1806

We closed our conference in great peace and order: no

murmurs about the stations from preachers or people.fm1 Since we came here we have had twenty-six sermons; one of which I preached upon 1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no man despise thy youth.” Brother Whatcoat ordained the deacons. We see no immediate fruit of our labours; but doubtless we shall hear of it, following our many prayers night and day.

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Seven of us came away in company to Mr. Evans’s, Lynch’s Creek; and next day I parted from brother William M’Kendree, bending my course to Jerningham’s, in Anson county, North Carolina. NORTH CAROLINA

On Wednesday we crossed Well’s ferry after waiting an hour: a snowstorm kept with us from Pee Dee to Rockingham; here the people would have assembled, but there was a wedding afoot; this is a matter of moment, as some men have but one during life, and some find that one to have been one too many.

On Thursday a cold, cold ride of twenty miles without stopping, was as much as we could well bear; after warming we took the road again, and came to Smith’s, twelve miles. This week we have had heat for the first of June; and cold and snow for January.

On Friday we reached Fayetteville; putting up with John Lumsden, near the African church. I felt that I had taken a deep cold. I was busy on Saturday in answering letters. Joseph Crawford, that he might not be idle, preached to the Africans in the evenings.

Sabbath day, 12. Unwell; nevertheless, I took the pulpit. Monday morning, we made a start for Wilmington, and came to the widow Anderson’s, forty-six miles, Next day we took the round-about way by the bridges, and made forty-five miles: to ride ninety-one miles within day- light, in two days, kept us busy; but we are safe in Wilmington. My affliction upon my breast was great.

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We rest. It is very cold; ice in the tubs.

Sabbath day, 19. I preached on that great subject, Colossians 1:27, 28; we had about fifteen hundred hearers in our house of worship, sixty-six by thirty-three feet, galleried all around. There may be five thousand souls in Wilmington; one fourth of which number, it may be, were present. Joseph Crawford preached in the afternoon and at night. I gave order for the completion of the tabernacle and dwelling-house, according to the charge left me by William Meredith.

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On our way to Newbern we stopped with Mr. Nixon, at

Topsail: his house and heart are always open to the faithful ministers of Christ. I have been greatly afflicted with cold, but exceedingly happy in God—I live in love.

On Tuesday we had a solitary ride to Lot Ballard’s, New River. Hail, prosperity! the chapel shaded; a revival amongst white and black: Lot lives in Jerusalem.

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A heavy storm of rain. I rode to Eli Perry’s, son of John; here is a son of faith and prayer; I walked with his dear good father—now, I trust, in the paradise of God. I met elder Bruce; all our talk is, What hath God wrought! In Beaufort the Lord hath put forth his power: the whole town seems disposed to bow to the sceptre of the Lord Jesus, after being left and visited again, within the last twenty years, by his faithful ministers.

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We came into Newbern, twenty-three miles. The prospects here are good. The providence of God was manifested in our preservation to-day. Our horses took fright whilst in the wagon, and went off like fire: they happily struck, and locked a wheel on a poplar; the swingle-tree snapped, no more: less damage, if any, could scarcely have been done.

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I have read the Jewish Antiquities. I have read Mungo Park’s Travels in Africa.fm2 Certain parts are so extraordinary, that it appeared like a romance. If true, he experienced astonishing hardships. It would seem by this narrative, that the Africans are in a state so wretched, that any sufferings with the Gospel, would be submitted to in preference. But I have my doubts.

Sabbath day, 26. I preached upon Hebrews 10:37-39. It was a time and a testimony that was felt.

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It is as pleasant as May: the rivers are very low. We came with great ease to Washington, and lodged one night. Joseph Crawford did not let that awful town go unwarned.

On Tuesday we took the road and came to James Williams’s, on Tranter’s Creek. Griffith Floyd died in the Lord a few days ago. He was a man of affliction, and a man of God—but not a preacher. At the new chapel, I spoke on Wednesday, on 1 Peter 3:14. I was very warm, upon death, the resurrection, judgment, and glory. I visited brother Knowis, and saw sister Hinton and the widow Williams,—on their way to glory.

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We came very pleasantly to Williamstown. I was afflicted with a severe pain in my foot. On Friday I was busy planning; but in pain.

