My parents belonged to the Mennonite Society, and kept their religion a private matter, so that I do not recollect ever hearing them pray. They died when I was a young boy, and I was raised to my fourteenth year, by my elder brother, but without [204] proper religious instruction. I learned a trade in a neighborhood where the people were much given to drinking and frolicking. I soon participated in it, and became abominably wicked. After some time, I returned to Cumberland County (Pennsylvania), and continued in my wild career until in my twenty-fourth year, when I was stopped and called to repentance, through the preaching of the gospel, by Elder John Winebrenner.

      I remember my first convictions, which took place when I was about nine years old, while living with my brother. In the winter season he had a practice of reading the Bible to a family in the evening. When he would read of the certainty of the death of all men, the end of the world, and the Judgment day, I would listen to it very attentively, and become so much alarmed that I sometimes went to a place where I could not hear it. Had I at that time had proper instruction given me, I believe I should have embraced religion at that early age. My second conviction came over me while attending a Methodist camp-meeting. My friends had said many hard things against those people, and I went to the meeting to see and hear for myself. I ventured up to the altar where the mourners were, and instead of seeing anything bad done, I soon felt very strangely affected, and so powerfully convicted, that I was glad to get away the best way I could. I [205] was there convinced that they were a slandered people, and that God worked amongst them to the salvation of souls. I went home, and again grew hard in sin. I had some hard spells of sickness after that, and passed through some dangers, which caused my convictions to come on again; but I was too stubborn and ignorant to give my heart to God.

      When twenty-four years old, as hinted above, I went to hear brother Winebrenner preach in the German Reformed church, near Harrisburg. There I was so powerfully convicted that I could stifle it no longer. One day, while sitting in my workshop, considering over my condition, I thought I heard a voice saying to me, "This is the last call you will ever get from God." I immediately fell upon my knees, and cried with all my strength for mercy, and resolved not to cease seeking till I should receive the pardon of my sins. I remained in this distressed state for eight days, praying almost continually. On the eighth day I began to sink in despair, but went and kneeled at the root of a tree, and there covenanted with God, that if He would pardon my sins, I would serve Him while I should live. I rose up, and on walking a few steps, the Lord poured upon me a shower of His quickening grace, which astounded me. I lifted my eyes to heaven, and said, Lord, what is this? I thought I heard a voice say, "Your sins are pardoned." I instantly [206] felt peace and joy in believing, which caused me to shout and leap for joy, and to praise God. And when I became more composed, I thought I heard a voice say to me, that I must begin to preach the gospel to my fellow-men. I settled in the village of Lisburn, and commenced to work for God. After three years, I removed to Ohio, where I have labored some years in the ministry, enduring many sore trials and privations--having been stoned while preaching, and threatened to be shot, mobbed and killed; but by the grace of God I hope to be able to serve Him until a happy death.

[THW 204-207]