Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/182

172 would, if possible, be commensurate with his own; and thus, at his righteous tribunal, I was tried, and condemned, and, as far as he could prevail, executed, without being suffered to plead in my own defence, or even furnished with a copy of the allegations against me. Had I not reason to supplicate: Grant me, O my God! patient resignation, and the divine light of thy countenance. Yet the character, priest, and adversary, did not always prove synonimous: A clergyman, upon a memorable evening, entered a house of public worship, in which I was promulgating The Truth as it is in Jesus. He presented himself with a determination to oppose me; but, quitting the church, and entering my lodgings, he folded me in his arms, exclaiming (while his eye glistened with pleasure,) "If this be heresy, may I so worship the God of my fathers, during the residue of my days." Nor was this a solitary instance; Mr. Duchee, minister of the established church of Philadelphia, Mr. Tretard, of New-Rochelle, Mr. Gano, of New-York, Mr. Tyler, Episcopalian minister of Norwich, were among the number of those, who, if they were not fully with me in sentiment, have uniformly discharged toward me the duty of Christian friends. My opportunities of observing uncommon characters were multiplied. I regret, that the limits, I have prescribed to myself, will not permit me to dwell upon the life and virtues of Thomas Say, of Philadelphia; a man, who, it may be said, re-visited this world, after being privileged with more than a bird's-eye view of another. Anthony Benezet might also claim many pages. Christopher Marshall; the celebrated Mrs. Wright, and her uncommon family; many shades of departed friends flit before me, but I must hasten from the now-beatified group, and pursue the sometimes rugged path, over which the journey of life hath conducted me.

Upon the 10th of October, 1773, I embarked on board the Hum-Bird, captain Lawton, for Newport, which place we reached at early breakfast, and where I was received in a manner comporting with my most sanguine wishes. Belcher, Warner, Otis, Newton, Wright, Wanton, Waterhouse, Ellery, &c. &c. these all received me with open arms; but having reason to believe, much confusion would result, from an attempt to open the doors of the meeting-house, in which Dr. S officiated, I sent the Doctor an assurance, that I would no more enter his pulpit. The Governour granted the state-house to the solicitations of my friends, and became himself one of my audience. I preached also in the meeting-house of Mr. Kelly, and at the prison. The congregations were crowded, and attentive. Newport contains a synagogue, and the many Jews, collected there, pressed to hear. Mr.