登陆注册
5380100000138

第138章 THE FRENCH CLERGYMAN'S COUNSEL(8)

"No, no," said I, "I am offended with nobody but myself; but I am perfectly confounded, not only to think that I should never take any notice of this before, but with reflecting what notice I am able to take of it now.You know, sir," said I, "what circumstances I am in; I am bound to the East Indies in a ship freighted by merchants, and to whom it would be an insufferable piece of injustice to detain their ship here, the men lying all this while at victuals and wages on the owners' account.It is true, I agreed to be allowed twelve days here, and if I stay more, I must pay three pounds sterling PER DIEM demurrage; nor can I stay upon demurrage above eight days more, and I have been here thirteen already; so that I am perfectly unable to engage in this work unless I would suffer myself to be left behind here again; in which case, if this single ship should miscarry in any part of her voyage, I should be just in the same condition that I was left in here at first, and from which I have been so wonderfully delivered." He owned the case was very hard upon me as to my voyage; but laid it home upon my conscience whether the blessing of saving thirty-seven souls was not worth venturing all I had in the world for.I was not so sensible of that as he was.I replied to him thus: "Why, sir, it is a valuable thing, indeed, to be an instrument in God's hand to convert thirty-seven heathens to the knowledge of Christ: but as you are an ecclesiastic, and are given over to the work, so it seems so naturally to fall in the way of your profession; how is it, then, that you do not rather offer yourself to undertake it than to press me to do it?"

Upon this he faced about just before me, as he walked along, and putting me to a full stop, made me a very low bow."I most heartily thank God and you, sir," said he, "for giving me so evident a call to so blessed a work; and if you think yourself discharged from it, and desire me to undertake it, I will most readily do it, and think it a happy reward for all the hazards and difficulties of such a broken, disappointed voyage as I have met with, that I am dropped at last into so glorious a work."

I discovered a kind of rapture in his face while he spoke this to me; his eyes sparkled like fire; his face glowed, and his colour came and went; in a word, he was fired with the joy of being embarked in such a work.I paused a considerable while before I could tell what to say to him; for I was really surprised to find a man of such sincerity, and who seemed possessed of a zeal beyond the ordinary rate of men.But after I had considered it a while, I asked him seriously if he was in earnest, and that he would venture, on the single consideration of an attempt to convert those poor people, to be locked up in an unplanted island for perhaps his life, and at last might not know whether he should be able to do them good or not? He turned short upon me, and asked me what I called a venture? "Pray, sir," said he, "what do you think I consented to go in your ship to the East Indies for?" - "ay," said I, "that I know not, unless it was to preach to the Indians." -

"Doubtless it was," said he; "and do you think, if I can convert these thirty-seven men to the faith of Jesus Christ, it is not worth my time, though I should never be fetched off the island again? - nay, is it not infinitely of more worth to save so many souls than my life is, or the life of twenty more of the same profession? Yes, sir," says he, "I would give God thanks all my days if I could be made the happy instrument of saving the souls of those poor men, though I were never to get my foot off this island or see my native country any more.But since you will honour me with putting me into this work, for which I will pray for you all the days of my life, I have one humble petition to you besides." -

"What is that?" said I.- "Why," says he, "it is, that you will leave your man Friday with me, to be my interpreter to them, and to assist me; for without some help I cannot speak to them, or they to me."

I was sensibly touched at his requesting Friday, because I could not think of parting with him, and that for many reasons: he had been the companion of my travels; he was not only faithful to me, but sincerely affectionate to the last degree; and I had resolved to do something considerable for him if he out-lived me, as it was probable he would.Then I knew that, as I had bred Friday up to be a Protestant, it would quite confound him to bring him to embrace another religion; and he would never, while his eyes were open, believe that his old master was a heretic, and would be damned; and this might in the end ruin the poor fellow's principles, and so turn him back again to his first idolatry.However, a sudden thought relieved me in this strait, and it was this: I told him I could not say that I was willing to part with Friday on any account whatever, though a work that to him was of more value than his life ought to be of much more value than the keeping or parting with a servant.On the other hand, I was persuaded that Friday would by no means agree to part with me; and I could not force him to it without his consent, without manifest injustice; because I had promised I would never send him away, and he had promised and engaged that he would never leave me, unless I sent him away.

He seemed very much concerned at it, for he had no rational access to these poor people, seeing he did not understand one word of their language, nor they one of his.To remove this difficulty, I told him Friday's father had learned Spanish, which I found he also understood, and he should serve him as an interpreter.So he was much better satisfied, and nothing could persuade him but he would stay and endeavour to convert them; but Providence gave another very happy turn to all this.

