1. MY son, _Samuel Hitchens_, was born on the 23d of _March 1725_. He was brought up to read and write. But he had almost forgot that, and every thing which is good, until God sent his ministers into these parts also, _to call sinners to repentance_. He was soon very deeply convinced of sin: particularly, in the beginning of _January, 1744_, while Mr. _Reeves_ was praying in my house. In the middle of our prayer, he fell to the ground, and cried so hard, that it greatly surprized us all. We were met, to take our leave of Mr. _Reeves_ and _John Daniel_, who were going to _Bristol_. Mr. _Reeves_ raised him up, and strove to comfort him. But he still cried out, “He was a lost, undone sinner.” In the morning they set out before it was day. _Samuel_ would needs go with them. He had not rode six miles, before God spoke peace to his soul. He rode about ten miles further, and then returned home rejoicing. 2. But it was not long before his faith was tried. The devil first strove to _reason_ him out of it. But he could not prevail. Then he stirred up the world against him. They came in multitudes, threatening to kill us all, and broke down the door and all the windows of the house, where we used to meet. After we had repaired these, they came and tore down the house itself, swearing they would also tear down the house also where we lived. And we were forced to stop up the chamber windows as well as we could, or we should have been stoned as we lay in our beds. 3. When this did not move him, they got a warrant, and came to press him for a soldier, much about the time that they had pressed the Rev. Mr. _Graves_ at _St. Just_, and carried him on board the man of war. And several of our neighbours who were quiet, industrious men, they did press, by virtue of that warrant, and carried them away from their work, and wives and families. But God suffered them not to touch him, though he was daily in his shop; and going up and down about his business. 4. But he was not so well aware of another snare which was laid for him: for soon after, having some thoughts of marriage, he gave way by little and little, till he found his heart was quite drawn away from God. Hereby he was quickly plunged into utter darkness of soul, and fell under stronger convictions than at first. He often told his brother, “he was in hell.” He wandered about in the fields by night, _seeking rest, but finding none_; and often threw himself on the earth, and beat his head against the ground. And once when his brother and several others were present, he cast himself on the ground, _roaring_ aloud _for the disquietness of his heart_, and beat and cut himself in several places.