f otherwise. Moreover, I knew that I could pray
for light. I consulted a good colored man, named{130} Charles Johnson;
and, in tones of holy affection, he told me to pray, and what to pray
for. I was, for weeks, a poor, brokenhearted mourner, traveling through
the darkness and misery of doubts and fears. I finally found that change
of heart which comes by "casting all one's care" upon God, and by having
faith in Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer, Friend, and Savior of those who
diligently seek Him.

After this, I saw the world in a new light. I seemed to live in a new
world, surrounded by new objects, and to be animated by new hopes
and desires. I loved all mankind--slaveholders not excepted; though I
abhorred slavery more than ever. My great concern was, now, to have the
world converted. The desire for knowledge increased, and especially did
I want a thorough acquaintance with the contents of the bible. I have
gathered scattered pages from this holy book, from the filthy street
gutters of Baltimore, and washed and dried them, that in the moments of
my leisure, I might get a word or two of wisdom from them. While thus
religiously seeking knowledge, I became acquainted with a good old
colored man, named Lawson. A more devout man than he, I never saw. He
drove a dray for Mr. James Ramsey, the owner of a rope-walk on Fell's
Point, Baltimore. This man not only prayed three time a day, but he
prayed as he walked through the streets, at his work--on his dray
everywhere. His life was a life of prayer, and his words (when he spoke
to his friends,) were about a better world. Uncle Lawson lived near
Master Hugh's house; and, becoming deeply attached to the old man, I
went often with him to prayer-meeting, and spent much of my leisure time
with him on Sunday. The old man could read a little, and I was a great
help to him, in making out the hard words, for I was a better reader
than he. I could teach him _"the letter,"_ but he could teach me _"the
spirit;"_ and high, refreshing times we had together, in singing,
praying and glorifying God. These meetings with Uncle Lawson went on for
a long time, without the knowledge of Master Hugh or my mistress. Both
knew, how{131} ever, that I had become religious, and they seemed to
respect my conscientious piety. My mistress was still a professor of
religion, and belonged to class. Her leader was no less a person than
the Rev. Beverly Waugh, the presiding elder, and now one of the bishops
of the