The story of my life

Front matter

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Chapter I. Page 13-27

My Birthplace, 14.— Early Religious Impressions, 15.— First Knowledge of America, 17.— Leaving Wales, 18.— Our Voyage, 18.— Westward Ho! In a Sloop, Wagon, Keel Boat, and Steamer 19.— The Death and Funeral of My Father, 22.— Finding a Home, 24.— The Log School-house. A Good Trade, 25— Learning to Spell. Won a Prize, 26.

Chapter II. Page 28-42

An Investment,28.— Reading the New Book and a Bitter Experience, 28.— Pioneer Life, 29.— Hunting Raccoons, 29.— Log Cabin Life. Rev. Russel Bigelow, 30.— Going from Home to School, 31.— Teaching School, 32.— Two Young Evangelists, 32.— Resuming Study, 33.— Returning Home, 35.— Uniting with the Church, 35. —My First Sunday-school, 38.— Securing the Books, 40.— Employment, 42.

Chapter III. Page 43-69

The Death of a Young Woman, 43.— Pioneer Life, 46.— An Important Decision, 48.— Entering College, 49.— A Wonderful Revival, 50. Sent on a Mission, 50.— Help in Need, 52.— A Fatal Disease, 54. —Return to College, 55.— Enter Miami University, 57.— Interview with the President, 57.— A Collapse, 59— A Bachelor's Hall, Minimum of Expense, 61.— Received as a Candidate for the Ministry, 63.— Graduation, 64.— Studying Theology, 65.— Disappointment in Application, 67.— Licensed to Preach, 68.

Chapter IV. Page 70—81

Visit Wales, 70.— Meeting a Friend, 70.— In a Welsh Sunday-school, 71.— Welsh Preaching, 73.— An Itinerant in Wales, 75.— Great Welsh Preachers, 77.— Returning Home, Resuming work at Paddy's Run, Establishing Sunday-schools, Entering the Sunday-School Union Service, 79.

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Page 82—111

A Kind Offer, 82.— Ordination, 82.— Marriage, 83— A Useful Sunday-school, 84.— A Grove Meeting, 87.— Helping the Preacher, 88.— A Missionary Tour, 89.— Fruit Gathered, 93.— Wales Revisited, 94.— A Preaching Tour, 98.— Llanuwchllyn, a Wonderful Revival, 100.— A Discovery, 111.

Chapter VI. Page 112-137

Returning Home, 112.— A Missionary Journey, 113.— Work in Cincinnati, 114.— Family Bereavement, 115.— The Mission of the American Sunday-School Union, 116.— Opposition Overruled, 117.— A Generous Old Lady, A Good Methodist, 121.— A New Work, 129.— Rowdyism, Against Temperance, 130.— Backwoods Hospitality, 133.— Ecclesiastical Change, 136.

Chapter VII. Page 138-166

Anecdote of Dr. Lyman Beecher, 138.— Re-establishing my Home, 141.— A Change of Field. Appointed Superintending Missionary, 143.— New Duties and Responsibilities, 144.— Finding Missionaries, 146.— A Trophy, 148.— Steamboating, 150.— In a Dilemma, 151.— Backwoods Currency, 152.— Re-visiting, 155.— A Boy on the Wood-pile, 156.— Securing a Library, 158.— A Presbyterian Camp-meeting, 160.

Chapter VIII. Page 167-198

A Step Onward, 167.— Sunday-school Celebrations, 168.— Conven % tions, 171.— Called East. In Boston, 176.— The East Re-visited, 181.— On the Boston Common, 181.— In New York, 182.— In Philadelphia, 183.— Helpers in my Work, 184.— Revivals of Religion, 186.— Employment from 1850 to 1860, 189— An Aged Soldier of the Revolutionary Army, 190.— Commissioner to the General Assembly, 195.— Preaching in the Tombs Prison, New York, 197.

Chapter IX. Page 199—220

The War Cloud of 1861, 199.— A Bible Class, 202.— Appointed Chaplain of the 39th O. V. I., 204.— Worship at Dress Parade, 205.— Systematizing my Labors, 205.— A Call to Head-quarters. 207.— Ordered to Northern Missouri, 209.— A Horse for the Chaplain, 211.— Winter Quarters and Work, 213.— Men Under Sentence of Death, 214.— Prostrated by Sickness, 215.— Reach Home. My Resignation Accepted, 216.— Visit the East, 218.

