Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

The physician, Dr. Johnson, had attended me faithfully from the time he first came; sitting up with me about ten whole nights, and visiting me repeatedly through the day; and as soon as he thought I was able, had me carried in a sedan chair to his own house; though he was neither in membership with the quakers nor methodists.

Here I continued seven weeks. I think for about twelve days after I came, the blood would gush out of my sores, upon attempting to rest the weight of my body upon my limbs; but upon the forty-fourth day of my sickness, I attempted to venture out with help. During this space of time, God gave me favour in the sight of the people, though a stranger in this land, and having but one guinea when I was first taken ill, yet I wanted for nothing during the whole time.

Oh! how different are the dealings of man to me now, from those in America, when confined with the bilious fever. Surely there must be the hand of God in this. He let me know what it is to want and to abound, that I might feel my weakness and dependence, and prize my privilege by feeling for my fellow mortals, and improve my time for eternity.

I think of all the people I have met with for four years and seven months' travel, this doctor has shewed me the greatest kindness and friendship; for which may God reward him in the day of eternity!.

After some little recovery, feeling a desire to do good, I asked for White-friar-street preaching house; but was denied. Then for Lady Huntingdon's society meetinghouse in Plunket-street, but could not get it.

Thence

I applied to the Quaker society, but they could not, consistent with their religious principles; yet they behaved very kind and friendly to me. Then I sought for a play-house in vain: thus my way seemed to be hedged

up.

The first place that presented to view was, the Weavers' hall, on the Coombe in the Liberty; which was occupied by the separate methodists, (by some called Kilhamites) but by themselves, the new connexion. Here I held several meetings; some laughed; others stared; but in general were solemn and quiet, and some were

melted to tenderness. I formed a covenant in one of these meetings, which appeared not altogether fruitless. In their meetings also, I had liberty to speak what I felt.

About this time, I received a letter from S. Hutchinson; dated New-York, July 21st; in which I found he was now reconciled to my coming, and sent my character to this country, to A. Hamilton, doing me justice; which letter I shewed to one of the stationed preachers, and had my character read in a public assembly, to let people know what I was, as many had been scrupulous concerning me.

At length, recovering my health to such a degree, I had thoughts of leaving Dublin, and going to the coun-try, but could not feel my mind free, until I first had visted several prisons, and held a meeting at the doctor's house.

October 16. I was twenty-three years old; the prophets prediction was fresh in my mind, not only the year past, but now. What is past and gone I know; but what is to come I leave the event to God; believing he who hath preserved me and brought me through the mountains or waves of affliction and trials, will still be with me, and grant me strength in proportion to my day, if I cleave to him with all my heart, and have but the one thing in view, viz. the glory of God and the salvation of immortal souls.

18th. I have held a few meetings of late in Chapelizod, which seem not to be altogether in vain.

On the 19th, I held my last there, and at the.. Coombe.

:

On the 20th, I visited several prisons, holding meetings with the prisoners; and gave them some bread and books and called some of the most serious and decent of the neighbourhood into the doctor's house at even, to whom I spoke about an hour, and all was solemn and quiet; so for the present I feel my mind released to go. and visit the country. What is before me I know not; I expect trials and hardships in the way; but as soon as I can find my mind released and free, and the door. open, I intend to return to my own country.

22d. In company with my doctor, I went to Rath

cool, but the woman of the house, who had invited me being absent, I met with a cool reception; however, I spoke to a few, and with grief went to Leixlip, where I had been invited, but the family holding some different sentiment, my situation here was trying too.

At Lucan I was disappointed, and then began to grow discouraged; querying in my own mind, whether the preachers were not right and I under a mistake.-Whilst spending some time solitary and walking the floor, I besought God if he would make my journey prosperous, and give me favour in the sight of the people, to give me a token for good; and upon this I lay down to rest, and soon fell asleep, and dreamed I was walking up a river side, through a smooth plain, and began to feel faint and weary, and meditated what I should do for refreshment; and suddenly coming to the door of a cottage which was open, I saw the table spread, and as I rapped, the mistress came and grasping me by the hand, gave me a hearty welcome to my astonishment. Said I, "how do you know me ?" Said she, "our little Jemmey (as I thought a boy about twelve years old) dreamed last night that God sent two angels to us, clothed in white, with a message to entertain a traveller, with such and such a dress and features, who should come in the afternoon, and you answer the very description; therefore you are welcome." I then looked, and behold my robe was white, fine unspotted linen; and oh! how joyful I felt, to think angels were sent to prepare my way. I then awaked with my mind solemnly stayed on God; and my spirits refreshed to pursue the journey.

