tf&sn *^ ^^MO mSTORTAX'S OFFIC& Churd r' • ; Christ &f hmtr^gy $dm South Temple St. SALT IjKKE CITY, UTAH istorian's Office Library The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vault M270.1 M1535 A xMARRAITVE OF THE LIFE OF * SOLOMON MACK. CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY SEVERE ACCIDENTS HE MET WITH DURING A LONG SERIES OF YEARS, TOGETHER. WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY MANNER IN WHICH. HE WASf CONVERTED TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A NUMBER HYMNS COMPOSED ON THE DEATH OF SEVERAL OF HIS RELATIONS. WINDSOR. ?R1NTED AT THE EXPENCE OF THE AUTHOR. I, SOLOMON MACK, was born in Con- necticut,in the town of Lime near the mouth of Connecticut River, September 26, 1735. My parents (Ebenezer and Hannah Mack,) Eben- ezer Mack departed this life in 1 yyy. He went to the door to fetch in a back-log, and return- ed after a fore-ftick and inftantly droped down dead on the floor. You may fee by this our lives are dependant on a fumpreme and inde- pendant God. Hannah Mack departed this life in 1706, with a long fit of ficknefs, me ex- perienced the power of God from an early age, with all the good morals of life, and icftruc-. ting the youth for about thirty years. She died rejoicing and wifhtng her la.fl moments to come. Rejoicing me went home to Ei5€t hi.r Father in the realms of eternal bins. My parents had a large property, and lived in good ftyle ; from various misfortunes, and the more complicated evils attendant on the depravity of the fons of men, my parents be- came poor, a-:d when 1 was tour y ars old, the family, then confining of five children, were obliged to difperfe and throw themfelves up- on the mercy of an unfeeling and evil world. I was bound out to a farmer in the neighbor- hood. As is too commonly the cafe, I was rather confidered as a Have than a membei )f the family, and, inltead of allowing me the pri* viiege of common hofpitality, and a claim to that kind protection due to the helpleft and in- digent children, I was treated by my Miller as liis property and not as his fellow mortal ; he taught me to work, and was very careful that I Ihould have little or no reft. From labour he never taught me to read or ipoke to me at all on the fubject of religion. His whole at- tention was taken upon the purfuits of the good things of this world ; wealth was his fu- preme object. I am afraid gold was his God, or rather he never converfed on any other fub- jecl, and I mull fiy he lived without God in the world, and to*all appearance God was not in his thoughts. I lived with this man (whofe name, for ma- nay reafons, I did not think proper to mention) until I was 21 years ofage lacking 2 months, when a difficulty took place between me anc? my mailer, which terminated in our feparatiori at that time. I, however,at his requeft return- ed and fulfiled the indenture ; which in con- fequence of being frequently abufed, I had found my indentures in my mailers cuftody, and 1 burnt them. My miftrefswa.5 afraid of my commencing a fuic againil them, me took me afide and told me I was fuch a fool we could not learn you. I was totally ignorant of Di- vine Revelation ; or any thing appertaining to the chriftian religion. 1 was never taught even the principles of common morality,and fee t no obligation with regard to fociety; and was born as others, like the wild afPs colt. I met with many fore accidents during the years of my minority. I had a terrible fever fore on my leg, which had well nigh proved fatal to my life, which it feeins was occafioned by a fcald that terminated in a fevere fit of ficknefs. In thefe trials my mafter was very kind to me, he procured the beft phyficians & furgeons, and provided eve- ry thing neceffary for my comfort, all which, as I fuppoie that he might again reap the benefit of my labour, for although it was thought for a time that I could not live ; yet my mafter ne- ver fpoke to me of death, judgment or eterni- ty, nor did he ever to my recollection difcover thit he himfelf had any idea that he was made to die, or that he had riei e no continuing city, or ever thought of foeking one to come. Soon after I left my mafter, I enlifted in the fervice of my country, under the command of, Capt. Henry, an was annexed to a regiment commanded by CjL Whiting. 1 marched from Connecticut to Fort Edwards ; there was a fe- vere battle fought at the half way brook, in the year 1755. I had been out a long fccut, and I ccught a bad cold and was taken fick, and remained fo all the reft of the winter, and in the fprirg 1 756, I was carried to Albany in a waggon, where I faw 5 men hung at one time. I remain- ed lick the biggeft part of the fummer. I went A 2 to Lime and purchafed a farm — in the year 1757, I muftered two teams in the King's i'or- vice for one feafon. I then went to Stillwater with the General's baggage One morning I went out to yoke up as ufual, and found there was three of my o en miffing, the officer was fo angry that he drew his (word to run me through; but immediately exclaimed, get thee out three of any you can find ; which I accor- ding y did. Then J went on with the bag- gage and arrived at Fort Edward, then I re- turned back after my oxen ; when I got about halfway I efpied at about thirty rods diftance, four Indians coming out of the woods with their tomma-hawks, fcalpin-g-knives andguns. I was alone, but about twenty rods behind me there was a man by the name of Webfter. I faw no other way to fave myfelf only to deceive them by ftratagem- I exclaimed like this— Rujh on! rujhonl Brave B.ys. wcrll have the Devils ! wSll have the D~.vils ! — I had no other weapon .only aftaff; but I ran towards them and the other man appearing in fight, gave them a terrible fright,and I faw them no more, but I am bound to fry thegrafs did not grow under my feet. I haftened to Still water and found my oxen; the fame night I returned back through the woods, alone ; which was about feven miles, the next morning I was ready to go on my journey again. From thence I went to Lake George. I followed teaming the remainder of the feafon, but by accident f w?is taken with the fmaFl pox at Albany lentruued a man to convey my teams to Litchfield, and gave him 1 5 dollar, for his fervices. But inftead of do- ing as he agreed, he went twenty miles & fold one team, then went a fhort diftance and left the other. But after I regained my health I went and bought them again and returned to Lime. Soon