H. L. L.

“ Another Ship that was close by us, was already dashed to pieces against the rocks. Never was a scene more Gloomy, and cutting than this; for we had seventy Women and Children passengers on board, which put Terror into every Heart: nothing was heard but cries and Prayers. We were in such great dangers that no one had strength to work, and we left the Ship to GOD's mercy, expecting every minute to share the same fate as the other Vessel had. The most affecting sight was to be seen, every soul prostrated upon the deck, calling and exalting their voices for GOD's merciful protection ”

“ Delay no longer to open thy case before the merciful GOD, though it should be ever so desperate; for He is all-sufficient, yea all-powerful, to plead the cause of thine immortal soul, and to bring to pass whatsoever thou shalt commit into his hands, for He ever liveth to make intercession for sensible [2] sinners, and to brighten their evidences for the approaching of a future and everlasting Glory. ”

“ Perhaps thou say'st in thine own heart, CHRIST is no more upon the Earth that I might go to him. Knowest thou not faithless man or woman, that though CHRIST is no more upon the Earth, that He is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; and hath the same power to save and to bring to heaven whom He will: and now that He is in his holy mansion, is He not still the same? yea, He is still entreating his Father on our behalf, and his bowels are always melting in mercy towards us his rebellious Children ”

“ Eternal THREE in ONE, look down on thine unworthy servant, and water his Soul with the dew of thy Heavenly Grace, that he may be prepared to receive that never fading Crown, which is at the end of the race thou hast enabled him to run: and help him to renounce all other works but thine. ”

“ I was in such a low state of mind that my life became a burden to me, I could not find any comfort either in amusement or prayer; and when at prayer, I prayed not with such a delight as I used to do: so that in a short time I quite turned my back from the path of the truly and most blessed LORD JESUS CHRIST, and became again as wicked as ever.
One day my master called me, and said, "the Negroes are in rebellion, and you must go to war and fight." He provided horse and arms for me, and sent me to join the cavalry that were encamped at a little distance from where we lived. ”

“ As my Father's desire was to give us a good education, he told my Mother when on his Death-bed, that we must be removed as soon as possible to the College: accordingly we were sent into the South of France, at the distance of two-hundred and twenty miles from Bordeaux, to the College of Soreze, one of the most eminent places of teaching that ever existed since the World began; for every thing, consisting of Arts and Sciences was to be learned. ”

“ It is not doubtful, (as it is a common method in this world,) that my life, and all what is contained therein, will be contradicted and criticised; but as it hath pleased GOD to reveal unto me the mystery of the way of the truth, (of which I hope I am not ignorant;) therefore I expect persecutions, contradictions, and criticism to take place; knowing, that whosoever will live according to the Gospel of CHRIST, must while in this vale of tears go through much sufferings and pains: for thus is the road that leads to everlasting happiness. ”

“ Now persecution began to take place by my worldly companions; they called me all sorts of shameful names [26] , even threatened me with punishment if I did continue in hearing the word of GOD. I could not go through the streets without meeting with some ill treatment from them; but as I did not mind what they said, I told them I would sooner go to the scaffold and suffer Death, than renounce JESUS CHRIST. Their persecutions continued for a long time, but seeing I did not take any notice, they were obliged to let me go in peace. ”

“ I took my leave of him, and went again upon the roaring Ocean, seeking after the fortune of this World: on our way we cast anchor at Desirada, an Island not far from Guadeloupe, and stay'd there only a few days. After we departed from the Island forementioned, we were some time without seeing any vessel, but one morning we saw a large Ship, which we soon perceived was an English Frigate; we lost no time, but put all the sails out to make our escape if possible. ”

“ One day about noon we saw a Ship, and instantly chased her, we continued the chase till very late at night before we could come up to her, and when near we hailed, but she proved to be a dutch vessel, which disappointed us very much: so we left her to proceed on her voyage because they were not at war with us. We likewise went further on, and were a considerable time upon the Sea; till at length we begun to precieve that our provisions were short, and being a great number of miles from the shore, we were afraid of being starv'd with hunger ”

“ Art thou in prosperity, be Joyful, and. praise thy GOD; art thou in adversity, consider: for GOD hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. Be not as those, which through weakness of faith, dare not trust their GOD, whensoever in poverty or distress ”

“ Therefore let every true born soul know, that as our SAVIOUR suffered for us: so must we in return for the blessing of Redemption, suffer for his sake, for unto us it is given, in the behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. ”

“ I told her they were taken prisoners by the English and conveyed to England: at the same time my Father-in-law came into the house, which interrupted our conversation. He seemed to be very joyful of my arrival, and treated me with the greatest kindness. This was the happiest moment I ever enjoyed, being in the bosom of my friends. But all this happiness did not last long, for the Negroes rose up again, and killed every white man that fell into their hands. ”

