I concluded to spend a good part of this week in meeting classes. The Africans of this town desire a church, which, in temporals, shall be altogether under their own direction, and ask greater privileges than the white stewards and trustees ever had a right to claim.

Thursday 29. Was a very solemn day of thanksgiving: the subject I made choice of was Psalm cxlvii. 20. "He hath not dealt so with any nation." This I applied spiritually—

I. To ourselves as individuals.

II. As it applies to our families.
III. To the society and ministry.
IV. As it applies to the continent.

In the afternoon I preached at the Point on "In every thing give thanks."

Saturday 31. I left town and came to Elk-Ridge, where I found a little time for reflection and prayer.

Sunday, Nov. 1. I preached and administered the sacrament on the Ridge. After twenty-three years preaching here, we have a small society. I dined at the widow Howard's, and had an interview with sister Pue, who appeared to be deeply oppressed with the loss of her valuable husband. It is now more than twenty years since the doctor attended my ministry; and I have to hope was deeply awakened. In the latter part of his life he was much afflicted; he called upon God, and I trust died in peace. I doubt if there hath been a man of his profession of equal skill, continuation, and attention, in the state of Maryland. Mr. Fletcher, when near his end cried out, " My poor, what will become of my poor ?" So the Doctor, when on his death-bed, "What will become of my patients ?"

Monday 2. After riding forty miles, I came late in the evening to Georgetown, and found a congregation waiting at the new chapel. Although wearied and unwell, I felt some liberty in speaking; and I am persuaded that good might have been done here if professors had not traded away their characters. It is strange, that people professing no religion, look for justice and perfection in all Christians, and forget themselves.

VIRGINIA. Thursday 5. I reached Faulks. Friday 6, preached at the widow Bumbury's, to about sixty-six hearers, after riding about sixty-six miles from Alexandria.

Saturday 7. I rode about forty-two miles, and found a quiet retreat at brother E's. Next day I had about four hundred hearers.

Wednesday 11. I had about three hundred hearers at Lancaster meeting-house. Came in the evening to the widow Diggs's. Friday 13, after preaching to a few people at the widow Woodland's, we set out at one o'clock for Bowles's ferry, and crossed in forty minutes, although it was three miles over we landed in Essex county, and rode eight miles to brother Mann's, where I preached fifteen years ago.

Saturday 14. I visited brother L. R. Cole, and spent the day with him and his agreeable wife. Brother Reuben Ellis is certainly married, for the first time; may it be for the glory of God, and the good of his church, and comfort of the dear man and his wife!

Sunday 15. I preached to some souls within and round the house, with a mixture of rich and poor, tame and wild people, at mother Cowles's !—I am amazed at the dear aged woman—the additional labour to which she submits, although now between seventy and eighty years of age, and possessing such strong mental powers!-it is surprising.

Monday 16. After a rainy morning I rode to Paup's chapel, and had nearly a hundred people. I spent the evening with Mrs. J. Ellis, brother Paup, and brother Perry :-I was not so spiritual as I might have been.

Tuesday 17. Crossed Mattaponi at Frazie's ferry, and Pomonkey at Putney, and came to Colonel Cleaton's: the weather was cold, and the wind and hunger were both pinching. We were kindly entertained at P. Davies's: Stephen, his brother, is dead, and hath left the chief of what he had to the church. He hath appointed me his trustee to dispose of it, and J. Ellis his executor. I feel the burden of the connexion; my only hope is, that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers into his vineyard, not mine.

Thursday 19. I preached at Richmond; and the next day came, cold and hungry, to my affectionate, kind, adopted son, J. Harding's, in Petersburg. Here several of the preachers met me, to accompany me to the quarterly meeting in Brunswick. I received an original letter from Mr. L—, not like what I wrote; so I bid him farewell: I will not give him another opportunity to abuse me; neither shall I lay to heart what he saith to afflict me. 1 attended the quarterly meeting at Meritt's chapel, and there was some move among the people. I rode to J. Paup's, and had some consultation about Ebenezer school.

Monday 23. I preached at W's chapel, and in the evening, came, cold and hungry, to L. Holmes's, in Mecklenburg.

Tuesday 24. Our conference began at Salem chapel; there were present about fifty members, and sixteen probationers— we had close work; and great harmony in sentiment.

Saturday 28. Brothers A

and C

preached; and we had

a warm, living season. Sunday 29, was a great day. I preached on 1 Tim. iii. 15, 16.; and there were ten elders and nine deacons ordained. This part of the connexion has regained its proper tone, after being kept out of tune for five years by an unhappy division. We were kindly entertained by our friends and brethren; preachers and people were blest; and we parted in peace.

Monday 30. I had a few people, and several preachers at brother Seward's. The next day at Wolsey's barn, (now Drumgold's chapel) I had a few people, they having had but short notice : here religion appears to be in a low state: I spent the evening with brother E. D- ; his house is not with the Lord, as he prayeth and longeth; yet I trust God hath made an everlasting covenant with the father, well ordered and sure.

Wednesday, December 2. I preached at my old friend W. Owen's, whom I first knew at Portsmouth; we had a small house, and a good meeting. In the evening I came to my aged friend M. whom I have known these twenty years, although never at his house before.

