I John Marrant, born June 15th, 1755, in New York, in North-America, wish
these gracious dealings of the Lord with me to be published, in hopes they may
be useful to others, to encourage the fearful, to confirm the wavering, and to
refresh the hearts of true believers. My father died when I was little
more than four years of age, and before I was five my mother removed from
New-York to St. Augustine, about seven hundred miles from that city.
Here I was sent to school, and taught to read and spell; after we had resided
here about eighteen months, it was found necessary to remove to Georgia, where
we remained; and I was kept to school until I had attained my eleventh
year. The Lord spoke to me in my early days, by these removes, if I
could have understood him, and said, "Here we have no continuing
city."
We left Georgia, and went to Charles Town, where it was intended
I should be put apprentice to some trade. Sometime after I had
been in Charles Town, as I was walking one day, I passed by a school,
and heard music and dancing, which took my fancy very much, and I felt
a strong inclination to learn the music. I went home, and informed
my sister, that I had rather learn to play upon music than go to a trade.
She told me she could do nothing in it, until she had acquainted my
mother with my desire. Accordingly she wrote a letter concerning
it to my mother with my desire. Accordingly she wrote a letter
concerning it to my mother, which, when she read, the contents wee disapproved
of by her, and she came to CharlesTown to prevent it. She persuaded
me much against it, but her persuasions were fruitless. Disobedience
either to god or man, being one of the fruits of sin, grew out from
me in early buds. Finding I was set upon it, and resolved to learn
nothing else, she agreed to it, and went with me to speak to the man,
and to settle upon the best terms with him she could. He insisted
upon twenty pounds down, which was paid, and I was engaged to stay with
him eighteen months, and my mother to find me every thing during that
term. The first day I went to him he put the violin into my hand,
which pleased me much, and, applying close, I learned very fast, not
only to play, but to dance also; so that in six months I was able to
play for the whole school.
In the evenings after the scholars were dismissed, I
used to resort to the bottom of our garden; where it was customary for some
musicians to assemble to blow the French-horn. Here my improvement was
so rapid, that in a twelve month's time I became master both of the violin and
of the French-horn, and was much respected by the Gentlemen and Ladies whose
children attended the school, as also by my master: This opened to me a
large door of vanity and vice, for I was invited to all the balls and
assemblies that were held in the town, and met with the general applause of
the inhabitants. I was a stranger to want, being supplied with as much
money as I had any occasion for; which my sister observing, said "You
have now no need of a trade." I was now in my thirteenth year,
devoted to pleasure and drinking in iniquity like water; a slave to every vice
suited to my nature and to my years. The time I had engaged to serve my
master being expired, he persuaded me to stay with him, and offered me
anything, or any money, not to leave him. His entreaties proving
ineffectual, I quitted his service, and visited my mother in the country; with
her I stayed two months, living without God or hope in the world, fishing and
hunting on the Sabbath-day. Unstable as water I returned to town, and
wished to go to some trade. My sister's husband being informed of my
inclination provided me with a master, on condition that I should serve him
one year and a half on trial, and afterwards be bound, if he approved of
me.
Accordingly I went, but every evening I was sent for to play on
music, somewhere or another; and I often continued out very late, sometimes
all night, so as to render me incapable of attending my master's business the
next day; yet in this manner I served him a year and four months, and was much
approved of by him. He wrote a letter to my mother to came and have me
bound , and whilst my mother was weighing the matter in her own mind, the
gracious purposes of God, respecting a perishing sinner, were now to be
disclosed. One evening I was sent for in a very particular manner to go
and play for some Gentlemen, which I agreed to do, and was on my way to fulfill
my promise; and passing by a large meeting house I saw many lights in it, and
crowds of people going in. I enquired what it meant, and was answered by
my companion, that a crazy man was hallooing there; this raised my curiosity
to go in, that I might hear what he was hallooing about. He persuaded me
not to go in, but in vain. He then said, "If you will do one thing
I will go in with you." I asked him what that was? He
replied, "Blow the French horn among them." I liked the
proposal well enough, but expressed my fears of being beaten for disturbing
them; but upon his promising to stand by and defend me, I agreed.
So we
went and with much difficulty got within the doors. I was pushing the
people to make room, to get the horn off my shoulder to blow it, just as Mr.