after I enlifted under Major Spencer, in 1758, and went over the Lakes. There was a fevere battle fought, Lord Howe was killed, his bowels were taken out and were buried, his body was embalmed and carried to England. The next day we marched to the breft-works and were obliged to retreat with the lofs of five hundred killed and as many more wound- ded ; but I efcaped very narrowly by a mufket ball palling under my chin, perhaps within half an inch of my neck. In this rencountre I had no reflection only that I thought I had by my good luck efcaped a narrow fhot. I he army returned back to Lake. George. A large faul- ting party of the enemy came round by Skeene^borough, at the half-way brook, and cut off a hrge number of pur men and teams. One thoufand of our men fet out to go to Skeen sborough after the enemy, five hundred of them were fent back, and juil as we got to South*Bay the enemy got out of our reaclu— 8 the enemy went to Ticonderoga & got recruit- ed, they then came after lis, we fcouted by "Wood.Creek. On the 13th day we got 10 Fort Ann. The centery came and told me that the enemy was all around us. Major Putnam led out the party, Maj. Rogers bro't up the rear ; marched in an Indian path three quarters of a mile — the Indians lay in a half moon ; Major Putnam went through their ranks • they fired upon us— Major Putnam was taken and tied to a tree, and an Indian would have killed him had it not been for a French Lieut, who refeu- ed his life— the enemy rofe like a cloud and fired a volley upon us, and my being in the front brought me into the rear*— I turned little to the right — the tomahawks and bullets flying around my ears like hail flones, and as I was running, 1 faw a great wind fall little forward, which ieemed impoflible for me or any other man to mount, but over i*.vent, and as I ran I looked little one fide, where I faw a man woun- ded, (the Indians clofe to him) who immediate- ly, with my help, got into the circle. Gerfhom Bowley had nine bullets fhot thro' his clothes and remained unhurt. Enfign Worcester had nine wounds, fcalped and tomahawked, who lived and got well. The battle commenced in the morning and continued until 3 o'clock, when they left us. We gathered our dead and wounded up in a ring j there was half of our men killed and wounded and taken, we fent to Fort Edward for relief Jo help carry our wounded, it being 80 in number, we made biers to carry them, many of whom died on the paffage, the diftanee being 14 miles. I was almoft beat out, but I went to Alba- ny after ftores and returned to the army. — From thence I went home, it being in the fail, and tarried through the winter. In the fpring, 1754, I fet out on another campaign. I went to Crown Foint, and there I fet up a fuller's fliop which 1 k'^pt two years, by means of a clerk I employed for that pur- pofe, nor knowing myielf how to write, or read5 to any amount, what others had written, or printed. I loft my Clerk, and not bein^ able properly to. '»*jj*£ ^£% ioil what » Iiad accumulated by ^hara indufiry for fevcral years, all for the want^of yout-hful education. After leaving the army I accumulated, by induftry, a handfome fumof filver and gold,, with-it I purchafed,in the town of Granville, fixteen hundred acres of land and paid for it en delivery of the deed, but befides I was to clear a Imall piece of land on each right and build a log houfe j but previous to this I mar- ried in the year 1^61. I then proceeded into the back country to clear me a farm, foon after I began to wos k in the woods, but unfortunately cur my leg and lay under the Doctors care the whole feafon- 10 which coft me a large fum and well nigh took my life. I underwent every thing but death^ but thought nothing of the hand that inflicted the chaftifement. My family arrived, and we were in the wildernefs and could do no buft- nefs. Previous to this, however, I freighted a veffel and went to New- York, where I fold my cargo extremely high and returning was over- taken by a gale of wind, my veffel was much damaged j but we made fhift and got to Long- lfland,and there we left the veffel. I arrived at home fometime in the winter, poor enough, the veffel did not arrive till the next fpring. Afterwards I broke my wrift, with which 1 had a great deal of pain and ex- pence j for a long time I was unable to do any labour. Though I ftill fought to make myfelf great and happy, l5 the VflJ I was educated, the Lord would not fuffer me to profper. I was not yet difcouraged. Soon after I went to Moudus and learnt of my brother-in-law how to make Salt Pet r: ; though being a crip* p'e I went to Oid Springfield and Long Mead- ows, to (how them the art of making Salt Pe- tre. I was fent for from town to town, my wages was one dollar per day ; this was in our revolutionary war- I then enlilted into che American army. 1 loon muftered two teams and carried baggage to Skecnesborough, 1 af- terwards en'ifted into a c mpiny of artille y for a fhort Campaign -f but oia my i eiujn home II I was taken lick, as foon as I recovered 1 went to fee my fon ; he was cutting trees, when un- fortunately a tree fell on me and crufhed me almoft all to pieces ; beat the breath out of my body, my fon took me up for dead, I however foon recovered, but have not to this day recov- ered the ufe of my limbs, which was 34 years ago. Hay fixty days on my back and never moved or turned to one fide or the other, the skin was worn off my baekfrom one end to the other. I was then taken by fix men in a flieet and moved, from time to time, for fixty or feventy days more ; when I was able to walk by the help of crutches, lhada man to work in a faw-mill, it got out of order, I hob- bled down to fhow him how to mend it, and by accident I fell on the water-wheel, and bruif- ed me moft horribly. I was indeed helplefs, & in dreadful pain ; confined month after month, unable to help myfelf, but at laft I was reft ore d to health j but being deftitute of property, and without my natural ftrength to get my bread, with a young and dependent family whofe daily wants were increafing, and none to ad- minifter relief. But ftrange to relate and un- accountable as it may appear to a thinking mind, I never once thought on the God of my fd vat ion, or looked up to him for blefling or protection ; I was ftupid and thoughtless.