同类推荐
  • Alfred Tennyson

    Alfred Tennyson

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 摄大乘论

    摄大乘论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 翠娱阁评选十六名家小品

    翠娱阁评选十六名家小品

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 僧伽罗刹所集佛行经

    僧伽罗刹所集佛行经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 青州百问

    青州百问

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 女王威武:骑士团里的女王子

    女王威武:骑士团里的女王子

    【1v1+男强女强+魔幻大陆】她,生来身份尊贵,天赋高超,内心善良单纯,却因为某些事情而一改单纯。也因为生来的使命,不得不成为一名在血路中游走的女杀神,同时,也成为了皇家骑士团的女王子。 她曾站在敌军的尸身上说过:“有我在!我的子民,我的国家将由我来守护!”那一次,她以孤身一人踏败敌人3000…… 他曾是社会最底层的一类人,但也曾通过自己的努力成为了多数人不可超越的存在,身世的秘密一点,一点的解开,终于,他可以与她比肩了,他的膝盖有资格想她弯曲了! 他说:“让我们做一对战场鸳鸯可好?我愿陪你一起守护这里。” 同样的使命,不同的性格,因使命而相遇的他们会擦出什么样的火花?简介无能欢迎入坑
  • 超级骗仙

    超级骗仙

    一把剑划过天空,刺破黑暗,带着呼啸的破风声,扎进粉碎的大地之中,以九尺为中心,一股庞大的波动席卷四周,似乎要将一切所见碾为尘埃!“剑来!”黑皮肤少年,五指张开,冲着天空大声的咆哮,喊出了这句经典的台词。右手化掌,仿佛握住时间所有,灰袍老者微微一笑,看着面前的黑皮肤少年,轻言细语,所有的话语消失在风中,没人听得清他在说什么,然后右手轻轻一握,远处的大地都在颤抖,一座山峰四分五裂,云海起伏,缥缈的一句话才回荡在表情惊讶的少年人耳边,“此式名为搬山。”一片漆黑的天空,如同末世降临,一个身影无比高大的巨人朝着天空愤怒地咆哮,似乎要发泄心中所有的不满,在他的脚下更远的地方,密密麻麻的敌人朝着他本来,而在巨人的身后,同样有一群修士,大喊着冲向敌人,“云宗荣耀!”下一刻,便粉身碎骨。无数的怪谲遍布城池脚下,守卫国土的将士们面漏绝望之色,却仍然没有后退一步,因为身后是更多无辜的百姓,城在人在。这里是大唐长安,它危在旦夕。
  • 弃妃太嚣张

    弃妃太嚣张

    谁言弃妃太难当,我做弃妃最嚣张。不就是不小心看到自己的老公跟好友偷情,一生气跑了出去吗,没想到竟然,天打雷劈,成全了他们,自己落得个身毁神也差点亡的下场。老天似乎还算帮忙,让她的灵魂穿越到了古代,不过怎么还是个被遗弃的女人呢,丫的,上天你在耍我是不是?老娘我就跟你耗到底了。片段一望着手中的休书,玉无双非但没有一丝难过,反而高兴的手舞足蹈,千恩万谢的唱道:感谢天,感谢地,感谢王爷你让我重新呼吸自由的空气。微笑着看了某人一眼,她毫无留恋的离去。却不知某人因为她这样的反应,气的七窍生烟。片段二为朋友张榜招亲,帅哥来了一大堆,不过…美男一号,“榜文你可都看过了,给你五分钟陈诉自己的优缺点。”某男反问道:“能问一下,外面的榜文是谁写的?”“是我!”“那我决定娶你了!”玉无双一记铁拳打在他的鼻子上,“有病,带他去看精神科。下一位!”美男二号,“请问,你喜欢什么类型的女人,温柔,可爱,还是…”“我最喜欢你!”不等她说完,某男快速的回答道。玉无双愤怒的一个花瓶砸了过去,“神经,带他去看骨科,顺带看看精神科。下一位!”美男三号,“请问…”“你不用问了,本王命令你嫁给我!”玉无双毫无留情的一脚踢在他的肚子上,“自大,带他去看内科,骨科,精神科也一起检查一下。下一位!”前夫也来凑热闹,“无双,为夫知道错了,跟我回家好不好!”玉无双翘着腿,斜睨了某人一眼,兴趣缺缺的打着呵欠:“王爷,我是弃妃,弃妃耶,白纸黑字,休书为凭,你想抵赖也不成。如果不嫌皮痒,您就自求多福,老实待着吧。还是您也想看精神科?”前生今世,不同的人,同样的事,原本想好好爱一个人,却换来心碎身伤,有倒是破镜难以重圆,覆水难收,她宁做弃妇,也绝不吃回头草。女主驾到,鸡犬不宁。休书在手,逍遥天下。本书既有轻松搞笑的片段,又有暗箭明枪,阴谋诡计,更有多姿多彩的爱情,结局未定。喜欢的亲们记得收藏哦!推荐牧天的新文《流氓金仙》另一本文文《混混王爷女儿身》推荐好友的文文《王的野宠》《百变嚣张公主》《寡妇三嫁》《独宠异世》《极品夫君好又多》《重生之豪门千金》
  • 乐师

