JT-03-1809
Sometime in January, 1809, while traveling, night overtook me north of New London. It was dark and rainy. The top of a tree fell in the road so near me, that a limb struck me and so badly wounded me, that I had to sit some time by the road side before I was able to ride. About 9 o’clock, I came to brother Wright’s, and felt thankful to God that I was alive. My reflections this night, on the goodness of God, were comforting to my soul. In some places the work of the Lord prospered, and I felt encouraged and thankful that I was made an instrument of doing good to the souls of men.
January 28th, I had to cross James’ river to reach my appointment. The ford, I found was difficult and dangerous, as there was much ice in the way. In places the ice would bear my horse, and in some places it would break through the ice. In the splashing of the water, I became mostly wet and my clothes were soon stiffly frozen. Sometimes the ice forced me out of the ford, into almost swimming water, and I nearly despaired of reaching the shore! However, I arrived on the bank, and found my path to ascend sidelong a tremendous hill, mostly glazed over with solid ice! I pulled off my shoes, and drew myself along by bushes, thinking and fearing every moment my horse and myself would fall from the awful verge, into the river below! But thanks to my great Preserver, I ascended safely, but through great peril, while my bones ached with cold, and my clothes rattled with ice. I went to my appointment, being almost frozen, and preached to a people who gladly heard the word.
I now found that persecution and popularity had united to toss my name abroad. I found them to equiponderate in the scale of my reflection, to my advantage. So that by the one, I was not abjectly depressed, nor by the other, elevated in my own estimation, beyond the moderation of the Christian character. My constant prayer was, to be delivered from the pride of the human heart. O! (thought I) when shall these towering notions, these worldly thoughts, this love of applause, this vexation at persecution cease. O! when shall I be resigned to all circumstances, and be contended in the varying situations of this fluctuating scene of life! O, when shall I gain that holy courage, that divine and undaunted disposition of soul to stand firm and unshaken--that heavenly zeal to persevere, when derision, persecution and slander, with their thousand tongues, burst forth in united clamors, to sink me down in shame. O! for that meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price; that I may feel humble and thankful in prosperity, and patiently resigned in adversity and affliction. In March I crossed the mountains, and went again to Craig’s creek, Botetourt county, through much snow, ice and cold, and piercing wind. In this visit I found that the Methodists who had formerly manifested friendship to me, had turned to be my enemies and persecutors, and were now as cold and barren to me, as the mountains they inhabited. They debarred me from preaching in their public and private houses, but their opposition only seemed to increase my congregations, and open my way among the people. While preaching here, the Lord touched the hearts of some of the wicked and brought them to the knowledge of the truth. Truly did the wilderness turn to a fruitful field, and the desert blossom as the rose. Here I had an additional proof of the changeable and uncertain nature of Sectarian friendship. I was taught never to trust in Sectarian love, further than I saw it, nor to confide in their pretended attachments, longer than I was with them. From this place I returned to my appointments whence I came, and found in some places religion reviving and souls were converted, and in some places the people seemed careless and unfeeling, and I apparently was of little use to them.
April 10th, I attended at Chaney Chapel with John Robinson and others, who professed to be Republican Methodists. I preached and communed with them. I believed in their religion, and felt sweetly united with them in Christian love; but I did not believe in their little discipline and confession of faith, which seemed to have been borrowed from the Methodists and Presbyterians. Nor did I believe in their name, as I thought, it more properly belonged to the Beast, than to them. The vernal season, with all her reviving and blooming charms, now began to expand her blushing beauties round. The cold north winds cease to blow, and the white mantling snows are melted. The rising summits of the distant hills, and the fertile vales that lie between, now display their gay and living verdure. The birds flutter and sing, and fill the green woods with their melodious song. O! thought I, when, in like manner, will the storms of persecution, contentions and oppositions, that chill the Christian world, cease to blow. When shall the wide-spreading and darkening clouds of anti-Christian errors, be dissipated, and leave our Christian horizon to pour the illuminating rays of divine light upon the intellectual world. When will this long raining and hard freezing winter roll away, to usher in the charming and delightful spring. When Christians of every sect, like birds of every name, shall rise, revive and sing a universal song of victory, over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name! From this place I attended at several places, where I saw some good was done; but at one place I had a severe trial. A drunken man made an interruption in the congregation, by calling me a d---d fool, liar, hypocrite, &c., threatening to beat my d---d brains out. He was taken out of the house, and the doors shut against him; and after throwing some stones against the wall on the roof, he went away.
