He had been a _helper_[A] in the Moravian church, until he became too infirm to discharge the duties connected with that station.

Being for the same reason discharged from labor on the estate, he now occupied himself in giving religious instruction to the other superannuated people on the estate.
[Footnote A: An office somewhat similar to that of deacon] Mrs.M.said it would constitute an era in the life of the old man, if he could have an interview with two strangers from a distant land; accordingly, she sent a servant to ask him to come to the mission-house early the next morning.

The old man was prompt to obey the call.

He left home, as he said, 'before the gun fire'-- about five o'clock--and came nearly three miles on foot.

He was of a slender form, and had been tall, but age and slavery had bowed him down.