123 History of Methodism 



ferent place; however, I was glad of any place where I could get a 

 little rest. My way from Virginia has been very rugged indeed, 

 the trials I have met with very considerable, my expenses very 

 great, yet the Lord has not suffered me to want, nor yet to be in the 

 least discouraged. If I had been left to myself, my heart would 

 presently have fainted, but having obtained help from the Lord, I 

 continue to this day, fully determined to follow him whithersoever 

 he shall be pleased to lead me. I count not my life dear unto my- 

 self, so that I may but finish my course with joy, and testify the 

 gospel of the grace of God. 



Tuesday, 19. Being heartily sick of my situation among the 

 sons of Belial, I took a walk into the town to deliver a letter, and 

 seek for a private lodging, which I went to the next day; and as 

 the people are professors, I was in hopes we should have family 

 prayer; but the master, Mr. Swinton, told me as he had a mixed 

 multitude in his house, it might not be agreeable, as family prayer 

 was very uncommon in Charleston. "What, family prayer uncom- 

 mon among Presbyterians!" He replied, "It is too much neglect- 

 ed;" so I only replied, "You, sir, know best what is convenient in 

 your own house," and retired to my room. Thursday I called on 

 Mr. Wilson, a Moravian, from New York, who took a walk with 

 me to see the town, and afterward took me to drink tea with Mr. 

 and Mrs. Gautier, where I felt my mind much at liberty, and was 

 very much comforted in conversation. In the evening I went with 

 two gentlemen to Mr. Ton's, a gentleman that has the care of the 

 General Baptist meeting-house, to make application for the use of 

 the pulpit, which he readily granted, and we gave it out as much 

 as we could that there would be preaching there the following night. 



Friday, 22. I dined with Mr. Forrest, who I find has heard me 

 preach in New York. When I came to this town I did not know 

 one single person, nor had I any reason to suppose that any one 

 knew me; but I am known by several, I find, and have come to re- 

 joice that I am not afraid of any discoveries. At six in the even- 

 ing I preached my first sermon in Charleston. As the notice was 

 but very short, our congregation was not large, but very serious. 

 Two ministers were present all the time, and behaved very well. 

 The Baptist minister, Mr. Hart, returned me thanks for my sermon, 

 Vnd invited me to preach in his pulpit. Thus the Lord is opening 

 my way before me, and will, I trust, give me his blessing. Saturday 

 I was comforted by a packet of letters from the North, and in the 

 evening the congregation was three times as large as that we had 



