When I was a boy of ten, the brethren of the Church of God held a meeting in Springville, Pennsylvania. A revival broke out, and every night many asked for prayers. One evening, Elder David Maxwell said, while preaching: "If you don't repent, you will go to HELL!" This alarmed me so that I kneeled at [42] the altar; but obtained no peace. I prayed awhile after this, but finally gave it up. About four years later, I tried it again, but soon stopped; this was in 1841. My heart grew hard, until nothing made me tremble for my sins, though I often desired it. At length, while listening to the preaching of Elder J. Keller, thank God, the Spirit strove powerfully with me. From that hour I prayed in my family, in my shop, and wherever I went. Once, in a Methodist church, I told the audience my desire and determination for heaven. I felt willing to do anything for the sake of Jesus, and was happier in consequence, but received no decided blessing until I resolved to put on a profession by baptism. Let me here say, that I felt God's pardoning power applied to my soul after I was willing to be baptized. I was then buried in the Susquehanna, and when coming up out of the water, my heart was joyful, and I shouted aloud to God's glory. I felt that He was no longer angry with me--that I was prepared to die--that my name was written in the Lamb's book of life. I would not exchange my hope of eternal bliss for all the world.

      "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein."--Luke 18:17. [43]

[THW 42-43]