Despite his misgivings he began preaching in Falmouth, particularly after his neighbors heard that he had become a New Light and sought his advice and asked him to lead them in prayer. That again brought him at odds with his parents, who were known to walk out of churches in which he began to preach. In 1776 he began preaching at Newport, the township adjacent to Falmouth. His reputation as a gifted spiritual speaker spread, and soon, crowds were flocking to Falmouth to hear him.