At the early age of twelve years I began to feel the Spirit of the Lord moving upon my heart, being convinced that without an interest in the blood of Christ I would be lost; yet I continued in sin. I often felt that I ought to pray, and even tried to do so, but was not willing to give up the pleasures of youth. I vainly imagined I could enjoy myself better in the pleasures of the world, than in the service of God.

      Thus I continued in a state of alienation from God, until my sixteenth year, when it pleased the Lord to awaken me to a full sense of my lost condition. I then labored under conviction for about six weeks, when on humbling myself before Him, [140] the Lord spoke peace to my troubled soul. I was greatly encouraged to seek for salvation by the invitation of the Saviour, in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"; and also by the promises of Christ, in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." These blessed words enabled me to exercise faith in the blessed Redeemer.

      From that time to the present, about nine years, I have been trying to serve the Lord. I have had many trials, but have always found encouragement in the word of God, that enabled me to persevere in working out the salvation of my soul.

      I have enjoyed some happy seasons, that shall never be forgotten. I have ever been glad that I sought my Creator in the days of my youth, and am resolved to spend my future in His service.

[THW 140-141]