= author becomes a happy husband, a happy father. He mbraces the truth, as it is in Jesus,' and from this, and her combining causes, he is involved in great difficulties. bereaved man, quitting his native shores, embarks for nerica, indulging the fond hope of sequestering himself in solitude for which he sighed. But, contrary to his ex- ...181 ision........ DIX............. ........... .223 .239 LIFE OF REV. JOHN MURRAY. CHAPTER I. ntaining an Account of the Author's Birth and Parentage, until the Decease of his Father. How sweetly roll'd over the morning of life, But soon was the morning of life clouded o'er, Too soon was I forc'd to abandon the shore, And on ocean's rude billows be tost. Tour earnest solicitations, my inestimable, my best friend, have, me, the force of commands, and consequently I am irresisticompelled to retrace, for your gratification, as many of the innts of early life, as live in my memory. Assured of your in-ence, I unhesitatingly commit to your candor, and to your retion, the following sheets, am induced to regret, that my anecdotes of this charming seaare not more multiplied. Were my recollection perfect, my yments would be reiterated, but this would not be right, thereit is not so; every season has its enjoyments, and the God of re has thought proper to keep them distinct and appropriate. hink, if I mistake not, I was ushered into this state of being on Oth day of December, in the year of our Lord, 1741, four years e the rebellion in Scotland, of forty-five. I mention this cirtance, as it proved to me, in early life, a source of some vexaThe rebellion terminated in the destruction of many of the 2 scapes,' which, while they excited the wonder of my good parents, hey failed not to record. From these frequent promenades, I deived that vigorous constitution, or at least its stability, which has rolonged my abode in this vale of tears, through many serious isorders, which have seemed to promise my emancipation. I do. ot remember the time when I did not behold the works of Nature ith delight; such as the drapery of the heavens, and the flowers fthe garden, and of the fields; and I perfectly recollect, before I as clothed in masculine habiliments, that I was delightedly occued in opening the ground, throwing it into some form, and plantg, in regular order, little sprigs broken from the gooseberry, or urrant bushes. My pleasures of this nature were, however, soon terrupted by going to school: this was my first affliction; yet, to perious necessity, the sweet pliability of human nature soon conmed my mind: nay, it was more than conformed; I derived en felicity, from the approbation of my school dame, from the ctures in my books, and especially from the acquaintance I formwith my school-mates. It does not appear to me that I was what the world calls natury vicious. I was neither querulous, nor quarrelsome; I cannot ce in my mind a vestige of envy. I rejoiced in every advantage ssessed by my little comrades, and my father was accustomed to claim, 'Never, I believe, was such a boy; he absolutely delights nuch in the new garments worn by the children of our neigh-s, as in his own: and indeed, as far as I can recollect during sweet morning of life, my most complete satisfaction resulted n the gratification of others. I never enjoyed any thing alone; earliest pleasures were social, and I was eager to reciprocate ry good office. It is true I encountered difficulties, from the ous dispositions of those with whom I associated, but, in my nt bosom, rancor or implacability found no place. Being howtoo fond of play, and ambitious of imitating my seniors, I had e time for reading; yet I learned, and at six years old could I a chapter in the Bible, not indeed very correctly, but I rarely sed at a word; however difficult, still I read on. My father, I ember, used sometimes to laugh out-a levity which, by the he seldom indulged-but he did sometimes laugh out, and This boy sticks at nothing; he has a most astonishing inven- how it is he utters such sounds, and passes on with such ray, I cannot conceive:' but my blunders were more frequently ed by a staggering box on the ear, which necessitated me to when I was obliged to recommence, and go over the whole 1. This conduct originated, even at this early age, more fear affection for my father. I was studious to avoid his presence, I richly enjoyed his absence. To my brothers and sisters, were multiplied with uncommon rapidity, I was warmly ated; and as our mother contributed all in her power to our Fication, our pleasures were not surpassed by those of any little which came under our observation. |