Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/171

Rh the night, and, although I had travelled all the day, yet I found no inconvenience from this additional fatigue.

After breakfast, on the ensuing day, I walked round the town, and was much pleased with its situation; its harbour, and perspective views, delighted me, and, although a stranger, with only a few shillings in my pocket, my bosom was as tranquil, as if in my own residence, and master of thousands. Blessed be God! I have never yet experienced much solicitude about this world, or the gifts, which it has to bestow. It never entered into my head, or heart, that I should not be supplied with whatever was necessary for me; I had fared hard, and I could again accommodate myself to the vicissitudes of life—yea, and without a murmur. I continued perambulating the streets, until the hour of dining, when I returned to my lodgings. "Well, sir, the committee of Doctor S's meeting have been here, to engage you to supply their pulpit to-morrow,—Sunday,—and they will call for your answer in the evening." I was, I confess, astonished; but the evening produced the committee, and I acceded to their wishes. One of the gentlemen pressed me to return with him, and take up my abode at his house, during my continuance in Newport; I did so, and was soon domesticated in his family, which continued my occasional home for many, very many years. Doctor S was absent, and it was the business of the committee to supply the desk, till his return; my appearance was opportune, and the people were generally pleased. I was requested to publish a lecture for the next day. I did so, and the congregation was crowded, and attentive. I informed the audience, that I purposed tarrying in Newport two weeks, during which time I was ready to unite with them, in consulting the sacred writings, as often as they pleased; but if I delivered any more lectures, it must be in the evening; my reason for which was, that there were many labouring persons, who could not attend, without loss of time,—and loss of time, to them, was loss of property. I was then informed, that when Mr. Whitefield was last there, the parish had passed a vote against evening lectures. I replied: The parish has an indubitable right to adhere to their vote; but they must excuse me, if I thought it my duty to abide by my determination. The parish met, re-considered their vote, and requested me to preach in the evening. Here then I preached, every evening, until the Doctor's return; to whom my kind, honest host, requested me to accompany him on a visit, insisting upon my promising, that I would return with him. Simple man, because he, a hearer, was pleased, he conceived his minister would also be pleased, and that he would