    乐师

    小说最初呈现的就是这样一个场景,仅隔了一条马路,但父女之间却难以走进对方的生活。我感兴趣的是老乐师的目光。这是一种温暖而辛酸的注视。对一个心怀内疚的父亲,面对女儿不幸的生活,是那么地无助和自责。而对一个曾经对父亲充满了怨恨的女人,要敞开地接纳他也是件不容易的事。于是这对父女,他们总是不由自主地逃离和情不自禁地相互靠近。
  • 感恩故事(影响青少年一生的中华典故)

    感恩故事(影响青少年一生的中华典故)

    中华文明源远流长,历史文化典籍中的典故也是数不胜数。本书编者在先秦到晚清的文化典籍中穿梭往来,精选出数千则典故,并对每则典故的出处、故事、含义、用法进行了详解。为了方便读者查阅,根据含义的异同对这些典故进行了分类,使读者用起来方便快捷、得心应手。一书在手,尽览中国语言文化的博大精深。
  • 萌夫赖上大龄妻

    萌夫赖上大龄妻

    顾安安15岁起,就一直带着一个“拖油瓶”,可别误会,顾安安一直都是一个品学兼优的好孩子,那种年纪轻轻就被男孩子哄骗的事情是不会发生在她身上的!杨梓珍自打7岁第一次见到顾安安起就知道,顾安安对她好,曾经她坚信,这个世界上,肯定再没人像顾安安那样对她好了,直到,严谨的出现。严谨早就想好了,等到顾安安大学毕业了,不管家里人怎么反对,都要把她娶回家,哪知,这个狠心的女人,居然把她的“拖油瓶”甩给了他之后,就独自飞走了!严谨发誓,他一定要让顾安安后悔自己的所作所为!光阴飞逝,顾安安没想到,当她再次踏回故土的时候,竟然是参加严谨和杨梓珍的婚礼!可是,她不能不来,而且她也想来,因为,看着自己像珍宝那样疼爱了那么多年的妹妹幸福的出嫁,是顾安安最开心的事!婚礼上,看着台上那样般配的两人,那一刻,顾安安笑了,她的退出,是值得的。转身,离开!可为何,眼泪却如断了线的珠子,洒落了一地——当顾安安拿着行李等待登机时,原本应该洞房花烛的男人却出现在了她的面前,而这个他,阴郁的让她认不出来。“你怎么——”顾安安的话还没说完,就被眼前人的行动吓到了,唇上的冰凉告诉她现在两人的姿势,下一刻,顾安安拼命的想要推开,他现在是自己的妹夫,怎么可以这样?!!无奈力量悬殊,还是,顾安安的心底,也很想念这个怀抱——只是下一刻,一个熟悉的声音传来:“姐姐——”顾安安抬头,什么时候,杨梓珍站到了她的旁边?而她此刻受伤的表情,不高的音调,虽然只有两个字,却让顾安安一下子慌了神。&&**又是三年后,三十一岁的顾安安仍然孜然一身,如今的她,是公司里有名的女魔头,下属背地里都笑话她是“老处女”。除了,她新招的助理。顾安安看着面向着自己专注的做着报告的充满朝气的男孩,瞬间做了一个决定,今晚,就是他了!“姐姐,这是?”杨梓珍看着顾安安旁边人,语气中满是不敢相信,而一旁的严谨,更是恨不得上前揍上一顿!顾安安正想给旁边的人是个脸色,让他好好演,哪知,人家却立即厚脸皮的答道:“你好,你就是梓珍吧,我是你姐姐的男朋友!”暮宸说话的时候,却是看向了严谨,他也想去把严谨揍一顿,谁叫他让顾安安伤心的?
  • 快穿任务之炮灰来逆袭

    快穿任务之炮灰来逆袭

    孟离围观异宝出世成了炮灰,又成了穿梭各个世界替人逆袭的任务者。觉得功法不如意?自创!没有称心的武器?也有!没有合适的机缘?都有!(注:本文无cp。)
  • 书科尔沁忠亲王大沽之败

    书科尔沁忠亲王大沽之败

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 长江传

    长江传

    一部关于长江的美丽凄楚、动人心弦的传记。作者远溯亿万年前由东向西流出的古长江的初始形态,从徘徊流水的序曲到奔流入海的尾声,一如徐刚以往的风格,时而大开大合、大起大落;时而细致入微、鞭辟入里。融地理、历史、人物、文化于一炉,直面历史和现实,在大地的背景上所作的饱含忧患的刻画,于仪态万方中教人沉思冥想。书中既有长江百年水患的详尽钩沉,又有绿色中国的蓝图创意,独特的语境洋溢在字里行间,大地完整性的思考给出了作者铭心刻骨的警醒之言:我们正走在一条离开物质财富越来越近、离开江河大地越来越远的不归路上。
  • 大荒之帝

    大荒之帝

    重生大荒之地,有着玄幻奇幻的世界,这里有着上古巨兽,也有修仙正道。林飞只是一名考古学员,意外穿越而来,他在这弱肉强食的修仙大路上,他不得不走上一条强者之路。勾心斗角、阴谋阳谋层出不穷,为的就是往上爬……何曾几时,我们也有这样的修仙梦!