Our ropes are quite white, all the tar being washed off; in short, the ship may already be said to be half a wreck. We have this day agreed to enter upon an allowance of water and several other things; but the greatest trial of all to me is, the having hardly any candles remaining: but to the glory of God I can say, that to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. It is very remarkable, that since we came to the banks of Newfoundland, I have had a strong persuasion, and I believe, a divine one, that we shall be driven to the West Indies. For about three weeks past, we have gained upon the whole but one hundred and twenty miles; doing nothing in the general but lying at the mercy of the waves.

Dec. 15. This day we had the pleasure of seeing one of the tropic birds with a most beautiful plumage. Several of the clouds also in the morning appeared in columns in a manner I had never seen before.

A remarkable phenomenon appeared a few nights ago. The captain and all on deck saw a light, like the light which a ship holds out when it passes by another ship. They all said they could swear that they saw it. It seemed quite near to them. The captain called for his trumpet to speak to the people of the ship: but before the trumpet came, the light was gone, and we knew no more of it.

Dec. 25. This day we landed in Antigua, and in going up the town of St. John's we met Brother Baxter in his band, going to perform divine service. After a little refreshment I went to our chapel, and read prayers, preached, and administered the sacrament. I had one of the cleanest audiences I ever saw. All the négro women were dressed in white linen gowns, petticoats, handkerchiefs and caps: and I did not see

the least spot on any of them. The men were also dressed as neatly. In the afternoon and evening I had very large congregations.

Jan. 5, 1787. I have preached in this town twice a day. The house used to be filled in the evenings about an hour before the time of preaching: and I have made it a rule to begin about half an hour before the time. Our society in this island is near two thousand: but the ladies and gentlemen of the town have so filled the house, that the poor, dear negroes who built it, have been almost entirely shut out, except in the mornings: and yet they bear this, not only with patience, but with joy. Two or three times I have preached in the country. Our friends who invite us to their houses, entertain us rather like princes than subjects: herein, perhaps, lies part of our danger in this country. The country is very romantic. The cocoa-tree is very magnificent; and the milk which the nuts yield, is most cooling and delicious. Every thing is new, and therefore the more pleasing. Last week my brethren with myself were invited to dine with Prince William Henry by the company of merchants, and, (though I do not like those great feasts, yet) lest we should seem disloyal, which would be one of the farthest things from my heart, I consented to do myself the honour of going with my brethren. This day a gentleman with whom I dined, intimated, that if five hundred a year would detain me in this island, I should not leave it. God be praised, five hundred thousand a year would be to me a feather when opposed to my usefulness in the church of Christ.

We have held an infant conference. A pressing invitation has been sent us to visit St. Vincent's; and this evening we are to sail for that island. Brother Warrenner is to remain here.

We have about twenty recommendatory letters. There is, as far as we can at present judge, a fair opening in St. Eustatius. A little while ago Brother Baxter received two warm letters of recommendation for that island; and Brother Hammet has just received one for St. Kitt's. We are all in remarkable good health. All is of God, I have no doubt, but it would be an open resistance to the clear providences of the Almighty, to remove any one of the missionaries at present from this country.

SECTION II.

Dominica, January 15, 1787.

ON Friday, the 5th inst. I sailed with Brothers Baxter, Hammet, and Clarke, from Antigua. On Sunday, the 7th, we landed at this island.The night before we stopt on the coast, and Brother Baxter and I landed, being informed by our captain of one Mr. Burn, a planter, a generous young man, who lives within half a mile of the sea, and who probably would be very glad to encourage a mission in the island. After walking a quarter of a mile we came to a little river which we waded through, and on calling up Mr. Burn, who was gone to bed, he received us, and entertained us courteously, and gave us every encouragement we could expect from an unawakened man; assured us he should be glad to entertain the minister whenever he should visit his estate; that there were about four hundred negroes in the neighbourhood, and that he had no doubt but the few neighbouring planters would give us the same encouragement. Here we met with

two old negroes, who, I apprehend, had been formerly among the Moravians at Antigua, who exceedingly rejoiced at the thought that they were likely to have the gospel preached to them again.

When we came to Roseau (Dominica) on Sunday, we went to the house of a Mrs. Webley, a Mulatto-gentlewoman of some property, with whom Brother Baxter had some acquaintance at Antigua. She received us with great joy and kindness, and gave notice I should preach in her house at four in the afternoon. The congregation was considerably larger than the house could contain, and heard in general with deep attention, whilst I endeavoured to display to them the elect, precious corner-stone, and the way of being built upon him. I would have taken the street, if the brethren had not thought it best for me not to be too bold, till I had waited on the governor, which I intended doing on my return. We also visited the barracks, and there found two soldiers who had been in our society in Ireland, and expressed very earnest desires that a mission might be fixed in this island. In the evening we got into our schooner, and after sailing by Martinico and St. Lucia, we landed at Kingston, St. Vincent's, on Tuesday, the 9th.

Here we have a very fair prospect. Brother Baxter introduced us to one Mr. Claxton, a man of property. He was awakened by the ministry of Mr. Gilbert, and met in class at Antigua for some time, but had never heard Brother Baxter. He has much of the spirit of a Methodist: his wife also fears God. The evening after we landed, I preached in his house to a large congregation.On Wednesday, the 10th, we set off for the plantation of Mr. Clapham, a gentleman of fortune, nearly related by law to Sister Baxter. He was

previously informed of our intentions to wait upon him, and sent horses for us. He lives about nine or ten miles from Kingston. We were received with very great kindness. In the evening I preached in his large parlour; and on informing him that Brother Clarke was to remain in the island, he gave him a pressing general invitation; he observed, it was possible he might have accidentally some company who would look upon a sermon as an intrusion, but in that case Mr. Clarke at the proper time might convene the negroes into a large boarded room which was separate from the house: and that he would speak to Mr. Jackson, a neighbouring gentleman, who, he did not doubt, would readily enter on the same plan. In my way to Mr. Clapham's, I called at the house of one Mr. Morgan, a gentleman of large property, whose lady (he not being at home) informed us that Mr. Clarke would be always welcome to instruct and preach to their negroes at proper hours.

On my return to Kingston, I found that our friend Claxton had fitted up with seats a large warehouse or cellar for a preaching-house; and also two small rooms for the preacher, one for his bed-chamber, and the other for his study. We also waited on the president of the council, who acts as governor, the late governor being dead, and the vacancy not yet filled up. He also received us with great courtesy, wished us success, and gave permission to Brother Clarke to preach in the Court-house on Sundays. A gentleman of fortune in Kingston, Mr. Steward, who keeps a very large shop or warehouse, and with whom we dined, is rejoiced above measure at our visit. He made me a present of a large cocoa-nut shell very curiously-engraved and set in silver. To Brother