I therefore resolved to join the Methodist church in New Bedford, and to enjoy the spiritual advantage of public worship.

The minister of the Elm Street Methodist church, was the Rev.
Mr.Bonney; and although I was not allowed a seat in the body of the house, and was proscribed on account of my color, regarding this proscription simply as an accommodation of the uncoverted congregation who had not yet been won to Christ and his brotherhood, I was willing thus to be proscribed, lest sinners should be driven away form the saving power of the gospel.

Once converted, I thought they would be sure to treat me as a man and a brother.

"Surely," thought I, "these Christian people have none of this feeling against color.

They, at least, have renounced this unholy feeling." Judge, then, dear reader, of my astonishment and mortification, when I found, as soon I did find, all my charitable assumptions at fault.
An opportunity was soon afforded me for ascertaining the exact position of Elm Street church on that subject.