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He was the only person I ever knew who engaged in
ejaculatory prayer in public -- or anywhere; at any time,
or any place; he had no regard for surroundings, but whenever
a sudden impulse moved him, he would stop, lift his hat from
his head -- drop on one knee, press his hand to his forehead,
or his head against the wall, or a door, if he was entering
one -- & engage in devotion; praying earnestly to himself.
He never started anywhere, or entered the door of his study,
or got into a vehicle, without going through this act. He so
invariably did this on entering his study, that a mark was
made by his forehead on the plastering by the side of the
door. The school girls used to ridicule his ways, & call this
"bumping" -- And yet, during most of his life he was a skeptic --
he had a profound veneration for the Deity -- our all wise
Creator, but was always doubting & fearing, and unsettled as
to religious creed. In the year 1835, during a Revival when
the Holy Spirit descended with tremendous power, under the
preaching of the Rev. Daniel Baker, both he and mother connected
themselves with the Presbyterian Church. I well remember
the wonderful sermons of Dr. Baker, and the great work
wrought by them; though I was but 8 years old. Even after
uniting with the church, my poor father was harassed by doubt
and fears; in his latter days, after years of nervous suffering
and prostration, he died peacefully; fully trusting in the
Redeemer.

I have no recollections of our North Carolina life --
being only 3 1/2 years old when we left there; only one of my