My mistress finding that she could not get me altogether stripped of the peace and happiness I then enjoyed, went another way to work; for, whenever any minister or professor came to her house, she informed them of my preaching; and, as I could not pray with her, she told them I was so spiritually proud that I would not join with her in prayer. It was not, however, my pride, but her sin, that stopped the mouth of prayer; for how can a person pray with people one minute, and quarrel with them the next? Whatever Christian or minister called at the house was sure (after having a little conference with her) to come to me at the wharf, saying, "So, my friend, you preach, I am informed; take heed you do not run before you are sent," &c. Others would come to me, saying, "Beware of pride, my friend; pride is dangerous." And others would tell me of the importance of the ministerial work, without telling me wherein my sufficiency lay.