which his church so far practically assented, as to exclude him for breach of covenant. During the commotion which this affair produced at Rehoboth, he took a journey into New-Hampshire and Vermont; and on returning, stopped at Grafton, Mass. where he preached to the astonishment of those that attended. When arrived at Rehoboth, finding the difficulties had not subsided, he called a council to mediate between him and his church. The result was, the council declared that he had left an error to embrace the truth; and the people declared the contrary. Accordingly Mr. Winchester then joined the Baptist church in Bellingham, Mass. of which Elder Noah Alden was minister. About this time he renounced his Arminian sentiments, avowed the system of the celebrated Baptist Dr. Gill, and soon became considered one of the most thorough Calvinist preachers in the country."

In the early part of 1772, Mr. Winchester removed to Grafton, where he preached through the summer. His labors were successful in the conversion of about thirty in that place, and in the neighboring towns of Northbridge and Upton. The years 1773 and '4, he spent in Hull and various other places. His preaching in his native town was attended with success. Most of the church to which he formerly belonged, and of which his father was a member, received his sentiments and became Baptists. A church of that order was established in the adjoining town of Newton, which is still in existence.

He now concluded to visit the South, and in the autumn of this year (1774) set out for Charleston S. C. After a short detention at Hopewell N. J. where he was inoculated for the small pox, he continued his journey to the place of destination. Whether he preached in Charleston is uncer

tain. Probably he did. Shortly after his arrival at this place, he received an invitation from the Baptist Church at Welch Neck on the Great Pee Dee river, about sixty milesfrom Georgetown, to become its pastor. This he accepted, and after remaining a few months, returned to Massachusetts for his wife. In the month of October 1775, he commenced his removal. And now was the beginning of sorrow.. Sickness entered his family. When he reached Fairfax county, Va. Mrs. Winchester was unable to proceed. He left her in the care of a friend, and went on to his charge at Welch Neck, where he spent the winter. In the following spring (April 1776) he returned to convey her to his new residence. But he returned too late. He never saw her more. When he arrived, her mortal remains were reposing in the grave! He did not go immediately back, but proceeded on to Massachusetts. He came to Boston, and during the summer supplied the pulpit of the first Baptist church in the absence of their pastor, the late Dr. Stillman. In the course of the summer he married Miss Sarah Peck, of Rehoboth, the scene of his early ministerial troubles. In the autumn he returned to his people at Welch Neck. His return was hailed with joy. The divine blessing followed his labors. An interesting revival soon after occurred, and about forty were baptized. Among the number was Mrs. Winchester. Happiness now pervaded the domestic circle; but it was only for a brief season. Scarcely had hope put forth its buds of promise, when they were blighted by the frost of disappointment. Death once more severed the nuptial tie, and in less than a year from his marriage, he was again bereaved! Soon after this afflictive event, he was attacked by a fever which brought him to the verge of the grave. But God, who in

sources.

pleased to sanctify his A continued course of

judgment remembers mercy, was dealings to the sufferer's benefit. prosperity tends to weaken our sense of dependence,-to make us forgetful of the sustaining hand of God,—and to induce an undue confidence in our own powers and reUnmindful of the Creator,-we become proportionately regardful of the creature, and contemplating more the present, and less the future, the praise of man is soon paramount with the approbation of heaven. Mr. Winchester was an eloquent and popular preacher—multitudes flocked to hear him-extraordinary success attended his ministry and his name was celebrated in all the churches. Under these circumstances, it would be strange were he found indifferent to public opinion. With his wonted frankness, he assures us he was not. Up to the period of his present affliction, he was both gratified with, and cherished a desire for, popular applause. But now, as he

O'er a dying friend in anguish hung,

his wayward affections were recalled, and fixed on Him in whose favor alone is life. The chastening was for his profit. He felt it as such. Self-esteem was humbled,vanity subdued, and realizing his own impotency, he was ready

"To lean on Him on whom arch-angels lean;"

and sensible that

"Heav'n gives us friends to bless the present scene,

Resumes them to prepare us for the next,"

he, to adopt his own sentiment, was from this time "crucified to popular applause forever."

