1807

we set out for Columbia, dining in the

woods on our route: it was excessively cold. I preached in Mr. Harrison’s house in the evening. Next day we came to Camden. Saturday brought us to Rembert Hall. We have been redeeming time by riding two hundred and twenty miles in five days. It has been so cold, I have not been able to pray and meditate as I wished. I must now answer thirteen letters in two days. My body is afflicted, but I am kept in perfect love.

Sabbath, 11. We attended, as was meet, at Rembert’s chapel. I gave them a sermon on 1 Chronicles 28:9.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 486

We came away to M’Cullom’s ferry.fn1 I had finished my writing on Monday and Tuesday. On our way we dined at Woodham,fn2 and lodged with Jeremiah Heath. On Thursday we crossed Pee Dee, and came to Colonel Bethea’s.fn3

NORTH CAROLINA

Friday brought us through Lumberton, in North Carolina, lodging with Peter Gautier. We found ourselves obliged to ride on the Lord’s day, through the cold, to Wilmington, crossing two rivers in a snow and hail storm. I have ridden four hundred and twenty miles in ten days and a half—cold, sick, and faint: it was as much as I could well bear up under.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 486

Busy making extracts from letters, and planning for conferences. Tuesday occupied as yesterday; in the evening I preached. I feel that God is here. On Wednesday brother Kendrick preached. Thursday, reading and writing; Joshua Wells preached.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 486

I preached in the tabernacle, upon Matthew 11:28-30. It was a time of some quickening. On Saturday, reading Wesley’s Sermons, first volume; those who feel disposed to complain of the brevity of his Notes, should recollect the wonderful amount and variety of his literary labours, polemical and practical, besides the care of all the Churches in three kingdoms.

Sabbath, 25. A high day on Mount Zion. At the rising of the sun, John Charles began the worship of the day; he chose for his subject Romans 8:1. At eleven o’clock I held forth on Hebrews 3:12-15. I spoke again at three o’clock on Isaiah 55:6, 7. Stith Mead preached at six o’clock in the evening. O that by any means we may save some! On Monday and Tuesday still reading Wesley’s Sermons: I have completed thirty nearly. On Tuesday evening I preached, and it was a serious time.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 487

We took our flight from Wilmington: what I felt and

suffered there, from preachers and people, is known to God. At Nixon’s, Topsail, I preached on 2 Peter 3:14. On Thursday I rode forty miles to the Richlands, and preached at Lot Ballard’s. Friday evening found us at Perry’s. Saturday brought us to Newbern: we had an awful storm of rain.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 487

I preached on Sunday at eleven o’clock.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 487

We have used great diligence in our conference labours,fn4

and have been faithful to the pulpit. I preached to-day on 1 Corinthians 2:5. On the Sabbath I preached to the whites, on John 3:16; and to the Africans, on Ephesians 6:5-8. Much might be said; I will only observe that we have sixty-seven preachers, and have added three thousand one hundred and fifty-nine to this conference bounds; we have, since our sitting here, known that there are twenty whites converted, and as many blacks: these blessings on our labours pay all expenses, reward all toils in the midst of suffering and excessively cold weather.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 487

I gave them my last discourse on Psalms 34:15, 16; and next day came away to the widow Williams’s. On Wednesday at Pinner’s. The Roanoke had broken away with its ice. Thursday brought us to Murfreesboro: I preached upon 1 John 3:10, 11. It was the day after the celebration of Washington’s funeral: many of the respectables had come to town on this occasion, and still remained; these attended. I lodged at Doctor Key’s.

VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 487

We came to Suffolk. I had sent on a messenger, and found a congregation, to whom I spoke a few words, on 1 Peter 3:10-12. We felt a present God. Brother Yerbury: as dying and behold he lives, spiritually. I have time to make but few observations. We have had rain for three days past; bad roads for two hundred miles. Since I left Philadelphia I calculate having travelled two thousand four hundred and forty miles. At Norfolk I preached for them, and at Portsmouth. On Monday we came away to General Wells’s, Isle of Wight county; and next day called upon Willy Blunt on our way to Birdsong’s. Wednesday brought us through a proper storm to Petersburg: the streets were not easily passable. We lodged on Thursday night in Richmond at the house of the widow Tucker: the roads hither had well-nigh mired us. On Friday we lodged at William Smith’s: these are friends to camp meetings, and gracious souls. A long ride of forty-two miles brought us to Fredericksburg on Saturday; we got a little fodder for our horses, and took a cut of dry bread on the cold ground ourselves. My mind enjoys great peace; and yet there are subjects that might disturb it: but I pass them over; I am not fond of hurting the feelings of people.

Sabbath, 22. I preached in the church; and then came away to Aquia Town, sixteen miles, and lodged at Mr. Bailey’s. On Monday I went over to Sandford’s on Pohick; next day the rain followed us to Alexandria: at night I gave them a discourse on Revelation 14:12, 13. MARYLAND

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 488

We crossed over into Maryland at Georgetown (D.C.).

Surely the roads are bad! My mind is in great peace. I had to preach a kind of funeral discourse, on the death of Bishop Whatcoat,fn5 on Thursday: and on Friday I came away to Bladensburg. Here I baptized a child, and prayed with the afflicted, and resumed my march eastward through mud and mire, arriving in the night in Baltimore.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 488

Snow. I rested and wrote.

Sabbath, March 1. Light Street Chapel; I preached upon Hebrews 12:2. At the African churchfn6 my subject was Colossians 2:6.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 488

Our conference commencedfn7 its sitting on Monday, and rose this evening. There were a hundred and one members upon the list; eighteen of these were additions made. We sat six hours a day, and did much work in great peace. In the multiplicity of things that necessarily came before me, much must be left in shades; there were few complaints about stations. The increase within the bounds of the Baltimore Conference, is two thousand eight hundred and seventeen members. We had a great deal of faithful preaching. On the Sabbath I preached at the Point; and at Light Street I gave them my last discourse. I was in affliction and unwell, but always in peace; God is all in all.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 489

I left Baltimore for Perry Hall.fn8 I spent one night with the elders of the house and my old friends Jesse Hollingsworth, and Daniel Hitt, the faithful companion of my travels for three thousand miles. On Wednesday we left our kind friends, and came to Bennett’s.fn9 Next day I preached in brother Howell’s house, and came to North East. Friday brought us through rain and snow to Georgetown Cross Roads: here we called a meeting in the evening; my subject was 2 Corinthians 12:9. On Saturday we came in to Chestertown; it was damp and cold. Sabbath, 15. Hail, blessed day! The Sun of Righteousness within us, and the material sun once more gladdens the earth with his beams! Although we have taken five days to come from Baltimore to this place, a distance of one hundred miles, the stage drivers can tell that we have been pretty busy. At Chester I find that unpleasing prejudices have been excited by the publication of a pamphlet on succession in the Church; the author is one Kewley, who went from us.fn10 In the morning I preached upon Psalms 34:11Psalm 34:11: “Come, ye children,” &c. 1. Who are to be taught. 2. What they are to be taught. 3. Who are the teachers. 4. The happy consequences of being taught aright, and receiving and practising the instructions given. I spoke again in the afternoon, on Revelation 6:13, 14. My mind is in perfect peace.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 489

