December 1826
3rd Dec. Sabbath. Preached twice in Princes town; met a large class & then addressed the Society at noon. Received 3 on trial superintended the Sunday school, and in all my labours found a blessing.
6th Dec/26 - Went to Mount Wynne, had a good company of adults & children, and a comfortable time among them. May much fruit appear; to the glory and promise of God, then my desire will have been fulfilled.
9th Sometime before mid-day, I set off for Town, with a high wind & a strong current right against us. The sun intensely hot, the canoe leaky & we had frequent unwelcome visits from the rude waves. Having been above three hours in a very wet & dangerous situation I landed at Ottley Hall Bay - the sun quickly dried my clothes & I finished about 2 miles on foot completely drenched with perspiration. At band-meeting had a good time.
10th Sabbath. Preached twice to the Town congregation, with much liberty. Received two persons on trial; baptised twin sisters and refused to marry a couple, both slaves, as they had not brought a certificate permitting it, from their master! Such is the law, and a missionary must conform thereto.
11th Dec/26. Arose before four O'clock; expounded part of the thirty fourth Psalm at five & found a blessing. About half past six we launched again upon the deep & in 3 hours arrived for breakfast. Praise the Lord O my soul & forget not all his benefits.
17th Sabbath. Went to & preached at Chateau-belair. The congregations rather smaller than usual, but I was bles't in my labours. Addressed the society & two candidates came forward. May they "be steadfast, and immoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord."
18th Returned to P. Town, and found some difficulty in launching so small a canoe through the surf which was unusually high owing to a heavy "ground swell" of the sea. We only just escaped being swamped; yet thank God, we did escape & that was sufficient. On our way up I observed the man looking earnestly on one side and rather "astern" & inquired Jimsie what's that? "A shark sir", he replied! Here again the Lord preserved us, both from a rolling frightful sea, and the devouring fangs of a monster. This deliverance will be still more evident when it is understood that my arms rest on the "gunwale", only a few inches from the water, and often in that position have been wetted with the rising waves. Some years ago, a colonist, whom I have seen, was coasting in a canoe or boat, along the same shore when a shark darted out of the water, aiming at his shadow as was supposed, as he sat to steer; it went over him & among the men & stuck fast under one of the seats by its head, while with its tail it was violently beating whatever came in its way! They quickly pulled "ashore" in one of the bays to preserve the boat & to get rid of their hideous & unwelcome passenger. Mr W. was then engaged in building a sloop which he named the "shark" in memory of that event.
19th Dec/26. Preached to a small company of serious hearers on a solemn subject, "Judgement to come".
21st Went to Layou this evening & preached to about the usual congregation. It was a good to be there.
23rd A few days ago it seems I caught a cold in my face & head by sitting in my little suffocating study too near the window for sake of the refreshing breeze. From the evening of the 21st, having returned late by sea after preaching, there being no lodgings except the benches of the Chapel! My cold greatly increased; & attending a prayer meeting in P. Town made it worse so that I feared for my next appointments. In order if possible to be able to attend to them it was resolved that I should just before going to bed foment my face & head where so much pain existed, with warm water & cover it up with flannel in hope that free perspiration might produce relief.
24th Dec/26. Sabbath. Was enabled to sleep nearly all night, and was thankful to find that the pain was removed. Went to Layou, preached twice with much liberty, and the people seemed to feel the word. May it bring forth much fruit! Though I had a violent head-ache, probably from the heat, during both services, yet I returned home at least as well as I was in the morning. Blessed be the Lord who makes me strong to labour in his Vineyard.
25th Dec Christmas day. At 5 am, preached in P. Town to a large congregation, we had a profitable season & concluded about sun-rise. Had another service during the forenoon. Those present did not I trust come in vain. Blessed be the Lord for a persuasion that my humble, though well meant efforts shall not be in vain.
26th Dec/26. Went to Chateau-belair; the Chapel was completely filled & many could not enter. The Lord was with us while we celebrated the nativity; and in the love-feast which followed, many spoke in an edifying manner, and it was most evident that the true spirit of Christianity is among the Leaders & people there. At night I returned to P. Town.
27th Held another Christmas meeting in P. Town; the Chapel was crowded & many stood at the doors, windows etc. Great attention was paid to the sermon, and a good degree of gracious power accompanied it; the love-feast which immediately followed was a good time and it is hoped that we shall see greater things than these. Both piety & numbers increase & I have not known them in a better state, nor does it appear that they have been better for years past. All glory to God by whose gracious power this good has been effected.
31st Dec/26. Sabbath - set off for Chateau-belair had a pleasant passage & arrived in about 2 hours. Good attendance at Chapel - met the society - read & explained the rules, received nine candidates - married a couple and then administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper to a more numerous company than on former occasions. "This also is a token of Good". The usual evening service at 7, was postponed till about 10, when I preached on Rev. 20, 12; and some of the Leaders assisted me to hold a watch-night. The congregation was more numerous than had been expected, and deeply attentive; and at the conclusion we departed much edified and blessed. May this new-year so auspiciously commenced be a very holy happy & useful one to me & mine: may we evermore cleave to the Lord our God rejoicing in full salvation. Amen.