going  on  swimmingly,  and  indeed  we  did  for
a  zohile. but  at  last  a  calamity  fell  upon  me,
which  nearly  crushed  me  to  the  dust. A
man  exacted  work  of  me,  for  a  debt  that  I
did  not  honestly  owe,  and  while  making  his
shoes,  1  concluded  to  pay  myself,  which  I
did — immediately  my  conscience  smote  me,
but  I  could  not  replace  it  in  time,  so  I  made
ample  restitution,  and  a  frank  confession
before  all  my  brethren — and  the  Lord  was
good,  for  he  wiped  out  the  blot,  and  restored
me  to  his  favour. I  then  went  to  Middle-,
town,  and  remained  a  short  time,  when  I  got
out  of  business,  crossed  over  the  river,  and'
agreed  to  serve  a  tavern-keeper  for  one
month. I  now  sought  every  opportunity  to
be  alone,  and  when  my  month  was  up,  I  re-
ceived my  wages  and  sent  it  to  my  wife. I
had  now  to  seek  another  place,  and  as  1  went
along,  1  prayed  that  my  family  might  not
suffer,  as  I  knew  that  they  were  innocent,
and  my  little  ones  too  small  to  help  them-
selves. After  a  little  while,  the  Lord  opened
the  way,  and  I  obtained  a  situation  with  a
Mr. Hail,  in  Gloucester,  for  two  months,  at
twelve  dollars  a  month. It  beinsj   havest


A    SOX    OF    THE    FOREST. 99

time,  my  employer  allowed  each  of  his  hands
a  half  pint  of  spirits  every  day. I  told  him
I  did  not  want  my  portion,  so  he  agreed  to
pay  me  a  little  more. I  abstained  entirely,
and  found  that  I  could  not  only  stand  labour
as  well,  but  perform  more  than  those  who
drank  the  spirits. All  the  hands  exclaimed
against  me,  and  said  that  I  would  soon  give
out  ;  but  I  was  determined  that  touch  not,
taste  7iot,  handle  not,  should  be  my  motto  ;
God  supported  me,  and  I  can  truly  say,  that
my  health  was  better,  my  appetite  improved,
and  my  mind  was  calm. My  general  drink
was  molasses  or  milk  and  water. 