His Spirit strengthen you for this, that you may
be an able messenger of His Gospel! Amen.

"AN ADORING WORSHIPPER OF THE

SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST."

Frankfort-on-the-Maine, January 14th, 1827.

I saw, in some measure, at the time when I received t letter, how much I
needed such a faithful, and, at the same time, loving word of admonition;
but I have seen it more fully since. Self-complacency, and a want of
quietness and saying and writing more frequently "Lord," "Lord," than
acknowledging Him by my life as such; these were the evils against which
at that time I particularly needed to be cautioned; and up to this day I
am still much, very much, lacking in these points: though the Lord, to His
praise I would say it, has done much for me in these particulars since
that time.

After having read this letter, my heart was full of joy, shame and
gratitude. Truly it was the goodness of God which brought my heart into
this state, and not the money for that was gone in a few hours after for
the two purposes above referred to. With my heart full of peculiar
feelings, and ashamed of my conduct in the morning, I left the town
towards the evening, to walk alone in a solitary place. And now, being
particularly conscious of my ingratitude to the Lord for all His mercies,
and of my want of steadfastness in His ways, I could not forbear falling
down on my knees behind a hedge, though the snow was a foot deep, anew to
surrender myself wholly to Him, and to pray for strength that I might for
the future live more to His glory, and also to thank Him for His late
mercy. It was a blessed time, I continued about half an hour in prayer.

After such an experience, it may be difficult for one, who does not know
the plague of his own heart, to think that I was at that time a true
believer, when I tell hint that so base was I, so altogether like a beast
before my God, and unmindful of His mercies to me in Christ, that only a
few weeks after I fell into a wretched backsliding state, in which I
continued for many days, during which time prayer was almost entirely
given up. It was on one of these days that I rang my bell, and ordered the
servant to fetch me wine. And now I began to drink. But how good was the
Lord! Though I desired to drink, that I might be able more easily to go
on in sin, yet He would not allow me to give up myself to the wickedness
of my heart. For whilst in my ungodly days I had drunk once about five
quarts of strong beer in