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VIII.

VISIT TO BUFFALO, IN 1806, OF

THE REV. ROSWELL BURROWS.

EXTRACT FROM HIS REPORT TO THE GROTON (CT.)
UNION CONFERENCE, JANUARY 2, 1807.*

I now address you on the subject of my mission to the north-west frontiers agreeably to your letter of instructions and appointments to me for that purpose, dated at Newport, September 10th, 1806, in behalf of the Groton Union Conference. I am sorry that I have not just ground to give you a more favorable account of my labors than what I have. I am in some measure sensible that returns of this nature too often are painted in too strong colors to bear an examination, but I wish not to set forth anything in a different point of view than what it may absolutely appear to those that follow after me.

I left my family on the 15th of September last, and proceeded without making any stop to preach until I had ridden two hundred and twenty-seven miles to Fairfield in Herkimer County, excepting I preached twice on Lord's Day at Clifton Park where Elder Peck usually preaches, who was then absent.

I got to Fairfield the 23rd, at which place I tarried until

*From a MS. copy deposited with the Buffalo Historical Society by Lorenzo K. Haddock, Nov. 13, 1866. "Elder Burrows," Mr. Haddock wrote, "was the grandfather of Roswell L. Burrows now of this city."

the 29th and attended four meetings in this and the adjoining towns. Here are in these parts three vacant Baptist churches made up of five or six different towns; and a large number of towns in which there are a number of scattering brethren; and have no stated preaching in them. I was earnestly requested to improve the term of my mission in these parts. I found a solemn attention and humbly hope some good impressions were made.

Monday the 29th I rode thirty miles to Paris, where I preached on Tuesday, the 30th. From thence I rode 108 miles to Scipio and spent the next Lord's Day with the third church in that town and had a good season. I here learned that Elder Irish by an appointment from the Boston Missionary Society and Elder Covel* from the Shaftsbury Association had left those parts about a fortnight before on a mission to Upper Canada. Being desirous to overtake them, on Monday the 6th of October, I proceeded on without stopping to preach, until I rode one hundred and six miles to Batavia, near Lake Erie. But considering from the time they passed into Upper Canada, it was improbable I should overtake them until they had got to the end of their tour; and that it was not advisable to follow in their track, as there opens a large field for labors in these parts, I resolved to take a different route from what any missionary had done before me.

Accordingly I turned off from the main road south of Batavia about fourteen miles, where I found a large settlement, and learned there had never been any Baptist preaching there; and that they were nearly without any form of worship, excepting a few, who sometimes met for prayer and singing. I tarried here nearly a week and attended a number of meetings, and visited many families, praying with and exhorting them. I found there were scattered in this wilderness about sixteen Baptist professors, as sheep without a shepherd, some of whom seemed to have their minds stirred up to serve God, and made it manifest by

*Rev. Lemuel Covell, whose narrative of a visit in 1803 we have given, ante pp. 207-216.

public confession; and all the assembly appeared solemn and attentive.

I exhorted the brethren to unite in covenant, for watchcare over each other, and to maintain stated public worship, which they agreed to, and accordingly made appointment of a meeting for that purpose. From what appeared in that place there is a pleasing prospect, that, shortly, the Lord will plant a vine in that desolate land; and oh! may He cause that my labors may be blessed to its promotion! Although there appeared an opening sufficient to occupy all the time I proposed to spend on my tour, yet, as there were many other settlements equally destitute, I concluded it to be most proper to divide my time amongst them. However, they would not be denied my calling and preaching with them on my return.

Accordingly I made an appointment, and proceeded on, sixty-two miles to Buffalo, where I expected to find Elder Holmes, but was disappointed, as he resided with the Tuscarora Indians, about thirty miles north. I felt some peculiar trials from this second disappointment, being sensible of the need I had of advice and counsel from some of the fathers in the ministry, in this, to me, a new undertaking, and finding, by inquiry, there was not a person in that village, who ever made profession of any religion, and their morals corrupt in the extreme. I was almost persuaded to make no stop there. However, I concluded on giving them an offer of a meeting, and accordingly obtained a hall in a tavern, for that purpose, and gave notice through the village, but was informed, that I should most likely have disturbance. Whatever their motives were, I had a large assembly, and I here experienced sundry, singular circum

stances.

