Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
for some time, not knowing what to do; whether to hire a bed elsewhere, or go
home again. At last, fearing an evil report might arise, I went home, with a farewell
to card-playing and vain-jesting, &c. I saw that time was very short, eternity long,
and very near; and I viewed those persons alone blessed who were found ready at
midnight-call, or when the Judge of all, both quick and dead, cometh.
The next day I took courage, and went to Holborn, to see my new and worthy
acquaintance, the old man, Mr. C—; he, with his wife, a gracious woman, were at
work at silk-weaving; they seemed mutually happy, and both quite glad to see me,
and I more so to see them. I sat down, and we conversed much about soul matters,
&c. Their discourse was amazingly delightful, edifying, and pleasant. I knew not
at last how to leave this agreeable pair, till time summoned me away. As I was
going they lent me a little book, entitled, “The Conversion of an Indian.” It was in
questians and answers. The poor man came over the sea to London, to enquire after
the Christian’s God, who (through rich mercy) he found, and had not his journey
in vain. The above book was of great use to me, and at that time was a means of
strengthening my faith; however, in parting, they both invited me to call on them
when I pleased. This delighted me, and I took care to make all the improvement
from it I could; and so far I thanked God for such company and desires. I prayed
that the many evils I felt within might be done away, and that I might be weaned
from my former carnal acquaintances. This was quickly heard and answered, and I
was soon connected with those whom the Scripture calls the excellent of the earth.
I heard the gospel preached, and the thoughts of my heart and actions were laid
open by the preachers, and the way of salvation by Christ alone was evidently set
forth. Thus I went on happily for near two months; and I once heard during this
period, a reverend gentleman Mr. Green, speak of a man who had departed this life
in full assurance of his going to glory. I was much astonished at the assertion; and
did very deliberately inquire how he could get at this knowledge. I was answered
fully, agreeably to what I read in the oracles of truth; and was told also, that if I did
not experience the new birth, and the pardon of my sins, thro’ the blood of Christ,
before I died, I could not enter the kingdom of heaven. I knew not what to think of
this report, as I thought I kept eight commandments out of ten; then my worthy
interpreter told me I did not do it, nor could I; and he added, that no man ever
did or could keep the commandments, without oending in one point. I thought
this sounded very strange, and puzzled me much for many weeks; for I thought
it a hard saying. I then asked my friend, Mr. L—d, who was a clerk of a chapel,
why the commandments of God were given, if we could not be saved by them?
To which he replied, ‘The law is a school-master to bring us to Christ,’ who alone
could, and did keep the commandments, and fullled all their requirements for his
elect people, even those to whom he had given a living faith, and the sins of those
chosen vessels were already atoned for and forgiven them whilst living;[1] and if I
did not experience the same before my exit, the Lord would say at that great day to
me, ‘Go, ye cursed,’ &c. &c. for God would appear faithful in his judgments to the
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