he
Father was implored to cause the horse to stand that we might come up with
him. Although not a Christian we believed there was help in God, and
trusting in him we approached the animal, speaking to him as we had
before, when he stopped and we mounting continued our lonely journey in
deep and solemn thought of the verity of God.

In the winter of 1886-87 we became very much concerned about our soul. A
revival meeting was in progress in the little village in which we lived.
They did not teach salvation by grace through faith as was taught by the
apostles, but we, knowing no better, and wanting to escape the damnation
of hell, and hoping for an avenue of escape, concluded to take this.
Accordingly we gave the minister our hand one night, and answered in the
affirmative his few questions concerning our belief in God. On our way
home we were baptized, for we were taught that the water washed away sins.
During the days following we kept a close watch upon our heart and life to
learn if there was any change. We were disappointed. We found that sin
held the same power over us. There remained the same uncertainty of our
eternal state. The thoughts of death had lost none of their fear, and the
grave none of its terror. We were troubled. Here we had entered, as we
hoped, a path that led to heaven, but yet all was dark and uncertain. O
God, is this all of thy kingdom upon the earth?

I would question the older members of our congregation about their
experience. Should you be called for to-night to depart this life are you
fully assured that your home will be in heaven? Have you no fear to meet
God? They would answer me thus: "We can never know in this life just what
the decision of the Great Judge will be until we come before his awful
tribunal. In this world we can only go on the best we can, and hope for
the most in the judgment."

This was sad news to my soul. Is this all there is in a Christian life?
Where is the great peace, the joy, the bright hope and positiveness
promised in the Bible? But thinking these old heads knew all about the
Christian life, I endeavored to console myself and calm my fears. I very
poorly succeeded, for which I now praise God.

One instance occurred at this time that troubled me very greatly. One
night after retiring we heard a shout of "Fire! fire!" upon the street. On
rushing to the door and looking up the whole heavens above us seemed to be
one burning flame. All was on fire. The first though