August 1827
1st August/27. This evening I had a congregation, and a blessing too, in Biabou Chapel.
2nd Went to P. Vale to catechise - the children's memories are better than their manners. They do not behave so quietly when the Manager is absent.
3rd Rode to Argyle Estate - was caught in the rain and wetted through my clothes, besides thron from my horse, which would not go any road but its own. However, I had ample amends in a large congregation which assembled in the Boiling house, and behaved well. Five or six Planters were present, and I pray for the Divine blessing on the word preached.
4th Made some appointments for estate preaching next week & hope that adverse circumstances will not hinder my attending to them punctually & with success.
5th Sabbath - Preached at Baibou to a large and attentive congregation, including several Ladies & gentlemen, not among our usual hearers. After public service I commenced the class meeting, and afterwards closed it with an address and prayer. In calling the names of the members, it was found necessary to exclude two of them for gross wickedness. I then met the Leaders in class, as at Union & Mt Young, and find it even more needful here than there. Had a good time with them. Having to preach at Calliaqua at 7 this evening, at 4½ I started & was there in time, my horse being in danger of sticking fast in a slough only once, owing to the carting of sugars and other produce over roads very much injured by the late heavy rains. The congregation were waiting & I preached with liberty. A female, not in Society, fainted during the sermon. When recovered she told a friend, that things done in secret are sure to be made public. She had neglected the morning service to attend to some domestic matters not absolutely necessary, and now she considered herself providentially corrected for the sin; that while busy in the morning, she felt it was contrary to the conviction of her conscience! O may she obey the warning thus mercifully given her!
6th August/27 - Visited New Prospect estate, catechised the children and preached to the adults. Mr Symon expressed himself most happy to have his people instructed.
7th Went to Sans Souci, had many to hear, indeed the "prayers-house" is too small for the number attending it, and consequently the heat was great. I was drenched with perspiration & had four miles to ride home in the cold wind, but worst of all a thunder storm overtook me, and I travelled most of the way in an uncomfortable and dangerous condition.
8th The night being unfavourable the congregation did not assemble.
9th Rode over to P. Vale, and catechised the children at the House of the Manager.
10th Having an appointment at Mount Grennon, I rode over, about five miles from home, and found a large company waiting for me in a house recently erected for preaching etc., though too small and excessively warm. Here also the Lord gave me a blessing.
12 August Lord's-day. Appointed to Union Chapel, had a large & attentive company to whom I preached a missy sermon. A collection was made in behalf of the Missionary Society. After calling over the names of the members at the end of the class meeting and regulating the affairs usually introduced in our leader's meetings I administered the sacrament to a larger company of communicants than, perhaps, ever attended before. This service ended I met the Leaders in class, & so concluded the labours of this profitable day.
14th Attended at Mount St. Patrick to catechise & preach. Remained all night and spent some time in profitable conversation; and reading, when left alone in my mountain lodging.
15th Augt/27. Dark unfavourable weather kept my congregation away to night.
16th Went to P. Vale & found that the catechumens here are improving.
17th requested by Mr. McLean to attend at Hospital of P. Vale estate to visit and baptise an African about sixty years of age, and very sick. He was very ignorant, but teachable and now willing to be baptised. Having explained the subject, and questioned him much as to his understanding of it, and sincere wish to be saved by faith in Christ, I administered "the outward & visible sign" and prayed that he might find "the inward & spiritual grace" in order to his final salvation.
19th Sabbath - Preached a missionary sermon at Mountyoung to a large & attentive congregation. In meeting the society & then the leaders class, I could not but observe an increased degree of earnestness and fervency. O may the great had of the Church pour out abundantly his Holy spirit, & save his people from their sins; - and may the whole world be changed, through grace Divine!
23rd Augt/27. This week I have been obliged to place myself on the sick list, and indeed, the weather has been unfavourable for travelling. For these reasons I have had no labor from home during the last four days.
25th Rode to Town, and received the distressing tidings of the death of Mr & Mrs Williamson of the Madras mission[1]. They were likely persons to endure tropical disease, and to be useful in the mission field; but they are removed from labor, to rest, and from suffering to enjoyment. Mr. W. was ordained at the same time & place as Mr. Wilkinson,[2] of Honduras, & myself. Our next meeting cannot be on earth, nor in the church militant, but it will, I trust, eventually, be in HEAVEN.
Footnotes
1. Thomas J. Williamson (see Methodist Ministers and Probationers who have Died in the Work)
2. According to The Methodist Archives Biographical Index, Henry Wilkinson (1799-1866) was born in Keighley, Yorkshire. He was converted as a sixteen years old apprentice and after entering into business at Addingham in his native county, he became a local preacher and class leader. Wilkinson entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1825 and exercised an active circuit ministry until shortly before his death, which occurred while he was stationed at Hornsea in Lincolnshire.