The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-04-21
SELECTED.
From the New York Post.
Conversion of lawful Gardner.

From the New York Post.
Conversion of"Awful' Gardner.
In the account of the revival pro.
ceedings in New York. on Monday,
we find the following homely spoken
address by ORvILLE GARDNER, the no.
ted pusilist. Although the language
is somewhat inelegant, yet the sense is
strong and displays true contrition Of
spirit. He spoke at the Green street
Methodist Church, Saturday week, as
follows:
/ feel it my duty to tell you what
God has done for Inc. I hope you will
hear all l have to say. There are many
here who have known me for ten years
have known me when l was fearfully
wicked. Now l am on the Lords side.
! want it thoroughly understood that
now | am on the Lords side.
was on visit to my brother in the
country, about twenty-eight miles away,
at a town called Portchester. When l
went there had as much idea Of get
ting religion as many of you have now
that is none at all. But hope when
you 60 home you cannot rest nor sleep
until you get religion. l went to church
in that town for accommodation, that's
all, to the folks. The Saviour was
there. The Lords spirit was powerful
ly displayed, and went from heart to
heart through the church. 1t worked
upon me three or four nights. The pas
tor of the church came to me and asked
me if l would not like to get religion
and serve God. ] answered "No, l
didn't care about it just then." and l
told him lie, for did l felt as though
] wanted religion.
got dreadfully uneasy, and made
up my mind l had better leave that part
ofthe country; it was getting too warm
for me. l told my brother | was going
to New York in the morning. He said,
"Wait another day." and 1 made up
my mind l would stay and attend
another night. Some remarks were
made to backsliders the next night,
many of whom l knew they sat there
unmoved. The minister and my friends
had been trying to get me to be a Chris
tian. but the devil said, Don't be ta-
ken in by those fellows" After church
that night, as we were going home l
made some remarks about those back
sliders, saying to him that if l were in
their place would come out like man
and seek religion over again.
The minister told me that he thought
! was great nner; that stood in
critical condition, and was more likely
to be lost than any of them. l said to
mybrother, that if the minister wasgoing
TO talk in tnas way, will 60. l got my
carpet-bag ready next day, and started;
| opened the door; l wanted to 90, and
! didn't want to go; and l hoped my
brother would again urge me to stay.
he did so, and l stayed. That was
Saturday. After l had my dinner
resolved that l would seek the Lord
that night. | made strong resolution;
felt where l stood that perhaps it was
the last time the Lord would strive
with me. Saturday night the invita- ion
was given to come forward to the altar,
and started-on my shoulders my
load of sins-up | went with them
the cross of Christ upon my back. l
got up and threw my sins down by the
altar. tried as hard as man ever did
and got no religion.
Sunday night attended with a like
result. That night / could not sleep.
my sins looked SO bad they came up
on every hand and looked at me al
the sins OF my life crowded upon me,
many | should never have thought of,
had not the Devil brought them before
me. l could not sleep; l wiggled and
waggled around the bed all night the
Lord was striving with me. Monday
morning | got up and prayed; l did
the best l could l asked the Lord to
take away the weight that bore me down
50. There was a friend came to me
that day and said he was going over to
White Plains. and l could 90 with him.
KnowingI would be in good company
concluded to so, thinking he might do
me some good. There was little said
on the way, but he told me to keep look
ing for the Savior; that was trying to
get religion, and had let every body
know 1t; the Lord was willing to bless
me at any time. or any where. was
riding along, singing hymn. and in an
instant felt as though l was blessed.
] am sure | gave up my soul and body.
The first thing knew, God spoke peace
to my soul. 1t came like shot-it
came like lightning. when was not an
ticipating it, and the first thing l said,
GLORY God bless me-" NY friend
said he knew it; he felt the shock too.
We rode against stone fence two or
three times. and came near tumbling on
the ground. The change was surpris-
ing; the trees looked as if they had
been blessed everything appeared to
have been blessed, even the horse and
wagon. / felt strong. l could almost
fy. Glory to God, this religion is good
The Lord has blessed me ever since.