THE K. life and CONVERSION Q P TAMES ALBERT UKAWSA'W] 3 R ON N ^OS A W, An A F R I C A A PRINCE. giving an accVount of The Religion, Cuftoms, Manners, &c. of the Natives of Zaara , \n Africa. AS related by h\mself. *» +» «<+ *» <.<- <4» «*> *» *>* *** <« I will bring the Blind by a W « not, I will lead them in Path y that they know 1IW# i that they havt not known : 1 will make Darkjiefs Lighv before — Thefe Iraight. « them, and crooked Things r -~ D - « Things will I do unto them, and not toriaRC ** them” Ifaiali lxii. 16. CLONME Li: Printed by Thomas I>ord In thb year m,dcc,lxxxyi. i t 3 J <*>» W <*> W 4*> > **> <*j> <»]> <»» W {<**> <¥> > 1 ■«- 1<- <-(* *>T* , ^f>*+ V* ^ H 1 1<* THE i , t EXTRAORDINARY LIFE O F James Albert, See. *4* ■♦»"«<• Was born in the city of Tiou rhov ; "i ^,-®» ^ my mother was the elded daughter $ ^ of the king of 2 aara, of which ^ j Bou rn’OO is the chief city. I was -*»*>->*•<» f { j ie y oun geft of fix children, and par- ticularly loved by my mother, and my grandfather ailmoft doated on me. 1 had in my infancy a curious turn of mind, was more grave and referved in my difpofition than either of my brothers or fillers. 1 often teazed them with quellions they could not anfwer ; for which rcafon they difliked me, as they fuppofed l was either foolifh or infane.— -’Twas certain that A a I [ 4 ] ■was, at times, very unhappy in myfelf ; it being flrongly ini prefled in my mind that there was fome great man of power that refided above the fun, moon and ftars, the obje&s of our worfhip. My dear indulgent mother would bear more with me than any of my friends befide. I often raifed my hand to heaven, and alked her who lived there ? Was much diffatisfied when fhe told me, the fun, moon, and ftars, being perfuaded, in my f own mind, that there mud be fome fuperior power. I was frequently loft in wonder at the works of creation : was afraid, uneafy, and reftlefs, but could not tell for what. I wanted to be informed of things no perfon could tell me ; and was al- ways diffatisfied. Thefe wonderful impreffions begun in my childhood, and followed me conti- nually, ’till I left my parents, which affords me t , matter of admiration and thankfulnefs. It is the cuftom of our country to circumcife their chil- dren, and wafli them before going to bed. To this moment I grew more and more uneafy every day, infomuch that one Saturday (which is the day on which we keep our fabbath) I labour- ed under anxieties and fears that cannot be ex- preffed ; and what is more extraordinary, I could not give a reafon for it.— -I arofe, as our cuftom is, about three o’clock, (as we are obliged to be at our place of worfhip an hour before fun rife) we fay nothing in our worfhip, but continue on our knees with our hands held up, obferving a ftri& file nee ’till the fun is at a certain height, which I fup pofe to be about ten or eleven o’clock in England : when, at a certain fign made by the prieft, we get up i 5 ] up (our duty being over) and difperfe to our dif- ferent houfes.-—Our place of meeting is under a large palm tree j we divide ourfeives into many congregations ; as it is impoflible for the fame tree to cover the inhabitants of the whole city, though they are extremely large, high and ma- jeftic ; the beauty and ufefulnefs of them are not to he deferibed ; they fupplythe inhabitants of the country with meat, drink and clothes ; ( i ) the body of the palm tree is very large ; at a certain feafou of the year they tap it, and bring vf fTels to receive the wine, of which they draw great quantities, the quality of which is very delicious : the leaves of this tree are of a fdky nature ; they are very long and foft ; when they are dried and pulled to pieces it has much the fame appearance as the Englifh flax, and the inhabitants of Rour.no u manufacture it for cloathing, &x. This tree like- wife produces a plant or fubrtance which has the appearance of a cabbage, and very like it, though in tafle much preferable : it grows between the branches.-— A Ifo the palm tree products a nut Something like a cocoa, which contains a kernel, in which is a large quantity of liquid refembling oil, verv plcafant to the tafte : the fhell is of a hard fubftance, and of * very beautiful appear- ance. jBows and arrows are likewife made of the (i) It is a generally received opinion : in Eng- land, that the natives of Africa go entirely un- cloathed ; but this fuppofition is very unjuft ; they have a kind of drefs fo as to appear decent, though it is very flight and thin. branchei [ 6 ] branches of this tree, being of an exceeding tough nature, not unlike whalebone. — It may not he un- entertaining if l tell you their manner of fmoaking tobacco, wh'ch is thus, they have a golden howl, •with a certain number of dems or branches fixed in it, fix feet long, therein they put about three pounds of tobacco, which they fct on fire, then fit round and fmoak- ] hope this digrejliot) will be forgiven — I was go ng to obferve that after the duty our fahbath was over (on the day on which I was more didref- fcd and afflicted than ever) we were all on our way home as ufual, when a remarkable black cloud arofe and covered the fun ; then followed very heavy rain, and thunder more dreadful titan ever 1 had heard, the heavens roared, and the earth trembled at it : l was was highly affefted and cad down, in- fomuch that 1 wept fadly, and could not follow mv relations and friends home. I was obliged to flop an 1 felt as if my legs were tied ; they feemed to fhake under me : fo I flood fill!, being in great fear of the man of power, that I was perfuaded in tny- feif, lived above. One of my young companions (who entertained a particular fritndfhip for me and 1 for him) came back to fee for me ; he afkcd me why I flood dill in fuch very hard rain ? I onlv faid to him that my legs were weak, and I could not come fader ; he was much affefted to fee me erv, and took me by the hand, and faid he would lead me home, which he did. My mother was greatly alarmed at my tarry ingout in fuch terrible weather ; file afked me many quedions, fuch as what I did fo for, and if I was well ? My dear mother, fa vs I, pray C 7 3 pray tell me who is the great man of power that makes the thunder ? She faid, there was no more power but the fun, moon, and ftars ; that they made all our country. I then enquired how all our people came? (he anfwered from one another ; fc carried me to manv generations back. Then, faid 1, who made the firft man ? and who made the fir fl cow, and the firfl hoi, and where does the fly come from, as no one can make him ? My mother feemed in great trouble ; fhe was apprehenflve that my fenfes were impaired, or that 1 was foolifh.— - - My father came in, and feeing hei in grief, afked the caufe ; but when fhe related our con- vtrfation to him, he was exceedingly angry with ' me, and told me he would punifh me feverely if ever I was fotroublefome again ; fo that l refolved never to fay any thing more to him. But I grew very unhappy in mvfelf ; my relations and ac- quaintance endeavoured by all the means they could think on, to divert me, by taking me to ride upon goats (which is much the cuftom of our country) and to fhoot with a how and arrow ; but I experienced no fatisfa&ion at all in any of tliofe things ; nor could 1 be eafy by any means whatever ; mv parents were very unhappy to fee me fo dejected and melancholy. About this time there came a merchant from the Gold Coaff, the third city in Goini a ; he traded with the inhabitants of our country in ivory and gold duff : he took great notice of my unhappy ftuatipn, and enquired into the caufe ; expreflfed vaff concern for me, and faid, if my parent* would part with me for a little while, and let him take nr 3 [ 8 3 me home with him, it would be of more fervice to ine than any thing they could do for me. He told me, that ifl would go with him, I fhould fee houfes with wings to them, walk upon the fca, and fhould #lfo fee the white folks ; and that he had many fons of my age who fhould be my companions ; and he added to all this that he would bring me fafe back again foon. I was highly pleafed with ^ the account of this flrange place, and was very elcfirous of going. I feemed fenfihle of a fecret impulfe upon my mind which 1 could not refill, that feemed to tell me I mull go. When my dear mother faw that l was w illing to leave them, file fpoke to my father and grandfather, and the reft of my relations, who all agreed that I fhould accompany the merchant to the Gold Coaft, promifing him to load all his camels with the rich- A eft produce of the country when he brought me fafe hack. I was the more willing to go as ray brothers and fillets defpifed me, and looked on me with contempt on the account of my un- happy difpofition ; and even my fer.vants flighted me, and difregarded all I faid to them. I had one filler who was always exceeding fond of me, and I f loved her entirely; her name was Locwy : fhe was quite while and fair, with fine light hair, though my father and mother were black. (2) I was truly (2) Although in our country, people