Page:Malefactor reformed, or, The life of Philip Parson, of Birmingham.pdf/7

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‘Sir,—Inclosed you have a note, value £1. 1s. The only disclosure I can make at present, is just to state, that I have injured you to that amount, and that I cannot be easy in my conscience without making you full satisfaction. For the recovery of your right, you are indebted to the grace of God, which has wrought an effectual change in my heart, and made me an honest man.

I am, your humble and penitent Servant,

The Writer.’

About half a year after my conversion, one of my old companions in iniquity, (viz. the man who accosted me on returning from the execution at Washwood-Heath), was apprehended for offering a forged note. After his commitment, he wrote me a very affecting letter, begging me to come and see him: but I thought it most proper to suspend my visit upon the issue of his trial.

At the ensuing assizes he was found guilty; and being a notorious offender, was left for execution. A few days after, I received the following letter:

‘My very dear Friend,
‘The issue on which you suspended your visit is now determined.—I have no hope of life! Had I hearkened to, and been influenced by your good counsel, I should not have been in this dreadful situation; dreadful, both with respect to body and soul! My horrible cell and galling chains are