Our interview commenced about 9 o'clock, and continued until past noon, before they seemed to think that they had any more to do with the world.

During this period I had such views and contemplations, that I was almost in astonishment and wonder that a creature so vile and so unbelieving as I had been, should have been rendered capable of so much joy in God, my Saviour. I could not conceive that any thing short of the interposition of the power and spirit of a gracious Saviour could communicate such happiness to any soul. It seemed "like a young heaven on earthly ground, and glory in the bud."

While in this delightful company, I more than once had this question pass my mind, whether this joy would continue with me after I should leave this company? but the thought was momentary.

At length something was said about the time of day, (for we seemed all to have been lost in regard to time,) and it being past twelve o'clock, I purposed to be going; but my good friends would not consent that I should go until after dinner. They insisted on a promise, that I would call on them again in the course of the ensuing week. It was so late that Mr. L. concluded not to accompany me any farther, and for a moment I regretted leaving such delightful company.

Having taken dinner, and I being about to leave them, each one took me by the hand and bid me God speed. When I put my foot into the stirrup to mount my horse, a thought rolled over my mind whether I should not leave all my comfort when I left this company; this occasioned a moment's depression only, and was gone, scarcely interrupting my peace.

I went on my way rejoicing in God, my Saviour, whose power and glory was richly displayed in every object on which I cast my eyes. I had often heard young converts speak something of the glorious displays of Deity in the works of creation, but the half was never told me, nor is it possible that I should describe what I saw and felt of the displays of divine glory.

Old things had passed away, and all things had become new; I felt such love, joy and peace, that I could scarce

ly desire those graces of the Holy Spirit to be increased, for my cup was full. I was astonished when I contrasted my present feelings with any I had ever before realiized. I was perfectly satisfied that nothing short of an Almighty power could have wrought such a change in me; a change wrought independently of any act of mine. I being alone, had an opportunity for uninterrupted reflection and self-examination; and I endeavored faithfully to improve the opportunity.

I was very sensible that I had been one of the very chief of sinners, but I felt acquitted from all guilt, in view of what JESUS, my precious Saviour had suffered for wretched sinners. I felt as completely justified as though I had never sinned. I could realize no more propensity to sin than I should feel to partake of the most deadly poison. My love was without dissimulation and my joy extatic. A criminal who had received a pardon under the gallows could not have felt more grateful to his benefactors, than I at this time felt to my gracious God, for the great deliverance he had wrought for my soul. I could verily say, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings, and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God."

CHAPTER VI.

This extraordinary change took place with me on the ninth day of September, 1789; and this present day is the ninth of September, 1827; that is, just thirty-eight years ago.

I went on and called to see one of the ministers whom I have heretofore spoken of, but found no one in the house. I called on the other and found him deeply engaged in worldly business. This circumstance depressed my mind for a short time.

I shortly after fell in company with Mr. J. Chadbourn, a licensed baptist preacher, under whose ministry I chiefly sat. He had frequently talked to me in times past, when I felt but little liberty to reply; but at this time I felt great freedom and engrossed almost all the conversation. He seemed to be patient and attentive to hear from me a long detail of my previous and recent exercises. We rode five or six miles together quite slowly, it being night. He expressed a satisfaction in his judgment that I had passed from death unto life; nor did it, at this time, give me any uneasiness, as it had done many times previously, when respectable Christians had intimated to me that they hoped that I was a Christian.

I had to go forty rods from the road to turn out my horse, and having turned him through the gate, the distressed condition I was in when I took the horse through the same gate, the day before, to accompany elder Richárdson to Limerick, occured to me. I was then a poor, dejected, trembling, and perplexed mortal; but now possessed such elevation of soul, such tranquility and devotedness to my blessed Lord, that I could scarcely desire to be happier.

I had at this time and place a blessed opportunity to render thanks and praise to my gracious and glorious God, and to pray that I might continue in his love, and worship and serve him in spirit and in truth, so long as I should live, nor did I neglect the opportunity. I came boldly, and I trust humbly to the throne of grace. I had great freedom, and joy inexpressible and full of glory. I arose from the earth and lifted my eyes toward the heavens, and saw as I never before saw. "The heavens.declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth-forth his handy work."

I walked towards the road, and it seemed as if my feet scarcely touched the ground. My soul was so filled with love, joy and peace, that I continued praising and praying all the way as I walked, and yet I could not allow myself to go into the house, until I should more formally pray again; and I selected a place for that where I had often attempted to pray before. It was under the side of a large rock, perhaps twenty rods from the road.

purpose

I went to this place cheerfully, and I enjoyed such freedom and happiness as confirmed me, at that time, in the thought, that my enjoyments would never decrease. In this frame of mind I went to the house, it being near mid-night, the family were all in bed. I lighted a can

dle, and before I could retire to rest, I must look into the bible. I read several chapters in one of the evangelists, and I feasted upon the word. I retired to my bed and prayed silently before I lay down. A multitude of thoughts rushed in quick succession upon me, and among others, my mother, brothers and sisters, came into my mind for the first time since I had enjoyed this freedom. I wondered that I had not thought of them before, and in a moment I charged myself with ingratitude.

It was instantly suggested to my mind that my religion could not be genuine, because I had not prayed particularly for my own family; but my trial was of short duration. I concluded that it was a suggestion of Satan, and that I might yet pray for thein, which I did. I went to sleep praying and praising; slept sweetly, and awoke happy.

I arose immediately resolving to go and talk with some of the old professors. I went down stairs and passed through the room where Mrs. Barker was. Mr. Barker had just left the room, I only said "good morning" to her, as I passed, and went directly to old Mr. Joshua Chadbourn's. He and his wife were eminent Christians. Joseph, their son, lived with them; (he was the young man with whom I was so vexed, because he cried out in meeting.) I had a pleasant interview with this family, and returned to Mr. Barker's about ten o'clock.

I had previously engaged some men to work for me that day, and they came according to their promise; but I being absent, Mr. Barker employed them for himself, with a design to work for me again when I should be in readiness. It had been Mrs. Barker's usual practice to do her kitchen work herself while her daughter spun; but under most poignant distress of soul, she had left her kitchen work to her daughter, and went into the chamber herself. Such was the distress of her mind, however, that she spun but very little. I very much wished to see her, and to know the state of her mind; for I very well knew that she was under great anxiety when I left home. I went to see her, and inquired of her how she did: she replied, "Andrew, you are converted." I asked her why she said so: said she, "as soon as I saw your face this morning, I knew that you were converted; but I am damned for ever! It is just as I thought it would be: I had a dream not long since I thought that you and Mr. Barker and myself were on a wreck at sea; and that a hand was reached down and took you off, and left us, and just so it is." I told her I entertained a hope and peace I never possessed before. "Well," said she, “I am gone for ever, there is no hope for me!" "Why do you talk so, Mrs. Barker,” said I, "there is hope for the chief of sinners." She replied, "I believe I shall be left to destroy myself, and hell will be my portion; there is no mercy for me. I have been afraid, the summer past, to take a knife into the cellar to cut meat; I was under such temptations to cut my own throat; and in several ways I have been tempted to put a period to my existence; and I really fear I shall be left to my own destruction." I waited, though impatiently, to