be gene- rally hlack, yet there be fome all white, and others part black and part white. My mother was a black, but her breall was white : it is a dif- gracc t 9 1 truly concerned to leave my beloved filler, and /lie cried mod fadly to part with me, wringing her hands, and difeovered every fign of grief that can be imagined. Indeed, if l could have known when I left my friends and country, that 1 Ihould never return to them again, my mifery on that oecafion would have been inexpreflible. All my relations were forry to part with me : my dear mother came with me upon a camel more than three hundred miles. The full of our jour- ney lay chiefly through woods : at night we fe- curcd ourfelves from the wild beads by making fires all around us ; and our camels kept within the circle, or we mud have been torn to pieces by the lions and other wild creatures, that roared terri- bly as foon as night came on, and continued fo to do ’till morning. There can be little faid in fa- vour of the country through which we palled ; only a valley of marble that we came through, which is unfpeakahly beautiful. On each fide of this valley are exceedingly high and almod inac- ceflible mountains. Some of thefe pieces of marble are of a prodigious length and breadth, but of dif- ferent fiz.es and colour, and diaped in a variety of forms, in a wonderful manner —It is mod of it veined with gold, mixed with driking and beautiful colours ; fo that when the fun darts upon it, it is as pleafing a fight as can be imagined.— The merchant that brought me from Hour* KO u, was in partnerfliip with another gentleman, grace to a black to have any white colour on hi* body ; and that perfon is treated with fcorn and reproach whenever they-difagrec. who [ } who accompanied its ; he was very unwilling that he fliould take me from home, as he faid, he fore* faw many difficulties that would attend mv going with them. Me endeavoured to prevail on the merchant to throw me into a very deep pit that was in the valley, but he refufed to lirten to him, and faid he was refolved to take care of me ; but the other was greatly diffatified ; and when we came to a river, which we were obliged to pafs « through, he purpofed throwing me in and drown- ing me ; but the merchant would not confent to it, fo that I was preferved. We travelled ’till about four o’clock everyday* and then began to make preparations for night, by cutting down large quantities of wood to make huts to prefeive us from wild hearts. (3)— -We had a very unhappy and difeontended journey* being in continual fear that the people I was with ‘ ■would murJerme. I often refle&ed with ex- treme regret on the kind friends I had left, ‘and (3) Among wild hearts the Tyger is mort vo- racious and fierce ; one I remember devoured a whole family, getting into the houfe which was covered with flags, but could not get back the fame j . way he went, fo he was forced to remain therein ; the neighbours wondered that none rtirred out or appeared about the houfe, nor could they hear any noife ; at lart they ventured to peep in, and there they efpied alargeTvger, which had devoured all the family ; they firrt fhot it with a poifoneef arrow, then dragged it along the way, as 3 fpcQa- clc for all to behold. the » [ " ] the idea of my dear mother frequently drew tears from my evts. I cannot recollect how long we were in going from Bournou to the Gold Coast ; but as there is no (hipping nearer to Bournou than that city, (Fonti) it was te- dious in travelling fo far by land, being upwards of a thoufand miles. I was heartily rejoiced when we arrived at the end of our journey : I now vainly imagined that all my troubles and in- quietudes would terminate here ; but could £ have looked into futurity, I fhould have perceived that I had much more to fufFer than 1 had before experienced, and that they had as yet kut barely commenced. I was now more than a thoufand miles from home, without a friend or any means to procure one. Soon after 1 came to the merchant’s houfe, I heard the drums beat remarkably loud, and the trumpets blow ; the perfons accuflomed to this employ are obliged to go upon a very high ftruc- ture appointed for that purpofe, that the found might be heard at a great diftance. I was mighti- ly pleafed with founds fo entirely new to me, and was very inquifiiive to know the caufe of this re- joicing, and afkcd many queftions concerning it : I was anfwered that it was meant as a compli- ment to me, becaufe I was grandfon to the king of Bournou. This account gave me a fecret pleafure : but [ was not fuffered long to enjoy this fatisfa&ion, for in the evening of the fame day, two of the mer- chant's Tons (boys about my age) came running to me, and toldme that the next dav, I was to die, f< r \ B ' the [ ] t he king intended to behead me. — I replied rlmt 1 was Cure it could not be true, for that I came thereto play with them, and to fee hotifes walk upon the water with wings to them, and the white toiks ; but 1 was foon informed that their king imagined that I was font hv my father as a fpy,and would make fomc difcoverics at my return home that Would enable t!icm to make war with the greater advantage to ourfelves ; and for thefe reafons he had rcfofved I fliould never return to my native country. When l heard this l fuffeF- cd miferv that cannot he deferihed. I wiihed a thoufand times that l had never left my friends and country. Tint ftitl the Almighty was pleafed to work miiaclcs for me. The morning T was to die, fwas wafhed and all my gold ornaments made bright and (hining ; and then carried to the palace, where the king was to behead me himftlf (as is the ctdfom of the place.) — lie was foate I upon a throne at the top of ait exceeding large yard or court, which vou muff go through , to enter the palace ; it is as wide and fprciousjis alaige field in I'.ngland. 1 had a lane < f life-guards to go through. I gutfled it to be about three hundred paces. I was conduffed by my friend, tbe merchant, aliout half way up *, then he durfi proceed no furthe r : I went up to the king alone, with an undaunted courage, and it pleafed God to melt the heart of the king, who fat with his feimitar in his hand ready to behead me ; vet, being him- felf To nfTVfted, he dropped it, and took me upon' la s knre and w ept over me. I put my right hand Town a! his ntclc, and prefi him to mv heart. » The I ’5 ] The ktngr then called the merchant, and en- quired of him tiie caufe of my being brought thither ; intimating to him that my fiav in that place would enable me to learn the flrength of the inhabitants, and at my return ■fhoitld inform the people of Bournou thereof, who would doubt- lei's come and ravage the country ; the merchant in vindication of himfclf told tlie king, that 1 was foohfh, and that my parents fufFered him to bring me to fee the fliips in hopes it might reflore me to my wonted chearfulnefs, offering to take me hack. The king fat me down and" bled me : and added, that he would not kill me, and that I ITiouM not go home, but be fold for a {live. 1 then was, conduced back again to the merchant’s houle. The next day he took me on board a French brig ; but the captain did not clutfe to buy me : be fcid 1 was too fmall ; fo the merchant look me home with him again. The partner, whom I have fpoken of as my enemy, was very angry to fee me return, and again purpofed putting an end to mv life ; for he re- prefented to the other, that 1 flibuld bring them into tioubles and difficulties, and that 1 was fo lit- tle that no perfon would bu v me. The merchant’s refolution began to waver, and I was indeed afraid that 1 fhonld be put to death ; but however he faid he would try me once more. A few davs alter a Dutch {hip came into the harbour, and they carried me on board, in hopes that the ciptain would porch a fe me. — As they went, I b.card them agre e, that it they could nor fell me the* they would throw me over-board. J [ 1 + ] I was in extreme agonies when I heard this ; and as foon as ever 1 faw the Dutch captain, I ran to him and put my arms round him, and faid, father fave me, (for I knew that if he did not buy me I fliould he treated very ill, or, poflibly mur- dered) and tho' he did not underftand my language, yet it pleafedthe Almighty to influence him in my behalf, and he bought me for two yards of check, •which is of more value there, than in England. When 1 left my dear mother l had a large quantity of gold about me, as is the cudom of our country ; it was made into rings, and they, were linked into one another, and formed into a kind of chain, and fo put round my neck, arms and legs, and a large piece hanging at one, car, aimed in the fhape of a pear. I found all this troublefome, and was glad when my new mader t took it from me. (i) I was now wafhed, and clothed in the Dutch or Fnglifh manner. My mafler grew very fond of me, and I loved him exceedingly. 