dicrous in the extreme-I could not forbear smiling-But my pleasantry, on veiwing the parchment, was too serious a matter for the doctor; his pride could not brook itand so he has shewn his spleen by holding me up in his journal. He intended it, no doubt, for a gibbet-and I expect he would have done as much hurt to my body as he intended to my reputation, could it have been done as easily; I mean by publishing Falsities. Ifreely forgive him, and I pray God to forgive him, and cause him to know

himself.

I am as you truely suppose, well pleased that a spirit of liberation is prevailing. As God has numbered me among the Free, I wish it may be consistent with the deep and wise schemes of his Providence to open a way for the freedom of the whole human race; and especially that the Africans in the United States of America may see an end of their bondage, as soon as it may be consistent with public and private utility. Slavery, as thousands of the slaves are treated, is indeed shocking to humanity. But whether slavery in itself, be inconsistent with the dictates of reason and religion, is what I have not as yet, after the most impartial examination been able to discover. I dare not say it is inconsistent with these. I say, I dare not pronounce it inconsistent, lest I

should reproach my Maker, who as you know blessed his friend Abraham with abundance of that property, and tolerated the same among the Jews. Some have pretended to point out a distinction between the different dispensations, and from thence infer, that what was allowed as consistent with the dictates of reason and religion in the Jewish, is not so under the christian. oeconomy: but I never could see the propriety of the reasoning. The dictates of reason and religion, (I mean not outward forms of religion, but pure morality and the love of God and man) do not fluctuate. There can be no alteration in these, let the outward dispensation be what it will.-But notwithstanding this is my faith and ever has been; yet I am no advocate for slavery. Slavery, as it is practised in general is most abhorrent to my mind. I wish its abolition. And if it be the design of heaven that the Africans here should be a free people; and the wheels of providence have begun (as I hope) to roll that way, I have not doubt but ways and means will be pointed out, in proper time to effect this purpose, though the united wisdom of America, at present, is unequal to the task. In the mean while, I doubt not, but my indispensible duty is to preach the duties incumbent on all stations and relations in life,

as I find them marked in holy writ. With best respects to you and your's,

I remain, your Friend and Brother,

D. JARRATT.

Virginia, March 3, 1794.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

THOUGH I have not had a letter from you since my last-yet being favoured with an opportunity by the little man, I must write a few lines. With regard to religious affairs in general I refer you to him, who is both intelligent and communicative. I hope to have some respite from methodistical tongues for a while, as they seem to have work enough to do among themselves. O'Kelly does great things in the devisive way and I dare say he will make Asbury's Mitre set very uneasy on his head, so as to give sensible pain to his heart, and it may be to such a degree, that he may sincerely wish Dr. Coke had never given him a Mitre at all. Indeed I never expected that Mitre would set easy for any considerable length of time, as it was but a cobbled piece of work at first-and Dr. Coke was the principal agent. The divisions and animosities now subsisting are greater, perhaps, than you can conceive, and yet all these may be but the beginnings of sorrow. In

a word I have seen and heard so much of the party zeal, party interest and party spirit of the people called Methodists, and the nefarious methods made use of to put down one and set up another, that I realy doubt whether there would be any propriety in giving them the epithet of a religious society. Not that I doubt but there are numbers of good people among them. What the end of these things may be, I know not. The little man will inform you of more than I can write.

read out.

I suppose you have heard that a Mr. ******* *****, formerly a minister of our church, has been canonically degraded and This was done in the course of the winter just past. I do not expect there will be any convention in Richmond this year, as the small pox has been raging in that city for some time, and I am told, about two hundred have lost their lives by it.

I am become like a sparrow sitting alone upon the house top but I still try to do a little, though in much discouragement-but in dependance on the Lord, I shall still be casting my bread upon the waters, hoping to find it after many days-I have, I thank God, no party interest to serve-my view is the conversion of souls to God, and to promote the interests of our dear Redeemer. And if God will favor me with suc

cess, I hope I shall be thankful, and ascribe all the honor and glory to him only.

I find myself more and more dead to the world-indeed I am sorry when necessity calls me to take one thought about it-I wish to be wholly devoted to God, and that all the labors of my head and heart and tongue may be for his glory and the salvation of souls. But as I cannot ride about and undergo the fatigue, as I once couldI have confined myself more to study and writing, hoping that, by such sermons and tracts as have been and shall be published, good may be done to some, whom I have never seen, or could see--not only in this century, but in centuries yet to come. I hope you will assist in spreading my printed works as much as you can. I hope you have got the first volume of my sermons, or will soon get it; you will there see with your eyes, what you have heard with your ears from my lips, and which by the blessing of God, has been rendered salutary to many in hearing and I trust will have some good effects on a number of readers.

I am your's, most respectfully,

D. JARRATT.

FINIS.