At fourteen, Hiram was to become ‘pious.’  So Mrs. Meeker fervently hoped, and to this end her prayers were specially directed.  Her son once secure and safe within the pale of the church, she could be free to prosecute for him her earthly plans, which could not be sanctioned or blessed of Heaven, so long as he was still in the gall of sin and bonds of iniquity.  So she labored to explain to him how impossible it was for an unconverted person to think an acceptable thought or do a single acceptable act in the sight of God.  All his labor was sin, while he was in a state of sin, whether it was at the plow, or in the shop, or store, or office, or counting-room.  She warned him of the wrath to come, and she explained to him with minute vividness the everlasting despair and tortures of the damned.  Hiram was a good deal affected.  He began to feel that his position personally was perilous.  He wanted to get out of it, especially as his mother assured him if he should be taken away—­and he was liable to die that very night—­then alas! his soul would lie down in everlasting burnings.  At last, the youth was thoroughly alarmed.  His mother recollected she had continued just one week under conviction, before light dawned in on her, and she considered that a proper period for her son to go through.  She contented herself, at first, by cautioning him against a relapse into his old condition, for then seven other spirits more wicked than the first would have possession of him, and his last state would be worse than the first.  Besides, he would run great risk of sinning away his day of grace.  It was soon understood in the church that Hiram was under concern of mind.  Mrs. Meeker, on the fourth day, withdrew him from school, and sent for the minister to pray with him.  He found him in great distress, I might say in great bodily terror; for he was very much afraid when he got into bed at night, he might awake in hell the next morning.  The clergyman was a worthy and a sincere man.  He was anxious that a true repentance should flow from Hiram’s present distress, and the lively agony of the child awakened his strongest sympathy.  He talked very kindly to him, explained in a genuine, truthful manner, what was necessary.  He dwelt on the mercy of our heavenly Father, and on his love.  He prayed with the lad earnestly, and with many affectionate counsels he went away.  Hiram was comforted.  Things began to look in a pleasanter light than ever before.  He had only to repent and believe, and it was his duty to repent and believe, and all would be well.  So it happened that when the week was out, Hiram felt that he had cast his burden on the Lord, and was accepted by him.