Whitefield was naming his text, and looking round, and , as I thought directly
upon me, and pointing with his finger, he uttered these words, "Prepare
to meet thy God, O Israel." The Lord accompanied the word with
such power, that I was struck to the ground, and lay both speechless and
senseless near half an hour. When I was come a little too, I found two
men attending me, and a woman throwing water in my face and holding a
smelling-bottle to my nose; and when something more recovered, every word I
heard from the minister was like a parcel of swords thrust into me, and what
added to my distress, I thought I saw the devil on every side of me. I
was constrained in the bitterness of my spirit to halloo out in the midst of
the congregation, which disturbing them, they could neither walk or stand,
they carried me as far as the vestry, and there I remained till the service
was over. When the people were dismissed Mr. Whitefield came into the
vestry, and being told of my condition he came immediately, and the first word
he said to me was, "JESUS CHRIST Has got thee at last." He
asked where I lived, intending to come and see me the next day; but
recollecting he was to leave the town the next morning, he said he could not
come himself, but would send another minister; he desired them to get me home,
and then taking his leave of me, I saw him no more When I reached my sister's
house, being carried by two men, she was very uneasy to see me in so
distressed a condition.
She got me to bed, and sent for a doctor, who
came immediately, and after looking at me, he went home, and sent me a bottle
of mixture, and desired her to give me a spoonful every two hours; but I could
not take any thing the doctor sent, nor indeed keep in bed; this distressed my
sister very much, and she cried out, "The lad will surely
die." She sent for two other doctors, but no medicine they
prescribed could I take. No, no; it may be asked, a wounded spirit who
can cure? as well as who can bear? In this distress of soul I
continued for three days without any food, only a little water now and
then. On the fourth day, the minister Mr. Whitefield had desired to
visit me came to see me, an being directed upstairs, when he entered the room,
I thought he made my distress my distress much worse. He wanted to take
hold of my hand, but I durst not give it to him. He insisted upon taking
hold of it, and I then got away from him on the other side of the bed; but
being very weak I fell down, and before I could recover he came to me and took
me by the hand, and after a few words desired to go to prayer.
So he
fell upon his knees, and pulled me down also; after he had spent some time in
prayer he rose up, and asked me now how I did, I answered, much worse; he then
said, "Come, "we will have the old thing over again," and we
kneeled down a second time, and after he had prayed earnestly we got up, and
he aid again, "How do you do now;" I replied worse and worse,
and asked him if he intended to kill me? "No, No, said he, you are
worth a thousand "dead men, let us try the old thing over again,"
and so falling upon our knees, he continued in prayer a considerable time, and
near the close of his prayer, the Lord was pleased to set my soul at perfect
liberty, and being filled with joy I began to praise the Lord immediately; my
sorrows were turned into peace, and joy, and love. The minister said,
"How is it now?" I answered, all is well, all happy. He
then took his leave of me; but called every day for several days afterwards,
and the last time he said, "Hold fast that "thou hast already
obtained, till Jesus Christ come." I now read the Scriptures very
much. My master sent often to know how I did, and at last came himself,
and finding me well, asked me if I would not come to work again? I
answered no. He asked me the reason, but receiving no answer he went
away. I continued with my sister about three weeks, during which time
she often asked me to play upon the violin for her, which I refused; then she
said I was crazy and mad, and so reported it among the neighbors, which opened
the mouths of all around against me.
I then resolved to go to my mother, which was eighty-four miles from
CharlesTown. I was two days on my journey home, and enjoyed much
communion with God on the road, and had occasion to mark the gracious
interposition's of his kind providence as I passed along. The
third day I arrived at my mother's house, and was well received.
At supper they sat down to eat without asking the Lord's blessing, which
caused me to burst out into tears. My mother asked me what was
the matter? I answered, I wept because they sat down to supper
without asking the Lord's blessing. She bid me, with much surprise,
to ask a blessing. I remained with her fourteen days without interruption;
the Lord pitied me, being a young soldier. Soon, however, Satan
began to stir up my two sisters and brother, who were then at home with
my mother, they called me every name but that which was good.
The more they persecuted me, the stronger I grew in grace. At
length my mother turned against me also, and the neighbors joined her,
and there was not a friend to assist me, or that I could speak to; this
made me earnest with God. In these circumstances, being the youngest
but one of our family, and young in Christian experience, I was tempted
so far as to threaten my life; but reading my Bible one day, and finding
that if I did destroy myself I could not come where God was, I betook
myself to the fields, and some days stayed out from morning to night
to avoid the persecutors.
I stayed one time two days
without any food, but seemed to have clearer views into the spiritual things
of God. Not long after this I was sharply tried, and reasoned the matter
within myself, whether I should turn to my old courses of sin and vice, or
serve and cleave to the Lord; after prayer to God, I was fully persuaded in my
mind, that if I turned to my old ways I should perish eternally. Upon
this I went home, and finding them all as hardened, or worse than before, and
everybody saying I was crazy; but a little sister I had, about nine years of
age, used to cry when she saw them persecute me, and continuing so about five
weeks and three days, I thought it was better for me to die than to live among
such people. I rose one morning very early, to get a little quietness
and retirement, I went into the woods, and stayed till eighty o'clock in the
morning; upon my return I found them all at breakfast; I passed by them, and
went upstairs without any interruption; I went upon my knees to the lord and
returned him thanks; then I took up a small pocket Bible and one of Dr. Watt's
hymn books, and passing by them went out without one word spoken by any of
us.