Within a few weeks past, I have seen many evidences of the divine favor, in the conversion of sinners, and some partial appearances of that union and peace, which shall one day consolidate and harmonize all God’s people. My soul has been enraptured in contemplating the glories of that happy day, when Anti-Christ shall be destroyed, and when Jesus shall be King in all the earth, and his name one. May 15th, I held a two day’s meeting at brother Sledd’s (a preacher) near the Blue Ridge. We held a communion, and the Lord blessed us, and gave us a refreshing time. From this place, accompanied by brother Sledd, I started to a union meeting, to be held at Shiloh meeting house, in Halifax county, Va. On our way we held meeting at Major Ward’s to a large assembly. At this place, I received an anonymous letter, containing six very difficult and perplexing questions; deeply involving the doctrine of Calvinism, Deism, and Universalism. The writer insisted for an answer, and as I fully thought those doctrines were not tenable, but could be refuted by Scripture and reason, I answered them. I have room here to insert neither the questions nor the answers. From this place we went on and reached at brother Chapel’s, a Christian preacher. The people were careless and unaffected. We thence went home, and tarried during the night with brother T. Jeter, a Christian preacher, of considerable eminence, but a slave holder! Here we met with Wm. Guiry and with F. Plummer, from New England, who were directing for the same meeting, to which we were going. The next day we all went on to the neighborhood of Shiloh. On Friday, 19th of May, the Union meeting commenced. At candlelight I was set forth to preach. I did so, to the joy of my own soul, and thought to the comfort of others. But F. Plummer, (from New England) immediately rose up in the congregation, and in his discourse observed, "such preaching (alluding to mine) was not fit for God, men nor Devils." This, with some other impertinencies, disgusted the most of the preaching brethren, so that he was but coolly received. Though he came to open a communication between, and to unite the Christians in the East and South to-ether, he did not succeed in his mission. At this meeting, I saw and met with my dear brother T. Reeves, who had led me along and given me aid in the ministry, when I was weak and helpless. On Monday afternoon the meeting closed. It was solemn to see the preachers embracing each other, probably for the last time they should meet on earth. And to see the weeping mourners dropping the penitential tear, and saying to the preachers, "pray for me." This evening I left the meeting ground, and went on four miles towards Danville, and tarried all night at the house where a daughter had been convicted of her sins, at the meeting, and was yet under great distress and affliction of mind. ’Twas said she slept none, but prayed and mourned all the night !Next morning I again prayed for her, and while engaged in the duty, she found redemption in the blood of the Lamb, the forgiveness of sins.
Thence I passed on, crossed Dan river, and at night held meeting at brother West’s; but my wind was clouded, and it was with difficulty I could find anything to say. After meeting, I felt mortified and much depressed. Next morning I was informed that a man was sensibly convinced of his sins, while hearing me preach, and was constrained to fall on his knees, on his way home, and prayed mightily for God to be merciful to his soul.
Thence I directed my way for my native place, and in the evening arrived safely at my Mother’s, and found her, my brother and relations well. During a week I preached in the neighborhood, in the day and at night the Lord tendered some of the people’s hearts, some of whom rejoiced aloud, and some cried for mercy. On the last Sunday in May, I met with J. O’Kelly, at Apple’s meeting house, near the High Rock of Haw river, in Guilford county. The congregation was large and deeply affected. We had the communion, in which many of the Presbyterians, and some of the Methodists joined with us. From this place I went on westwardly, through Guilford, Stokes, Iredel and Surry counties, preaching almost every day, sometimes twice in the day. In Iredel, I could not do many mighty works, because of the Presbyterians! Their religion seemed to consist in keeping the Sabbath, and in withstanding everything that was not Calvinism! I went on through Grayson and Wythe counties, in Va., and preached fifteen times in ten days, among my old acquaintances, in which time some professed religion, and some mourning under a sense of their sins, promised to seek the Savior until they should find him, precious to their souls.
