PREFACE.
To speak of one’s self is not an easy matter. There are two things to be avoided,—vanity, which would cause one to put on what he never possessed, to say what he never was, and thereby to exaggerate the whole matter; second, cowardly humiliation, which would lead him to hide what he really has, and not to say what he has a right to say, lest the world should call him an egotist. It is better to take the middle ground, and proceed with prayer and watchfulness, keeping in mind “Thou God seest me.”
Since my arrival in this country, my friends have expressed a great desire to know my personal history,—how I was educated, what led me to change my former religious views, etc. This brief sketch, which I leave to my friends as a “parting gift,” will answer all these inquiries in a measure. This has been written in great haste. I have not had time to revise this sketch. Whenever the reader finds a point not clearly explained, he will please remember the circumstances under which this has been written. Only a few weeks before my departure for home I commenced writing it; and at the same time I had to attend to all other duties, and to make preparation for the voyage.
J. C. G.