Like St. Paul, he occasionally attempted
to catch some by guile. "On some of the early visits to
Oxford," he says, "I preached at a public house, where,
among others who annoyed us, was a thoughtless young man by
the name of Rogers, who was given to all manner of nonsense,
making amusements of everything serious. I talked with him
privately, but without effect. One day I was dining in
company with a number of gentlemen, and him among the rest.
He kept up, as usual, his jests and pleasantries about
religion, when suddenly a thought struck me by which I could
fix him in 'a tight place.' Accordingly, after dinner, when
we arose from the table to return thanks, I said, 'Mr.
Rogers, will you have the goodness to return thanks to God
for his bounties to us here today?' We all stood in silence
for some minutes, when he, with confusion, said, 'Sir, I beg
to be excused;' and I returned thanks. This appeared to
sober him somewhat, but I saw no material change in him for
that season. About three years later, while traveling as a
missionary on the River Thames [in western Upper Canada], a
messenger came after me to visit a man who was very sick. I
mounted my horse and rode several miles to see him. As I
approached the gate before the house the invalid came
tottering out, looking extremely emaciated, and with tears
streaming down his wan cheeks. He gave me his hand,
exclaiming, 'O, sir, how glad I am to see you! God only
knows what I have suffered for want of you during my
sickness. As soon as I heard of your being in this country I
sent for you, that I might ask your forgiveness.' 'Why,' I
replied, 'what have you done to me, that you need to ask my
pardon?' 'O,' said he, 'do you not recollect how I treated
you at Oxford, and do you not remember asking me to give
thanks at the dinner-table? That rebuke went to my heart,
and produced an impression which never left me till God
relieved it by his saving grace. Can you forgive me?' 'I
have nothing against you,' I replied; 'I knew you were a
thoughtless sinner, and hoped you would sooner or later see
the error of your ways. Has god forgiven you? 'Yes,' he
responded, 'I believe he has; and now that I have seen you
and obtained your pardon, I can die in peace,'" They kneeled
together in prayer and praise, and parted hoping to meet in
heaven.