Came to Centreville, and I preached. After dining with

Thomas Wright,fn11 the brother of the present governor of Maryland, we came to Easton, and lodged with Mr. Lockerman.fn12 On Tuesday Daniel Hitt preached; I only exhorted. We met Joseph Everett, who conducted us to William Frazier’s to dine. On Wednesday we came to Thomas Foster’s. I was unwell, and Daniel Hitt preached. We rode on to Cambridge; Daniel Hitt preached in the evening.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 489

I took the pulpit at eleven o’clock; it was court time, it was cold, and the notice was short. My subject was 2 Corinthians 6:7: “The word of truth”—the grand doctrines of the Gospel, with special and general application. “The power of God”—in operation upon the souls of the people in numbers and degrees. “Armour of righteousness”—such as described in Ephesians, helmet of salvation, and so on. But more fully explanatory of the general subject in its analogy to the justifying and sanctifying operations of grace, and practical righteousness as it respects our relation to God and his Church. We returned to Thomas Foster’s.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 490

At Bethel, Brown’s chapel, Daniel Hitt preached, I only exhorted. We dined at father Davis’s, and lodged at his son William’s. The weather is excessively cold and disagreeably windy. On Saturday I preached at Deep Creek, and ordained two local preachers to the office of deacon. The day was unpleasant, and the house open. We dined with Deacon Baker, and then drove to George Parker’s, within four miles of Salisbury, for the night. I suffered so much in the last two days, that I could not keep my mind constantly engaged in prayer; this was my grief, but my patience bore me up.

Sabbath, 22. At Salisbury I preached upon Ephesians 4:1. The Episcopalians have had their day. Our appointment had not been made, nevertheless we preached; Daniel Hitt at eleven o’clock, and at night, and I at three o’clock in the afternoon; and we had people to hear us. VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 490

We came to dear William Downing’s, Accomack: I came in late and unwell.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 490

When I should have gone to preach, I went to bed ill with a bilious colic and fever.

MARYLAND

We came to Snow Hill on Wednesday; my chill and sickness continued, and Daniel Hitt preached. We kept on to Poplartown, and stopped at C. Hazzard’s: still unwell.

DELAWARE

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 490

We called to see brother Davis: he seemed to be dying by inches in a close room. We stopped at Mr. Clayton’s,fn13 Dagsboro, in Delaware: from hence we fled with speed to Lewistown, stopped and took coffee. I preached on 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; we had a crowded house and a gracious time.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 490

At Milford Bishop Whatcoat preached his last sermon, and as I preached here upon 2 Timothy 4:7, 8, it came as a matter of course to make some observations on his character, labours, piety, and death.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

I preached in Dover, and the numbers present were so great, that I stood up outside to speak; the wind was cold, and I uncovered. I preached the same day at Smyrna, at four o’clock. I hear many things of the weal and woe of the work of God.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

I gave them a sermon in Wilmington.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

Yesterday’s excessive cold is explaining itself in a snow storm.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

We arrived in Philadelphia.fn14

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

Our conference commenced its session on Thursday the 2d,

and finished to-day. We progressed and finished in great peace. The impeachment, trial, and examination of Richard Lyonfn15 took up most of a whole day: the affair was managed with prudence and impartiality, and, after a patient investigation of the case, it was determined not to give him the charge of a circuit this year. The preachers took their stations very willingly; for aught I know. The excessive labour of the last two days drove me to my bed during the recess of the sitting. Seven deacons and four elders were ordained. I may mention that a short reply was given to Doctor Coke’s long letter. On the Sabbath, at St. George’s, I preached on Revelation 2:10. The subject of Bishop Whatcoat was incorporated into my discourse at the Tabernacle: my text was Revelation 14:13. There was preaching in our houses as usual on conference occasions. NEW JERSEY

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

I came into Jersey, and lodged with Daniel Bates.

Sabbath, 12. I stood up once more at Bethel, and spoke on Revelation 22:14, 15. God hath been in this society—in the last year forty converts were added at one quarterly meeting: the people cease to oppose. We hope there have been three hundred souls converted in one year in this neighbourhood. John Duffieldfn16 is buried to-day: he had fallen away, but was restored at the last quarterly meeting, and intended to have rejoined the society—we hope he has joined the Church triumphant.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 491

A great storm of rain located us to the house at William Dilkes’s.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

Rode to Salem, and preached; I was still very unwell. At Pittsgrovefn17 on Wednesday I was unable to preach: I rode home with father Early.fn18 The widow Ayres,fn19 one of the first Methodists in the place, has died in peace.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

I gave an exhortation and we then came on to Daniel Bates’s. At brother Azail Coate’s,fn20 on Friday, I was fit for bed only: Daniel Hitt preached at Lumberton.fn21

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

At New Mills I gave a kind of funeral for Bishop Whatcoat. From Baltimore to this place I count having made six hundred and thirty miles. Sick or well, I have my daily labours to perform. I am hindered from that solitary, close, meditative communion with God I wish to enjoy. I move under great debility. I found old grandfather Buddfn22 worshipping, leaning upon the top of his staff—halting, yet wrestling like Jacob. Ah! we remember when Israel was a child; but now, how goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles (camp meetings), O Israel! Since October, 1771, I have visited Jersey, but never have I seen such prospects: to God the Lord be all the glory!

