While walking towards the residence of my friend I saw a thicket of underbrush not far from our path. To it I retired and poured out my soul to the Lord to forgive me my folly and aid me in the future. While seated at the dinner table, my friend remarked: "Well, Daniel, you had nearly all the big men of the county, from the county seat, to hear you, and what do you think they said about your preaching?" I was ashamed to answer that I expected they would set it down as a fruitless effort to deceive the people, and felt badly hurt that he should ask me such a question in company. I, however, put on as bold a front as I could, and simply answered that I did not know. In this case I learned that man's thoughts were not always as the Lord's thoughts, for the rule is, that when the Elder satisfies his own feelings, the hearers are pleased and edified; yet, in this case, the rule was reversed. My friend and former neighbor informed me that the learned judge and lawyers inquired of him where I had graduated, adding that they never heard a man quote so much scripture to prove his doctrines and apply it so well. In fine, it was the greatest sermon they ever heard. Now, my young friends, it was not I that had preached a great sermon. I am sure it was not; for to this day I look upon it as one of my weakest efforts at preaching. It being only my fourth trial, I think you will come to a similar conclusion. The fact was, when I read to them the holy scriptures the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, although they knew it not, and opened their eyes to see and understand the truth. This is what is meant by the scripture, "How shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall he preach except he be sent?" The Lord sends His servants to preach the gospel, and a portion of His Spirit rests upon those who hear, and they are "born again" to "see the kingdom of God," preparatory to being "born of water and of the Spirit," to enter into it. The first birth is being converted from error to truth, being able to see clearly that it is truth. The second is the immersion in water for remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Before leaving the neighborhood a learned Baptist minister by the name of Peters, arose at the close of a meeting held in a private house and abused me in a shameful manner, frothing at the mouth. I replied briefly to all that was worth answering, and he was confounded. He subsequently came to my lodgings, and we sat and conversed on the principles of the gospel until after midnight.