kept whispering all the time, which made me bow in
reverential awe before God, and afterwards in the name
of the Lord commanded all thus, Watch therefore, for
ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the Son
of man cometh. The foolish virgins were awfully set
before me, and it appeared that individuals there would
be in the situation at the last; and I should witness
against them, having exhorted them to a preparation by
inforcing the necessity of furnishing their vessels with
spiritual oil; that is, get grace in their hearts, that their
lamps of profession may burn bright; testifying to them,
that some present, and a lamp of profession, but no oil
in their vessels, and therefore their light did not shine,
signifying now was their day of visitation; now the best
time to apply for spiritual oil in their soul and body. As
the minister was present, I observed to him, how impro-
per it was for the people to whisper while were were silent-
ly waiting on the Lord: but he made a very handsome
apology for them, by saying, They are not accustom-
ed to this manner of worship, and thought the meeting
did not begin, till the minister begun. I begged him to
reprove them, as I was not at liberty to make any re-
mark on their conduct, having to exhort them to the pur-
suit of righteousness, by an ample supply of grace, which
was free for all, who sought the Lord while He may be
found.
We got safe home, and I feel thankful that the God
of Jacob preserved our
lives; and I am fully satisfied with
my journey, and can assign a sufficient
reason at the close
of this day, why I was stopped on the road, which I
have
learnt from an Indian, who has come to inquire, Why I
did not
go to Stockbridge, four miles off,
yesterday? as
the hunters, and the fishing Indians stayed at
home, hav-
ing being informed, that I intended going there; which was
a
mistake from some who took a wrong message. In all
my ways may I acknowledge
the Hand of Jehovah, which
guards my naked head.