I then returned to North Carolina, tarried two days with my relations, and went on to the lower part of the state, in the regions about Edenton. My profession was strange here, and my access to the people was difficult. Some of the Methodists liking my doctrine, took me in till their circuit riders came round and alarmed them, that I was an O’Kellyite, and charged them to keep me out of their houses, and forthwith they obeyed them!
I found the mosquitoes and gnats to be exceedingly troublesome, the sectarians very bitter, and the water extremely bad and insalubrious. In my travel, not far from Tarborough, I called at an inn, late in the evening, and asked the landlord to stay all night, telling him I had no money. He began to interrogate me very impertinently. I answered him. He swore he thought I was some runaway apprentice boy, and that the horse I was on was a stolen one, and he had a great mind to take me up as such. I told him he was welcome to do so, and in this way I should get a night’s lodging with him. However he cursed me to be gone as he would not trouble his mind about it. I started, and in going a short distance, by the light of the moon, I discovered a path that led through a thick woods, which I followed. After going about two miles through a dry, lonesome swamp, I came to a rural mansion, where I was received and hospitably entertained. This night, while lying in the bed my mind was led into an ample contemplation of the goodness of God, and his various dealings with me, which filled my soul with inexpressible consolations. Here many lonesome scenes and joyful hours, which I had seen, rose into review. The many dangers I had passed, and the deliverances I had found. The occasion produced the following:
O may I always find thy grace so sweet,
As now I lay me down at Jesus’ feet;
O way transporting joys bear live above,
All earthly objects, or a creature’s love. The next morning, my host having discovered that I was a preacher, invited me to stay and preach, which I did at candlelight, to an attentive and serious audience. On the next morning, when I was about to start, my host gave me one dollar, commended me to the protection of Almighty grace, and bid me God speed in the heavenly road.
I now directed my course for the old route or circuit, which I had before traveled, with brother T. Reeves. About the 15th of July I arrived there, at a place called Holy Neck. I now went on preaching nearly every day, in the counties of Southampton, Nancemond, Currituck, Norfolk, Isle of Wight, and Surry.
About the 1st of August, I held meeting at Lebanon meeting house, in Surry county, when a revival commenced. Old professors were animated, many of the wicked were convicted, and some were converted. The cries and prayers of the congregation increased during the day. At night we repaired to brother Sudkin’s to worship, and the meeting did not close till Tuesday; in which time thirteen souls professed to be brought from darkness to light, and loudly praised their Savior.
Thence I preached at Bartley’s, Holaway’s, Chapell’s, and at brother B. Barnett’s. At his house the work of the Lord revived. His son Mills was convicted of his sins, while I was preaching of the return of the prodigal son. Two of his daughters obtained the forgiveness of sins, and several others. On the second Sunday in August, I returned and held meeting at Lebanon, were perhaps 2000 people collected. Brother Barrett, the preacher met with me, and brought his son who was yet seeking the Savior. At this meeting be professed to have the love of God shed abroad in his heart. At candlelight, while mourners were praying, and a general noise was in the congregation, a man came to me with a stick concealed under his coat, and asked me to come out to the yard, and pray for a mourner who was there crying for mercy, I started out with him, but before I came to the door, another man pulled me back, and as I was returning to the pulpit, the man with his stick came and struck at me, but the blow was warded. He then caught hold of me and was about to beat me with his club, but was prevented by others, and put out of the house. I tarried three days in the neighborhood, and held meeting from house to house, almost all night and day. In this time seven gave evidence of being born again, and were added to the church. On Wednesday I went on, and preached at brother Holaway’s. On Thursday morning, I started to my appointment, several miles distant, accompanied by two of brother Holaway’s daughters, and one of their cousins. In our way we had to cross a stream of water, over which a new bridge was erected, and was in in unfinished state, having no banisters, and the plank loose on the sleepers. I went foremost on the bridge. When I was nearly over, brother H.’s youngest daughter’s horse became frightened at the shaking of the bridge, and instantly ran back on the end of the planks, and threw himself and his screaming rider into the stream! The