But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  pushed  on  alone.  .  I  warned
him  of  his  backsliding,  and  he  declared  that  he  had  com- '
mitted  the  sin  against  tlie  Holy  Ghost,  and  therefore  it  was
impossible  for  him  to  be  saved.  I  continued,  however,
to  do  what  I  could  in  my  weakness.  I  gathered  my
shipmates  on  the  Sabbath,  in  the  forecastle,  and  read  to
them  tracts  and  good  books.  Some  of  them  listened
attentively  and  reverently,  and  some  cursed  me  for  read*


CONVERSION.  59

ing  what  tliey  called  "  Christ-killing  tracts,"  expressing
the  fear  tliat  the  ship  would  be  carried  to  heaven  in
a  hurry.  The  good  ship,  however,  sped  on  her  course,
keeping  to  her  watery  way  notwithstanding,  while  each
day  brought  new  cursings  and  slanderings  on  account  of
my  religion.  When  reading  my  Bible,  some  would  come
and  sit  beside  me  and  sing  ribald  songs,  or  relate  some
obscene  story,  to  draw  me  away  from  the  Word  of  God.