M

'si

NORTH CAROLINA.-Monday 7. I preached at brother Clayton's, near Halifax; and then hasted to brother Bradford's, where we had a small congregation the next day. Yesterday evening William Glendenning stayed here: he talked very boldly to R. W; alleging that he was free, &c. I expect he will go on without fear or wisdom, until many of the Methodists will not receive him into their houses and hear the abuse of their ministers, people, and discipline.

We crossed Tar-River and Town-Creek, and came to T. Sheppard's, where we had all things richly to enjoy. I had my trials, and my spirit was greatly afflicted and humbled: I was glad to get alone to pour out my soul unto God.

Saturday 12. This hath been to me a day of trial and consolation. It is wonderful to see how the people in this country are hid by swamps and creeks.

Sabbath day 13. We set out in the midst of the rain to Span's meeting-house; I had ten hearers, to whom I preached on Luke xii. 32. We came to brother Span's, who has sold off his pro

perty, and is about to move to the high lands of South Carolina : the reason he assigns is laudable; and I think God will be with him. It rained powerfully in the night, which brought me under great exercise about getting along, having been so often stopped by, and dipped in the rivers and swamps.

:

Monday 14. We crossed Neuse-River at Whitefield's ferry, the river rising very fast. We passed North-East and Goshen bridges, and Bear-Swamp; all of which we crossed in safety, though not without fear my feet were wet, my body cold, and my stomach empty, having had no dinner. I found a good fire, a warm bed, and a little medicine, each necessary in its place. No people make you more welcome to their houses than these; but is Christ welcome to their hearts? I am sensible of the want of more religion among them.

Friday 18. After riding about twenty miles, I preached at Father V's; I felt strangely set at liberty, and was uncommonly happy. Here we left Goshen circuit, and Samson county.

Saturday 19. We crossed the south branch of Black-River, and came to Elizabethtown, about fifty miles above Wilmington: we had a very cold day, and nothing to eat for thirty miles. Brother M'Rea met us near the town and took us to his house; and it was well he did, or we might have been lost in the woods. But the kindness of the people in supplying our wants made up for our toil-Lord, comfort them who comfort us! Here we had a quiet retreat, and spent the Sabbath in public and private exercises.

Monday 21. We set out by sunrise, and had to work our way through the swamps, where I feared being plunged in headforemost. I have lately been much tried several ways; and much comforted. We came down Brunswick county, North Carolina, twenty miles to Norman's, within the line of South Carolina. Cross where you will between the states, and it is a miserable pass for one hundred miles west. I was much led out on Rev. xxi. 6-8. This country abounds with bays, swamps, and drains; if there were here no sinners, I would not go along these roads. I am in want of rest, and should be glad of better fare. O, for patience, faith, courage, and every grace! Sometimes I feel as though I could rejoice to die and go home: but at other times the work of God is in my way, and sometimes my own unworthiness.

SOUTH CAROLINA.-Thursday 24. We came to Kingston, where I preached in an old Presbyterian meeting-house, now repaired for the use of the Methodists. I spent the evening with W. Rogers, formerly of Bristol, where our wants were richly supplied thus,

sometimes we abound and at other times suffer want; and we may balance the one with the other.

Christmas-day 25. We set out at six o'clock for Georgetown, and came to Urania Ferry, which we crossed and came to Wacamaw-River: we were detained at the two ferries about three hours, and rested one, and came to Georgetown about four o'clock in the evening; having rode thirty-seven miles without eating or drinking, except a low land hard apple, which I found in my pocket. The vanity of dancing in this place is in a good degree done away, and they have no play-house, and the people are very attentive: I trust that time and patience will bring all things about; that we shall not ride so many hundred miles in vain, and that so many prayers offered up, and tears shed for their welfare, will not be lost. After ten years' labour we have done but little, but if we could station a preacher here, we might yet hope for success. I found brother Cannon had not laboured in vain ; he hath established class meetings among white and black; and the good would have been still greater had prayer meetings been properly kept up. We try to do good, but who among us try to do all the good they can ? for myself, I leave no company without fears of not having discharged my duty. Were it not for Jesus, who would be saved? When I have preached, I feel as though I had need to do it over again; and it is the same with all my performances. Brother Blanton, my faithful friend, who freely offered himself to go to South-Carolina, now my companion in travel, had not preached for a month, so I thought it time for him to begin again, which he did in the evening. I preached on Psalm xii. 1. and on the Sabbath I preached on Deut. v. 12-14. In the afternoon the people were attentive and somewhat moved. I find the scene is changed in Georgetown; we have a number of very modest, attentive hearers, and a good work among the blacks. The Methodists begin to stand on even ground with their antagonists.

Monday 28. We directed our course towards Charleston, and crossed Santee at Lanues's ferry, which is the best I know on the river. In the evening we reached Mr. C- -'s: I felt for the man of the house, and was pleased in having the privilege of praying with them, and enjoyed great sweetness therein.

Tuesday 29. We came to our dear brother Jackson's on Cain Hoy River: here we had the pleasure of hearing of some revival of religion among the children and domestics of the Methodists.

Wednesday 30. We reached Charleston, having made it about seventy-four miles from Georgetown, along an excellent road.