Dear Journal:—When I was about sixteen years old I began to seek after what the church calls religion. I became very anxious to get what so many church members claimed to have, and I sought long and earnestly for it. Night and day was spent in prayers and tears, but all in vain. The good pastor told me he was sure I had already obtained the prize, and insisted that I should proclaim it aloud; but I told him I would not do that, for I knew I had nothing more than when I began to seek, and I could not be dishonest.
Two years later I united with the M. E. Church and tried to live up to its rules, but that did not satisfy me. Then the thought came that perhaps in my mother's church I would find peace, so I took my letter and put it in the Christian Church. I was surprised to find myself no better off than before.
Years passed, bringing sore affliction upon us as a family. My pastor consoled me as best he could, saying it was a proof of God's love.
