My dear parents belonged to a church, but did not profess religion; consequently I was brought up in ignorance upon the subject of my soul's salvation. At eighteen years of age I was regularly catechised and received into my parents' chosen church, but was still unconverted. Four years from that time, after a hard struggle with unbelief, I found God in the pardon of my sins. Glory be to God, I was happy in a Saviour's love. But for the want or religious instruction, I lost my evidence and soon became a backslider. But through the great mercy of God, manifested in the striving of His Holy Spirit, for five years, I was again brought to enlist under [129] the blood-stained banner of King Jesus. In a few years I left the church to which I was attached, because they were opposed to shouting in the congregation of the saints. After this, being convinced that the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all unrighteousness in this life, and that I was called now to preach this free grace to sinners, and that I must be immersed as a believer, I consulted not with flesh and blood, but obeyed; and, glory be to God! when I was baptized I shouted praise to His holy name, having received the witness of the Spirit that this was the right way.

      I have since that time been preaching the Gospel; and feel to give thanks to God for the gift of His Son, who died for me, that I might live by faith in Him. Frequently I am constrained to cry out, Why all this grace to me? Had He done all this only for all others, I might be less astonished; but that He should have died for me, seems at times almost unaccountable. I live now a life of faith in the Son of God, in fellowship with the Church of God, and pray that He may keep me faithful, and give me success in turning sinners from sin to God.

      " By the grace of God I am what I am."--1 Corinthians 15:10. [130]

[THW 129-130]