Chapter 7
January 1850
I, Reverend Horace Williams, understand now why the Lord called on me to be his servant in New London at this time. On my way into town this morning I came upon a burned and abandoned house on a quiet street on the edge of town. It was a long cold trip from Salem on foot and I took the opportunity to take a short rest before entering the busy whaling city. Following a narrow overgrown path beside the house, I made my way to the rear to perhaps gain entrance. To my delight the cellar door was partway open so I took the opportunity to enter. The narrow uneven stone steps were dark as I felt my way down but light soon could be seen as I entered the cellar where small broken windows let in the early morning light. Imagine my horror and surprise to find I was not alone! The crumpled corpse of a man lay at my feet. Never having come unexpectedly upon a dead man before, it took me several moments to recover from my shock. However, a short prayer calmed my nerves and I was able to roll the man over to see his face, which was filthy, yet peaceful. The paleness of his complexion was exceptional. His clothes were tattered and his hair shaggy leading me to believe he was a poor ruined man probably looking for shelter. Trying to determine the cause of his death, I examined his body as far as his clothing would allow. The only wounds apparent were two puncture marks on his neck that were caked with dried blood. Perhaps animal bites after he had fallen unconscious.
As I prayed over his lonely corpse, it became clear that God visited me in my dreams to send me here to guide these poor lonely souls of the city onto a path of righteousness and away from the sins that led them down the sorry path of homelessness and despair. I have faith that my frequent haunting dreams, which have been so puzzling, will soon become clear. The only definite understanding I have of them is that I am destined to improve the city of New London by saving the souls of the men who have lost their way to God and are being led to damnation through Satan's temptation of material pleasures. The name New London shows itself clearly in my dreams and I'm sure it is God, himself, who is directing me here. There is wickedness and sin in this prosperous city of commerce and enterprise that tempt men to ignore God's laws in order to pursue and enjoy the fleeting earthly delights of physical pleasure and material wealth. I've arrived too late to save this poor misguided man, but I'm here to save the remaining sinners of this city from an eternity of certain hellfire and damnation.