A SOUL'S CONVERSION

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 21, 1889

A SOUL'S CONVERSION.

IN a recent sermon a great preacher gave this interesting piece of autobiography:—

Years ago, when I was a youth, the burden of my sin was exceedingly heavy upon me. I had fallen into no gross vices, and should not have been regarded by anyone as being specially a transgressor; but I regarded myself as such; and I had good reason for so doing. My conscience was sensitive because it was enlightened; and I judged that, having had a godly father and a praying mother, and having been trained in the ways of piety, I had sinned against much light, and consequently there was a greater degree of guilt in my sin than in that of others who were my youthful associates, but had not enjoyed my advantages. I could not enjoy the sports of youth because I felt that I had done violence to my conscience. I would seek my chamber and there sit alone, read my Bible, and pray for forgiveness; but peace did not come to me. Books such as Baxter's "Call to the Unconverted," and Doddridge's "Rise and Progress," I read over and over again. Early in the morning I would awake and read the most earnest religious books I could find, desirous to be eased of my burden of sin.

I was not always thus dull, but at times my misery of soul was very great. The words of the weeping prophet and of Job were such as suited my mournful case. I would have chosen death rather than life. I tried to do as well as I could, and to behave myself aright; but, in my own judgment, I grew worse and worse. I felt more and more despondent. I attended every place of worship within my reach, but I heard nothing which gave me lasting comfort till one day I heard a simple preacher of the gospel speak from the text, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." When he told me that all I had to do was to "look" to Jesus—to Jesus, the crucified One—I could scarcely believe it. He went on and said, "Look, look, look!" He added, "There is a young man under the left-hand gallery there who is very miserable; he will have no peace until he looks to Jesus;" and then he cried, "Look, look! Young man, look!" I did look, and in that moment relief came to me, and I felt such overflowing joy I could have stood up and cried, "Hallelujah! Glory be to God, I am delivered from the burden of my sin!" Many days have passed since then; but my faith has held me up, and compelled me to tell out the story of free grace and dying love.—Michigan Christian Advocate.