ribed to me as very violent, and altogether the case seemed to
be as hopeless as could well be imagined.

Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much about it; but for two
or three days said nothing to him of a religious nature. By special care
in dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen his
sufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of my
services. One day, with a trembling heart, I took advantage of his warm
acknowledgments to tell him what was the spring of my action, and to
speak of his own solemn position and need of GOD's mercy through CHRIST.
It was evidently only by a powerful effort of self-restraint that he
kept his lips closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me, and
uttered no word.

I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and very often through each
day I pleaded with GOD, by His SPIRIT, to save him ere He took him
hence. After dressing the wound and relieving his pain, I never failed
to say a few words to him, which I hoped the LORD would bless. He
always turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but never spoke a word in
reply.

After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It seemed to me that
I was not only doing no good, but perhaps really hardening him and
increasing his guilt. One day, after dressing his limb and washing my
hands, instead of returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went to
the door, and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in my
mind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." I looked at the
man and saw his surprise, as it was the first time since speaking to him
that I had attempted to leave without going up to his bedside to say a
few words for my MASTER. I could bear it no longer. Bursting into tears,
I crossed the room and said, "My friend, whether you will hear or
whether you will forbear, I _must_ deliver _my_ soul," and went on to
speak very earnestly to him, telling him with many tears how much I
wished that he would let me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he did
not turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do." I need
scarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to GOD
on his behalf. I believe the LORD then and there wrought a change in his
soul.

He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, and
within a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh the
joy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of