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'Climbing mountains and wading streams； I ran wild about； I was
burnt by the sun； drenched by the rain； and had frequently at night
no other covering than the sky； or the humid roof of some cave； but
nothing seemed to affect my constitution； probably the fire which
burned within me counteracted what I suffered from without。 During
the space of three years I scarcely knew what befell me； my life
was a dream … a wild； horrible dream； more than once I believe I
was in the hands of robbers； and once in the hands of gypsies。 I
liked the last description of people least of all； I could not
abide their yellow faces； or their ceaseless clabber。 Escaping
from these beings； whose countenances and godless discourse brought
to my mind the demons of the deep Unknown； I still ran wild through
Wales； I know not how long。 On one occasion； coming in some degree
to my recollection； I felt myself quite unable to bear the horrors
of my situation； looking round I found myself near the sea；
instantly the idea came into my head that I would cast myself into
it； and thus anticipate my final doom。 I hesitated a moment； but a
voice within me seemed to tell me that I could do no better； the
sea was near； and I could not swim； so I determined to fling myself
into the sea。 As I was running along at great speed； in the
direction of a lofty rock； which beetled over the waters； I
suddenly felt myself seized by the coat。 I strove to tear myself
away； but in vain； looking round； I perceived a venerable hale old
man； who had hold of me。 〃Let me go！〃 said I； fiercely。 〃I will
not let thee go；〃 said the old man； and now； instead of with one；
he grappled me with both hands。 〃In whose name dost thou detain
me？〃 said I； scarcely knowing what I said。 〃In the name of my
Master； who made thee and yonder sea； and has said to the sea； So
far shalt thou come； and no farther； and to thee； Thou shalt do no
murder。〃 〃Has not a man a right to do what he pleases with his
own？〃 said I。 〃He has；〃 said the old man； 〃but thy life is not thy
own； thou art accountable for it to thy God。 Nay； I will not let
thee go；〃 he continued； as I again struggled； 〃if thou struggle
with me the whole day I will not let thee go； as Charles Wesley
says； in his 'Wrestlings of Jacob'； and see； it is of no use
struggling； for I am； in the strength of my Master； stronger than
thou〃； and indeed； all of a sudden I had become very weak and
exhausted； whereupon the old man； beholding my situation； took me
by the arm and led me gently to a neighbouring town； which stood
behind a hill； and which I had not before observed； presently he
opened the door of a respectable…looking house； which stood beside
a large building having the appearance of a chapel； and conducted
me into a small room； with a great many books in it。 Having caused
me to sit down； he stood looking at me for some time； occasionally
heaving a sigh。 I was； indeed； haggard and forlorn。 〃Who art
thou？〃 he said at last。 〃A miserable man；〃 I replied。 〃What makes
thee miserable？〃 said the old man。 〃A hideous crime；〃 I replied。
〃I can find no rest； like Cain I wander here and there。〃 The old
man turned pale。 〃Hast thou taken another's life？〃 said he； 〃if
so； I advise thee to surrender thyself to the magistrate； thou
canst do no better； thy doing so will be the best proof of thy
repentance； and though there be no hope for thee in this world
there may be much in the next。〃 〃No；〃 said I； 〃I have never taken
another's life。〃 〃What then； another's goods？ If so； restore them
sevenfold； if possible： or； if it be not in thy power； and thy
conscience accuse thee； surrender thyself to the magistrate； and
make the only satisfaction thou art able。〃 〃I have taken no one's
goods；〃 said I。 〃Of what art thou guilty； then？〃 said he。 〃Art
thou a drunkard？ a profligate？〃 〃Alas； no；〃 said I； 〃I am neither
of these； would that I were no worse。〃
'Thereupon the old man looked steadfastly at me for some time；
then； after appearing to reflect； he said； 〃Young man； I have a
great desire to know your name。〃 〃What matters it to you what is
my name？〃 said I； 〃you know nothing of me。〃 〃Perhaps you are
mistaken；〃 said the old man； looking kindly at me； 〃but at all
events tell me your name。〃 I hesitated a moment； and then told him
who I was； whereupon he exclaimed with much emotion； 〃I thought so；
how wonderful are the ways of Providence。 I have heard of thee；
young man； and know thy mother well。 Only a month ago； when upon a
journey； I experienced much kindness from her。 She was speaking to
me of her lost child； with tears； she told me that you were one of
the best of sons； but that some strange idea appeared to have
occupied your mind。 Despair not； my son。 If thou hast been
afflicted； I doubt not but that thy affliction will eventually turn
out to thy benefit； I doubt not but that thou wilt be preserved； as
an example of the great mercy of God。 I will now kneel down and
pray for thee； my son。〃
'He knelt down； and prayed long and fervently。 I remained standing
for some time； at length I knelt down likewise。 I scarcely knew
what he was saying； but when he concluded I said 〃Amen。〃
'And when we had risen from our knees； the old man left me for a
short time； and on his return led me into another room； where were
two females； one was an elderly person； the wife of the old man； …
the other was a young woman of very prepossessing appearance （hang
not down thy head； Winifred）； who I soon found was a distant
relation of the old man； … both received me with great kindness；
the old man having doubtless previously told them who I was。
'I stayed several days in the good man's house。 I had still the
greater portion of a small sum which I happened to have about me
when I departed on my dolorous wandering； and with this I purchased
clothes； and altered my appearance considerably。 On the evening of
the second day my friend said； 〃I am going to preach； perhaps you
will come and hear me。〃 I consented； and we all went； not to a
church； but to the large building next the house； for the old man；
though a clergyman； was not of the established persuasion； and
there the old man mounted a pulpit； and began to preach。 〃Come
unto me； all ye that labour and are heavy laden；〃 etc。 etc。； was
his text。 His sermon was long； but I still bear the greater
portion of it in my mind。
'The substance of it was that Jesus was at all times ready to take
upon Himself the burden of our sins； provided we came to Him with a
humble and contrite spirit； and begged His help。 This doctrine was
new to me； I had often been at church； but had never heard it
preached before； at least so distinctly。 When he said that all men
might be saved； I shook； for I expected he would add； all except
those who had committed the mysterious sin； but no； all men were to
be