April 1827
1st April/27 Sabbath - Preached & held a Love-feast at Biabou. Fine weather, a large congtn & a good time. Afterwards rode to Calliaqua, a distance of 9 miles, and preached to many in a private house & found a blessing among them.
2nd Returned to Biabou & pursued my usual studies. I read & think & pray and compose too, as much as my time will allow, for the good of the people and live in hope of seeing greater things than these.
5th Catechised the little Negroes at P. Vale & find that they are making a little progress in "the 2nd series" without forgetting the first.
7th This afternoon, went to Town for the Sabbath, had a good time at Band Mtg, though it is not yet what it might, and therefore, what it ought to be.
8th April 1827. Sabbath - I was favoured in preaching, and believe that many found it good to be there. In the afternoon we had a good love-feast, just before which, Mr & Mrs Vigis arrived from England. Mr V. preached for me in the evening and delivered a lively and useful sermon. He was much affected at the sight of so many sable faces & on hearing the members relate their experience in the love-feast. May his labours & example be made a great blessing.
9th Met the Town congregation again at five this morning & found liberty in addressing them. In the earlier part of the day accompanied Mr Vigis on board the vessel about his luggage and then rode to Biabou and found my dear little family in peace & safety. All praise to God most high. I must not forget to note that on my way over the "Vigie" (or look out) a memorable place from the events of the Carib war, I called on Mr Cumming the Manager of Calder Estate to arrange with him for preaching & catechising there. He was very kind and ready to further my design.
15th April 1827 Easter-day - After breakfast I rode to Mountyoung, & had a very large congregation. In meeting the classes, I found that death had removed three members into eternity. There were also some candidates to be admitted. O if these slaves to man, only become free from sin to serve the Lord Christ, what rejoicing will there be among the angels of God!
16th Went to Town to attend Quarter-day; the business of which was arranged amicably, but was detained too late to return the same evening. Spent an agreeable hour with a friend & by grace successfully resisted the attack of an enemy.
17th Early this morning, took horse, and was Divinely permitted to reach home in peace & safety.
19th Visited P. Vale in the usual course.
20th Went to Mount Grennon estate to ask permission for Dr Brown the proprietor to preach etc there, & at Sans Souci, which was readily granted.
22nd Sabbath - my apptt was at Union. The congregation less than usual, owing to the slaves being obliged to take their yam grounds to day, however the Lord was with us who were present in his house and no doubt with others of our number sinfully detained by their owners & obliged by necessity to work on the Sabbath. After sermon & class meeting I addressed the society on some important topics, needful every where but especially in slave societies. O may the good seed bear fruit a hundred fold.
26th Went to Peruvian Vale - the little Negroes are making some progress in catechetical instruction. As in a little time the crop will be over, more frequent opportunities of preaching on estates will be afforded me; offering salvation to poor sinners is my most delightful work. O may the Lord prosper my labours!
29th April/27 - Sabbath - officiated in Biabou chapel to an attentive congregation. Afterward I met the Society, married two couples, & received some candidates. By that time I had been employed nearly six hours & it was almost 4 P.M. - took a little dinner in haste and set off the Calliaqua, nine miles distant, where I had a large company in a private dwelling house. After service returned home, my dear little Anna being sick, and was grateful to the Father of mercies to find her somewhat recovered. O may we all glorify our God & finish our course with joy.