356 History of Methodism 



cases in the text. It was not a pleasant season: Christ- 

 mas-day is the worst in the whole year on which to 

 preach Christ; at least to me. 



George Dougherty informs me that the wife of John 

 Handle, upon Pedee, (known by the name of Dumb 

 John), died in great peace and joy, after a thirty years' 

 profession of religion amongst the Baptists and Meth- 

 odists : safe anchorage ; clear gains ! But I have simi- 

 lar accounts from various parts; my soul triumphs in 

 the triumphant deaths of these saints. Glory be to 

 God! 



Thursday, 26, I rested and read; and on Friday 

 rode into Camden. I was favored with a number of 

 letters giving accounts of revivals of religion. Satur- 

 day, employed my pen. Sabbath-day I preached. 



Monday, 30. We opened our Conference. 



January 4, 1806. We closed our Conference in 

 great peace and order: no murmurs about the stations 

 from preachers or people. Since we came here we 

 have had twenty-six sermons; one of which I preached 

 upon 1 Tim. iv. 12: "Let no man despise thy youth." 

 Brother Whatcoat ordained the deacons. We see no 

 immediate fruit of our labors; but doubtless we shall 

 hear of it, following our many prayers night and day. 



Monday, 6. Seven of us came away, in company to 

 Mr. Evans's, Lynch's Creek; and next day I parted 

 from Brother McKendree, bending my course to Jern- 

 ingham's, in Anson county, North Carolina. 



On Wednesday we crossed Well's Ferry, after wait- 

 ing an hour : a snow-storm kept with us from Pedee 

 to Rockingham; here the people would have assem- 

 bled, but there was a wedding afoot. This is a mat- 

 ter of moment, as some men have but one during life, 

 and some find that one to have' been one too many. 



