November 1826
1st Nov/26. About 3 P.M. set off upon a mule to Gordon Castle - had some conversation on several points of Christian doctrine with some members of the family, in which we did not much differ, though there was in them a leaning to calvinism. The evening was wet, and the congregation not so large as usual. This was the third appointment I had made with the Colonel for this visit. The two previous ones he had not fulfilled by sending me a horse or mule to ride upon, as we had agreed. The first of these was hindered by business which occasioned company; the second, because a week ago two clergymen G & H were there on a shooting excursion!!! Did God send them to preach the Gospel? If so, how could they endure to range through the mountain forests to shoot a few birds; two days at Gordon Castle several miles from any church, and surrounded by Negroes in need of instruction & of comfort, and not a single sermon however short!
2 Nov/26. Arose early, catechised the children, was gratified with their improvement, mounted upon another mule & finished my ride about 8 a.m.
5th Sabbath. Preached in P. Town, our congregations are not diminished by the church service recently commenced, and indeed I observed some strangers present. A candidate came forward; and the Sunday school is doing well.
8th At Mount Wynne the proprietor and another gentleman were present and apparently attended to a discourse on "conversion", with seriousness, though they sat during prayer! How hard a thing it is for prayerless men to bow their knees even to ask for "the pearl of great price!" And how hardly shall such enter the Kingdom of heaven!
11th Nov/26. Went to town & at 7 in the evening held the band-meeting. Had a good time among them.
12th Sabbath. Preached twice to the town congregation, and was gratified in seeing the eager attention of the people, as well as in receiving a blessing to my own soul. This journal is not designed to be a Diary of my spiritual experience; yet an occasional notice of this subject may not be out of place. We find ourselves in P. Town excluded from intelligent & deeply pious society. There is much that is good among the members, but no striking examples of either faith, love, zeal, spiritual knowledge, or power in prayer: in short, nothing extraordinary. There are in the West Indies, generally such scenes, and of so frequent recurrence, that it is impossible not to be exercised with things disagreeable, because they are opposed to the cultivation of the finer feelings, and if not habitually resisted by watchfulness & prayer, would exert an influence on the work of grace which, if it did not corrupt the whole soul, would inevitably impede sensible progress, in purity, spirituality, and heavenly mindness. Another source of trial has often been felt to arise from a deep sense of my responsibility to the Committee who, under the direction of Divine providence have sent me hither, not to interfere with party politics, nor yet so much as to whisper to the slave that he is wronged; but to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ - without using terms that may possibly be construed by the enemies of Slave instruction into proof of a design on the public peace. "Who is sufficient for these things?" not to be at liberty to assure the slaves that "If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed"; "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"; and liberally, in the fullness of one's soul, to urge them forward to "the glorious liberty of the sons of God." The climate is prejudicial to health, and its pernicious influence is evident from the languor, weakness and disease to which they strongest become subject sooner or later: and from this source arises much that is painful to one uninured to suffering. These effects I have felt in a less degree than the generality of Europeans, but sufficiently so to convince me that nothing short of a determined and persevering faith in a present saviour will preserve one from discouragement, and a yielding to the temptation "this is hard & had I remained in my native climate & in the bosom of my family I should not have had these painful exercises". Blessed be God who preserves me not lower in mind than "Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks;" being deeply conscious that "this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning" me.
13 Nov/26. At 5 a.m., addressed a tolerably large company in Town, with a good degree of liberty, and as quickly as possible set off home; arrived drenched with rain, but was happy to find all well.
19th Lord's-day. About sunrise set off to Chateau-belair; had heavy rain, but a calm sea & cool atmosphere. Preached two "missionary sermons" - had quite as many hearts as could reasonably be expected considering the rain. In attending to the state of the Society had to dismiss a man for leaving his wife, and a woman for leaving her husband! Several members have died lately, relative to whom we have hope; but this diminution causes a fear lest our number should fall short of that of last year.
20th Nov/26. Returned to P. Town, where I have such employments and so many of them this week as only the special help of God can enable me to manage aright. May the Divine blessing be our continual help & portion!
25th Hired a large canoe & a sufficient number of oarsmen to convey Mrs. F. her child and maid, with Bro. & Sister B. & myself to Town, where we arrived soon after 8 a.m. and were kindly received by numerous friends.
26th Sabbath. Went down to Layou - preached and received 5 candidates; gave advice to another who could not then be admitted, and was truly gratified with the prospect of greater prosperity which is here presented. Returned in the canoe to Town, and was in time for the evening service. The superintendant preached on the "wise & foolish virgins;" and from the use of certain expressions, and also certain discrepancies of which he must have been conscious at the time, his sermon, though containing some good things, was but poorly received.
27th Was at _____s for dinner & tea; did not venture to name a particular subject, for what appeared to be sufficient reasons.
28th Was served a mean & dishonorable trick by ______e who sent away my hired canoe & men to Calliaqua Bay unknown to me! & my dear Wife & child were obliged to travel in the dark, and he kept me too late for the preaching at Barrouallie. May Divine grace restrain & prevent me evermore from treating any person in an imperious and Turkish manner. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you even so do unto them."