1 watched every look, was always ready when he wanted me, and endeavoured to convince him by every a£lion, that my only pleafnre wa* to fctve him well. I have fince thought that he mull have * been a ferious man. His a&ions correfpondtded (l) If it is thought ftrangc that 1 fliould be fold for fuch a trifle with all my gold ornaments, it mull be confidercd, that a commodity fo uncom- mon in Africa, is valued bv the Macks far be- yond the quantity of gold I had about me, which to them is very triflng. very t *5 3 very well with fuch a chara&cr. He ufed to read prayers in public to the (hip’s crew every fabbath clay ; and when firtt I faw him read, I was never fo furprifed in my whole life as when I faw the book talk to my father, for I thought it did, as 1 obferved him to look upon it, and move his lips. I wi(hed it would do fo to me. As Toon as my matter had done reading 1 follow- ed him to the place where he put the book, be- ing mightily delighted with it, and when no body faw me, I opened it and put my ear down clofe upon it, in great hopes that it would fay fome- thing to me ; but w'as very forry and greatly difappointed when I found it would not fpeak, this thought immediately prefented itfelf to me, that every body and^very thing defpifed me be- caufe l was a black. 1 was exceedingly fca-(ick at firtt, but when I became more accuttomed to the fea, it wore off. My matter’s (hip was bound for IWbadoes.-— • When we came there he thought fit to fpeak of me to feveral gentlemen of his acquaintance, and one of them exprett a particular defire to fee me. He had a great mind to buy me ; but the captain could not immediately be prevailed on to part with me ; but however, as the gentleman feemed ve- ry folicitous, he at length let me go, and I was fold for fifty dollars, (four and fixpenny pieces in Englilh.) My new matter’s name was Vanhorn, a young gentleman ; bis home was in New Eng- land in the city of New* York, to which place he took me with him. He drefled me in his livery, and was very good to me. My chief bufmefs was to [ «6 ] to wait at table and tea, and clean knives, and I bad a very eafv place, but the frrvants uO»rl to curfe and fwear furprifingly, which I learnt fi’fter than any thing, ’twas almoft the fhft Englifh [ could (peak. If any of them affronted me, 1 w ,* fure to call upon God to damn them immediately ; but I was broke of it all at once, occafioned by the correction of an old black fervant that lived in the family. One day 1 had juft cleaned the knives for din- ner, when one of the maids rook one to cut bread and butter with it ; I was very angrv with her, and called upon God to damn her ; when this old black man told me I mud not fay fo. I a(ked him why ? He replied there was a wicked man called the Devil, that lived in hell, and would take all that faid thefe words, and put them in the fire and burn them. This teirified me greatly, and I was entirely broke of fwearing. Soon after this, as I was placing the china for tea, my miftrefs came into the room juft as the maid had been cleaning it ; the girl had unfortu- nately fprinkled the wainfeot with the mop ; at which my miftrefs was angry ; the girl very foo- 1 i ill 1 v' anfwercd her attain, which made her werfc, and fhe called upon God to damn her. I was vaftly concerned to hear this, as fhe was a fine young ladr, and very good to me, infomuch that l could not help fpeaking to her ; Madam, fav I, you mull not fay : Why, fays fhe ? Be- caufe there is a black man culled the Devil that lives in hell, and he will put you in the fire and turn vou, and 1 lliall be very forrv for that. — ' ‘ ' Who [ ’7 1 Who toU? you this ? replied my lady : CM Ned* fays I. Very well, was all her anfwer : but ihc told my mailer of it, and he ordered that Old Ned (hould be tied up and whipped, and was ne- ver fuffered to come into the kitchen with the reft of the fervants afterwards. My miftrefs was not angry with me, but rather diverted with my {implicit)', and by way of talk fhe repeated what l had faid to many of her ac- quaintace that vifited her ; among the reft, Mr. Freelandhoufe, a very gracious good minifter, heard it, and he took a great deal of notice of me, and defired my mafter to part with me to him. He would not hear of it at firft, but being greatly perfuaded, he let me go, and Mr. FrceLndhoufe gave fifty pounds for me. He took me home with him, and made me kneel down, and put my two hands together, and prayed for me, and every night and morning he did the fame. 1 could not make out what it was for, nor the meaning of it, nor what they fpoke to when they talked. { thought it comical, hut I liked it very we!!. After I had been a little while with mv new mafter 1 grew more familiar, and alked him the meaning of prayer, (I could hardly fpeak F.nglifh to be underftood :) he took great pains with me, and made me underftand that he prayed to God, who lived in heaven ; that he was my father and ktST triend.— I told him that this muft be a midake ; that my father lived at Bournou, and 1 wanted very much to fee him and likewifc my I dear mother and ftfter, and I wifhed he would he fo good as to fend me home to them ; and 1 ad- ded ( i8 ) icd all I could think of to induce him to convey me back. I appeared in great trouble, and my good mailer was fo much affeGed that the tears ran down his face. He told me that God was a GREAT and good spirit, that he created all the world, and every perfon and thing in it, in Ethiopia, Africa and America, and every where. 1 was delighted when l heard this : There favs I, I always thought fo wher. I lived at home ! Now if 1 had wings like an F.agle, I would fly to tell my dear mother that God is greater than the fun, moon and liars, and that they were made by kirn. 1 was exceedingly pleafed with this information of my mailer’s, becaufe it correfponded fo well with my own opinion ; l thought now if I could ■but get home, I Ihould be wifer than all my country folks, my grandfather, or father, or mo- ther, or any of them. — Hut though I was fome- what enlighttd by this information of my mailer’s, yet l had no other knowledge of God hut that be was a good spirit, and created every body and every thing’ — 1 never was fenfible in inyfelf, nor had any one ever told me, that he would punifh the wicked and love the juft. I was only triad that I had been told there was a God becaufe I had always thought fo. My dear kind mailer grew very fond of me, a* was his lady ; fhe put me tofehool, hut J was un- eafy at that, and did not like to go ; hut my maf- ter and miftrefs requefted me to learn in the gentleft terms, and perfuaded me to attend my fchool without any anger at all ; at laft I came .to [ *9 ] to like it better, and learnt to read pretty well.— < My fchoolmafter was a good man, his name was Vanofdore, and very indulgent to me. 1 was in this ftate when one Sunday 1 heard my mafter preach from thefe words out of the Revelations* chap. i. v. 7. “ Behold, he cometh in the clouds* “ and every eye fhall fee him, and they that ** pierced him.” Thefe words affefted me ex- ccflively ; l was in great agonies bccaufe 1 thought my mafter directed them to me only ; and I fan- cied that he obferved me with unufual earpeftnels. 1 was farther confirmed in this belief as I looked round the church, and could fee no one perfon befule myfell in fuch grief and diftrefs as I was 1 began to think that my mafter hated me, and was very defirous to go home to my own country ; for l thought that if God did come, (as he faid) he would be fure to be mod angry with me, ao £ did not know what he was, nor had ever heard of him before. 1 went home in great trouble, but faid nothing to any body.*— 1 was fomewhat afraid of my mal- ter ; I thought he difliked me.— The next text 1 heaid him preach from was, Heb. xii. 14. “ Follow peace with all men, and holinefs, with- “ out which no man fhall fee the Lord.** He preached the law fo feverely, that it made me tremble. He faid, that God would judge the whole world ; I'thiophia, A fia, Africa, and every where. I was now exceffively perplexed, and undetermined what to do ; as I had now reafon to believe my fituation would be equally bad to go as to ftay. 1 kept thefe thoughts to myfelf, and faid nothing to any perfoji whatever. [ ao ] I fhould have complained to my good miftrefs of this great trouble of mind, but fhe had been a little llrange to me for feveral days before this happened, occafioned by a (lory told of me by one of the maids. The fervants were all jealous, and envied me the regard and fa-vour fhewnmeby my loader and miftrefs ; and the Devil being always ready and diligent in wickednefs, had influenced this girl to make a lie of me. This happened a- bout hay-barvell, and one day when I was unload- ing the waggon to put the hay into the barn, fhe watched an opportunity, in my abfence, to take the fork out of the flick and hide it : whenl came again to nn r wotk and could not find it, 1 was a good deal vexed, but I concluded it was dropfc fume where among the hay, fo 1 went and bought another with my own money ’ T when the girl faw that 1 had another, file was fo malicious that ‘ file told my miftrefs I was very unfaithful, and not the perfon that flic took me for ; and that fhe knew 1 had, without my mailer's permiflion, or- dered marly things in his name, that he muft pay for, and as a proof of my carelefslefs, produced tlie fork lhe had taken out of the flick, and faid flic had found it out of doors. My lady, not , knowing the truth of thefe things, was a little fhy ro me, till fhe mentioned it, and then I foon clear- ed myftlf, and convinced her that thefe nccufati- ons were falfe. I continued in a moft unhappv ftate for many days. Mv good miftrefs infilled on knowing what was the matter. When f had made known my fituajtion, file gave me John Bony an on the holy war [ 21 ] war to read : I found Iiis experience fimilar to my own, which gave me reafon to fuppofe he mu ft he a had man ; as l \Vas convinced of my own corrupt nature, and the mift;ry of my own heart ; and as he acknowledged that he was like- wife in the fame condition. I experienced no reliefat all in reading his work, but rather the reverfe. 