After spending some time in the fields I was persuaded to go from
home altogether. Accordingly I went over the fence, about half a mile
from our house, which divided the inhabited and cultivated parts of the
country from the wilderness. I continued traveling in the desert all day
without the least inclination of returning back. About eight o'clock
next morning I descended from the tree, and returned God thanks for the
mercies of the night. I went on all this day, taking my Bible out of my
pocket, I read and walked for some time, and then being wearied and almost
spent I sat down, and after resting awhile I rose to go forward; but had not
gone above a hundred yards when something tripped me up, and I fell down; I
prayed to the Lord upon the ground that he would command the wild beasts to
devour me, that I might be with him in glory I made this request to God the
third and part of the fourth day. The fourth day in the morning,
descending from my usual lodging, a tree, and having nothing all this time to
eat, and but a little water to drink, I was so feeble that I tumbled half way
down the tree, not being able to support myself, and lay upon my back on the
ground an hour and a half, praying and crying; after which, getting a little
strength, and trying to stand upright to walk, I found myself not able; then I
went upon my hands and knees, and so crawled till I reached a tree that was
tumbled down, in order to get across it, and there I prayed with my body
leaning upon it above an hour, that the Lord would take me to himself.
Such nearness to God I then enjoyed, that I willingly resigned myself into his
hands. After some time I thought I was strengthened, so I got across the
tree without my feet or hands touching the ground; but struggling I fell over
on the other side, and then thought the Lord will now answer my prayer, and
take me home: But the time was not come. After laying there a
little, I rose, and looking about, saw at some distance bunches of grass,
called deer-grass; I felt a strong desire to get at it; though I rose, yet it
was only on my hands and knees, being so feeble, and in this manner I reached
the grass. I was three-quarters of an hour going in this form twenty
yards. When I reached it I was unable to pull it up, so I bit it
off like a horse, and prayed the Lord to bless it to me . and I
thought it the best meal I ever had in my life, and I think so still, it was
so sweet. I returned my God hearty thanks for it, and then lay down
about an hour. Feeling myself very thirsty, I prayed the Lord to provide
me with some water. Finding I was something strengthened I got up,
and stood on my feet, and staggered from one tree to another, if they were
near each other, otherwise the journey was too long for me.
I continued moving so for some time, and at length passing between
two trees, I happened to fall upon some bushes; among which were few
large hollow leaves, which had caught and contained the dews of the
night, and lying low among the bushes, were not exhaled by the solar
rays; this water in the leaves fell upon me as I tumbled down and was
lost, I was now tempted to think the Lord had given me water from Heaven,
and I had wasted it. I then prayed the lord to forgive me.
What poor unbelieving creatures we are! though we are assured the Lord
will supply all out needs. I was presently directed to a puddle
of water very muddy, which some wild pigs had just left; I kneeled down,
and asked the Lord to bless it to me, so I drank both mud and water
mixed together, and being satisfied I returned the lord thanks, and
went on my way rejoicing. This day was much chequered with wants
and supplies, with dangers and deliverance's. I continued traveling
on for nine days, feeding upon grass, and not knowing whither I was
going; but the Lord Jesus Christ was very present, and that comforted
me through all. The next morning, having quitted my customary
lodging, and returned thanks to the Lord for my preservation through
the night, reading and traveling on, I passed between two bears, about
twenty yards distance from each other. Both sat and looked at
me, but I felt no fear; and after I had passed them, they both went
the same way from without growling, or the least apparent uneasiness.
I went and returned God thanks for my escape, who had tamed the wild
beast of the forest, and made them friendly to me: I rose from
my knees and walked on, singing hymns of praise to God, about five o'clock
in the afternoon, and about 55 miles from home, right through the wilderness.
As I was going on, and musing upon the goodness of the
Lord, an Indian hunter, who stood at some distance, saw me; he hid himself
behind a tree, but as I passed along he bolted out, and put his hands on my
breast, which surprised me a few a moments. He then asked me where I was
going? I answered I did not know, but where the Lord was pleased to
guide me. Having heard me praising God before I came up to him, he
enquired who I was talking to? I told him I was talking to my Lord
Jesus; he seemed surprised, and asked me where he was? for he did not
see him there. I told him he could not be seen with bodily eyes.
After a little more talk, he insisted upon taking me home; but I refused, and
added that I would die rather than return home. He then asked me if I
knew how far I was from home? I answered, I did not know; you are 55
miles and a half, says he, from home. He farther asked me how I did to
live? I said I was supported by the Lord. He asked me how I
slept? I answered, the Lord provided me with a bed every night; he
further enquired what preserved me from being devoured by the wild
beasts? I replied, the Lord Jesus Christ kept me from them.
