fatigues of the day, he made a practice of pursuing till a late hour at night. Energy, and the habit of finishing what he undertook, was a prominent trait in his early character. He rather delighted in difficult, not to say hazardous enterprizes, and usually achieved them with alacrity and success. He made many attempts to pursue his studies regularly, which he was obliged as often to relinquish. Application of a few weeks, seemed entirely to derange his bodily system, and impress the marks of disease upon his countenance. But his desire to obtain an education was insatiable, and the thought of abandoning it forever was revolting to his feelings. At this time he had no very definite object of pursuit for after life, but was resolved to obtain a livelihood by his education. He was at length permitted to finish his course of preparatory study, and entered Yale College, in the year 1816. His attention was called to the concerns of his soul previously to this event, while pursuing his studies at Sharon; and he saw himself a ruined sinner, with nothing to screen him from the divine displeasure. It was not long, in the judgment of charity, before he had laid down the weapons of his rebellion, submitted to Jesus, and found peace in believing. Afterward, clouds of darkness and doubt were for a season resting upon his mind, and his hope was shaken. He was even made to tremble on the brink of despair. But by degrees the clouds vanished, and the Sun of Righteousness again broke into his soul. united with the church in Yale College was graduated with the class of 1820 and pursued his theological studies with the Rev. Joseph Harvey in Goshen. During the whole period of his sedentary life, he suffered much from ill health; his countenance always in

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dicating that some disease preyed upon his constitution. But he permitted it not to be increased by imaginary ills. Disorders, which would have consigned others to their graves, prompted him to action as their best remedy. He was accustomed to look much at the leadings of Divine Providence. Hence he seemed to himself, called to the journeyings and fatigues of a missionary, in order to preserve his life, and establish his health. His labours in Vermont greatly contributed to this object.

In June 1822, he was licensed as a candidate for the gospel ministry, by the North Association of Litchfield County. Shortly after, an acquaintance was formed with the writer of this sketch, who, being convinced that an "excellent spirit was in him," proposed that in a few weeks Mr. B. should accompany him to Vermont, and in the mean time that application should be made to the Directors of the Juvenile [now Domestic] Missionary Society for a commission to labour in the northwestern counties, bordering upon Lake Champlain. Mr. B. had heard of this Society, and declared himself deeply interested in its operations. He said the leadings of Providence seemed to direct him that way, and he expressed a willingness after consultation with his friends, if they thought it advisable, to labour in this field. A rich harvest had then been recently gathered, in those places where ministers were settled, and the compassion of both ministers and private Christians was moved for the souls perishing for lack of vision, in the destitute towns, interspersed among them and on their borders.

By the last of July, Mr. Baldwin had entered the missionary service with all the zeal which had characterized his early pursuits; and though in feeble health and subject to violent attacks of disease,

he was never heard to complain, or speak a desponding word.

During the first ten weeks he laboured principally in the towns of Cambridge and Underhill: he also visited Shelburne, Coit's-Gore and Fletcher: preached thirtyseven sermons; attended twenty other meetings, and visited fortyseven families, besides assisting at an installation. His activity led him to every place where duty seemed to call, and especially where he might obtain counsel in regard to the furtherance of his work. Considering the small number of sermons he had previously prepared, his efforts during this period were such, as led the Directors of the Society, in their meeting when the Journal was given in, to speak of them with astonishment. He attended the annual meeting of the Society at Rutland, though at a distance from his scene of labour, received appointment for further service, and instructions respecting the fields of his exertions. These instructions were rather peculiar, being named very much to accord with the wishes which Mr. B. had expressed to a member of the Board: viz. that he should not be confined to a particular place, unless there appeared to be an immediate prospect of a revival of religion there, and in case such a prospect did appear, that the place should not be left, although the proportion of time allotted to it should have expired. It was not his wish to go from place to place, without having accomplished something. To be made the instrument of saving souls from eternal death, seemed to be his great object and his leading passion.

In the annual Report to the Society in September 1823, is the following statement. "Mr. Baldwin has performed the term of service assigned him, very much to the satisfaction of the Directors, and

to the edification of many feeble churches."

By his Journal of 27 weeks, returned in April, it appears that his field of labour was in Underhill, Cambridge, and Coit's-Gore. The spirit of the Lord seemed in a special manner to accompany his labours, and in each of these places some were made the subjects of renewing grace.

"In Coit's-Gore," he says in his journal, "a gradual and interesting work of divine grace has been going on during the greatest part of my mission. Sixteen persons have expressed hopes. For many years past, fishing, hunting, and visiting have been practised on the Sabbath, by a great part of the inhabitants, with but little, if any restraint. Profaneness and gambling were carried to an alarming height. There was only one person in the place belonging to a congregational church, when meetings were first established. I preached in this place every third Sabbath, and also had a stated meeting every week. The people came together in crowds. The first religious impressions that seemed to be lasting, originated in a meeting of inquiry. A man about thirty-five years of age, came to the meeting out of curiosity, to see how it was conducted, and an arrow of conviction reached his heart. He went home in distress, and for the first time prayed in his family. A few days after he found peace in believing. From that time the work spread and increased, and it became very evident that God was there, by the special influences of his Holy Spirit. In the meetings which I attended, there were no outcries, or great bursts of animal feeling, but an awful stillness usually pervaded the assembly. A congregational church has been organized, consisting of twelve members: seven males, and five females."

