The teaching and example of a pious mother made the most permanent religious impression on my mind. She used to quote Scripture to her children, when they were disobedient, or did anything wrong, which riveted the influence of God's word on my heart. For instance, for disrespect to our parents, she quoted that passage in Proverbs, "The eye that mocketh at his father, or scorneth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagle shall eat it" [Proverbs 14:27]. I often fancied the approach of the raven and the eagle when my conscience told me I had transgressed. A Methodist woman, whose heart was full of love and zeal, used to speak to me on the subject of religion. Her religion made her appear lovely in my eyes, and I greatly desired to be a Christian, but thought I was too young--being then ten years old.

      Fifty-two years ago, the first Methodist preachers preached in our neighborhood. Their preaching affected me but little then, my mind being full of the pleasures of youth. But after some time it took a deep hold upon my feelings, and I resolved to [44] commence the service of God. The example of Daniel of praying three times a day, occurred to my mind. This I adopted, and have continued it as a general rule ever since.

      At a certain time, while at work, I was praying, and meditating upon the sufferings of Christ, when suddenly such love and gratitude sprung up in my breast, as constrained me to praise God. On the following day my soul was filled with love and joy unspeakable. Then I remembered the words, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). And with this came the witness of the Spirit so clearly, that I exclaimed in raptures, before unknown to me, Glory to God! my sins are forgiven! I am born of the Spirit!

      Soon I was pressed in spirit to tell what I felt, and to pray in public; but I felt a great backwardness, and had a hard struggle with the tempter, before I yielded obedience. The words of the Saviour rung continually in my ears, "Except a man deny himself and take up his cross daily, he cannot be my disciple" [see Luke 14:27]. My cry was, The cross and self-denial, Lord, in any way but this! But I found no peace, till in this and everything beside, I was both willing and obedient. Then I truly found, as Hester Ann [45] Rogers said, that confessing His goodness confirmed my faith more and more; and that letting my light shine to others has continually increased my own light. Sometimes I have spent nearly whole nights in fighting against sore temptations, weeping and braying, while clouds and darkness enshrouded my laboring mind; when comfort has come from the passage, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin" (1 Peter 4:1). And when I have been faulted and persecuted for what in tender conscience I was bound to do, St. Peter has again come to my encouragement, and said, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing" (1 Peter 3:17). When suffering persecution for devotion to duty, Matthew strengthened me greatly: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:11, 12).

      My convictions of God's truth were clear and vivid at the age of ten, and I was converted at thirteen. I have been endeavoring to serve God fifty-two years. The Holy Spirit brought me faith and peace through [46] the reading of the Scriptures, and will, I trust, keep me from falling, and present me faultless before the throne of His glory, with exceeding joy.

[THW 44-47]