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We came twenty miles to the widow Williams’s,

near Taylor’s ferry. On the Sabbath I preached on Acts 17:30, 31: “Now he commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”

I. The nature of repentance—the whole of religion.

II. The universality of repentance—all orders, stations, characters, must repent.

III. The possibility of, and the provision made for, repentance,—the gift of Christ—the death of Christ—the agency of the Spirit—the preaching of the Gospel—the means of grace.

IV. Necessity of repentance—from the considerations of the fall and our own actual transgressions, a future state and general judgment. V. The time for repentance—now—this Gospel day of grace.

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We lodged at B. Pinner’s, on the east side of Roanoke, Northampton county.

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We lodged at the widow Meredith’s, in Murfreesboro. We crossed Manney’s Ferry next day, and came to the widow Baker’s, Knotty Pine.

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I preached at Daniel Southall’s, Gates court house: my subject was Revelation 3:5. I was pleased to see so many come out upon so short a notice; may they overcome! From Camden to Gates court house I compute four hundred and eighty miles.

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We came to Edenton. At Joshua Manning’s. Saturday, rested, and read, and wrote. I begin to prepare my mind and my papers for the conference. On the Sabbath I preached in the court house, upon 2 Corinthians 5:20.

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We started and came rapidly along, calling to see Martin Ross, a Baptist minister, by the way. We lodged with Colonel Hamilton, Elizabeth city.

VIRGINIA

On Tuesday we reached James Wilson’s, Northwest Woods, Norfolk county. It takes many jolts to ride one hundred miles over rough roads, in two days and a half. I called upon John Hodges: I feel seriously for his soul’s welfare. I saw the grave of sister Wilson: these were profitable visits to me.

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Virginia Conference began in Norfolk; progressed peaceably, and ended on Thursday. One member opposed all petitions from the people for conference sittings: he also condemned all epistles from the sister conferences, as being too long and pompous, and as likely to make innovations. He dictated an epistle himself by way of sample, to show how epistles ought to be written: the committee of addresses wrote one too; but it was rejected, as being too much like that of the objecting member, whose epistle was rejected as being too much like himself: the conference voted that none should be sent. Strange, that such an affair should occupy the time of so many good men! Religion will do great things; but it does not make Solomons.

We had preaching morn, noon, and night; large congregations, and many souls engaged. We have reason to hope that nearly one hundred souls were under the operations of grace. I ordained two elders, and brother Whatcoat twelve deacons.

We have a rich supply of preachers for every circuit; and an addition of two thousand three hundred and ninety-eight in numbers, exclusive of the dead, expelled, withdrawn, and removed.

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We came away to Suffolk; next day came to General Wells’s,

Isle of Wight.fm3 On Sunday, at Blunt’s chapel, I spoke on Hebrews 13:13. It was not a great meeting. I have not had a good night’s rest until last night, for the last twenty days; during the sitting of conference, five hours were as much as I could get in the twenty-four. I feel happy in God continually.

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We came to Bernard Major’s, Surry county: on Tuesday to Petersburg; and Wednesday to Richmond: I had no time to preach, but Joseph Crawford gave them a sermon in each place. On Thursday we left the capital, and came on to Lyon’s, Caroline; on Friday got to Fredericksburg.

Saturday,March 1. We rode to brother Samford’s, Pohick, within twelve miles of Alexandria. Cold for certain. Sunday, brother Whatcoat preached in the forenoon, and myself in the afternoon, in Alexandria. The cold was great, and the wind piercing.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

On Monday we rode to Georgetown (D.C.).

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I preached; my subject was, “Godliness is profitable unto all things”: it was a feeling, quickening time to myself and others.

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I was employed in writing to the missionaries in the

Mississippi Territory. Company does not amuse, congress does not interest me:fm4 I am a man of another world, in mind and calling: I am Christ’s; and for the service of his Church. Some years past, I called at Mr. M.’s, in Calvert county: I acted as I do in all houses: now I have found one of his sons a member of the Georgetown society. Does God always hear prayer, and answer it? If it is in the Spirit’s groaning, and in purity of intention, and in faith, doubtless He does.