Sabbath, 19. In the Baptist chapel, Mount Holly,fn23 I spoke on Romans 10:26.fn24 I preached at Burlington at six o’clock.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

I gave them a sermon at Trenton; and once more at Hopewell I stood up in my Master’s name. We had one hundred souls, but we want more fire: the time will surely come to favour them.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

We came to Readingfn25: I spoke to an insensible people upon Acts 2:21. I may weary myself in vain to heap up spiritual riches, if others will not gather them, and take care of them.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 492

At Asburytown I gave them a faithful talk upon Hebrews 2:3, 4. There are about forty houses in or near this village, of all descriptions. In Philip Cummins’sfn26 kitchen I spoke to a few souls on Friday: my hearers were serious whilst I commented on Luke 11:9-13. Rough roads, damp weather, and daily preaching, has brought me low: wherever I come, being a stranger, people expect me to speak. O that I could see as great a prospect in East as in West Jersey! Come, thou south wind, and blow upon this garden!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We came to Andrew Freeman’s:fn27 our route brought us by the Drowned Landsfn28 upon Pequest Creek; this, doubtless, has once been a lake. I preached at Freeman’s, and we had a feeling season. About twenty years ago, I once preached at Log Jail church: I spoke once more on the Sabbath; my subject was Revelation 3:20, and I felt some enlargement. Daniel Hitt preached after me, and closed the meeting. We have preached, I suppose, to three thousand people in the Jerseys; and had we had good weather, it is quite probable we should have had six thousand. NEW YORK

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We rode forty miles to lodge near Warwick.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We came to John Ellison’s at Windsor.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

As we pursued our journey the rain came on whilst at

Major David Ostrander’s, and we halted. At New Paltz,fn29 on Friday, we found there was no passage to be had across the river, so we drove six miles down to a new bridge; we dined, and came on to Kingston, or Esopus; here we also were disappointed, so we turned aside to Cornelius Cole’s, at Hurley. On Friday we made forty miles over desperate roads, and lodged at a tavern, seven miles short of Coeyman’s Patent, where the conference was to sit.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We met such of the members of the conference as were present.

Sabbath, 3. I preached once more on the subject of the death of our dear departed brother Whatcoat.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We concluded our labours. The preachers took their stations with the simple-heartedness of little children. I find two thousand and one added to the bounds of this conference. Eighteen preachers and three missionaries. We had much labour, and great peace; and although, from the badness of the weather, we came home every evening through damps and mud, I had more rest than I should have had, had we convened in a city. We had preaching every noon.

Sabbath, 10. I preached at Albany on John 3:17. I dined with one English family and lodged with another.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 493

We set out on the turnpike roadfn30 to brother Carpenter’s, dined, and lodged at Cambridge.

VERMONT

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 494

brought us through Salem; we dined, talked, and prayed at Rupert’s:fn31 possibly God may save the tavern-keeper. We lodged at Branch’s: here we also prayed, but there was a tavern bar: we left, and came to Mr. Hireton’s; here the landlady wept and talked, but my faith for the poor woman was not strong. We came to Carpenter’s, at Chittenden, and hearing that Z. Andrews’s was a home for preachers, we turned aside to tarry for a night.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 494

We boldly engaged the Green Mountain, of which we had

heard awful accounts. I match it with rude Clinch, or rough Alleghany. We found snow in the gap. A tree was lying across the path; in leading the carriage over, it upset, but sustained little damage. Having dined at Pittsfield, we took fresh courage and proceeded on. When we came to White River we were obliged to lead the horses as they dragged the carriage up the heights, over rocks, logs, and cavings-in of the earth; arrived at the Narrows we found that the bank had given way and slidden down; I proposed to work the carriage along over by hand, whilst Daniel Hittfn32 led the horses; he preferred my leading them, so on we went, but I was weak, and not enough attentive, perhaps, and the mare ran me upon a rock; up went the wheel, hanging balanced over a precipice of fifty feet— rocks, trees, and the river between us; I felt lame by the mare’s treading on my foot; we unhitched the beast and righted the carriage, after unloading the baggage, and so got over the danger and difficulty. But never in my life have I been in such apparent danger. O Lord, thou hast saved man and beast! We gladly stopped in Royaltown at brother Ayres’s. I have been happy under great temptations and hard labour. In every house, tavern and private, I have prayed and talked; this is part of my mission. I have two hundred miles before me for the next week—and can I accomplish this labour? what is impossible with me is possible with God.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 494

We came to Cox’s,fn33 and next day I preached at Barnard, and had an open season. I ordained five deacons, namely, Carpenter, Currier, Peck, Sterling, and Perkins. On the Sabbath day I preached in the woods: my text was 1 Timothy 2:15. It hailed, and in the afternoon snowed. We had three discourses, in and out of the house, and held a love feast. The work revives in this town.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 495

We came down White River, and crossed the Connecticut at Lyman’s bridge.fn34 We have made forty miles to-day. NEW HAMPSHIRE

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 495

We crossed the mountains and came into New Hampshire at

Andover,fn35 and continued on, dining and praying at Salisbury, to Concord, forty miles: we lodged at Mr. Ambrose’s tavern:fn36 our host was polite and attentive. We came on Wednesday eighteen miles to dinner at Mr. Harvey’s,fn37 Northwood; then through Durham and Dover, into Berwick, the first town in the district, where we put up for the night. MAINE

On Thursday morning, we came sixteen miles to breakfast, but I had taken medicine. We kept on through Kennebunk, Saco, and Scarborough, into Portland: I was unwell, had travelled hard, rising at four o’clock every morning, yet I had to preach here at eight o’clock in the evening. God is here: brother David Batchelor’s labours have been blessed. I lodged with Major Illsley, still our great friend.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 495

We took up our journey through Falmouth to New Yarmouth and stopped at our brother Jabez Bradburg’s: we had six hours’ rain. It is an awful backward spring, and there is a great scarcity of hay. The wet weather prevents ploughing and seeding. Cold! cold!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 495

We lodged with Mr. Dearborn,fn38 in Monmouth. We count having made two hundred and thirty miles this week, over hard roads in many senses: my work is for God—my reward from him: may I be made perfect through Christian and ministerial trials and sufferings!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 495

I preached in Monmouth, on Isaiah 35:3-6. At Major Cobb’s, where I lodged in Gray, I left my glasses when starting on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday I preached at Scarborough at five o’clock in the evening, upon Hebrews 3:12-14. We sent forward the preachers to call a meeting in the town of Berwick, in the District of Maine; on Wednesday I preached to them, and the people were attentive:—this is the beginning of Methodism in this place.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 496

We dined at Epping, New Hampshire, and came on within

six miles of Haverhill. To travel forty miles a day, and be under the necessity of going into dram and sin-infected taverns: it is such a journey that teaches us the value of hospitality in the South, and the excellency of Methodism everywhere: how laborious has it been; and expensive; and, it may be, unsuccessful! But my work and my judgement is with the Lord. MASSACHUSETTS

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 496

At Waltham, I gave them a sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13; several preachers were present. It rained on the Sabbath. My Bible and plans for conference stations occupied my mind, and became the devotions of the day.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 496

Came to Boston. On Tuesday we opened our conference, ninety-two preachers being on the list.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 496

Our conference rose. There were eight hundred dollars paid; and we were nearly three thousand insolvent. It kept us busy to preach five times a day, ordain fifty-nine to office, and inquire and examine into characters, graces, and gifts, and appoint the numerous stations. I preached on Wednesday, and an ordination sermon on Thursday, and on Saturday evening came away to the town of Lynn. And must I walk through the seven conferences, and travel six thousand miles in ten months?

