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to-night.
Doubtless, thou wilt find it hard to abstain at first; but keep up a brave heart, for the sake of thy wife and children, and it will soon become easy.
When thou hast need of coffee, tell Mary, and she will always give it to thee.’
The poor fellow tried to eat and drink, but the food seemed to choke him. After an ineffectual effort to compose his excited feelings, he bowed his head on the table, and wept like a child.
After a while, he ate and drank with good appetite; and his host parted with him for the night with this kindly exhortation; ‘Try to do well, John; and thou wilt always find a friend in me.’
He entered into his employ the next day, and remained with him many years, a sober, honest, and faithful man. The secret of the theft was kept between them; but after John's death, William Savery sometimes told the story, to prove that evil might be overcome with good.
This practical preacher of righteousness was likewise a great preacher orally; if greatness is to be measured by the effect produced on the souls of others.
Through his ministry, the celebrated Mrs. Fry was first excited to a lively interest in religion.
When he visited England in 1798, she was Elizabeth Gurney, a lively girl of eighteen, rather fond of dress and company.
Her sister, alluding to the first sermon they heard, from William Savery, writes thus:
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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