their sinful and depraved hearts.  An earnest desire was at the same time created within them, not only to experience the forgiveness of all their sins, but to know the crucified Saviour, so often described to them as their reconciler; and by the testimony of their own hearts and consciences, to be assured of their interest in Him and his atonement.  Their declarations on this occasion were such, that the missionaries were quite surprised at the knowledge they had already gained by the Spirit’s light, and not by the instruction of man; and with fervent thanksgivings to the Saviour they joined frequent prayer, that he would grant them grace and wisdom to lead these souls, awakened from death unto life, according to their measure, and in the best manner, so as to farther their progress on the way to everlasting life.

The first person with whom this delightful and amazing work of grace began, was a female, and such an atrocious sinner, that she was abhorred even of the heathen.  Hearing a discourse from these words, “The son of man came to seek and save that which was lost,” she was much struck with it, and asked herself, “Can this be true, that the Saviour came to save such sinners as me? ah! there are none so wicked as I!” Wholly absorbed in these thoughts, she remained in the meeting-hall when the others had left it, unconscious that she was alone.  Then suddenly starting up, she ran to a solitary mountain to give vent to her full heart, where, falling down upon her knees, she cried, “O!  Jesus, I have heard that thou camest to save the wicked—­is that true? make me also to know it.  See I am the most wicked of all, let me also be delivered and saved—­O! forgive me all my sins!” While she continued fervently praying, she experienced a peace in her heart she had never felt before, and returned from this exercise so completely altered that it was evident to every one; her mouth now overflowed with praises for what her Saviour had done for her soul.

Her change made a deep impression on a moral, intelligent, but self-righteous unbaptized woman.  She could not comprehend how one so wicked and debased could speak of Jesus with so much joy and praise, when she, who was so very superior a character, felt nothing of the kind.  On this she became unhappy; she began to perceive her hitherto supposed righteousness was only a filthy garment, and in an agony, ran to her she had formerly despised as a sinner, to ask how she could obtain forgiveness of sin, and love to Jesus.  The latter took her by the hand, and both went to a solitary place, where she prayed that the Saviour might also shew mercy to her; and now these women got rest to their souls, and with one mouth declared what great things the Lord had done for them.  Shortly after, two other women joined them, and these four were of one heart and one mind.  Their uncommon spirituality attracted the notice of the congregation, and they were honoured by the formalists among them, with the epithet of “enthusiasts,” but soon the Spirit of God was shed abroad on them also, and new life was infused into the members of the church, and throughout the settlement.