so good a creature as myself." I
went to church, and was as usual attentive. The subject of the sermon
was on the duty of searching the Scriptures; all I knew of them was from
the liturgy. I now, however, determined to read them, and perfect the
good work which I had begun. My father's Bible was upon the shelf, and
on that evening I took it with me to my chamber. I placed it on the
table, and sat down. My heart was filled with pleasing anticipation. I
opened the book at random, and began to read; the first passage on which
my eyes lighted was the following:--

'"He who committeth the sin against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven,
either in this world or the next. "'

Here Peter was seized with convulsive tremors. Winifred sobbed
violently. I got up, and went away. Returning in about a quarter of an
hour, I found him more calm; he motioned me to sit down; and, after a
short pause, continued his narration.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

HASTY FAREWELL--LOFTY ROCK--WRESTLINGS OF JACOB--NO REST--WAYS OF
PROVIDENCE--TWO FEMALES--FOOT OF THE CROSS--ENEMY OF
SOULS--PERPLEXED--LUCKY HOUR--VALETUDINARIAN--METHODISTS--FERVENT IN YOUR
PRAYER--YOU SAXONS--WEAK CREATURES--VERY AGREEABLE--ALMOST
HAPPY--KINDNESS AND SOLICITUDE

'Where was I, young man? Oh, I remember, at the fatal passage which
removed all hope. I will not dwell on what I felt. I closed my eyes,
and wished that I might be dreaming; but it was no dream, but a terrific
reality: I will not dwell on that period, I should only shock you. I
could not bear my feelings; so, bidding my friends a hasty farewell, I
abandoned myself to horror and despair, and ran wild through Wales,
climbing mountains and wading streams.

'Climbing mountains and wading streams, I ran wild about, I was burnt by
the sun, drenched by the rain, and had frequently at night no other
covering than the sky, or the humid roof of some cave; but nothing seemed
to affect my constitution; probably the fire which burned within me
counteracted what I suffered from without. During the space of three
years I scarcely knew what befell me; my life was a dream--a wild,
horrible dream; more than once I believe I was in the hands of robbers,
and once in the hands of gypsies. I liked the last description of people
least of all; I could not abide their yellow faces, or their ceaseless
clabber. Escaping from these beings, whose countenances and godless
discourse brought to my mind the demons of