him, but he has never
failed to disclaim it. On this occasion I said nothing, but, concealing
his poniard in my clothes, I hasted up the mountain, determined to
execute my purpose before any misgivings should again visit me; and I
never had more ado than in keeping firm my resolution. I could not help
my thoughts, and there are certain trains and classes of thoughts that
have great power in enervating the mind. I thought of the awful thing
of plunging a fellow creature from the top of a cliff into the dark and
misty void below--of his being dashed to pieces on the protruding
rocks, and of hearing his shrieks as he descended the cloud, and beheld
the shagged points on which he was to alight. Then I thought of
plunging a soul so abruptly into Hell, or, at the best, sending it to
hover on the confines of that burning abyss--of its appearance at the
bar of the Almighty to receive its sentence. And then I thought: "Will
there not be a sentence pronounced against me there, by a jury of the
just made perfect, and written down in the registers of Heaven?"

These thoughts, I say, came upon me unasked, and, instead of being able
to dispel them, they mustered upon the summit of my imagination in
thicker and stronger array: and there was another that impressed me in
a very particular manner, though I have reason to believe not so
strongly as those above written. It was this: "What if I should fail in
my first effort? Will the consequence not be that I am tumbled from the
top of the rock myself?" and then all the feelings anticipated, with
regard to both body and soul, must happen to me! This was a
spinebreaking reflection; and yet, though the probability was rather on
that side, my zeal in the cause of godliness was such that it carried
me on, maugre all danger and dismay.

I soon came close upon my brother, sitting on the dizzy pinnacle, with
his eyes fixed steadfastly in the direction opposite to me. I descended
the little green ravine behind him with my feet foremost, and every now
and then raised my head, and watched his motions. His posture continued
the same, until at last I came so near him I could have heard him
breathe if his face had been towards me. I laid my cap aside, and made
me ready to spring upon him and push him over. I could not for my life
accomplish it! I do not think it was that I durst not, I have always
felt my courage equal to anything in a good cause. But I had not the
heart, or something that I ought to