— Owing to my misfortune I could not at- tend to my contract at Granville, fo I loft all 12 my land ; however I regained my ftrength fo I could walk a lirrl and ride fide-ways. Soon after this I was wounded by a limb falling from a tree upon my head, which again nearly de- prived me of life. I was carried in wholly un- able to help myfelf. I, however, recovered a- gain ; I can fay like this, " the time of my de- parrure was not yet come, and there wis yet more trouble for me to pafs through." I afterwards was taken with a tit, when travelling, with an ax under my arm, on Wincheiler hills, the face of the land was covered with ice. I was fenfelefs from one, until five P. M. when I came to myfelf I had my ax Hill under my arm, I was all covered with blood and much cut & bruifed. When I came to my fenfes I could not tell where I had been, nor where I was going ; but by good luck I went right and arrived at the firft houfe, was under the Doctor's care all the winter. In the next place I fell feven large trees againft another, and very imprudently went to cut away the prop ; — when fuddenly the whole fell together, and I in the midft of them, this time I remain- ed unhurt ; but thought nothing of the pow- er chat protected me, (blind as ever.) Soon after I, and my two fons went out a privateering, we fhip't aboard a privateer of 114 tons, commanded by Capt. Havens, there was about eighty men on board, we *3 were chafed by five Britifh privateers ; they drove us in upon Horfe-neck, where we got fome of our guns on {hore } we brought them to bear upon the enemy, we exchanged a great many {hots; they mattered our veffel and cut away our rigging. The next day our offi- cers went up into town, and five repaired our veffel — then hauld off from the wharf — then caft anchor — every man on board went to their reft except myfelf in the month of March and very foon I efpied two Row-gallies, two {loops two fchooners ; I rallied all hands on deck ; they quick obeyed and we weighed anchor ; then hauld by the fide of the wharf but had on- ly time to get two cannon out on the point of land, and two on the ftearn of the veffel ; this engagement began in the morning — the enemy gave us a broad fide and where the bullets {truck it had the appearance of a furrow made by a plough. Staddies in gun {hot was all cut afunder ; one of the Row-gallies went round the point of land to hem us in, and they had near ran aground, but. with our finall arms we killed forty of the enemy. We fent our cabin boys up to a houfe near the fhore with a woun- ded man. Jufl as the boys entered the door there came an eighteen pounder into the houfe, and the woman was iryingcakes over the fire, Says the woman to the boys, take the cakes, and I will go1 down cellar. By our killing fo many of the enemy they thought proper to 6 14 leave u*, pleafed enough at the light ; for if we had been taken what would our punifh- ment have been but I thought nothing of futurity, which if I had considered a moment and viewed a watery grave already made, it ap- pears as if i,n uft have ihuc.dcved at the thought, my God mull have given me feme warnings of my danger, but if he did his calls I would not harden to. flhe devil had great hold on me and I ferved him well, but the Lord was with me yes, he has Supported me to this day through trials and fatigues, but now I feci to fing praifes with the celeftial bands above — How thankful my friends I am to join with chriftian friends now in my old age ; but I mult leave this fubject. Next we hoifted fail and made for New-Lon- don. After the war we freighted a veflel and went to Liverpool and {old our loading and fhipt aboard Cart Fofter's and went a fifhing voyage, and (o 1 went two voyage, and the third voyage I vva: in the cabin when I heard a rout on deck; I f prang up as quick as poflible and there be'wg a terrible hurricane as ever I faw in my life both mafts was carried overboard and if they had not wc muft all have jramd wa- tery graves ; we ought to have been thankful and bids the 1 oid ior it. Ourcapt. and all hand appeared to be greatly furprifed but we was all {pared through the'tempeft. we ought to be thankful to our God for a few mcmer.rs *5 for repentance; but we thought nothing of thefe things. The hands all left her but myfelf and my fon ; we (tuck iaft by the hull", and that night we caught 25 large fifh ; but by jury mads we worked her into Liverpool— we went on board another veiTel and failed for Halifax ; mean- while capt. Foftcr repaired his fchooner and proceeded to Halifax and there he found me ; I bought his veffel an i by pood fortune i was a- ble to p.iy the whole purchafe except eight pounds. I then took ?, freight and went to 8\ John's, and on our return to Halifax we wer« overtaken bv a~scale ot: vlna and well nigh loll. all handsj veilel and cargo. We howevet" made for Mount defert and obtained it : I was very uneafy about my property, but thought of not- hing eile. We repaired our vriid and returned to Balifax ; this wa? tire iir.ft of janr.. ary, fuch a day I never faw before nor fmce ; noihincbut eonfuiion i almcfi every failor was in toxicated. tnyfJ! artjptlgft the reft. Af- ter \ cgpne to myfeii I reflected a ij^le on fuch condixl ; refolving to amen^from fuch practi- ces, but foon I forgot amid it the buillc of the world. The next day I failed up the bay of Funday and wintered at Hawton there 1 made an a- greerobnt to take thirty paflcngcrs on board (at eight dollars per head) and carried them to t*ew- London and brought them back again in i6 the fpring ; fo I retutned to Halifax afid took in a freight of dry goods, and again failed for Hawton ; on our paffage we ftruck on a reef and employed other fmall veiTcls to take her loading and carry it to Liverpool harbour and fecure it ; and then I informed the fundry owners of the circumftance ; but I foon got my veffel oflTagiin, but it coft me one dollar an hour for each man. The coft being fo much, I was obliged to fell her to defray the expences. .Again I was left deftitute of property. I had by this time recovered my health, and ^.vas not willing lo return empty. 