At the end of 1795 and beginning of 1796, I was ordered to write to the Church ministers.
The next summer, 1794, corn grew dear, and distress began in our land.
I was now ordered to have my writings copied, and put into the printer's hand.
I am the fool, and must be the sufferer, if it be not of God.
New-Year's Day arriving, and the ministers, to whom I wrote, remaining silent, I consider their silence as evidence, that they cannot prove what I said not to be from the Lord, and have therefore published as I was directed.
I shall now proceed to my own experience, which hath truly convinced me, the Lord is awakened as one out of sleep; and the voice of the Lord will shake terribly the earth.