A second point of consideration in this history is _the conversion of Jolin’s mind to a sense of religion_, _and the nature of his conversion_. Jolin’s early education, as far as reading and writing, had not been altogether neglected; and the daily misery his sins brought with them was not without its effect on his mind. But it is evident the work of regeneration, the first step in his after conversion, had not taken place before he came into prison. But when the Holy Spirit brought home the word of God to his heart, the change was rapidly effected. A conviction of the sinfulness of his nature and habits was at once deeply impressed upon his conscience; he waited to see the way of pardon by a crucified Redeemer, and the influence of the Holy Ghost immediately produced that change in his will and affections which always attends real conversion. His whole state of mind seemed almost miraculously changed: so that between the twenty-third and the twenty-sixth of the same month, in the judgment of his legal adviser and others, a complete renovation had taken place. In the former state he is described as in a distracted condition of mind, suffering unutterable anguish; the dread of death being uppermost in his thoughts: in the latter, he was calm, placid, resigned, and he had not one wish to live. {45} Although it would be contrary to the facts and spirit of Scripture to say, that no conversions of this kind were real and complete, every one must acknowledge, that as conversion is ordinarily a gradual work, too much caution cannot be exercised as to a change accomplished as rapidly as this may appear to have been. It may, however, be truly said, that there was a remarkable absence of any thing like enthusiasm in his state. A dream which occurred in the commencement of his religious course will not be conceived to indicate a disordered imagination. For some nights he had been dreadfully agitated, and could not rest. “I dreamed,” he said, “that I was dragged over frightful precipices, till at last I was brought, as it were, into the presence of our Saviour, and there obtained mercy.” This dream so harmonized with the spirit of many passages of Scripture pointed out to him, that it was not unlikely to occur. In his case, as in every other, the first touch of religion on the soul was immediate; but the after stages of conversion were gradual—far more so than many others recorded in Scripture; and there was time to perceive the regular progress of growth in grace. This case, therefore, should not be confounded with what are commonly called instantaneous conversions, because although compressed into a short period every step of scriptural conversion may be traced in it. From first to last, Jolin was able to give a reason for the hope which was in him, and these reasons corresponded with the feelings and convictions described in the word of God. He felt those convictions of sin on which Scripture insists.