The residue of this year Mr. Winchester continued ministering to the people of his charge. The next year, 1778, he visited Virginia, where he spent the summer in

travelling and preaching with distinguished success. In the autumn he returned to Welch Neck. Here, the chalice of affliction, of which he had twice drank deeply, was again presented to his lips. His third wife, to whom he was married the early part of this year, sickened and died.* She appears to have been a woman of amiable temper and fervent piety. To her, Mr. W. was tenderly attached, and her decease filled his heart with corresponding grief. "Amidst a consuming pain of ten or eleven days, her mind rose to a high state of devotional joy; and her example and conversation served to abstract her husband from the common objects of life, and to concentrate all his powers on the work of the ministry." He preached and exhorted with a zeal and singleness of motive that

*Her name before marriage was Sarah Luke. A remarkable Providence followed Mr. W's matrimonial alliances. He was afterwards twice married, and at the age of thirty-two was four times a widower! As this is an event of an unusual character, we have thought it might be interesting to furnish a brief table of his respective unions, &c. We give it below.

His first marriage was with Alice Rogers, of Rowley, Mass. in 1770. He lived with her five years and eight months. She died in Fairfax Co. Va., April 1776.

His second marriage was with Sarah Peck, of Rehoboth, Mass. some time in 1776. He lived with her less than a year. She died at Welch Neck, Va. 1777.

His third marriage was with Sarah Luke, above mentioned, of South Carolina, in 1778. He lived with her less than a year. She died at Welch Neck, Va. of mortification in her breast, 1779. Mr. W. speaks of her as 66 one of the sweetest tempered women he ever saw.'

His fourth marriage was with Mary Morgan (a widow) in Philadelphia, 1781. She was a pious woman. He lived with her one year

and nine months. She died in 1783.

His fifth marriage was with Maria Knowles, a widow, in 1784 or 35. It is thought she belonged to Philadelphia. He lived with her until his decease. This connexion was unhappy.

After the death of his fourth wife, he was advised by his friends to refrain from farther matrimonial connexion; but he thought it important that a clergyman should be married, that he might avoid reproach, &c. His first wife was the mother of four children-his second two-his fourth two. One only was born living, and that a daughter of the first wife. She was named Reconcile, and lived but seventeen months. She died Sept. 20, 1773.

could not fail of effect. A revival commenced, and in a few months about 140 whites were added to his church. He addressed himself also to the poor blacks. His known opposition to slavery recommended him to their favorable attention, and before the next June (1779) one hundred of them were baptized. "This" says he, was a summer of great success, and I shall remember it with pleasure while I live." His prayers and exhortations, however, had in their fervor, far exceeded the narrow limits of Calvinism, to which he had strictly confined himself for several years. Before he was aware, he was preaching a general provision, and a universal call; the very sentiment which he had formerly renounced for that of Dr. Gill: and he actually made such progress in the doctrine of salvation as to be fully persuaded that the number of the saved would fully equal, if not exceed that of the lost. This belief he not only avowed in private, but proclaimed with joy to his crowded congregations, which usually consisted of nearly a thousand persons. It is worthy of remark, that his most successful efforts in the conversion of men from sin to holiness, were made under the influence of universal atonement. "I was gradually led into this way of preaching (he observes) without considering anything about its consistency with strict Calvinism, but finding myself ever happy ́ and comfortable in my own mind, and that this method of preaching was highly useful, I continued to go in the same course." And we may also add, that the spirit of this doctrine-the doctrine of the Restoration,-is manifested in all the benevolent plans of the day. We see it in our houses of Reformation,-in our Associations for the relief of the sons and daughters of penury and disease-in our combinations for the melioration of human wretchedness