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 497

I preached in Lynn, administered the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, and came to Waltham. At Westborough I preached on Monday, on Luke 19:10. I lodged at brother Nicholas’s. In spite of heat and lameness, we were favoured to reach Wilbraham on Tuesday. To Westfield on Wednesday, crossing the bridge at Springfield. I am in peace; I dare not murmur, though in pain. I had an interview with a Baptist minister: he started at prayer—he called it talk to any sinner: the answer is, they cannot pray.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 497

We crossed the mountain to Pittsfield, thirty-seven miles: we had a violent wind, excessive cold, and I was very lame. Methodism prevails in this quarter: in two societies, two hundred members have been added. A camp meeting is appointed to be held on Monday next. NEW YORK

On Saturday we made a great ride of forty miles to Waterford,fn38 in New York State. I was lame on the Sabbath, but I must preach: my subject was John 3:19.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 497

Faint, sick, and lame. I made twenty miles to Schenectady,fn40 and was entertained at Isaac Johnson’s:fn41 he is a disciple of Woolman Hickson’s,fn42 gained by preaching in the streets of Brooklyn, Long Island. I rejoiced to hear that Robert Dillonfn43 preached in the market house at Troy. On Tuesday it rained, and I rested. Wednesday brought us over Yankee Hillfn44 to Frank’s. We came to Ellwood’s on Thursday, crossing Schoharie Creek. O fruitful banks of lovely Mohawk! On Friday we rode ten miles out of our way, and made a long journey of forty-five miles: we came in at nine o’clock at night to Elijah Davis’s.fn45 We have travelled one hundred miles up the Mohawk. My feet are much swelled, and I am on crutches; but I have been supported amongst strangers. O that we had two Low Dutch missionaries for the parts of Jersey and York west of the Hudson!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 497

After Ebenezer Whitefn46 had preached in the meeting house, I went into a beautiful grove, where I spoke to about fifteen hundred people, on Colossians 1:28, 29. I ordained three deacons, namely, Stebbens, Parker, and Trueman,fn47 and rode to Westmoreland.fn48 I retired to B. Hannah’s, my feet highly inflamed and painful.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 498

At B. Holmes’s, in Vernon,fn49 I preached on Romans 10:13. Next day I rode to Silas Bliss’s,fn50 in Cazenovia.fn51 On Wednesday, on 1 John 5:14, 15; the Lord is with the people. Ten years have I been absent from this kind family; and O! the kindness of all the brethren: I cannot express it, nor my gratitude for the favours shown. I came home to Ebenezer White’s. I spoke at brother Nichols’s, in Manlius,fn52 on Thursday; my text was chosen from John 21:15-17; it was an open time. I ordained Ebenezer White an elder.fn53

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 498

We came fourteen miles to Onondaga court house; truly we saw gapers enough: my text was John 13:17. After taking a cup of tea, we rode to Skaneateles Lake,fn54 about sixteen miles in length, and three in breadth, at its widest part. Six more miles brought us to Owasco Lake, about the same size: the outlet of Aurelius River is here. We have had a day’s work of forty miles. I am still lame on both feet. Our lodging at Brutusfn55 was with B. Upshire. I preached on Saturday, in the widow Carpenter’s barn: in the afternoon I rode fifteen miles to David Eddy’s, in Scipio: here we were quite at home.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 498

I held forth to about five hundred souls, in Eddy’s barn: my subject was Hebrews 2:15, 16: the people were very attentive, but not much affected. Bathing my feet may have done good: they begin to mend. On Monday we rode to Milton Methodist meeting house, where I preached to about two hundred souls, on Galatians 5:7, 8. I was faint yet animated, in speaking. We dined with David Hamilton, and came back to Cayuga Lake: this sheet of water is about forty miles long, and four miles wide; it feeds the St. Lawrence.fn56 At Samuel Wayburn’s I preached on Tuesday, and on Wednesday we came by Milton to Bailey’s where we also had meeting: my subject here was 1 Peter 4:17; it was a most insensible congregation of about one hundred souls. Daily preaching and daily affliction keep me very low. I feel with sorrow the spiritual death of the people; it brings on great heaviness of body and mind.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 498

We dined at Geneva, on Seneca Lake: the lake is about

forty miles in length, and from one to five miles wide. Our entertainer, Mr. Hagley, was exceedingly kind. We rode on to Daniel Dorsey’s,fn57 late of Liberty, Frederick county, Maryland, now an inhabitant of Lyonstown.fn58 This is a great land for wheat, rye, and grass; and the lakes, with their navigation of vessels and boats, and moving scenes, make the prospects beautiful.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

We were greatly crowded in a small house in Lyonstown:fn59 my subject was Matthew 17:5. After meeting and dinner, we rode on to the sulphur springs, near Canandaigua,fn60 and lodged at the widow Ferguson’s.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

I preached to about one thousand souls assembled in White’s barn: my subject was 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word.” I. The primitive qualification, the call and commission to “preach the word”—the Gospel.

II. The right use of the Gospel, to convince, to reclaim the backslidden and disorderly.

III. “Exhort” all characters, “with longsuffering and doctrine.” Hear ye him; observe the dignity, eloquence, and power of the speaker. “Doctrine,’’ hear him on this point; hear him all men, of all grades and characters. My congregation was an unfeeling one. Now that my mind is in a great measure lightened of its load of thought and labour for the conferences, I feel uncommon light and energy in preaching: I am not prolix; neither am I tame; I am rapid, and nothing freezes from my lips. I suppose we shall preach to more than ten thousand souls in this district.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

In R. Wrote’s barn,fn61 fifteen miles from Canandaigua, I preached to about four hundred unyielding souls, on Acts 3:22, 23.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

We passed the lake,fn62 sixteen miles long, and one mile wide. At James Stokes’s, Ninth Town,fn63 I preached in the woods to a more attentive people, on Hebrews 10:38, 39.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

I preached in the Friends’ settlementfn64 with some power.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

At Cresse’s. We set out, dining at Dow’s, and came to

Catharine, at the head of Seneca Lake, thirty miles; the swamps, sloughs, ruts, and stumps made it awful moving. We lodged at Baldwin’s tavern.fn65

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 499

We directed our route through Newtown,fn66 upon the East Branch of the Susquehanna, to Chemung;fn67 rested awhile at Jacob Cresse’s, and then passed the narrows of the river, continuing on by Shepherd’s mill to Taylor’s tavern; it was ten o’clock, and I was fearful of driving farther in the dark.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 500