1 immedi- ately went to work and again obtained the fame veflU by honeft induftry. My next bufi- nefs was to follow coafting, but late in the fall I landed at falem and was taken very fick ; I lay there fome weeks when I recovered, and re- turned to my family after an abfence of four years, In which time I had not heard from them. I had very little property and my fam- ily had been turned out of doors on account of placing confidence in thofe that I took to be my friends, but by unjuft dealing they took hundreds of dollars of my property. When I went from home, lowed John Cordy at Liniet one hundred dollars, Nathaniel Peck of Lime owfid me one hundred dollars ; he gave me a note ; I gave thit note to John Cojdy to pay that debt. Nathaniel Peck went to fea aid died. John Cordy adminifter upon batiiftuiel 17 Peck's £ftate. Mr. Cordy gotj uft D.26,66 of his debt ; Mr Cordy came up here and afked me if I would let his brother Samuel take the note, I gave him leave. I then drove two yoke of oxen to Samuel M. Cordy Surry. Thofe oxen with the D.26,66 paid the debt. John Cordy at Lime did not know it, and on his death bead h e willed me half of the faid debt (his wiidow And fon figned the will) like- wife whenl was at fea SamuelM. Cordy got all the writings and turned my family out of doors. This I can prove by Abiflia Tubbes, Efq.— — Kind reader, look at the Mature of mankind, what they will do for filver and gold, but af- ter all this earth, hard labor and perplexity of mind, I had won nothing and the beft of my days were pad and gone and had to begin en* tirely anew. Inow thought ail was gone, and I did not care whether 1 lived or died* but however, I went to work and fhifted from plan to plan till at length I moved to Tunbridge in Vermont, on my paflage, I undertook driving cattle, but by accident, I fell and broke my wrift. I walked eight miles before I could get it fet, by that time I had gained fome property, altho I was all this time a cripple and afflicted with broken bones, and fore fickneffes, and fome fits. To add to all the reft, I became bail for a number of people, and all that I was bondman for, and took all T4had, I had to pay % B 18 every f?rt' in gj, and it reduced me to poverty a»ain in advanced age without th** mean* of Hrer g or any one to relieve our wants. Who ii aWe or willing to bear or burden. A few particulars \* hith w^re forgotten. As I wa- pafll >£ through '^onlllo.k, a number o^ troopers rode by in fnfte ftruckmy fi ^e, my h rfe run and fimediately fell backwards and almoft was killed, and I did not recover for a number of months. At an >thrr dme I ie 1 at«d broke my (h mldcr. At another time at Hawton, 1 wis riding in the road * boy in mak- ing his obrifince, flirted my horfe and i fell to the ground and was much bruikd. At ano'h- ^ cr time at Royakon, my lurfe fell and! through the mrrcy of God my l»fe was fpm"<i# and not much hurt; at another time 1 tell in a fit at Tunbridge. and was fupported for the benefit ot my f> ul and others ; in the fall of the y^ar 1810. in tie 76th yrar of my ag:, I wag taken with the Rheumatifm and confined me all winter m the molt extreme pain for moft of the time, 1 under affliction and difper Cation of p«'( vde'«ce, at engih bgan to conlider my ways and fou d iriyielf dettiute of knowledge to f*xt le me to ^nq lire, i thou » tt on the b-jlk that in recorded in ihe uih Chapter of M^t. thew and .»8rn t-.» th • 30th verfes came to my n ond.- I .<ik d mv wife wheth r thofe wor Is were in thv B 1 or not, flie told me they w re; that g;*vc uic diiio.k, & very uucafy I wds n^A »0 fcnow'n? wh^re rhev were. T heran to faf*! the bible, but often before this ! hid trh!-*, hut 1 Would no* hearken, I had eracTica ly faid unto G^d, depart fiom me I deitre not the knowl- edge of rhy ways f had ail my days fet at might hi councils and w>r J* I often flighted ' • ti:I an advanced age, but now I experienced p *r- f nal deliverance, yet 1 had all thtfe number of yeir> b:en t xi'lv blin 1 to the things that belonged to my peace. I had fears and pu« up prayers before God in this fitua- tion, 1 had incurred as Ithcueht the denuncia- tion, I will pour out my fury up n the heathen and upon the families that call not on my name. My mini was imagining, but agitated. I f imagned many things *, it feemed to me that I (aw a bright light in a dark night, when con- templating on my bed vhich I could notac- c unt for, but 1 thought 1 heard a voice calling to me again I thiugt 1 faw aro'tar light of the lame k^nd, all which I considered ' ** ominous of my own duTilUii »n 1 was n d ft * efs that fleep departed from my ey s and 1 literally watered try pillow with teas that I priyed eagerly ti at (id wj uld h ve tnercy on me, that lit w u>d relieve me and o-- pen the (je.-ot my tn eiitm i: g and e» ab'e me to ca'l - n him as 1 ougl t. If b 'ought paffio e^ or fcrip-ure to my mind, >h«»fe p»rt-. u.tr Chrii; *-* himMitati^m ovr Jeruf« em itru k ; me very forcibly tj tu&uJfc luai uiitu ih=* Luau ii*4 20 called; & I was ftuborn k wcmld not, therefore I left defolate, the whole force of the fcripture feemed to be out againli me as far as I could learn ; my wife was my only instructor ; I had never read the bible ; nor had I any knowl- edge of it ; could only reccollect fome taught parts, fuch as I had heard and laid up for the purpofe of ridicuing religi#is inltitutions and characters. ■ I however had my intention ; I beieive thefe things have turned to my advan- tage, but I hope and truft I found mercy ; I do believe that God did appear for me and took me out of the horrible pit and mirey clay, and fet my feet on the rock of Chrift Jefus Bleffed be the name of Jehovah that I have rea fon to hope that I have found him of whom the prophets did write and that he has told me all things that ever I did ; has enabled me to caft my burthen'on the Lord, and to believe that he will fuftain me, to whom be glory for ever and ever. A few words upon the Univerfal principle — I have experienced it through the early part of my life, but I fay it was like building on fand. A certain learned man built feven years upon it, but upon his death bed he damned the prin- ciple, and made this reply, '*I ihall be damned to all eternity for this principal." He went out of the world fmiting his fifts almoft in def- pair, and I having no learning thinking of him i who made me believe it would deceive me. I have tried and reached much after property, and feveral times obtained it, but by misfor- tunes, time after time I loft it- I at length got wholly difcouraged of trying to lay up on earth, where moth and ruft doth corrupt, and thieves break through and fteal, which put me to thinking fomething of death and eternity till I thought myfelf alrnoft a Chriftian, and was fo religious that I once went to talk with a (ick man on his death bed. But it the Lord had taken me away with fuch falfe hopes, I fhould have been miferable to all eternity (this is Univerfalifts that I am fpeaking of) this will I not anfwer ; deceived mar* and woman. Laft Jfalll was again almoft a chriftian, but I found it would not anfwer to depend on fuch foun- dation. Thofe verfes ftili run in my mind, Mathew, the nth Chapter and 28th, 29th verfes, come unto me all ye that labour and are hevy laden and I will give you reft ; take my yoke upon you, and learn or me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye ilia.ll find reft unto your fouls, for my yoke is eafy and my burthen is light. 