April 25. Having appointed the next Lord’s-day for the administration of the Lord’s supper, this day was set apart for solemn fasting and prayer, to implore the blessing of God upon our design; and to intreat that his presence might be with us in our approach to his table.
The solemnity was observed, not only by those who proposed to communicate, but by the whole congregation.――In the former part of the day, I endeavoured to open to my people the nature of a _fast_, and to instruct them in the duties of such a solemnity.――In the afternoon I insisted upon the special reasons there were for our now engaging in these solemn exercises; both in regard of the need we stood in of divine assistance, in order to a due preparation for the sacred ordinance; and in respect of the manifest decline of God’s work here, as to the conviction and conversion of sinners.
The worship of God was attended with great solemnity and reverence, with much tenderness and many tears, and there was some appearance of divine power upon those who had been awakened some time before.
After repeated prayer, I led them to a solemn renewal of their _baptismal covenant_, wherein they had explicitly given up themselves to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, avouching him to be their God; and at the same time renouncing their heathenish vanities, and solemnly engaging to take the word of God for the _rule of their lives_, promising to walk together in love, to watch over themselves, and one another; to lead lives of seriousness and devotion, and to discharge the _relative_ duties incumbent upon them.
This solemn transaction was attended with much seriousness; and at the same time with the utmost readiness and chearfulness; and an union and harmony of soul seemed to crown the whole.
April 26. I catechised those that designed to partake of the Lord’s supper the next day, upon the institution, nature and end of that ordinance; and had abundant satisfaction respecting their knowledge. They likewise appeared, to have an affecting sense of the solemnity of the ordinance, and to be humbled under a sense of their own unworthiness; and earnestly concerned that they may be duly prepared for an attendance upon it. Their hearts were full of love one toward another, and this they seemed much concerned to maintain, and bring to the Lord’s table with them.
I administered the Lord’s supper to _twenty-three_ Indians, (the number of _men_ and _women_ being nearly equal,) divers others, to the number of five or six, being now absent at the Forks of Delaware.
The ordinance was attended with great solemnity, and with the utmost tenderness and affection. In the performance of the _sacramental_ actions, especially in the distribution of the _bread_, they seemed to be affected in a most lively manner, as if “Christ had been” really “crucified before them.” And the words of the institution, when repeated, seemed to be entertained with the _same full_ and _firm_ belief and affectionate engagement of soul, as if the Lord Jesus Christ himself had _personally_ spoken to them.
*Having rested some time after the administration of the _sacrament_, I walked from house to house, and conversed particularly with most of the _communicants_, and found they had been refreshed at the Lord’s table “as with new wine.” And never did I see such an appearance of _Christian love_ among any people. One might well have cried with an agreeable surprize, “Behold how they love one another!”
Toward night I discoursed on the immediate design of Christ’s death, “To redeem his people from all iniquity.”
This appeared to be a season of divine power. The religious were much refreshed, and seemed remarkably tender, full of love, joy, peace, and desires of being completely “redeemed from all iniquity.” Convictions also appeared to be revived in many instances; and divers persons were awakened whom I had never observed under any religious impressions before.
_Such_ was the influence which attended our assembly, that it seemed grievous to conclude the public worship. And the congregation when ♦dismissed, although it was then almost dark, appeared loth to leave the place.
♦ “dismised” replaced with “dismissed”
April 28. I concluded the solemnity with a discourse upon John xiv. 15. “If ye love me keep my commandments.” There appeared great tenderness in the audience in general, but especially in the _communicants_.――――O how free, how engaged and affectionate did _these_ appear in the service of God! They seemed willing to have their “ears bored to the door posts of God’s house,” and to be his servants for ever.