I used to look at him and then at Cousin John Richard Allen, and contrast the two men in my own mind, and the contrast wuz a big and hefty one.
Now, Cousin John Richard’s face wuz peaceful and serene, though considerable worn-lookin’. He had gin his hull life for the True and Right, had gone right on, no matter how much he wuz misunderstood and despised of men, and labored in season and out of season for the poor and down-trodden of earth, without any hope of earthly reward—nay, with the certainty of the world’s contempt and criticism.
But the blame or praise of the multitude seemed so fur off to him that he could scarcely hear it; the confusin’ babble seemed to him only like a distant murmurous background for the close voice of the Master, who walked with him, and told him what to do from day to day and from hour to hour.
“Blessed are ye if ye hear my voice.”
“Ye that are strong, bear the burdens of the weak.”
“If ye love me feed my lambs.”
“And lo, I am with you to the end of the world.”
These wuz some of the words Cousin John Richard heard, and his face shone as he listened to ’em.
He had not sent out his ships on earthly waters; and so, let the winds blow high or the winds blow low, he did not fear any tempestuous waves and storms reachin’ their sails.