1 was fo ftupid that I did not know whether thefe words were in the Bible or not ; I afked my wife and ihe told me they were, and where they were, 1 ihen diicovered how ignorant and ftupi.t I had been even t > i great as:e. and I faw %'foU s,;F.;r0 e^mercy 1 iuu ; but 1 dimmed 22 them, it brought to my mind Chrifl's fayings in St. Mathew, 23d Chapt. and 37th verfe, 0 Jerufalem thou that killeft the prophets and ftoneft them that are fent unto thee, how often would I have gathered th$ children together even as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not- Reader you may think I was in great diftrtfs ; I could not fleep and took to reading , I was diftrefled to think hew I had abufed the fabbath and had not taken warning from my wife. About mid- night 1 faw a light about a foot from my face as bright as fire, the doors were all {hut and no one ftiring in the houfe, I thought by this that — 1 had but a few moments toiive, and'OI what J diftrefi I was in ; I prayed that the Lord woulcJ have mercy on my foul and deliver me from this horrible pit of fin. I thought myfelf that I had been fuch a vile wretch that the Lord would not have mercy on me, and I thought as 1 had flighted fo many warnings from my com- panion, and fo abufed the fabbath ; but I pre- ceived my body and foul was in danger ; oil 1 reader you may think I was in diftref*. Another night foon after 1 faw another light as bright as the iirit, at a i'mall diilance from my face, and I thought I had but a few mo- ments to live, and not deeping nigh's, tad reading, all day I was in mifery ; well you any trunk 1 was in diftrefs. foul and body. At an- other time, in the dead ot the night I was called 23 by my chriftian name, I arife up to anfwer to my name. The doors all being (hut and the houfe (toil, I thought the Loid called, and I had but a moment to live. Oh what a vile wretch I had been. I prayed to the Lord to have mercy on my foul. I called upon the Lord thegreateft part of the winttr, and towards fpring it was reviving and light ihined into my foul- I have often thought that the lights which I f?w were to fhow me what a fituation I was in, I had lighted his calls and invitations and warnings from my companion, and what a fandy foundation 1 was on. The calls, I believe, iwtrefor me to return to the Lord who would (fiave mercy on me. All the winter I was laid up with the rheu- matifm, fo that my wife was obliged to help me to bed and up again, but in the fpring the Lord appeared to be with me, but for my own fatisfa&ion, I thought like this as 1 was fe'ting one evening by the fire, I prayed to the Lord, k he was with me that I might know it by this token—that my pains might all be eafed for that night ; and bleffed be' the Lord, 1 was en- tirely free irom pain that night, and 1 rejoiced in the God of my fal vatic; n,ar ! iound Chrift's promifes verified that what things foever ye afk in prayer, believing, ye fhall receive, and found that Chrift would fulfil all his promifes, and not one j ,t or tittle would fail j and the Lord fo fhined light into my foul that every 24 thing appeared new and beautiful. Oh how 1 loved my neighbors ; hew I loved my enemies — I could pray for them ; every thing appear- ed delightful. The love of Chrifl is beautiful ; there is more fatisfaction to be taken in the enjoyment of Chrift one day, than in half a century ferving our mafter, the devil. You that have children under your care, that have no parents, when you put any thing upon them to do, confider them as your own, that when death overtakes you, you need not fear their apparitions appearing in your fight, for tyranny and mifuiage of the fatherlefs and ntotherlefs. Time will come when we fliallM all be called for, fooner or later, when monew cannot buy our breath one moment. Parents, a little caution how to train up your children in the fight of the Lord. Never bid them to do any thing that is out of their power, nor promife them only what you mean to fulfil ; let good examples in word, deed and action. We aged parents have a Father to go to and to guide us if we will but obey and hearken to his calls. How often we hear, but do not c- bey him ; but why ■? becaufe we will foy there is time enough yet, and I have fomething more to attend to of my worldly bufinefs. But how, am I bringing up my children in the fear of the Lord ? I anfwer no, but in all manner of evils, fabbath breaking, lying, f\v earing, &c. giving them no counfels from the command of 25 our God. Blefs the riling generation 'with his outpouring from corner to~ corner. I invite you to hearken to the calls that often preffes in- to your minds, and put it not away for anoth- er day. I give you a weak advice, I am almoft brought to the ground with fore accidents and greatly advanced in years. I always lived in fin, an enemy to God till in my feventy lixth year — then I began to hearken to thefe calls- made alive through the bieiTednefs of Chri'l— reconciled to God. Oh ! my friends, what views I had— the love I had to God and my fellow mortals, I cannot exprefs. The remainder of my (.Uyst I mean to fpend in my father's fervice chough a poor cripple, cannot get on or off <w hoffe without help — I have a love to all rich and poor, kings and nobles, black and white cone all to Jefus my friends, come to Jefus and he will in no wife call you off ; oh! come come, how fweet is the love to Jefu> —how- beautiful is the love of God. This invitation is from my heart to hear, of your repenting and turning to my God. Take no pattern from me for I would not harken till I arrived to advanced age— fwared from time to time ; now I have a love for your fouls ; now lif- ten to me, though like a child, but ihun that path that I ufed to walk in— this is the prayer of Solomon Mack. 0 HYMNS, COMPOSED AND SELECTED ON DIFFER ENT OCCASIONS. TV/1 Y friends 1 am on the ocean, ■*** So fweetly do I fail ; Jefus he is my portion, He's given me a pleafant gale. The bruifes