He stood astonished, and said, you say
the Lord Jesus Christ do this, and do that, and do every thing for you, he
must be a very fine man, where is he? I replied, he is here
present. To this he made me no answer, only said, I know you, and your
mother and sister, and upon a little further conversation I found he did know
them, having been used in winter to sell skins in our town. This alarmed
me, and I wept for fear he would take me home by force; but when he saw me so
affected, he said he would not take me home if I would go with him. I
objected against that, for fear he would rob me of my comfort and communion
with God: But as last, being much pressed, I consented to
go. Our employment for ten weeks and three days, was killing deer,
and taking off their skins by day, which we afterwards hung on the trees to
dry till they were sent for ; the means of defense and security against our
nocturnal enemies, always took up the evenings: We collected a number of
large bushes, and placed them nearly in a circular form, which uniting at the
extremity, afforded us both a verdant covering, and a sufficient shelter from
the night dews. What moss we could gather was strewed upon the ground,
and this composed our bed. A fire was kindled in the front of our
temporary lodging room, and fed with fresh fuel all night, as we slept and
watched by turns; and this was our defense from the dreadful animals, whose
shining eyes and tremendous roar we often saw and discard during the by
constant conversation with the hunter, I acquired a fuller knowledge of the
Indian tongue: This, together with a sweet communion I enjoyed with God,
I have considered as a preparation for the great trial I was soon after to
pass through.
The hunting season being now at an end, we left
the woods, and directed our course towards a large Indian town, belonging to
the Cherokee nation; and having reached it, I said to the hunter, they will
not suffer me to enter in. He replied, as I was with him, nobody would
interrupt me.
There was an Indian fortification all round the town, and a
guard placed at each entrance. The hunter passed one of these without
molestation, but I was stopped by the guard and examined. They asked me
where I came from, and what was my business there? My companion of the
woods attempted to speak for me, but was not permitted; he was taken away, and
I saw him no more. I was now surrounded by about 50 men, and carried to
one of their chiefs to be examined by him. When I came before him, he
asked me what was my business there? I told him I came there with a
hunter, whom I met with in the woods. He replied, "Did I not know
that whoever came there "without giving a better account of themselves
"than I did, was to be put to death?" I said I did not know
it. Observing that I answered him so readily in his own language, he
asked me where I learnt it? To this I returned no answer, but burst out
into a flood of tears; and calling upon my Lord Jesus.
At this he stood astonished, and
expressed a concern for me, and said I was young. He asked me who my
Lord Jesus was? To this I gave him no answer, but continued praying and
weeping. Addressing himself to the officer who stood by him, he said he
was sorry; but it was the law, and it must not be broken. I was then
ordered to be taken away, and put into a place of confinement. They led
me from their court into a low dark place, and thrust me into it, very dreary
and dismal; they made fast the door, and set a watch. The judge sent for
the executioner, and gave him his warrant for my execution in the afternoon of
the next day. The executioner came, and gave me notice of it, which made
me very happy, as the near prospect of death made me hope for a speedy
deliverance from the body: And truly this dungeon became my chapel, for
the Lord Jesus did not leave me in this great trouble, but was very present,
so that I continued blessing him, and singing his praises all night without
ceasing: The watch hearing the noise, informed the executioner that
somebody had been in the dungeon with me all night; upon which he came in to
see and to examine, with a great torch lighted in his hand, who it was I had
with me; but finding nobody, he turned round, and asked me who it was? I
told him it was the Lord Jesus Christ; but he made no answer, turned away,
went out, and locked my door. At the hour appointed for my execution I
was taken out, and led to the destined spot, amidst a vast number of
people. I praised the lord all the way we went, and when we arrived at
the place I understood the kind of death I was to suffer, yet, blessed be God,
none of those things moved me. The executioner shewed me a basket of
turpentine wood, stuck full of small pieces, like skewed; he told me I was to
be stripped naked, and laid down in the basket, and these sharp pegs were to
be stuck into me, and then set on fire, and when they had burnt to my body, I
was to be turned on the other side, and served in the same manner, and then to
be taken by four men and thrown into the flame, which was to finish the
execution. I burst into tears, and asked what I had done to deserve so
cruel a death! To this he gave me no answer. I cried out, Lord, if
it be thy will that it should be so, thy will be done: I then asked the
executioner to let me go to prayer; he asked me to whom? I answered, to
the Lord my God; he seemed surprised, and asked me where he was? I told
him he was present; upon which he gave me leave. I desired them all to
do as I did, so I fell down upon my knees, and mentioned to the Lord his
delivering of the three children in the fiery furnace, and of Daniel in the
lion's den, and had close communion with God. I prayed in English a
considerable time, and about the middle of my prayer, the Lord impressed a
strong desire upon my mind to turn into their language, and pray in their
tongue. I did so, and with remarkable liberty, which wonderfully
affected the people. One circumstance was very singular, and strikingly
displays the power and grace of God. I believe the executioner was
savingly converted to God. He rose from his knees, and embraced me round
the middle, and was unable to speak for about five minutes; the first words he
expressed, when he had utterance, were, "No man shall hurt thee till thou
hast been "to the king."