Brought us to the camp meeting on Squire Light’s

ground:fn68 we found it had been in operation two days; God is in the camp and with us. I preached on the camp ground, from Matthew 18:2: some sots were a little disorderly, but the greater part of the congregation were very attentive; weak as I was, I did not spare myself, my subject, or my hearers. It may be, I spoke to one thousand people. Since the last Sabbath We have travelled one hundred and twenty miles; and with good roads and even ground we might have made three hundred miles in the same time. The heights of the Susquehannafn69 are stupendous; the bottom lands very fertile; but this river runs through a country of unpleasing aspect, morally and physically—rude, irregular, uncultivated is the ground; wild, ignorant, and wicked are the people: they have not been wearied by my labours; except the neighbourhood of Lancaster, and by what I may once have done in a visit to Wyoming, they are strangers to them. I am now on my first journey of toil and suffering through Genesee and Tioga.fn70

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 500

My subject was 2 Corinthians 5:20: my congregation may have doubled in numbers to-day; and there were no troublesome drunkards. I feel as if God would own this meeting now, and continue to own it many days, in various families and places. I ordained five worthy men local preachers, namely, Daniel Wilcox, John B. Hudson, Samuel Emmit, John M’Caine, and Nathaniel Lewis,fn71 to the office of deacon: had I not made this visit, these men might have waited a long time, or taken a long ride to find me. In the afternoon (Sabbath), there was an uproar amongst the people. Some intoxicated young men seated themselves by the women, and refused to move until compelled; they fought those men who came to take them away, and when the presiding elder interfered they struck at him, and one of the guards also, who was helping by order of the constables. There were magistrates (such as they were) to cry peace. The Owego gentry fled away cackling falsehood like wild geese. One Kemp, chief bully, arrested Anning Owen, on Monday morning, for the Sabbath breaking, drunkenness and fighting of this Kemp and his crew. The presiding elder was charged with having struck Kemp, and then running away; nor was the poor bishop spared—he too had been fighting: it was well for him that he was not on the ground at the time—I was quiet in my room.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 500

We rode to Tioga,fn72 and brother Shippyfn73 gave us our

dinner. A ride of sixteen miles brought us to Daniel Minier’sfn74 where we lodged. Tioga Point, at the junction of Chemung and the river, is a pleasant spot.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

we came six miles to Judge Gore’s:fn75 here I preached upon John 7:17. When we set out on Wednesday we found we were obliged to take the carriage over a precipice by hand.fn76 The road to the ferry was rough; and behold, the boat was gone, and the bank caved and washed away; a lock upon the wheel, and the assistance of a strap, enabled us to pass the sulky down by hand. Major Gaylord,fn77 at Wyalusing, lodged us well and freely.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

We came eleven miles to breakfast at Sturdevant’s;fn78 and eleven miles more brought us to Hunt’s ferry:fn79 after dining at Frosbury’s,fn80 free and kind, we went on to Newton Smith’s,fn81 ten miles farther; I ordained my host a deacon in his own house.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

To Sutton’sfn82 ten miles: the house neat as a palace; and we were entertained like kings, by a king and queen; it was no small consolation to lie down on a clean floor after all we had suffered from dirt and all its consequences. Once more I am at Wyoming. We have wearied through and clambered over one hundred miles of the rough roads of wild Susquehanna. O, the precipitous banks, wedging narrows, rocks, sideling hills, obstructed paths, and fords scarcely fordable, roots, stumps, and gullies!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

I must take medicine; the preachers wish me to remain in my lodging.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

I went to the woodsfn83 and preached and ordained Thomas

and Christian Bowman,fn84 deacons. Before I got through my discourse the rain came on, and I made a brief finish: the people were attentive. In the afternoon the preachers and many of the people went to a barn; there were showers of rain and thunder whilst service was performing. My first visit to Wyoming was in great toil and to little purpose; I am afraid I shall have no better success now.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 501

We set out upon a turnpike road; but O, dreadful! I came sliding down a dug road precipice, dark and deep, but safe. About nine o’clock we made Mr. Merwin’sfn85 tavern: and here were drink, and smoke, and wagoners—but we closed with prayer. We came along, early on Tuesday, through the Wind Gap,fn86 seventeen miles to Heller’s,fn87 and breakfasted. I took a look at the Moravian town of Nazareth;fn88 it may contain forty houses built in the German taste and style: the brethren’s house is a large building of, possibly, one hundred and forty feet in length, and fifty feet in width, with a Dutchified tower like a cupola, in the centre—the whole edifice has the exterior appearance of a college. The land in the vicinity was not so fertile, nor the grounds as highly improved, as I expected to have found them. Seventeen miles farther brought us to far-famed Bethlehem,fn89 which I had long wished to see. The stream that runs west of the townfn90 is pretty and useful, as it works a machine which raises the water one hundred and fifty feet into two reservoirs, for the use of the inhabitants. We found ourselves at the grand tavernfn91 at the north end, the property of the brethren: the house is large, but a plain building: the entertainment good at a dollar a night for man and horse. On the second step of the high grounds on the main street, which begins on the hill above, stand the church buildings: on the east and west are rooms appropriate to the institution, and certainly the west end has a grand appearance. On the same street below stands the brethren’s house, one hundred feet front, five stories high, very plain, and much German taste discoverable everywhere; add to this the majestic Lehigh, and you have the most striking features of this celebrated place. But, ah! religion—Reader, I am a Methodist. I asked the young man who managed the tavern, if they ever permitted any minister to preach amongst the brethren; he could not answer—he was a servant, and knew not how to answer. Next day came the master of the ceremonies, the cicerone of the establishment, who shows the wonders of the place; I asked him—I was told that on that night there was private worship in the church—the minister must perform himselbst. Daniel Hitt and two gentlemen from York, who had given money for the sights shown here for money, went to the church meeting. And what did they see and hear? A man read in German they knew not what, sung and played upon the four thousand dollar organ: sermon or prayer they heard not. I doubt much if there is any prayer here, public or private, except the stated prayers of the minister on the Sabbath day. But the brethren have a school for boys at Nazareth, and one for girls at Bethlehem; and they have a store and a tavern; the society have worldly wealth and worldly wisdom: it is no wonder that men of the world, who would not have their children spoiled by religion, send them to so decent a place.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 502

