_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._
_New-York, July 29, 1770._
_My very dear Friend_,
SINCE my last, and during this month, I have been above a five hundred miles circuit, and have been enabled to preach and travel through the heat every day. The congregations have been very large, attentive, and affected, particularly at _Albany_, _Schenecdady_, _Great Barrington_, _Norfolk_, _Salisbury_, _Sharon_, _Smithfield_, _Powkeepsy_, _Fishkill_, _New Rumburt_, _New Windsor_, and _Peckshill_. Last night I returned hither, and hope to set out for _Boston_ in two or three days. O what a new scene of usefulness is opening in various parts of this new world! All fresh work, where I have been. The divine influence hath been as at the first. Invitations croud upon me both from ministers and people, from many, many quarters. A very peculiar providence led me lately to a place, where a horse-stealer was executed. Thousands attended. The poor criminal had sent me several letters, hearing I was in the country. The Sheriff allowed him to come and hear a sermon under an adjacent tree. Solemn, solemn! After being by himself about an hour, I walked half a mile with him to the gallows. His heart had been softened before my first visit. He seemed full of solid divine consolations. An instructive walk. I went up with him into the cart. He gave a short exhortation. I then stood upon the coffin, added, I trust, a word in season, prayed, gave the blessing, and took my leave. Effectual good, I hope, was done to the hearers and spectators. Grace! grace! But I must not enlarge. The Ship is going, and I keep at home to write this. O that you had only dropped a line by the _New-York_ packet! That is convenient for all parts of the continent. My next may be from _Boston_. Pray excuse me to all; for travelling and preaching entirely prevent my writing as I would. All are continually remembered by, my very dear friend,
Less than the least of all,