One could tell him that the reading of the chapter in the church, with a few remarks, had been the time of her awakening.  Another had been struck to the heart by some expression he used in his first prayer before sermon one Sabbath morning.  But most were arrested in the preaching of the word.  An interesting case was that of one who was aroused to concern during his sermon on Unto whom coming as unto a living stone.  As he spoke of the Father taking the gem out of his bosom, and laying it down for a foundation-stone, she felt in her soul, “I know nothing of this precious stone; I am surely not converted.”  This led her to come and speak with him.  She was not under deep conviction; but before going away, he said, “You are a poor, vile worm; it is a wonder the earth does not open and swallow you up.”  These words were blessed to produce a very awful sense of sin.  She came a second time with the arrows of the Almighty drinking up her spirit.  For three months she remained in this state, till having once more come to him for counsel, the living voice of Jesus gave life to her soul while he was speaking of Christ’s words, “If thou knewest the gift of God,” etc., and she went away rejoicing.  Some awakened souls told him that since they were brought under concern, very many sermons, which they had heard from him before and completely forgotten, had been brought back to mind.  He used to remark that this might show what the resurrection day would awaken in the souls of gospel hearers.

In dealing with souls he used to speak very plainly.  One came to him who assented to his statements of the gospel, and yet refused to be comforted, always looking upon coming to Christ as something in addition to really believing the record God has given of his Son.  He took John 3:16, 17:  “For God so loved the world, that,” etc.  The woman said that “God did not care for her.”  Upon this he at once convicted her of making God a liar; and, as she went away in deep distress, his prayer was, “Lord, give her light!”

To another person, who spoke of having times of great joy, he showed that these were times for worshipping God in the spirit.  “You would come to a king when you were full dressed; so come to God, and abide in his presence as long as you can.”

Sometimes he would send away souls, of whom he entertained good hope, with a text suited to their state.  “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”  Or he would say, “I hear of you that God has opened your heart; but remember not to trust to man’s opinion.  Remember an all-seeing Christ will be the judge at the great day.”  To another he said, “I have long hoped you were really under the wings of the Saviour; if it be so, abide there; do not be like Demas.”

To a prayer-meeting, consisting of a few young men that had been awakened to flee from wrath, he gave this advice:  “Guard against all ambition to excel one another in expression.  Remember the most spiritual prayer is ‘a groan which cannot be uttered,’ Rom. 8:26; or a cry of ‘Abba, Father,’ Gal. 4:6.”