r be saved, and I had
committed the sin against the Holy Ghost,--perhaps the only one who ever
had committed it. How could I hope? The Scriptures could not lie, and
yet here was this good old man, profoundly versed in the Scriptures, who
bade me hope; would he lie? No. But did the old man know my case? Ah,
no, he did not know my case! but yet he had bid me hope, whatever I had
done, provided I would go to Jesus. But how could I think of going to
Jesus, when the Scriptures told me plainly that all would be useless? I
was perplexed, and yet a ray of hope began to dawn in my soul. I thought
of consulting the good man, but I was afraid he would drive away the
small glimmer. I was afraid he would say, "Oh yes, every one is to be
saved, except a wretch like you; I was not aware before that there was
anything so horrible,--begone!" Once or twice the old man questioned me
on the subject of my misery, but I evaded him; once, indeed, when he
looked particularly benevolent, I think I should have unbosomed myself to
him, but we were interrupted. He never pressed me much; perhaps he was
delicate in probing my mind, as we were then of different persuasions.
Hence he advised me to seek the advice of some powerful minister in my
own church; there were many such in it, he said.

'I stayed several days in the family, during which time I more than once
heard my venerable friend preach; each time he preached, he exhorted his
hearers not to despair. The whole family were kind to me; his wife
frequently discoursed with me, and also the young person to whom I have
already alluded. It appeared to me that the latter took a peculiar
interest in my fate.

'At last my friend said to me, "It is now time thou shouldest return to
thy mother and thy brother." So I arose, and departed to my mother and
my brother; and at my departure my old friend gave me his blessing, and
his wife and the young person shed tears, the last especially. And when
my mother saw me, she shed tears, and fell on my neck and kissed me, and
my brother took me by the hand and bade me welcome; and when our first
emotions were subsided, my mother said, "I trust thou are come in a lucky
hour. A few weeks ago my cousin (whose favourite thou always wast) died
and left thee his heir--left thee the goodly farm in which he lived. I
trust, my son, that thou wilt now settle, and be a comfort to me in my
old days." And I answered, "I will, if so please the Lord"; and I sai