Not only is there power in prayer with a wrestling Jacob and a prevailing Israel, but our divine Redeemer manifested his willingness to save the chief of sinners, by answering the prayer of the penitent thief on the cross, by saying "this day thou shalt be with me in paradise." I did not feel that I had been a thief or a robber, but I felt I was a sinner lost forever without the pardoning grace of God. "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find," is the encouragement given to every inquiring sinner by the divine Redeemer. I felt at this time the necessity of prayer, and that of earnest, humble, contrite prayer. I had been taught to say "our Father," but now, for the first time, on the 29th of August, 1831, I retired in secret to pray under the direction of that spirit that guides into all truth. Having thus entered the closet I asked the Lord to have mercy on me a sinner. This was in the evening of the 29th; I arose from my knees, but oh, the darkness that gathered over my mind; I went to my bed but sleep had departed from me; I often knelt in earnest prayer, day after day I continued knocking at mercy's door, and praying for mercy to Him who is the sinner's friend. One evening I went to the kitchen, when under this tried state, and stood by the south window, in sadness. My mother approached me, raised my hat, and kindly says, "Moses, what is the matter, have you the cholic?" (knowing I was subject to it) "No, mam," said I, turning and looking out of the window and across the valley. I saw a light (but it was from a neighboring window) and oh how brightly it shone, for it was a dark night and had been for many days to my soul, all my troubles subsided and I retired to rest, unconscious for the night, that it was the Lord's work. In the morning I arose, entered my closet, but my prayers were turned to thankful praise to Him who had heard my prayers and I trust took my feet from the horrible pit and miry clay; He put a new song into my mouth, even praise to His name. And I could then say "whereas I was once blind now I see, the things I once loved, I now hate, and the things I once hated I now love; behold, all things have become new."
The first opportunity presented itself in a religious meeting. I arose and said in so many words, draw near all ye that love the Lord and I will tell you what the Lord has done for my soul.
From this glad hour I continued to entreat and exhort men to be reconciled to God and become the followers of the Saviour, and I rejoiced in God, the rock of my salvation; soon after my happy concession I related the dealings of God with my soul, and was received as a subject of christian baptism, and the 18th day of September, 1831, I was baptised by Rev. I. Keach in the old Hoosick river, a few rods above the bridge and falls; two young ladies, by name M. and E. Pierce, were immersed at the same time.
I believe the wicked may forsake their ways through faith in Christ and return unto the Lord who will have mercy upon them, and to our God and he will abundantly pardon.
I believe it is impossible for an impenitent person to be happy while persisting in sin.
I believe the finally impenitent will be turned into hell with all the nations that forget God.
The day I was baptized I marched from the water's brink to the old church, erected 1800, received the right hand of church fellowship and it has never been withdrawn from me.
From this day I went on my way rejoicing, often exhorting, entreating and trying to persuade my young associates to be reconciled to the Saviour.