Page:Groves - Memoir of Anthony Norris Groves, 3rd edition.djvu/35



will be interesting now to re-trace those steps by which Mr. Groves was led to spend his energies and means for the good of others, and the promotion of Christ’s Gospel. We have, happily, in his own words, the history of his early life; it was written after he quitted Bagdad in 1834; and forms a most instructive and interesting narrative of the Lord’s dealings with him, and with the one whose privilege it was to share his earliest trials; first in a life of self-sacrifice and devotedness to God, and then in the missionary field. Thus he became the biographer, both of her entrance into the life and service of God, and of her quiet and peaceful departure to be with Christ.

The autobiography which follows, was written expressly for the Editor.

“This will be the first time I ever put to paper the following remarks: I commit them simply to your charge. I have to many mentioned them “vivâ você,” but this is altogether different from a written narrative. I will begin with my earliest connection with missionary objects. When I was between thirteen and fourteen, I used to attend Fulham Church with the school to which I was sent, and all I recollect of my general religious state then was, that it was a common practice with us, to take the smaller novels, such as Fielding’s and Smollett’s within our prayer-books, to read at church; and yet it was during this state of open rebellion against God, and while walking in open defiance of His holy will, that the first permanent impression was made on my mind relative to missions. It was after a