M.—Goes to N. Y.—Returns—Organizes a
Church in Hinesburg—Brother Colby Restored from Sickness—Or¬
ganizes a Church at Duxbury—Organizes a Church at Shelburne—
Organizes a Church in Huntington—His Labors During the Year.
page 28
CHAPTER V.
1818—His Feelings—A Communion Season—Attends the Strafford
Quarterly Meeting—The Huntington, Hinesburg and Shelbourne
Churches Received into the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—Broth¬
er Kimpton begins to Preach—Goes to Washington—Mr. Clark Con¬
verted in Answer to his Prayer—Has a Combat with a Christian
Minister. page 55
CHAPTER VI.
1819 —Attends the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—Labors to Intro¬
duce System and Order—Is in Favor of Ministers receiving a Good
Support—Brother C. Huntley Licensed—Some Evil Reports Circu¬
lated against him—He Receives a Pension—Brother Bachelder In¬
volved in Trials—A Hail Storm—The Conversion of Brother Mc-
Callister—Organizes a Church in Stowe. page 78
CHAPTER VH.
1820 Settles a Difficulty in Waterbury Church—Attends the Corinth
Quarterly Meeting—Different kinds of Preachers—Ordination of El¬
der Samuel Lord—Visits the Grave-Yard—A Communion Season—
Goes to the Wheelock Quarterly Meeting—Conversion of Sister
Quinby—Ordination of Elder Powers—Ordination of Elder Calvin
Huntley—Visits New Hampshire. page 90
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
1821—Attends the- Huntington Quarterly Meeting—A Case of Sui¬
cide—Ordination of Elder Josiah Wethc-rby—Labors in Brownsboro
Prejudice against Color—Is called to Pray with a Man and his
Wife—Educated and Illiterate Ministers—A Preparation for the
Ministry—A Tour to the North Pert of the Stale. page 108
• CHAPTER IX.
1822—The Death of an Old Saint—His Labors in Huntington—Re¬
vival Interest—He Baptizes Several—Attends the Huntington Quar¬
terly Meeting—Preaches at Jerico—Prejudice against his Color—
Returns to Huntington—His Visit to the Grove—His Labors in
Randoloh—A Powerful Revival in Randolph and Brookfield. p. 136
CHAPTER X.
1823—The Revival Continues in Randolph, Brookfield, and Redfield
—He leaves to Attend the Huntington Quarterly Meeting—He and
Elder Pope Engages in a Series of Meetings—Visits Enosburg—
Meets with Opposition in Wellingford—Organizes a Free Will
Baptist Church in Enosburg—Visits New York—Spends the Year
in a Glorious Revival in the Enosburg Quarterly Meeting, p. 157
CHAPTER XI.
1824—His Labors in the different Quarterly Meetings—He goes to
Canada—Enjoys a Revival in Enosburg—Organizes another Free
; Will Baptist Church in that Town. page 175
CHAPTER XII.
Elder Bowles continues to labor in the several Quarterly Meetings
in Vermont—Sent a Messenger to the several Churches in the
Enosburg Quarterly Meetings—A Letter to a Friend—Attends the
Enosburg Quarterly Meeting—He bears the Yearly Meeting Epis¬
tles to the several Churches—History of Jeffrey Brace—American
Slavery—Character ot some American Ministers—Death of Jeffrey
Brace. page 185
CHAPTER XIII.
From 1836 to 1843—He moves into New York—An incident on the
way—His Labors in Hopkinton and Lawrence—Several Churches
Gathered—The Fulfilment of a Curious Dream—He becomes Par¬
tially Blind—Ordination of Brother Baldwin—He Attends and
Preaches at the First Session of the St. Lawrence Yearly Meeting
—His Health Fails—His Death. page 200
CHAPTER XIV.
General Remarks. page 217
Essay on the Character and Condition of the African Race, page 227
Essay on the Fugitive Slave Law. page 269
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