he process, let me enliven our
understanding of the definition by a concrete example. I choose the
quaint case of an unlettered man, Stephen H. Bradley, whose experience
is related in a scarce American pamphlet.[98]

[98] A sketch of the life of Stephen H. Bradley, from the age of five
to twenty four years, including his remarkable experience of the power
of the Holy Spirit on the second evening of November, 1829. Madison,
Connecticut, 1830.

I select this case because it shows how in these inner alterations one
may find one unsuspected depth below another, as if the possibilities
of character lay disposed in a series of layers or shells, of whose
existence we have no premonitory knowledge.

Bradley thought that he had been already fully converted at the age of
fourteen.

"I thought I saw the Saviour, by faith, in human shape, for about one
second in the room, with arms extended, appearing to say to me, Come.
The next day I rejoiced with trembling; soon after, my happiness was so
great that I said that I wanted to die; this world had no place in my
affections, as I knew of, and every day appeared as solemn to me as the
Sabbath. I had an ardent desire that all mankind might feel as I did;
I wanted to have them all love God supremely. Previous to this time I
was very selfish and self-righteous; but now I desired the welfare of
all mankind, and could with a feeling heart forgive my worst enemies,
and I felt as if I should be willing to bear the scoffs and sneers of
any person, and suffer anything for His sake, if I could be the means
in the hands of God, of the conversion of one soul."

Nine years later, in 1829, Mr. Bradley heard of a revival of religion
that had begun in his neighborhood. "Many of the young converts," he
says, "would come to me when in meeting and ask me if I had religion,
and my reply generally was, I hope I have. This did not appear to
satisfy them; they said they KNEW THEY had it. I requested them to
pray for me, thinking with myself, that if I had not got religion now,
after so long a time professing to be a Christian, that it was time I
had, and hoped their prayers would be answered in my behalf.

"One Sabbath, I went to hear the Methodist at the Academy. He spoke of
the ushering in of the day of general judgment; and he set it forth in
such a solemn and terrible manner as I never heard before. The scene
of that day appeared to be taking place, and so awakened were all the
powers o