Abner Jones - 07-Beginning to Take up the Cross
Beginning to Take up the Cross
Before I found much, if any relief in my mind, I could not get rid of these thoughts, viz. I do not know but I shall have to preach, in some future period. These thoughts I treated as temptations, and drove them from my mind as much as possible; they however followed me almost continually. As I often attended conference meetings, I began first to feel impressions to pray, then to speak, &c. When I took up the cross, I found a small blessing. When I shunned the cross, I felt an awful condemnation.
I now began to feel impressed in mind to pray in my school, which cross I took up, and found a blessing in it. I now, began to feel the duty of baptism impress on my mind. This was the latter part of winter, or spring.
It was now I was haunted with the thoughts of preaching more and more, insomuch that I was really afraid I should have to preach; but I would not have mentioned it to any person for the world.
About this time my mother and I were conversing on religion; and she told me she had thoughts I should be a preacher. This surprised me indeed, to think that any other person should have such thoughts about me.
After I closed my school, for a number of weeks, I endeavored to work a little at farming, but my health would not admit of but very little of that kind of exercise. Finding my health so miserable, I determined to take a journey to the eastward, into the State of New-Hampshire, where there had been a great work of the Lord under the preaching of Joshua Smith. On the ninth of June, A.D. 1793, I was baptized by Elder Elisha Ransom, in Woodstock near the north meeting-house. I submitted to this ordinance as a command of the Lord, although I had but a very little feeling sense of it, for I felt the weight of this scripture, the rebellious shall dwell in a dry land. On Monday, the tenth of June, I took my journey on foot, with a budget of clothes on my back, notwithstanding my low state of health. The first day of my journey, I travelled seven miles; the second day I travelled fourteen miles; the third day, I travelled twenty-four miles, which brought me to Grafton, where I had an aunt living.
I tarried at Grafton four days, and on the fifth proceeded on to New Salisbury, twenty-two miles; here I found Elder Elias Smith preaching, with whom I had been formerly acquainted. Here I found a glorious work of reformation going on under Elder Smith’s preaching. In this place I tarried one day. Elder Smith preached and baptized. Here I had opportunity of forming an agreeable acquaintance with a number of young converts. I now felt my soul more delivered from doubts and fears, and seemed as though I could rejoice with them that do rejoice. The impression about preaching continued to grow upon me daily. But I kept it concealed as much as possible June twentieth, I left the pleasing company of Elder Smith, and the young converts at New Salisbury, proceeded through Boscawen, and New-Concord, to Esq. Bryant’s, in Bow, twenty miles. Here I met with my old friend, Richard Ransom Smith, brother to Elder E. Smith at New Salisbury. Here, also I met with Joshua Smith, whom I never had seen before.--In Esq. Bryant’s family I found several young converts also. From Bow I proceeded on to Deerfield; here I found Elder Peak preaching, whom I had often heard in Vermont, but it appeared to me that he had lost much of his engagedness, and was conforming to the world. Here I tarried two days, after which I proceeded on to Brentwood, to Mrs. Judkins, eighteen miles, where I tarried until the next day. From Brentwood I proceeded to Exeter, to brother Josiah Perkins, twelve miles. In Exeter I tarried two days, and found a number of brethren. From Exeter I proceeded on to Northhill, to the sea shore. In this neighborhood I continued about ten days, living mainly on fish and salt water, and bathing in the same. This proved of great use to my health, I found that I was gaining strength daily, and for the greater part of the time since, I have enjoyed an increasing state of health.
After this I returned to Ezeter and visited Stratham, where had been a glorious work of the Lord. In Stratham I tarried over Lord’s day, and heard Elders Hooper and Crocket preach. After this I returned back through Exeter and Brentwood, to Raymond, here I found brother Uriah Smith, who was just beginning to preach, I travelled in company with him, and visited the people in Epping and Stratham.
After this, I returned on my way towards Vermont. I called at New Salisbury, and tarried several days in company with my old friend, Elder Smith and the young converts. Here I had opportunity of having several good meetings. From New Salisbury, I returned to Bridgewater on the second day of August. While I was gone this journey, I saw much of God’s goodness and I hope felt something of it; but still I felt the impression of preaching with greater weight on my mind than ever.