present, it was a refreshing time; some were very happy, and could say, "Tears of joy my eyes o'erflow, that I should have a hope of heaven." The weather was become very warm,-1 found they had had but little summer there till of late, and a rainy time since the snow; while in the south it has been warm dry weather. Bethany and its neighbourhood lie high, it consequently is cold, and a poor place for farming: but some have ignorantly gone there. 13th. Several friends met at John Hacker's, to consult on the best means of carrying on the work of God among us. 14th. Rode over to Stirling, being long before invited by a Reformed Methodist called Bourntree. 15th. Read part of the life of Baron Trenk of Prussia, -What strange vicissitudes did he pass through! It seems the king thought his sister and he loved each other,if so, why should he not let them marry? She had royal blood in her veins. See Acts xvii. 26. 15th. In returning I overtook seven children going to school, all without stockings or shoes. It is very common for men women and children to go barefoot. After I returned it rained heavily, with thunder and lightning; about an hour after, it cleared off, to fine serene atmosphere. Changes in the weather, are very sudden in this country. The thunder and lightning is sometimes tremendous. That evening, at Honesdale, a horse was killed, and three men struck to the earth; but I have known it as awfully grand in England, as ever Į did in America. Lord's-day 17th. Spoke in the morning at Honesdale, and friend Hacker spoke after. In the evening a few friends met at our house. 18th. There was a heavy hail storm at Bethany: a neighbouring farmer informed me that he measured one hailstone, which was an inch through, (about three inches in circumference,) 20th. Went to Mount Pleasant, having been invited there by Major Luther Stark, a free-will Baptist. In the evening I spoke at the School-room on Matt. i. 21. The Newspapers announce the prevalence of the Cholera in various places. On the 18th. instant, ministers of the gospel met to advise about appointing a day for fasting and prayer, and also to request the governor of the State to appoint another day for a general fast. Will judgments have a lasting effect? July 2nd. A young man from England, came to request me to attend the funeral of Moses Minhear, who had died the day before, having landed only a few days. How true! In the midst of life we are in death. In the afternoon I went to the funeral. I well knew his father in England; but had no acquaintance with him until he came to America, and that was very little, having only conversed with him in the street. Then he looked like a healthy man: but now he is numbered with the dead. It is supposed that his death was in consequence of drinking cold water coming up the canal, when he was very warm, which brought on a fever that carried him off in a few days. The School-room where we held our meetings in Honesdale not being so large as the Presbyterian's Chapel, they kindly offered us the use of it. I spoke from Job xiv. 10. The Presbyterian minister sat in the pulpit and prayed after preaching; then walked with me before the bier, as is the custom for the minister and one with him to do. After the funeral, several came into the house to comfort the widow and fatherless children in their affliction. The Americans feel much sympathy, and kindly treat the afflicted, strangers as well as natives. While I was there, Mrs. Forbes whose husband keeps the head Tavern and Stage Office came in, spoke kindly to the widow, and offered her any assistance that she might need.—A pattern worthy of imitation; and such kindnesses to strangers especially, should "be told for a memorial of them." 4th. About sun rise, I heard the firing of guns. This is the Anniversary of American Independence, kept as a high holiday with mirth and festivity. How much earlier. those are at their sports, and how much more interest do they manifest relative to national acquirements, than many professed Christians do in keeping the Sabbath the weekly memorial of the goodness of God in the creation and redemption of mankind; or in manifesting their interest on the birth-day of the Redeemer of mankind, or on the day of his atonement, or ascension. It is evident that these though adorable and infinite blessings are less valued than earthly ones. In New York it is celebrated with great parade and show.* In the afternoon being at Honesdale, some players rode by me, all dressed in strange and ridiculous attire to draw the attention of the people. I felt in my heart to warn them, and said, "when you have on your shrouds, and * I have never witnessed it, but have been informed of the proceeding, which in substance is as follows, - The evening before, (i. e. third of July,) the soldiers go at a short distance from the city, (New York) divide into two parts and encamp like two hostile armies about to engage. Next morning the forces are drawn out and Marshalled in battle array. Then for a sham fight.