*

Taking the canal boat at Hazel-hatch, I went to Athy, and on the way the passengers solicited me hard to play cards. I replied, I will play one game when you have done, but must have the captain's consent; they then looked and laughed, and played on; now and then turning a joke on me.

I gave one of my pamphlets to the captain, and in the evening as soon as the gaming was over, after they had done playing, I offered to buy the cards; the captain replied, I don't sell cards, but will give them to you; I thanked him, and played my game by throwing

[ocr errors]

them out at the window into the canal. The company seemed to be thunder-struck and conscience-convicted, and their merriment was soon over. Solemnity seemed to rest on every countenance; they now and then forced out a word, as though they took my conduct as an imposition; but in a manner they seemed dumb or confounded; but I felt justified in my conduct.

In Athy I met with a kind reception and had the liberty of a chapel which was not the methodists. I held two meetings, but the curate thought I was for párty, as I preached up free salvation, he knowing it was a controverted point, and at first would not consent for a third meeting, till reviewing the matter, he would take no denial but I should hold a third. These meetings were quickening.

Thence to Carlow, where I held three meetings: here I was troubled with the asthma, for the first time to prevent my rest since I came into this country: thus I perceive the seeds of death are in my body, which, if I am not faithful, I expect will carry me suddenly hence.

I walked to Hacketstown through the rain, thirteen long Irish miles. I enquired for swaddlers, (for if I asked for methodists, the Romans there would immediately direct me to the worst enemy they had, through an evil spirit) and was directed to a house (not a member but a hearer) and asked for liberty to tarry all night, as I could not hear of a man who had invited me to come previously. The woman said, if you will accept of some straw, you may stay, which I thanked her for, as I felt so weary, I scarce knew how to walk any farther; but the man perceiving my thoughts of tarrying, objected; I then rummaged my papers, found a few lines to a man out of town, who was not in a capacity to entertain travellers, so I walked to his father's (being piloted by a lad who returned immediately) about half a mile, and came to the door and rapped. The family were unwilling to let me in, as several persons the night before had been robbed, and house robberies were fre quent in that quarter. I now was called to an exercise of my faith, as there were several dogs to guard the house without, and apparently I should not be let in, as

they questioned me back and forth through the door, with intreaties to go to a tavern, yet they could recollect none near, but what was filled with soldiers.-At length the old man, who was the only methodist in the house, whilst sitting in the corner, felt these words run through his mind (as I was about to go and take up my lodgings on the bank of a ditch) repeatedly with power, "be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares :" he began to grow restless and uneasy, and finally prevailed on the family to open the door and see who and what I was. As I came in I saw fear in their countenances, and began to sing an American hymn and talk with them about their souls, and soon it was gone. The old man says, I think I have heard of you before. from Mount Mellick. They entertained me all night.As I was going away in the morning, the old man said, will you not hold a meeting? I said, if you will get the people convened. During the day two daughters were following the new fashions; observing the su perfluities they were fixing on some new clothes, I said, every time you wear them, remember another suit you'll have, the muffler and the winding sheet, which seemed to sink in their minds; and since, I have had the satisfaction to hear, (several ways) these young women were found walking in the ways of wisdom.

In all I had four meetings here. In Tinnehely I had two in a house and one in the street. In Killiveany we had several refreshing seasons. At Rednah we had two powerful meetings. At Roundwood we had two likewise. At Castle-cavan the people were hard, but I hope some good was done. At Echon I fell in with Mr. Matthew Lanktree who I expected would treat me with coldness, considering what had passed at conference, but was agreeably disappointed.

He gave me liberty to travel on his circuit as long as I pleased. He, I think is one of the holiest men I have met with in Ireland. He strove to persuade me to accept from him a razor, which something within had in times past prevented me from using, and forbid it still, as it was a guard, sentry, or watch to remind me of my me of my

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »