of that unction which renders ministerial labor pleasant and beneficial.'

On the 29th of August, Waterville College conferred upon Mr. Davis the honorary degree of Master of Arts.

September 20th. At Boston Baptist Association, at Charlestown. The most solemn and impressive scene was reserved for the afternoon, when, after a moving discourse from Rev. J. Park, about four or five hundred communicants sat down and commemorated the Saviour's death at his table. Rev. Messrs. Leland, Grafton, and Bolles, administered. Our hearts overflowed with gratitude and love, our eyes were suffused with the tears of mingled joy and penitence, and we were reminded of the general association above. Never shall I forget this season of "refreshing from the presence of the Lord."

In the autumn of this year my occasional labours at Reading, about four miles from my home, were greatly blessed in the commencement and advancement of a revival. Several seals were added to my ministry, and the little Baptist Church received a very considerable accession of numbers and strength. No harvest joy can equal this.

On the 25th day of December, we entered our new dwelling-house on the Common. It cost me, including the land, $1898.23.

In the winter of 1828, by the request of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, I visited Maine and attended the anniversaries of several auxiliaries. I was absent from home thirty-three days; preached nearly thirty times, and endeavored by various means to promote the cause of missions. This tour gave me an op

portunity to see many new places, to enlarge my ac quaintance with Christians, and to visit the places in which I resided in childhood."

Diary January 15th, 1828. "Heard this morning that a Universalist who heard me last evening, said the sermon rang through his ears all night, and I could but desire it may ring through his heart all day.

I learned from several sources that ministers had been the unhappy instruments of breaking down Primary Societies-in some instances by intimating that the money raised for missions ought to be given for their own support; (O may the Lord preserve me from such avarice) and in others, from neglect to encourage their people in acts of benevolence. My heart was pained with such facts. How, thought I, can these ministers consent to live on money due to the miserable heathen?

March 24th. My mind has recently been affected with trembling anxiety respecting the sad condition of those who are in their sins, especially the youth, who, I find, are universally given to vanity, and embracing infidelity and false doctrine. O may the Lord pour his holy Spirit upon them, and bring them to the knowledge, love, and practice of the truth.

June 11th. I could not be contented in any place where missions are treated with indifference.

12th. Called on the venerable Dr. Gano, whom I found evidently approaching the end of his journey, but in possession of a mind calmly acquiescing in the will of God, and supported by that Gospel which he had so long, and with so much success, proclaimed to others. He seemed like an old veteran soldier, worn out in the service of his King, and patiently waiting for his full

L

discharge. The interview was one of great solemnity, and concluded by the evening hymn, and prayer.

July 12th. Precisely at 12 o'clock at night, one of my boarders, Miss Jane Kimball, expired.

The hour in connexion with the solemn event, reminded me of a passage in the parable of the ten virgins; "At midnight there was a cry made, Behold the Bride-groom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

August 23d. My venerable friend and father in Israel, the Rev. Dr. Gano, is no more. He died on Monday, the 18th instant. He rests from his labours. O may I, like him, be solemn, pungent, faithful, and successful in my ministry. He had many official difficulties; but he remained firm and unwavering in his attachment to the doctrine of the cross. Few men have given to the world a better example of genuine godliness, or been more useful to the Church of God.

The respective instances of mortality among the ministers of Christ, with whom I was acquainted, ought to excite me to greater zeal, diligence, and fidelity. While I continue on earth, I do desire to be beneficial to the souls of men; but I am sensible of sad deficiencies, especially in Christian ardour.

During the May session of the Massachusetts Legislature, an Act of incorporation for the South Reading Academy, was obtained; and on the 18th of September, 1828, it was opened with appropriate services. I offered the opening prayer. Seeing the actual accomplishment of an object, concerning which, my desires, cares, toils, and prayers had so long been employed, I was affected to tears. This was indeed to me and to my friends, a day of gladness and encouragement. The

Address was delivered by the Rev. H. Malcom of Bos

ton.

September 28th. I have a calmness of mind for the greater part of the time; but I fear it arises from stupidity. May the Lord enable me to maintain a close walk with him, and hold my mind in perfect peace in consequence of being stayed on him. I desire to be prepared for calamities with respect to myself or family, and for death, the end of earthly woes. Faith in Christ will give this preparation. The most I can say is, O that I may say it in tears, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief."

December 24th. My mind has recently been very much strengthend by the triumphant death of sister Mansfield. She was not only resigned and submissive, but happy in the midst of extreme suffering. She was the first of the converts who joined the Church militant, that has been called to the Church triumphant, and her death was such as we could desire. O the excellency of the Gospel. Mine be the privilege to preach it while I live, and to be consoled by its promises when I die.

March 17th, 1829. This day I am 32 years old. In review of the past years of my life, I have much to lament-especially my apathy in the cause of God since I have professed to be his servant. The future is all unknown, and I desire to make a renewed surrender of myself to him who hitherto hath helped me "and who well knows all that awaits me." "Time is short." May this be my motto in all future life; and with it, may I remember with constancy and effect, the wise injunction of Solomon, "What thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might."

In the spring of 1829, I received an invitation from Hartford to assist the Rev. William Bentley, labouring there in a revival. I arrived at Hartford, April 24th, and preached on the following Sabbath, and spent several days very pleasantly in visiting and attending religious meetings among the people in the city and vicinity.

29th. Visited the Infant School in Hartford, and was highly pleased with the manifestation of skill on the part of the instructress, and of intelligence and docility on the part of the children. While hearing them sing, I was deeply affected, and reminded of the lines of Watts.

I also visited the Asylum for the deaf and dumb. Here I was still more interested. The Principal, though it was vacation, had the kindness to take two of his pupils, and show me the mode of teaching the unfortunate but interesting mutes. He also communicated several facts, to me new. He said that in the United States there were between four and five thousand deaf and dumb-that not more than a hundred that had come to the Asylum, had any idea of God, and not one knew that he or she had a soul. The building is spacious, and the location fine.

On the 9th of May, 1829, I received an unanimous call from the Baptist Church and Society in Hartford, Connecticut."

Some of Mr. Davis' feelings and views in relation to