"Sabbath, December 8th, I preached in the morning and evening, brother Gilbert in the afternoon, had good attention all day, am much pleased with this people; they desire me to return, and I am inclined so to do.

"Saturday, 28th December, Illinois Territory. This day arrived at Shawanoe town. We are again on missionary ground. The providence of God has remarkably followed us in our journey. Bless the Lord, O my soul! This place presents nothing interesting, the wants of the people, their lamentable depravity and irreligious manners pierce the missionary with sorrow. I have rarely heard, in any place, so much profane language in so short a time This is said to be the largest town in this territory, but cannot learn that there is a professor of religion of any denomination in it. Sabbath 29th. Brother Gilbert and myself preached to very small assemblies, not more than twenty or thirty. Never saw the sabbath so much profaned;-shops open and doing business as usual. In the house where we preached there was so much noise as to disturb worship. Surely the fear of God is not in this place. Our prospects on this mission are very poor at present. May we have grace to be faithful. 30th. Have determined to go immediately to Kaskaskia. Made appointments all along to preach on our return. Sabbath, 4th of January, Kaskaskia.

We are now in our particular stage of action. The Lord assist us, Brother Gilbert preached in the morning, I in the afternoon, to a large audience for this place. Felt something in my own soul of the excellency of the truth I delivered. Some of our hearers were affected. Cannot but feel encouraged, though this place, with scarce an exception, is devoted to the world. 7th. Brother Gilbert preached to a very attentive house. I feel quite in hopes we shall do good. The Lord seems to have given this people the hearing ear. I have greatly at heart some catechetical instruction for the children and youth; have mentioned it to several, but receive very little encouragement. None of the children have ever been catechised and I cannot learn that there is a copy of the Assembly's Catechism in the place. January 20th. Left Kaskaskia to perform

a tour up the country, preaching as I go, and return according to appointment made for me by brother Gilbert, Absent ten days, preached twelve times.

Extract from a letter. "February 5th. O could we see the work of the Lord prospering in our hands, we should rejoice that ever we visited these desolations. Sometimes I feel pretty strong faith that it will be so, and this encourages and comforts me. We have done this much good at least, we have removed some strong prejudices against Presbyterians, and especially eastern people. Even the newspapers had teemed with insinuations that eastern ministers came here only to foster their political party, and were therefore to be avoided. These ideas we have taken pains to oppose, and the way seems to be prepared for future missionaries to advance without the same opposition. On my way to St. Louis I preached where a presbyterian minister never before bad. Some who had never heard such a preacher came out and professed to be pleased."

This being

Diary. "Sabbath, 9th of February. our last day in Kaskaskia, the time was solemn and interesting. The people seem unwilling to part with us. Sabbath, February 23d. This day closes my mission. The Lord bless it. I feel much inte ested for this people. This territory presents a large field of usefulness to a faithful minister. Monday-left brother Gilbert at Morganfield,-serious parting. He is very dear to me, and I had to go among strangers alone. In this mission I have employed fifty-nine days, preached thirty-eight times, rode 560 miles."

During Mr. Wilbur's stay in Kaskaskia he received two letters from the session of the Dayton church urging his return.

March 19th. Returned to Dayton; have engaged, the Lord willing, to spend five months in this place. Thursday, April 24th. This is the anniversary of my licensure, I hope I have done something for God, though I have much need to be humbled on account of my unfaithfulness. Lord, make me more diligent and faithful. Sabbath, May 4th. At four o'clock opened my catechetical lecture; was agreeably surprised to see more

out than could get into the house. They seem willing to learn. The Lord bless this institution and give a spirit of perseverance and humility.

66 May 26th. Met with some young people whose minds are seriously impressed. This is the first meeting of the kind I ever attended as instructer. Lord make it a blessing to them and me.

The

"May 27th. Met with the session, who received ten members on certificate, seven on confession. Here I saw some fruit of my ministry. The Lord has blessed my preaching to this people. To his name be all the glory. Yet I am in darkness as to my duty, whether to -stay or not. The Lord give light.

