The days sped on; and after a few years, I had won the title of "Bad
Boy." Though the sins of those youthful days (over which I prefer to
throw the relieving mantle of forgetfulness) were dark and deep, I did
not altogether lose my love for the beautiful and the good. In those
shadowy days, a ray of sunlight would now and then break through, a
bird-note would be heard, and a fragrant flower would raise its drooping
head. In such hours, I would get a glimpse of a better life. An unseen
hand would set before me a picture of a pure life, and in my fancy I
would see myself a good man. Oh, that the dreams of those youthful days
were more perfectly fulfilled! but I must give praise to God for what he
has wrought in me.
Many a time at the midnight hour in those youthful days, after I had
left some den of vice, there would be whisperings in my soul of a
higher, nobler life. As I, in my fancy, gazed down through the years,
the angel of goodness would shift before me bright pictures of the
different characteristics of a holy life. At this distant day, on
looking back, I am surprized to note in what trueness the Holy Spirit
set before me the ideal godly life.
But I must be brief, as only a few pages of this work are allotted to me
in which to tell you how I found--or, rather, what I found to be--the
secret of a perfect life.