CHAPTER IV.

HISTORY OF GEORGE.

The third brother, George, remained in M——­ school for some years after the elder brothers had left.  As a scholar he was well-behaved and attentive; and after conducting himself with propriety for a considerable period, he was appointed a teacher.  He had not long been thus engaged before, during a gracious revival of religion in the circuit, he became deeply impressed with the necessity of salvation, and determined to seek the forgiveness of his sins.  He joined the Wesleyan society, and after a short period, professed to have obtained peace with God through Christ, and the remission of sins through faith in his blood.

Shortly after he had joined the Wesleyan society, he was sent for some months to a boarding-school in a neighboring town.  At that period the Rev. J.B. was one of the resident Wesleyan ministers.  Mr. B. had, a little time previous, preached a sermon to the young; and at the close of the service had invited those young people who were not connected with any church, and who were determined to begin to serve God, to meet him on the ensuing Thursday evening.  Thirty came, whom he formed into a class, and continued to meet while he remained in the circuit.  To this class George united himself; and the instructions and kindness of this devoted minister, exercised a beneficial influence on his character and conduct.  By the grace of God he was enabled to persevere amidst the enticements of his youthful associates, and to keep a conscience void of offense towards God and man.

Soon after this, he was removed from the parental roof, and placed with a local preacher at B., as an apprentice.  Here his religious experience deepened, and he enjoyed more of the favor and love of God; continuing instant in prayer, and adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour.  His Sabbaths were indeed days of rest; but not the rest of the idle, for he engaged heartily in the duties of the Sabbath-school, and was a regular and punctual teacher.  Some of his friends, who knew the state of his health, were rather opposed to his leisure moments being thus occupied, and considered that he ought to take exercise and recreation in the open air.  Such were not his views.  He shortly had to remove from business for a time, and to take one or two sea voyages, which happily restored him to his former health, and enabled him to return to his duties.

After exercising as a prayer-leader as well as a teacher for some time, he became impressed with the conviction that it was his duty and privilege to preach the gospel.  He was encouraged to proceed, and his name placed on the local preachers’ plan.  He then ceased to attend the Sunday-school.

In a letter to a brother, George observes:  “I can scarcely remember anything of serious impressions while at school; though, I doubt not, the instructions I there received had a salutary influence upon my mind.  If I remember rightly, several of the elder children were converted during the revival at M.; and most of those who continued steadfast were, or had been, connected with the school, either as teachers or scholars.”