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.