y own, and thinking that it was mine, opened it.
The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary, which
belonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily
to prayer until GOD should answer in the conversion of her brother.
Exactly one month later the LORD was pleased to turn me from darkness to
light.

Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it was
perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I was
led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in
sober matter of fact transacting business with GOD, whether on one's own
behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER II

THE CALL TO SERVICE

THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were
succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict.
But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal
weakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well as
SAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointed
in its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the SHEPHERD
of Israel.

Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure afternoon, I
retired to my own chamber to spend it largely in communion with GOD.
Well do I remember that occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I
poured out my soul before GOD; and again and again confessing my
grateful love to Him who had done everything for me--who had saved me
when I had given up all hope and even desire for salvation--I besought
Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and
gratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be,
however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be
pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well
do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my
friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over my
soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of
GOD became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under
sixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying there
silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.

For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep consciousness
that I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never since
been effaced. It has been a very practical consciousne