At the age of twenty-one I went to an adjoining town and (worked for
J. Bracket, at my trade, making barrels at thirty-six cents each, two
was allowed to be a day's work, I often made three; paid one dollar and
twenty-five cents per week for board), here I lived and toiled nearly
three years; when in my twenty-fourth year, I was married to Mary Ann
Slade of Hoosick, and finding her just with the key of my safe, I did
her intrust. My wife, soon after we were married, joined the church,
and in the spring we set up housekeeping in my father's house, and I
worked for him at my trade that year, in the spring of 1837, my father
gave up the coopering business for a time and I set up the trade for
myself in the town of Pittstown. (This year I made 1000 flour barrels,
sold them to Van Alstyne & Co., at Melville.)
In the spring of 1838, moved to Hoosick near Potterhill, bought me a
team, employed hands and carried on my business more extensively; by
our industry, economy within doors and out, we added a little to our
temporal wealth. Still holding our place in the church and attending
to the ordinances of the Lord's house, nothing seemed to mar our peace
and future prospects. Whilst we were living at this place our pastor
visited one day and introduced to me the subject of preaching, and said
he thought it was my duty to preach, I told him I had never made up
my mind to that effect, but he insisted upon it, saying he would give
out an appointment next Wednesday evening at brother Heart Philipses
(convert a man against his will, he is the same unbeliever still), I
consequently met the appointment, but it was not a self-will duty under
the guidance of the holy spirit, and I knew but little better what to
do than a thief would in an apothecary shop, I could pray and exhort; I
think if I have any spiritual gift it is exhortation and prayer.
A few weeks elapsed and I learned the Church had granted me license
voluntarily without my request or knowledge. Now, I felt under
obligations to do something, to go forward was a great work, to
disobey the man-made call seemed then almost like denying my Lord, and
thus I labored on; sometimes it seemed I pleased the Lord, sometimes
men, and sometimes the devil.
I was also advised by the preacher to suspend my little flourishing
trade and go to study which I did, spending some hundred dollars for
learning, which was almost impossible for a man of my constitution to
obtain, having used all the money I had in my own hands--I could not
get what I had loaned (for it was finally lost), I gave up my study and
again went to work to support myself and family. Shortly after this my
father died, leaving me more cares and difficulties to overcome.
Afflictions, though they seem severe, often work out a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I felt keenly the loss of my
kind father and more than ever I now appreciated the good advice
and the beneficial lessons he taught me in his life-time, for they
restrained me from outbreaking sins and have led me to seek an interest
in Christ which now gave me consolation in this hour of trial and
affliction. After the death of my father our family were scattered far
and wide, one brother in California, two brothers and a sister in the
far west, one gone to his long home to meet our dear parents, while the
remaining two and myself are living in our native town.
After the death of my father, which took place in February, 1842, and
27th day, I occupied one of my father's farms, until it was sold. While
living upon this farm, in 1843, our only daughter and child was born,
and soon after I graduated from my high asylum-school and came home,
she was married to Mr. J. H. Tucker, and is now living in the pleasant
little village of Hoosick Falls.
I am now living within the sound of the church-going bell in the
above-named village, and I can truly say since I have been restored to
my family and friends and society, I feel like a bird escaped from the
fowler's snare, and I can truly say I have enjoyed life better since my
return than in my youthful days. Little do men know how to appreciate
the blessings a bountiful Creator bestows upon them until they are
deprived of them.
By this time the reader is aware that I have written to a considerable
length upon my former life, bringing to mind many important things
that may be of use to the young and rising generation, if reduced to
practice, especially the one thing needful that Mary chose, which shall
never be taken from her.
May every one that have not as yet chosen Christ and the good part,
make up their minds without delay; and may those who have faith that
works by love and purifies the heart, continue steadfast unto the end,
that they may receive a crown of life and enter into the city through
the pearly gates and bask in the sunshine and behold the Saviour's face
forever is the prayer of the author.