The following letter was written by the late Prof. Borden P. Bowne,
of Boston University, when he was a boy in Pennington Seminary. It
foreshadows his long life of Christian service:
Pennington, October 10.
Dear ----:
His name is still Jesus, for He saves His people from their
sins. By His grace I have kept the faith, and have not denied
His name. On Sunday night we had service in the chapel of the
institution. I told of the power of Jesus’ blood to cleanse
from all sin. There seemed to be none that believed my report;
at least none gave in such a testimony. I felt rather deprest
in spirit; but after service was over, as I was talking to some
other brother, I heard a noise in one of the rooms; proceeding
thither, we found that a young man had just been blest. We
rejoiced with him and we held an impromptu prayer-meeting, and
then God was pleased to make Himself known in power to four or
five more; and together we glorified the God of Israel. Glory to
Jesus! I was comforted and blest. The tempter whispered to me
sweetly that I had best not mention the matter of sanctification
any more. But by God’s grace I shall hold up the standard of
holiness to the Lord. There are one or two who profess it
here, but they don’t seem to say much about it. ----, it is my
ambition to be one of the best of men. I want to be able to look
at the promise alone; and because God has said it I believe it.
I have instituted family worship with my room-mate; morning
and evening I endeavor to call upon God with him. He is not
religious; he is a young boy fifteen or sixteen years old, a
very nice young fellow. May the Lord lead him to Himself. Amen
and amen.
(2659)