The term of service for the last sixteen weeks, just now completed, says the Report above mentioned, has been performed in Colchester and Shelburne.

"In Colchester, the hearts of Christians were warmed and animated by a spiritual influence, followed by a precious harvest. The work was short but very interesting. The number of hopeful conversions is about thirty-five. Three individuals of this number belong to adjacent towns. They came to Colchester to spend a few days, and attend our meetings, and went home rejoicing in hope. In the afternoon of the first Sabbath that I preached in this place, there were evident tokens of the divine presence in the midst of the assembly the impenitent appeared to tremble, and Christians were encouraged. From that time the work increased for about ten weeks and then gradually declined. The first hopeful convert was an aged man, a native of Ireland, in the ninety-second year of his age. He came to this country in the revolutionary war, and was a soldier during its continuance. He had been noted for his profanity and wickedness the change effected in him, appears to be very great and wonderful. He appears to have become a humble and devout Christian. The greatest number of hopeful conversions during any one week was six or seven. Nine of those who have expressed hopes have already united with the congregational church.

"The first Sabbath I spent in Shelburne, at the close of worship, the members of the church were requested to tarry until after the congregation had retired. It was then proposed that a prayer meeting should be appointed for the special object of praying for the outpourings of the Spirit of God upon that place. A meeting was accordingly appointed. The church assembled al

most to an individual. It was truly a favoured time. It was evident that God was there, by the special influences of his Spirit. They who were present seemed willing to adopt the resolution "Let us rise up and build." In a few days from that time, sinners were heard making the inquiry, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Four persons have expressed hopes; and a considerable number appear to have serious impressions. The last meeting that I attended in this place, was peculiarly solemn and interesting."

In the history of Mr. Baldwin's labours, we are now come to an important era. Having been nearly two years a candidate for the gospel ministry, he began to look forward to the solemnities of ordination. As he was willing still, to serve as a Missionary among the destitute in Vermont, it was his wish, and it was judged proper by the friends of the Missionary Society that he should be ordained as an evangelist. He therefore for a little time, devoted himself to a review of systematic theology, preparatory to examination. During this time the character of his mind, and the habitual state of his social and religious affections were exhibited without disguise. The qualities also were disclosed, which peculiarly fitted him to be a missionary-respect and attention to the feelings of every one, inoffensiveness and carefulness in little things, and freedom from singularities, which made him an agreeable inmate of every house. Where he once called, and conversed on the subject of religion, his visits were commonly desired again. His rapidity of thought, and aptness of illustration,. from the every day occurrences of life, and the common objects around him, gave peculiar advantage in his unwritten discourses, to awaken and fix the attention, and bear upon the con

sciences of the very auditory before him. The elements and essentials of divine truth, but especially of Christian duty, were wrought into the constitution of his soul, and the habits of his life. During the first part of this cessation from missionary labours on week days, (for he still spent his Sabbaths gratuitously at Shelburne,) in the intervals of relaxation from study, and especially at his meals, he allowed himself to indulge in that pleasantry and glow of social feeling, which, when properly chastened by Christian principle, is so grateful and useful to literary men. But toward the latter part, he became deeply thoughtful and anxious, would frequently chide himself as an unprofitable servant, and literally sighed to be again upon the missionary field.

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Being providentially disappointed of ordination at the time and place expected, he made the reflection that it would be all for the best," and the same day, the door opening for him to enter Ferrisburg, he there resumed his work with systematic and zealous efforts. Soon his labours in Shelburne were brought to a close, by the increasing demand for service on the new fallow ground, which, hitherto uncleared and unsown, he was now attempting to break up. Nine in all, were reckoned the fruit of his labours in Shelburne, some of whom are now pillars in their little Zion. Respecting his first exertions at Ferrisburg, his journal, quoted by the Directors of the Society says;-"The gracious influences of the Spirit have been shared in some small degree. Soon after I came to this place, the number in our meetings rapidly increased. A peculiar stillness pervaded the assembly, and solemnity seem ed to clothe every countenance. Strong hopes were entertained that God was about to appear in his mighty power to build up Zion:

but in his holy and righteous sovreignty, things were ordered otherwise. There have been a few cases of hopeful conversion. From persons, mostly belonging to congregational churches in the neighbouring towns, a church has been organized consisting of twenty three members. Public worship is now regularly attended on the Sabbath, and a great change appears to be taking place in the religious character of the town." It was while labouring at this place, on the 21st January 1824, that he was ordained as an evangelist, by the Northwestern Association of Vermont, at their meeting in the town of Essex, County of Chittenden, near the centre of his former labours. As public notice had been given of the expected event, many people from the destitute towns, where he had "gone preaching the gospel of the kingdom, came together to see him who had "cared for their souls," and to witness the solemnities of the scene. By an officer of the Missionary Society, present on the occasion, he was directed to continue doing what he had already begun to do:-to visit the destitute in their habitations, talk with them by their fire sides, collect them in little circles of inquiry respecting the soul's salvation, preach the gospel to them, and to "know nothing among them, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." In doing this with singleness and simplicity of heart, he was encouraged to think that the Holy Spirit would give efficacy to his ministrations, and grant him the happiness of those who turn many to righteousness, and who shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and the stars for ever and ever.

From this time our missionary seemed fully equipped for the service, and his zeal received a new impulse. Soon his labours were commenced in Monkton, a destitute town adjacent to Ferrisburg,