My parents, who inclined to the Mennonite faith, and lived in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, died when I was quite young. My early training was under the influence of the faith of that people; and I was [213] led to entertain feelings very prejudicial to the profession of those who had experienced a lively religion. Upon arriving at the age of manhood, and becoming settled in life, living in Shippensburg, for several years, I exerted myself to the best of my ability in opposing the doctrine of knowing our sins forgiven in this life. Often I marked passages in the Testament, where I thought those lively professors were pointed out as Pharisees, hypocrites, "Lord, Lord, sayers," and "house-creepers." So I thought I was engaged in putting down error--exposing false prophets and deceivers. But the weapon which I was using against God's people, at length slew me. I learned to know that the wrong was in myself. What now? Why, I must go to Damascus, as it were, like a persecuting Saul of old, and find some devout Ananias to show me what to do (Acts 9:6).

      For several years previous to my conversion, I was very wicked, and often had strange feelings of uneasiness, longing for something, I did not know what. At length I would go to meeting occasionally, and hear Elder James Mackey preach; but my early prejudices against, and ignorance of the nature of true religion, together with a fear of being deceived, caused me to hear him with great caution. After having had a number of private controversies with persons of his charge, in some of which I was [214] worsted, I found my foundation giving way. This drove me to reading the Scriptures in search of the truth, in reference to my own soul's interest. When I found what the word of God required of men, I took to hunting for Christians; but it was a hard task to find any as I wanted them. I went to Elder James Mackey's congregation (of the Church of God). I thought he preached well, if they would only do as he taught them. But some of the members of his congregations had one bad fault, in my opinion: they would sometimes get happy, shout, clap their hands, and leap for joy, in time of worship. This was too outrageous for me. I looked upon it as a species of frolicking. I went to several other churches, but found none to suit my notions; and I concluded the most of them were wrong, and I was wrong too, and we would all go to hell together at last. I now became somewhat skeptical, and did not attend any meetings for nearly a year.

      Finally, a camp-meeting was held in my neighborhood; which I concluded to attend, and to look into this matter more fully for myself. On Saturday morning I sat outside of the enclosure, during the exercises at the altar; and as I listened to the staging and praying, I became so sick in soul, that I thought the place where I sat was giving way.--The kindness manifested to me by the tent-holders, together with the spiritual singing, did more in [215] subduing me than anything else that was said or done.

      On Monday night, after the ordinances of washing the disciples' feet and the Lord's supper had been administered, and after I had sat aside for some time, thinking upon my condition, I went voluntarily forward to the altar, as a penitent for prayer. I felt greatly confused; but resolved, come life or death, I would not draw back. On reaching the altar, I turned about and faced the large congregation, exclaiming, Farewell, my old companions! I am now going to serve Jesus, and can no longer go along with you. Then my heart became tender, the tears flowed freely and I kneeled in prayer; and blessed be God, in a short time I found my load of guilt was gone, and my heart was light and glad. Everything appeared new; the people, the trees, and all that I could see, appeared extremely beautiful. My rapture was so great, that I can find no language to express it; and with the poet I must declare:

      I looked upon my hands and over my body, and exclaimed, Can it be possible that this is myself! I fancy I felt like the lame man, healed by Peter, and I walked, and leaped and praised God (Acts 3:8). Now you may shout, said I to the brethren, it will no longer disturb me--and I will help you. Let me [216] praise my God, for Him. I must praise! was the overflowing language of my new-born soul, for he has done wonders for me. O, his name is "Wonderful!" When I went home from the meeting I immediately commenced family worship; and in a few weeks after, I was baptized by Elder Mackey.

      The subject of the above narration was Elder Snavely, a frank, zealous, pious and efficient minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We were present at the time of his happy conversion, and have often heard him preach Christ as the Saviour of sinners. He was engaged in the ministry about seventeen years, having been instrumental in the conversion of many souls. He resided last in Iowa. By an accident upon one of the western railroads, he was badly scalded, in 1854, which caused his death in a few days. He died in the triumphs of the faith he preached.--EDITOR.

[THW 213-217]