MARYLAND

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We set out to Spurrier’s—all my old friends are dead or removed. Saturday brought us to Baltimore. Sunday, at Light Street, my subject was Colossians 1:28; at the African church, Colossians 1:9- 12.

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Rested, wrote, and received friends.

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My mind is wholly for God. What hath the Lord wrought,

and what is he still doing! Scarcely a letter from any one that does not tell us good news of the work of God, as our yearly letter-book will testify.

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Our conferencefm5 began in great peace.

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The stations were read off, and all concluded in great peace: never had we a better conference in Baltimore. An answer was given to Dr. Coke’s letter, I fear, in a manner that will not please him. An order was passed that the answer should be presented to all the annual conferences. It was also recommended to the annual conferences to consider on the propriety of having a select, delegated Conference: the eastern, western, and southern conferences were counselled to take such measures as they, in their wisdom, might see best, to produce a more equal representation from their several bodies to the General Conference.

On the Sabbath (16th), I preached at Fell’s Point: my subject, Isaiah 61:1: “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace.” Introduction. Zion—the interests and welfare of the Church: Jerusalem—the interests of the State. General propositions. On what principles we should calculate the true interests of the Church and State—who are concerned—what are the ways and means, and what the instruments to be used for the promotion of their welfare. At Old Townfm6 I also gave them a talk: my subject, Psalm li: “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted to thee.” On Thursday we had an ordination of elders: I preached on the occasion; my subject was 1 Peter 5:1-4. The work of God went on in all the four congregations, night and day: there might be thirty souls converted; but I hope we had one hundred under the operations of grace. We had nearly ninety members on the conference list, eighty-three of whom were stationed. On Saturday I went to Perry Hall, to enjoy a calm after such a storm of labour.

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I preached at Perry Hall; and after the snow ceased, came away to Josias Dallam’s, twenty miles.

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We crossed Susquehanna. Calm and cold. Dined at Captain

William Howell’s at Northeast, and lodged at Mr. Moody’s, having called in for a minute at Back Creek:fm7 by riding a little in the night, we have made little short of fifty miles today.

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I preached at Georgetown Cross Roads. Ah! there is

death in the pot here. I rode on to Chestertown. On Thursday I spoke in the new, neat chapel in Kent;fm8 and was long and laboured. I visited Carvill Hinson: after a twenty years’ separation, we who were left were comforted in God together. I have made twenty-four miles today—feeble, and afflicted with a cold and sore throat, but happy in God. The appointment for Friday, at Centreville, was filled by Bishop Whatcoat. After dining with Thomas Wright, I rode on to Mr. Lockerman’s. I preached at Easton on Saturday; my subject, Romans 14:19: “Let us follow after the things that make for peace,” &c. In their estimate of the things of the world, as also of the ceremonials of religion, men will widely differ:—these objects, to a divinely-illuminated mind, are not worth the dispute they frequently occasion. But the things most worthy of all our attention, and our most engaged and diligent following after, are the things that make for peace, and promote the soul’s edification; and these are the great things of God— the love of God; the death of Christ; the operations of his Spirit; and the deep things of God, respecting sanctification and eternal glory. I stay at Captain Frazer’s, Caroline county. My hoarseness is afflictive, but my soul is filled with God.

Sabbath, 30. A very dry season. My mind was greatly engaged for a spiritual rain—and temporal also. The Chesapeake district, so far, is not promising: the people’s minds are agitated about stationed preachers, some for and some against. The devil would rather they would do something worse than disagree; but this to him is better than nothing. I only exhorted a little at Frazer’s chapel, and after meeting rode home with Thomas Foster—of the old stamp and steady.

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I rode down to Cambridge, and preached at eleven o’clock: my subject Psalms 51:9Psalm 51:9, 10; I felt assisted.

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We returned to Thomas Foster’s. I saw Joseph Everett— feeble but faithful, in patient waiting for his Lord. DELAWARE

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At Brown’s chapelfm9 I spoke on 2 Corinthians 6:1: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

I. The Gospel dispensation.

II. The revival of religion.

III. The operations of grace in enabling believers to make advances in the Divine life: this was the grand point urged, to wit: that God giveth grace to prepare for more—grace for grace—convictions for sin that they may repent—repentance that they may believe—justification that they may be convinced of indwelling sin—this convincement will evidence to believers the necessity of sanctification; from whence follow faithfulness unto death, and the crown of glory.

