I read it with much interest, for I saw that the first portion of the history of Berridge corresponded with mine; but as I went on reading, I wondered what he could mean by “Justification.”  What was that wonderful thing which God did for him and for the souls of his people?  What could he mean by having his eyes opened to see himself a wretched, lost man?  What was “seeing the way of salvation”?  He said that he had preached for six years, and never brought a single soul to Christ; and for two years more in another place, and had no success; but now, when he preached Christ instead of the Church, people came from all parts, far and near, to hear the sound of the glorious Gospel; and believers were added to the Church continually.  I grappled with this subject; but I could not, by searching, find out anything, for I was in the dark, and knew not as yet that I was blind, and needed the power of the Holy Spirit to awaken and bring me to see myself a lost sinner.  My soul was now all a stir on this subject; but, as far as I can remember, I wanted the information-not for myself; but because I thought I should then get hold of the secret by which the Wesleyans and others caught and kept their people, or rather my people.

Soon after, my gardener, a good Churchman, and duly despised by his neighbours for attaching himself to me and my teaching, fell seriously ill.  I sent him at once to the doctor, who pronounced him to be in a miner’s consumption, and gave no hope of his recovery.  No sooner did he realize his position, and see eternity before him, than all the Church teaching I had given him failed to console or satisfy, and his heart sank within him at the near prospect of death.  In his distress of mind, he did not send for me to come and pray with him, but actually sent for a converted man, who lived in the next row of cottages.  This man, instead of building him up as I had done, went to work in the opposite direction-to break him down; that was, to show my servant that he was a lost sinner, and needed to come to Jesus just as he was, for pardon and salvation.  He was brought under deep conviction of sin, and eventually found peace through the precious blood of Jesus.

Immediately it spread all over the parish that “the parson’s servant was converted.”  The news soon reached me, but, instead of giving joy, brought the most bitter disappointment and sorrow to my heart.  Such was the profound ignorance I was in!

The poor man sent for me several times, but I could not make up my mind to go near him.  I felt far too much hurt to think that after all I had taught him against schism, he should fall into so great an error.  However, he sent again and again, till at last his entreaties prevailed, and I went.  Instead of lying on his bed, a dying man, as I expected to find him, he was walking about the room in a most joyful and ecstatic state.  “Oh, dear master!” he exclaimed, “I am so glad you are come!  I am so happy!  My soul is saved, glory be to