Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/196

186, than all the terrors of Mount Sinai. Departing from New-York, about the 20th of July, I passed, by short stages, through Connecticut and Rhode-Island, visiting my friends in various directions, and deriving inexpressible satisfaction from beholding their order, their zeal, and the magnitude of their faith. On the 16th of August, the governour of Rhode-Island sent me a passage of scripture, soliciting me to take it for my subject: It may be found, Mark xiv. 10. The governour attended, and after I had closed, took my hand with much cordiality, and expressed himself well satisfied, and truly grateful.

September 14th, 1774, I again reached Boston. My friends had long been expecting me, and I was received with demonstrations of heart-felt joy. Through the greatest part of this autumn, I continued preaching in the hall of the factory, in the mansion of my venerable friend, and at Faneuil-Hall. Once I attempted to preach in Masons'-Hall; but the throng, and consequent confusion were so great, that I was necessitated to desist, even after I had worded my text: and finally, the congregations still augmenting, I yielded to the pressing solicitations of the proprietors of Mr. C's meeting-house, and repeatedly delivered my testimony there. On the 31st of October, a gentleman, by the name of Sargent, called upon me from Gloucester, urging me to accompany him to his place of residence. My engagements would not allow my immediate attendance, but I gave my word for an early compliance with his wishes. November 2d, Wednesday evening, I named as the subject of my public lecture, Luke 13th, from the 24th to the 30th. After I had closed, a clergyman, of a respectable appearance, whom I had never before seen, ascended the stairs of the pulpit, and addressed the people to the following effect: "My friends, you have heard a great deal said, (for what purpose I know not,) which is calculated to lead you astray from the true meaning of the text. The passage refers to the general judgment, and to nothing else; and all, that has been said, can only originate wrong ideas of the scriptures; for how can it be, that the Jews should be intended by those, who were shut out? When did the Jews see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God? or how is it possible, that, if they should thus behold them, they could ever be happy? It is not possible, that any person, who dies in a state of unbelief, should ever be happy to all eternity: and therefore, my brethren, I would exhort you to take care you are not led astray by the words of man's wisdom, and the cunning craftiness of men, whereby they lay in wait to deceive. O! it is very dangerous to give heed to such things." Thus the gentleman proceeded, earnestly warning the people, and then