294 SERMON PREACHED ON THE ISLAND. 
which had been much used by Christian, 
and also by Young in his last illness. After 
some search he found it, and commenced 
reading it, imperfectly at first, for he had 
never been to school, but had taught himself 
what he did know from scraps of paper picked 
up by him, when a boy, in the streets of 
London. Being, however, a man of excellent 
natural abilities, he was soon enabled to read 
with facility, both the Bible, and the Book of 
Common Prayer ; a single Prayer-book also 
having happily been recovered from the 
Bounty. He commenced praying in secret 
three times a day ; nor did he pray in vain ; 
his mind became enlightened, he saw his 
guilt and danger ; and he was almost tempted 
to despair of pardon. Still, as he persevered 
in reading the Bible, he gradually became 
acquainted with the Gospel method of salva- 
tion ; and, by the guidance of the Holy 
Spirit, was enabled to come to Him who is 
mighty to save. In short, my brethren, he 
was brought to Jesus. 
" Now, mark the result. From this time 
he commenced instructing the children of the 
mutineers, first by reading to them portions 
