I had exceeded my stock by a few pence. I expected severe
reproaches from my master, and therefore came to the resolution to
declare strenuously that the bad money was his. I well remember the
struggles of mind which I had on this occasion, and that I made this
deliberate sin a matter of prayer to God as I passed over the fields
towards home! I there promised that, if God would but get me
clearly over this, or, in other words, help me through with the
theft, I would certainly for the future leave off all evil
practices; but this theft and consequent lying appeared to me so
necessary, that they could not be dispensed with.

"A gracious God did not get me safe through. My master sent the
other apprentice to investigate the matter. The ironmonger
acknowledged the giving me the shilling, and I was therefore exposed
to shame, reproach, and inward remorse, which preyed upon my mind
for a considerable time. I at this time sought the Lord, perhaps
much more earnestly than ever, but with shame and fear. I was quite
ashamed to go out, and never, till I was assured that my conduct was
not spread over the town, did I attend a place of worship.

"I trust that, under these circumstances, I was led to see much more
of myself than I had ever done before, and to seek for mercy with
greater earnestness. I attended prayer-meetings only, however, till
February 10, 1779, which being appointed a day of fasting and
prayer, I attended worship on that day. Mr. Chater
[congregationalist] of Olney preached, but from what text I have
forgotten. He insisted much on following Christ entirely, and
enforced his exhortation with that passage, 'Let us therefore go out
unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.'--Heb. xiii. 13. I
think I had a desire to follow Christ; but one idea occurred to my