fore, In harbour foon 1*11 be, And fee my redeemer there, That died for you and me. f Pf aim for deliverance from great di/lrcf* WAITED patient on the Lord, He bowed to hear my cry, He faw me refting on his word, And brought falvation nigh. He raif'd me from a horrid pit, Wheie mourning long I 1 =y, And from my bonds releaf'd my feefi,, Deep bonds of mirey clay. Firm on a rock he made me (land, And taught my cheerful tongue To praife the wonders of his hand. In a new thankful fong. I'll fpread his works of grace abroad ^ The faints with joy fhall hear, And linners learn to make my God Their only hope and fear. How many are thy thoughts of love \ Thy mercies, Lord how great ! Whe have not words nor hours enough^, Their numbers to repeat. When I'm afflicted, poor and low, And light and peace depart; My God beholds my heavy woe, And bears me* on his heart. Compofedby one of my jijiers^ to the family , U ne~ mind them of Eternity when I am dead and gone ; fhs aims to fet forth the w'dlingncfs of Chrifl to re* cieve /inner s^ and her afire for her children* with' t/jtir companion j and grandchildren, MY Children vvith their companions dear, f hey are my clafs to me they're ncar,s, My grandchildren are near to my he^rt, Oli I God give them apart. 28 My Children dear obey the calls, The invitation is to you all, Come, oh ! come to Jefus' bow, Accept his invitation now. For you I'll plead his bleeding veins, That he would purge away your ftains, Jefus I plead thy atoning blood To reconcile their fouls to God. Oh ! how lovely are his ways, Hark and hear what Jefus fays, " My father's juftice I fatisfied for thee, When I hung bleeding on the tree. Behold the fpear that piere'd my fide, When for you I freely died ; Come view my bleeding feet and fee The agony I bore for thee. To fave your fouls from fatan'.< chains, I give my body to be ilain, For you I pour the bleeding part, Sinners now give to me your heart. Sinners what more could I have clone r I've given my life to ranf >m yours, I fuffered death upon the crofs, rlhat your poor fouls might ne'er be loft. Now I'm on my father's throne, I plead the merits of my own, I plead your lins might be forgiven, That you might reign with me in Heaven." 2Q Oh ! my God if it could be I'd bring my children all to thee ; In hafte I'd come make no delay, Until I'd borne them all away. Oh ! 1 would bear them in my arms, Where they might view thy bleeding arms*; Saviour: I'd prefs them to thy breaft, Their fouls would find fweet reft. My Children I will tell "you now^ The labour I have, had for youj My pillow is witnefs to my tear, That I have fhed for my Children dear; Oft times my heirt has been in pain, That your poor fouls might be born again, , That you might tafte redeeming love, And with your parents reign above. My bufy thoughts my fpirits cheer I truft I have five babes in glory th^re, With their golden harps God's praifes fmg, . Hoianna to their heavenly king. Oh ! my glafs is almoft run, 'Twill foon be faid your mother's gone, Then I muft bid you all adieu, With no more groans nor fighs for you. . I am bound to canaan's land, I've lifted in lmmanuel's band, Could I be fure to meet you there, joy and peace 'twould give me here*. 3° When my eyes in death are clofed, Remember thofe lines I have compofed: Harbor no fighs within your breatt, Hope and truft my foul's at reft. "When my corpse in my grave is laid, Search and fee if your peace is made, Remember the warnings I've given to thee, Children prepare to follow me. Now fare you well my children dear, In the hands of God I leave you here ; In filence I mall call on thee, Bid you prepare to follow me. €ompofed by my Ji/ier, en the death of a Grandchild^ in the twelfth year of his age. CHILDREN, with you I feel to mourn; With you in your prefent grief, Cur child to us no more return, In Jefus feek relief. I truft he's bowing before his throne, Singing redeeming love, It it be fo prepare to go, . y Join with your fon above. If he be to glory gone, Happy is his employ, Hofanna there will be his fong Through all eternity. He's free'd from forrow grief and pain. Do no longer weep, 3l Children you'll meet your fon again, When 'wake from his long deep-. It was for fome wife end, To us it is unknown, Why Jefus took your lovely fon, Altho' he Was his own. Methinks in filencc he does fpeak, His voice is to us all, Bids us prepare our Judge to meet, Be ready when he calls, If your peace with God is made, Happy will be the hour, We may meet our Judge, be not afraid Of his extenfive power. That blooming flower your lovely bud, From us has took a flight, We trull he's nowpraifing his Cod, There cloathed in raiment white. Pity his parents dear, Sanctity the rod, Jefus to thee bring them near, Oh walh them in thy blood. Jefus with thee I leave this cafe, With thy father now to plead, Nor do I doubt thy father's grace, He is a friend in time»of need. Oh I my God hear thy Son, When he intercedes with thee,, 3^ He'll plead the merits of his own, Oh fet the mourners free. Now fare you well my children dear, Cleanfe them O Lord from fin, When to the throne of grace 1 go, I'll. remember them again* True faith and' confidence in Chrijh twi Y Friends I am haj^>y now, **'*•* My fiviour I embrace, He's made my ftuborn heart to bow, And ling redeeming grace. Iicare.not for ail the riches that you pofleft Nor any of your glittering attire. Now I am leaning on Jefus Bread, 1 have my heart's defire. I view'd the heavenly manfions above, My king he's on his throne, He ftooped to me with fmiles of love,', He tells me I'm his own. I view'd my faviour there, At his Father's right hand he ftands, He told to me I was his heir, And I belonged to his heavenly band. It is through my Saviour's bloodL, That I have grown fo bold, It's reconciled me to my God, , My joys they can't be told. 33 "When I view'd the heavenly majnfions above. My heart did give a leap, My foul was fwimming away in love, (Still) for my fins I weep. When my beft friends and I did weep, Our difcourfe together was love, While I'm a l)ing at his feet, He tells me of the days above. He (hows to me the croft, Where he himfelf had died, I beheld his bleeding hands and feet, I viewed his wounded fide. My heart began to melt, My eyes, they flowed with tears, In my foul his dying love, I felt, And 'tis driven away my fears. He took me out of the mirey pit* And fat me on a rock, He told me how he had paid my debt, And it has given my foul a fhock. Faith, Charity and Htye. Sometimes fhe's in the valley, And that I will not bear, 1 fired at her a ralley, And drive her away from there. And when flic's on the mountain, Soon I'll caft her down, 34 For while (he's there ihe loves, The their ihe's nearer to the crown. At this the prifonef laid, Alack a day and fad fae, My enemies faid me, No help is here for me. This I am determined A requtfl to my king, Pli fend, He's able to relieve me, And break my iron band. At this fhe was rewarded, And foon did (he proceed, Her requeft, it foon arrived, And help ihe had with fpeed, As foon as fhe beheld them, She leaped for joy, Saying thefe men ihe knew (hey J3uii *ere tircfe, 'iwr.