Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-21
[coNcLUDED.l
THE oFrIoER,s NARRATIYE.

was conversing with 2 military gentle
man, high in the service Of his country, one
day last week. Knowing him to be a person
OF true godliness, 1 asked him what it was that
caused him to think about religion ut first, and
he answered me as follows ssI am now q
Christian of twenty-seven years standing. 1
came out to India as a cadet, when very
| young. was then very careless and wicked.
had companion as sinful as myself. On our
! travelling up the country to the military sta
/ tion. we We're noticed by an excellent and de-
voted missionary, VINO, though still living, is
| not in this country. He showed us much kind
| ness, and was at great pains to do US good /;
but we hardened our hearts against all our
counsels, not wishing to give up the pleasure
of sin. One morning we were out together,
and having but one gun between us, we agreed
to use it time about. My companion used it
first, and then wanted my turn; but he re-
fused to give me the gun until he should have
another shot. l felt stung by a sense Of injus-
tice but not wishing to have quarrel with
him, turned away my head as my companion
raised the gun to fire a second time. Sudden
ly l heard report and 1T the same time
scream Of agony. l looked quickly around,
ard saw that the piece had burst, and shatter-
ed the poor boys hand in fragments. l got
him removed TO his room, where his hand was
shortly after alnputated. During the length
ened fever and illness that followed, attend
ed him constantly. The minister too was un-
| ceasing in his attentions. He never spoke to
me; but, as | stood ut the bedside of my sick
and suffering friend, l overheard the words OF
encouragement, and the instruction, which
were intended to work salutary effect upon
| him. For season lie seemed impressed but
| soon his worldly friends and acquaintances sur
rounded him, and he became us hard and in
| different as ever.
Sc Meanwhile, the words of the good man
We're not lost upon me. | began to feel sin an
tolerable burden, but l was ignorant how to
get rid oft. thought would try to make
myself better. was given to swearing
though only boy. | resolved to break off
that habit; but, watch as l would, still the
blasphemy would come from my tongue.
began to despair Of ever changing myself. /
thought would ask advice from the minister;
and seizing an opportunity as he retired from
his next visit, mustered courage to follow
him, and the first thing l said was, Do you
think, sir, that your religion is able to over
come sin y He looked at me without replying
as he thought | was mocking him; but after
wards noticing the earnestness, which l ex-
pressed in repeating the question, he took me
by the hand, and putting my arm in his,
'Come,' said he, ScOme home with me and let
us talk together ! accompanied him to his
house, and there disclosed all my feelings
opened my mind freely and fully to the man
of God, who exclaimed, All, how foolish, and
companion was TO be saved, while of you l
had no hope, but had given you up as lost /;
but now find l have been altogether mista-
ken, for you are to be saved through faith in
Jesus Christ. Thanks and glory be ascrbed
to the adorable and sovereign grace Of God.'
The minister taught me how to get rid of the
guilt and load Ofsin; and casting my soul be-
iiGyingiy on the merits Of the atoning sacrifice,
1 felt the preciousness Of Christ, and his pow
er within me, conquering all the evils Of my
corrupt nature. Such were the circumstances
leading to my conversion to God, in whose
blessed service l have been preserved from
that time till the present-a period OF twenty
seven years."
Now, this boy was enabled to repent of his
sins, and to believe in, and accept Of, Jesus
Christ as his Saviour. Is there anything to
hinder you from doing as he did Oh, try
whether you, too, cannot receive the Lord Je-
sus Christ into your hearts by faith.