"I looked out of my window one morning, while it was yet dark, and saw a
lady standing at my gate, leaning against a post, and evidently weeping
bitterly. I knew her. She was a member of the church, and was an
earnest, consistent Christian. She was married to one of the most bitter
Universalists I ever knew. I stepped down the steps to her, and asked,
'What is the matter?' She replied, 'Oh, my poor husband! I had so hoped
and prayed that he might be converted in this revival! and now he has
rode away, and says that _he will not come back till this religious
flurry is over_. What shall I do to bear up under this?'

"I said, 'It is near the time for prayer. We will go and lay his case
before the Lord, and make _special request_ that God will bring him back
again under the power of the Spirit. The Lord can bring him home, and I
believe He will do it. We must pray for him.'

"She dried her tears in a moment, and seemed to seize hold of this
'strong hope,' as we walked to the place of prayer. We found the room
crowded. It fell to my lot to lead the meeting.

"At the opening, I stated the case of this Universalist husband, who had
undertaken to run away from the influence of the Spirit, by fleeing into
the country. I said that we must all pray _that the Holy Spirit may
follow him, overtake him, and bring him back again_, show him his sins,
and lead him to Jesus.

"The meeting took up the case with great earnestness, and I could not
but feel that prayer would in some way be answered.

"_But can you imagine our surprise when, at our evening prayer meeting,
this same Universalist came in_?