My parents forbade me to violate the Sabbath or use profane language, but I cannot remember that they ever taught me to pray. When I was nearly sixteen, my father advised me to be baptized! This I thought was not my first duty. I had some knowledge of the Scriptures and of the way of salvation. A year later, Elder Jacob Lininger held a meeting in Woodbury, Pennsylvania, when a great many souls were converted. This caused much excitement among the people, for it was something new to most of them. I became much troubled on account of my salvation. I feared to die, lest hell would be my place. After a season of distress, my fears left me, and I got to believe I was not in danger. The Spirit of God fled away from me. My heart became hard.

      At twenty-three, I was powerfully convicted; but thought I had plenty time, and postponed religion to some future day, when I should be settled in life. Shortly afterward I married.

      In my twenty-sixth year, a friend said to me, "Do you not think it is time to get religion? You are increasing in years, and raising a family, which is a [81] heavy responsibility." This was a word in season. It seized hold of my heart, and I resolved to "seek religion." I was told of the promises, and encouraged to pray. I went to hear preaching, and while listening, it seemed to me that I was the worst person living. I felt awful under my load of guilt. I sought peace at the public altar of prayer, but found none. I tried to work, but could not, and left my shop to seek a secret spot, where I fell on my knees, and prayed with all my strength. My wife called me, and I ceased. I then went to meeting-again and knelt at the mourner's bench, where I remained till service was past, resolved to gain peace, living or dying. I asked the preachers to visit my house, and I went home praying and continued at prayer in the house. After a while, the Lord spoke peace to my soul, and I was enabled to exclaim, "Glory to the God of my salvation!"

      I now suffered no more from a guilty conscience. The Spirit of God bore witness to my spirit, that Jesus loved me, and that my sins were blotted out.--Soon after, I followed my Master into the stream, and was baptized. I feel it is my privilege to grow in grace and knowledge, and my duty to testify of the love of God. "To HIM who has loved me, and washed me from my sins in His own blood, to HIM be glory, forever and ever, Amen."

[THW 81-82]