tell what Religion you are of. They never heard of such a religion before. They do not know what to make of it. And then, your private behaviour — All the Quarrels that have been here since you came, have been long of you. Indeed there is neither man nor woman in the Town, who minds a word you say. And so you may preach long enough ; but no body will come to hear you."
He was too warm for hearing an answer. So I had nothing to do, but to thank him for his openness, and walk away. . . .
Saturd. July 31. We came to Charles-Town. The Church is of Brick, but plaister'd over like Stone. I believe it would contain three or four Thousand Persons. About three Hundred were present at the Morning Service the next day, (when Mr. Garden desired me to preach) about fifty at the Holy Communion. I was glad to see several Negroes at Church ; one of whom told me, "she was there constantly ; and that her old Mistress (now dead) had many times instructed her in the Christian Religion." . . .
[August 2.] At Thunderbolt we took Boat, and on Friday Aug. 13, came to Frederica, where I deliver'd Mr. O. the Letters, I had brought from Carolina. The next Day he set out for Fort St. George. From that time I had less and less Prospect of doing good at Frederica ; many there being extremely zealous, and indefatigably diligent to prevent it : And few of the rest daring to shew themselves of another mind, for fear of their displeasure.
Sat. 28. I set apart, (out of the Few we had) a few Books towards a Library at Frederica. . . .
[January, 1737.] In my passage home, having procured a celebrated Book, the Works of Nicholas Machiavel, I set myself carefully to read and consider it. I began with a prejudice in his Favour ; having been informed, he had often been misunderstood, and greatly misrepresented. I weigh'd the Sentiments that were less common ; transcribed the passages wherein they were contained ; compared one Passage with another, and endeavour'd to form a cool, impartial Judgment ; And my cool Judgement is, That if all the other doctrines of Devils which have been committed to Writing, since Letters were in the world, were collected together in one Volume, it would fall short of this : And, that should a Prince form himself by this book, so calmly recommending Hypocrisy, Treachery, Lying, Robbery, Oppression, Adultery, Whoredom and Murder of all kinds ; Domitian or Nero would be an Angel of Light, compared to that Man. . . .
