Page:The English Peasant.djvu/339

 So the 'father of lies' appeared to speak the truth. We dressed the corn, and I got my dinner." This fatahsm and devil-worship was probably shared by many beside himself. However, the Light that was in him struggled with the darkness which was gathering thick as his nature developed with increasing years, and he came more and more under the influence of the tone of thought around him. When he was about eight years old he learnt his first lesson in the power of prayer.

"I also remember to have once heard a person say that all things were possible with God; which words I secretly treasured up and pondered in my heart; and as I had great desire at that time to live in the capacity of an errand-boy with a certain gentleman in the place, it came into my mind that, if all things were possible with God, it was also possible for Him to send me to live as a servant-boy with Squire Cooke; though at the same time he had a boy who I believed was well approved of. Notwithstanding this last circumstance, I privately asked God, in an extempore way, to give me that boy's place; and made many promises how good I would be if He granted me this request. For many days I privately begged of God this favour, which nobody knew but God and myself, till now I relate it. I believe I went on in this way of praying, sometimes under a hedge, or on my bed, for a week or two; and I thought, if God granted me this favour, I should know whether all things were possible with Him or not. Having prayed for many days, and finding no likelihood of an answer, I readily concluded that there was no God; and therefore I had no cause to be so afraid of sinning, nor had I any occasion to pray to Him any more. Accordingly I left off praying for some time, and then began again, till at last I left off entirely. Some few days after this, there came a man to my father's house and said, 'William, Squire Cooke wants a boy; why don't you go after the place?' I said 'John Dungy lives there.' He answered, 'No; he is turned away.' I asked for what. He replied, 'Old Master Coley, the oysterman, went there a few days ago to carry some oysters; and while the old man was gone with a measure of them into the house, the boy robbed the pads, as they hung on the horse while he was tied up at the gate; and the mistress, seeing him, discharged him for it.' To my astonishment