An Enslaved Woman in Massachusetts Details Her Conversion in the Great Awakening, 1764

[P]hillis Cogswell, Negro

[I] was wro't upon in the former Reformation, going to [the?] meetings and seeing others under concern, bro't me under concern fearing I should be left while others were saved; but my concern seemed to be for awhile from an apprehension that I had no convictions; but one night when I came out of the Meeting-House, I sat down and tho't how sad it was that I must leave the Meeting without receiving any Benefit, but those words coming to my mind, Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God that giveth the increase, I went home and went to bed, and the last I tho't of before I fell asleep was a couple of verses in the cradle-hymn; but in the night I awaked up and all my sins seem'd to be set in order before my Eyes, and they appeared as numerous as the Sands on the Sea Shore, and I cried out good Lord what must I do to be saved-Jesus thou son of David have Mercy on me; and for about a week together I kept crying for Mercy, and it seem'd wonderful that I was out of hell, wonderful sparing Mercy.-I was made sensible my heart was nothing but Sin, and that I had never done any Thing but sin against God and it would have been just with God to cast me into hell: I took to reading the Bible, and those words in Isaiah, Ho every one that thirsteth let him come to the waters, and he that hath no money let him come, &c, and that, come now and let us reason together saith the Lord tho' your sins be as scarlet, seemed to be comforting Texts, they came into my mind often and yet I could not get hold on them: and sometimes while I was reading the Bible I sho'd be worried with a tho't that the wicked one would appear to me:-but one Day while I was about my work those words came to my Mind, come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, I tho't with myself, I am weary and heavy-laden, I have a burden of guilt lying on me[,] Christ is all-sufficient to give rest-I may come; I will come to Christ for Rest, and my Burden was immediately taken away and I felt so light as if I could fly: Christ appeared lovely to my soul.-Sin appeared odious to me, and I tho't I should never sin any more; but I find when I would do good, evil is present with me and expect it will while in this Life, tho' I desire to be made per- fect:-and don't allow myself in any known Sins; I desire your prayers for me and your acceptance of me:-I bless God he has given me to rejoyce with those that do rejoyce in this blessed Time of the outpouring of God's Spirit. 

propounded April 22, I764