August 13th. This day set apart by the people for electing a pastor. The Rev. Mr. Thompson preached. After sermon a call was made out for me, and signed by the people. None of Dr. Welsh's friends attended the meeting; the call was therefore unanimous. O may the great Shepherd of the flock overrule this whole business to his own glory and the good of this church, which he has purchased with his own blood. My mind has been solemnly affected on this subject; and to-day has been full of a thousand contending feelings.

"Sabbath 24th of August, preached a farewell sermon from Isaiah lv. 10, 11. I felt much affected; house very solemn-most in tears;-four o'clock took leave of my catechetical society. These children and youth are very dear to me. I have now preached here five months with much satisfaction to myself; my ministry has been well received and done some good. I have some spiritual children here. I am much attached to this people, and if the Lord will, can return to them with pleasure. And now, Lord, I commit this people to thee, and the word which I have spoken among them. Pardon my unfaithfulness, and bless this people with life and peace. 25th. Left Dayton with an aching heart amidst the good wishes and tears of many.

"Saturday, September 13th, arrived in Princeton. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for his goodness in restoring me to my friends here.

"October 27, 1817. Received a letter from the congregation in Dayton, inclosing the call; O that the Lord would direct.

"4th November attended the Presbytery; my call was laid before them, and by them put into my hands; by request the Presbytery gave their opinion on the subject. All seemed to think it my duty to go to Dayton. If this call is from the Lord, I pray God I may not turn a deaf ear to it.

"Philadelphia, November 8th. Have commenced a mission in this city under the direction of the Philadelphia Missionary Society.

"November 9th. Preached in a small church built by the Evangelical Society. About thirty persons attended; O may the Lord make my ministry here a blessing. This is my birth day; another year is added to my life, my mercies, and my account before God; twenty-nine years of my life are gone;. O how solemn the thought! What have I done for God and my generation? Almost nothing. The Lord make me more faithful in time to come.

"November 16th. Preached in Catherine street,— my own mind very dark, and my views of eternal truth very indistinct. Who shall deliver me from my sins and their punishment. Take not thy holy spirit from

me.

me.

December 17th. This afternoon I preached at the almshouse with more than my usual satisfaction. We were in a ward devoted to old men; I took up the subject of preparation for death. I fancied myself among a company, all of whom were bending over the tomb. The blind, the halt, the lame, and the sick were before My own views of the importance of preparation for death were pretty clear, and I pressed the subject upon my hearers. A number of them wept. Some rejoiced in anticipation of a kind release from sin and death. This is a good school. I learn something almost every time I visit there; but I am slow to learn; I find it hard to break my attachment to earthly things even for heaven.

January 1, 1818. Extract from Journal presented to

the Missionary Society. "The appearances in this Society are certainly encouraging. The people seem to attend with a very different appearance from that with which they first met me there. Whether I have been the instrument of conversion to any soul I do not know. The flowing tear has often testified that some emotion was excited; and the people of God who have attended, I have reason to believe, have been comforted and strengthened. I have not then laboured in vain. The inquiring have been pointed to Jesus; the careless sinner has been warned of his danger. The event I leave with God. I know his word cannot return void. Whether I have been as faithful to my work as I ought to have been, I cannot say; I have not however spared my strength where I thought duty called. The committee have, I think, no ground of discouragement, but should remain stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.

"December 25th. Received a letter from Dayton, which determined me to go, if the Lord will."

The following extract of a letter, addressed to Mary W. Ferguson, very clearly exhibits Mr. Wilbur's feelings respecting that people "The Lord seems now to point us decidedly to Dayton; my feelings while I write are indiscribable; I half begin to bid farewell to my former acquaintance and to take my leave of the places where my childish rambles have been made. But the Lord, I believe, will go with us. I think he has made an opening for us there, and we may go in and possess the land. The effect of my ministry among them still remains; a number of those who have lately joined the church I call children. What shall I render to the Lord; he has given me souls for my hire. seems to say. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman over this people; here is the place where your labours shall be blest. With these feelings I cannot say either good or bad; I can only obey the direction. Where the Lord sends, I am willing to go; I think I am willing to live to die. I believe the Lord will go with us: what he will accomplish by our instrumentality time

He