Page:Voyages and travels of a Bible.pdf/12

 then left me, and retired to her room, where she was distinctly overheard pouring out her whole heart before God. When she returned, the tears were seen falling from her eyes. When this was discovered, several of the family inquired what was the matter. She told them that she had been an utter stranger to the weighty matters I had made her acquainted with, and that she now desired to enjoy the salvation of God; but she feared it was too late. This she spoke, looking at me; but I constantly answered, ‘Not so! not too late; the Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life for the ungodly, and he waits to be gracious to all who come unto him. Be not faithless but believing, and thou shalt see the salvation of God.’ On saying this, her eyes sparkled, she smiled, and said, ‘Precious Bible, what a treasure!’ Turning to her husband, she said, ‘Come, let us go to heaven together, for yet there is room for us and our dear children.’

Nothing very remarkable within doors occurred for some months; but, out of doors, the family became a subject of discourse to the whole country. They ceased to join in the follies of the fashionable world, which gave great offence to some of their old friends, who condemned and ridiculed them in every company. These insults they bore with a meekness and gentleness that surprised some; for Mrs Sharp, (which was the name of the lady,) was, formerly, singular for pride and haughtiness of carriage to all her acquaintance. But my doctrines, when believed, bring down the lofty looks of men, by making them acquainted with the majesty of God, their own sinfulness, and their constant dependence upon him for mercy and pardon, and for the enjoyment and continuance of all that they possess.

Mr Sharp and one of his sons were soon, through the blessing of God on my instructions, brought to humble acknowledgment of their sins, and a simple dependence on Jesus for his forgiveness.

At one of our evening meetings, a poor old slave stood up, and, with many tears, inquired if any of these fine things, of which I was speaking, were designed for slaves like him. In answer to this, Mr Sharp desired I would repeat to him the commission which the Son of God gave to his apostles, before he ascended into the heavens. Then I repeated, as in Mark, xvi. 16, that Jesus said unto his disciples—‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel unto every creature—he that believeth and is baptized, shall be savodsaved [sic]; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.’ The poor slave then stood up, begging Mr S. to explain this to him, which he readily did.

He said, ‘Jesus commanded his diseiplesdisciples [sic] to go into every country in the world, where black as well as white people