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JACOB HODGES.
33
Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions. Wash me tho¬
roughly from mine iniquities and cleanse
me from my sins; for my sin is ever be¬
fore me. Against thee, thee only have I
sinned and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou
speakest and clear when thou judgest.'
" When I came to the words, Deliver
me from blood-guiltiness, I was struck
dumb. I could not say any more at that
time. I fell upon my knees, and prayed
to God to have mercy on me for Christ's
sake. But I only grew more and more
miserable. The load of my sins was
heavier and heavier. All that I had ever
done came plain and open in my sight,
and I was led to see that I must perish.
There was no help for me. All my sins
was upon my own head."
Jacob was fully sensible of the ignor¬
ance in which hi had grown up, and the
manner in which he had been led astray
and tempted to the commission of sin, yet