William’s friends got him persuaded to take a tour for a few weeks, to remove the gloom which hung upon his mind.  He did so; but he returned more dejected than ever.  The moment he arrived I was sent for to talk with him.  I directed him to behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world:  I said there was no other name given under heaven among men, but the name of Jesus, by which they could be saved; that God so loved the world as to send his Son into it, to save it by his death.  I then went over the whole history of the Saviour, from his birth at Bethlehem to his death on Calvary; describing his resurrection, and pointing out the evidence of it; then led his attention to Bethany, describing the marvellous circumstances attending his ascension to his Father; and testified to him the wonderful effects which followed in the immense increase of conversions to the faith.  I then enlarged upon Christ’s commission to his apostles, commanding them to publish to every creature under heaven the glad news that Christ had died for the ungodly; had finished redemption, and ascended up on high to receive gifts for men, and to bestow them on all who believed God’s testimony concerning him.

God opened the mind of William to perceive the importance and truth of these things.  He began to hope in God, through the offering of his Son a sacrifice for sin.  I advised him now to follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord in heaven, or can continue to see his glory on earth; to have no fellowship with wicked men; to be a faithful steward of whatever God had given him.  I told him how Christ rewarded those who overcame all their enemies through faith in his blood, and by believing the word of his testimony.  This conversation made him very happy, and he left me, rejoicing in the Lord.

Sometime after, he came with a sorrowful heart, complaining that he did not feel the Lord’s presence; that God had forsaken him.  I assured him that was impossible; for God expressly says he will never leave nor forsake his people; and that he changes not in his love to them.  I warned him to be cautious how he spoke against God, for such language is calling God a liar.  I told him likewise, that the church had once preferred a similar complaint against her God; upon which Jehovah protested that it was possible for a mother to forsake her infant child, but impossible for him ever to leave or to forsake his people; for he had pledged his word to the contrary.  Wherefore I warned him to be no more faithless, but believing; and by doing so he would glorify God greatly before men:  it would tend to make men think more favourably of God, and probably lead some to seek an interest in his favor, who otherwise would not.  Upon this he cried out with tears, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.  I change in my love, but thou changest not.  William left me, determined to rejoice evermore, and to pray without ceasing.