It was natural that John should imbibe the spirit of his father’s creed and for him to expect, should he be among the elect, that some visible or audible manifestation of divine approval should be given him. The great revival which swept the country in the beginning years of the nineteenth century was at its height as he began seriously to think upon the subject of religion. It was the theme he heard discussed on every hand, and he determined to investigate it as far as his limited resources would permit. Failing to find the way to assured salvation, he at last appealed to a Baptist preacher, Isaac Denton, a friend of the family, for light upon the subject which was beginning to agitate his mind. According to the prevailing notion, conversion was a change of a mysterious nature wrought out in the soul by supernatural agency. This change young Smith now most sincerely desired to experience. With this in mind the following conversation took place: Smith—What must I do in order to have this change of which you speak? Denton—Nothing, John; God’s grace is sovereign and unconditional. If you are his sheep you will be called, and you will hear his voice and follow him. Smith—But when, Mr. Denton, will the Lord call? Denton—In his own good time, John. He has worked out your whole life, and determined your destiny according to his own wise, but hidden and eternal, purpose. Smith—How then may I know whether I am one of his sheep or not? Benton—You will know it by your change when it comes; till then you can only wait on the Lord and hope. Smith—If I am left to perish I know it will be on account of my sins; but if I should be saved, will it not be on account of my goodness? Denton—The Lord sees no goodness in you, John. If you are ever brought to life, it will be solely because it was his good pleasure to choose you before the foundation of the world, and that, too, without any reference to your character or works foreseen by him. True, if you should be lost, if you perish, it will be on account of your sins, and to the praise of his glorious justice. Smith—My destiny, you say, is fixed and I can not change it. I need not, then, give myself any concern; I have nothing to do. Denton—Ah, great is the mystery of godliness. There is something for you to do. Smith—What is it, Mr. Denton? Denton—You must pray, pray, pray in the dust and ashes to the Lord. Smith—Pray for what, sir? Denton—That the blinding scales may fall from your eyes, and that you may see and feel what you really are in the sight of God; for you are yet in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity. It is not strange that a young man with keen intellect of John Smith should have turned from such instruction, saying, “Since my destiny is fixed and I can not change it, I need not, then, give myself any concern. I have nothing to do.”