My trials at first entering this place, my enlargement of mind in my improvements, the solemn attention of the assembly, and so large an assembly without a single professor (except myself), were all quite singular. I preached from Psalms, 49th chapter, and 8th verse-"For the redemption. of the soul is precious."

The assembly tarried for singing and exhortation. O! may the Lord fasten conviction in some minds.

From there, Thursday the 16th, I rode eighteen miles to Eighteen-Mile Creek settlement,* where I preached to a solemn and affected assembly. It was the first time there ever was any preaching in this settlement, or any meeting for worship, although there is a circle of about ten miles, nearly sixty families, and six or eight professors, mostly Baptists. I advised, and obtained their consent to a covenant for worship, and watch-care, and some of the brethren seemed to have their minds stirred up, to promote the cause of God, and some who had not experienced religion, manifested some good degree of conviction. One respectable young man, in particular, requested my prayers for him, observing that he should not desist in his pursuit, until he obtained a sealing pardon for sin.

I made an appointment to attend here again, a week from next Lord's day; and proceeded on the next day, still up the south of Lake Erie, about fifty-five miles, to what is called "Cannidoway Creek Settlement." The day that I entered the settlement being Saturday 18th, and very rainy, as I rode along, I made an appointment for a meeting the next day and was agreeably disappointed to meet so large an assembly, on so wet and cold a day, in such a wilderness, many of whom came, some six, and some eight miles in ox wagons. My heart was affected with compassion for the multitude, lest they be sent away empty in this wilderness; and I trust a little was blessed for feeding them. I made sundry appointments at this meeting, at all of which we had comfortable seasons, and I had much satisfaction and comfort of mind, from the opportunity I here had with a number of Baptist friends, some few of whom appeared engaged to see the cause of God promoted, while some were in a luke warm state. In all, I find about twenty Baptist professors scattered in this wilderness, who have at times attended to some form of worship. I proposed to them a

*Joel Harvey's Settlement, begun in 1804 near the mouth of the creek; now in the Town of Evans.

†Canadaway, Chautauqua Co.

covenant similar to what I had, with the brethren, I visited in other places, which was readily agreed to.

I visited sundry families in this place, and I hope to some good effect, particularly, a brother that had been for a long time, in neglect of even the externals of religion, who was brought to a confession in public assembly, and to his family in particular, manifesting to all, his purpose to live religion, and maintain worship in his family. Another brother, who was the first one I called on in this place, just before I entered his house, was conversing with his wife upon the low state of his mind, and the desire he had to hear preaching, and observed he thought he must sell and move away, which seemed to be the feelings of her mind. Immediately, upon which, I entered the house. After learning my business, the man affected great joy and gave thanks to God, that he should send his servant to visit them in their low state.

In this wilderness land, the brethren generally manifest their thankfulness to God, and the Union Conference, that they are remembered in sending preaching among them, and desire still to be remembered in sending preaching supplies. Wednesday the 22d, being about to depart on my way, we attended prayers, and God was remarkably present, while numbers prayed in succession. My soul was greatly enlarged, with desires for a blessing on this settlement, and my feelings were sensibly affected from the tears of grief that were shed by them, at the thought that we, who had had sweet communion together should part, most likely never to meet again in time; as well as from a thought, that there is no preacher of our order, within one hundred miles in any direction.

Several followed me to an appointment, about eight miles, on my return. We had a comfortable season.

Friday the 24th, I rode twenty miles to Cattaraugus, and visited the Indians there, with an idea of preaching to them, but was belated, and the Indians being hunting, it was not consistent.

I, however, had conversation with some, who could un

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