Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/37

Rh credit; the child of so many prayers could only be as I was. I was at this time about sixteen years of age, but commencing life so early, I felt like twenty, and I anticipated all the enjoyments which awaited me.

About this period, our society were gratified by a most unexpected acquisition. A gentleman of great fortune, who had been a virulent opposer of the Methodists, became a zealous convert to their tenets, and, with his lady, joined our congregation; no event had ever given such exultation, such complete satisfaction. They had belonged to the Presbyterian meeting, and their numerous kindred, worshipping there, continued inveterate adversaries. Between my father and the new convert the warmest friendship took place; and his good lady, who was indeed one of the first of women, became as warmly attached to our family as her husband. They had been converted at the same time; and as new converts are always the most zealous, this good couple, although advanced in years, used to rise at four in the morning, in the depth of winter, and go round among the neighbours, in order to arouse them in time to attend morning service, which was regularly at five o'clock, winter and summer; our house being in the way, they never omitted calling upon us; my father was not always well enough to accompany them, but I never failed, and the delight they took in me was great. Their family consisted of two sons, one older than myself, and one of my own age, and two daughters younger than their brothers: for a long season this family, and ours, spent at least a part of every day together; they met constantly at Church, and had beside many private interviews. Mr. Little, the name of our new friend, belonged to a class of which my father was the leader, and Mrs. Little to my mother's band. The classes generally consisted of twelve, beside the leader. The band was formed from the classes, and consisted of six, beside the leader. These bands were composed of true believers, and of one sex, and condition: The single women, the married women, and the widows, the single men, the married men, and the widowers. My mother was a leader of a band of married women. The youth, I have mentioned, of my own age, sought and obtained my confidence; I conceived for him the warmest affection, and I had every reason to suppose the attachment mutual; we passed many delightful hours together, and the discovery of our friendship gave real satisfaction to our parents. The eldest son adhered to the Church, the family had left; and the only daughter who was of age to decide, embraced the principles of her parents. From our connexion with these worthy