The Life of the Reverend Devereux Jarratt; Rector of Bath Parish, Dinwiddie County, Virginia

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1806 edition. Excerpt: ... when I was allowed to quit the plough, and to betake myself to the business of a carpenter, with my second brother Joseph. But he was fractious, and often had recourse to hard words and severe blows. These I did act at all relish: but I continued to labour with him till the latter end of the year 1750, or 1751. Before 1 proceed, I must take a little time to reflect on the danger of my situation, at that period. During the 5 or 6 years. I continued with my brothers, I dq pot remember, ever; to have seen or heard any thing of a religious nature; or that tended to turn my attention to the great concerns of eternity. I know not, that I ever heard any serious conversation respecting God and Christ, Heaven and Hell. There was a church, in the parish, within three miles of me, and a great many people attended it, every Sunday. But I went not once in a year. And if I had gone ever so often, I should not have been much the wiser: for the parish minister was but a poor preacher--very unapt to teach or even to gain the attention of an audience. Being very near-sighted, and preaching wholly by a written copy, he kept his eyes continually fixed on the paper, and so near, that what he said seemed rather addrest to the cushion, than to the congregation. Except at a time, when he might have a quarrel with any body--then he would straiten up, and speak lustily, that all might distinctly hear. I remember to have heard, he had once a quarrel with his clerk, and strove hard in vestry to turn the poor man out of his place; but failed in the attempt. The next Sunday he had prepared a scolding for him, and did vilify him stoutly, right over his head. The clerk sat it out to the last; and as soon as the angry sermon ended, he rose up, according to custom, ...