The death of a younger brother was the immediate cause of my determination to serve the living God. This, with the abiding influence of the sweet request "Remember now thy Creator, in the days of thy youth" [Ecclesiastes 12:1], led me at thirteen years of age, to seek redemption in the blood of Jesus. For nearly two years, I drank the wormwood of penitential grief, before I found the object of my love. In 1827, at a camp-meeting in Centre County, Pennsylvania, I went to the "mourner's bench," as a public penitent. The cross was heavy, but duty drew me on. For some hours I prayed as best I could, "God, be merciful to me a sinner" [Luke 18:13], "Lord, save, or I perish" [Matthew 8:25], sometimes flooding my hands with tears, and at other moments callous and unfeeling. But though all things holy appeared to be withheld from me, I did not think of retreating.

      I had been moral and devotional during my childhood, but had already drank at the wells of infidelity--I had learned to question the truths of Christianity--and this constituted the bitterest ingredient in the cup of trembling my lips then tasted. A pious father and mother were with me, and prayed for me, [24] but it seemed in vain. Again and again the shouts of "glory" were heard from the lips of my fellow penitents, as they were made happy in a Saviour's pardoning love, but my soul still mourned.

      But the crisis had come. I fancied myself standing above an awful precipice. To advance appeared impossible, to retreat was not to be thought of. I must now submit or perish. Never was Israel in greater perplexity on the coast of the Red Sea, than was my burdened soul at this time. But I dared not hesitate. "What thou doest, do quickly" [John 13:27] echoed in my ear. Though standing on slippery rocks, with a yawning gulf at my feet, I was impressed that no harm would befall me if I advanced--that an unseen hand would protect me, and all would be well. Whence this impression came I knew not then, but to believe it, so as to advance and take a step upon nothing and hazard my all, required all the confidence of my heart. But I resolved upon venturing--"if I perish, I perish." In the name of a merciful Saviour, I took a step upon nothing--and lo! I stood upon solid ground! My tear-dimmed eyes were made to see

      Never did mortal lips taste sweeter nectar--never was mortal body more "unutterably full of glory and of God." All things seemed changed from old to new. The encampment, the people, the landscape, the trees and sky seemed so wondrous fair, I almost asked "can this be Heaven!"

      Thirty years have passed since I first found the Lord. I have endeavored to devote my youth and the strength of my manhood to serve Him. I have labored for and witnessed over two thousand conversions. And though "bonds and imprisonments" [Hebrews 11:36] should abide me, still God is my refuge. I feel now as in the past, like saying to a sorrowful world--

[THW 24-26]