my fellow-creatures; and I was often carried to distant lands and
shown places where I should have to travel and deliver the Lord's
message. Years afterwards, I found myself visiting those towns and
countries that I had seen in the light as I sat at home at my
sewing,--places of which I had never heard.

Some years from this time I was sold to a Presbyterian for a term of
years, as he did not think it right to hold slaves for life. Having
served him faithfully my time out, he gave me my liberty, which was
about the thirtieth year of my age.

As I now lived in a neighborhood where I could attend religious
meetings, occasionally I felt moved to speak a few words therein; but
I shrank from it--so great was the cross to my nature.

I did not speak much till I had reached my forty-second year, when it
was revealed to me that the message which had been given to me I had
not yet delivered, and the time had come. As I could read but little,
I questioned within myself how it would be possible for me to deliver
the message, when I did not understand the Scriptures. Whereupon I was
moved to open a Bible that was near me, which I did, and my eyes fell
upon this passage, "Gird up thy loins now like a man, and answer thou
me. Obey God rather than man," &c. Here I fell into a great exercise
of spirit, and was plunged very low. I went from one religious
professor to another, enquiring of them what ailed me; but of all
these I could find none who could throw any light upon such
impressions. They all told me there was nothing in Scripture that
would sanction such exercises. It was hard for men to travel, and what
would women do? These things greatly discouraged me, and shut up my
way, and caused me to resist the Spirit. After going to all that were