JT-04-1810
During the winter I followed up my appointments with unremitted zeal, often suffering hunger, cold, persecutions, oppositions and threats of violence. In several places the work of the Lord revived, and I felt consoled and fully compensated it, seeing souls converted to God. In the month of March, 1810, two Christian preachers, R. Dooly and R. Clark, from the west, came into my route. I introduced and recommended them among the brethren. We traveled together some days. They were highly esteemed, and seemed to be useful. In April I felt my mind strongly inclined to leave those regions, and sound the gospel in places far distant. I felt the more clear in doing so, as those men intended to stay in my circuit, till the Union meeting, which was to be held at Lebanon in May.
About the last of April, I gave my farewell discourse to the people, and to the young converts at Lebanon. This was a solemn, though joyful time. Though we gave the parting hand, perhaps to see each other’s faces no more in the flesh, we had a strong hope that we should meet in a better country, where we shall part no more. Thence I went on from place to place, till I came again to brother Barrett’s. Here I preached and parted from the many happy young converts and faithful old soldiers of the cross, with whom I had enjoyed many happy hours in the worship of God. By looking over my memorandum, I discovered that within the last nine months, when I started to come to this route, I had held about three hundred meetings, and seventy-three souls had professed a happy change from darkness to light, through the instrumentality of my labor, and many brought to a knowledge of their sins, who I hoped would have cause to thank God that he had ever sent me to proclaim liberty to their captive souls. By loud and frequent speaking--with the many devotional exercises, that devolved on me, I was now afflicted with a distressing cough and spitting of blood.
I bade farewell to brother Barrett and his affectionate family, and directed my course for my native place in North Carolina. In ten days, having preached several times by the way, and suffered some distresses among strangers, I arrived in Haw River at my mother’s. Next day I attended an appointment previously made for me. But with so much bodily weakness I could scarcely perform service. I attempted to hold several meetings in the neighborhood, but could not extend my voice to be heard by a large audience. It was now thought I had the consumption, and I was advised by friends to leave off speaking, and relax my studies, that I might recover. On the 29th of May, I bade farewell to my mother and brother, and started, weak in body and much reduced in flesh, for the western and frontier countries. My contemplations during the day, were serious and mournful. The journey before me, the danger and distress I might meet, revolved in my mind. After riding forty miles, I called at an inn, in Stokes county, so weak and faint, that I could not get into the house without assistance. I felt during the night my complaint to increase. The landlord was previously acquainted with me. He seemed deeply interested for me, and wished to call for a physician, but I objected. Next morning I was unable to ride. I tarried till the next day. I had gained a little strength, and thought I could ride. I started on my journey again, and in only going a few miles, was convinced I was too weak to get along. I turned back, and in two days arrived at my mother’s. I was there confined several days. Coughing and spitting blood harassed me day and night. In about four weeks, I recovered a little strength, so that I could ride slowly, and speak so as to be heard by a congregation.
June 29th, I started and traveled in various parts of N. and S. Carolina, frequently preaching to large congregations. In some instances the power of God attended the words of my mission, and several persons professed to be converted under my ministry. In these regions I found several companies of believers, who had collected themselves, together, under the name of "Christians," taking the Scriptures only for their rule. My coming to them, seemed like the coming of Titus. The weather was excessively warm here, and the people unhealthy and pale, but I felt myself recovering, and my strength increase. The land is very poor, except on some of the rivers, Pedee, Santee, &c., interspersed with pine and scrubby oak, sandy, level, and swampy. Thence I turned my course, and about Fayetteville, Newbern and Raleigh, in N. Carolina, I preached frequently. I went on through Wake, into Warren county, on Roanoke river, where I had some happy meetings. At Liberty meeting house, two souls professed to be brought to the knowledge of their sins forgiven. Here I met with J. O’Kelly. We went over the river into Virginia, and traveled several days together, and preached to large and attentive congregations. I returned to Carolina and held meeting at brother Gill’s, where brother Mills Barrett met. We traveled together through Warren, Granville, Orange and Casewell counties--crossed Dan river and went into Halifax county, Va. Thence returned into Carolina--went through Casewell, Rockingham, Guilford and into Orange county, and came to my mother’s, having preached almost every day, and frequently at candlelight; in which time, I saw thirteen souls delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of the Son of God. Many others were brought to a deep sense of their sins, and signalized themselves as mourners in Zion. We held a few meetings in the neighborhood. Brother Barrett and I then parted, and he returned, I suppose, to Virginia. By this time (September) I had almost recovered from my complaint. My spitting of blood had almost ceased, and my cough troubled me but little.
