February 20. I preached to the Indians. They seemed more cordial to Christianity than before, and some appeared much affected.
My spirits were supported, though my bodily strength was much wasted. O that God would be gracious to the souls of these poor Indians!
God has been very gracious to me this week: he has enabled me to preach every day; and has given me some assistance, and encouraging prospect of success in almost every sermon. Blessed be his name. Divers of the white people have been awakened this week; sundry of the Indians much cured of prejudice against Christianity, and some seemed to be really awakened.
[The next day he left the Forks of Delaware, to return to Crosweeksung; and spent the whole week till Saturday, before he arrived there; but preached by the way every day, excepting one; and had much inward comfort, and earnest longings to fill up all his time with the service of God.]
Lord’s-day, March 2. Some of my people who went up to the Forks of Delaware with me, being now returned, were accompanied by two of the Indians belonging to the Forks, who had promised me a speedy visit. They can scarce go into a house now, but they will meet with Christian conversation, whereby they may be both instructed and awakened.
I know of no assembly of Christians, where there seems to be so much of the presence of God, where brotherly love so much prevails, as in my _own congregation_: although not more than nine months ago, they were worshipping _devils_ and _dumb idols_, under the power of Pagan darkness and superstition. Amazing change! Effected by nothing less than divine power and grace!
Their present situation is so compact and commodious, that they are quickly called together with only the sound of a Conk-shell, (a shell like that of a Perriwinkle) so that they have frequent opportunities of attending religious exercises publicly; which seems to be a great means, under God, of keeping alive their impressions of divine things.
*Thursday, March 6. I walked alone in the evening, and enjoyed comfort in prayer, beyond what I have of late enjoyed: my soul rejoiced in my _pilgrimage-state_. I was delighted with the thought of labouring and _enduring hardness_ for God: and confided in God that he “never would leave me nor forsake me,” to the end of my race. Oh, may I obtain mercy of God to be faithful, to my dying moment!
March 8. I catechised in the evening. My people answered the questions proposed to them well. I can perceive their knowledge in religion increases daily.――――And what is still more desirable, the divine influence among them, appears still to continue. The divine presence seemed to be in the assembly this evening. Some, who are Christians _indeed_, were melted with a sense of the divine goodness, and their own barrenness and ingratitude.――Convictions also appeared to revive in several; so it might justly be called “an evening of power.”
Lord’s day, March 9. I preached from Luke x. 38‒42. The word of God was attended with energy. Numbers were concerned to obtain the _one thing needful_. Several that have given good evidences of being truly converted, were much affected with a sense of their want of spirituality; and saw the need they stood in of _growing in grace_. And most that had had any impressions of divine things in times past, now felt those impressions revived.
In the afternoon, I proposed to have catechised in my usual method. But while we were engaged in the first prayer, in the Indian language, (as usual) a great part of the assembly was so much moved, that I thought it proper to omit the questions, and insist upon the most practical truths.
There appeared to be a powerful influence in the congregation. Those truly pious, were so deeply affected with a sense of their own _barrenness_, and their unworthy treatment of the blessed Redeemer, that they _looked on him as pierced_ by themselves, _and mourned_, yea, some of them were _in bitterness as for a first-born_.――Some poor awakened sinners also appeared to be in anguish of soul to obtain an interest in Christ. So that there was _a great mourning_ in the assembly: many heavy groans and tears! and one or two persons newly come among us, were considerably awakened.
After public worship many came to my house, where we sung and discoursed; and the presence of God seemed here also to be in the midst of us.