I was taken away immediately, and as we
passed along, and I was reflecting upon the deliverance which the Lord had
wrought out for me, and hearing the praises which the executioner was singing
to the Lord, I must own I was utterly at a loss to find words to praise
him. I broke out in these words, what can't the Lord Jesus do! and what
power is like unto his! I will thank thee for what is passed, and trust
thee for what is to come. I will sing thy praise with my feeble tongue
whilst life and breath shall last, and when I fail to found thy praises here,
I hope to sing them round thy throne above: And thus, with unspeakable
joy, I sung two verses of Dr. Watts's hymns:
"My God, the spring of all my joys,
"The life of my delights;
"The glory of my brightest days,
"And comfort of my nights.
"In darkest shades, if thou appear,
"My dawning is begun;
"Thou art my soul's bright morning star,
"And thou my rising sun."
Passing by the judge's door, he stopped
us, and asked the executioner why he brought me back? The man fell upon
his knees, and begged he would permit me to be carried before the king, which
being granted, I went on, guarded by two hundred soldiers with bows and
arrows. After many windings I entered the king's outward chamber, and
after waiting some time he came to the door, and his first question was, how
came I there? I answered, I came with a hunter whom I met with in the
woods, and who persuaded me to come there. He then asked me how old I
was? I told him not fifteen. He asked me how I was supported
before I met with this man? I answered, by the Lord Jesus Christ, which
seemed to confound him. He turned round, and asked me if he lived where
I came from? I answered, yes, and here also. He looked about the
room, and said he did not see him; but I told him I felt him. The
executioner fell upon his knees, and entreated the king, and told him what he
had felt f the same Lord. At this instant the king's eldest daughter
came into the chamber, a person about 19 years of age, and stood at my
right-hand. I had a Bible in my hand, which she took out of it, and
having opened it, she kissed it, and seemed much delighted with it. When
she had put it into my hand again, the king asked me what it was? and I
told him, the name of my God was recorded there; and, after several questions,
he bid me read it, which I did, particularly the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, in
the most solemn manner I was able; and also the 26th chapter of Matthew's
Gospel; and when I pronounced the name of Jesus, the particular effect it had
upon me was observed by the king. When I had finished reading, he asked
me why I read those names with so much reverence? I told him, because
the Being to whom those names belonged made heaven and earth, and I and he
this he-denied. I then pointed to the sun, and asked him who made the
sun, and moon, and stars, and preserved them in their regular order? He
said there was a man in their town that did it. I labored as much as I
could to convince him to the contrary. His daughter took the book out of
my hand a second time; she opened it, and kissed it again; her father bid her
give it to me, which she did; but said, with much sorrow, the book would not
speak to her. The executioner then fell upon his knees, and begged the
king to let me go to prayer, which being granted, we all went upon our knees,
and now the Lord displayed his glorious power. In the midst of the
prayer some of them cried out, particularly the king's daughter, and the man
who ordered me to be executed, and several others seemed under deep conviction
of sin: This made the king very angry; he called me a witch, and
commanded me to be thrust into the prison, and to be executed the next
morning. This was a enough to make me think, as old Jacob once did,
"All these things are against me;" for I was dragged away, and
thrust into the dungeon with much indignation; but God, who never forsakes his
people, was with me. Though I was weak in body, yet was I strong in the
spirit: The Lord works, and who shall let it? The executioner went
to the king, and assured him, that if he put me to death, his daughter would
never be well. They used the skill of all their doctors that afternoon
and night; but physical prescriptions were useless. In the morning the
executioner came to me, and, without opening the prison door, called to me,
and hearing me answer, said, "Fear not, "thy God who delivered thee
yesterday, will "deliver thee today." This comforted me very
much, especially to find he cold trust the Lord. Soon after I was
fetched out, I thought it was to be executed; but they led me away to the
king's chamber with much bodily weakness, having been without food two
days. When I came into the king's presence, he said to me, with much
anger, if I did not make his daughter and that man well, I should be laid down
and chopped into pieces before him. I was not afraid, but the Lord tried
my faith sharply. The king's daughter and the other person were brought
out into the outer chamber, and we went to prayer; but the heavens were locked
up to my petitions. I befought the Lord again, but received no
answer: I cried again, and he was entreated. He said, "Be it
to thee as "thou wilt;" the Lord appeared most lovely and
glorious; the king himself was awakened, and the others set at liberty.
