CHAP. IV.

CONSCIENCE SILENCED.

ON their journey home, as they rode along, Kanousky asked many questions about what they had been previously conversing, but the subject was not interesting to Joseph, and he therefore avoided it as much

as possible, and talked upon other

matters.

In the evening Kanousky retired to rest, but he could not sleep. He still had depicted before his mind the horrors of the bottomless pit.

When he reflected upon his past life, he thought himself wicked, very wicked; he was afraid to go to sleep, lest he might die and awake in hell. The night following his rest was disturbed by similar reflections.

It was soon evident to every one that something more than ordinary was the matter with him. He lost his wonted cheerfulness, and when he attempted to be as merry as formerly, every one saw that his mirth was but assumed. His master perceived the change, and having a great regard for his Indian servant, asked him if he were unwell.

"Yes, me very well, very well, massa, me thank you," replied the lad.

"But you do not appear happy, my boy."

"Me be not so happy as me was, massa."

"Why not, Kanousky ?"

"Me been thinking about God and hell."

"How came you to think about these subjects?"

Kanousky here informed his master what we have before stated to our readers respecting his going into the chapel, and what he there heard.

"Is that all that renders you uncomfortable?" said his master. "Yes, it make me very dull." Well, then, don't be unhappy any longer."

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"Me don't want to go to hell, massa."

"You need not be fearful of that place."

"Yes, massa, but gentleman say

me be sinner, and that all sinners go there."

"You are no sinner, Kanousky; only thieves and murderers, and such persons, are sinners. You are a good servant, and do your duty. I wish all the world were as good as you. Go to your work, and be as merry as a lark, boy."

"Thank you, massa, me try to be happy."

;

Kanousky began his usual work his fellow-servants were determined to laugh him out of his religion. As soon as he had joined them, they enquired of him whether he had got rid of his gloomy notions. He replied that he should try to think of them no longer, and that he hoped to be as merry as formerly.

From this period Kanousky endeavoured to stifle every conviction,

and to forget all those subjects which had excited alarm in him. Indeed he appeared to every one to become more than usually merry; and what every good man will lament, he became strongly addicted to a habit of swearing. He was now the first proposer of every sinful amusement, and was continually angry with his fellow-servants for not being so depraved as himself. Thus, in his practice, was evidenced the awful truth, that when a person gets a little knowledge of religion, and is uninfluenced by it, the heart grows harder and harder; and but for divine mercy, the sinner sinks deeper and deeper into vice, until he is cut off from hope, and his soul is hurried into endless torments.