Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/162

152 and bless my mission. On my arrival in New-York, I learned, to my great astonishment, that the friend, on whom my hopes of a winter garment had rested, was become my enemy! I was greatly pained, he was very dear to me; but a religious slanderer had been at his ear, and had prejudiced him against me. I lost him forever—alas! alas! how many such losses have I sustained, since I became a promulgator of the truth, as it is in Jesus.

Leaving New-York, I postponed my journey to Newport, passed through East Jersey, and stopped at Amboy, where I had many friends. Sitting one evening at tea with a lady, she complained, that her maid had quitted her, having been seduced from her duty, by a foot soldier. This immediately reminded me of Mrs. Trinbath, the poor unhappy lady, at whose house, in Cork, I had, in company with Mr. Whitefield, and others, been so splendidly entertained. I related the mournful tale, when the lady assured me, she knew the unhappy creature; she had seen her in Amboy, and that she was now in New-York, in a most wretched situation. I immediately conceived a hope, that, if I could obtain an interview with her, I might prevail upon her to return to her widowed mother, and to her children; and although her husband was no more, she might yet, in some measure, retrieve the past. Alas! alas! I did not calculate, that I was thus making provision for the most serious calamity, which, during my sojourn in this new world, had until then overtaken me. The following day, intent on my purpose, I took passage in the packet, for New-York; accompanied by the serjeant-major of the regiment, to which the fellow belonged, with whom this deluded woman lived. I asked him, if he knew such a person? Yes, he knew her, and she was in a very wretched condition. I sighed, from the inmost recesses of my soul, while I listened to his account of her manner of living. I begged to know, if I could see her. Yes, he could conduct me to her abode; but on our arrival, passing over the common, near the gaol, to the residence of this poor creature, we chanced to meet her infamous seducer, who, not having heard of the death of Mr. Trinbath, immediately concluded I was that injured husband, come to reclaim my wretched wanderer. Under this impression, he hastened home, and effectually secreted her, before we reached the door. I was disappointed, but I informed a poor creature in the house, that I would call, upon the ensuing day, at one o'clock, when I hoped I might obtain an interview. I was, the next day, punctual to the appointment; but, instead of the misguided woman, I received a letter, directed to Mr. Trinbath, entreating most earnestly, that I would not