Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/203

1833.] In descending, we got into a thick part of the forest, through which we had sometimes to force our way among deep cutting-grass, and tangled Bauera; and sometimes we had to travel on fallen trees, at an elevation above "terra firma," much greater than was agreeable. We were glad to reach a known track, in the foot of the mountain while twilight lasted, having effected the descent in 3½ hours.

While we were at Hobart Town, at this time a prisoner, named Robert King, died in the Hospital. We had long felt much interest respecting him, on account of his simple piety. He gave me the following account of his life, which I have interspersed with a few remarks upon his situation as a prisoner, and his state as a practical Christian.

Robert King, was the son of persons in respectable circumstances, who resided in London: they gave him a good education, but at an early age he fell into much evil, under the influence of bad company: he became exceedingly intemperate, and immoral in other respects; and at length, his conduct was unbearable to his relations, and they closed their doors against him, so that he became, in the true sense of the word, an Outcast. He joined himself to a gang of thieves in Tothill-fields; who supported themselves in their profligacy, by picking pockets, and committing other kinds of robbery. He adopted infidel principles, on similar grounds to those on which, there is reason to believe, many other infidels have also adopted them; and who are, nevertheless, very ready to ridicule the truths of Christianity, with a pretence of being very knowing about them:—"Not," said R. King, "because I had carefully examined the subject and found any reasonable objection to the truths of Holy Scripture; but because I wished to be an infidel, and hoped there was no future state; for, I knew, if there was, I had no prospect of happiness in it."

But though R. King had joined with those fools, who, in their folly, deny the being of a God, and who make a mock of sin, yet God, who is long-suffering, and rich in mercy, still followed him for good; and, in the dispensation of his providence, the transgressor was arrested by the strong arm of the law, when sinning with a high hand,