His doubts and fears vanished slowly. His faith kindled even more
slowly; but the teachings of that inspired Book gave him principle,
true manhood, and strength to do right, no matter how he felt. He had
honestly and sturdily resolved to be guided by it, and it did guide
him. He was a Christian, though he did not know it, and would not
presume to call himself such even to himself. In view of his evil past
he was exceedingly humble and self-distrustful. As Mr. Walton had told
poor old Daddy Tuggar, he was simply trying to "trust Jesus Christ and
do the best he could."
But those associated with him in business, and many others, wondered at
the change in him. Old Mr. Burnett, his senior partner, was especially
delighted, and would often say to him, "I thank God, Mr. Gregory, that
you nearly had your neck broken last October"; for the good old man
associated this accident with the change.
Gregory also began attending church--not a gorgeous temple on Fifth
Avenue, where he was not needed; but he hunted up an obscure and
struggling mission, and said to the minister, "I am little better than
a heathen, but if you will trust me I will do the best I can to help
you."
Within a month, through his liberal gifts and energetic labors, the
usefulness of the mission was almost doubled. It was touching to see
him humbly and patiently doing the Lord's lowliest work, as if he were
not worthy. He hoped that in time he might receive the glad assurance
that he was accepted; but whether it came or not, he purposed to do the
best he could, and leave his fate in God's hands. At any rate God
seemed not against him, for both his business and his Christian work
prospered.
One bright morning late in January, Annie, Miss Eulie, and Hunting were
driven down, to the steamer, and having gone to their state-rooms and
seen that their luggage was properly stowed away, they came up on deck
to watch the scenes attending the departure of the great ship, and
observe the views as they sailed down the bay. Hunting had told them to
make the most of this part of the voyage, for in a winter passage it
might be long before they could enjoy another promenade.
Annie was intensely interested, for all was new and strange. She had a
keen, quick eye for character, and a human interest in humanity, even
though those around her did not belong to her "set." Therefore it was
with appreciative eyes that she watched the motley groups of her
fellow-passengers waving handkerchiefs and exchanging farewells with
equally diversified groups on the wharf.
"It seems," she said to her aunt, "as if all the world had sent their
representatives here. It makes me almost sad that there is no one to
see us off."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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