Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-04-04

strongest feelings of enmiiy TO his charac-
ter. At other times, during the day. my
opposi,ion rose teartuly against those
whom | esteemed the friends of God, be,
cause they justified him and condcmncn
his enemies. Thus continued through
the day, boiling with resentment against
God, and agains, his people; saying as
little as possible TO any ono. 49,,
In tic evening went to hear MIR. M!lis'
Arriving at the place appointed some time
before The service commenced, sat oo"'
and having a book in my hand, began 10
read to myself, without however, receiV-
inc one idea from what | read. " hile
thus occupied and almost lost to every
thing around me, felt my heart snaaeny
melt I'd bow before God. | Immediately
hid my face, tears flowed from my eyes,
God seemed 10 be every thing, and myself
10 be norhn~. abhorred myself, and
really felt that l was not worthy 10 crawl
on the earth, and that, because | had SIN
ned against the most glorious being in the
universe. Never can describe to any
one ,he view now had of the purity OF
Gods character, OF the spirituality of his
law, and of the justice of its awful penal
~.
now began to have some hope, not
tina, | was converted, but that possibly a
Being so exalted, aud SO holy, and so mer-
cifuI as he now appeared to be, might BE-
gracious to such d worm as |.
When Mr.. Mills rose te commence the
service, my attention was first arrested. -
His text was Gal. vi. 1, 8. "Be not deccIV-
ed, God is not Knocked, for whatsoever
man sowelh that she also reap. lie that
soweth 10 his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption, but he that soweth to the spirit
shall reap life everlasting" Never did
seem TO have heard preaching before.
Every word came with power, and filled
nv soul with emotions cannot describe.
On my way home, | observed to one in
company with me, that never heard such
preaching before, and turning to him asked
" Did YOU ever hear as good preaching be.
fore?" To my astonishmcnt he replied
coldlv, sit was good preaching, bm |
have often heard as good, and even bet
ter"
At this time | had not even the most
distant idea that had met with any thing
saving. Nor did for several weeks after
wards indulge such an apprehension.
NV mind however was much occupied,
and often delightfully."- in the contemplation
of Gods character as holy, just and good.
Such wcr, my views Of his exalted charac.
ter, that for number ofdays | hardly dared
to pray, though | oicn longcd to do so. l
felt as if there was no medium through
which my prayers could be presented before
God, and oEcn longed for an interccssor
to present my desires, and to plead for their
acceptance, for at this time had no more
IDEA of Christ, as Mediator, than if | had
never heard OF him.
While M mind was in this state, was
one day suddenly ovcr;akcn while IN Inc
woods and where the trees were very tall,
with violent thunder storm. | felt that it
would be q wonder if the lightning did not
kill me, in an instant, and if SO, | said to
myself, | shall 60 right to hell. Well, ami
what if do 60 to hell, | then said to myself
i, will be perfectly just. l tbcn had such a
view Of the justice of God as never had
before. 1t appearedto 10 me to be an lntin.
itclv glorious attribute: and if ever did
enjoy true happiness i'll God, it was at this
time, willie meditating on that justice which
Isupposcd would send me 20 hell. Not that
| was pleased with the idea Of going 10 hcll,
but my mind was SO captivated, and my
soul was so enraptured in the contemplation
of Gods Justice, that self was lost sight of,
and appeared rs nothing. From that day
10 this have taken great pleasure in listen
nc TO TIC majestic noise OF thunder, Us II
seems to revive in my soul the pleasing,
joyful emotions Of that interesting moment
when the glory Of Gods jns:icc first broke
forth distinctly on my view.
No: many days al:cr the foregoing scene
ranspired attended Conference meeting,
where number Of Christian ii:nds were
as scmbed. Amo ig ether cXcrc s they
sung, and in manner TO charm my very
soul, which led me 10 contemplate with in
cxpresslblc delight the s orious employment
OF saints and angels above, celebrating for
ever the praises of God. In momenf,
however, my Joy was turned into sorrow un.
der the apprehension that must forever be
excluded from that society. and denied \
particiDaton in their blessed CmDovment?
My anguish was inexpressible. occasioncd
by the reflection that should never be per-
mittcd 10 praise such an infinitely glorious
being. For | sill felt that the justice of
God cuold no: suffer one so guilty as [ was
to participate in that delightful service.
Some days attcr this, as was returning
from my customary employment, found
my mind impercep;ib!y drawn away TO the
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