Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08
EXPERIENCE.

In compliance with your request, ]
will endeavour to give you faithful DE
tail of a work of Grace on my heart
Words are not adequate to convey suit
able idea of the terrors OF my mind
whilst under a seuse OF the wrath OF God
fearing should be eternally banisfed from
his presence TO, that my having been
snatched as {" brand from the burning"
may be a mems in the Almighty's hands,
of turning some poor deluded soul from
the error OF his way" Ny first im-
pressions arose from Minister'S exhert-
ing me to flee from the wrath to come
telling me if 1 died without repenting for
sin, must inevitably go down to the pit
requesting me at the same time, TO read
the 18th chapter of St. Matthew, aud
mediate seriously on its contents. After
he had retired, l accordingly perused
that chapter, and received impressions
which were never removed, until OBJ
tanned, Gas l trust Sa0ing interest IN
the merits Of q precious Redeemer But
o, my rebellious hearth how often did it
strive to resist the stings Of guilty con-
science! Thanks to my blessed Master,
who has made me willing in the day Of
his power When first awakened, | was
engaged in learning Music and Dancing
in the latter of which took the greatest
delight-apl so unwilling was ! TO yield
up these amusements, that resolved, il
possible to suppress my religious exerci-
ses. o. how grateful am now. that my
Heavenly Father designed it should be
otherwise strange to tell, after | had
had the most awful apprehensions that |
was under the wrath Of an incensed God,
and subject to his just condemnation, |
again entered the dancing room, deter
mining to resist every thought which
might oppose the enjoyment Of my ia
| yourite amnsements. About this time, a
friend, perceiving my concern, (notwith-
standing my efforts to Danish convictlons)
asked the Minister above alluded to, in
my presence, what he thought would be
The fate of those who resisted conviction
for sin T? He answered by repeating the
following text G He, who being often re-
proved, hardeneth his heart, shall be cut
off suddenly, aud that without remedy. ="
l felt dreadful foreboding that should
| be one Of that character, and was near fall
ing to the ground-Ilowever, after all
this, again rallied my spirits, and con,
cIuded it would never do TO embrace re-
iigion SO early in life. had imbibed the
prejudices of too many, who think that
The votaries of religion must forego every
thing like pleasure, because the path
assigned Christians does not lead to the
foilies of the gay and fashionable world.
| As yet, had no conception OF the hap
piness of those who have experienced
redeeming love. You, who have felt the
rebellion of sinful heart, will not won
der at my attending the dancing room, af-
ter all l have stated. I resolved to make
one more struggle, thinking, if it were
possible to subdue my feelings, and to
dance, the victory would be mine. Shock
ing to think, that soul on the verge of
destruction should be SO wilfully insensi
Bile to its dangeri Never eau my sensa-
lions on this memorable occasion, be for
gotten.
The sound of the violin was SO appalI-
ing, that expected to faint left the
room immediately, with agitation too visi-
BILE not to have been observed by those
who were present; thinking, Gas / had
thought before, that by taking walk,
might become more composed, and so
return to the dancing room But, thanks
to my blessed Jesus, all exertion to op-
pose him, was in vain, and / was COM
PEELED abruptly to leave the house, with.
out apology to my Teacher; being fully
persuaded, that sin was the cause of my
misery, and that nothing but Sovereign
Grace could save my soul from ever
lasting torment. On getting home, my
agony seemed to increase, and the loss OF
my reason was threatened All was dark
ness, without one ray Of hope, for fifteen
Minutes, but providentially, it appears,
(for scarcely knew what was doing.
/ opened Rippon's Hymns, and cast my
eye towards one of them, beginning
| Lori, ddst thou die but not for me !
Am / forbid to trust thy blood
Hast thou not pardon rich and free,
| And grace, an overwhelming dood'
Who then shall drive my trembling soul
From thee to regions Of despair
q Who has surveyed the sacred roll,
* And found my name not written there