We crossed the Lehighfn92 to Allentown,fn93 beautifully situated—superior in this respect, perhaps, to Bethlehem. We breakfasted at the end of twelve miles, and came on to Kutztown.fn94 On Thursday morning we bent our course through Reading;fn95 the views of meadows and fields were grand—beautiful. Reading may have two hundred houses, one street in a style of grandeur approaching to that of Philadelphia, as it respects the houses; the rest have much of the German feature. Through Adamstown,fn96 where we breakfasted, we came on over rocks and hills to New Holland; here, as at Reading, there are fine new churches for the German Lutherans and the German Calvinists:fn97 these are the citadels of formality—fortifications erected against the apostolic itinerancy of a more evangelical ministry. Ah! Philadelphia, and ye, her dependencies, the villages of the State of Pennsylvania, when will prejudice, formality, and bigotry, cease to deform your religious profession, and the ostentatious display of the lesser morals give place to evangelical piety? At Soudersburg we rested one day. I wrote three letters.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 503

We came through Lancaster to Columbia. On the Sabbath

day I preached in a lot near the river: we may have had seven hundred people; my subject was 2 Corinthians 5:14. The missionaries, Boehm and Hunter,fn98 were present. On Monday I came to Little York. Here I met with Nelson Reed. This week I am occupied in writing about thirty letters;fn99 yet, not unmindful of the word of God and prayer. It is but too manifest that the success of our labours, more especially at camp meetings, has roused a spirit of persecution against us—riots, fines, stripes, perhaps prisons and death, if we do not give up our camp meetings: we shall never abandon them, but shall subdue our enemies by overcoming evil with good. What hath God wrought in America! In thirty-six years we find one hundred and forty-four thousand five hundred and ninety in number: in England, after seventy-seven years, they count one hundred and fifty thousand nine hundred and seventy-four: they may have thirty millions of souls in the three kingdoms to labour amongst; and we not more, perhaps, than five millions. Our travelling preachers, five hundred and thirty-six, at present; the rest, local and official, about fourteen hundred; but all these are poor men, and unlearned—without books, money or influence. Not unto us, not unto us!—O, Lord, take thou, the glory!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 503

Constant application whilst here. Reading the Bible

and writing about sixty pages of letters found me employment. On the Sabbath I preached at eleven o’clock at our chapel in York: I spoke on Colossians 1:27, 28—short and temperate. We might have about six hundred hearers. In the afternoon I spoke on Colossians 3:12, 13: I spoke longer than in the morning. We have the form of the power of goodness, for we shout, and we stamp, and jump, and are very happy— who but we!—but we are contentious, and mingle and mix, by off-hand marriages, believers with unbelievers, and other things we do: but, for once, I have delivered my own soul. I think it begins to be time for another visitation at York.

I have my paradise at brother Weirich Pentz’s; but I have much labour, and some temptations. I now fare sumptuously every day; but O, what is before me?—three thousand five hundred miles before I reach the Georgetown Conference.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 504

I took my leave of my kind friends at Weirich Pentz’s, and rode to dinner to George Nailor’s:fn100 that night we passed under the roof of the widow Hollopeter. On Wednesday I preached at Stickle’s school house:fn101 the room was full, and I spoke for an hour on 1 Peter 4:10,

11. We came that evening to Lewisberry. O my God, help me in soul and body, through my approaching labours and sufferings! Thursday brought us through an obscure townfn102 to brother Weaver’s;fn103 our host and his wife are Germans—in their first love.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 504

At Carlisle. Saturday, occupied in reading Burder’s Village Sermons, &c.

Sabbath, 9. I preached upon Galatians 5:7-9; in the afternoon on 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2: my body faint; my spirit fervent. On Monday, at Shippensburg, I preached upon 2 Peter 3:17, 18, and ordained John Davis a deacon: it was very warm, but we had an open season. We lodged with brother John Scott, one of my hearers thirty years ago, in Chester county, now warm in the cause of God. After a heavy rain had passed away on Monday, on Tuesday we began our mountain toil: we crossed three, dined with the junior, and lodged with the senior Ramsay: no people need be kinder than were these.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 504

We set out again, and the rain attended us into Bedford. We lodged at the stage house: Mr. Graham, my host, had known me in my early visits—I had preached at his father’s: the son was kind as a king could be, and charged us not a cent for our entertainment: in a hundred public houses, possibly, that I have thus stopped at in the year, I have received no such favours. We reached Berlin on Thursday, and found friend Johnson and his wife kind indeed.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 505

We dined and prayed at the Twenty Mile house, and were

obliged to stop at an ordinary twelve miles farther—drunken people; but they behaved as well as they could: any port in a storm. On Saturday we came on eight miles to breakfast at Anthony Banning’s:fn104 from thence we rode through Connellsville to Union. We put up with the widow Henthorn, intending to be at the camp meeting. And now I have ridden since I left Baltimore in March, two thousand five hundred miles; and have had, as usual, many a jolt over rocks, and rocks again, on the American Alps, and dangers and difficulties, and a head bruised by the iron rods of my carriage.fn105 I have been enabled to suffer patiently pains and sickness for the good of souls.

Sabbath, 16. I ordained, on the camp ground,fn106 Dobbins, Fell, and Wakefield,fn107 to the office of deacons. I preached on 2 Corinthians 5:11: “Knowing the terror of the Lord.” I made two general heads: 1. The Gospel is a general, gracious, persuasive, characteristic ministry; in which the ministers thereof are manifest to God, and to the consciences of their hearers in their characters, their sins, their sayings, ways, &c. 2. The Gospel was armed with terror to the disobedient, impenitent, and to apostates from it. Knowing the terror of the Lord—Knowing how God is to be feared—when insulted by disobedience, the Trinity is roused into indignation; every attribute, and all the perfection of Deity is arranged on the side of vengeance and vindictive wrath. There was not a sufficiency of seats for the congregation; but they behaved as well as could be expected; there was nothing vicious seen—no plan of opposition was discoverable. On Monday I went to camp again, and spoke upon Matthew 5:46, 47. What the followers of Christ professed more than others; and what God had done for them more than others, as Christians and ministers; that therefore God, the Father, Son, and Spirit, requires more from them than from others. By application—to a variety of cases;—what do ye more than others?

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 505

We found our horses had been taken or had strayed away. I read Hervey on the Tombs, and wrote the Station Book.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 506

We set out and came to the Old Fort; crossed the

Monongahela, and lodged with Dr. Wheeler:fn108 he and his lady are Londoners; and O, how kind they were! How did the salvation of the souls of these kind friends rest upon me! The doctor’s mother had been in band society with Mr. Wesley. From six in the morning to seven in the evening of Thursday, we made about forty miles, over some rough roads and desperate hills: we wished to redeem time, that we might refit at John Beck’s,fn109 near West Liberty; so we ate not on the route, though we fed the horses twice. I had had pain of a rheumatic kind for some days. WEST VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 506

Marked letters to transcribe, read, took medicine, and nursed myself. On Saturday I preached in Beck’s new house, on <503512> Philippians 2:12, 13. On the Sabbath I preached in an excellent stone meeting house, at Short Creek, to about one thousand souls, from 2 Corinthians 3:7, 8. OHIO

We crossed over into the State of Ohio on Monday: and I gave them a sermon in the court house at St. Clairsville.