1 took the book to mv lady, and informed her I did not like it at all, it was concerning a wicked man as had as mvfelf'.; and I did not chufe to read it, and 1 defired her to give me another, wrote by a better man, that was holy and without fin. She affiired me that John Runyan was a good man, but file could nor con- vince me ; I thought him to be too much like myfelfto he upright, as his experience feemed to anfwer with my own. 1 am very fcnfible that nothing hut the srrent power and unfpcakable mercies of the Lord could relieve my foul from the heavy burthen it laboured under at that time. A few days after my m after gave me Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted — This was no relief to me either ; on the contra- ry, it dccafioned as much diftrefs in me as the other had before done, as it invited all to come to Chrift ; and I found myfelf (p wicked and miferable that I could not come. This confidc- ration threw me into agonies that cannot he de- ferred ; infomuch that I even attempted to put an end to my life. I took one of the large cafe knives and went into the ftable with an intent to deftrov myfelf ; and as I endeavoured with all, my ftrength to force the knife into rr)y fide, ; t C 2 • J)C!U [ 22 ] bent double. I was inftantly ftrttck with horror at the thought of my own rafhnefs, and my con- fcience told me that had l fucceeded in this at- tempt I fhould probablv have gone to hell. I could find no relief, nor the lead fhadow of comfort ; the extrenve diftrefs of my mind fo af- fe&ed my health, that I continued very ill for three days and nights ; and would admit of no means to be taken for mv recovery, though my lady was very kind, and fent many things to me ; but I rejc&ed every means of relief, and wifhed to die. I would not go into my own bed, but lav in the liable upon flraw. I felt all the horrors of a troubled confidence fio hard to be borne, and law all the vengence of God ready to overtake me. I was fenfible there was no way for me to be faved unlefis I came to (Thrift, and 1 could not , come to him ; 1 thought it was impoflible he fhonld receive fiuch a {inner as me. The laft night that I continued in this place, in the midft of my diftrefs thefe words were brought home upon my mind, “ Behold the Lamb of ** God.” I was fomewhat comforted at this, imd began to grow eafier, and wi fired for day that ] may find thefe words in my bible. 1 rofe very early the following morning, and went to my fchoolmafter, Mr. Vanofdcre, and communicated the fituation of my mind to him ; he was greatly rejoiced to find me enquiring the way to Zion, and hleffed the Lord who had worked fo wonderfully tor me a poor heathen. 1 was more familiar with this good gentleman than my own mafter, or any other perfon ; and 1 * found found myfelf more at liberty to talk to him ; he encouraged me greatly, and prayed with me fre- quently, and 1 was always benefited by his dif- courfe. Abo^it a quarter of a mile from my maker’s houfe (food a large remarkable fine oak tree, in the midlf of a wood ; l often ufed to be employed there in cutting down trees, a work I was very fond of. I ftldom failed going to this place every day, fomelimes twice a day if 1 could be fpared. ]t was the higheft pleafure I ever experienced to fit under this oak : for there 1 ufed to pour out all my complaints to the Lord ; and when I had any particular grievance I ufed to go there and talk to the free, and tell my borrows as if it had been to a friend. Here I often lamented my own wicked heart, and undone fiate ; and found more comfort and confolation than ever I was fcnfilde of before. — > Whenever I was treated with ridicule or con- tempt, I ufed to come here and find peace. I now began to relifh the hook my mailer gave me, Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted, and took great delight in it. I was always glad to he emploved in cutting wood, it was a great part of my bufinefs, and 1 fid- lowed it with delight, as 1 was then quite alone, and my heart lifted up to God, and l was enabled to prav continually ; and blefled for ever he his holy name, lie faithfully anfwered mv pravers. I can never he thankful enough to Almighty God for the many comfortable opportunities I experi- enced there. [ 24 ] It is oofTiblc the circumflance I am going to re- late will not gain credit with many ; but this { know, that the jov and comfort it conveyed to me cannot be ex profled, and only conceived by thofe who have experienced the like. 1 was one dav in a mofl delightful frame of mind, mv heart fo overflowed with love and erratitude to the author of ail my comforts. I was fo drawn out of myfclf, and fo filled and awed bv the pre- fence of God, that I faw, for thought Ifaw) light inexpreflible dart down from heaven upon me, and (hewn around me for the fpace of a minute. 1 continued on mv knees, and joy unfpeakably took [inflefTion of my foul. The peace and fere- nity that filled mv mind after this, was wonderful, and cannot he told. I would not have changed filiations, or been any one but myfelf for tire whole world. I bleft God for my poverty, that 1 had no worldly riches or grandeur to draw mv heart from him. | wifhed at that time, if it had been pofli- bie for me, to have continued on that fpot for ever. 1 felt an unwillingnefa in mvfelf to have anv thing more to do with the world, or to mix with fo- ciety again. 1 feemed to poffefs a full aliurance that mv fins were forgiven me. J went home all the way rejoicing-, and this text of firipture came full upon my mind. “ And I will make an ever- “ lading convenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good ; but “ 1 will put mv fear in their hearts, that they “ fhali not depart fiom me.” Tlie firll opportunity that prefented itfelf, ( Went to my old fchool-nutter, and made known to ( *5 ) to hinl the happy date of my foul,- who joined with me in praife to God for his mercy on the vileft of fmncrs. — I was now perlcOly cafy, and had hardly a wifli to make beyond what I poflefled, when my temporal comforts were all btaded by the death of my dear and worthy mailer, Mr. Freelandhoufe, who was taken from this world rather fuddenly ; he had but a Ihort illnefs, and , died of a fever. 1 held his hand in mine when he departed ; he told me he had given me my free- dom, I was at liberty to go where I would. — He added that he had always prayed for me, and hop- ed 1 fhould be kept unto the end. My mailer left me by will ten pounds, anJ my freedom. I found that if he had lived ’twas his intention to take me with him to Holland, as he had often mentioned me to fome friends of his there that ♦ were defirous to fee me ; but 1 chofe to conti- nue with my midrefs, who was as good to me as if ihe had been my mother. The lofs of Mr. Freelandhoufe didrefled me greatly, hut 1 was rendered dill more unhappy by the clouded and perplexed fituation of my mind ; the great enemy of my foul being ready to tor- t ment me, would prefent my own mifery to me in fuch driking light, and didrefs me with doubts, fears, and fuch a deep fenfe of my own unwoithi- nefs, that after all the comfort and encouragement I had received, 1 was often tempted to believe 1 fhould be a cad-away at lad. The more 1 faw of the beauty and glory of God, the more 1 was humbled under a fenfe of my own vilenefs. I often repaired to my old place prayer, 1 feldcm came away without confuta- tion. [ 26 ] tion. One day this fcripture was wonderfully ap- plied to my mind, “ And ye arc compleat in him ** which is the head of all principalities and u power.”