fortune. He did not at first relish the advice. One day he consulted
me. I bluntly told him to be content with such things as he had; not
to hasten to be rich, for he would thereby pierce himself with many
sorrows: that numbers were ruined through the deceitfulness of riches.
Labour not for the meat that perisheth, said I, but for that which
endureth to everlasting life. After this conversation, he reasoned
with his uncle against leaving his country and friends merely to make
money in a foreign land: he declared that the object was a pitiful one
to an immortal creature, who must soon bid an eternal adieu to the
affairs of time. However, after standing his ground for some months,
he consented to go a voyage to the West Indies.
He set sail from Liverpool, and took me along with him. As there were
several passengers in the ship, all of whom were profane sinners, he
was ashamed to let me be seen; of course I was hid in a corner of the
state-room, completely masked. On the first Sabbath morning, he took
a single peep at me before the other passengers awoke. I hastily told
him to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy; that God was every where
present to witness the works of men. He resolved to abide by my
advice, and to keep at as great a distance from those on board as he
well could. They asked him to take a hand at cards, but he refused.
Pho! said they, we have got one of your superstitious Christians along
with us; we shall have nice sport with him. They teased him with his
religion the whole day, and poor George could not well bear it. One
bold sinner asserted, that before they reached their destination, they
would have all his enthusiasm hammered out of him.
George having none to encourage or countenance him, and not possessing
firmness sufficient for confessing me before men, resolved to dispense
with his religion during the voyage, and to comply with their
abandoned customs, while he continued in the ship. Thus he fell before
temptation.
One day in the midst of his merriment, he recollected an advice which
I had solemnly given him. It was this: When sinners entice thee,
consent thou not. Immediately he rushed out of the cabin, threw
himself on his bed, and wept bitterly. He cried out, (but not so loud
as to be heard,) I have ruined my soul, O what would my worthy mother
have said, had she witnessed my conduct for days past. On his return
to the cabin, the sadness of his countenance was observed by the
company; they laughed heartily and assured him that his reluctance to
join them in what they termed sociality, arose from the prejudices of
education: that he must endeavour to banish all his fears of futurity,
and mind present enjoyment. These and similar observations gradually
unhinged the principles of young George, and before reaching their
destined port, his checks of conscience were almost gone. What a
dreadful state, when man's conscience ceases to be his reprover! Men
are often glad when they obtain this deliverance, but the infatuation
is as shocking to a pious mind as to see a man in flames rejoicing in
the heat which will infallibly consume him. After the arrival of
the ship, we all went ashore; and George was soon fixed in a very
advantageous situation for money making. When the first Sabbath
arrived, he protested against transacting business on that day,
declaring that he had never been accustomed to any thing of that kind.
They advised him to labour hard seven days in the week, that he might
return sooner to the country from whence he came; and at length
prevailed on him to conform to their infidel practices. I told him
that for all these things God would bring him into judgment; that he
was like the rest of the wicked, who waxed worse and worse; that
he did not love Jesus Christ, else he would keep his commandments,
notwithstanding all the raillery and reproach to which he was exposed.
I warned him that whoever was ashamed to confess Christ before men,
of him would he be ashamed in the presence of his Father and the holy
angels.
In a few months he became as wicked and abandoned as any on the
island. He made a present of me to a poor native, who could read a
little English. I frequently conversed with him, but he could
not understand what I said. He often desired me to speak to his
companions. A few were greatly affected with what I said. They often
called upon me. Sometimes they pleasantly said my words made them very
happy, they desired to go to that happy world which I commended so
highly. They fervently prayed to Jesus to take them to it. An old
slave creeped in one day, inquiring if Jesus could do any thing for
very bad people. I replied, It is a faithful saying, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners, even the chief. He is able to
save unto the very uttermost all who come unto God through him. The
black man, bathed in tears, exclaimed, Good book! tell me good news!
Like the Ethiopian eunuch, he went away rejoicing.
After some years I was sent for in great haste to visit my old
proprietor George, who by his intemperance was brought to the gates
of death. In his affliction he remembered me. I told him fools make a
mock at sin, but sin finds them out. God had been long angry with him
every day. He confessed he had been a great sinner. He said that bad
company had been his ruin: that by following their example he had
destroyed a fine constitution; that in his distress his bottle
companions had all forsaken him; they could not bear the thought of
death. Had I my days to begin again, said he, I would flee from a
swearer or a drunkard, as I would from the plague. He prayed fervently
that God would forgive his iniquity for the sake of his Son Jesus
Christ. His fever increased, and in a few days he went the way of all
the earth.
After this I became the inmate of a respectable family which had
long been on the island. The master and mistress were professors of
religion, but during their residence in the island they had neglected
many of its most important duties.
At length one of their children became ill and died. They came to me
for consolation. I gave them to understand, that it was because they
had gone astray that they were afflicted, and that their affliction
was designed to call them back to duty. They were at length persuaded
of their error, and praised God that he had loved them so much as to
chastise them. They now strove to serve God with all their hearts.
They listened to me when I told them that they should instruct their
children in religion on every proper occasion, both when they sat in
the house and when they walked by the way. The youth of that family
became at length distinguished throughout the island for every
virtuous and amiable quality.
But what did more to make religion respected in that house, was the
practice of family prayer. I was brought out night and morning, and
permitted to speak before all the family, which was seated around the
room in a respectful and attentive attitude. I seldom spoke with more
effect than on these occasions. I addressed every member of the family
in their turn. I commanded the parents to treat their children with
mildness, and the children to obey their parents. I told the little
ones that Christ took little children in his arms and blessed them;
and bade the servants do their duty to their master, and the master to
be kind to his servants. And when my instructions were finished, all
in the house united in singing a hymn to God; and I believe they
sometimes made melody in their hearts. When they had sung, my master
would kneel and offer up a humble prayer to God. These exercises
caused harmony to prevail throughout a numerous family. I observed
also that although the inhabitants of the island did not relish my
master's piety, yet he every day obtained more and more of their
respect, as his piety increased.
I have lived many years, and have seen all those children grown up (I
believe through my instructions) in the fear of the Lord. I was by the
bed-side of their parents when the messenger Death came to call them
away. I spoke to them of the joys of heaven, and of its inhabitants,
who sing praise to the Lamb, and cease not day nor night. They cried,
"Lord Jesus, come quickly," and ascended to glory.
I have always been a faithful friend to all who have sought
acquaintance with me. I will be faithful to thee, reader! I will show
thee the only path that leads through this world to heaven. Follow my
instructions, and you will arrive there in safety.
END