The work of God revives; the chapel will soon be neatly finished: the second generation are filling the house, and joining their labours to what myself and their fathers did in the days of their fathers. I lodged at brother Davis’s.fm10 They have built a good chapel at Deep Creek.fm11 I exhorted here on Thursday after Joseph Crawford had preached. We dined at brother Baker’s, and came on to Salisbury, Maryland: here the work revives; Joseph Crawford preached; I was unwell. VIRGINIA

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We came to William Downing’s, Virginia. At Downings chapel I spoke on Revelation 2:10. After sermon we rode to Accomac and lodged at Mr. Seymour’s: here Joseph Crawford preached in the evening.

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That no time might be lost we started away at eight o’clock in the morning to brother Watts’s, twenty-seven miles; my subject was Isaiah 33:14-16: “The sinners in Zion are afraid,” &c. I preached in the court house, Accomac: it was an alarming season. The cold was great; and the winds are high. No rain—it is judgment weather—O Lord, arise! MARYLAND

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At Snow Hill my subject was Hebrews 3:12-14. A blessed rain came on before sermon and continued after it. DELAWARE

We rode fifteen miles to brother C. Hazzard’s, Poplartown, State of Delaware.

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We rode forty miles to Broadkilntown:fm12 I spoke on 1 Corinthians 15:58.

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I preached at Millford, and then rode on to Dover, and took up father Whatcoat; on the way he was taken with a fit of the gravel, and I was afraid would die. I preached in Dover next day. We afterward rode to Duck Creek Cross Roads in a snow storm. Here the people are all very fervent, and the children praise the Lord: Joseph Crawford preached.fm13

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We came in on as cold a day as one would wish who was fond of extremes, to Wilmington, forty miles. Ah! but I must preach. Well, I gave them a sermon at seven o’clock. The Africans here have a house to themselves, of stone, and equal in size to that of the whites.fm14 PENNSYLVANIA

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brought us to Philadelphia. From Baltimore, round by the eastern shore hither, has cost us, by computation, five hundred and fifty miles. I have been greatly supported in body and mind; glory be to God. Sabbath, 13. I preached at St. George’s upon 2 Peter 1:12-14; at the Academy I spoke on James 5:7, 8. Many of the preachers were already in the city for conference. In the sitting of conference we had so much irregular, desultory work, that we went on slowly. We had sixty-three members present for travelling, besides those to be received in locations, and as supernumerary and worn out. Doctor Coke’s letter was answered by a committee of ten preachers.

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Conference rose. Of seventy-six preachers stationed, all

appeared to be pleased but two or three; but neither they, nor any one else, can know the difficulties I had to encounter in the arrangement of the stations. Brother Whatcoat was left very ill at Dover—perhaps he is dead. Eight deacons and six elders were ordained. I preached three times. I hope many souls will be converted in consequence of the coming together of this conference—having had great peace in the societies, and sound, sure preaching three times a day.

NEW JERSEY

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We came to Gloucester Point,fm15 and on to Carpenter’s bridge;fm16 here we have a Quaker Methodist meeting house: I preached upon 2 Peter 1:4; heavy as I was, I had some openings. I visited my old friends Thomas and Margaret Taper. At Sharptownfm17 on Wednesday—no appointment. I walked to the meeting house; in the burying ground I saw the graves of some of the faithful—amongst these that of John Vanneman,fm18 once a travelling preacher. We rode to John Firth’s, Salem—no appointment.

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We returned to William Dilkes’s.fm19

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Except a few wandering thoughts, I feel great peace and holiness to God in my soul. I preached at Bethel upon Romans 12:1, 2. We lodged at Daniel Bates’s. I spoke upon 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13. We had a ride of thirty-five or forty miles to-day.

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I preached at Burlington once more: my subject was 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,” &c. The characters to whom repentance is essentially necessary—the unawakened; the unfaithful; the backslidden. The repentance of believers—the consciousness of indwelling sin, improved by faith and prayer, is productive of holiness. The gracious will of God is, to furnish means, men, and opportunities, because he is not willing that any should perish, until they have a suitable trial. The coming of the Lord was his judicial appearing to say, Depart, ye cursed: or if understood as some judicial displays of his wrath, his coming will not be the less certain because of delay—for one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day with the Lord.

