My parents were Hicksite Friends, and I was taught the lessons of strict morality by both of them. In my early life I read the Bible. In school I tried to preach to the children, for juvenile amusement; and once, while engaged in this, being about nine years old, I made use of the words, Lord, have mercy on us. At that moment I was brought to feel that I was a sinner. And when reading, in the word of God, after that, I used to feel condemned.

      Once in a while I would steal away to hear Mr. Hubbert, a Methodist preacher, and my convictions grew stronger. I once went to the altar at a camp-meeting, feeling it my duty to serve God; but I was afraid of my father, who disliked the Methodists so [175] much, that he told me one day, he would rather see me shot down than have me join them. So, through fear of my father, I left the altar and went, away a poor broken-hearted little boy. But I resolved to give my heart to God.

      Soon after, I left my parents, in Ohio, and went to Philadelphia, with their consent. They did not know the feelings of my heart at the time. I passed through Alexandria, Virginia, and attended Methodist meeting, and went to the altar of prayer; but my mind was so divided that I obtained no relief. In Baltimore also, I went to meeting, but the preacher gave no invitation to penitents. O how wretched I felt! Arriving in Philadelphia, where I had many relatives living, and being of the same faith as my parents, they threw their influence around me, and tried to prevent me from going to Methodist meeting. To gain their well-meant object, they put me to a trade with a Friend, and to board with a Quaker lady, a public speaker, who was a fine woman, and usually had prayer with her family on Sabbath evenings, which did me much good. My convictions wore off some, until I was about eighteen years old. But I did not go into abandoned society; I was persuaded to dance, however, and got to think it right. That year I became powerfully awakened again, by reading the Scriptures. I then commenced to attend Methodist meeting again. After reading the [176] Bible one Sabbath-day, and then praying, I went to Parish Street Chapel, and heard Rev. Thomas Miller preach. I felt that I was the most miserable creature upon earth. He read the hymn commencing,

This was the sentiment of my heart. After singing and prayer, he read his text, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock," &c. (Revelation 3:20). This text suited my case. I felt that God had been knocking for a long time, and was knocking then, to gain an entrance to my affections; and blessed be God's eternal name, I then and there resolved to open the door of my heart.

      At the close of the sermon, I bowed at my seat, and tried to pray for mercy, and was willing to give up all but dancing, thinking that no harm. So I did not obtain the blessing; that evening; but the next day, while praying, something seemed to say to me, "You must forsake all for Christ's sake." I then resolved to give up all. That evening I attended a class-meeting. On entering the house, I bowed down and commenced to cry for mercy.--Whether they had a class or a prayer meeting, I cannot tell; but one thing I know--that God for Christ's sake forgave my sins. Glory to God, I was able to praise Him. I went home, rejoicing [177] in God my Saviour. The brethren and sisters, stars, lamps, shade-trees--all appeared to be praising the Lord.

      Soon after I had embraced religion, I commenced to read the Bible, on my knees I read it twice through, and never left the house, for several years, without first praying to God to keep me from the evils that were in the world. I finished my trade, and after some time married, and then returned to Ohio, having been absent from my parents over eight years. But thank God, I was free, soul and body. Since my return, I have had the happiness to see my dear mother (now deceased,) six brothers and two sisters converted to God.

      When I was a young boy, I felt that I would have to preach the gospel. About eight years ago I commenced the work. And having been baptized, I united with the Church of God, and have been an itinerant in her fields of labor for seven years. It is now twenty years since the Lord converted my soul, and I have never yet felt like turning back.

      "And Jesus said, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."--Luke 9:62. [178]

[THW 175-178]