The Litchfield County post., 1828-08-21
From The Wesleyan MeihSdiss Magazine.
CONVERSION OF AN INFIDEL.

or BoVerat years past tHete udS Ucou
company of Infidels in Bolton, Of most
daring and hardened character. They
have generally held meetings on the Lords
day, and frequently also on the week day
evenings, for the purpose Of debate and
prOpagating their blasphemous doctrines.
At the head of the company was person
of the name of John Cameron, who had
read much, was acute in argument, and
bold and daring in the avowal of his Drin-
ciples. He went so far as to deny even
the being of God. Many times has he,
in the most solemn manner avOwed his a.
theism, not only in private parties, but in
public assemblies and has even dared God
if there was any such being, to show his
existence by the infection of an immediate
judgment.
Some months ago it pleased God to lay
the hand Of affection upon him; but in so
gentle manner, that he was still able to
walk into the town, and to mingle with his
companions. A person who had heard of
his sen iments and Of his indispoation a.
bout nine or ten weeks ago, called upon
him at his house; and in very plain but
afectionate manner, freely told him of his
awful state, and of his liability to everlast-
ing misery. as an unbeliever and a sinner
against God; but at the same time he told
him of the mercy of God in Christ, and
Of his willingness to save the vilest Of sim
ners. He listened with attention but made
no reply. After speaking with him for
ten or fifteen minutes, this friend said, :" If
you have no objection, will kneel down
and pray with you," to which he assented,
and also kneeled down, while prayer was
ofered'up to God for him. On rising
from his knees, he thanked the friend who
called to see him, and the interview closed
without any declaration on his part of the
feelings of his mind. 1t appears however
that deep conviction of sin at that time en-
tered his soul and that God not only
shook but edectua|ly destroyed, the entire
fabric of his in6delity.
In a few days it became known to sew
oral pious persons, that he had been visit
Cd by serious friend, and that his mind
had become deeply affected; and on their
visiting him, he very freely and candidly
stated to them the change which had taken
place in his views and feelings.
For short time, when he reflected on
his blasphemies against God. and the whole
Of his former conduct, he was afraid to app |
proach God in prayer; but, being drawn
by the Holy Spirit, md seeing himself as
on the verge Of hell, he became ferven'
in supplica,ion to God for mercy, through
the atonement Of Christ and, as he ex-
pressed himself to me, with deep feeling,
" My cry is God be merclful to me sim
Rer,' | have no way to come to God, but
through Jesus Christ" For two or three
weeks he pleaded with God for mercy; &
one morning, at an early hour, when enga- I
ged in prayer, the Lord graciously renew
cd his guilt; peace and joy entered his
soul, and he could look up with confidence
to God. as being reconciled to HIM in
Christ. His evidence Of pardon was clear
and strong and il does not appear, thai,
from that hour, it was ever shaken to the !
time of his death.
He Joined the Methodist Society; and
in the class meetings, which he had an OPP
portunity Of attending several times, he
gave'a very plain and satisfactory accoun,
Of his conversion to God.
On Sunday March sOth, 1928, our quar-
terly love feast was held in Brdge-stree,
Chapel; and after several persons had
spoken of the mercy and grace of God,
he rose up in the gallery; and though he
was in much weakeness of body, he said,
" If there be any person here who has es-
pecial cause to praise God, am the man.
have been an Infidel and an atheist; but
God has mercifully given me to see my
guilt and danger, and has brought me to he
knowledge of his pardoning love.' He
then. in a very artless and distinct man
ner, proceeded to state how the Lord had
mercifully awakened him to discovery of
his perishing condition; how he was bro,
to a knowledge of God the evidence of
pardon and acceptance through the Lord
Jesus Christ which he enjoyed; his love
Of prayer. and happiness 10 God. The
people listened with deep and solemn at
tention to his testimony, and reoiced to
Gee one who had been champion of inf
deity, blasphemy. and atheism, through the
power Of Divine grace, brought to the ex-
perimental knowledge of God, and become
q public witness for Jesus Christ.
During the few weeks, he. survived, he
bore the same decisive. tesalaony to the
u0xuAr IF