that which was lost" (Luke
19:10). These words were as a soothing balm to John's aching heart.
Having been fully awakened to his awful condition and made to long for
the way of deliverance, he rejoiced as these rays of hope came streaming
down into his soul.

One by one he recalled his sins--smoking and chewing tobacco, drinking
whisky and beer, stealing, lying, card-playing, betting, gambling, and
many other things; but these he had already given up. One thing only
came to his mind that caused him a struggle, and for a few moments it
seemed that he could not give that up. John loved to dance, and it had
seemed to him that there was nothing wrong with that pastime. Since he
knew none of the pleasures that the Christian enjoys, this was not
strange. Always he had danced just for the pleasure he derived from
dancing, and he considered dancing an innocent amusement. When, however,
he was made aware of the evils of dancing and the temptations it causes
boys and girls whose characters are weak, he could see how that to some
it might mean the loss of virtue; and, too, he found that much of his
suffering had been caused by the late hours that dancing and other
things had caused him to keep. Then he gladly bade adieu to the
dance-hall and all its trivial gaiety.

After he had asked the Lord to pardon him for his transgressions, his
simple faith took hold of the promises and he received a clear witness
of his acceptance as a child of God. At last, after so many weeks and
months--yes, years--of dissatisfaction, he was indeed truly happy; and
the deep aching in his hungry heart was replaced by the Savior's love.
His companions, too, went away from that service rejoicing. Their
language, once so rough and vile, was now becoming to any Christian;
and the things that they had loved, no longer attracted their attention.
In fact, the entire neighborhood was changed; for many haunts of sin
and vice were entirely vacated.

John soon found that it was his duty to make all of his wrongs right
as far as it lay in his power to do so; and this he gladly did. In many
instances he was surprised to see the effect that this act of obedience
had upon the ones concerned. Many, with tears in their eyes, exclaimed,
"John, I only wish that I possessed the joy in my own heart that I can
see written in your face!"

CHAPTER X

A Child Again

No one could doubt the change in John's life; and many wondered how such
a thing could have been