By
slow but sure degrees I forgot the lessons of wisdom which my mother
had taught me, lost all relish for the great truths of religion,
neglected my devotions, and considered an actor's situation to be the
_ne plus ultra_ of greatness.
During my residence at Newburyport my early serious impressions on one
occasion in a measure revived, and I felt some stinging of conscience
for my neglect of the Sabbath and religious observances. I recommenced
attending a place of worship, and for a short time I attended the Rev.
Mr. Campbell's church, by whom, as well as by several of his members, I
was treated with much Christian kindness. I was often invited to Mr.
Campbell's house, as well as to the house of some of his hearers, and
it seemed as if a favorable turning-point or crisis in my fortunes had
arrived. Mr. Campbell was good enough to manifest a very great
interest in my welfare, and frequently expressed a hope that I should
be enabled, although late in life, to obtain an education. And this I
might have acquired had not my evil genius prevented my making any
efforts to obtain so desirable an end. My desire for strong liquors
and company seemed to present an insuperable barrier to all
improvement; and after a few weeks every aspiration after better things
had ceased; every bud of promised comfort was crushed.
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