.

"The greatest part of the congregation, unused to such faithful and
scriptural sermons, disliked and complained of the severity of the
preacher; while a few, as I afterwards found, like myself, were deeply
affected, and earnestly wished to hear him again. But he preached there
no more.

"From that time I was led, through a course of private prayer, reading,
and meditation, to see my lost state as a sinner, and the great mercy of
God through Jesus Christ, in raising sinful dust and ashes to a share in
the glorious happiness of heaven. And, O sir! what a Saviour I have
found! He is more than I could ask or desire. In his fulness I have
found all that my poverty could need; in his bosom I have found a resting-
place from all sin and sorrow; in his word I have found strength against
doubt and unbelief."

"Were you not soon convinced," I said, "that your salvation must be an
act of entire grace on the part of God, wholly independent of your own
previous works or deservings?"

"Dear sir, what were my works, before I heard that sermon, but evil,
carnal, selfish, and ungodly! The thoughts of my heart, from my youth
upward, were only evil, and that continually. And my deservings, what
were they, but the deservings of a fallen, depraved, careless soul, that
regarded neither law nor gospel! Yes, sir, I immediately saw that if
ever I were saved, it must be by the free mercy of God, and that the
whole praise and honour of the work would be his from first to last."

"What change did you perceive in yourself with respect to the world?"

"It appeared all vanity and vexation of spirit. I found it necessary to
my peace of mind to come out from among them, and be separate. I gave
myself to prayer; and many a happy hour of secret delight I enjoyed in
communion with God. Often I mourned over my sins, and sometimes had a
great conflict, through unbelief, fear, temptation to return back again
to my old ways, and a variety of difficulties which lay in my way. But
He who loved me with an everlasting love drew me by his loving-kindness,
showed me the way of peace, gradually strengthened me in my resolutions
of leading a new life, and taught me, that while without him I could do
nothing, I yet might do all things through his strength."

"Did you not find many difficulties in your situation, owing to your
change of principle and practice?"

"Yes, sir, every day of my life. I was laughed at by some, scolded at by
others, sco