Page:The Black Prince (John Naimbanna).djvu/12

( 12 ) the gospel among the rude countrymen: though he seemed at the same time to suffer much uneasiness from a fear of disappointment which became stronger as he approached his native shore. He had left England in perfect health, but on reaching a warmer climate, he was much affected by the heat, and caught a violent cold, which began with pains in his throat and head, and ended in a fever, which the continual working of his mind had probably contributed much to produce. He was frequently light headed, and his intervals of sence were short and few but they afforded to those around him striking proofs of a humble trust in the mercies of God through Christ, and of a perfect resignation to his will. During one of those intervals he called to his bedside a fellow passenger, and observing to him, that he began to think he should be called hence before he had an opportunity of telling his mother and friends what mercies God had shewn him, and what obligations he lay under to the Sierra Leone Company, he begged of the gentleman to write his will, the substance of which was, that his brother should take charge of his property, till his son, then a child, came of age; and, in the mean time, should reimburse the Sierra Leone Company for the sums advanced by them on his account.

To this he subjoined a strong request that his brother should, as far as in him lay, oppose the slave trade, and for the satisfaction of friends, he added, "That nothing may be imputed to the Sierra Leone Company by any evil-minded men, whose interest may oppose that of the worthy company, I here declare in the presence of that God, in whom I place my trust, that during my