Dear Brethren and Readers of the Trumpet. --Lately it has been my happy lot to meet many of the dear saints, and to hear them tell the dealings of the Lord with them, to my comfort and joy. And I have seen, when the dear brethren and sisters give a reason of their hope, their spiritual strength also is renewed.

The reason of one's hope or an experience of grace may be long or short. It may be revealed while awake or asleep, in an extraordinary manner, or in a plain way. Let me now repeat two of these sweet experiences of grace. One is lengthy, the other is brief--but they are alike, precious.

The first was related while a goodly number of us were describing severally our individual state of mind before and since receiving a hope "in Christ. Finally Brother R. C. Pierce, of St. Joe, Texas, a precious member with silvered locks, was requested to tell of God's dealings with him. His word's were so spiritual and edifying I wrote them down from memory, that you who believe may share with us in this sweet communion with saints. Substantially he said:

"I was careless and indifferent about spiritual things from my youth. Yet I often went to church, and sometimes even went to the mourner's bench, merely to keep the meeting going. This was done that I might engage in frivolous and vain conversation with the gay, and enjoy myself escorting the girls. But the time came when I went to church not for social pleasure, but as an honest inquirer for the way of salvation. For I now saw myself a lost, justly condemned sinner. I felt reconciled to the justice of my own condemnation. Yet I was never reconciled to condemnation itself. I was not willing to be cast into hell with all the nations that forget God; but desired to escape that place of torment. And though so unworthy of God's grace and mercy, I desired to dwell with him in glory. But my sins were so aggravated that I could not think I should ever be saved, I tried to pray but found no relief from a deep sense of guilt and soul-trouble. I felt unfit to live and unfit to die.

"One evening as the sun was setting I thought I was dying, and would never see the bright sun any more. The sense of dying progressed, and there seemed but a few moments till I, a doomed mortal, should drop into hell, and that justly too. It seemed that Satan with all his hideous terrors was ready to take me away to torment. But O! praise the Lord! Just at that time Jesus came and saved me from Satan's grasp, and said, 'Follow me.' My fears were now calmed; and in ecstasy of joy myraids of angels seemed present to my view, and I was so happy. All was sweet peace and love. When reflections of my surroundings returned, the sun was rising as I had seen it setting; and I felt to praise the Lord, for I had seen once more the glorious sun. And something seemed to say, 'I arise not only to illuminate the day, but also as the Sun of Righteousness. Go in peace.'

"Now I felt to go in sweet peace and joy, leaving all the burden of guilt and the vain world behind. I walked away in joyous meditations of love to God and his people, and stood on a bridge near a pool of water. Everything Seemed to join me in praising God. Here the desire came into my heart to follow my Saviour in baptism. I desired to be buried with Christ beneath the liquid wave. This unutterably happy state of mind lasted about an hour. On returning home to tell the family the suggestion came, 'You had better not, you might be mistaken about this hope.' So this was not told for twelve years.

"One evening my wife, who was a Presbyterian, said she was dissatisfied about having been sprinkled for baptism. She felt sure that she had never been baptized. She then asked, Why did you turn and weep when Brother Sikes inquired concerning your hope?' Then I told her the above reason of my hope. Soon afterwards, we joined the Old School Baptists. We were baptized by Bro. W. B. Sikes, and rejoice to live in the church of God, though we feel unworthy of such a great privilege and blessing."

After reading the above some may think your own experience not sufficient, because not so extensive and bright as some others. So I will now give you a very short experience. Though short and plain, it is just as bright, full and sweet as the foregoing.

This one was told me while assisting Bro. Lowdon in his farm work. His statement is so spiritual, Clear and forcible, as to bring great encouragement and comfort to all of like precious faith.

The second experience. Bro. J. F. Lowdon, near Fairlie, Texas, stated about as follows: "While wicked and reckless, I had been going to various meetings from mere curiosity. Finally I concluded I was just as safe and good as any of the various religionists; and said so with an oath. Then a still small voice seemed to speak within, 'You are a sinner, and I am the Saviour of sinners.' Then as never before I felt that I was a great sinner--justly lost. The next moment all was bright and lovely. Though I had just been rebelling against God and cursing men, such a change occurred with me that all nature and myself was now praising God for salvation through Jesus Christ. Now for the first time I believed in Jesus and loved him and desired to obey Him. I loved God and my fellow-beings, and was completely happy."

This is just as valid and acceptable an experience of grace as the most lengthy. There are "different manifestations, but the same Spirit." Praise the Lord for revealing to men salvation through the blood of Jesus.

Yours in bonds,

Sparta, Texas.        M.D. DENMAN