talent to the service of his Master, and from the very beginning of his career, resolved to "make full proof of his ministry and do the work of an evangelist." He was first employed by the Presiding Elder on Galliopolis circuit in Ohio. He left Charleston, November 29th, 1833, and on the Tuesday night following, he preached within the bounds of his first circuit. He was from the commencement of his itinerant ministry, "abundant in labor," often preaching nine sermons a week, and meeting six classes immediately after the pulpit service. In closing his labors on this circuit, he mentions in his journal of having preached "FORTY SERMONS IN LESS THAN SIX WEEKS."

HIS SECOND MARRIAGE.

CHAPTER IX.

While traveling on the Galliopoles circuit he was united in marriage by Rev. Robert O. Spencer, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Col. Andrew Lervis, of Mason county, Virginia, Dec. 26th, 1833. The light in which Mr. Baldwin viewed his second marriage at this early period in his ministry may be fully learned from the following affectionate letter to the mother of his first wife. To Mrs. Agnes M. Truslow, of Charleston, Va. DECEMBER 27, 1838.

Dear Mother:-I hope you will allow me still to address you by that title-not as a son in the church, but as one who feels for you the same love he ever did, while the common object of his and your affection was living, and before any new tie had been created, to attach his feelings to any other. As you have been led to expect,

105

I am again married. The ceremony was performed last night by Rev. R. O. Spencer, in the presence of many witnesses. I bless the Lord, I then felt, as I have often felt before and still feel, that this solemn event was not only with His approbation, but was ordered and appointed by him. Of this I have received too many tokens, to leave me, for a moment, in doubt. It is now four weeks since I left you, and I can safely say I have felt more of the love of God and enjoyed more peculiar manifestations of his presence, during this period, than any other, in the brief course of my religious life. On Monday morning last, in secret prayer, I had a bright vision of heaven, a foretaste of the joys of the blessed, and was enabled to realize that God is love to be swallowed up in the boundless ocean of his love. On Tuesday, I asked the Lord to direct me on opening the bible, to a chapter for family prayer, in reading which, I might find something peculiarly appropriate to myself, and I opened on the fifty-first chapter of Isaiah, the seventh and sixteenth verses of which, came

DIVINE GUIDANCE.

107

home, with peculiar blessings to my soul. "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." "And I have put my words into thy mouth." With the same view, and after the same request, I opened the book for a hymn:

O tell me no more of this world's vain store, The time for such trifles with me now is o'er, A country I have found where true joys abound, To dwell I am determined on that happy ground. My faith increasing, I asked for a text for that day, and opened on St. Luke, 20: 42, 43."The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool," a subject entirely new to me, but the Lord gave me uncommon liberty, and we had a melting time, both under the sermon and in class. Having to preach again at night, I ventured once more upon the Lord, and opened on Romans 11: 29. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." But the subject appearing not to be suited to the occasion, and

feeling unprepared to preach from it, I chose another text, but the Lord was not with me to bless me. Wednesday, still reluctant to obey and afraid again to venture upon the Lord, I chose another subject but was completely cut off from all communion with the people, and we had a dry time. Tuesday, I determined to take

up the text and throw myself upon the Lord, having frequently prayed him, that if my contemplated marriage was with his approbation, he would that day help me, and give us a weeping time. And my prayer was fully answered-most of my hearers were deeply affected, and several wept freely. To-day my faith being strong, I once more ventured upon the Lord, and while speaking from St. Matthew 25: 22.-"He also that had received two talents came, and said, Lord thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold I have gained two other talents besides them," the Lord answered my prayer and gave me to know that he approved of the solemn transactions of last evening by opening the hearts of the people and granting us another