— ^The Lord was pleafed to comfort me by the application of many gracious promifes at times when 1 was ready to fink under my trou- ble. “ Wherefore he is alio able to fave them ♦* to the uttermoft that come unto God by him, ** feeing he ever liveth to make intercefiion for “ them. Hebrews x. ver. 14. For by one of- fering he hath perfcfled for ever them that are fanftified. My kind indulgent miftrefs lived but two Years after my mailer. Her death was a great affliftion to me. She left five fons, all Young men, and minifters of the Gofpel. I continued with them all, one after another, till they died ; they lived but four Years after their parents. When it pleaf- ed God to lake them to himfelf, I was left quite deftitute, without a friend in the world. But I who had fo often experienced the goodnefs of God, trufted in him to do what he pleafed with me. In this helplefs condition I went into the wood to prayer as ufiial ; and though the fnow was a confiderable height, I was not fenfilde of cold or any other inconveniency. At times indeed when 1 faw the world frowning round we, I was tempt- ed to think that the Lord had forfaken me ; I found great relief from the contemplation of thefe words in Ifaiahxlix. v. 16. “ Behold I have gra- '< ven thee on the palms of my hands ; thy wall* '< are continually before me.” And very many comfortable promifes were fweetly applied to me. The [ 2 ? ] The lxxxix Pfalm, nriv! 34th verfe, “ My cove- nant will I not break, nor alter the thing that i3 “ gone out of mv lips.” Ileb. chap. xvi. v. 17* i 3 . Phill ippians, chap. i. v 6 * arid fevcral more. As I had now loll all my dear and valuable friends, every place in the world was alike to me. 1 had for a great while entertained a defire to come to England. — I imagined that all the inhabitants of this ifland were h®ly ; becaufe all thofe that had vifited my mailer from thence were good, (Mr* Whitfield was his particular friend) and the au- thors of the books that had been given me were all Englifh. Hut above ail places in the world [ wifhed to fee Ridderminfler, for 1 could not but think that on the fpot where Mr. Baxter had lived and preached, the people mull be all righteous. The fituation of my affairs required that £ fhould tarry a little longer in New- York, as I was fomething in debt, and was embarraffed how to pay it. About this time a Y oung Gentleman* that was a particular acquaintance of one of my Young Mailers, pretended to be a friend to me, and pro- ofed to pay my debts, which were three pounds ; and he allured me he would never expert the money again. But in lefs than a month he came and demanded it ; and when I affured him I had nothing to pay, he threatened to fell me. Though I knew he had no right to do that, yet as I had no friend in the world to go to, it alarm- ed me gfeatly. At length he propofed my going a privateering, that I might by thefe means he eriabled to pay him, to which I agreed. Our Captain’s name was — — 1 want in charade r of D «ook t 23 ] cook to him. Near St. Domingo we came up to five French fhips, merchant-men. We had a very fnart engagement that continued from eight in the morning till three in the afternoon, when victory declared on our fide. Soon after this we were met by three Englifh fhips, which joined us, and that encouraged us to attack a fleet of thirty- fix fhips. We hoarded the three firft, and then followed the others, and had the fame fuccefs with twelve ; but the reft efcaped us. There was a great deal of blood fhed,and I was near death feveral times, but the Lord preferved me. I met with many enemies, and much perfccu- tion among the failors ; one of them was particu- larly unkin J to me, and ftudied ways to vex and teaze me. I cannot help mentioning one circum- ftance that hurt me more than all the reft, which w as, that he had fnatched a book out of my hand that 1 was very fond of, and ufed frequently to amufe imfelf with, and threw it into the fea. But what is remarkable, he was the firft that was killed in cur engagement. I do not pretend to fay that this happened becaufe he was not my friend ; hut 1 thought it was a very awful providence to fee how the enemies of the Lord are cut off. Our Captain was a cruel hard-hearted man. I was exccflively forry for the prifoners we took in general ; but the pitiable cafe of one young Gen- tleman grieved me to the heart. He appeared very amiab'le ; was ftrikingly handfbme. Our Captain took four thoufand pounds from him ; hut that did not fatisfy him, as he imagined he was poffcfled of more, and had fomewhere con- cealed [ 29 ] cealed it ; fo that the Captain threatened him with death, (at which he appeared in t*he deeped dittrefs) ar,d took the buckles from his dices, ami untied his hair, which was very fine and Ions, and in which feveral very valuable rings were fattened. He came into the cabin to me, and in the moft obliging terms imaginable afked for fomething to cat and drink ; which when I gave him, he was fo thankful and pretty in his manner, that my heart bled for him ; and I heartily wifhed that [ could have fpokcn in any language in which the fhip’s crew would not have understood me, that 1 might have let him know his danger ; for l heard the Captain fay he was refolved upon his death ; and he put his barbarous defign into execution, for he took him on fhore with one of the failors, and there they fiiot him. This circumftance affe&ed me exceedingly ; [ could not put him out of my mind a long while. When we returned to New-York, the Captain divided the prize-money among us that we had taken. When I was called upon to receive my part, I waited upon Mr. — — , (the Gentleman that paid my debt, and was the occafion of my • going abroad), to know if he chofe to go with me to receive my money, or if I fhould Wring him what I owed, lie choofe to go with me ; and when the Captain lay my money on the table, (it was an hundred and thirty-five pounds) I defired Mr. to take what i was indebted to him, and he fwept it all into his handkerchief, and would never he prevailed on to give me a farthing of mo- pey, nor any thing at all befjde. I P 3 An.4 [ 30 ] A mi he likcwife fecured a hogfhead of fuear, which was my due from the fame fhip. The Cap* tain was very angry with him for this piece of cruelty to me, as was every other perfon that heard it. But l have reafon to believe, (as he w^s one of the principal merchants in the city) that he tranfafted bufinefs for him, and oil that account did not chufe to quarrel with him. At this time a very worthy Gendeman, a wine* merchant, his name was Dunfcum, took me un- der his protection, and would have recovered my money for me if I had chofe it ; hut 1 told him to let it alone ; that I had rather be quiet. I be- lieved it would never profper with him, and fo it happened ; for by a feries of Ioffes and misfor- tunes he become poor, and was foon after drown- ed, as he was on a party of plealure. The veffel was driven out to fea, and ftrnck againfl a ri ck, by which means every foul perifhed. 1 was very much diflrcffed when l heard it, and felt greatly for his family, who were reduced to very low circumftrnces. I never knew how to fet a proper value on money. If I had but a little meat and drink to fupply the prefent neceffty of life, I never wifhed for more ; and when I had any, I always gave it if ever I faw an ol>je& in diflrefs. If it was not for my dear wife and chil- dren, I fhould pay as little regard to money now as I did at that time. 1 continued fome time with Mr. Dunfcum as bis fervant ; he was verv kind to me. But ( had a va{l inclination to vifit England, and wifhed con- tinually that it would pleafe providence to make t ■ * a clear [ ] a clear way for me to fee this ifland. I entertain* ed a notion that if 1 could get to England, I fhould never more experience either cruelty or ingratitude, fo that J was very defirous to get a- mong chriftiatis, 1 knew Mr. Whitfield very well. I had heard him preachoftenat New-York. In this difpofition I enlifted in the twenty-eighth regiment of foot, who were defigntd for Marti- nico in the late war. We went in Admiral Po- cock’s fleet from New-York to Barbadoes ; from thence to Martinico. When that was taken we proceeded to the Havannah, and took that place like wife. There L got .life barged. I was then worth about thirty pounJs, but I never regarded money in the leaft, nor would I tarry to receive mv prize-money, left I fiiould lofe my chmce of going to England. I went with the Spanifh prifonersto Spain ; and came to Old Eng- land with the Englifh prifoners. I cannot deferibe my joy when we were within light of Portfmouth. But l was aftonifhed when we landed, to hear the inhabitants of that place curfe and fwear, and othc-rwife profane. 1 expelled to find nothing but goodnefs, gentlencfs, and meeknefs, in this * chriftian land. 1 then fufifered great perplexities cf mind. 1 enquired if any ferious chriftian people refilled there. The woman l made this enquiry of an- fwered me in the affirmative ; and added, that fne was one of them. I was heartily glad to hear her fay fo. I thought I cou'd give her my whole heart. She kept a public houfe. 