much impudence." I dare say, sir, you are disappointed; you expected to have met a timid, poor, destitute stranger, who would have been confounded by noise, and such cogent arguments, as gibberish, gibberish, repeatedly vociferated; you expected, I should not have dared to utter a syllable; you have been pleased to treat me very roughly; you know not, but you have been pouring vinegar into wounds already sore; you have, sir, been vexing the stranger; and without any provocation on my part. "Ay, ay, this is the language of all impostors."
Thus ended my morning repast. I was very much hurt; yet I reaped advantage from this new trial. Returning to my lodgings, I experienced the most painful sensations; but the rebuff, I had received, operated as usual, it drew me nearer to my God, and, pouring out my heart in secret before the Father of my spirit, I obtained, what the favour of the clergy could never give—consolation and peace in believing.
My conduct at this breakfasting conference was represented in such a point of view, as increased the number of my friends; and clerical gentlemen, in this place and its environs, forebore direct attacks; but the tongue of the private slanderer was busily employed. A gentleman of C———, the Rev. Mr. S———, repeatedly attended my public labours; addressed me after preaching, continued some time in conversation with me, and appointed a day, on which he pressed me to dine with him. I accepted his politeness with gratitude, and was punctual to the time. Mr. S——— received me with manifest satisfaction; we were alone, and we passed many hours most pleasantly. Mr. S——— seemed solicitous, that I should view him, neither as a skeptic, nor a caviller, but simply an inquirer after truth. He asked me many questions, which I answered as clearly, as I was able; and he appeared sometimes satisfied, sometimes dissatisfied, and sometimes silenced. Upon the whole, his deportment was gentlemanly, and I could not forbear regarding him, as a sensible, illumined Christian. On my departure he urged me to consider his house my home, whenever I visited C———; waited on me while I mounted my horse, pressed my hand, and, with much apparent devotion, supplicated the blessing of heaven upon me. On recurring to my journal, I find my notice of this interview, concluded as follows:—Thus far am I brought on my way rejoicing; the Lord is my Sun and Shield, blessed be the name of my God! Yet no sooner was I out of view, than this same Mr. S——— ordered his horse, and posting to every respectable family in his parish, informed them, that, with all my cunning, he had outwitted me; that he had asked me to dine, and, by flattery and caresses, had thrown me off my guard, and
