July 1827
1st July/27 Sabbath - appointed to labor at Union Chapel - had a good time & the congregation were unusually attentive. Held a lovefeast & found it profitable to be so employed.
2nd Went to Town to our Quarterly meeting. Mr. Mortier, who is chairman of this District being present. Business was transacted in an amicable spirit and several important subjects were discussed. I remained in Town all night. Next morning having to purchase stores and get them sent home by sea, much of my time was therewith occupied. After dinner I rode to Calder estate, about seven miles on my way home, where I had engaged to preach, and waited till the people were collected at about half past seven. At length I had a good company including five or six planters; apparently half intoxicated. The Lord favored me both in prayer & preaching, and I hope my labor was not lost, even upon the last mentioned part of my audience. My weary, hungry mare brought me home about eleven o'clock.
4th July/27 - Preached to an attentive little company in Biabou Chapel this evening. Four white persons were present.
5th Visited P. Vale & catechised the children. This estate being only a mile distt it is supposed that the adults can if they will, attend at Biabou.
6th Rode to the Escape Estate, and about eight P.M. had a pretty numerous & attentive congregation in the Boiling house. The manager and two overseers were present. One of the slaves named Tommy, the father of a large family, and our principal leader at Biabou Chapel, has been resident here many years and bears an excellent character not only where he belongs to, but throughout the island, and is a good man endued with the gift of the Holy spirit, and he lets his light shine to all around.
8th July/27 - Sabbath - Exchanged appointments to oblige another preacher who wanted mine. Had a good day & returned about sun-set.
13th This has been a week of disappointments as to congregations; but the country is peculiar in more respects than one.
15th July/27 - Sabbath - Went to Union Chapel, had a large congregation and very attentive. Hope much good was done. The classes being met I received four on trial and settled so far as I could at present, a dispute between a Negro & his wife who refuses to live with him any longer. After all other matters were settled, I met in class about 20 leaders & their assistants. This measure I proposed last Quarter-day, and it was highly approved of; indeed it is indispensable to the prosperity of our Negro Societies, and no doubt, will receive the Divine blessing.
17th July/27 Went to Mount St Patrick and had a congregation. The night being stormy, very dark & the road dangerous in some parts I was persuaded to stay all night.
18th Returned home this morning & preached in the Chapel at 7 P.M. to a small but attentive congregation.
19th Had my usual ride to P. Vale & attended to the little Negroes.
22nd Lord's-day - On my way to Mount Young I called at Sans-Souci, saw the manager of that estate & providentially also the one from Mount Grennon, about a mile up the same valley, and hope to visit them both shortly, now the crop is over. This done I proceeded to chapel, three or four miles farther & had a large and attentive congregation & was blessed in my labor. Three candidates were received & the sacrament administered after which I met the Leaders and their assistants in class; being more than ever convinced that much pains must be taken with the Leaders, chiefly Negroes, in order to the prosperity of the Society, here as at Union. O may our every effort be crowned with the Divine blessing.
25th July/27 - Had no congtn in Biabou Chl this evening owning chiefly to bad weather.
26th Went to P. Vale. Mr. McLean, Mr. said the Negroes were "coming on" pretty well. This I knew to be the fact.
28th Rode down to town; and about four miles from home (it being early in the afternoon, & warm, I was much heated with the exercise of riding at a walk so that the perspiration was dropping from my head upon my shoulders) and in that state I was overtaken with heavy rain and boisterous wind! I was quickly drenched, and continued so for two full hours.
29th July/27 - Lord's-day The effects of such a wetting as I had yesterday were, not what I had feared they must be under such circumstances. Through the tender mercy of my God, I was enabled to attend to the several duties of my office with freedom & delight & as it has appeared, with some success to the souls of the people. To God be all the glory!
30th Was detained in town to have my saddle repaired; about 5 P.M. set off for home. Called at Argyle Estate to arrange for preaching there next Friday evening, and arrived at Biabou late at night & very weary.
31st Was obliged to place myself on the sick list for a few hours, in hope of removing a severe cold caught last Saturday.