A great change took place among the people; the king's house because God's
house; the soldiers were ordered away, and the poor condemned prisoner had
perfect liberty, and was treated like a prince. Now the Lord made all my
enemies to become my great friends. I remained nine weeks in the king's
palace, praising God day and night: I was never out but three days all
the time. I had assumed the habit of the country, and was dressed much
like the king, and nothing was too good for me. The king would take off
his golden ornaments, his chain and bracelets, like a child, if I objected to
them, and lay them aside. Here I learnt to speak their tongue in the
highest stile.
I began now to feel an inclination growing upon me to go
farther on, but none to return home. The king being acquainted with
this, expressed his fears of my being used ill by the next Indian nation, and,
to prevent it, sent 50 men, and a recommendation to the king, with me.
The next nation was called the Creek Indians, at 60 miles distance. Here
I was received with kindness, owing to the king's influence, from whom I had
parted; here I stayed five weeks. I next visited the Catawar Indians, at
about 55 miles distance from the others: Lastly, I went among the Housaw
Indians, 80 miles distant from the last mentioned; here I stayed seven
weeks. These nations were then at peace with each other, and I passed
among them without danger, being recommended from one to the other. When
they recollect, that the white people drove them from the American shores, the
three first nations have often united, and murdered all the white people in
the back settlements which they could lay hold of, man, woman, and
child. I had not much reason to believe any of these three nations were
savingly wrought upon, and therefore I returned to the Cherokee nation, which
took me up eight weeks. I continued with my old friends seven weeks and
two days.
I now and then found, that my affections to my family and country
were not dead; they were sometimes very sensibly felt, and at last strengthened
into an invincible desire of returning home. The king was much
against it; but feeling the same strong bias towards my country, after
we had asked Divine direction, the king consented, and accompanied me
60 miles with 140 men. I went to prayer three times before we
could part, and then he sent 40 men with me a hundred miles farther;
I went to prayer, and then took my leave of them and passed on my way.
I had 70 mils now to go to the back settlements of the white people.
I was surrounded very soon with wolves again, which made my old lodging
both necessary and welcome. However it was not long, for in two
days I reached the settlements, and on the third I found a house:
It was about dinnertime, and as I came up to the door the family saw
me, were frightened, and ran away. I sat down to dinner alone,
and eat very heartily, and, after returning God thanks, I went to see
what was become of the family. I found means to lay hold of a
girl that stood peeping at me from behind a barn. She fainted
away, and it was upwards of an hour before she recovered; it was nine
o'clock before I could get them all to venture in, they were so terrified
My dress was purely in the Indian stile; the skins of
wild beasts composed my garments, my head was set out in the savage manner,
with a long pendant down my back, a sash round my middle without breeches, and
a tomahawk by my side. In about two days they became sociable.
Having visited three or four other families, at the distance of 16 or 20
miles, I got them altogether to prayer on the Sabbath days, to the number of
17 persons. I stayed with them six weeks, and they expressed much sorrow
when I left them. I was now one hundred and twelve miles from
home. On the road I sometimes met with a house, then I was hospitably
entertained; and when I met with none, a tree lent me the use of its friendly
shelter and protection from the prowling beasts of the woods during the
night. The God of mercy and grace supported me thus for eight days, and
on the ninth I reached my uncle's house.
The following particulars, relating to the manner in which I
was made known to my family, are less interesting and yet, perhaps,
some readers would not forgive their omission: I shall, however,
be as brief as I can. I asked my uncle for a lodging, which he
refused. I enquired how far the town was off; three quarters of
a mile, said he. Do you know Mrs. Marrant and family, and how
the children do? was my next question. He said he did, they
were all well, but one was lately lost; at this I turned my head and
wept. He did not know me, and upon refusing again to lodge me,
I departed. When I reached the town it was dark, and passing by
a house where one of my old school-fellows lived, I knocked at the door;
he came out, and asked me what I wanted? I desired a lodging,
which was granted: I went in, but was not known. I asked
him if he knew Mrs. Marrant, and how the family were? He said,
he had just left them, they were all well; but a young lad, with whom
he went to school, who, after he had quitted school, went to CharlesTown
to learn some trade; but came home crazy, and rambled in the woods,
and was torn in pieces by the wild beasts. How do you know, said
I, that he was killed by wild beasts. How do you know, said I,
that he was killed by wild beasts? I, and his brother, and uncle,
and others, said he, went three days into the woods in search of him,
and found his carcass torn, and brought it home, and buried it, and
they are now in mourning for him. This affected me very much,
and I wept; observing it, he said, what is the matter? I made
no answer. At supper they sat down without craving a blessing,
for which I reproved them; this so affected the man, that I believe
it ended in a sound conversion. Here is a wild man, says he, come
out of the woods to be a witness for God, and to reprove our ingratitude
and stupefaction! After supper I went to prayer, and then to bed.
