t the Conference of 1827 I was appointed to the Cobourg Circuit,
extending from Bowmanville village to the Trent, including Port Hope,
Cobourg, Haldimand, Colborne, Brighton, and the whole country south of
Rice Lake, with the townships of Seymour and Murray. On this extensive
and labourious Circuit I am not aware that I missed a single
appointment, notwithstanding my controversial engagements[16] and visits
to the Indians of Rice Lake and Mud Lake. I largely composed on
horseback sermons and replies to my ecclesiastical adversaries. My diary
of those days gives the following particulars:--

_Hope, Newcastle District, Sept. 23rd, 1827._--I have now commenced
my ministerial labours amongst strangers. Religion is at a low ebb
among the people; but there are some who still hold fast their
integrity, and are "asking the way to Zion with their faces
thitherwards." I have preached twice to-day and been greatly
assisted from above.

_Sept. 25th._--I have laboured with much heaviness to-day. I spent
part of the day in visiting the Rice Lake Indians. They seem very
healthy, and are happy in the Lord. We have selected a place for
building a school house. With gratitude and joy they offer to
assist in the building.

_Sept. 30th._--Another month gone! I review the past with mingled
feelings of gratitude and regret.

_October 2nd._--Yesterday and to-day I have laboured under severe
affliction of mind. I am as one tempest driven, without pilot,
chart, or compass.

_Oct. 4th._--This evening at the prayer-meeting, how delightful was
it to hear two children pour out their melting supplications at the
throne of grace. "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfected praise."

_Oct. 9th._--I began my labours last Sunday, weak and sick, but my
strength increased with my labour, and I was stronger in body and
happier in soul at night than in the morning.

_Oct. 10th._--I have now finished my first journey round the
circuit. My health has not been good. Two persons have joined the
society to-night, and several more in class expressed a
determination never to rest till they found peace with God through
Jesus Christ.

_Oct. 17th._--I have been employed in controversial writing, and
sorely tempted to desist from preaching.

_Oct. 20th._--I have been greatly interested a