1 depofited with her all the money 1 had r.ot ati immediate occa- [ 32 ] fion for ; as I thought it would be fafer with her ; it was twenty-five guineas $ but fix of them I de- fined her to lay out to the bed advantage to buy me fome fiiirts, a hat, and fome other neceffaries. I made her a prefent of a very hamlfome large iooking-glafs, that I had brought with me frorrj Martinico, in order to recompence her for the trouble I had given her. I muff do this woman the juftice to acknowledge, that file did lay out fome little for my ufe ; but the nineteen guineas, and part of the fix, with my v/atch, fhe would not return, but denied that | ever gave it her. I foon perceived that I was got among bad peo- ple, who defrauded me of m' r money and watch ; ami that all my promifed happinefs was hlaficd. L had no friend but God, and I prayed to him earneftly. I could fcarce believe it pofiible that the place where fo many eminent chrifiians had lived and preached, could abound with fo much •wickednefs and deceit. I thought it worfe than 0 >dom (confidering the great advantage>" they have) 1 cried like a child, and that almoft continu- ally ; at length God heard my prayers and raifed me a friend indeed. This publican had a brother who lived on Portfinotith common ; his wife was a very ferious good woman. When five heard of the treatment 1 had met with, file came and enquired into mv real fituation, and was greatly troubled at the ill ufage l had received, and took me home to her own houfe. I began now to rejoice, and my prayer was turned into praife. She made ufe of pill the arguments iji her power to prevail on her •who had wronged me, to return my watch and money, but it was to no purpofe. As the had given me no receipt, and i had nothing to fhew for it. My good friend was exceedingly angry with her, and obliged her to give me back four gui- neas, which the fair! fhe gave me out of charity ; tho’ in faff it was n>y own, and much more. She would have employed fome rougher means, to ob- lige her to give up my money, but 1 would not fuffer her. Let it go, fays I, My God is in Hea- ven. Still I did not mind my lofs in the lead ; all thaw grieved me was, that I had been difap- pointed of finding fome chriftian friends, with whom l hoped to enjoy a little lweet and comfor- table fociety. 1 thought the befl method that I could take now was to go to London, and find out Mr. Whit- field, who was the only living foul I knew in England, and get him to direct me to fome w a y or othtr to procure a living without being trou- blefome to any perfon. 1 took leave of my chriftian friend at Portfrnouth, and went in the ilage waggon, to London. A creditable tradefman in the city, who went up with me in the ftage, offered to fhew me the way to Mr. Whitfield’s Tabernacle. Knowing that I was a perfect flranger, l thought it very kind, and accepted his offer ; but he obliged me to give him a half-a-crown for going with me, and likewife infilled on mv giving him five findings mote for conducing me to Dr. Gifford’s meeting., I began t 34 ] I began now to entertain a very different idc-a cif the inhabitants of England than what I had figured to myfelf before I catne amongd them. Mr. Whitfield deceived me very friendly, was heartily glad to fee me, and dire&ed me to a pro- per place to board and fodge in Petticoat-lane, till he could think of fonie way to fettle me in, and paid for my lodging, and all my expences. The morning after 1 came to my new lodging, as 1 was at hreakfad with the gentlewoman of the houfe, I heard the noife of fome looms over our heads ; I enquired what it \yas, fhe told me, a perfon was weaving filk. I expreffed a g T eat defireto fee it, and afked if I might : fhe told me fhe would go up with me ; fhe was furc I fhould be very wel- come. She was as good as her word, and as foon as we etitered the room, the perfon that was weaving looked about and fmiled upon us, and l loved her from that moment. She afked me many quedi- ons, and I in turn talked a great deal to her. I found fhe was a member of Mr. Allen’s meeting, and I began to entertain a good opinion of her, though I was almod afraid to indulge this inclina- tion, lead he fhould prove like all the red I had rfiet with at Portfmouth, &c. and which had .ai- med given me a diflike to all white women. But after a diort acquaintance I had the happinefs to find fhe was very different, and quite fincere, and I was net without hope that fhe entertained fome edeem for me. We often went together to hear Dr. Gifford, and as 1 had always a propenfity to relieve every* objeflfc [ 35 ] «bjc& indiflrefs as far as I was able, I life J to give to all that complained to me ; fometimes half-a- guinea at a time, as I did not underfland the real value of it. This gracious good woman took great pains to correct ami adtfife me in that and man/ other refpecls. (i) After 1 had been in London about fix weeks I was recommended to the notice of fome of m y t late matter Mr. Freelandhonfe’s acquaintance, who had heard him fpeak frequently of me- I was much perfuaded by them to go to Holland. Mv matter lived there before he bought me, and ufed to fpeak of me fo rcfpe&fully among his friends there, that it raifed in them acuriofity to fee me ; particularly the Gentlemen engaged in the Mini- ftry , who exprefled a defire to hear my experi- ence and examine me. >. 1 found that it was my good old matter’s defign that I fhould have gone if he had lived ; for which reafon I refolved upon going to Holland, and informed mv dear friend Mr. Whitfield of mv intention ; he was much averfe to my going at firft, but after I gave him mv reafons he appeared very well finished. I likewife informed my Betty (the good woman that I mentioned above) of mv * determination to go to Holland, and i told her E that (t) It may be obferved that in our country of Zaara, floe! and cockle- fhells are far more efleem- ed than gold : Alfo covetoufnefs is not much pra&ifed with us, foreveiy day what remain after a meal, they give to their neighbours each one in -his turn. [ 36 3 that 1 believed that flic was to be my wife ; that if it was the Lord’s will l defired it, but not elfe. She made me very little anfwer, but has ftnee told me, fhe did not think it at that time. i embatked at Tower- wharf at four o’clock m the morning, ancl arrived at Amflerdam the next day by three o’clock in the afternoon. I had fe- veral letters of recommendation to my old mailer’* friends, who received me very gradually. Indeed one of the chief Miniflers was particu- larly good to me ; he kept me at his houfe a long while, and took great pleafure in afking ques- tions, which l anfwered with delight, being always feadv to fay, “ Come unto me all Ye that fear God, ancl I will tell what he hfis done for my foul.” 1 cannot hut admire the footffeps of providence, affonifhed that J Should be fo wonderfully pre- ferred ! Tho’ the grandfon of a King, I have wanted bread, and Should have been glad of the hardefl crufl I ever Saw. J' who, at home, was Surrounded and guarded by Slaves,, fo that no in- different perfon might approach me,- and clothed with gold, have been inhumanly threatened with death, and frequently wanted clothing to defend ine from the inclemency of the weather ; yet i " never murmured, nor was I difeontented. I am willing, and even defirous of being count- ed as nothing, a flranger in the world, and a pilgrim- liere ; for 1 know that my Redeemer liveth-; and I am thankful for every trial and trouble that I‘ have met with, as I am not without hope that they have been all fan&ified to me. The ( 37 ) The Calvinifl Yfiniflers defired to hear my ex- perience from mvfelf, which propofal l was very well pleafed with : fo I flood before thirty-eight Minifters every Thurfday for feven weeks toge- ther, and they were all very well fatisfied. They wrote down my experience as I fpoke it ; and the Lord Almighty was with me at that time in a re- markable manner, and gave me words, and ena- f bled me to anfwer them ; fo great was his mercy to take me in hand, a poor blind heathen. At this time a very rich merchant at Amfler- dam offered to take me into his fanvly in the ca- pacity of^his butler, and J very willing accepted it. He was a gracious worthy Gentleman ; and very good to me. He treated me more like a friend than a fervant. I tarried a twelvemonth, hut was not thoroitgh- *• ly contented, i wanted to fee my wife (that is row) ; and for that reafon I wifhed to return to England : 1 wrote to her once in my ab- sence, but file did not anfwer my letter ; and I mufl acknowledge if fhe had, it would have given me a lefs opinion of her. My mafter anil miflrefs perfuaded me much not to leave them, and like-? ^ wife their two fons, who entertained a good opi- nion of me ; and if 1 bad fiilmd my Betty married on my arrival in England, I fhould have returned to them again immediately. My Lady purpofed my marrying her maid ; fhe was an agreeable young, woman, had faved a good deal of money, but I could not fancy her, though fhe was willing to accept of me, but I told hef mv inclinations were engaged in England, and I could E 2 thin* [ 38 ] think of no other perfon. On my return home I found mv Betty difengaged. She had refufed fe- veral offers in my abfence, and told her fiffer that file thought, if ever the married, 1 was to be her hufband. Soon after I came home, I waited on Do&or Gifford, who took me into his family, and was ex- ceedingly good to me. The character of this pious worthy Gentleman, is well known ; mv praife can be of no ufe or figmfication at all. J hope 1 fhall ever gratefully remember the many favours I have received from