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an hour in the mornings, A great many principal friends met us here to insist on a repeal of our slave-rule: but when they found that we had thoughts of withdrawing our-selves entirely from that circuit, on account of the violent spirit of some leading men, they drew in their horns, and sent us a very humble letter, entreating that preachers might be appointed for their circuit. We have increased about 200 in this division in the course of the last year. After mature consideration we formed a petition, a copy of which was given to every preacher, entreating the General Assembly of Virginia to pass a law for the immediate or gradual emancipation of all the slaves. It is to be signed by all the freeholders we can procure, and those I believe will not be few. Many of our friends, and some of the great men of the states, have been inciting us to apply for acts of incorporation, but I have discouraged it, and prevailed. We have a better staff to learn upon than any this world can afford. We can truly say, "The harvest is great, but the labourers are few."

Thursday 5. I took an affectionate farewell of my brethren: and on the 6th passed by the house of Mr. Farratt, a violent assertor of the propriety and justice of negro-slavery. At noon I preached at Whiteoak-chapel, and lodged that night at the house of brother Rees, one of our local preachers, a friend of GOD and man.

On the 7th I preached at ten in the morning at brother Spain's and at six in the evening at brother Man's. On Sunday the 8th, I preached at brother Grange's and brother Finney's. Brother Finney is one of our committee whom we have appointed to present our petition to the General Assembly. He is a good local preacher, and an honour to our connexion. On Monday the 9th , I preached at brother Ogee's and Brandfords. Brother Ogee is certainly a good man. On Wednesday 11th, I rode through heavy rains to a church in a forest, where I was engaged to preach. Every body told me that no one would come: that nobody would imagine that I would attend on such a day. And I found found it true: so after being wetted to the skin, and the very linen in my saddle-bags being wetted, we rode (brother Bowen, the preacher who travelled with me through this circuit, and myself) to the house of a kind Baptist, a physician. 
Friday 13. I preached at Bent-Chapel, belonging also to the church of England, to an attentive people. At night I lodged at the house of Mr. Dillard, a most hospitable man, and as kind to his negroes as if they were white servants. It was quite pleasing to see them so decently and comfortably clothed. And yet I could not beat into the head of that dear man, the evil of keeping them in slavery, although he has read Mr.Wesley's Thoughts on Slavery, ( I thought he said) Three times over: but his good wife is strongly on our side.

Saturday and Sunday, 14th and 15th. I preached in a handsome church. On the Sunday I had a very large congregation. During sermon, immediately after I had spoken very pointedly on the subject, two dressy girls walked out with such an impudent air, that I rebuked them keenly. After the public service, while I was administering the sacrament, baptizing, and meeting the society, their father, who is a colonel, raged at the outside of the church, declaring that as soon as I came out, he would horsewhip me for the indignity shewn to his family. But his two brothers (all unawakened) took my part, and insisted on it that I did my duty, and the young ladies deserved it. However, finding that our preaching in that church, which we do regularly, depends chiefly on him, I wrote a letter of apology to him, as far as the truth would admit me, when I came to my lodging.

Monday 16. I preached to a most polite congregation at New-Glasgow, and lodged at Mr. Meredith's. They gave me great attention. Mr. Meredith is a very sensible and very polite man. On Tuesday 17th, I preached in a courthouse at noon, but in a very wicked neighbourhood. How-ever, the congregation gave me their ear, while I endeavoured to shew them the necessity of the new-birth. At four in the afternoon I preached at one Mr, Loving's, a drunkard.

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