ral disposition or
spiritual status, while conversion is a positive or concrete
demonstration of that change, not merely the negative beginning of a new
life but the positive "returning" to God in faith and repentance. The
precise connexion between conversion and repentance is again a vexed
question. How far and in what sense does man take an active part in his
own conversion? To this it is frequently answered that while the initial
stage of conversion is and can be the work of the Holy Spirit alone, it
lies with man to make it complete by accepting the proffered grace in
repentance and faith (cf. Acts vii. 51, "Ye stiffnecked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost"). A
man may of his own free will avoid those surroundings which predispose
him to such "resistance." The view that man cannot convert himself is
clearly stated in Article X. by the Church of England. "The condition of
man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn (_sese
convertere_) and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good
works, to faith, and calling upon God: wherefore we have no power to do
good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by
Christ preventing us that we may have a good will, and working with us,
when we have that good will." Further problems are connected with the
possibility of repeated conversions of the same man, the necessity of a
single strongly marked conversion completed in a single process, the
significance of sudden conversion of persons in a highly emotional
state, such as has been common in revivalist meetings, especially in
Wales and the United States of America. Conversions of the last kind
have followed frequently on striking physical phenomena, perceived in
many cases only by the convert himself, such as a sudden bright light or
a noise like a clap of thunder.[2] In all cases of conversion, however,
the criterion of its validity is generally taken to be the resultant
change of a man's character as manifested in his mode of life and
thought, in the abstention from sin, and in devotion to good works. (X.)

3. _In English law_, conversion is the unauthorized exercise of dominion
by one person over the property (other than money or chattels real) of
another, in a manner inconsistent with his rights of possession, or the
unauthorized assumption by another of the powers of the true owner of
goods. The history and exact definition of this form of actionabl