Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/92

82 week; this was the society, in which I was most admired, and to which, of course, I was the most attached. In this society there were individuals, who, like myself, were tabernacle worshippers, but who attended this meeting, when there was no service there. I had surrendered up my whole soul to those religious exercises, which the several societies, to which I had attached myself, demanded. My plan was to devote myself wholly to my God, to the advancement of my spiritual interest, to considerations pertaining to the kingdom of heaven. Wedded life, a family, these made no part of my plan; I was persuaded, I should pass my life in celibacy; and, had monastic seclusion consisted with Protestantism, I should gladly have embraced its retirement, with its duties. In the society, collected near Good Man's fields, there was a young gentleman remarkable for the sanctity of his manners; we were strongly, and mutually attached to each other. Many, very many happy hours did we pass together. During the winter, we were constantly at the tabernacle before day. We narrated to each other our experiences; we prayed, we wept, we joyed, and sorrowed together; and, with unfeigned affection, we loved one another. I questioned him respecting his connexions, when he informed me, that his parents had died in his infancy; that he had been brought up by his grandfather, who was a very profligate old gentleman, and abhorred the very name of Whitefield! But, he added, that, through the mercy of God, he was not entirely alone. He had a sister with him in the family, reared also by his grand parent, who was a good, and gracious girl; that their nights were frequently devoted to prayer; but that they dared not let their grandfather know they had ever been seen at the tabernacle, or in any of those societies, from which they derived their chief happiness. Indeed, he observed, his sister seldom ventured out; but he had made such representations of me, that she had desired him to let her know, when I should again meet the Baptist society, and she would make a point of being there; and, I request you, said he, my dear sir, to be at the society next Sunday evening, and she will most unquestionably be there. I cannot say, I had any curiosity respecting this young lady; but Sunday night came, I was expected, and the great room was filled previous to my arrival. I entered, every one rose at my entrance, and I felt dignifiedly pious, seriously happy. My young friend approached, and told me, in a whisper, his sister would have been greatly disappointed, had any thing detained me that evening. On my entrance I had glanced a young lady, extremely beautiful, who appeared attired by the hand of elegance; it was with