“ Thomas, to take some passengers, and for my dear Country we sailed, and arrived safe there. My first inquiry was my Mother; I was about two days rambling through the streets without hearing any tidings respecting her or any other relations; till at last peradventure I met with one of my Cousins that was in France at the time I left that Country; she took me to her house and entertained me with loving kindnesses; and told me that my Mother was in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, at the distance of sixty miles from the place where I then was. ”

“ We begun our journey in a coach and went as far as Toulouse, a City, where we took a Boat, and finished our voyage by water, and arrived safe at Bordeaux. We went to our Banker, and were received with great kindness.
During our residence there, the most atrocious cruelty was exercised upon the people of the Town [5] ; Blood was daily shed by those barbarous race of Human kind, who cry down Government: nothing was seen but terror and abomination ”

“ My most beloved Children, it is with grief and sorrow, that I took the pen to inform you of all the misfortunes which have destroyed St. Domingo; your fortune [3] is lost for ever, it is only in your Education, that you will be able to recover it: my long silence would perhaps make you think that I have perished among so many Victims which were destroyed in that unhappy Island, no! ”

“ He being a man that followed the Tobacco business, made a proposal to our Banker that we should stay with him as being near relations to us, which was easily granted: and we began to work with him in his business. At first he shewed us a deal of kindness, but it soon vanished away, for he became a tyrant to us, especially against me who was the youngest: many a time I went to bed with a hungry belly; I wanted all the necessaries of life, hardly clothes to put on my back, beaten shamefully ”

“ Being excessively harassed by fatigue and hunger, we endeavoured to see whether we could find some wild fruit to satisfy our inward wants, but all our efforts were in vain, for nothing was to be found through the darkness of the night ”

“ Thomas, an Island belonging to the same, and there I purchased some other goods to go back to Guadeloupe, when there, I sold them for three times as much as they cost me: seeing fortune smiled on me, I took courage, and bought goods with all the money I was worth; but not being well enough in health to undertake the voyage, I trusted a friend with my business: he went to St. Thomas again, and sold the goods at a very good price, and some others were purchased for to return; when only three miles from the Harbour where he was to land, he was taken by the enemy ”

“ The Doctor went immediately on shore to provide food and refreshment, and ordered that no one should eat any thing without his orders; because, he said, "some will not be wise enough to content themselves with a little, and if our bodies which have been void for so long a time were filled all at once, it would undoubtedly cause our Death." So we were fed by degrees untill we recovered our former strength. We remained at Cayen about two months, and then departed to go back to Guadeloupe. ”

“ No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. Isaiah chap. 54. ver. 17. [8] This passenger was a Captain which understood the Navigable part of the river. [9] Called in Sea terms a Cabin. [10] Though we did not come from that place, we applyed the untruth as you see above, only that we might deceive them and pass for an English Ship; for our Ship was a great deal less then theirs: besides that we were much damaged, both by the Sea, and by Fighting. [11] They were come from Demerara themselves, and they knew that there was no Ship of war in that Harbour. ”

“ Afterwards I was sent to garrison, fifteen miles off, where I stay'd four and twenty days; at my return my little Brother fell sick of the fever, and died in two days after; which put my Mother and Father-in-law in such distress of mind, that I thought they would have followed, especially my Father-in-law, for he was a man of very tender feelings: but by degrees and length of time, their griefs were dispersed. ”

“ PARKES PRINTER, and AUCTIONEER, ASHBOURN.
Footnotes [1] I allude this passage to a Ship going straightways against the wind; for it is no more in the power of a sinner to resist the will and mercies of GOD, than it is possible for a Ship to go straightways against the wind. [2] Remember, that GOD makes us sensible that we are sinners. [3] Behold, He taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, what doest thou? Job. chap. 9. ver. 12. [4] Being Persued by the Negroes, and as he was escaping over an hedge, his Horse alighted ”

“ Thomas, where we arrived safe after a good voyage.
I went to the Gentlemen for whom I had letters of recommendation, and was received with great civility and kindness; one of them took me to his house while I stay'd at St. Thomas's. The first Sunday I went to Church with him and another Gentleman that I did not know, and that same Gentleman said to me after we came out of Church; "I hope you love GOD, young man?" ”

“ Soon after, the report of their arrival was spread in the Town; and coming to the ears of the commander of the place, they were sent for by his orders, and enrolled [20] them into a company of foot soldiers. The duty was hard, the rebels being daily about us, and almost every night there was some fighting or attempt. One day after a very bloody engagement that was fought at the advanced post, I was sent thither with the company which I was in to reinforce them, in case they should be attacked again: I stay'd there four and twenty days, and was relieved by my eldest Brother. ”

“ We made the best of our way through woods and thickets to escape the fury of the balls which were continually flying about us, and after having wandered a great while through unpracticable places, we found again the road, and rode as fast as we could to the Town: since that affair I have been in many obstinate and bloody engagements.
One day as I was reading the news-paper, I heard that St. Domingo was in a state of tranquillity; at this I was determined to go thither: accordingly, I went on board a Ship that was going there; we went first to St. ”