Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/79

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
D’AUBIGNÉ ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
63

city, on ‘The Difficulties of Arminian Methodism.’ Mr. Carter said, ‘No, I cannot publish it. Pulling down may be necessary; but I did not go into business to do that, but to build up Christ’s Church as far as in my power.’ ”

In connection with the publication of the History of the Reformation, Mr. Carter used often to relate the following incident. He had gone West to attend a meeting of the General Assembly, and on his voyage down the Mississippi the steamboat struck on a snag, and was so badly injured that they had to wait several days at a little river-side town for repairs. This with the time usually occupied by the passage made the voyage quite a long one, and the passengers became very well acquainted, many of them also being delegates to the Assembly. He had a copy of the History with him, and it was proposed that it should be read aloud, and accordingly there was a large circle of interested listeners. Among the rest was a lady of great refinement, dressed in deep mourning, who seemed to enjoy the book as much as any one. One day during their detention a large party went on shore for a walk, and this lady fell into conversation with Mr. Carter, and told him that she was a Romanist. She belonged to a wealthy and influential family in Pennsylvania, but her home was a very worldly one, and she was brought up with little thought or care for religion. When a young girl she was sent to a convent school. She said she had never seen vital piety till she saw it in those nuns, and she was so impressed with their holy, self-denying lives that she had made their religion hers. She seemed a lovely Christian woman, looking only to Christ as her Lord and Saviour. Mr. Carter said, “I am surprised that you should come daily to listen to