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I spoke at New Mills on 1 Thessalonians 5:23. I visited Richard Swain:fm20 there were several preachers, and some others present, and the Lord’s supper was partaken.

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I preached at Mount Zion,fm21 in the woods, near a little town called Egypt.fm22 We dined at Fuller Horner’s,fm23 and rode on to Stephen Barcalow’s.fm24 We have made nearly forty miles to-day. I enjoy great evenness of mind and life in my labours.

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I preached at Lower Freehold. I came home with Simon Pyle.fm25 Ah! what a death there is in the Leonard family!fm26

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I breakfasted with Throckmorton:fm27 his loss is his

gain—he has lost his birth-right as a citizen of the State, but he has the blessing of God on his soul. I preached at Cheesecake meeting house:fm28 here, a people who have a trick of claiming a right to all free meeting houses, had shouldered the Methodists out; but the earth helped the woman—the people of the world have built a house for us. We lodged at Mr. Warne’s.fm29

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I feel the effects of my toil. I declined preaching in New Brunswick; Joseph Crawford supplied my place. I rode on to Benjamin Drake’s.

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I crossed Long Ferryfm30 to Staten Island. It is like winter here: but what cannot the God of nature and of grace do physically and spiritually? I viewed the spot where I first landed on the island in October, 1771: I am alive, and about my Master’s work still—Glory! glory! Sabbath, 4. At the first meetingfm31 Joseph Crawford preached, I only exhorted; at the second meeting house,fm32 on the north side, I preached: we lodged at Nicholas Crocheron’s.

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I preached at Elizabethtown, and then came on to Newark. After stopping awhile, we moved forward to Second River,fm33 and called a meeting at which Joseph Crawford preached. We have a warm day, the harbinger of spring: universal nature seems starting into innumerable forms of promise of the fruitful year—O that it may be so spiritually!

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I preached at Belleville, and rode on to New York. NEW YORK

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I viewed the ground at Philip’s Manor, selected for our camp meeting.fm34 I felt as if God would be there, in answer to our prayers for nine months past. In the evening we came to Sherwood’s Vale; and at night I went to the camp ground, and looked on at the people, busy clearing the ground, fixing the seats, and building the stand.

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I rested and wrote.

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began with a storm; but the people came, bringing their tents and baggage weary with walking.

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The weather cleared.

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I preached: it was an open season; companies here and there dispersed, kept up the exercise of singing and prayer through the day, and far into the night; the Brooklyn tent was all prayer the greater part of the time. A marquee had been fixed for the preachers; and provisions came in from both town and country, the brethren from both delightfully meeting in worship and affections. On Monday the people of the world seemed to make a surrender; there was no longer a necessity for guards. There were between eighty and one hundred official members present; about one thousand Methodists; and some presumed, about six thousand souls were on the ground at different times: the people were so dispersed, and there was such a continual coming and going, I had no means of judging.

We had great order and great power from the beginning to the end: I judge two hundred souls were made the subjects of grace in its various operations of conviction, conversion, sanctification, and reclamation. Glory! glory!

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We came to New York.

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I recollected myself and wrote letters.

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The conference commenced its sitting,fm35 and rose on

Thursday. We sat seven hours in each day, in great love, order, and peace. A paper was read, setting forth the uncertain state of the superintendency,fm36 and proposing the election of seven elders, from each of the seven conferences, to meet at Baltimore, July 4, 1807, for the sole purpose of establishing the American superintendency on a surer foundation: this subject will be submitted to the consideration of all the conferences.fm37 The answer to Dr. Coke’s letter,fm38 by the conference of New York, was read, to be submitted to all the conferences. I preached three times, and ordained three African deacons. We had preaching in the Parkfm39 as well as regularly in the meeting houses, and a day of fasting and prayer for the health of the city, the success of our conference labours, and the prosperity of Zion. I was greatly supported and blest. The preachers were, perhaps, never better satisfied with their stations. CONNECTICUT

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I preached at New Haven. After meeting I visited sister Thacher,fm40 rejoicing in perfect love; perhaps she is near her end. Since the

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