By hard labour we reached Frankfort on Tuesday; thence we made Spears’s on Wednesday: on Thursday came to Densenbury’s; on Friday to Teal’s: in four days and a half we have travelled one hundred and thirty miles—mud, gullies, stumps, and hills. I was sick with an inflammatory sore throat; my trials were great, nature failed, but grace supported. Every family shall know me by prayer. Saturday I devoted to rest. I have hastily marked above two hundred hymns, taken from the congregational hymn book, to add to a new American edition, which, I hope, will be as good as any extant.

Sabbath, 30. At the stand on the camp ground near Hockhockingfn110 I spoke on Hebrews 4:1: “Let us therefore fear.” There were about eight hundred hearers, and it was a time of feeling and solemnity to professors. Monday was diligently taken up with my pen, and prayer with my friends: the hymns for a new collection occupied my mind much. My poor mare is worn down, and my carriage is wrecked somewhat, and must be repaired. On Thursday we came to New Lancaster: I preached in a schoolhouse on Luke 19:10. We afterward came on to Mr. Vanmeter’s, and just escaped an awful storm of thunder, hail, and rain.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 506

We came away to Chillicothe: O, the mud and the

trees in the path! Reading closely on Saturday. In our neat, new housefn111 I preached on the Sabbath morning to about five hundred hearers, on 1 Peter 4:17, 18; I spoke about an hour. There are some pleasing and some unpleasing accounts here; some little trouble in the society, but great prospects all around in the country. The sitting of conference will be of God for good to souls: we have been praying the whole year for this. By letters from brothers Mead and Bruce I learn that prospects brighten in old Virginia: they have had blessed meetings.

Monday and Tuesday, closely reading. On Wednesday we rode to Deer Creek. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday selecting hymns and reading Marshall’s Life of Washington, nearly three thousand pages in four volumes: only as a Life of Washington can I give it the preference to Gordon’s History of the Revolutionary War.

Sabbath, 13. At the Deer Creek camp ground I gave them a discourse on 2 Corinthians 6:1. In the evening we returned to Chillicothe. On Monday, we opened our conferencefn112 in great peace and love, and continued sitting day by day, until Friday noon. A delegation of seven members was chosen to the General Conference.fn113 There were thirteen preachers added, and we found an addition of two thousand two hundred members to the society in these bounds; seven deacons were elected and ordained, and ten elders; two preachers only located; sixty-six preachers were stationed.

Finding my work done, and my carriage sold, I ventured once more to take horse, with a determination to visit the frontier settlements on the Great Miami River. We came away, leaving fifty or sixty preachers at the camp meeting near the seat of conference, and got to brother Waugh’s for the night.

Saturday, we reached Hinkstone’s to dine, and thence, by riding late, got into Cesarsville, and stopped with Peter Pelham: we have made sixty-five miles from Chillicothe. A great rumour is abroad of an expected Indian war; and many fled for fear; but the report was idle wind. The whole matter was, that about a thousand Indians had assembled upon the frontiers for social, and it may be, religious and moral purposes. General Worthington and Colonel M’Carthy magnanimously offered to take a talk and a belt of wampum from the governor to the congregated savages: the ambassadors found peace; and brought in four chiefs as hostages, with assurances that no ill was designed to the whites. It is said there is a prophet risen up among the Indians.

At Frederick Bonner’s I preached upon Hebrews 4:1, 2: it was an open season.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 507

I rested at John Sale’s. Busy writing. On Tuesday we started away and came to Samuel Hitt’s; dined, prayed, talked, and came away to Lebanon: we found the court in session. We lodged at Jeremiah Lawson’s. There is now a great talk about the Shakers; they are said to consist of two hundred people: three Presbyterian ministers have joined them; a heavy declension!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 508

We bent our course down Little Miami: there are many

fine situations for mills on this stream, and the land appears to be, generally, very fertile. We found a lodging with Andrew M’Grew, lately from Baltimore county, Maryland. I preached on Thursday at Philip Gatch’s, on Hebrews 4:2. On Friday we stopped in Cincinnati, and dined with Mr. Farris: Solomon and Oliver Langdon had come on, and were of the company.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 508

Rested, read, and wrote. I am young again, and boast of being able to ride six thousand miles on horse-back in ten months; my round will embrace the United States, the Territory, and Canada; but O, childhood, youth, and old age, ye are all vanity! My companions and myself are busy compiling the new hymn book. Our brethren here have built a proper little stone house for worship, forty feet by thirty.fn114 Sabbath, 27. I preached at eleven o’clock: many could not get seats. I met the society. I also ordained W. M’Neachan and William Whitaker to the office of deacon. Notwithstanding opposition from more than one quarter, our last camp meeting was successful; the fruit is immediate; and where it is not, it will yet be seen: we live by faith in a prayer-hearing, soul- converting, soul-sanctifying, soul-restoring, soul-comforting God. KENTUCKY

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 508

Our morning’s ride brought us, hungry and weary, into

Kentucky: after refreshing at the widow Stevens’s, we pushed on to Grant’s Lick,fn115 and lodged at John Daniel’s. In the morning we came away across the forks, and over the hills of Licking, twenty-eight miles, to sister Ritchie’s, a widow indeed. Our evening’s ride was dark and rough, along an unknown path to Cynthiana: we stopped at J. Jacques’s. I judge we made fifty miles to-day.

Whilst resting on Thursday and Wednesday, I read Atmore’s Memoirs,fn116 of about five hundred pages; and I wrote a memoir of George Dougharty.fn117 All my occupations, however toilsome, are pleasant when I enjoy God in pure and perfect love.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 509

Attended the camp meeting at Mount Gerizim. On

Saturday I spoke on 2 Timothy 2:19. On Sunday my text was Isaiah 45:23. Possibly we had two thousand souls to hear us: there were fifteen tents, and twenty wagons. We had a Sabbath love feast and sacrament; and doubtless there were precious souls converted (report says about thirty) and sanctified. I conversed with Valentine Cookfn118 on the subject of a mission; he held back; Ah! how hardly shall they who have families growing up, enter into and keep in the travelling connexion! I came from the camp ground every night to Samuel Brodwell’s. My host has put my name upon one of his sons: Lord, put thy new name upon the lad, that he may bear it for generations to come, and to be born!