CONTENTS. Vll

Chapter X. Page 221—255

The United States Sanitary Commission. Battle of Perry ville. Work in the Hospitals, 221.— I Want to be Mustered in, 225 — Trafficking, 228.— Nashville, Tenn., 231.— Called to Philadelphia, 234.— A Voyage Down the Mississippi, 236.— Contrabands in War, 239.— A Floating Hospital, 243— The United States Christian Commission, 245.— The Cincinnati Auxiliary, 245.— Sent to the Front, 247.— A Field Hospital, 248.— Letter Writing, 250.— A Tea Party, 251— Comfort Bags, 254.

Chapter XI. Page 256—283

An Appointment, 256.— Patriotism and Sunday-schools, 256.— My Last Visit to the Front, 257.— Opposition, 259.— Anniversary at Philadelphia, 260.— Closing Anniversary at Washington, D. C, 261.— Visit to Richmond, Va., 265.— Reform School Work, 267.— How we Got a New Chapel, 271.— A New Boy, 271.— Incidents, 274.— Penal and Charitable Institutions, 276.— Finding an Aged Disciple in the Infirmary, 277.— The State Prison, 279.— An Incident, 281.

CHAPTER Xn. PAGE 284—293.

Resuming Missionary Work, 284.— Institutes, 285.— Grove Meeting in Illinois, 286.— Presbyterian National Convention at Philadelphia, 287.— At the General Assembly in New York, 291.— A Bible Meeting in Cincinnati, 292.

Chapter XIII. Page 294—318

The Presbyterian Reunion at Pittsburg, 294.— The United Church General Assembly at Philadelphia, 295.— Genial Hospitality, 295.— Anniversary of the American Sunday-School Union, 296.— An Ecclesiastical Wedding, 297.— A Christian Convention at Columbus, O., 298.— National Prison Reform Congress, 299.— A New Decade, 1870 to 1880, 300.— The Radnor Semi-Centennial, 301.— Robert Raikes Centenary in London, 303.— The London Sunday-school Union, 304.— A Picture Discovered, 310.— Deputation Work, 314 —Gloucester, 315.

Chapter XIV. Page 319 -340

Departure for Wales, 319.— Congregational Union of Wales, 320.— My Ancestors Discovered, 321.— Labors in Wales, 323.— A Mother's Every-day Bible, 325.— At Home Again, 325.— My Ordination Remembered, 327.— A Family Celebration, 330.— Sunday-school Golden Anniversary, Troy, C, 332.— The First Settlement of Ohio, Celebrated at Columbus, O., 335.— Flood in the Ohio Valley, 335.— Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Convention, 338.

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chapter XV. Page 341-375

Valley Camp Reunion, 341.— Deaths in my Family, 344.— Asbury Park, 346.— Preaching to Soldiers, 346.— Wigwam Meeting, 348.— The Presbyterian General Assembly, New York, 349.— Hospitality, 350.— The Pious Pilgrimage, 351.— West Point Board of Visitors, 353.— The World's Sunday-school Convention in London, 356.— The Fourth of July in London, 359.— Labor in England and Wales, 360.— The Queen of England, 364.— Stormy Voyage, 366.— Visit to Penal, Charitable, and Reformatory Institutions in Ohio and Indiana, 369.— At Home Employed Writing this Story of My Life, 375.

CHAPTER XVI.— Closing Labors. PAGE 376—382

A Visit to the East, 376.— A Sunday-school Convention, 376.— The Welsh Miners in the Lackawanna Valley, 377.— The Future of their Churches, 378.— The Sixty -sixth Anniversary of the American Sunday-school Union at Trenton, N. J., 378.— Rest at Saratoga, 380.— The Ohio State Sunday-school Convention at Zanesville, 381.— The Children's Day.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

Every divinely guided, consecrated life is a benediction to the race. To the youth of to-day willing to serve God and their country, this modest, but deeply interesting record of a long, noble, and widely useful life is sure to prove stimulating and helpful. The courage, privations, trials and abiding faith of the hardy exiles for conscience' sake, who founded Christian society amid the dense forests of America during the early part of this century, are forcibly illustrated by the story of the fatherless Welsh boy, who hewed out a home for his widowed mother in the wilderness, and with his backwoods axe chopped his way to a college education, fitting himself to become an eloquent Sunday-school evangelist, a friend of soldiers, a prominent leader in the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, and an advocate of State Reform Schools, making his name a household word in our country.

