Held several meetings; to these two places I had nofes of introduction from a preacher. Thence to Ballycarey and held three meetings which were very serious. From thence to Larne, which I gained about twelve o'clock. I took breakfast and visited two or three families; and though may dress was somewhat altered, the people knew me, and were staring from their doors and windows. I spent some more time about here not altogether in rain. The society when I left it amounted to about sixty in number. Such a village as this I never met with before, for universal friendship to me, considering I was such a stranger. One man by the name of Martin, shewed every possible kindness, whilst I was confined by a breaking out, which was generally thought to be the small pox. One morning the shop door under the same roof, was found wide open; though late in the evening, the mistress had examined particularly, as was her constant custom to see that it was locked and barred just before she retired to rest, and nothing was missing, though money and valuable articles were in it. The man who said his wife made so much ado about religion, at first was unwilling to hear me preach or even to pray in his family, being much given to jesting, &c but when sickness came upon him, he made vows to serve God, and sent for me to visit him, and a few hours before his departure found acceptance. Isle of Magee-Here was no society; many were the opposers to a free salvation; contending for reprobation and blinding the people thereby. However, many tender minds of the youth appeared to be stirred to consideration during the few meetings I held among them. In Strade and Cogray were a tender people; at Doe the officer of the guard, taking the letter of the law, would suffer no meeting in the evening, so scores were disappointed: However I held meeting in the morning and several times afterwards, and the disappointment brought more out to hear, by which means I hope good was done. One morning I went to the Barracks and found many of the soldiers round the card table, which seemed to dash them; I threw a pamphlet on the table and walked off. These things so attracted their attention, that on a Sabbath day the parade was omitted, that the men might come and-hear me.-' -The greatest part of the assembly were caught in a covenant to pray to God; but some were angry, and said I swore the people to be religious.* In Carley, the family had not notified the people ac.. cording to expectation, fearing the martial law. However, they thought and said it was a pity I should lose my visit; and calling in the neighbours, we had a refreshing season. Some more meetings I held in this vicinity, and some good I hope was done. In Ballinure and at Bryantang, we had comfortable seasons. At Kilwater, the Lord has begun a good work. In Belleaston church, I spoke to the young people, from, “is it well with thee?" having walked fourteen miles and spoke four times. Sunday, Feb. 23d. I went fourteen miles; preached four times many felt the word and it was a happy day for me. March 6th. A magistrate hailed me on the road, and . said, where are you going? A. To Larne. Q. Where did you come from? A. Ballycary. Q. What's your occupation? A. I have got none. Q. Where do you belong? A. No Where. Q. What, are you strolling about the country? Q. Where's your pass? A. I have got none. Q. Where was you born? A. North America. Q. Well to America you shall go again.-Come, go along with me to the guard-house. Q. What do you follow, and what did you come after? A. I follow preaching, and come upon account of my health; and methodist preachers don't apply to magis trates for passes. Well, said he, (upon observing I could not walk fast, my feet being sore) if ever I see you this way again, I'll send you to prison. I replied, you are at your op tion, and can do as you think proper; then he put the whip to his horse and went on. My mind has been much exercised of late, as though it would be my duty to travel the vineyard in other lands; and the time of my departure from about here, I believe is nigh. I feel the worth of souls near my heart, and as willing to spend and be spent in the ministerial work as ever.My trust is still in God; but, oh! the hindrances of Zion stumbling block professors, I fear are the ruin of many souls. When I feel an uncommon impression to do such and such things, if when I resist them, it brings a burthen, and if when I cherish them, it brings love, I generally prosper in following it. The sores up My soul is pained on Zion's account. on my feet grow worse, and I have no one who can sympathize with me in my singular state. Sunday 16th. I preached in Larne, for the last time from, "finally, brethren, farewell," &c. to many hundreds of people, and a melting season it was hard to part with the young beginners; but the will of God be done. On the 17th, contrary to the advice of my friends, I walked to Caron Castle. There I held some meetings, and there seemned a prospect of good: from thence to Glenarm and Canayla: here we had solemn seasons. Returning to Carrickfergus, I held several meetings; as when I left this place before, I put up a public notice, requesting the people to turn out when I should come again, and hear me, not as critics, but as sincere inquirers after truth. Word flew over the town, "the Ame rican's come, the American's come:" so I told them I would speak to the youth; which brought out a multitude. Then I said, invite out the deists and I will preach to them: so the deists in town were invited per sonally, and came out. After several meetings, I felt myself clear from the place and went away. The pow er of God was sensibly felt here, and one soul, I trust. found religion, whom, in some months after, I met in Dublin. From this, I infer, that I ought not to be discouraged, if the fruit of the word does not immediately appear. April 1st. Quarterly meeting was held in Belfast, where I met several preachers who treated me with love and friendship, as much as I could expect in my situɛtion. One's name was Wood. A woman at Newry, who had got her mind prejudiced, had said, God has forsaken the methodists, and will bless them no more, and the Evangelical society have got the crown. Wood said, God has not forsaken them, but will bless them again, and twenty souls will be converted before Saturday night and how he came to speak these words, he could not tell; it was the beginning of the week, and no visible appearance of a revival, until the next evening, when some were awakened powerfully, and just twenty, before sun-set on Saturday, professed to receive remission of sins; and some hundreds were shortly taken into society. I walked to Antrim, and had a few meetings that were solemn and tender, and returned to Belfast.Round this place, I had some meetings in the street; for which I was sent to prison. But A. Hamilton said to the officer, preaching in the streets is a privilege allowed us by government, and they will give you no thanks for your loyalty, in sending this young man to prison; for he seeks to do no harm, if he can do no good. I got a good opportunity to speak to the prisoners by this means, and shortly was let out. I bless God for this singular event, for it brought more people out to meeting. Feeling my spirit inclined to the south, I bought a passage. These words were running through my mind, and the waters assuaged." I told the people, I believed we should have a rough passage. Sorne advised me not to go; but feeling my work done here, I set forward on Friday, 11th; but on Saturday night the wind began to blow, and the waves to toss the vessel, which drove the captain and hands to their Romish duties, as they got affrighted. The wind drove us into Ramsay bay, in the isle of Man; and we anchored about a mile from land. The waves being high, I did not venture on shore for several days. The sailors ate up my provisions, whilst I slept, and their provisions my weak stomach could not endure; so for more than eighty hours I did not break my fast, except with cold water, and I despaired of life. The wind and storm increased. A schooner near us slipped her cable and drove off towards Scotland. Our captain, the night following, got terrified, as did all the hands and passengers; but my mind was calmly composed and stayed on God. The captain had thoughts of running the vessel on shore to the mercy of God; but at length day broke; a signal of distress was hoisted, and a boat came from shore and towed the vessel to the quay, and I went on shore to get something to eat, having but one sixpence with me; and after much difficulty I found a methodist boarding house, and made known my situation to them, who gave me some food: and eating rather hearty in my weak state, it seemed give me much pain. Here also I obtained a lodging for the night. My soul was melted to tenderness under a sense of the divine goodness, in turning my present captivity. The next day, a preacher came to town, to whom I made known my situation; and God gave me favour in his sight. The preaching house doors were opened to me, where. some hundreds of people came to hear me the firstnight; and conditionally if the vessel did not sail. I intended to speak the next. The vessel attempted to sail out unknown to me; but broke her anchor against the quay; which detained her another tide; so I fulfilled the meeting and did not lose my passage. And the captain, who said I was either a witch, or a wizard, or a devil, or something, and if it had not been for me, he would have had a good pas sage; and before he would take me again, I should pay five pounds. He and the crew came to hear me preach. |