Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/161

Rh obtained a complete knowledge of my principles. "Well, dear sir, and what are his principles?" O! truly shocking! horrid! most horrid! I dare not relate them, you shall not be contaminated by the recital; it would be dangerous in the extreme. Nor was this enough. Being a member of the Presbytery, he wrote a circular letter, addressing every leading associate, which effectually steeled all hearts, and, so far as his influence extended, barred every door against me. Calumnies of various descriptions were disseminated; rancour became uncommonly prolific; astonishing efforts were made to destroy my reputation; but God was with me, and his spirit was my never-failing support. In the midst of these fiery trials, I passed on: succeeding weeks and months rolled away, while my days were appropriated to my beloved home, to different parts of the Jersies, Philadelphia, New-York, and many of the intervening towns, scattered between those cities.

In the commencement of the Autumn, of 1773, I was strongly induced to journey as far as Newport, in Rhode-Island; and having dropped a tear, at parting with my faithful friend, I commended him to the care of heaven, and began my new tour of duty. The chilly mornings and evenings, of even the first autumnal month, gave me to experience the want of an outside garment. I was, however, determined not to solicit human aid; this, I believed, would be taking the business out of the hand of my Master. If God had sent me, he would put it into the hearts of his people to supply me; yet I did not calculate, that this want would be supplied, until I reached New-York. I believed I had in that city a friend, who would derive pleasure from administering to my necessities. But when I was preparing to leave Brunswick, a person entered the parlour, displayed a number of patterns, requested I would make a choice for a greatcoat; and asked, how long I should tarry in town? I told him, I should leave town early on the succeeding morning: "Well, sir," he returned, "your coat shall be ready." I asked, by whom he was sent? "Sir, I was ordered not to say by whom." It is very well, I know who sent you. "Do you, sir?" Yes, sir, it was God, my Father; who, having all hearts in his hand, has stimulated your employer. Early the following morning, the coat was brought home; I was deeply affected, and laying my hand upon it, I said: Henceforward thou shall be my monitor; whenever I feel my heart desponding, in silent, but persuasive language, thou shalt say: "Cast thy care upon God, for he careth for thee." It was not so much the supply of this pressing want, that pleased me, as the recognition of the immediate hand of paternal Deity, who thus vouchsafed to own,