Page:Black Jacob, a monument of grace.djvu/60

52 and though entirely alone, he never appeared to be lonely, nor otherwise than contented and cheerful. Indeed, there was such an interest felt for Jacob by those who knew him, that the thought of his solitude was seldom indulged.

He had another reason for abstracting himself from the society of his own people. He remembered his former habits of life; the ease with which he had been led into temptation, and the misery and guilt which he had brought upon his soul. He was so watchful and prayerful, ever guarding against evil, that it was not known that he ever relapsed into any of his early habits, but in one solitary instance. And the very associations of this hour, throwing before his mind the long train of disastrous events through which he had passed, filled him with horror, and led him to double watchfulness against temptation, or even the appearance of evil.

Jacob had the entire charge of the house where he lived, and proved himself