Conversion
13
clouds and rain had prevailed a greater part of the time, and my feelings
had been in harmony with the weather. Now the sun shone bright and
clear, and flooded the earth with light and warmth. The trees and grass
were a fresher green, the sky a deeper blue. The earth seemed to smile
under the peace of God. So the rays of the Sun of Righteousness
had penetrated the clouds and darkness of my mind, and dispelled its
gloom.
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It seemed to me that everyone must be at peace with God, and
animated by His Spirit. Everything that my eyes rested upon seemed
to have undergone a change. The trees were more beautiful, and the
birds sang more sweetly than ever before; they seemed to be praising
the Creator in their songs. I did not care to talk, for fear this happiness
might pass away, and I should lose the precious evidence of Jesus’
love for me.
My life appeared to me in a different light. The affliction that had
darkened my childhood seemed to have been dealt me in mercy, for
my good, to turn my heart away from the world and its unsatisfying
pleasures, and incline it toward the enduring attractions of heaven.
Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others,
was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much
exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see
but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was
immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me
that sprinkling was Bible baptism.
Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordi-
nance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into
the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore,
but as I took up this heavy cross, my peace was like a river. When I
arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of
the Lord rested upon me. I felt that henceforth I was not of this world,
but had risen from the watery grave into a newness of life.
The same day in the afternoon I was received into the church in
full membership.
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