October 14th, 1810, I started for the western country. I went sixteen miles and came to a communion occasion, held at Apple’s meeting house, in Guilford county, Here I met with brother R. Dooly. This was a happy time to many of our souls.
Monday 15th, I and brother Dooly, went on our journey, and tarried all night, in Salem, a Moravian town. These people live as one family. The town is elegant, the streets are neat, and the people are sober, quiet, and peaceable. Thence we crossed Yadkin river, and put up at T. Anderson’s in Rowan county. In this neighborhood, we held a five day’s meeting, and administered the Lord’s Supper. Here fifty-five Presbyterians forsook their confession of faith, and declared themselves the Lord’s free children. From this meeting I directed my course westwardly, and traveled twelve days, and arrived at a great meeting, held by the people called Christians, at Hopewell meeting house, on Bledsoe creek, West Tennessee. In this journey I preached three times--passed through Jonesborough, Leesburg, and Greentown, in East Tennessee. Crossed Nolechucky, Walaga, Clinch, Holstein, Big Emera, and Cumberland rivers. In the wilderness, I suffered hunger and cold, being exposed to an incessant rain one whole day, and did not arrive at the stand where I had to put up, till late in the night. At this meeting, preachers and people were all strange to me, only one preacher whom I had seen before. I was kindly received, and admitted to preach on Sunday to the congregation, which was large, and attentive. I found the Christian preachers and the brethren here, to be much like those in the South, differing from them mostly on the subject of baptism.
Thence I directed my course for Duck river. Nov. 9th, I attended at Bethlehem meeting house, with several other preachers, on a communion occasion, which continued four days. During this time there was much exercise (as it is called) among the people. This exercise consists chiefly in shouting, dancing, jumping, hollowing, laughing, &c., &c. From this meeting I traveled one hundred and four miles, in three days, and held three meetings. People are but thinly settled here. Their houses consist of small cabins, and some who have lately arrived in the country, dwell in tents. The face of the country is exceedingly fertile and beautiful, and when cultivated and improved, will certainly yield those adventurers an ample remuneration for their present sufferings. I preached in Columbia, a county town, lately laid out on Duck river, to in attentive audience. I visited and preached to the settlers on Bigby and Elk rivers, and Richland creek. My audiences were small, but attentive, and individuals seemed to be deeply interested in the salvation of their souls.
November 23d and 24th, I rode through a large extent of uninhabited country. It was mostly covered with cane. The fertility of the soil, and the grandeur of the timber, fir exceeded anything I had ever seen. In yonder deep, lonely grove I roam’d unseen,
’Mid tow’ring oaks and herbage ever green;
Where beasts of prey, and prowling vultures haunt,
And the dread savage made my heart to pant.
I returned to Columbia again, held meetings there, and in the region round about. Thence turned my course for Cumberland again, and preached at the Fishing Ford of Duck river.
November 29th, I rode twelve miles to my appointment in the rain. No person met me at the appointed place. In the evening I put up at a preacher’s house. I found him to be singular in his sentiments. Among many other novelties, he entirely rejected family prayer, as a burden laid on us by priest craft.
December 1st and 2nd, I held a two days’ meeting on Stone’s river. The brethren appeared to be happy, and we thought the Lord was with us. Here I was met by brother Adams, a Christian preacher, a man of learning and information. From this place I went home with him, and preached at his house. Thence I preached about every day, till I came again to Hopewell. Thence to the barrens of Kentucky.
December 15th and 16th, I held a two days’ meeting at brother Mulky’s. Here brother Dooly met me. The people felt the weight and power of truth. A sister gave a discourse, which discovered a strong mind, and a zealous soul, and that went with energy to the hearts of the congregation. I preached in the regions round about, till December 29th. In which I had some happy seasons with the people of God, and met with some trials and distresses.
December 27th. I started for the old settlements of Kentucky. In the night I put up at Col. Cacy’s, in Adair county. I preached at his house, and several times in the neighborhood. There is no church of the Christian name here; but I conversed with some Methodists and Baptists, who appeared to be tired of their creeds, and of that spirit of bigotry, which has too long kept the children of God from fellowship and union.