On sixth day evening, we had an appointed meeting for the inhabitants of the town in general. It was very large, consisting of the various religious sects, and some of almost every description of people, who commonly reside in such populous towns. I was largely opened among them in the line of the ministry, in which I was led to set forth the excellency of man’s primitive state, before the fall, in which he was placed by the wisdom and goodness of his all-wise and gracious Creator, and furnished with sufficient light and understanding to know that he was altogether the work of his almighty power, and that he derived his life and existence, with every other blessing he had, or could have, from his bountiful hand; under a just sense whereof, while he stood in this happy state, every desire of his soul flowed with a continual ascent to him, as his only comforter and preserver. In this state he realized the condition the apostle reminds us of in this exhortation: “Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; and in every thing give thanks:” this being the only true delineation of a faithful servant of God. But from this happy state man fell, by a wrong use and abuse of those powers and capacities conferred on him as a free agent, and without which he neither could have known nor served his God: therefore, man’s fall was altogether an act of his own choice, contrary to known duty; and had it not been so, he could not possibly have felt guilt and condemnation for what he had done. I was also led to open to the people that the great end of Christ’s coming was to introduce the gospel, which is the last and most blessed dispensation of God to the children of men, as by it only can man be restored to this primitive state, and without which restoration he cannot effectually serve God in spirit. This gospel our Lord told his disciples his Father would send them in his name, and which is the Holy Ghost or power of God sent down from heaven, which well agrees with the doctrine of the apostle Paul, where he tells us, that the gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.” This therefore supposes, that those who do not obey the spirit of truth, or Holy Ghost, which convinces them of sin, do not believe the gospel, and therefore are not benefitted by it: of course they remain under the power and dominion of sin. After this favoured meeting, I felt myself much indisposed with a very severe cold and fever, and had to keep house until the next third day, when we proceeded to Lynn. The following day we attended their meeting held in the middle of the week; and notice being given of our intention of being there, it was large. The power of truth went forth freely, tendering many minds, and comforting the faithful and upright in heart.