Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/181

Rh together, had caused us to drink into one spirit. The morning came, when, after commending ourselves to God, and to the word of his grace, I was on the point of departing, in the same manner I had left Philadelphia, yet, without even the vestige of apprehension. But the Doctor, taking me by the hand, essayed to articulate; but was necessitated to pause for self-possession, when he said: "God forever bless you, and be with you; and wherever you go, make your way plain before you; and, if we never meet again in this world, (for I am an old man you know) I rejoice in the assurance, that we shall meet in the presence of God, our Saviour, and spend an eternity together." He then put into my hand gold sufficient, abundantly sufficient, to bear my expenses even to the dwelling of my patron. "You may want this upon the road," said he, "take it as a memento of friendship." I am, dear sir, amazed at your liberality. "I also am amazed—It is the Lord's doings, and truly, it is marvellous in my eyes." Thus closed my visit to my worthy friend, after I had promised, that, if it should so please God, I would cheerfully visit him again.

On my return, being earnestly solicited, I preached in the hall of the academy at Newark; and I once more reposed under the roof of that hospitable man, who was made the instrument of administering to my necessities, on my way. At Wilmington too, I delivered my message; and elevated by an excursion, which had been so greatly blessed, I returned to Philadelphia in perfect health, and high spirits. During the residue of the spring, the whole of the succeeding summer, and a part of the autumn, until October 1773, my time was divided between Pennsylvania, the Jersies, and New-York. My friends were to be found among every class of people, from the highest to the most humble, and almost every day increased the number, both of my friends, and enemies. The clergy continued a phalanx of opposition. One good man stumbled upon a most ingenious device. A Mr. Still, a Baptist priest, wrote a most elaborate letter, in which he charged me with many crimes, assuming as facts, those reported crimes, which my soul abhorred. This letter he read in every company, in which he mixed; sent copies of it to New-England, and various other parts of the country; giving those, to whom he made his communications, to understand, that he had forwarded this letter to me, although I never saw it, and was indebted for an account of its contents, to some worthy individuals, who were among the number of those, to whom it was read. Thus did this man industriously essay to prejudice the minds of the people, trusting that their hatred of me, and my testimony,