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 509

We set out, and stopped at Martin Hitt’s, took dinner and

continued on a dark ride through the woods, to William Burke’s,fn119 thirty miles. On Tuesday we held a hasty meeting at Irvine’s, Madison county. Wednesday we reached Williams’s; Thursday, Freeman’s;fn120 Friday, Dorton’s; and on Saturday came to Peter Huffacre’s,fn121 Powell’s Valley. TENNESSEE

Sabbath, 11. I preached on Luke 4:18. O, when shall this wilderness rejoice? I have perfect peace, but great toil. Since the conference we have travelled three hundred and sixty miles. There is a serious want of water, generally, in the western lands.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 509

We had a heavy ride to Holston, forty miles. We stopped with Martin Stubblefield.

On Tuesday we rested; and it may be allowed, considering our six days’ ride through heat, great heat and drought. At night I preached from 1 Thessalonians 4:3; and weary and faint as I was, I felt strongly disposed to sing and shout away as loud as the youngest. I have been, and am happy in God.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 510

We reached Wamping’s. I suffered much to-day; but an hour’s warm bath for my feet relieved me considerably.

NORTH CAROLINA

On Saturday we rode to Killian’s.

Sabbath, 18. At Buncombe court house I spoke from 2 Kings 7:13-15. The people were all attention. I spent a night under the roof of my very dear brother in Christ, George Newton, a Presbyterian minister, an Israelite indeed. On Monday we made Fletcher’s; next day dined at Terry’s, and lodged at Edwards’s. Saluda ferry brought us up on Wednesday evening.fn122

SOUTH CAROLINA

Sabbath, 25. For three days past I have been busy in seeking appropriate portions of Scripture for the new hymns designed to enlarge our common hymn book. Our journey hither from Chillicothe has brought us through five States. Report says there is an awful affliction in Charleston—the mortal fever! I preached today at Salemfn123 on 2 Chronicles 6:29-31; we had a serious time. My mind is kept in great peace: surely, God is love! At Elijah Moore’sfn124 on Monday I preached on Luke 11:9, 10: my labour I think is not entirely in vain. On Tuesday at Jeremiah Robinson’s, we had but twelve souls to hear us: the people are too busy with their fine crops of corn. My body fails, but I have great peace of mind. GEORGIA

On Wednesday Daniel Hittfn125 preached at John Oliver’s:fn126 our host has a son-in-law converted at camp meeting. Our preachers have passed by this town, but the Lord will not pass by Petersburg, but will visit precious souls here.

Thursday, to Tait’s: here I spoke to a few persons on Rev. 3:4, 5; and God was with us of a truth. On Friday I preached at James Halston’s on 1 John 1:6, 7: it was not in vain: both colours filled the house. On Saturday we rode to Coldwater.

Sabbath day, November 1. I preached on 1 John 2:17: I had help. It is wonderful to see how flush the streams are, and excellent the crops, considering the want of rain for three months past. In the sandy lands the waters do not fail in a drought as they do elsewhere. My soul is happy in God continually. It has been reported to me that at the two camp meetings held, the one in Elbert county, the other in Franklin county, about one hundred souls professed converting grace.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 510

We came to James Marks’s.fn127

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

Both Daniel Hitt and myself preached.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

We were diligently occupied with our projected hymn book.fn128 I make it a rule where I stop to pray after every meal.fn129

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

I felt the tears and sorrows of the family when parting. We crossed Webb’s ferry into Oglethorpe county, passing through Lexington to James Freeman’s; a ride of thirty miles, through wind and rain. James Halston told me that his cousin, Colonel Halston, had unfortunately beaten and killed a pious soldier during the war of the revolution: the Colonel settled in Georgia, and whilst everything seemed to prosper round him, he was one night shot in his bed by one of his slaves; the child which lay in his arms was unhurt.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

We were engaged with our collection of hymns. I preached at Henry Pope’sfn130 at night: it was a time of power and liberty.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

We came to General John Stewart’s.

Sabbath, 8. Daniel Hitt and myself both preached: we felt the state of the people. O! what necessity is there to urge the doctrine of sanctification in this State!—it is a doctrine almost forgotten here.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 511

I preached at John Crutchfield’s, on 1 Peter 1:4. O, the precious promises! We did not speak without a present God. Next day Daniel Hitt preached at B. Bush’s. Liberty: there has been a good and gracious work in this society.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

I was taken ill with an influenza.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

I have been one week sick at Sparta. This evening I arrived, a sick, weak old man, at Mr. Bush’s. I took another emetic.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

We rode to W. Bonner’s. I found it good to stay here and take some more medicine. My complaint is a pleurisy, and deep affection of the breast.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

It was as much as I could this day do to reach Tindall’s.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

We came into Augusta.

SOUTH CAROLINA

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

I rode up to Martin Hitt’s, on Steven’s Creek.fn131

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

We reached Spann’s.fn132 I judge we have travelled nine

hundred miles since the Western Conference. Judge William Stithfn133 died at Milledgeville, suddenly, and, I believe, safely called home in peace. The mortality has been very general and very great in these parts. We had a blessed rain in Georgia. The weather and indisposition hold me at Spann’s. My soul is happy in God in sickness and in health.

Sabbath, 6. I preached.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

We started away to Fridge’s, thirty-six miles. As it was a day of general parade on Tuesday at Columbia, I returned to General Hutchinson’s. Next day we reached Camden. Thursday I preached in Camden.fn134 I spent Friday at Rembert Hall, reading and writing.fn135 Sabbath, 13. I preached at Rembert’s chapel. Mr. Rembert was thrown out of his sulky; but there was no mischief done, except that some old bruises were wakened up. My subject to-day was Matthew 24:45. The good servant—in spiritual wisdom, in fidelity, his diligence to perform his duties. The wicked servant—backslidden, false, and falsely secure. His Lord delayeth his coming—therefore he maltreats his fellow-servants who are better than himself. He is sensual; his portion is hell. Sabbath, 20. At Rembert’s chapel, I spoke, on Deuteronomy 5:29. O that God would visit these people! Last week I have occasionally ridden out for exercise; but I am pretty busy with writing, family duty, and reading. My mind is wholly devoted to God and his work.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 512

It rained. On Tuesday we went to Bradford’s.fn136 Wednesday evening we lodged at Simpson’s tavern.fn137 On Thursday at Monk’s Corner.fn138 Friday, Christmas day, brought us to Charleston. Saturday was devoted to reading and receiving visits.

Sabbath, 27. I preached at the old church,fn139 on Matthew 7:21. At Bethel, on Deuteronomy 10:12.

ASB_VOL2.PDF, p. 513