him. Soon after 1 came to Doffor Gifford, I expreffed a defire to he admitted into their church, and fet down with them ; they told me I muff firft be baptized ; fo'f aave n my experience before the church, with which they were very well fatisfied, and I was bap- tized hv Do£for Gifford with fome others. I then made known my intentions of being mar- Tied, hut [ found there were many objections a- gainfl it, becaufe the perfon I had fixed on was poor. She was a widow, her hufband had left he? in debt, and with a child, fo that they per- fuaded me ngainfl it, out of real regard to me : But 1 had promifed, and was refolved to have her ; as 1 knew her to he a gracious woman, her poverty was no obje&ion to me, as they had nothing elfe to fay againft her. When my fiiends found that they could not al- ter my opinion refpc&ing her, they wrote to Mr. Allen, the MinifUr fhe attended, to perfuade her to leave me ; buf he replied, that he would not pjtcirere at all, that we nvght do as we would, i was I 39 ] was refofved tliat all my wife’s little debt fhould be paid before we were married ; fo that l fold almoft every thing I bad, and with all the money 1 coiild raife, cleared all that (he owtd, and I ne- ver did any thing with a better will in all my life, becaufe 1 firmly believed that we fhould be very happy together, and fo it proved, for file was given me from the Lord. And I have found her a bleffed partner, and we never repented, though wc have gone through many great troubles and difficulties. My wife got a very good living by waving, and could do extremely well ; but juft at that time there was great difturbance among the weavers ; fo that I was afraid to let my wife work, ieaft they fhould inftft on my joining the rioters, which I could not think of, and, poftibly, if 1 had refufed to do fo, they would have knocked me on she head. So that by thefe means my wife could get no employ, neither had I work enough to main- tain my family. We had not yet been married a year before all thefe misfortunes overtook ns. Juft at this time a Gentleman, that fceined much concerned for us, advifed me to go into F.fTex with him, and promifed to get me employ- ed. I accepted his kind propofol, and he fpoke to a friend of his a Quaker, a Gentleman of Iaigfc fortune, who refideda little way out of the town of Colchefter ; his name was Hanbury-; he or- dered his Steward to fet me to work. There were feveral employed in the fame way with myftlf. J was very thankful and contented, thoughmy wages were but fTnall. I was allowed but t 4 ° 3 but eight-pence jl Hay, and found mvfelf ; but af- ter I had been in tlfis Situation for a fortnight, my mailer, being told that a Black, was at work for him, had an inclination to fee me. He waspleaf- ed to talk to me for fome time, and at laft enquired what wages l had \ y^hen 1 told him, he declared it was t^o little, and .immediately ordered his Ste- ward to let me have eighteen-pence a day, which he conflantly gave rne ^fte.r $ and I then did ex- tremely well. I did not bring my wife with me ; I came firft alone, and it was my defign, if things anfwered according to my wifhes, to fend for her. I was now thinking to defire her to come .to me, when I received a letter to inform nje Hie was juft brought to- bed, and in want of many necejflaries. This news was a great trial to me, and a frefii affli&ion : but my God, faithful and abundant in mercy, for- fook me not in this trouble. As I could not read Engliih, I was obliged to apply to fome one to read the letter I received, relative to my wife. 1 was directed by the good providence of Gad, to a worthy young Gentle- man, a Quaker, and friend of ov mafter. I de- ft red he would take the trouble to read my letter for me, which he readily complied withi and was greatly moved and affe&ed at the contents ; info- much, that he faid he would undertake to make a gathering for me, which he did, and was the firft to contribute to it himfelf. The money was fent that evening to London, by a perfon who happened to be going there ; nor -V>’as this all the goodnefs that 1 experienced from t tlve'fe t 4* ] f thefe friends, for, as foon as my wife came about* and was fit to travel, they fent tor her to me, and were at the vhole expence of her coming; f<> evi- dently has the love and mercy of God appeared through every trouble that ever I experienced. We went on very^comfortably all the fummer. We lived in a lit'le cottage near Mr. Hanbury’s houfe ; but when the winter caine on I was dif- charged, as he had no further occafion for me. And now the profpecl began to darken upon us again. We thought it molt advifeable to move our habitation a little nearer to the town, as the houfe we lived in was very cold, wet, and ready to tumble down. The boundtefs goodnefs of God to me has bec« fo very great, that with the moft humble gratitude 1 defire to profirate myfelf before him ; for { have been wonderfully fupported in every affli&i- on. My God never left me. I perceived light {till through the thickeft darknefs. My dear wife and 1 were now both unemploy- ed, we could get nothing to do. The winter proved remarkably fevere, and we were reduced to the greateft diftrefs imaginable. 1 was always 4 very fhy of afking for any thing ; I could never beg ; neither did I chufe to make known our waqts to any perfon, for fear of offending, as we were entire Grangers ; but our laft bit of bread was gone, and I was obliged to think of fomething to do for our fupport. i did not mind for myfelf at all ; but to fee my dear wife and childrenin want, pierced me to the heart. 1 now [ 4 * ] I noyr blamed myfelf for bringing her fropt London, as doubtlefs had we continued there wc might have found friends to keep us from ftarving. The fnow was at this feafon remarkably deep ; fo that we could fee no profpeft of being relieved. In this melancholy fituation, not knowing what Hep to purfue. I refolved to make my cafe known to a Gentleman’s gardener that lived near us, and entreat him to employ me $ but when 1 came to him my courage failed me, and I was afhamed to make known our real fituation. I endeavoured all l could to prevail on him to fet me to work, but to no purpofe ; he adored me it was not in his power ; but juft as I was about to leave him, he alked me if 1 would accept of fome carrots ? I.took them with great thankfulnefs, and carried them home ; he gave me four, they were very fine and large. Wc had nothing to make fire with, fo confequently could not boil them ; but was glad to have them to eat raw. Our y ungeft child was quite an infant, fothat my wife was obliged to .chew it, and feed her in that manner for feveral days. We. allowed ourfelves but one every day, Je ift they fhould not laft ’till we could get fome other fipply l was unwilling to eat at all myfelf, nor would I take any the laft day that we continu- ed in this fituation, as I could not bear the thought that my dear wife and children would be in want of every means of fupport. We lived in this manner ’ri'l our carrots were all gone ; then mv wife began to lament becaufe of our poor babies ; but I comforted her all I could, -ftill hoping and believing that my God would [ 43 I would not Jet us die, but that it would plpafe him to rclieye us, which he did by almoft a miracle. W e went to bed, as ufual, before it was quite dark (becaufe we had neither fire nor candle) bujt had not been there long before foine perfon knock- ed at the door, and enquired if James Albert lived there ? I anfwered in the affirmative, and rofe im- mediately : as foon as I opened the door, I found it was the fervant of an eminent Attorney w,ho re- fided at Colchelter. He afked me, how it was with me ? and if 1 was not almoft ftarved ? 1 bur/l out a crying, and (old 'him, I was indeed. Hefaid his mailer fuppufed fo, and that he wanted to fpeak to me, and that 1 mull: return with him. This. Gentleman’s njime was Daniel ; he was.afincere good chriffian. He tifed to Hand and talk with me frequently when I worked in the road, for Mr. * Hanhury, anJ would have employed me himfelf, if I had wanted work. When I came to his houfe, he told me that he had thought a good deal about me of late, and was apprehenfive that 1 muil be in want, ami could not he fatisfied ’till he fent to enquire after me. 1 made known my diflrefs to him, at which he-Avas . greatly affected, and generoufiy gave me a guinea ; and promifed to be kind to me in future. 