September 1826
3rd Sept/26. Sabbath. I went to Layou, & in going felt the heat very much: yet had the consolation of seeing that the word preached was gladly received by the people. One of the Negro's, advanced in years, and a Leader, died happy in the Lord, since last meeting, and his place had to be supplied. Two candidates for membership were received & the S. school had more scholars than usual. At night I preached again and then returned home against the tide, and the darkness favored us not, but the Lord compassed me about; on every side & from every danger he protected me.
10th Lord's-day. The morning was unfavourable and till 9 o'clock the thunder rolled over our head, so that we had no very sanguine hopes of a large congregation. In this however, we were agreeably disappointed having a crowded assembly who listened with deep attention, and probably the Lord touched the hearts of many of them. Good attendance at the Sunday school received several adults & children on trial. At 7 had more hearers, than usual who seriously heard the word preached. Altogether it was a happy day; O that much good may be done there, and in all this Circuit.
16th Sept Went to Town early, under a fierce wind & scorching sun, though it was occasionally clouded. The first thing to be done, after my arrival, was to sign a legal document in reference to a new Chapel at Calliaqua thereby a Trustee & responsible, conjunctively, for a large sum of money. At night held the band meeting, and the Lord manifested his presence to us; it was good to be there. Yet after all, this band does not come up to my idea of such a meeting, either in scriptural knowledge, or spirituality.
17th Sept/26. Sabbath. - Commenced renewing tickets before breakfast, and continued it after the fore-noon service. Had large and serious congregations, and a blessing in preaching to them. Three persons came forward to join the Society. May they be faithful, fruitful & kept to the end,
24th Lord's-day - Went to Chateau-belair, had an overflowing congregation & held a Lovefst which was a time of general "refreshing from the presence of the Lord". Many of the Slaves spoke with much feeling and propriety. Castilla, an old Leader, could scarcely find utterance for some time, till, at length, his words seemed to out-do the eloquence of his silent tears, and were nearly as follows. "When they complain to him of any "Brodder" for mis-conduct, he feel "bex": but when the offender is brought up, on the charge, "me heart melt to da Brodder & a lof him". This ultimate effect of grace, in its preponderance over nature's immediate ebullition, he thought was "one reason why he ought to bless God". Another reason he assigned was this: as a poor sickly man he must depend upon other for his living, but said he, "God preserves me, and I glad I can do a little fo my massa and a little fo me self." (He is a cooper on a sugar estate.) A third reason arose from his having no desire to forsake God; and he concluded by praying that God would "nourish me heart a little more, gimme more lof & trenc fo fight dis battle, dat I cum off mo dan conquer fo Christ's sake. Amen." A speech of this sort is received with much sympathy, & responded too with a general amen, by the slaves, especially if the speaker is popular among them. Others spoke much of the same effect for instance, "I give da Lord tanks & blessing dis day fo turning me heart fo, he saavis." Another said, "I find God gimme grace in secret; he brek me heart; he bridle me tongue." Another - "I bless God for he mercy, I live by he mercy, being I have no other to cry too." A poor creature having nearly completed her life of slavery, and her probationary course, concluded her testimony to the saving power of Jesus thus: "I pray an my sissa and brooda walk han in han fo manuel lan. Amen." We had a blessed time. At night I preached again to a numerous company, several "gentlemen" were present & we had another blessing. May the bread so often cast upon the waters, both by preachers & people, be found at least after many days.