«s faith and charily. Of Polion faith, demanded, The captive again, Showing him the warrant, .Received from the king. As charity, by faith he flood,. To Polion he replied, This warrant is fealed with Blood it cannot be denied. Old Poliom foon retreated, And unbelief did hide, Faith took the prifoners hands,. 35 The hand and fearful ilep't afidc. Faith took the captive by the hand, And led her fromPolion's ground. Together- they rejoiced, To Canaan they were bound. As tivey were walking, Their talk it was love, Aicribing all the honor, To the powers above* Together they united, And fung the victory, Saying twa's our king Imanuel, That fet this prifoner free. Confidence in Cxi, UNTO my God I made my moan] He granted my requeft, Jefus to me returned In him I feel to reft. Thanks be to God my Saviour he, I tafte his fwe ;tefl love, He bore my fius on Calvary, Now pleads for me above. Jefus to thee, I give my ofe, With thy Father now to plead, Nor do 1 doubt thy Father's grace. He's a friend in time of need. It is thy bleeding charms, 36 That now inamor's me, Jcfus clafp me in thy arms, Oh ! keep me near to thee. It's thy bleeding veins, That makes me now fo bold, Thy blood has purg'd away my flaint, New joy's to me unfolds. With thee I feel to be, In thy Father's family, In thy Father's family I have a fhare, The thanks I give to thee. Faith, Char it y9 and-, Hope, OLD unbelief he feized me, and dragged me along with him, His countenance was frowning on me, he loc ked grim, He told me I'd been treacherous and rebel'd a- gatnft my king, He would rake up all my character into the court he'd bring. His witnefles were iummened while I ftood trembling by, Old Poli on was his lawyer he has this cafe to try, No friend had I around me to plead for my re- lief, My heart was fill'd with forrow and over* come with grief. 37 Poor fearful made the firft fpeech though Gam- bling as he flood, Saying Iv'e of't told this prifoner his religi- on was not good, When I forefee her danger it made my heart to bleed, Often times I've couneled her never more proceed. Soon old unbelief his ftory told which pleaf'd his lawyer well He's often tho't thy prifoner her portion was in hell, . Her lamps they were not trim'd in them ftie has no oil , I made her believe me was deceived by fa tan was begiled Iv'e laid my burden at thy feet, On thee Iv'ecaft my cares, Thy promifes to me was fweet, When 1 was a pleading there. No one can take this joy from me, When Jefus by my fide, While I'm in his company, My enemy's have tried. Satan you do your beft, Your warlike weapons try, So I'm leaning on Jem s baeaft Your enmity 1 defy. Saints with all your hearts rejoiced, 3* We are bound to Canaan's land, When we took our faviour for our choice, We lifted in his band. XTpon Chrift and deliverance, Though earthly friends againft me turn, Surely I'll not be grieved, I know where I can make my mourn. I here fhall be received. New trials begin to rife, In hafte I'll run to hire, Wit ha broken heart and watery eyes, I'll beg and plead him : I'll tell him of my trials here, How I'm rejected, And beg with patience, 1 might bear, Trials when 1 am afflicted. When I afk relief from friends below, With me they foon grow weay, And charging me of what I know From my heart I am not guilty. My friends above will be my Judges, With him I am well pleaf'd ; In my breaft his promife ledg'd, Surely I'm not deceived. When to this friend I make my mourn, With bitter lementation, He gives me balm for found timed to my condition. 39 He fhows to me his wounded fide, Telling to me the glorious ftory, JIow for (inners he had died, To bring their fouls to glory. Or. the death of the widow Phebe Miller, compofed on her death bed, ]V/]Y life's a made, my days decline, ■ *** The Lord is life he'll raife my duft, Thefe truth's divine, I feel them mine, Im a going to dwell amongit the Juft, My peacefull grace will keep my day, Until I meet you all at the lift day. The time has been when I was loth to die, Death has now became my choice, Death is a conquered enemy In God, my saviour, 1 ujoice, Thofe gloomy doubts are gone from me, My faviour's bloo 1 has fet me free. The pangs of death i$ all I dread, Dear Savior, take the fting away, I'm not afraid for to be dead, And leave this lump of clay, Oh ! may I rejoice on a dying bed, Free joy will take away this dread. Farewell my children dear, I know you all are near my heart, The time is now a drawing near ; That you and I mult furely part,, 4o 1 hope to meet you all above, Where we fhall fing redeeming love. Brothers and fitters fare you well, I'm now agoing to die, I feel fubmitted to God's will, I truft my name is written on high, I truft my fins are all forgiven, 1 hope to rain with you in Ileav'n. Be nigh to them in trials here, This world is not their home, Fill their fouls with love and fear, In themlet murmuring have no reel* ; Father and mother, they'll have none, Be nigh to them when 1 am gone. Lord give me patience here, To wait untill my time is con f , Patiently my pains to bear* Then may 1 go rejoicing home, Through the {hades of death be nig* to ate, toy God, my trull is all thee. Come welcome death your warront s reio> I'm prepar'd to die, Come welcome angels with fpeed come. Convey my foul to God on high, Come welcome faviour vilit me, Come fit my foul at liberty, Back jl icier s* Return. \yJi\ deareft friend my lovely favWs 4* I want a vifit now from thee* I'm forry for my paft behaviour, jwant a vifit from thee. I'm forry for my paft behaviour, That I fo oft have ftrayed from thee, Let thy blood be appli'd, Nothing elfe can ftain, cleanfe my fins. Since for tinners thou haft died, I'll pleed thy bleeding veins, 'Tis through ihy falvation I afk falvation, Jefus I belkve thee to* be our door. I hope and truft with