Autobiography of a pioneer: or, The nativity, experience, travels, and ministerial labors of RevSamuel Pickard, the "converted Quaker", containing stirring incidents and practical thoughts; . he flames,it made me shudder! I thought of my Bible, whichhad been presented to me as the affectionate gift of akind mother—of my promise to keep it carefullyand to read it—of her pious counsels, and of mybroken vows, until my feelings were circle of infidels seemed to me like a companyof damned spirits reveling in the orgies of heart panted as I thought my turn would sooncome, and
Autobiography of a pioneer: or, The nativity, experience, travels, and ministerial labors of RevSamuel Pickard, the "converted Quaker", containing stirring incidents and practical thoughts; . he flames,it made me shudder! I thought of my Bible, whichhad been presented to me as the affectionate gift of akind mother—of my promise to keep it carefullyand to read it—of her pious counsels, and of mybroken vows, until my feelings were circle of infidels seemed to me like a companyof damned spirits reveling in the orgies of heart panted as I thought my turn would sooncome, and I feared I could not muster hardihoodenough to burn my Bible. I would have givenanything to have been away from the place, butthere seemed to me no chance for backing out; Iwas ashamed to do that. I tried to encourage my-self with the thought that some of my comradeswere, perhaps, burning a mothers gift, and that itwould be no worse for me to do so; but I foundlittle comfort in that. My turn came, and I threw the sacred gift; into the fire ! As I saw its holy pages curl and squirm as things of life amid the devouring flames, my feelings were horrible, and I turned my eyes away 12*. CONFESSION OF A CONVERT. 275 from the hellish sight! My thoughts and feelingswere not known to the others, however, and thesong and circle moved on until all the Bibles wereburned, and the remainder of the evening was spentin ridicule, solemn mockery, and other kinds ofsinful mirth. I resolved, when I left the club-room that night,that I would never enter it again; but as long as Iremained in Quincy, I could not rid myself of thecompany and influence of those young men, and onthat account I was glad when the river opened andlet us away. This winter our boat is frozen in at Keokuk,and I am spending the winter here ; but somehow Icant keep out of bad company, even here. I havebeen gambling considerable, and have spent myevenings chiefly at the saloons and card-tables. Iwas loitering about the stree
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