The book once begun, will not be easily laid down. As William Hazlitt said of the first book that really interested him : " It smacked of the world I lived in, and in which I was to

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X INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

live : " so this story smacks of the perplexities and victories of our common life, and shows us how to wring out of its daily adventures a glorious record for God and eternity.

When one born of the Spirit, and so far Godinspired, tells others what the Lord has done for his soul, he holds his hearers spell-bound by his simple, earnest, swift-told story. Hence the Welsh youth by his swift, soul-inspiring story of Christ and salvation, swayed his audiences with unwonted power. It mattered not whether he was speaking in his mother tongue amid his native hills in Wales, or in the acquired tongue of his adopted land, to backwoods crowds, or to cultured city audiences in the centers of wealth and refinement, all alike bowed before his persuasive pleading and his fervid eloquence.

Swinging the axe better qualifies a Gladstone to sway parliament and to guide the weighty interests of the British Empire : so the youth who read this story may learn that clearing forests and following the plow, are among the best athletics contributing to a healthy and lithe body, a ringing voice, and a vigorous mind, such as the veteran Chidlaw possesses now, though nearing "fourscore."

His record of faithful pioneer work as missionary of the American Sunday-School Union for 54 years, gives a forcible picture of the

INTRODUCTORY NOTE. XI

breadth, the adaptability and the signal blessings of the labors of that Society in widely different fields and among immigrants of various nationalities and speech.

It is a grand record — a leaf from experience — a God-given book. Richard Cecil aptly says, " God has given us four books : the book of grace, the book of nature, the book of the world, and the book of providence. Every occurrence is a leaf in one of these books ; it does not become us to be negligent in the use of any of them." Surely everyone who comes fairly into the bracing moral, and cheerful spiritual atmosphere of this book, will find his soul uplifted by noble and courageous thoughts, and will rise from its perusal to bless the work, and be inspired to go forth to imitate the workman as he imitated Christ.

Edwin W. Rice.

Philadelphia, June, 1890.

THE STORY OF MY LIFE.

M'

Chapter I. Birth, And Removal To America

EMORY is a wonderful storehouse of knowledge and impressions. In old age, incidents that occurred in early childhood are well remembered, and recalled with pleasure. The place of birth, home and its surroundings, the companions of childhood, find an early and abiding lodgment in memory, and are fondly cherished when the burden of years rests upon us.

Now, approaching the seventy-ninth mile-stone in life's journey, I recall with joy of ] heart and gratitude to God, the way I was led ; and, for the encouragement of parents and the instruction of children, to honor God, and to increase my enjoyment in old age, I have undertaken the record of my early, as well as the later experiences of my lengthened earthly pilgrimage, for hitherto "goodness and mercy" have followed me, and " my cup runneth over."

My Birthplace was the village of Bala, July 14, 1811, on the shore of Llyn-Tegid, a beautiful lake, in the mountains of Aran and Arenig, in North Wales. My father, Benjamin Chidlaw, was a tradesman, and my mother, Mary Williams, was a farmer's daughter, the two walking together in the love and fear of God. Their home, as the house of Obed-edom, was blessed " because of the ark of God." My godly parents were Non-conformists, and in fellowship with the Dissenting congregation in the village. Believing in the promises of their covenant-keeping God, they esteemed it a privilege, and a duty, to dedicate their infant son to God and his service in baptism.

In August, 1889, while in Wales, I visited my native village, and examined the old records of the Congregational church, and found the following :

14 Benjamin, the son of Benjamin and Mary Chidlaw, was baptized August 4th, 1811, by me, John Lewis, Pastor."

After the lapse of seventy -eight years, I gazed on this brief record with emotions of deep and solemn interest, and with devout thanksgiving to God who gave me such parents, who, in faith and prayer, brought up their child "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

BIRTH, AXD REMOVAL TO AMERICA. 15

Amongst my earliest memories are those relating to religion — the Sunday-school, and the Bible. Then, as now, in Wales, parents and children observed the Sabbath — worshipped God in the sanctuary, and together attended the Sunday-school. In the chapel Sunday-school, I was taught to read, revere, love, and to understand much of the simple and saving truths of the gospel — the sincere milk of the word, nourishment for babes in Christ.

Sunday-schools were introduced into Wales in 1788 by the faithful labors of Rev. Thomas Charles of Bala, my native village, where he died in 1814. The want of Bibles in Wales, as the people were taught in the Sunday-schools to read the divine word, led Mr. Charles to seek a supply of the Welsh Bible through the " London Society for the Promotion of Religious Knowledge among the Poor." These efforts God overruled, to the organization of the British and Foreign Bible Society, whose record, in the publication and circulation of the Holy Scriptures in over two hundred and fifty languages, is the glory of our common Christianity.

