Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/173

Rh obtain an honourable competency, yet I have, alas! and it is with extreme sorrow I make the declaration, I have, in this world, neither wife, nor child; I solemnly assure you, I never was an actor upon any stage; I acknowledge I have sung songs, I was once pronounced a good singer; yet I do not recollect, that I ever sang any bad songs, indeed I have been so long out of the habit of song-singing, that I do not remember what songs I have sung. I do not, however, admit, that if these charges could be substantiated, they ought to criminate me. It cannot be a crime to labour; "Six days shalt thou labour." The apostle Paul laboured with his own hands. Many of you are married men; many of you have children; many, in pursuit of business, quit for a season both wives and children; and if I had relinquished the stage for the life of a Religionist, it should be considered as a testimony in my favour. With regard to song-singing, while music makes a part, even of divine worship, a sentimental song could not be supposed detrimental to the interests of morality. I requested to know, if there were any other charges; and was answered with a murmur of applause, "" The tide now turned in my favour, and the people were astonished, that they had annexed the smallest consequence to those reports.

I had now in Newport a very respectable circle of friends, and the occurrence, thus briefly recorded, augmented their affectionate attentions. As a testimony how little they regarded it, they made a party to go out in a number of carriages, and pass the day upon the island; and most delightfully did we enjoy ourselves. We left town in the midst of the tumult; but those, who were present at the examination, mingling with their fellow citizens, gave them an account of what had passed, and it was generally considered, as a plan to bar their pulpit against me; this irritated them, and they determined it should not succeed. They dispatched a message to me; I could not be found. I returned in the evening, and received, by the sexton of Doctor S's meeting, an address, signed by a large number of influential characters, earnestly requesting I would, upon that evening, deliver a lecture. I consented; the bell announced my consent; the congregation assembled, and the house was very full. I selected my subject from Isaiah, "Who hath believed our report." I was divinely supported; my heart was very full; gratitude glowed in my bosom, gratitude to that Being, who had upon this, as well as upon many former occasions, so conspicuously appeared for me.

Among other valuable acquisitions, which crowned my labours in Newport, was the friendship of Mr. afterwards General Varnum, who