Diary of a Prairie Missionary       Part 2

12^th July Lord's Day.     I preached at 11 A.M. & 5 P.M. & heard Mr. Stewart at 2 P.M. They have a  Sabbath School on the Union plan.

13^th.    I had the second day of rest which I have enjoyed since the 3rd day of June.  Eight or ten pious and intelligent members of our church were with me most of the day at Mr. Jas.  Smith’s.

14^th.     I preached at 10 A.M. at his house, to 35 or 40 people, and afterwards proceeded about twenty miles into Peoria Co., where I preached at the dwelling of Mr. Thos.  Smith and baptized a child for one of our members. Three of our families reside in what is called Harmers Settlement about 9 miles from the County Town of Peoria. They have been desirous of effecting a permanent settlement, and inviting a number of families of our people to locate in that vicinity, expecting soon to enjoy gospel privilege. These, their expectations have been ruined by Speculators, especially one Aikens, a New School Deacon from N. York. He by low cunning appears to have supplanted them, and to have purchased much of the vicinity for others. Our people will probably have to move elsewhere, perhaps to Warren Co.

15^th. I proceeded to Peoria 9 miles. On my journey a thunder atom came up and I had to turn into the first house. There I employed myself by improving my saddle till the shower passed, when I continued my journey. In half an hours time a violent storm overtook me and I was very wet before I could reach a roof.  The first I found was the dwelling of a scoffer from N. York City. As the storm was violent both of hail & rain and continued with little intermission for perhaps two hours, he invited me to dine with him, and drew me into conversation. Tho’ the point of his conversation, argument and sarcasm was directed against Christianity, yet some of his remarks were but too true, especially when he asserted that "if any man were now to preach what Christ taught he would be reckoned the greatest fool in the world".  Christ said "give, hoping for nothing again, and where, says he, is the Christian that will do so? He had sought and he could never find a disinterested Christian, and referred me to the above mentioned Aiken as a specimen of professors.  He was evidently a man wise in his own eyes, and of such there is but little hope. One great thing he said maintained by all "priestcraft was to keep Sunday", and tax men in this way.  Two observations which I had formerly made, were confirmed by his conversation, the one is that the fashionable religion shown in this "age of improvement” is not calculated to stop the mouth of gainsayers; and the other is, that the observance of the sacred Sabbath lies so deep in the vitals of Christianity, that those who neither fear God, nor regard man, are aware of it, and act accordingly.  I reached Peoria about 4 P.M. and soon after met with Mr. M. Taggart from Chilicothe, who kindly assisted me in making arrangements for preaching that evening which I did at the house of Mr. S. Lowry.  As soon as I commenced service, a merchant, a New School Pres. picked up his hat and ran out, determined not to hear the old psalms. Two lines of them were more than enough for him. This is a fine region of country upon the West side of the Illinois, and many are pouring into it from the East. There is no place of worship yet In the villiage.  An upper room in the Hotel In occupied by both Episcopalians and Presbyterians.  An old Sch. Clergyman, a Mr. Keller from Maryland had arrived here a few days previous to this date, and a Mr. Gaut sent out by the As. B. of  Miss, who had turned out a little New Schoolish had left for the vicinity of Springfield.  Peoria is from St. Louis 200 miles & from Chicago 165.

July 16^th.    After leaving Mr. Lowrie’s I continued to travel up the North Side of the Illinois River, and passed two petty villiages Rome and Chillicothe.  During the day I paseed a Methodist meeting and went to listen for a short season.  The country up the W. side of this River appeared beautiful - must soon be settled as far as timber can be obtained.  Towards evening I got completely astray from the small trail owing to the recent erection of some fences. Upon a bottom, through which I attempted to ride I found wild grass quite as high as my horse, and so thick that I found it difficult to retain my seat, on the saddle. After wandering about 3 or 4 miles out of my proper path I succeeded in reaching the about to be villiage of Henry a little after dark. I there got some grass and bushes mown for my poney and perhaps near half a gallon of corn.  When on inquiring what was to pay the master of the house who was a Methodist told me at first that he would not take any thing, and yet on the 17th took half a dollar.  There is some wood in this vicinity and it must soon prosper, I here crossed the Illinois River for which I paid double fare .25.   The River had been unusually high and was now fallen so far that by travelling  some extra distance, I avoided wading through the extensive bottom.  After traveling ten miles or so I reached Henepin the County town of Putnam Co. and then proceeded Eastward five miles to Mr. Nelson Shepherds.  Here I found several families connected with the old School Pres. and purposed to remain over Sabb. among them. The country here is beautiful.