Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/212

202 and every Law made among yourselves, breathed a spirit of toleration, I felt assured I should be allowed liberty of conscience, my intentions were upright; a conviction that God had ordained me to proclaim the gospel, has been powerfully impressed upon my mind, and I am still convinced, that I ought to preach the Gospel." "How long do you intend to stay in this town?" "I do not precisely know; but certainly until the weather and roads shall be good." "The weather will do, and it is pretty good travelling now." (At this time the winter having been extremely severe, the roads were nearly impassable.) "I do not believe I shall quit Gloucester until April, about that time I expect to commence a journey to Philadelphia." "The town is very uneasy at your continuance here, and we are a committee of safety. We are to take up all strangers and send them out of town." "Sir, I have already been warned out of town, and if you be apprehensive of my becoming a charge, I can procure bonds." One of the committee addressed the chair for liberty to speak, which having obtained, he said: "Your stay in this town, is cause of uneasiness to many, you hurt the morals of the people, and a great many who hear you are enemies to the country." Mr. Murray responded—"Those who hear me, and believe what I deliver, can never be injured in their morals." "I do not believe you." "You have not heard all I have said in defence of my persuasion." "I have heard enough, I neither believe, nor like it." "Well, sir, there is no act of assembly to compel you to hear; but you should remember your neighbour is entitled to equal liberty with yourself." "You deliver very erroneous principles." "My principles are all to be found in the sacred records of divine truth." "Ay, so you say." "I was not apprized that I was cited before a spiritual court." Mr. Murray then addressed the chair—"Sir, this gentleman asserts that I associate with a great many enemies of this country. I demand that they be pointed out. If I associate with an individual of this description, it is unknown to me." A gentleman at the chairman's elbow observed: "Mr. chairman, I think we have no business to answer this man a single question, we did not send for him to answer his questions, but to ask questions of him." The chairman then repeated, that the town were very uneasy, and advised Mr. Murray to depart to prevent further trouble, to which he answered. "Sir, I have been nearly seven years in this country, perhaps no one has a more extensive acquaintance, I have many friends, and many enemies. I feel that I am a friend to all mankind, and I am happy that no circumstance of my life can prove the contrary. I was invited to this town, and I have been cordially received, but it seems I am suspected, because I associate with many