im he would send Mr. R. to visit him. But so averse was
Thomas from seeing him, that he declared should Mr. R. walk in at one
door, he would walk out at the other. However, Mr. R. called; and Thomas
did not, and could not, put his threat into execution. Mr. R. urged upon
him the danger of a course of sin,--the necessity and advantages of
seeking God in youth,--and begged him to join his class, which met at
seven o'clock on Sabbath mornings. Thomas promised to go; but when the
morning came he broke his promise, and remained at home. In the
succeeding week Mr. R. again called. Thomas again promised; and on the
following Sabbath met in class for the first time. In about a month after
joining the society, he was enabled to exercise faith in Christ, and
obtained a clear evidence of his acceptance with God: this took place on
a Sabbath evening, in company with one of his religious friends; while
they were pouring out their souls at the throne of grace, light from
heaven beamed upon his soul,--he was enabled to believe.

Connected with Thomas's joining the people of God, there is an incident
not unworthy of mention here. A short time previously he had, with his
elder brother James, paid a visit to their father's house. During that
visit, the subject of union with God's people was strongly urged upon
both of them by their parents. They had each been the subjects of the
Holy Spirit's striving for some time, and were fully awakened to their
danger and duty. While walking through one of the shady lanes situated
between their home and the chapel, and conversing on the subject of
religion, and the necessity of devoting themselves to God, Thomas said,
if James would join the society he would. No immediate result followed;
but about a fortnight before Thomas's connection with the Church, James
had joined the Wesleyans, and had written to his father informing him of
Thomas's promise. It was in consequence of this, that Mr. R. was
requested to call on him; the result of which, through the blessing of
God, was, as the reader has seen, his becoming connected with the Church.

Thomas had joined himself to God's people but a short time, when he
determined, by the advice and invitation of his friends, to become a
Sabbath-school teacher. His experience and success in this sphere of
labor will be best described in his own words: "Soon after my union with
the Wesleyans, I became a teacher in the Sunday-school, which, at that
time, was not very