Saturday, September 14. I visited the Delaware king, (who was supposed to be at the point of death when I was here in May, but was now recovered,) discoursed with him and others respecting Christianity, and had more encouragement than I expected. The _king_ appeared willing to be instructed; this gave me some hope, that God would open an _effectual door_ for my preaching the gospel here. This was a refreshment to me in the wilderness, and rendered my _solitary_ circumstances comfortable.
*In the evening my soul was enlarged in prayer; especially, that God would set up his kingdom in this place. My soul cried, “Lord, set up thy kingdom, for thine own glory. Glorify thyself; and I shall rejoice. Get honour to thy blessed name; and this is all I desire. Do with me just what thou wilt. Blessed be thy name for ever, that thou art God, and that thou wilt glorify thyself. O that the whole world might glorify thee! O let these poor people be brought to know thee, and love thee, for the glory of thy ever-blessed name!”
Lord’s-day, September 15. I visited the _chief_ of the Delawares again; and discoursed to the Indians in the afternoon. I still hoped that God would open their hearts to receive the gospel, though many of them were so drunk from day to day, that I could get no opportunity to speak to them.
September 16. I spent the forenoon with the Indians, endeavouring to instruct them from house to house, and to engage them, to be friendly to Christianity.
Towards night I went to a part of the town where they were _sober_, and got together near fifty persons of them.――There was a surprising attention among them, and they manifested a desire of being further instructed. There was also one or two that seemed to be touched, and appeared pleased with some conversation in private, after I had concluded my public discourse.
My spirits were much refreshed, and I could not but return with my interpreter (having no _other companion_ in this journey) to my poor hard lodgings, rejoicing in hopes that God designed to set up his kingdom here, and found uncommon freedom in addressing the throne of grace for the accomplishment of so glorious a work.
September 17. I spent the forenoon in discoursing to the Indians. About noon I left Shaumoking, (most of the Indians going out this day to hunt,) and travelled down the river south-westward.
September 19. I visited an Indian town called _Juneauta_, situate on an island in Susquahannah. I was much discouraged with the behaviour of the Indians here. Although they appeared friendly when I was with them last spring; yet they now seemed resolved to retain their Pagan notions, and persist in their _idolatrous_ practices.
September 20. I visited the Indians again at Juneauta island, and found them busy in making preparations for a great _sacrifice_ and _dance_. So I had no opportunity to get them together in order to discourse about Christianity. My spirits were much sunk, especially seeing I had now no interpreter but a Pagan, who was as much attached to _idolatry_ as any of them. However, I discoursed privately with some of them, but without any appearance of success.
In the evening they met together, near an hundred of them, and danced round a large fire, having prepared ten fat deer for the _sacrifice_. The fat of the inwards they burnt in the fire while they were dancing, and sometimes raised the flame to a prodigious height, at the same time yelling and shouting in such a manner, that they might have been heard two miles or more.
They continued their _sacred dance_ all night; after which they eat the _flesh_ of the _sacrifice_, and retired each to his lodging.
I enjoyed little satisfaction this night, being entirely alone on the island, (as to any Christian company,) and having walked to and fro’ till body and mind were much oppressed, I at length crept into a little crib made for corn, and there slept on the poles.