Early Religious Impressions. My home training, Sunday-school instruction, and hearing preaching, interested and deeply impressed my child mind with the importance and reality of religion, so that, to the honor of the grace of God, I can now write, that I cannot remember the time when I did not feel my need of a Saviour because of my sin ; and that Jesus Christ, who died for me, would save my soul.

The infant on its mother's breast, learns early to know her, trust her, and to love her: so children of tender age, instructed in the truth as it is in Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit, may be converted, grow in grace, and in that knowledge of God which bringeth salvation.

Thus instructed and encouraged, I delighted to read the Bible, attend Sunday-school and public worship, and be in the companionship of children trained in the same way. As babes in Christ, we met together to repeat hymns and verses of Scripture, to sing and to pray. He who said, " Suffer little children to come unto me," and accepted their " Hosannas " in the temple, led these little ones, thus, to express their love for their Saviour, and, in their simple way, to worship and serve God. These things may be hid from the wise and prudent, but by the grace of God they are revealed unto babes.

While so highly favored in my early religious culture, my secular education was very limited. Children in Wales, in my condition in life, enjoyed but few advantages. My Welsh Bible, hymn book, and Taith y Pererin, (Bunyan's

Pilgrim's Progress) constituted my library, and I had no knowledge of the English language.

First Knowledge of America. When I was about nine years old, walking with my father on the side of a hill, he held his pocket handkerchief in the breeze, and, as it was wafted by the wind, he said : "That is fair wind to take people to America."

I inquired: " Father, what is America?"

He replied : " It is a great and good country beyond the ocean, where there is no king, no tithes, and where poor people can get farms, and where apples abound."

The Welsh boy knew nothing about government, tithes and taxes, but he fully appreciated the country where apples grew, and at once, proposed going there.

My father inherited from his brother a small leasehold near the village of Bala. According to the custom in that land, the lands were subject to a tithe to support the Church of England, even where the persons holding the lands were attached to Dissenting chapels which they voluntarily supported.

Sometimes the Dissenters would make a contract to pay a stipulated sum in money instead of the tithe, but the vicar not infrequently would send his ti thing-man to gather the tithes in violation of the contract.

Leaving Wales. Suffering from such oppression and injustice, father disposed of his property, and in 1821, with mother, and my sister Elizabeth, left the land of his fathers, to find a home in a country where civil and religious liberty could be found and enjoyed.

On the day of our departure for America, when I was near ten years of age, a kind friend gave me a Welsh Bible, saying : " My boy, you are going to a distant land, and we know not what in the Providence of God may await you ; but, if you will always follow the teachings of the Bible, and pray to God, he will care for you. The Lord will be your keeper, and you will want for no good thing."

To-day, after the lapse of nearly seventy years, I can bear testimony that his saying was true, and is worthy of the belief and confidence of every boy and girl in the land.

My father, in his youth, had spent from 1794 to 1799 in New York, working at his trade; and when he returned to Wales, he was thoroughly Americanized in language, and in his ideas of civil and religious liberty. The United States was his ideal of country, laws and government ; and he always longed to be a citizen of that great and good country beyond the ocean.

Our Voyage. At Liverpool, in April, 1821, we embarked on the ship "Manhattan," bound for New York, and in forty-seven days reached the desired haven. I well remember that during a storm, my young heart was filled with fear, but the words of my friend who gave me the Welsh Bible, came to my relief, and, following his instruction, I found comfort and deliverance from all my fears.

The sight of the land of apples, filled my young heart with joy ; and, when we landed in New York where we remained a short time, I found myself perplexed and disappointed, because I could not understand the boys I met on the street, engaged in their play. They treated the Welsh boy very kindly, and I was greatly pleased with these American children, and I determined to learn their language as soon as possible.

Westward Ho! Early in June, 1821, we left New York in a sloop bound for Albany, and dependent for motive power on the wind and tide. Our voyage occupied nearly a week. From Albany to Schenectady, a wagon furnished transportation. Thence, we proceeded in a keel boat, up the Mohawk river to Utica. The boatmen used poles, and pushed the craft up-stream to our destination. Owing to low water, our progress was very slow. At farm-houses, we were well supplied with provisions, especially good bread, butter, and milk, luxuries we greatly enjoyed. We frequently landed, and walked along the road skirting the river. In passing through a wood, I well remember how great was my disappointment in not finding apples on the trees. Inquiring of my father, he told me about orchards, and the season for fruit, and satisfied me on the subject of apples.