expectation, To reign with thee forever more, Do not fufferme to be deceived, My God my truft is all in thee. If I have not in thee believed, O Lord make it known to me,, Search my heart in every corner, Make me know how vile I be. jefus to thee I'll give the honor. Jefus the thanks belong to thee. Chrijliam Victory* M ' . * Y God my Saviour here I be, Drinking at thy fountain free, There is no lefs than when I began, Here is enough for every one. D 2 jcius bring to thy children dear, That we may drink together there ; Thefe living dreams, can never d;y, Come Chriftians, drink your full fuppty/ Soon ye fhall reach that bli£>ful fhore, Where we fhall never tfcirfl more, There be cloath'd, in raiment? white, In us our faviour wilt take delight. Well make the heavenly arches ring, When we are brought before our king, With faints and angels join above, 1 here we'll, fing redeeming love. Angels above, and we believe, We'll ling his praife as well as you, Our fongs, will yours exceed, It was for you Jefus did bleed. Above your notes our fongs will fwell, 'Twas Jcfusjav'd cur fouls from hell, fcfus bought us with his blood Now reconcile our fouls to God, QUITE a mricile of my daughter in the' own of Sunderland in the ftate of Maflachu- Itts, the wife of Jofeph luttle, fhe was ikk a- KUt one year. At the expiration of her firft Cknefs, the dcclor had given her over, and the nurses removed her by the ufe of meets, to make her bed, for fome days before her re- . .:VCT\\ h 4$ For three days fhe eat only rhe yolk of one" egg — (he was an aintnmy to appearance. Her friends were of en weeping around her bed ex- pecting every moment to be her laft. The day before her recovery, the doctor faid it was as much impoflihle to raife her, as ii: would one' from the dead. The night follow- ing me dreamed a dream ; it was that a fort of wine would cure her , it was immediately brought to her, and me drank it. The i ext morning flie awoke and called to her hufb.ind to get up and make a fire — he arofe immediate- ly, but thought fhe was out of her head ; but loon he found to the contrary ; quickly fhe a- rofe upon end in the bed (faid the Lord has helped both body and foul ) and drefled herfelf. She then afked for the Pfalm book and turned to the 30th pfalm. id part (readers lock for yourfelves) and again fhe mentioned the 1 ;6th iirft part. Soon after the fame morning fhe went to the houfe of her father-in-law, (which was about ten rods) and back again on her feet her eyes and countenance appeared lively and bright as ever it was in her pafV life. It was on fhurfday following, fhe went to meeting, which was a mils and a half. On the iirft fing- ing me offered them the 11 6th pfalm firil part. The minifter preached an excellent fsrmon but her exhortation was faid to exceed the rninif- ter's fermon and on the laft finging fhe turned to the n6th pfalm 2d part. After meeting re- 44 turned home and after (lie regained hcrftrcr.K Ihe went about her ufual labour, which flu moderately followed one or two years, when (he was taken down again fhe grew untafy and went to her fathers in Gillum in New-Hamplhire, and there (hidfome months j at the fame time I had another daughter lick with the confumption and died. My ofher daughter grew uneafy and I carried her back again, where flic (laid pirt of one fummer and fee was ciifconted. and I went after her and got her to Montague to landlord S , I took her out of the carriage and fc* her in a chair and fhe inftantiy died. I immediately got a coffin made and then carried her home. My friends when you read this journal re- member your unfortunate friend Solomon Mack, who worried and toiled until an old age, to try to lay up trealures in this world, but the Lord would not fuffer ihe to have it, I ut now I trufl I have treafures laid up that no man can take away, but by the goodnefs of God through the blood of a bleeding Saviour. Although I am a poor cripp!e»unable to walk much, or even to mount ordifmount my horfe I hope to ferve my God by his aflittance to di- vine acceptance, that 1 may at lall leap for joy to fee his face and hold him fall in my em- brace. 45 JFSUS is mine and I am his, In union we are joined j Oh! howfweet to me it is, To feel my Saviour mine. My friends, for you I long, That you might happy be ; I long to hear you fmg the fong, Jems has died for me. H OW {hart and fleeting are my days, And chiefly {pent in finful ways," O may thofe few which now remain, Be fpent eternal life to gain, i'm-paffing through this vale of tears, Beneath the weight of numerous year?^ My body manned, what have I done, Beneath the light of yonder fun, The bloom of life 1 fpent in vain, ^ Some ca^-hly treafures to obtain, But earthly treafures took their flight, For which I loboured day and night. I'vtf ranged the fields of battle o'er, Midft dying groans and cannon's roar, Whtlijt death furrounded all the plain, I'm fpired amidft the thoufandsfbin, I've been prcferved byfeaand land, By the Almighty's gracious hand. 46 For caufes then unknown to me, Which, fince, I truft, I'm brought to fee. I hope through grace thut God has given, I'm l<*.d to feek a place in heaven, Where /in and pain (hall never come, 1 hope to find a peaceful home. FINIS; 47 ERRATA. In the year 1755, 1 enlifted under Capt. Har- ris and went to Fort Edwards ; there was a large army come from South Bay (now called Skeenfborough) upon a fccuiing party of our men, at Half. way Brook : there was a fcouting party of the enemy attacked our men, and Ken- ricks horie was (hot under him and he was kil- led ; when they heard the guns, Gen Lyman and Col. Johnfon had not a log pu^vup. The enemy fought feven miles and killed them all the way ; when they got there th« bread-work was finifhed, This battle lalted all day ; many were killed on both fides ; the remainder of the enemy went back to half-way brook (being feven miles) and refrefhed themfelves upon, their fpoil. Then a party of NewIIampfhire t roops come upon them and killed a great num- ber of them. Iwas married in the year 1759, inflead of 21 — fame page, inftead of 1754 — 1759. Then I went to Crown Point and kept a Suttler's fliop 27 years. In the year 1757, a large army 43 came frnm Quebe, and took Fort William Henry. The French guarded the prifoncrs fourteen miles. The blood thirfly Indians ktpt breaking in upon the guard and killing them all the way. .... .. ,* •.< / / HISTORIAN.^ '" ! f.t SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH