Christian friends tried to lead me to Christ, but I could not take hold of Him, till He Himself appeared to my soul in all His beauty and excellency.

Before I found peace Dr.Eli Smith and Mr.Whiting wanted me to teach a day school for them.

That was about three years after I left off learning.

"Oh," thought I, "how can I teach others about Christ when I do not know Him myself ?" However I began the school by opening and closing it with prayer, without any faith at all.

So I began by reading from the first of Matthew, till I came to the 16th chapter.