THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
335 
friend and instructor, in a joint letter, an 
account of their happy change, which was 
couched in the following words: 
Dear and Beloved Friend: 
We feel sure that no one will more heartily rejoice 
over the happy change which has brought us into sweet 
sympathy with the people of God than yourself, as no 
other agency, save the work of the Holy Spirit, has had 
so direct an influence in producing it. When we parted 
at Willow Brook we informed you of the change which 
had already taken place in our thoughts and purposes, 
but we could not then lay claim to any real personal 
acceptance of the truths of Christianity. They were 
accepted as a theory, but not realized as a life; yet the 
leaven of your earnest and forcible instructions kept 
working and its influence widening, until finally we 
could resist the Spirit no longer. We came to know 
our need, and found rest by a hearty reception of 
Christ as our Saviour and hope. We were among the 
first in college to manifest our desire for the instructions 
and prayers of God’s people; and, blessed be the name 
of the Holy One of Israel! we were soon made to rejoice 
in the assurance of forgiving love. Rejoice with us, O 
our friends, for your prayers have been answered, and 
our souls magnify the Lord. If we are spared to another 
summer, one of our first visits will be to Willow Brook. 
It was there that we got the first true insight into the 
treasures of knowledge; it was there too that we had 
our first experience of the luxury of doing good; and 
ever, to us, two of the brightest spots on earth will be 
