Reflection sioned to lead him to reflection. convinced him of his folly, guilt, and danger. The religious impressions of early life, which had been almost obliterated by the action of worldly cares and pleasures, were deepened. Realizing his infinite need of salvation, he earnestly sought and obtained it. The sickness of his body terminated in the life, health, and beauty of his soul. He is not the only person who will have cause to praise God, eternally, for the rod of affliction. Thousands, who have been unmoved by the mercies, have been aroused and subdued by the judgments of God. "When thy judgments are in the earth, O Lord, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." 3. His conversion furnishes another proof of the truth of Solomon's saying, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Pious parents in aiming to train their children in the way of the Lord, may have to encounter appalling difficulties. Their kind, faithful, and fervent efforts for their salvation, may seem to have no other effect than to increase their aversion to divine truth. They may be doomed to witness the modesty and promise of childhood exchanged for the waywardness and dissipation of youth. It may be their painful lot to see their offspring, tenderly and always beloved, increasing in skepticism and ungodliness, as they advance in years. But let them not despond or grow weary. While under their control let them teach, warn, entreat, and restrain them; whether under or beyond their control, let them not cease to importune, in their behalf, the Father of mercies, who only can "take away the stony 1 heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart Their labour shall not be in vain of flesh." In the spring of 1812, Mr. Clopton, having regained his health, returned to his father's. The change from cold, sterile winter, to balmy, verdant spring was not more visible and cheering than that which had taken place in the spirit and deportment of this young man. He was no longer a bold and ardent aspirant after earthly renown, but an humble, docile disciple of Jesus Christ. He soon disclosed to his parents the fact of his conversion. How encouraging and sustaining must this disclosure have been to his aged father! The joy of the fainting patriarch, when he heard that Joseph was alive, was scarcely more ecstatic than was that of Mr. Clopton, when he was assured of the success of his efforts, and the consummation of his desire in the salvation of his son, Abner. On the 1st of August, 1812, A.W. Clopton was baptized, and received into the fellowship of the Shockoe Baptist church, of which his father had long been an esteemed member It does not appear that the subject of this memoir experienced any embarrasment in the selection of a communion. His parents, and many of his intimate friends, were members of the Baptist church. He had been educated in Baptist principles. His knowledge of the original language of the New Testament enabled him to judge of the cor rectness of these principles. He might have entered a communion more distinguished for numbers, wealth, and literature, and more esteemed and admired by the world; but he sought to please God, and not men; he had no scruples to silence, no upbraiding conscience to bribe; he saw plainly the path of duty, and walked in it, promptly, and cheerfully. He commenced his religious course with commendable zeal, which was, unfortunately, for a while, greatly abated by the toils and cares of an important station which he filled. 1 CHAPTER II. Mr. Clopton appointed tutor in the North Carolina University-Practices medicine-Joins Ano Baptist church -Weekly prayer-meeting established-Interesting letter to his father-Exercised about entering the ministry -Increase of his religious zeal-Commences public labours for Christ-Great embarrassment in speakingErection of a house of worship-Thoughts of devoting himself wholly to the ministry-His views of communion--Connexion with the Orange Presbytery--Extracts from his correspondence. IN the close of the year 1812, Mr. Clopton received an invitation to take charge of the preparatory school connected with the University of North Carolina. He accepted the invitation, and continued, for six years, to perform the duties of the office. The institution was, at the time of his entrance on this service, in a very flourishing state. A spacious and elegant edifice was about to be erected. Dr. C., a gentleman of intellectual and moral worth, had just accepted the presidency, and entered on the discharge of its duties. Under the superintendence of Mr. Clopton the preparatory department prospered greatly. He had |