My parents were pious, and belonged to the denomination in Pennsylvania styled River Brethren. At the age of six, I was convinced of right and wrong by hearing my father read from the Bible about the Judgment day. I grew to seventeen giddy and careless, but often troubled momentarily on account of sin. I married. My husband sent our children to catechetical instruction in the German Reformed Church, and at his request I also attended. Several years after, I was taken very ill. At first I became anxious about leaving my children, but soon the Spirit of God alarmed me about my soul's salvation.--I began to pray, and sent for a neighbor, to whom [66] I betrayed my anguish. He thought all my fears were groundless, and said, "You have done your duty--you have been to religious instruction--you have been baptized, and eaten of the sacrament; nothing more is wanted, but I will pray with you." He did so, and left me as he had found me. I turned to God, and spent three days in prayer, until I found forgiveness of my sins.

      But having no religious companions, I grew careless. At a revival near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, two sons of mine were converted. On returning home one evening, they appeared so happy in praise of their Redeemer, while I felt a great weight of sin on my heart, that I was prompted to tell them my distress. They immediately fell on their knees, to pray with me. This helped me, and I promised God never to cease until I had obtained a hope of salvation. I obtained an evidence that neither man nor devil could gainsay.

      Thirteen others were soon converted, among them my husband. I then began to read my Bible carefully and prayerfully, and as the result, was shortly after baptized by immersion, together with two of my children, by Elder William McFadden. In 1844, my husband was taken from me by a stroke of lightning. It is twenty-two years since I have espoused the cause of Christ, and I am not weary, but possess a stronger hope than ever. My age is sixty-seven.

[THW 66-67]