The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-10-06
DR.. ALExAEDER's CONVERSION.

sion to look it over again a few days ago,
we were much impressed by the exceedingly
interesting account he gives of his own con-
version. If it were not for its length the
whole narrative might De probably copied.
As it is few extracts only will be given
Az the early age of seventeen he had gone
to be a private tutor in the family of Gen
eral Posey, of the Wilderness, in the county
of Spotsylyania In this family resided an
aged Christian lady, Mrs. Tyler, under whose
religious influence some earlier religious
feelings were very much deepened. He was
frequently invited to read to her, and on
Sabbath evenings to the whole family
Here our extract begins:
son one of these Sabbath evenings l was
requested to read out of Flayel, The part
on which l had been engaged was the
"NetbOd of Grace," but now, by some means,
| was led to select one of the sermons on
Revelation iii: 20, behold / stand at the
door and knock" &c.. The discourse was
upon the patience, forbearanee and kindness
of the Lord Jesus Christ to impenitent and
obstinate sinners. As proceeded TO read
aloud, the truth took effect on my feelings
and every word 1 read seemed applicable to
nv own case. Before | finished the dis
course, these emotions became too strong for
restraint, and my voice began to falter. l
laid down the book, rose hastily, and went
with full heart, and fastened to my place
of retirement"
OF this place mention is made in proceed
ing page:
Every morning when the weather would
permit, he took long, solitary walk through
the fields, terminating it at the Wilderness
Creek, which ran along the border of the
plantation. Here he found some plots Of
green grass, surrounded by thickets, and
here with his knife he made booth or arbor
To this sequestered spot he used to retire for
PRAYER, taking some volume with him on the
Lords day. He records that on q certain
Sunday evening bis meditstiOns of God and
divine things became solemn and delightful,
so that be was unwilling to withdraw his
thoughts from these objects, when it became
necessary to return home. But all this was
without radical reformation of character
We now resume the account begun above
"No sooner had I reached the spot than
dropped upon my knees, and attempted to
pour out my feelings in prayer but had
not continued many minutes in this exercise
before I was overwhelmed with ahood of tears.
1t was transport such as | had never known
before, and seldom since have no recOi-
lection of any distinct views Of Christ but
was filed with a sense Of the goodness and
mercy of God and this JOY was accompanied
with a full assUrauce that my state was hap
py, and that if was then to die, | should 20
to heaven. This ecstacy was too high to De
lasting, but as it subsidized, my feelings were
calm and happy. Il soon occurred to me
that possibly l had experienced the change
called the new birth. But as | was walking
homeward, the thought presented itself, that
if this was indeed conversion, the effect would
be that l should leave off al my sins !; and
was willing to make this the criterion OF
my state. For few days guarded against
every thing which l knew to be wrong; but
in a week my former feelings returned, and
when exposed to temptation l transgressed
as before"
Then follows the narrative of his visit
with his distinguished pastor and teacher, the
Rev. William Graham of Prince Edward, at
time when the great revival was in pro
gress there under the ministry of the Rev.
John Blair Smith and Rev. Drury Lacy of
Hampden Sidney The various exercises of
his mind on the subject must be omitted
1t was not brought out into full light and lib
ersy till after his return to lexington
Under much spiritual conflict, he says he de.
termined to give himself necessarily to prayer
for mercy:
ST took my Bible and walked several
miles into the dense wood of the Brushy
Hills, which were then wholly uneultivated.
Finding a place that pleased me, at the foot
of a projecting rock, 10 dark valley, be-
gan with great earnestness the course which
had prescribed to myself. Bat the more
he strOve the harder his heart seemed to be-
come, till at last in the utmost despair ne be
sought God to help him in the extremity
g knelt upon the ground, and had poured
out perhaps a single petition, or rather
broken cry for help, when in moment |
had such view Of cruci6ed Saviour as is
without parallel in my experience. The
whole plan Of grace appeared as clear as day
l was persuaded that God was willing to &C
cept me, lust as | was, and convinced that
had never before understood the freeness of
salvation, but had always been striving to
bring some price in my hand, or to prepare
myself for receiving Christ.
Conversion is manifold in its exercises, and
is connected With great variety of religious
feelings. Regeneration is but once, when
the new life in the saint begins. It is in
ssantaneous-for there can be no intermsdi
ate state between life and death. Between
the time in which DR.. Alexander experienced
the feelings referred to at General PJsey's,
and those just mentioned, he went through
scenes of much spiritual darkness, aud great
conflict In referring to the different stages
Of his early religious life, he says:
This shows how seldom oeheVers can
designate with exaetness the time of their re-
newal. Now, st the age of seventy seven, l
am Of opinion that my regeneration took
place while resided at General POseys, in
the year 1888"
Our copy of the Yrginia Literary and
Evangelical Magazine was purchased from
- H. nf The Raz. Cnnra8 Snanna. d