Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/172

162 press me to abide at his house; I promised him, however, and he exulted in having gained his point. The Doctor received me with cool civility; asked me a great many questions; spoke of my pulpit talents, in the way I expected he would speak of them; and finally expressed regret, that he could not ask my assistance on the ensuing day,—Sunday,—as there were so many individuals, who would be offended. My friend was astonished. I was not. My friend observed, there was but one in the congregation, who was opposed to my preaching in their meeting-house; and, he added, if I did not preach, the people would be greatly disappointed. The Doctor would not hear him, and we parted, without my receiving even an invitation to repeat my call. My guileless host expressed great surprise. "So good a man as the Doctor; why, I imagined, he would have taken you into his arms, and never, if he could help it, have permitted you to lodge any where, but under his roof." From this moment, I had much to grieve me in Newport, for, although my friends were numerous, and my enemies but few, yet those few were uncommonly industrious.

On Monday morning, one of the committee, who had first engaged me to preach, called upon me at my lodgings; and informed me, there came, on Saturday night, from New-York, a Reverend divine, who had given me a most horrid character; he had said many things, which he hoped and believed were not true. Pray, sir, where is this good man? "He is, sir, at the house of Mr. Rogers, father of the Rev. Mr. Rogers." Will you, sir, call upon this gentleman with me? "Certainly, sir, but you had better first take breakfast." By no means, I may miss him, and I want to see him in your presence. We hurried off immediately, but alas! he had left town at break of day; he had just cast about firebrands, arrows, and death, and withdrawn from the investigation, upon which he had reason to calculate. The parade was full of people; the reports ran like wild fire; fame had blown the trumpet of slander, and, at the house of Mr. Rogers, many were assembled. I regretted, that the Rev. calumniator had flown; I wished to be tried in the presence of the people. I requested, however, that they would exhibit the charges, that had been lodged against me. They did so, and they consisted of the following items:—1st, I had formerly laboured for my living; 2dly, I was a married man; 3dly, I had children; 4thly, I had been a stage player; and 5thly, I had sung songs. Upon which I observed: Perhaps my denial of these charges may answer little purpose; yet, as in the presence of heaven, you will allow me to say, that, although I have made some unsuccessful attempts to