After a week, navigating the Mohawk river under difficulties, trying the strength of the boatmen and the patience of their passengers, we reached Utica. Here we found old neighbors, who had emigrated a few years previous. While we remained I found myself quite at home, playing with Welsh children, and hearing Welsh preaching. After a pleasant time with our friends, we travelled in a two-horse wagon, from Utica to Black Rock, where the city of Buffalo is now located.

Here father engaged our passage to Lower Sandusky, Ohio, on the steamboat "Walk-inthe-Water," the first vessel propelled by steam that ever navigated the waters of Lake Erie. A large number of Indians of the Six Nations, were on board emigrating to Wisconsin. Some were dressed in blankets, others like white people. As they were the first Indians I ever saw, I was very much afraid of them. In the evening they held a religious service on deck. Their singing and prayers, though unintelligible, impressed me that they were good people, and relieved me of all fear. After a pleasant voyage, we were safely landed at Lower Sandusky, where we were compelled to remain several days waiting for transportation to Delaware, Ohio. An ox team from Chillicothe, Ohio, arrived to take a load of goods landed from our vessel for a merchant in that town. My father bargained with the teamster to take us and our baggage to Delaware, nearly one hundred miles distant over a new road opened through the forest. The covered wagon was our home. In the evening, we selected a pleasant spot in the forest, kindled a fire ; and cooked our provisions. Mother and sister lodged in the covered wagon. Father, myself, and the teamster, lay on blankets under the wagon 9 enjoying most refreshing rest. One night we camped at Upper Sandusky, on the Wyandot Indian reservation, where we replenished our stock of provisions and of forage for the oxen. Near our camp, stood the Indian Mission chapel, where a religious service was held. An Indian invited us to attend. It was a real pleasure to hear these converted Indians singing and praying, though to us in an unknown tongue, but together in spirit we could worship the Lord our God. Our ox team moved slowly, making the journey tedious and uncomfortable ; but, reaching our destination safely, and receiving a cordial reception by old friends who had settled there two years before, compensated for the toil and privation of our journey.

The Death of My Father. In a few weeks after our arrival in Delaware, then a small village surrounded by new settlements, my father was taken sick with typhoid fever, and died, resigned to the Divine will, but greatly distressed with the thought of leaving his family, strangers in a strange land. The death of my honored father, filled my young heart with sadness and sorrow. Though so young, I realized the death of my parent, good, kind, and faithful, as a great loss, and my heart was overwhelmed with grief.

A Sad Funeral. At that time, in the new country, undertakers were not to be found; but kind and sympathizing people arranged for the burial. An old friend in Wales, now living in the Welsh settlement, nine miles from Delaware, came, with his wagon, to take the remains to Radnor for interment. Our dear mother, when we so much needed her presence and sympathy, was prostrated by fever, and unable to go with us on this sorrowful journey. The coffin, covered with a white sheet, was laid on some straw in the wagon ; and, at its side, sister, myself, and two friends were seated. Our way was through the forest, with here and there a log house and a clearing. At the graveyard, a number of people were assembled, several men carried the coffin to the grave, and an aged disciple offered a prayer in the Welsh language. Then, the body of my venerated father, by the hands of strangers, was lowered into the narrow house appointed for all the living, to rest in hope of the day of immortal awakening, when "them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" to inherit eternal life.

This great bereavement made a deep and lasting impression on my young heart, and I was led by a way I knew not, to know more of God, and my need of his protection, guidance, and help. This affliction was sanctified for my spiritual good, and its influence on my religious life continues to this day. In great mercy, God spared the life of my mother, and her restoration was a great blessing to her now fatherless children.

For a time, mother was undecided whether to remain in this country, or return to Wales; but, finally, decided to remain. In regard to her decision, she used to tell us, that what I said in conversation on the subject, settled the question, "that my father always said that this was the best country in the world, and if we should return to Wales, I would, when I was old enough, and could get the means, come back to America."

Finding a Home. Advised by judicious and reliable friends, mother invested in the purchase of land in Radnor township, (about a mile from the grave of my father,) on which was a log house, and some land cleared and ready for cultivation. Our neighbors were kind and helpful. Our nearest was a family of Americans, good, religious people. Associating with the children, I soon acquired the English language so as to converse with freedom.

