Lewis Chaudoin, s/o Francois CHAUDOIN & Sarah WEAVER: >From the records and collections of R. S. Sanders: "LEWIS CHADOIN (sic) The author remembers with lively interest an occasional interview wit the humble, simple-minded Chadoin; when his pilgrimage nearly close, he was still waiting upon God, and aiming to honor him. He was truly a good man, esteemed by all as such, though his pulpit talents were not such as to excite special attention. We present, in his own language, the leading exercises in his mind in being led to a knowledge of the truth. It is the substance of a statement made by him, in the Richmond Enquirer, the oldest political paper in Virginia, and one of the oldest in the United States. It was written chiefly for the benefit of his numerous friends and relatives, with whom he had, as he said, no better means of communicating:--- 'I was born in the Count of Chesterfield, in A.D. 1754, and am now a resident of Goochland County, Virginia. When about fourteen years of age, I was greatly concerned on the subject of religion; so much so, that for seven years my mind was almost wholly occupied with it. During the latter part of the seventh year, I felt afraid that God would never pardon my sins, but came to this resolution, that although there might not be forgiveness for me, yet would I die, seeking the pardoning love of God. Greatly was I impressed; great, indeed, with my burden; but the Lord enabled me to believe; and when I thus believed, my burden was gone. I felt happy beyond expression. I felt that I could have persuaded the whole world to believe. For three months after this period, my mind was so occupied with religion, that the whole amount of time spent in thinking of other matters did not, I think, amount to a single day. After this my peace of mind was interrupted for about one year. I was then called on to discharge the duties of a soldier in the revolutionary war, which I did for one year. After my return home, I felt it my duty to engage in the work of the ministry; but being poor and unlearned, I labored to remove this impression for two years. It seemed, however, that I could not be happy without making an effort to discharge a duty which now seemed still more plain. The effort was made; the Lord removed all difficulties, and I was set fully at liberty. For the last fifty-three years I have been laboring to call sinners to repentance. In the first place, I built upon Christ, believed faith and repentance necessary to salvation, and have never since changed my views. I have, in no instance, had a stipulated salary for ministerial services, but have always been satisfied with such free-will offerings as brethren or friends migh give. I have joined in matrimony six hundred and twenty-five couples; have preached more than five hunded funeral sermons; and although in my eighty-fourth year, can, by the blessing of God, ride ten milies and preach two sermons the same day.' This was addressed to the editor of the Enquirer, from his residence in Goochland County, December 1st, 1837. He lived, still to proclaim the Saviour he love, several years, and then fell asleep. His death occurred January 4th, 1845, being nearly ninety-one years old. For many years he preached monthly at Cartersville. An incident is related concerning him at that place. During a long, dry season, he was observed to pray very fervently that God would send rain upon the earth; and the same afternoon a refreshing shower descended, to the joy of all. Although there may have been no special connection of his prayer with the fall of the rain, yet the people, many of them unconverted, had so much confidence in him, that they made up a contribution of fifty dollars and presented to him. His funeral serman was preached by Elder Andrew Broaddus, from the words, 'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.' He closed his discourse in the following language:-- 'He who restored Lazarus to a state of mortal life, can cause this mortal to put on immortality, and his promise is pledged for the glorious consummation. The rainbow of hope is struck on the dark cloud of death; it bestrides the graves of all believers; the blessed token of an approaching morning of cloudless light, a day of endless peace and joy. Let me remind you that our old brother shall rise again. Humble and unpretending in his course, his life was watched, and his death was marked, by the Great Shephert and Keeper of grace. He was the friend of Jesus. He now sleeps; but the Redeemer comes to awake him out of sleep.' " (Source: Taylor, Virginia Baptist Ministers, Vol. 2, pp. 219-221: LEWIS CHADOIN)