The brethren being so well acquainted with my rebellious nature and timidity, concluded to try another plan; so in conference the brother Deacon arose and said. "Brother Moderator I move that we give Bro, Hitchcock license to preach." In a moment nearly every other brother said. "I second the move:' Before the Moderator could speak. I was on my feet all in a tremble, and said, "good Lord, Bro. Winn! who ever heard such a move? what, license a man to preach that you never heard try?" The Moderator said, "sit down, Bro. Hitchcock, you are out of order.' And they would take the vote despite all I could say; and it was unanimous.

The same brother arose and said, "now Brother Moderator, I propose to appoint the 3rd Sunday in this month for Bro. Hitchcock to preach:" which was the 3rd Sunday in September,1846. I only had two weeks allowed me before I had to preach, or fail. It seemed to be the shortest two weeks I ever saw. It was a time of trouble with me and my wife both. I spent almost the whole time in prayer that God would prepare me for the work, or else remove it from my mind. One night while I was bowed and pleading my imperfections before God, something seemed to whisper within, saying, "my grace is sufficient for you:' I arose from my knees saying, "it is! it is! I will trust the Lord! He can make me strong!" The time came and several brothers from Tirzah Church came a distance of eight or ten miles, and were at my house by 8 or 9 o'clock. They said that they feared that I would run away; and they came to carry me to the place of meeting. They then began persuading my wife to go. She told them that she would not go for one thousand dollars; but still they got her to go. I told them if there was no one there except a few of the old brethren and sisters that I would be willing to talk a little. Being a little late in arriving there, we found the whole grove crowded with horses and vehicles, and enough people to fill the house quite full. I felt that I could not face them and try to speak; but they commenced singing praises to God; while some of the old brethren were soothing and persuading me not to fear, but go forward and the Lord would help me. I arose from my seat and started toward the table, the Deacon jumped up and opened the pulpit door and said, "go up there, that is the place for preachers:' I said, "I know that, but not for me." So I took the floor and lined out a hymn, and the brethren and congregation sung. I thought, in the spirit. I tried to pray, and

When I closed, I arose from my knees and set down, saying in my mind, "what shall I do?" The Deacon spoke and said, "Get up and go to preaching." I arose and commenced talking. I would not quote a text; but thought I would work on in a way that they would not know that I had any text. But the one, I thought I would use was, "loose him, and let him go."--John 11, the latter clause of the 44th verse. I spoke about forty-five minutes; I could see no one laughing at me, but all looked serious. When I sat down, old Bro. Akin, from Crooked Creek Church, arose and began to speak, though so full he would pause awhile from emotion, and then go on again. I soon found that he knew what my text was and would apply it to me, and said, "brethren you have done right- loose him and let him go--the Lord has a use for him." When he closed old Bro. Barnes followed and seemed to be much in the spirit. So, upon the whole, we had a good meeting, and many went home rejoicing; I and wife went home somewhat surprised. I felt that I had lost a burden that I had carried for twelve years. She had seen no one laughing at me, but seemed to be more serious for a time than I had ever seen her before. She had been a member of that church about two years. That was the first time and the last she ever heard me preach, as she departed this life Oct. 11, 1846. I was left alone with two little children to do the best I could. I was invited to every church that was near, so that I tried to preach every Sunday for a long time. In three months from the time I commenced, I was called to ordination by Rooty Creek Church and Mount Zion Church; but I could not consent to it through fear that I was not capable of taking the pastoral care of churches; but the church would send for ministers for the purpose of ordaining me to the work of the ministry. When the committee went they would have me go with them to a general meeting, where they would meet all the preachers together. They soon told their business, and also told them my opposition to it. Bro. Henderson would have me go home with him; as soon as we could get an opportunity he introduced the subject of my ordination and said, "the brethren tell me that you are opposed to it; now I want to know the ground of your objection." I tried in my weak way to tell him the best I could. When I got through, he replied, "young man, you are very near right, or you guess well; but don't let it kill you; it will all work out right." He gave me a great deal of instruction with many words of encouragement. "We have all promised to be there, and I want you to think about it till I see you again. They came

According to appointment: when they got there, Bro. Henderson told some brother that he wanted to see me out there, I went to him, and he said he wanted to know what my feelings were now, "are you willing to surrender?" I told him my feelings and fears were about' the same. He admonished me not to be hasty in setting up my judgment against two or three churches. We then went to the house, the preachers had a short conversation, then Bro. Henderson went up in the stand. When he rose up he said, "I reckon you think I am going to preach an ordination sermon; but when I am done you can call it what you please," After he closed he spoke to them about the matter, and said: "I find that the young brother is not willing to take the yoke, and I feel willing, for the sake of his feelings, to wait a little while and let him go and preach to these churches, and we will help him when necessary." So I agreed by the help of God to do so. They came together again Saturday before the 3rd Sunday, September 17, 1847, and this time they asked me no questions, nor showed me any favors; whether I was ready or not. An excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by Bro. Henderson; they then formed themselves into a Presbytery, and I was set before them for examination; and after examination they expressed their satisfaction and proceeded to ordain me by prayer and the laying on of hands. The churches proceeded to give me the right hand of fellowship as their preacher; the Presbytery were: James Henderson, Cary Cox, and James H, Montgomery. All of these dear old faithful servants of God have long since gone to their long eternal home; and when I cast my mind around four churches that were represented at my ordination, I cannot find one brother in all of those churches now alive that was then living. I remember two or three sisters that are yet alive, which reminds me that my stay on earth is short; but I do thank God for His wonderful goodness toward me, and notwithstanding my trial and afflictions have been many, I have ever found His grace sufficient for me. From my ordination up to a few years back, I have served four churches regularly, and have perhaps baptised more members than all the rest of the preachers in the Ocmulgee Association. Now, dear brethren and sisters, and especially those that feel impressions to preach, don't do as I did, I found the way of transgressors hard; but in the path of obedience, peace and joy. So, dear brethren, farewell! may God bless you with every needed grace, is my prayer for Christ's sake. -- D. L. Hitchcock.