I now give attention to a great movement that was inaugurated in what was then called the “West,” through the untiring labors of Barton W. Stone and others. Stone was born in Maryland, December 24, 1772. His father died and the mother, being left with a large family of children, moved to Pittsylvania County, Va., in 1779, where the manners and customs of the people were very simple, and contentment seemed to be the lot of all, and happiness dwelt in every breast amidst the abundance of home stores, acquired by honest industry. His first teacher was a tyrant, who seemed to take pleasure in whipping and abusing his pupils for every trifling offense. When called upon to recite, he was so affected with fear, and so confused in mind, that he could say nothing, and remained in that school only a few days. He was then sent to another teacher, who was patient and kind, and he advanced so rapidly that after five years’ training his teacher “pronounced him a finished scholar.” This fired him with ambition and spurred his efforts to rise to eminence in learning. CONFRONTED BY MANY DIFFICULTIES About this time some Baptist preachers came into the neighborhood and began preaching to the people, and great excitement followed. Multitudes attended their ministrations, and many were immersed. Immersion was so novel that people traveled long distances to see the ordinance administered. Young Stone was constant in his attendance, and was particularly interested in hearing the converts relate their experiences. Of their conviction and great distress they were very particular in giving an account, and how and when they obtained deliverance from their burdens. Some were delivered by a dream, a vision, or some uncommon appearance of light; others by a voice spoken to them—“Thy sins are forgiven thee”; and others by seeing the Savior with their natural eyes. Such experiences were considered good by the Church, and those relating such were baptized and received into full fellowship. The preachers had an art of affecting their hearers by a tuneful voice in preaching. Not knowing any better, he considered all this a work of God, and the way of salvation. After these came Methodist preachers who were bitterly opposed by the Baptists and Episcopalians, who publicly declared them to be the locusts of Revelation, and warned the people against receiving them. Stone’s mind was much agitated, and vacillated between the two parties. For some time he had been in the habit of retiring in secret, morning and evening, for prayer, with an earnest desire for religion; but being ignorant of what he ought to do, he became discouraged and quit praying, and turned away from religion.