-One named the English Army, the other the American. The American is sure to conquer. Then they return in triumph, with the pomp of war to the city. Afterwards all the trades march, in great parade and pomp, with their several ensigns, at a little distance from each other. To describe the whole would enlarge my book considerably but suffice it to say they rejoice, and boast greatly on their INDEPENDENCE. They hate the name king. There was formerly a street in New York, called king street: but they changed the name. The American war was carried on, on the part of the English with bloody cruelty, and the fault put on the king of England. School children are taught to hate the name; and a small history of the war is printed for the use of schools, and the cause of the war-evils thrown on the king of England. A certain author has given a curious anecdote, from Dr. Franklin, who says, while he resided in France as a minister from America, he had numerous proposals made to him by projectors of almost every country, and every kind, who wished to go to the land of liberty; and among the rest, there was one who offered himself to be king. He introduced his proposal to the Dr. by letter, (which was said to be still preserved,) stating first that as the Americans had dismissed or sent away their king, that they would want another. Secondly, that himself was a Norman. Thirdly, that he was of a more ancient family than the dukes of Normandy, and of more honourable descent, his line having never been bastardized. Fourthly, that there was already a precedent in England of kings coming out of Normandy. On these grounds he rested his offer. are laid in your coffins, you will be more serious." They looked at me, but made no reply.I never knew a real American to give a saucy answer. I do not recollect while travelling in that country, any one shewing resentment on being reproved for sin: they generally say nothing, or own that they are wrong. Their gentlemanly and polished behaviour is worthy being copied by rough Europeans. Saw an account published of a vessel called king Henry the 5th. from Wales, was wrecked 300 miles E. of the Banks of Newfoundland: 182 passengers kept possession of the wreck five days by incessant pumping, when they were taken from it by the Redwing from the North of England; and arrived at Quebec on June 7th.—may they render to the Lord according to his mercy bestowed on them. After 19th. Being fast day on account of the prevailing Cholera, preaching had been published for me at Honesdale in the morning, and at Bethany in the afternoon. When I came to Honesdale I found the Presbyterians had published for preaching at the same time. consultation, as the both meeting houses were near together, we thought it best to meet in one house. Mr. Campbell the Presbyterian Minister at Honesdale, spoke on Jonah iii. 5. and I engaged in the concluding part of the meeting. Mr. Richardson the Presbyterian Minister at Bethany, agreed with me to do likewise in the afternoon. I spoke on part of the xxth. chap. 2 Chron. He engaged in the subsequent part. After preaching in the morning, the Minister and one of the elders at Honesdale invited me to preach there in the evening. Mr. Richardson at Bethany went with me, and took me in his carriage. I spoke on Hab. iii. 2. Mr. Richardson spoke also. We had a favoured time, and a comfortable ride home together. He was my next-door neighbour, and we could say, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." I have felt much united to many in America belonging to different Societies of christians. Those who fear God and work righteousness ought to count each other brethren. Mr. Richardson was one of the many kind neighbours in and about Bethany. Lord's-day 22nd. Spoke at the School-house near the glass-factory. On the road met some men carrying hay from the field belonging to the factory. I reproved them, and went on. The managers of the factory are notorious Sabbathbreakers; and no wonder if they are professed infidels from the continent of Europe. What a pity any Americans should be corrupted by them. 1832 CHAP. XI. A Journey to Bellfont, and returning to Bethany. A friend from England being disposed to accompany me, on July 28th, we both set out on foot for Bellfont, in Pennsylvania, about one hundred and seventy miles. Lord's-day 29th. Spoke in a farm-house about twentyseven miles on, and eleven from Carbondale, on Heb. ii. 3. They were strangers to us; but kind, and seemed to receive the word and the messengers of truth with readi ness. 30th. In the afternoon came to Wilksbarre, a neat little town, lying near the road through Wyomen valley. We slept at an Inn about four miles on from the town. A relation of the Landlord, a female too, was there, who came from the State of Illanois on a visit, one thousand and six hundred miles. In England a female would think it a long journey. Below this place is Shawnee valley, narrow, sandy, and stony in some places. It is probable those vallies take their name from the Wyomen and Shawnee tribes living there. Tradition says the two tribes went to war with each other which ended in great slaughter; and this in consequence of two children, one belonging to each tribe falling out about a grasshopper. Then the mothers fell out, and the fathers went to war. How great a matter a little fire kindleth. In the evening we got to Berwick, a pleasant town on rising ground, having a fine plain on |