THE MYSTERIOUS LEADINGS OF PROVIDENCE.

The following incidents are contributed to the book by a prominent clergyman: 

“A period, ever memorable in the life of the writer, occurred in the Autumn of 1832, while attending a protracted meeting of more than ordinary interest and power, held under the auspices of the Baptist church in the city of Schenectady, under the then pastoral charge of Rev. Abraham D. Gillette, this being his first settlement.  It was in one of the meetings that the Holy Spirit impressed my mind of its sinfulness and the need of a Savior, not only to cleanse my soul of sin and sinful stains, but to save me.  These impressions caused me to humble myself at the feet of sovereign mercy; and in the midst of my pleadings, God answered my prayer, and opened to me new views, views of the heavenly kingdom, which so electrified my soul, that with a full heart I could say, ’Blessed be the Lord who has shown me marvelous works in this lonely place beneath the star-lit sky.’

“This great change was, and is, to me the most wonderful interposition of God in my behalf in answer to prayer.  This answer to prayer the promised result of faith in Him.”

“Again, in the year 1836, the writer in the year mentioned was employed by a transportation company, in the city of Troy, in the character of an employee having direction of a portion of the business of the company which brought me into close relation with the many boatmen connected with the company.  Association with the boatmen was painful to my religious nature, compelled, as I was, to hear all manner of offensive talk.  The latter led me to indulge a wish that I might free myself from such company, in order to form associations with persons of my own religious turn of mind.  But God willed otherwise, as will be learned from the recital of God’s dealings with me on an occasion of a journey alone in a carriage from Troy to Schenectady.  It was on the occasion alluded to that most of the time was occupied in prayer, and the burden of my prayer was ’that God would open up a way for me wherein I could find more congenial company, where in fact my religious feelings would not meet with the trials incident to my present associations.’  But He who knew my needs better, came to my relief in words seemingly distinct enough to be heard.  This was the answer:  ’I have placed you just where I want you.’  Instantly my prayer for a change of location or separation from my business and its connections ceased, and since, instead of looking for easy positions, wherein the principles of the faith which is in me may be undisturbed, I deem it suited to my growth in grace and increase in devotion to my Master’s cause, to covet the association of men whose only tendency is to evil continually.  I have found by experience in the latter direction, that although many tongues are loose in the habit of profanity, I am roused more and more by grace to impart words of counsel.  I know that efforts at consistency in Christian conduct and converse will stop the mouth of profaners of the name of our Redeemer, God.”