My father died when I was quite young, and I was raised chiefly amongst the people of my native neighborhood, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. I was not trained to any particular faith, as from my tenth year I lived away from my mother. Sin soon took possession of my heart, and I became exceedingly wicked, so that I at times neither feared God nor regarded man. Yet at times I wept bitterly, while thinking of death and eternity; for I [207] felt the reprovings of an inward monitor whenever I committed sin. I remember having once spent the Sabbath morning in pitching quoits with some young associates, when my conscience became so powerfully alarmed, that I burst out weeping before them, when they gathered around and cheered me up again.

      Although often convicted for sin in my younger years, still I knew not what to do to be freed from the burden of my sins. In my agony I frequently rolled upon the earth, weeping, and asked, Why has God created me? When about sixteen years old, I first learned that there is a reality in the doctrine of experimental religion. This brought dread upon my mind, for I knew I was destitute of it. I now commenced to read, and found that man was created to glorify God. I then resolved to get religion, or die trying for it.

      A short time after, brother Jacob Coover came to our place to preach. While he was preaching, I prayed. After preaching, an invitation was given to penitents, when I presented myself at the altar of prayer, and wrestled until after midnight, but found no peace. A brother then told me to pray three times every day. I did so; and it was but a few days after, when I obtained the blessing of forgiveness, while in the act of bowing my knees to pray, in the barn, about sunrise in the morning. This [208] was in December, 1834. I found there, that it is true that Christ has power on earth to forgive sin. It seemed as though everything around me was new; and my burden being gong, I felt almost as light as a feather, and as if I were floating about in the air.

      After my conversion a solemn impression was made upon my mind, that I must go and preach the gospel. I tried to rid myself of the thoughts of it; but the more I tried to evade it, the more heavily the duty was impressed upon me. Finally I became willing to obey the call; and for a number of years I have labored in the ministry of the Church of God, and had the happiness to witness the conversion of many precious souls. I am still desirous to do all the good I can. May the Lord help me.

[THW 207-209]