American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-05-07
Religious. /.
RELIGIOUS REVIVAL.
Under,his head,t "New York Tribuneu

has the following 'iEia
"AwruL GARDNER's" Story OF HtMsELr
"Awful Gardner. )" converted pugilist, was
present on Sunday evening at meeting in
The Methodist Church in Greene street, and
narrated to the congregation the circum.
stances oil his conversion as follows: ~
l feel il my duty to tell you what
God has done for me. hope yeu vii! hear
all have TO say. There are many here
who have known me for ten years-haye
known me when ! was fearlully wicked.
Now am on the Lords side / want il
thorough understood that now | anon the
LORDS side. "lNt #
| was on visit TO my brother in the coun-
try, about twenty eight miles away, at a
town called Postchester. When | went
there had as much idea Of getting religion as
many of you have now, that is none at all
But hope when you get home You cannot
rest nor sleep till you get religion. went
to church in that town for accommodation,
that's all, to the folks. The Saviour was
there. The Lords Spirit was powerfully
displayed, and went from heart to heart all
through the church. 1t worked upon me
three or -four nights. The pastor of the
church came TO me and asked me If would
not like to get religion and serve God. l.
answered mo, Il didn't care about Just then,'
and told him lie, for did, felt as though
wanted religion. laa
lgot dreadlully uneasy, and made up my
mind had had better leave that part of the
country, il was getting too warm for me.
told IN! brother was going to New York
| in the morning. He said, ,,wait anot her day."
and made up my mind would stay and
| attend another night. Some remarks were
ma a IN hap OH ffa ~,
whom knew they sat there unmoyed -
The ministerand my friends had been trying
TO get me 10 he Christian, bu, the Devil
said, "Don't be taken in by those felows."
| Alter church that night as we were going
home--the minister lived up our way--I
remarked about those backsilers, saying
| TO him that II were in their place | would
| come out like man aud seek religion over
again.
| The minister told me that he thought
was very great sinner that stood in
critical condition, and was more likely to bs
lost than any Of them. saidto my brother,
| 1t that was the way the minister was going
10 talk, would 60, got my carpet bag
ready and started; opened the door ]
wanted 10 and didn't wan! to go; and hoped
my brother would again urge me say; he
did 50, and stayed. That was Saturday
After had my dinner | resolved that
would seek the Lord that night | made a
strong resolution; felt where stood that
perhaps il was the last time the Lord would
strive with me. Saturday night the invita-
| ton was given to come forward to the altar
on my shoulders was my load Of sins-up
| went with them, the cross Of Christ upon
my back. | go, up and threw my sins down
| by the altar. | tried as hard as q man ever
did, and did not get religion. ...
| Sunday night attended with like result.
That night could not sleep, my sins look ed
$50 bad they came up on every hand and
looked at me; all The sins of my life crowded
upon me, many should never thought of,
had not The devil brought them before me.
lcould not sleep; | wiggled and wagpled
around The bed all night; the Lord was STIR.
wing with me. Monday morning got up
and prayed; did the best could; asked the
Lord 10 take away :he weight that bore me
down. There was friend came to me that
day and said he was going over to White
Plains, snt could 90 with him. Knowing
! would be in good company. concluded
to 60 thinking he might do me some good. -
There was little said on the way, but he
told me to keep looking for the Saviour; that
| was trying 10 get religion, aud had let
every body know il the Lord was willing
was riding along, singing hymn, and in
az instant felt as though was blessed
| am sure [ gave up'my soul and body The
first thing knew, God spoke peace to my
soul. 1t came like a shot--it came like
lightning, when was not anticipating, and
the first thing ! said, "Glory God blessed
me.' My friend said he knew il, he felt
the shock too. We rode against a stone
fence two or three times, and came near
tumbling on the ground. The change was
surprising the trees looked as if they had
been blessed everything appeared 10 have
been blessed, even the horse and wagon
| felt strong: could almost fly. Glory to
God, this religion is good The Lord has
blessed me ever since. My faith in him
grows stronger every day. | would face all
the people that God ever put on The earth
and tell them all am bound for Heaven.
My heart says, see the sooner; say, will
go pray for him. Everything is pleasing,
love those used 10 hate. Now, that shows
pretty good for rellgion---don't it, brethrenl
| Yes yes.l Men that used to seek to in.
lure love now | pray for them. don,
hate soul that God ever put breath in -
AS look around, you all look good TO me
love the Christian little better than the
sinner, but ] love you too. would no,
swap this religion for all New York city
would rather have religion and live or
bread and water Till God calls me. They
talk about noise here--what will ii be whom
we gel 10 HeRsen? I have tested the worlds
pleasures, bet religion is The only thing that
will make man happy here, and The only
thing that will make him happy hereafter
There are great many here that know me.
and 1t is, no doubt, mystery to them that
God should accept such a creature. Now
is The time to step TO the altar. Don't say
TO God, let me accomplish this or that, and
then will seek you. When you receive
the religion Of Jesus Christ you are The rich.
est person on earth Come al once. Cleal
the way, here Seats all around allow
! yourselves TO be led TO Christ.