Rising a little before daylight, and praising the Lord, as my custom
was, the family were surprised, and got up: I stayed with them
till nine o'clock, and then went to my mommy dress drew everybody's
eyes upon me, yet none knew me. I knocked at my mother's door,
my sister opened it, and was startled at my appearance. Having
expressed a desire to see Mrs. Marrant, I was answered, she was not
very well, and that my business with her could be done by the person
at the door, who also attempted to shut me out, which I prevented.
My mother being called, I went in, and sat down, a mob of people being
round the door. My mother asked "what is you business;"
only to see you said I. She was much obliged to me, but did not
now me. I asked, how are your children? how are you two
sons? She replied, her daughters were in good health, of her two sons
one was well, and with her, but the other, unable to contain, she burst
into a flood of tears, and retired. I was overcome, and wept much;
but nobody knew me. This was an affecting scene! Presently
my brother came in: He enquired, who I was, and what I was?
My sister did not know; but being uneasy at my presence, they contrived
to get me out of the house, which , being overheard by me, I resolved
not to stir. My youngest sister, eleven years of age, came in
from school, and knew me the moment she saw me: She goes into
the kitchen, and tells the woman her brother was come; but her news
finding no credit there she returns, passes through the room where I
sat, made a running curtsey, and says to my eldest sister in the next
room, it is my brother! She was then called a foolish girl, and
threatened; the child cried, and insisted upon it. She went crying
upstairs to my mother, and told her; but neither would my mother believe
her. At last they said to her, if it be your brother, go and kiss
him, and ask him how he does? She ran and clasped me round the
neck, and, looking me in the face, said, "Are not "you my
brother John?" I answered yes, and wept. I was then
made known to all the family, to my friends, and acquaintances, who
received me, and were glad, and rejoiced: Thus the dead was brought
to life again; thus the lost was found. I shall now close the
Narrative, with only remarking a few incidents in my life, until my
connection with my Right Honorable Patroness, the Countess of Huntingdon.
I remained with my relations till the commencement of
the American troubles. I used to go and hear the word of God, if any
Gospel ministers came into the country, though at a considerable distance, and
thereby got acquainted with a few poor people, who feared God in Will's Town,
and Borough Town, Dorchester Town, and other places thereabouts; and in those
places we used to meet and associate together for Christian conversation, and,
at their request, I frequently went to prayer with them, and at times enjoyed
much of the Lord's presence among them; and yet, reader, my soul was got into
a declining state. Don't forget our Lord's exhortation "What
I say unto you, I say unto all, "Watch
About this time I was an eyewitness of the remarkable conversion
of a child seven and a half years old, named Mary Scott, which
I shall here mention, in hopes the Lord may make it useful and profitable
to my young readers. Her parents lived in the house adjoining
to my sister's. One day, as I was returning from my work, and
passing by the school where she was instructed, I saw the children coming
out, and stop'd and looked among them for her, to take her home in my
hand; but not seeing her among those that were coming out, I supposed
she was gone before, and went on towards home; when passing by the churchyard,
which was in my way, I saw her very busy walking from one tomb to another,
and went to her, and asked her what she was doing there? She told
me, that in the lesson she had set her at school that morning, in the
Twentieth of the Revelations, she read, "I saw the dead, small
and great, stand "before God'" & c. and she had
been measuring the graves with a tape she then held in her hand, to
see if there were ay so small as herself among them, and that she had
found six that were shorter. I then said, and what of that?
She answered, "I "shall die, Sir."
I told her I knew she would, but hoped she would live till
she was grown a woman; but she continued to express her desire to depart and
be with Christ, rather than to live till she was grown up. I then took
her by the hand and brought her home with me. After this, she was
observed to be always very solid and thoughtful, and that passage appeared
always to be fresh upon her mind. I used frequently to be with her when
in town, and at her request we often read and prayed together, and she
appeared much affected. She never afterwards was seen out at play with
other children; but spent her leisure time in reading God's word and
prayer. In about four months after this she was taken ill, and kept her
room about three weeks; when first taken, she told me she should never come
downstairs alive. I frequently visited her during her illness, and made
light of what she said about her dying so soon; but in the last week of her
illness she said to me, in a very solemn manner, "Sir I shall die before
"Saturday-night." The physicians attended her, but she took
very few (if any) medicines, and appeared quite calm and resigned to god's
will. On Friday morning, which was the day she died, I visited her, and
told her that I hoped she would not die so soon as she said; but she told me
that she should certainly die before six o'clock that evening. About
five o'clock I visited her again. She was then sitting in a chair, and
reading in her Bible, to all appearance pretty well recovered.
