Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 67
New-Bern-Town.
Monday, Decem. 24. Crossed Pamplico River Yesterday Evening, about 5 Miles wide. Lay at an Ordinary near the Water-side. Set out by Break of Day. Cross'd New-River about four in the Afternoon; and reached New-Bern-Town, 32 Miles from Bath-Town, by six at Night. Perceived my Appetite to grow better. Experienced some inward Teachings of GOD's Spirit by the Way; and had a sweet Communion in Spirit, after I came to the Inn, with my dear Friends at England, who, I supposed, were joining with one Accord in fervent Prayer, and ushering in the Festival of our dear LORD's Nativity, by singing of Hymns and spiritual▪ Songs. This Time Twelve-Months, I was with them; and even now I am absent from them, my Soul is deeply united with theirs, and all GOD's Children, by the Spirit of his dear Son; and however separated here, this is my Comfort, Men or Devils can't keep us from meeting and dwelling together eternally hereafter. Oh that the Cry was made, Behold the Bridegroom cometh! As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brooks, so doth my Soul long for that Time wherein I shall …e summon'd to go forth to meet him.
Tuesday, December 25. Endeavoured still to keep my Mind as much as possible in Union with all those pious Souls, who I knew were Rejoicing in the glad Tidings of Salvation by JESUS CHRIST. Went to publick Worship, and received the Holy Sacrament, which was celebrated in the Court-House; but was somewhat discomposed, and mourned much in Spirit, to see in what an indifferent Manner every Thing was carried▪ on. I cried mightily to the LORD in my secret Devotions: And in the Afternoon, when I read Prayers and preached, He was pleased to shew that he had heard me; for I scarce knew when we have had a more visible Manifestation of the Divine Presence, since our Coming into America. The People were uncommonly attentive.—Most melted into Tears, and shewed what a great Impression the Word made upon their Hearts.—I myself was much carried out.—I felt the Power of GOD …ome upon me, and spoke with Demonstration of the Spirit, to the Hearers Souls. After Sermon, a poor Woman with a full Heart, ran to me, desiring me that I would come and preach where she lived. Another told me I had given him a home Stroke. And indeed, I believe, all …elt an uncommon Power upon their Minds. The Woman where we lodged would take Nothing for our Christmas Dinner; and wished we could stay with them longer. This unexpected Success rejoiced me the more, because I looked upon it, as an Earnest of future and more plentiful Effusions of GOD's Spirit in these Parts. I really believe, whenever the Gospel is preached with Power in these Parts, it will be remarkably blessed. For I have not heard of one faithful Minister's being sent over amongst them. And how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they …, unless they are sent by and taught of GOD? Oh how will it rejoice me, to hear that some poor Soul this Day was born again! Then it would …e a Christmas-Day …. And why should I doubt? I have great … to think
I … a Soul the Savouir strived,
I … and believed.
Soon after Evening Service, I and my Friends took Horse, and rode about 8 Miles▪ and were sweetly entertained at a German' … House, who kept an Ordinary, and had been one of my Hearers. I observe the People of that Nation, as far as I can find, are the most industrious as well as serious People, that ever came into America.—I doubt not but the LORD will …ss them more and more. Wrote this Morning to the Minister of New-Bern, who countenanced a Dancing Master, by suffering his own Son to be one of his Pupils. Several of the Inhabitants, I was …, had subscribed to it; and their Meetings were generally attended with ill Consequences; which made me the more desirous to leave my Testimony against it. It grieves me to …ind that in every little Town there is a settled Dancing-Master, but scarce any where a settled Minister to be met with. Such a Proceeding must be of dreadful Consequence to any, especially a new settled Providence.—All Governors, merely out of a Principle of Human Policy, ought to put a Stop to it.—For … Entertainments enervate the … of People, and insensibly … them into E…feminacy, and unfit them to endure those Hardships, and go through those Fatigues, which must necessarily be undergone in order to bring a Province to Perfection. True Religion alone exalts a Nation—Such sinful Entertainments are a Reproach to, and will, in Time, be the Ruin of any People.
Wednesday, December 26. Set out early, and rode very pleasantly till Dinner Time. Me with some comfortable Refreshment at an Ordinary upon the Road; and lodged at a little House in the Woods, about 35 Miles off where we lay last Night. The People were appris'd of my Coming, and got such Things as they had, in a decent Manner. We endeavoured to receive all the Divine Blessings with Thankfulness. I had a good deal of Discourse with the People of the House; and after much previous and suitable Conversation, I baptized two Stranger's Children, who providentially lay at the same House that Night.—I believe there may be Hundreds of Children in this Province unbaptised, for want of a Minister. Oh that the LORD would send forth some, who like John the Baptist, might preach, and baptize in the Wilderness! I believe, they would flock to them from all the Countries round about!
Thursday, December 27. Set out about eight in the Morning. Crossed Trent River, a Ferry about a half Mile wide; and got to an Ordinary, a little way off the Road, and about 33 Miles Stage, before six at Night: As soon as I came in, a young Man welcomed me into America, who, upon enquiry, I found had been one of my Parishioners at Savannah: This gave me an immediate Opportunity of falling into Religious Conversation; and after I had done with the Governors, I went, as my usual Custom is, among the Negroes belonging to the House: One was sick in Bed, and two of his Children, said their Prayers after me very well. This more and more convinces me, that the Negroes Children, if early brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the LORD, would make as great a proficiency …s any white People's Children whatsoever. I do not despair, if GOD spares my Life, to see a School of young Negroes, singing the Praises of him that made them, in a Psalm of Thanksgiving. LORD, thou hast put into my Heart a good Design to educate them; I doubt not, but thou wilt enable me to bring it to good Effect. All that truly love thy Name, I am confident will▪say, Amen.