Near the graveyard, a log meeting-house was built in 1817. A Baptist church was organized, and English preaching occasionally enjoyed, but most of the settlers were Welsh Congregationalists. They met together once a week, and on the Sabbath for prayer and religious conference. With my mother and sister, I regularly attended these meetings held in our log cabin dwellings ; and thus my religious life was developed and strengthened. These Christian people encouraged me, as a young disciple, to relate my religious experience, and to use my gift in public prayer. To this faithful dealing and watchful care, I owed my growth in grace, and the joy of loving and serving Jesus Christ, before I had the opportunity of uniting with the church, and confessing him before men.

The Log School-house. Two miles from my log cabin home, stood a log school-houser of the most primitive character. No sawed boards, hardware, or glass, entered into its construction. Oiled paper answered for glass, the door was made of clapboards and hung with wooden hinges, the floor of hewed slabs, and the benches were made of split logs. The teacher boarded around in the families, and received nine dollars a month, half in trade (produce), for his services. The Welsh boy was directed by the teacher to begin his English education by using "Webster's Spelling-book." I was sent to Delaware, on horseback, with a basket of butter which I was to trade for a spelling-book and some tea for mother. I bartered four pounds of good butter for my text-book, Webster's Spelling-book.

The next day, I went to school, greatly delighted with my book and my teacher. The first sentence I read in English, was " No man may put off the law of God." This teaching in my spelling-book, so much in harmony with my Welsh ideas of God and his law — of man, and his duty — established in my mind a love for the book and the language, that inspired me to use all diligence to acquire knowledge, and become an English scholar.

Learning to Spell. My teacher told me that I must get a " Columbian Orator " and some writing paper. These I obtained by bartering raccoon skins at twenty-five cents each, requiring eight skins, worth two dollars, to secure these school supplies. We only had school in the winter; the rest of the year I worked clearing land and cultivating the soil. In 1823 my teacher said that I could enter on an advanced study, and that I must get " Pike's Arithmetic." The book was secured, and I entered upon the new study with interest, and I was the advanced scholar, except in orthography. In the spelling class, at noon and evening, when all the scholars stood in line to spell, I was always down at the foot. English orthography I had sadly neglected. I felt mortified at the foot of the class, and asked my teacher to excuse me from spelling. This he declined, but wisely suggested a better plan: "You must learn to spell, and I think the way to do it is to give up every study and go back to the spelling-book. I will offer a prize of half a dollar for the scholar who stands at the head of the class oftenest during the term."

I complied with his suggestion. The spelling lesson was my only study, and soon I reached the head of the class, held it, and won the prize. The last day of school, in the spring of 1824, we had a spelling match, and I was the first choice, the "Captain" esteeming me the best speller. After a contest of two hours, our side beat, and I was the hero of the hour. After a short intermission spent joyfully on the play ground, we were called to the school-house crowded with our parents and friends. The tickets given for being head of the general spelling class during the term, were called for, that the prize might be presented. It was awarded to me; and with another half dollar my mother gave me, I possessed an enormous sum — the wealth of Croesus was at my disposal. What to do with the money was a serious and important question. A boy with a dollar in cash was a backwoods millionaire of the times.

Chapter II. Pioneer Life

AN Investment. Consulting with an aged and trusted neighbor I was advised to buy " Captain John Riley's Narrative," a most wonderful book, relating his shipwreck on the coast of Africa, his captivity, and his release. The funds, and several raccoon skins were sent to Columbus and the book purchased.

Reading the New Book. It came to hand safely, my old friend was delighted, and it was an event of interest in the settlement. I was employed in our sugar-camp in the woods, making our supply of sugar and syrup. At night, while boiling the sap, several of our neighbors, adults and youths, would come to our camp to listen to the reading of this marvellous book. In the light of the fire, and a torch of hickory bark, hours were spent night after night until the book was finished, all of us deeply interested in the thrilling story of Riley's endurance, sufferings, release, and return to his home and country.

A Bitter, Experience. The following autumn I had a severe attack of fever and ague, the pest of pioneer life. In my delirium I found myself in the Sahara desert ; and droves of camels kicking hot sand into my mouth parched with a burning fever, greatly increasing my suffering. After my recovery, and recalling the evil results of reading Riley's narrative, the cause of my misery, I resolved that I would read no more English books, but hold fast to Welsh literature ; for no such bad results followed reading the Bible and other religious books in the old vernacular.