THE PREFACE to the READER.


This Account of the Life and spiritual Experience of James Albert was
taken from his own Mouth and committed to Paper by the elegant Pen of a
young Lady of the Town of Leominster, for her own private Satisfaction,
and without any Intention at first that it should be made public. But
she has now been prevail'd on to commit it to the Press, both with a
view to serve Albert and his distressed Family, who have the sole
Profits arising from the Sale of it; and likewise as it is apprehended,
this little History contains Matter well worthy the Notice and Attention
of every Christian Reader.

Perhaps we have here in some Degree a Solution of that Question that has
perplex'd the Minds of so many serious Persons, viz. In what Manner will
God deal with those benighted Parts of the World where the Gospel of
Jesus Christ hath never reach'd? Now it appears from the Experience of
this remarkable Person, that God does not save without the Knowledge of
the Truth; but, with Respect to those whom he hath fore-known, though
born under every outward Disadvantage, and in Regions of the grossest
Darkness and Ignorance, he most amazingly acts upon and influences their
Minds, and in the Course of wisely and most wonderfully appointed
Providences, he brings them to the Means of spiritual Information,
gradually opens to their View the Light of his Truth, and gives them
full Possession and Enjoyment of the inestimable Blessings of his
Gospel. Who can doubt but that the Suggestion so forcibly press'd upon
the Mind of Albert (when a Boy) that there was a Being superior to the
Sun, Moon, and Stars (the Objects of African Idolatry) came from the