"When I went into the cottage I was soon recognised, and Mr. Old
came in, with a sensible-looking lad in his working-dress. I at
first rather wondered to see him enter, as he seemed young, being, I
believe, little of his age. We, however, entered into very
interesting conversation, especially respecting my parishioner,
their relative, and the excellent state of her mind, and the wonder
of divine grace in the conversion of one who had been so very many
years considered as a self-righteous Pharisee. I believe I
endeavoured to show that the term was often improperly applied to
conscientious but ignorant inquirers, who are far from
self-satisfied, and who, when the Gospel is set before them, find
the thing which they had long been groping after. However that may
be, I observed the lad who entered with Mr. Old riveted in attention
with every mark and symptom of intelligence and feeling; saying
little, but modestly asking now and then an appropriate question. I
took occasion, before I went forward, to inquire after him, and
found that, young as he was, he was a member of the church at
Hackleton, and looked upon as a very consistent and promising
character. I lived at Olney till the end of 1785; and in the course
of that time I called perhaps two or three times each year at Mr.
Old's, and was each time more and more struck with the youth's
conduct, though I said little; but, before I left Olney, Mr. Carey
was out of his engagement with Mr. Old. I found also that he was
sent out as a probationary preacher, and preached at Moulton; and I
said to all to whom I had access, that he would, if I could judge,
prove no ordinary man. Yet, though I often met both old Mr. Ryland,
the present Dr. Ryland, Mr. Hall, Mr. Fuller, and knew almost every
step taken in forming your Missionary Society, and though I
sometimes preached very near Moulton, it so happened that I do not
recollect having met with him any more, till he came to my house in