March 28th. It was now rising of sixteen months since I first came on to the Irish shore, and whilst others have been robbed and murdered, I have been preserved by land and sea. Though a few days ago, I was informed, the crew with whom I sailed, when drove into "the Isle of Man, were plotting to throw me overboard, if an Englishman had not interposed. I have known less of hunger in this country of scarcity than ever, for the space of time, in my own since travelling.

To-morrow, God willing, I expect to embark for America. What is past, I know; what is to come, I know not. I have endured trials in my own country, and have not been without them in this, even from those whom I love and wish well, both outward and inward, temporal and spiritual: but my trust is still in God, who I believe will support me, and give me a blessing upon my feeble labours in my native land, though I expect to wade through deep waters there.

*

4

I know not but I may come to Europe again, though there is but one thing which will bring me, viz. to save my soul.

April 2nd. I took my farewell leave of Paul and Letitia Johnson, and William and Nancy Thomas, with whom it was hard parting, and embarked for America on board the ship Venus, S. Taber, master, 250 tons burthen, seventy-three passengers, mostly Roman Catholics.

3d. At one o'clock, A. M. took in our anchors, hoistfed sail, and in about fifteen days after losing sight of land, we were half across the ocean, when the wind came against us, so that we were driven to the north, and south, about two weeks, making but very little headway.

26th. I held meeting on board; good attention appeared among those who could attend. After forty-seven days' passage, we hove in sight of land, and shortly after came to the quarantine ground, (Staten-Island) where I was detained thirteen days; during which time I got relief from some persons in New-York, whereby I escaped these vermin that are troublesome on long voyages with a number of people, &c. On our passage, my life was despaired of, through costiveness, (as in thirtythree days no means of medicine answered but thrice)

by some gentlemen on board, who with the captain shew ed me kindness. After holding two meetings, and my clothes cleansed, I got permission from the doctor to come into the city; where I was cordially received by S. Hutchinson, and some other kind friends; but they durst not open the preaching-house doors to me for fear of the censure of the conference now at hand.

Dr. Johnson, who had given me a paper signifying that if I were brought to want in any part of Ireland, could draw on him for any sum I chose, by any gentleman who traded in Dublin, which paper I never made use of. He sent a library of books by me, with orders to sell them, and make use of the money to buy me a horse to travel with, &c. and if I were minded might remit it to him in a future day. These books were of singular service, to aid me in my travels, which I thought to be my duty, viz. instead of being confined on a circuit, to travel the country at large, to speak on certain points, which I considered injurious to the kingdom of Christ in this world, &c. Not knowing the value of these se cond-hand books, one took the advantage of my igno rance to get them under price; but my friends insisted he should give up the bargain; to which he with a hard demand of ten dollars consented, with the proviso that Kirk (who sold them for an hundred and fifteen dollars) should have no profit). Oh! the cursed love of money!

June 18th. Conference came on, and some of my old friends were minded I should take a circuit; but did not blame me for going to Europe, considering the advantage I had got to my health, &c. I could not feel my mind free to comply, feeling it my duty to travel more extensively. Their intreaties and arguments were hard to resist; and on the other hand the discouragements if I rejected, or discomplied, would be great. It would not only by them be deemed wilful, and must expect their disapprobation; but still be like the fowls of the air, to trust Providence for my daily bread: here I was brought to halt between two opinions, thinking it was easier for one to be mistaken than twenty: yet I felt it my duty to travel the continent at large. Here my trials were keen.

*I paid the Doctor afterwards.

A pamphlet of my experience coming to America' Kirk was minded to re-print it; but bishop Whaterat said I belonged to them, and they ought to have ine first privilege of printing my experience: and being under great trials of mind, concluded to give up my judgment to theirs, and take a circuit; which I had no sooner consented to try for a year, the Lord being my helper, than an awful distress came over my mind; but I could not recal my words. My mind being somewhat agitated, gave the bishop somewhat encouragement relative to my journals, of which on re-consideration I repented, as the time was not yet.

I was restored by the conference where I was on going away, viz, remaining on trial. The conference was more friendly than I expected, when on my voyage home; but I did not make any acknowledgment that I did wrong in going away. Some thought I had broke discipline; but on re-examination it was found I had not, as one on trial has a right to desist as well as they to reject.

