208 IF is tort of Methodism 



menta in respect of numbers, having an aggregate 

 membership of eight hundred and twenty, while all the 

 preachers were in readiness to report to the Confer- 

 ence a total membership of four thousand eight hun- 

 dred and thirty-five, and a total increase of twelve 

 hundred and seventy-seven over the preceding year. 

 But lest he should be exalted overmuch, there was 

 given him a thorn in the flesh. He says: 



Sunday, 13. I preached (at Georgetown) a plain, searching ser- 

 mon, and some felt the word ; but it is a day of small things. In the 

 afternoon I enlarged on, "How shall I give thee up, O Ephraim ?" 

 The wicked youths were playing without, and inattention prevailed 

 amongst those within. I was, and continued to be, under great de- 

 jection during my stay. 



Monday, 14, Rode forty miles to Brother Saint Clair Capers's, 

 under depression of spirits ; and here I received letters not at all cal- 

 culated to relieve me. 



Charleston, Tuesday, 15. I went to church under awful distress 

 of heart. My drooping spirits were somewhat revived in the house 

 of God. We grow here, but slowly. 



Thursday, 17. I had a small congregation of whites. I feel the 

 want of religion here ; indeed, the gross immoralities of the place 

 are obvious to every passenger in the streets. I learn that in Georgia 

 preachers of other denominations have had high disputes with ours. 

 I am clear that controversy should be avoided ; because we have 

 better work to do, and because it is too common when debates run 

 high there are wrong words and tempers indulged on both sides. 



Sunday, 20. I read prayers in the morning, and Brother Ellis 

 preached. In the afternoon Brother Askew preached his farewell- 

 sermon, and at night I was very pointed to young people on, "Re- 

 member now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil 

 days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have 

 no pleasure in them." (Ecclesiastes xii. 1.) 



Wednesday, 23. Long looked-for Dr. Coke came to town. He 

 had been shipwrecked off Edisto. I found the Doctor's sentiments 

 with regard to the Council quite changed. James O' Kelly's letters 

 had reached London. I felt perfectly calm, and acceded to a Gen- 

 eral Conference for the sake of peace. 



Sunday, 27. Dr. Coke preached to a very large audience in the 



