month, in which I have travelled about five hundred miles ; I have felt much peace and comfort in my soul. I hope the next month will be more devoted to God than what this has been. Even so: amen, and amen ! 66 Thursday, November 8th. We rode to Daniel Shine's, who married Gabriel Long's widow. I inquired where brother Long was buried, and went to his grave, and stood by it a few minutes with a grate. ful remembrance of his past kindness to me. When I lived with him nineteen years ago, I do not remember ever to have seen a man, who was a private Christian, that equalled him for piety and a depth of religion. His surviving consort told me he died very happy. He left no will.-The reason why he left no will, was owing, probably, to his being opposed to slavery, and the laws of the state would not allow him to free them, and he was not disposed to will them to any particular person." He continued his tour, principally in company with bishop Asbury, through the Carolinas, then crossed the Savannah river at the Cherokee ford into Georgia; and the last day of the year found him in Charleston, ready for the conference, which was to commence the next day. CHAPTER XV. Reflections at the commencement of the year.-Conference at Charleston.---Commencement of a revival at Lockwood's Folly, related by Mr. Belvieu.-Conference in Baltimore.Conference in Philadelphia.-Do. in New-York.-An earth· quake.—An account of Martin Boehm's conversion, and call to the ministry.-Goes to the south.-Forms Oconee circuit, in Georgia.-Views the ruins of Mr. Whitefield's Orphan Asylum.-Returns to Virginia.-Conference at Blunt's, in Isle of Wight.-Goes to Maryland.—Conference at Stone Chapel. TUESDAY, January 1, 1799. I have now entered upon a new year. 0 my soul! enter thou into greater depths of the joy of the Lord. I felt fresh desires to spend the year, if spared, more to the glory of God, than what I have done in my former years. Our conference met in Charleston, at 9 o'clock. We had thirty-three preachers present, which belonged to the travelling connexion, including those who were just received to travel the ensuing year. Several young men were received, and some of them were highly recommended. "Friday, 4th. deacons, and three Conference met at half past 8 o'clock. At half after 10, Mr. Asbury preached on Heb. xiii. 17, 18. After sermon we ordained seven elders. We met in conference again at 3 o'clock, and finished our business. We had much love and union amongst us during the time we were together. We parted in much love. Thomas Humphries, Mark Moore, Henry M. Gaines, and Richard Posey, located. John N. Jones had died the summer before. We sent George Clark to form a circuit about St. Mary's, in Georgia. O that we may ever love and serve the Lord, and continue united in love, all our days! "Wednesday, 30th. Mr. Asbury and myself left Charleston, and crossed Cooper river at Clemon's ferry, and rode to brother Jackson's, at Cainehoy, and stayed all night. Here I would observe, that I stayed four weeks and almost two days in Charleston; in which I preached seventeen times, besides attending many other meetings, both in public and in private, and I often had such faith in the promises of God, and such a sense of his presence, that I could not doubt but what the Lord would revive his work amongst the people; I frequently spoke of my feelings concerning this matter. Mr. Asbury seemed to think differently, and frequently expressed his awful fears, that the people were growing worse and worse. Well, let the matter turn out as it may, I know that God was amongst the people, and that my expectation of a revival of religion afforded comfort to my soul. "Friday, February 1st. We rode about fifty miles, and made it till after 10 o'clock, before we got to Mr. Boon's. Mr. Asbury ran his carriage against a stump, and turned it over, and hurt his arm a little by falling out. "Thursday, 7th. At Little river meeting-house, Mr. Asbury preached, and I followed, on 1 Cor. xv. 33. Several people were much wrought upon. Lord, make our labours a lasting blessing to many souls. We then left South Carolina, and rode into the state of North Carolina.-Came to Mr. Gause', and stayed all night. 64 Sunday, 10th. At Charlotte meeting-house, Mr. Asbury preached, and after an intermission of fifteen minutes, I preached. God was in the midst of us. Several young converts were present; and they, with others, were deeply melted into tears; some of them could hardly refrain from roaring aloud. Glory be to God in the highest, for this meeting. We then rode to friend Belvieu's. There I received some account of the beginning of the late revival of religion, which began at this house. "On the 24th of December last, one of our friends was at Mr. Belvieu's house, and prayed in the family. The next night, Mr. Belvieu said to a young man, • what shall we do about prayer to night?' The young man said he did not know, he would read, and sing a hymn, if the other would pray. The other said he could not pray. However, after supper the young man came out of the other room, and said to Mr. Belvieu, I feel a desire to pray in the family, and I wish you would call the black people together.' Mr. Belvieu told me he felt struck with astonishment, and did not know whether he was in earnest or not; however, he went to the door to call the black people, but before he had time to call them, one of the women in the house began to pray earnestly, and he ran back into the house, and they were soon in a flood of tears. All the people now flocked into the house, and the young man began to pray; and they continued praying till Mr. Belvieu's wife got converted; and the young man who prayed, also became a subject of converting grace, and others were deeply distressed on the account of their sins. And thus they continued praying and rejoicing, till late in the night; this was the beginning of a revival of religion on Lockwood's Folly; and it has prospered since; many having been born again, and brought into the liberty of the children of God. There is still a blessed prospect of religion in the neighbourhood. Lord increase it. "Sunday, March 17th. We rode to William's meeting-house, Mr. Asbury preached; he finished his discourse, dismissed the assembly, and went to his lodgings. After a few minutes, I preached on 2 Peter iii. 17. I spoke very plainly and pointedly to the people, and the power of the Lord attended the word to many hearts. A little more than sixteen years ago, I came with brother E. Drumgoole, into these parts, before any Methodists came to form a circuit. At that time I felt much concerned for the souls of the people; but have never had it in my power to come amongst them from that time until now. The Lord has wrought wonders since that time; and the work of grace has not stopped: Lord carry it on more abundantly! We lodged that night at Edward Burrell's." After visiting Norfolk, Portsmouth, and PrincessAnn, where a good and gracious work of religion was progressing, they came on to Sussex, where conference was to be held. "Tuesday, April 9th. I rode to Stith Parham's, and put up. At 9 o'clock conference met in Jones' Chapel, in Sussex county, Virginia, and upwards of fifty preachers had assembled. Conference broke up the 11th. At this conference we received nine preachers on trial, and admitted seven into full connexion. Thirteen located, and one had died. We had lost some in the number of our members. 66 Wednesday, May 1st. Our conference began in Baltimore. |