After setting with her about a quarter of an hour, she
got up, and desired me to go down, and send her mother up with a clean shift
for her, which I did; and after a little time, when I went up again, I found
her lying on the bed, with her eyes fixed up to Heaven; when, turning herself
and seeing me, she said, "Mr. Marrant, don't you see that "pretty
town, and those fine people, how they "shine like gold? O how I long to
be with my "Lord and his redeemed Children in Glory!" and then
turning to her parents and two sisters (who were all present, having by her
desire been called to her) she shook hands with them, and bade them farewell;
desiring them not to lament for her when she was dead for she was going to
that fine place where God would wipe away all tears from her eyes, and she should
sing Hallelujahs to God and the lamb for ever and ever, and where she hoped
afterwards to meet them; and then turning again to me, she said,
"Farewell, and God bless you," and then fell asleep in the arms of
Jesus. This afterwards proved the conversion of her mother.
In those troublesome times, I was pressed on board the Scorpion
sloop of war, as their musician, as they were told all I could play
on music. I continued in his majesty's service six years and eleven
months; and with shame confess that a lamentable stupor crept over all
my spiritual vivacity, life and vigor; I got cold and dead. My
gracious God, my dear Father in his dear Son, roused me every now and
then by dangers and deliverance's. I was at the siege of CharlesTown,
and passed through many dangers. When the town was taken, my old
royal benefactor and convert, the king of the Cherokee Indians, riding
into the town with general Clinton, saw me, and knew me: He alighted
off his horse, and came to me; said he was glad to see me; that his
daughter was very happy, and sometimes longed to get out of the body.
Some time after this I was cruising about in the
American seas, and cannot help mentioning a regular deliverance I had from the
most imminent danger, and the use the Lord made of it to me. We were
overtaken by a violent storm; I was washed overboard, and thrown on again;
dashed into the sea a second time, and tossed upon deck again. I now
fastened a rope round my middle, as a security against being thrown into the
sea again; but, alas! forgot to fasten it to any part of the ship; being
carried away the third time by the fury of the waves, when in the sea, I found
the rope both useless and an encumbrance. I was in the sea the third
time about eight minutes, and the sharks came round me in great numbers, one
of an enormous size, that could easily have taken me into his mouth at once,
passed and rubbed against my side. I their cried more earnestly to the Lord
than I had done for sometime; and he who heard Jonah's prayer, did not shut
out mine, for I was thrown aboard again; these were the means the Lord used to
revive me, and I began now to set out afresh.
I was in the engagement with the Dutch off the Dogger
Bank, on board the Princess Amelia, of 84 guns. We had a great number
killed and wounded; the deck was running with blood; six men were killed, and
three wounded, stationed at the same gun with me; my head and face were
covered with the blood and brains of the slain: I was wounded, but did
not fall, till a quarter of an hour before the engagement ended, and was happy
during the whole of it. After being in the hospital three months and 16 days,
I was sent to the West-Indies on board a ship of war, and, after cruising in
those seas, we returned home as a convoy. Being taken ill of my old wounds,
I was put into the hospital at Plymouth, and had not been there long, when the
physician gave it as his opinion, that I should not be capable of serving the
king again; I should not be capable of serving the king gain; I was therefore
discharged, and came to London, where I lived with a respectable and pious
merchant three years, who was unwilling to part with me. During this
time I saw my call to the ministry fuller and clearer; had a feeling concern
for the salvation of my countrymen: I carried them constantly in the
arms of prayer and faith to the throne of grace, and had continual sorrow in
my heart for my brethren, for my kinsmen, according to the flesh. I
wrote a letter to my brother, who returned me an answer, in which he prayed
some ministers would come and preach to the, and desired me to shew it to the
minister whom I attended. I used to exercise my gifts on a Monday
evening in prayer and exhortation, and was approved of, and ordained at
Bath. Her Ladyship having seen the letter from my brother in Nova
Scotia, thought Providence called me there: To which place I am now
bound, and expect to sail in few days.
I have now only to entreat the earnest prayers of all my kind
Christian friends, that I man be carried safe there; kept humble, made
faithful, and successful; that strangers may hear of and run to Christ; that
Indian tribes may stretch out their hands to God; that the black nations may
be made white in the blood of the Lamb; that vast multitudes of hard tongue,
and of a strange speech, may learn the language of Canaan, and sing the song
of Moses, and of the Lamb; and, anticipating the glorious prospect, may we all
with servant hearts, and willing tongues, sing hallelujah; the kingdoms of the
world are become the kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ. Amen and
Amen
London
Prescot Street, No. 60,
July 18, 1785
London, August 16, 1785
Mr. John Marrant lived with us about 3 hears, which he did with honesty and
sobriety-he feared God, and had a desire to save his sold before he
ever came to live with us; he shewed himself to be such while he lived
with us, but attending the means of Grace diligently, and by being tender
hearted to the poor, by giving them money and victuals if he had left
himself none. He left us with no misunderstanding whatever, about
April lase.
This is nothing but the truth
(Signed)
Cotton-Merchant John Marsden,
No. 38,
Dowgate-Hill
H. Marsden:
