*Observing numbers in this excellent frame, I thought it proper to improve this advantageous season, as Hezekiah did his great _passover_, (2 Chronicles xxxi.) in order to promote the blessed reformation among them: and accordingly proposed to them that they should _renewedly_ enter into covenant before God, to watch over themselves and one another. And especially that they would watch against the sin of _drunkenness_.――They chearfully complied and explicitly joined in that covenant; whereupon I proceeded in the most solemn manner to call God to _witness_ their sacred engagement; minded them of the greatness of the guilt they would contract in the violation of it; and that God would be a terrible _witness_ against those who should presume to do so, in the “great and notable day of the Lord.”
*It was a season of amazing solemnity, and a _divine awe_ appeared upon the face of the whole assembly! Affectionate sighs, and tears, were frequent in the audience: and I doubt not but many silent cries were sent up to the _fountain_ of grace, for grace to fulfil these solemn engagements.
[On Tuesday he went to Elisabeth-Town, to the meeting of the Presbytery: and spent the time in a free and comfortable state of mind.]
Saturday, May 3. I rode from Elisabeth-Town home to my people, near Cranberry; whither they are removed, and where I hope God will settle them as a Christian congregation. I was refreshed in lifting up my heart to God, while riding; and enjoyed a thankful frame of spirit.
May 4. My people being now removed to their _lands_; I this day visited them, and preached to them from Mark iv. 5. shewing the reason there was to fear, lest many hopeful beginnings, might prove abortive, like the “seed dropped upon stony places.”
May 5. I visited them again, and gave them directions relating to their business.
I daily discover more and more of what importance it is, that they become industrious, and able to raise the necessaries of life _within themselves_; for their present method of living greatly exposes them to temptations of various kinds.
*Wednesday, May 7. I spent most of the day in writing, and enjoyed freedom in my work. I was favoured with comfortable meditations, this day, and in the evening, was in a sweet composed frame of mind: pleased and delighted to leave all with God, respecting myself, for time and eternity, and respecting the people of my charge and dear friends: I had no doubt but that God would take care of me, and of his own interest among my people; and was enabled to use freedom in prayer, as a child with a tender father.
*Thursday, May 8. In the evening I enjoyed a tender melting frame in secret prayer, wherein my soul was drawn out for the interest of Zion, and comforted with the lively hope of the appearing of the kingdom of the great Redeemer. These were sweet moments: I felt loth to go to bed, and grieved that sleep was necessary. However, I lay down with a tender reverential fear of God, sensible that “his favour is life,” and his smiles, infinitely better than life itself.
May 9. I preached in the open wilderness; the Indians having as yet no house for public worship in this place, nor scarce any _shelter_ for themselves.――――Divine truths made considerable impressions, and it was a season of solemnity, tenderness, and affection.
I baptized this day, the ♦conjurer and murderer mentioned before, such a remarkable instance of divine grace, that I cannot omit some brief account of him.
♦ “conjuror” replaced with “conjurer”
He lived near, and sometimes attended me in the Forks of Delaware for more than a year together; but was extremely attached to strong drink, and seemed to be no ways reformed. In this time he likewise _murdered_ a young Indian, which threw him into a kind of _desperation_, so that he kept from me, and refused to hear me preach for several months, till I had an opportunity of conversing freely with him, and giving him encouragement, that even his sin might be forgiven for Christ’s sake.
But that which was the worst was his _conjuration_. He was one of them who are called _powwows_ among the Indians: and notwithstanding his attendance upon my preaching, still followed his old _charms_, “giving out that he himself was some great one, and to him they gave heed,” supposing him to be possessed of a _great power_. So that when I have instructed them respecting the _miracles_ wrought by Christ, and mentioned them as evidences of his _divine_ mission, they have quickly observed the wonders which this man performed by his _magic charms_; which seemed to be a fatal obstruction to their receiving the gospel. And I often thought, it would be a great favour to the Indians, if God would take that wretch out of the world: but God, “whose thoughts are not as man’s thoughts,” has been pleased to take a much more desirable method; a method agreeable to his own merciful nature, advantageous to his own interest among the Indians, as well as to the poor soul himself.