The high regard in which Brother Kline held the people of the western part of the old State of Virginia, and the reciprocation of that regard by their high appreciation of him and his mission, accounts for the many visits he made among them, and his devotion to their spiritual welfare.  Nor was his work evanescent.  The seal of his influence was so deeply impressed upon their affections and memories that to-day, after the lapse of fifty years, its stamp is almost as fresh as when first made.  Nor is this a matter of wonder or surprise.  The sermons I have set in order were substantially preached by him and other ministers, mostly led into that section by him; and the power of such discourses, together with the worship and instructions held and given in families wherever he stayed, had an influence that will never be forgotten.  The writer’s own personal acquaintance with the people living in sections of his vast district of labor gives him to know that the name of John Kline is still as a household word with many of them.  Nor is this all.  The indoctrination of these people into the beliefs and practices of Revealed Truth as held by the Brethren was so profound, so clear, so convincing, that they to-day stand abreast of others in defense of these doctrines as at first received, in the face of all the isms and religious innovations of the times.

FRIDAY, May 18.  Start to the Annual Meeting.  Ride Nell.  Stay first night at Isaac Dasher’s.

On this journey the Editor can not depart from the simple but beautiful and almost childlike daily entries in the Diary.  If they appear monotonous to the reader, the Editor begs him to leaf over them and find something that will suit his taste better.  He must, however, say something about Nell.  She proved to be a very remarkable mare indeed.  For strength and endurance, through cold and heat, in hunger and thirst, over mountains numberless and pathless woods and valleys, on long and exhausting journeys, Nell has had few equals.  History has not been willing to drop the name of Bucephalus; and Nell is more worthy of a place on its roll.  He bore a conqueror for a corruptible crown:  she bore a conqueror for an incorruptible crown.  His was an earthly service; hers a heavenly.  The name of Nell, under very peculiar and distressing surroundings, will appear again.

SATURDAY, May 19.  Meeting at Elijah Judy’s.  Hebrews 12 is read.  After meeting go to James Parks’s, and stay second night.

SUNDAY, May 20.  Meeting at Patch’s church on Looney’s Creek in Hardy County, Virginia.  Speak from Acts 2.  Dine at John Stingley’s.  Have night meeting at Jacob Cosner’s, where I speak on Hebrews 12, and stay third night.

MONDAY, May 21.  Come to meeting at Solomon Michael’s.  Elections are held.  Thomas Clarke and Michael Lion are established; William Michael is elected speaker; William George and Thomas Lion are elected deacons.  Come to Samuel Arnold’s on New Creek, and stay fourth night.