February 1827
2nd Feb/27. My dear little family & I left P. Town in a canoe to attend the District Meeting. Many hopes & desires were expressed as to our reappointment, which, however, was improbable, as circumstances then indicated.
20th Feb/27. Kingstown - The business of our Dt Mtg being finally settled and my appointment fixt for Biabou, at the windward part of this Island, my dear Wife & I set out on horseback and little Anna was borne the whole way by a Negress of masculine figure, and physically competent to the task and, through the Divine blessing, we reached our destined habitation & scene of labor in peace and safety.
21st Biabou Mission establishment is situated on a promontory that commands an extensive view of the Ocean, studded in a southerly direction with the islets Balliceaux, Battavia, Bequia, Islet à Quatre, Mustique, Petit Saint Vincent & Myera etc.etc. extending towards Grenada. They are said to be healthy, and are remarkable for some beautiful shells, fine turtle, and large quantities of coral which is fished up and used for lime. Our house & chapel are visible for several miles, and occupy a healthy situation. They stand alone, but are conveniently situated for the Negroes on the neighbouring estates, hundreds of whom are members of our Society. We are deprived of intelligent Society, such as it would be at once consistent & profitable to mix with, but hope, by Divine grace, to make the most of our present circumstances.
25th Feb/27. Sabbath. Rode to Mount Young to preach, a distance of, about, 9 miles. Had large attendce and great liberty among them. Immediately after the public service met the Society - gave near 200 tickets. held Leaders Mtg, expelled several immoral members & recd one on trial. Numbers of the people come from a distance of several miles, the nearest is about a mile - the Chapel is central - was built at first by the slaves themselves, & afterwards they were assisted by missionary funds.
Having fever all day, I was glad to reach home again, and could have taken the ground for my bed, when as yet I had miles to travel & had tasted nothing since morning. The kind attentions of my dear Wife and the Divine blessing on simple means, and a determination to wear flannel in future as a preventive of cold, were useful to me, and next day I was perfectly well again. Thank God for this deliverance.