water was about fifteen feet deep, and of considerable width. I jumped from my horse, and ran without pulling off my hat, coat or boots, and leaped into the stream to save the drowning damsel. Before I reached her she caught me round the neck, and with much exertion I broke her hold. I took her by the arm with one hand, and with great difficulty, and at the hazard of my own life, conveyed her to the shore. Where I brought her to the bank, the water was deep; but by the assistance of the other two women, who had been screaming almost to distraction, we raised her on the bank, but to all appearance dead! A large portion of water poured out of her mouth, and we presently observed symptoms of life. In the space of half an hour, she recovered life and strength to speak. In broken accents she began to express her thanks to me, that I had saved her life, and said if it had not been for me, by this time she would have been in hell. I told her that her thanks belonged to God, who had preserved her life that she might take warning to repent. For the space of two hours she was unable to ride. We then helped her on her horse, and by the assistance of her sister holding her on, she was enabled to return homeward, but for want of strength, had to tarry with an acquaintance by the way for the night. This circumstance brought conviction to her soul--she sought, the Savior by earnest prayer, and shortly found him in the forgiveness of sins. This was also the means of awakening two of her brothers to a sense of their sins, both of whom shortly professed faith in Jesus; and one of them, Zachariah Holaway, shortly commenced preaching, and remains steadfast and useful to this day.
I went in my wet clothes to my appointment, where the people were waiting for me. They thought strange to see me so very wet, on so clear a day, and some had it soon reported that I was drunk, and had fallen into the mill pond, &c.!
Thence I went to brother Carrett’s, where the little revival that had started, was yet spreading, and taking many, both old and young, out of Satan’s kingdom, into the liberty of the children of God. From this place I went on my circuit, preaching to people in some places, apparently hard as stones, and at some places I saw appearances of good, till I came again to Lebanon, where the work of the Lord was yet spreading. The last Sunday in September, I spoke to a large congregation, and several professed religion. When meeting closed, I started out to my horse. When I came to him, two men were standing by, one with a large pocket knife open in his hand, the other held a large stick. One of them observed I ought to have a d---d beating, and that they intended to give it to me. They said because I had bewitched the people--set them crazy, &c. The one raised his stick to strike me. I looked him in the face, and said Lord have mercy on your poor, wicked soul; at which his stick fell out of his hand, and his face turned pale. The other shut up his knife, and looking frightened, said, we can’t hurt him. By this time, some others drew up and threatened to prosecute them for the assault, and they withdrew. A few weeks after this, we had a communion at brother B. Barrett’s, where Wm. Guiry met with us. At this meeting several professed to be born again, and many were brought to their knees in tears and prayers. When we were about communing, it wicked mob collected and came to disturb us. Some of them were repulsed, and some remained in the house, and by way of mocking having furnished themselves, they ate bread and drank wine in commemoration of their Lord--and this they did, being intoxicated!! Shortly after this, one of them felt convicted for his crime, and became a sincere praying man.
About this time, brother Mills Barrett, who professed to be my son in the gospel, being under exercises to preach the gospel, started out traveling with me, and continued mostly with me during my stay on that circuit. In which time, he made a rapid improvement and seemed to bid fair to be a useful man.
December 24th, I traveled all day facing an intense cold wind. Being thinly clad and having no great coat, about dark I felt myself numb and sleepy. I became alarmed, believing I would freeze. I alighted to walk, but was scarcely able to get along. Sleepiness had almost overcome me. In walking a little distance, I came to fire by the roadside, which perhaps had been left by wagoners. I kindled it, and warmed myself until I felt my strength return and my drowsiness leave me. I deemed this I providential deliverance from death, which I believe had already commenced to work on me!! Having warmed myself, I went about three miles, and came to old brother George’s almost frozen again.
Here I was soon made comfortable by the kindness of the family, and felt thankful that I had a merciful God, who was always mindful of me.
Shortly after this, being in the neighborhood of Lebanon, the brethren hearing of my sufferings, bought me a great coat.