My station was on the Duchess and Columbia circuit, with David Brown and William Thacher-Frecborn Garrelson, presiding elder. Thus distressed, I sailed to Rhinebeck, on which way, one attempting to go on board the vessel, was knocked out of the boat, and carried down the stream more than a mile before he

could be picked up. Oh! what dangers are we in! how uncertain is life! When I arrived at the flats, I called at a methodist's, and got meeting appointed for the night. One of the principal methodists came to inquire, who is stationed on our circuit ? I replied, Brown, Thacher, and Dow. Said he, Dow, I thought he had gone to Ireland! I replied, he has been there, but has lately come back. Said he, Dow! Dow! why he is a crazy man; he will break up the circuit; so we part-.. éd. After meeting, I appointed another at the new meeting house then building, which tried them at my boldness, they not knowing who I was (but supposed a local preacher) and intended Mr. G. should preach the first sermon there, for the dedication. Next day, some desired to know my name, which I desired to be excused from telling. I held a number of meetings in

this place, mostly cold and lifeless, though we had sonic good and pious friends; yet I could not speak with life and power as formerly; but felt as if I was delivering my message to the wrong people. For it had been in my mind, to return to my native town, and there begin, and travel entensively; first, in the adjacent places, and so abroad, as I might find Providence to open the door.

When I got to this place, I had two shillings left, and hearing of a place called Kingston-sopus, I was minded to visit (contrary to the advice of my friends) and having got a few together with difficulty, and leav ing two other appointments, returned, having paid away all my money for ferriages, and when the time commenced in which I must go and fulfil the appointments, saw no way to get across the ferry, and whilst walking along in meditation on past providences, and raising my heart, that a way might be opened for my getting across the ferry, I cast my eye upon the sand, and espied something bright, and on picking it up found it to be a York shilling, the very sum I wanted in order to Cross over. And when I had fulfilled my first appointment, and was going to the second, a stranger shook hands with me, and left near half a dollar in my hand, so I was enabled to get back. Thus I see Providence provides for them that put their trust in him.→ Having some scripture pictures framed sent by me from Europe to dispose of, some I gave away, and the remainsler I let go to a printer for some religious hand-bills, &c. in Poughkeepsie, some of which I distributed through the town, and hearing the sound of a fiddle, I . followed it, and came to a porch where was a master teaching his pupils to dance. I gave some hand-bills, which he called after me to take away, but I spoke not a word but went off. Here the people are hardened.At Fish-kill, and the Highlands, the people were hard, and apparently sorry to see me. At Clove and Snarling-town likewise, I visited some neighbouring places, and had some tender meetings. At Amenia and Dover, the methodists seemed shy; I put up at a tavern several times. Swago, I visited from house to house, but have not the art nor the spirit of visiting as when in the

north country. Sharon-I found two classes here, the first hard and sorry to see me; the other tender with christian love. In Salisbury and Canaan, (Connect.) I had sundry meetings, but still felt as if not in my right sphere. A report that crazy Dow had got back from Ireland, brought many out to hear. Mount Washington, Sheffield, and Egremont, (Massach.) I visited; thence to Hudson, and so to Rhinebeck.

4

After quarterly meeting, I went home to see my friends, and found my parents well, and one sister, who had become more serious within the course of a few months, which was a matter of consolation to me.

The expectation of the methodists was raised, expecting such times as we had before, not looking enough beyond the watchman-once some were prejudiced against me; but now too much for me, so I was clogged with their expectations and shut up. Walking to Norwich, gave away my pocket handkerchief to get a breakfast, and took shipping to New-London, where we had three meetings that were large and tender. One who was near and dear to me did not come to see me, neither durst I go to see him, which caused me some pain of heart.

September 3d. I went forty miles to Middletown, and had four meetings which were good and tender.At New-Harford, I hired a ball-room, which cost me a dollar and a half. The man thought I was going to have a play, at first-many came to hear, to whom I spoke from, After I have spoken mock on. Some were

tender, and some disputed, saying, all things are decreed, and they hoped they were christians, and no man can be a christian unless he is reconciled to God's decrees. I replied, if all things are fore-ordained, it was fore-ordained that I should talk as I do, and you are not reconciled to it, and of course are not christians; but deceiving yourselves according to your own doctrine. The young people smiled, and so we parted.

Oh, when shall the time commence when the watchmen shall see eye to eye, and the earth be filled with God's glory? Thence I went to my circuit, and continued round with my mind burthened, as when sailing up from New-York; and have been burthened and de