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Show 116 NARRATIVE OF and natural conscience. I admire your honesty and candor, Mr. Gillon, and, although I cannot but regard your views as fanatical, I trust that when the ardor of youth shall give place to the reflections of maturer years, you will be as firm a believer in the Bible as I "Ah I" said Mr. Gracelius, "that will depend upon the grace of God. Farewell, young man, and may the Lord convert your soul and give us a happy meet· ing again, where we shall sing the soqg of the Lamb forever and ever." Mary, still in tears, took 1\Ir. Gracelius by the hand and said: " Mr. Gracelius, I am not at all convinced that the Scriptures favor your views, although I am not prepared to meet your arguments. But I fear you have so confirmed Albert in his infidelity, that it will be exceedingly bard to get him hereafter even to listen to Christian instruction." "Oh I my young sister," replied the minister, "the grace of God can conquer the worst of infidels, and I hope your friend will yet become an am bas>ador of Christ." By this time the party were standing on deck, ready ALBERT AND MARY. 117 to bid the last adieu. Our young friends were soon on board the merchant vessel and out of sight of their strange bencGl.Ctors. They found that the pirates had liberated the crew and passengers, and returned them to their vessel, rc· taining only the rich cargo. IIaving been well supplied with funds, in gold, when they left home, wl1ich Albert had about his per· son when taken up by the pirates, they found no difficulty, on reaching France, in making their way to England, and thence to the United States. On the voyages Albert perused the Scriptures with great attention, not only because Mary bad urged him to do so, but because he felt that he n·ecded to be informed of the true nature and cl)aracter of what was claimed to be sacred writings. lie was careful to avoid conversation on the subject during the progress of his investigations i and Mary herself was not, after her last interview with Mr. Gracelius, snfliciently quieted in her own mind to give expression to her thoughts. It was in November, when an Indian summer was augmenting the beauty of the scenery about the harbor of New York, that our young friends were sitting |
