Trials and Triumphs (FOR HALF A CENTURY) IN THE LIFE OF G. W. HENRY, AS EXPERIENCED WHILE SOJOURNING FORTY YEARS IN EGYPT, TOGETHER WITH THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE OF HIS WIFE. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, One Hundred Spiritual Songs, with Music. Thy land shall be called Beulah.-Isa. Ixii, 4. FIFTH THOUSAND. ENLARGED AND STEREOTYPED, AND ILLUSTRATED WITH A STEEL ONEIDA: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY THE BEQUEST OF 1918 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, BY G. W. HENRY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. PREFACE. RESPECTED READER,-I am about to put forth to the world the second edition of the history of my life. As in the first, so also in the second edition, two objects present themselves to my view.. First: to inform the reader what a great Saviour a great sinner hath found; and pray most fervently that he might take courage, and if he has not already done it, start this moment from ruin's brink, and take refuge under his almighty wing, and be happy now and hereafter. Secondly-another motive in sending forth this silent preacher and narrative, is to make it a channel in conveying temporal blessings to the cottage of a poor blind man, and his afflicted family,-in short, to do good and get good. I have also been encouraged to put forth the second edition, because hundreds have told me they had been greatly blessed in reading the blind man's book; and some of those that first found their way to the school district libraries were worn out the first three years, and a second volume purchased by the trustees. Another reason is: there were some little mistakes in the first edition, which I wish to correct, as I know this little book will live, and speak, and have its influence after the author has passed the portals of death, and meet him at the general judgment. Another reason, and that I think more prominent than all the rest I had just entered into the suburbs of the land of Beulah, or perfect light, when the first edition was issued. I wish, therefore, to inform the reader something about its boundaries, the fertility of the soil, and of its delicious fruits; of its gigantic inhabitants and bulwarks; and encourage the reader to sell all, pack up, and move over at once. The Scripture truly hath said, "It is a goodly land;" but as far as I have travelled, the half never was told me. I have not a single apology to make on the subject, or commendation. The book must speak for itself, and the reader may judge for himself. He will, doubtless, find it, like the unpretending author, no great things, but a life of half a century made up of getting into difficulty, and then getting out again; but I hope the kind reader will shun the evil, and embrace the good, if good he can find, in such a life of errors. This is not written with any feeling of vainglory; for there are many things the author will be bound to write, which he could heartily wish might not be found in the review of his life, but which he believes, through sovereign mercy, and the goodness of God, are all forgiven. The picture of my life will have something the appearance of Nebuchadnezzar's image. If we begin to look at its feet, they were part of iron and part of clay; while its legs were of iron: so the outset of my life was comparatively worthless. As we elevate the eye, we find the material of the image increasing in beauty and value; for its thighs were made of brass. Looking a little higher, we find its richness still increases; for its arms were |