The Man who Thought he Never Prayed.
The Rev. Mr. Kilpin passed a very profane man, and having omitted to rebuke him he awaited him in the morning in the same place. When he approached, Mr. Kilpin said:— “Good morning, my friend; you are the person I have been waiting for.” “Oh sir,” said the man, “you are mistaken I think.” “I do not know you, but I saw you last night when you were going home from work, and I have been waiting some time to see you.” “Sir, you are mistaken; it could not have been me. I never saw you in my life before, that I know of.” “Well, my friend,” said Mr. Kilpin, “I heard you pray last night.” “Now I assure you that you are mistaken; I never prayed in all my life.” “Oh!” said Mr. Kilpin, “if God had answered your prayer last night you had not been here this morning. I heard you pray that God would destroy your eyes and ruin your soul.” The man turned pale, and, trembling, said:—“Do you call that prayer? I did, I did.” “Well, then, my errand this morning is to request you from this moment to pray as fervently for your salvation as you have done for damnation; and may God in mercy hear your prayer.” The man from that time became an attendant on Mr. Kilpin’s ministry, and it resulted in his early conversion to God.—Sel.