ner he could. At this time Mr. Watson was under deep conviction, and was earnestly seeking the forgiveness of his sins.

About six weeks afterward, Mr. Benson and his sister paid his cousin Watson another visit. They found him reading the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. He read aloud, with much animation, "There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." "Joseph," said he, “do you feel this? Do you know that there is no condemnation to you?" He then proceeded to ask several other important questions. Mr. Benson was lost in astonishment, and hardly knew what to think upon the subject, such strange things were brought to his ears.

On his way home he remarked to his sister, that a great change had evidently taken place in his cousin, and that the enjoyment of happiness was indicated by the expression of his countenance. This relative became deeply interested in Mr. Benson's spiritual welfare, and to assist him he lent him some of Mr Wesley's sermons, and advised him to hear the Methodist preachers. Mr. Watson now became more dear to him than ever; he looked up to him as a spiritual guide, visited him as often as possible, and heard the preachers whom he had recommended. In a short time Mr. Benson was thoroughly awakened; the law of God was brought home to his con science, and pronounced him guilty, but made no provision for his justification. With the

exception of a few occasional gleams of comfort, he remained in sore distress of mind nearly ten months; after which period, by believing in Christ, he was freely justified, and obtained assurance of God's pardoning love.

His own account of his conviction for sin, and his subsequent deliverance from guilt and distress, is as follows:

"When I was about sixteen years of age, it pleased God, by means of conversation with a cousin of mine, to convince me that I was not in his favour, since I did not know my sins pardoned. I was more and more deeply made sensible of my alienation from God, by continuing to hear the Methodists, with whom I was united; and was in great disquietude and distress, almost continually, for about ten months, till the Lord gave me to believe on his name, and shed abroad his love in my heart. I may observe, I was not without some gracious drawings from God, and transient tastes of his goodness at times during that distress; but for about seven or eight weeks before it was given me to believe, I was powerfully tempted to despair of ever obtaining mercy. Satan thrust sore at me, and I was in horrid agony: when I kneeled down to pray I could not pray; it seemed as though the heavens were brass, and not to be pierced. My tears I saw availed nothing. I was sorely impatient, and ready to give up all for lost. But glory be to God, he turned my heaviness into