1 could not help exclaiming, 44 O the boumllefs mercies of “ my God ; I prayed unto him, and he bas.ljeard “ me ; I trufted in him and he has prefervedme •, 44 where fhall I begin to praife him, or how {hall 4t I love him enough ?” I went immediately and bought fome bread and checfe and coal, and carried it home. My dear wife was rejoiced to fee me return witlvfoinething 4 F to' r 44 3 to eat. She inflantly got up and drefTed our ba- bies, while I made a fire, and the firft Nobility in the land never made a more comfortable meal. "W e did not forget to thank, the Lord for all his gooJnefs to us. Soon after this, as the Spring came on, Mr. Pe- ter Daniel employed me in helping to pull down a houfe, and re-building it. I had then very good work, and full employ. He fent for my wife and children to Colchefter, and provided us a houfe where we lived very comfortably. I hope 1 fhali always gratefully acknowledge his kindnefs to myfelf and family. I worked' at this houfe for more than a year, ’till it was fimfhed ; and after that I was employed by feveral fucceffively, ami was never fo happy as when 1 had fomething to do ; hut perceiving the winter coming on, and work rather flack, I w as apprehenfive that we fhould again be in want, or become troublefome to our friends. I bad at this time an offer made me of going to Norwich, and have conftant employ. My wife fee-med pleafed with this propofal, as fhe fuppofed file might get work there in the weaving manu- fa£tory, being the bufinefs Ihe w'as brought up to, and more likely to fueceeJ here than in any other piade ; and we thought as we had an opportunity of moving to a town where we could both be em- ployed, it was mod advifeoble to do fo ; and that probably w'e might fettle therefor our lives. When this fttp was refolved on, 1 went firft a- lone, to fee how it would anfwer, which 1 very much repented after ; for it was not in my power immediately to fend my wife any fupply, as I' fell into ] into the hands of a matter that was neither kind nor confiderate, and fhe was reduced to great dif- trefs, fothat fhe was obliged to fell the few goods that we had ; and when I fent for her, was under thd difagreeable neceflttr of parting with our bed. When ttie came to Norwich, I hired a room ready furnifhed. I experienced a great deal of difference in the carriage of my mailer from what 1 had been accuftomed to from feme of my other matters. He was very irregular in his payments . tt» me. My wife hired a loom, and wove all the leifure time fhe had ; and we began to do very well, ’till we were overtaken by frefli misfor- tunes. Our three poor children fell ill of the fmall-pox. This was a great trial to us ; but ttiil J was perfuaded in mvfelf we fhotild not be for- faken ; and I did all in my power to keep my dear partner’s fpirits from finking. Her whole attention now was taken up by the children, .as fhe could mind nothing elfe ; and all I could get was but little to fupport a family in fuch a fitua- tion, befides paying for the hire of our room, which I was obliged to omit doing feveral weeks ; but the woman to whom we were indebted would not excufe us, though I promifed fne fhould have the very firft money we could get af- ter my children came about ; but die would not he fatisfied, and had the cruelty to threaten us, that if we did not pay her immediately fhe would turn us all into the ttreet. The apprehenfion of this plunged me in the deepeft dittrefs, confidering the fituation of my poor babies ; if they had been in health I fhotild have been lefs fenfible of this misfortune. JJut F a • flay t 46 j my God, ftill faithful to his promife, raifed me a friend. Mr. Henry Gurney, a Quaker, a gra- cious Gentleman, heard of our diftrefs, he fent a fervant of his own to the woman we hired the room of, paid our rent, and bought all the goods, with my wife’s loom, and gave it us all. Some other Gentlemen hearing of his defiftn were pleafed to ailift him in thefe generous acL, for which we never can be thankful enough ; after this my children came about ; we began to do pretty well again ; my dear wife worked ha r d and conflant when fhe could get work, but it was up- on a difagreeable footing, as her employ was fo uncertain, fomclimes fhe could get nothing to do, and at other times when the weavers of Norwich had orders from London, they were fo excefiively hurried, that the people they employed were of- ten ohtiged to work on Sundays : but this my wife * would never do, and it was matter of uneafinefs to us that We could not get our living in a regular manner, though we were both diligent, indttftri- ons, and willing to work. I was far from being happy in my mafler, he did not life me well. I could fcarcely ever get my monev from him ; hut I continued patient till it pleafed God to alter ( my fit nation. My worthv friend My. Gurnev, advifed me to follow the employ of chopping chaff, and bought ' me an inftrumcm for that puipofe. Thera were but few people in the town that made this their luifinefs beftrle myfelf ; fo that 1 did verv well indeed, and we became eafy and happy. But we did r.ot continue long in this comfortable fhite ; many of the inferior people were envious and i!l- na.urad matured and fet up the fame employ, and worked under price on purpofe to tret my buftnefs from me, and they fiicceeded fo well that l could hard- ly get any thing to do, and became again unfortu- nate : Nor did this misfortune come alone, for juft at this time we loft one of our little giris, wh® died of a fever ; this circumftance occafioned us new troubles, for the Baptift Minifter rcfufed to bury her becaufe we were not their members. The Parfon of the parifh denied us becaufe (he had never been baptized. 1 applied to the Quakers, but met with no fuccefs ; this was one of the greateft trials I ever met with, as we did not know what to do with our poor baby. At length I refolved to dig a grave in the garden behind the houfe, ami bury her there ; when the Parfon of the parifh fent for me to tell me he would bury the child, hut did net chufe to read the burial fer- vice over her. I told him l did not mind whether he would or not, as the child could not hear it. We met with a great deal of ill-treatment after this, and found it very difficult to live. We could fcarcelv tret work to do, and were obliged to pawn our eloAths. We were ready to fmk under our troubles. When I propofed to my wife to go to Kidderminfter, am! try if we could do there. | had always an inclination for that place, and now more than ever, as J had heard Mr. Fawcet men- tioned in the moft rcfpectful manner, as a pious worthy Gentleman, and 1 had feenhis name in a favourite book of mine, Baxter’s Saints evetlaft- ingkeft ; and as the manufaftory of Kidderminfter feemed to promife my wife feme employment, }]ie readily came into my way of thinking. < 43 ) f left her once more, and fct out for Kidder- mintter, in order to judge if the fituajion would fuit us. As foon as i came there I waited imme- diately on Mr. Fawcet, who was pleafed to re- ceive me very kindly, and recommended me to Mr. Watfon, who employed me in twitting fi!k and worfled together. I continued here about a fortnight,' and when I thought it would anfwer our expe&ation, L returned to Norwich to fetch my -wife, die was then near her time, and too much indifpofed. So we were obliged ’O tarry until fhe was brought to- bed, and as foon as fhe could conveniently travel, we came to ICidder- minfter, but we brought nothing with us, as we were obliged to fell all we bad to pav our debts, and tbe expences of my wife’s illncfs, &c. Such is our fituation at prefent. My wife does every thing that can be expe&ed from her towards the maintenance of her family ; and God is pleaf- ed to incline the hearts of his people at times to yield us their charitable aflittance ; being ill) felt through age and infirmity able to contribute but little to their fupport. Thus far the Lord has brought me on ; thus far his power preferves mv days. Mav each fuc' seeding day make known fomc frelh memorial ot < his praife. A [ 49 ] Few PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES I N AMERICA.' ‘i • r ' ‘ • ■ I Muff not forget Pome remarkable deliverances, as God was pleafed to favour ine with, all thanks to his Holy Name. Once working by a river fide, I obferved fomething floating on the water like a great piece of timber, prefently I was feized with a drowfinefs anJ ftupefa&ion, Po f dropt down aflcep ; providentially a man that minute came by, and fhouting in my ear, The Crocodile ! The Crocodile 1 1 jumped up in a moment, and feeing it coming with fpeed to de- vour me, but h e ‘ n g difappointed, it gave a woe- ful groan, and turned back again, and I efcaped its voracious jaws. It may be obferved, as they have many Croco- diles, they make traps for them thus ; they hang up a dog in the place where they come, and near E 5 » 1 it place a large beam of wood acrofs another in a proper manner, fo that before he can take the dog, he muft pa fs under the weod, which falls upon him ami breaks his back, I was once bitten with a Rattlc-fnake, which is generally thought fata), but applying a proper, remedy, by God’s mercy, was happily cured. Another time I was going by a wood fide, there 1 efpied a Bear, which prefented itfelf to me, flood upon its hinder feet, holding up its fore feet ready to clafp or fqueeze me to death ; 1 flood ftill in the greatefl fear and furprize, never expe&ing to efcape, but thanks to God his mercies are great : A Squirrel happened to be on a bough over the Bear, which juft then broke, wherewith the Bear was fo affrighted, he run quite away.— Thus we fee the crack of a hough at this time wa» a fuffi- cient means of my delivery. F I N I S.