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JACOB HODGES
confidence and esteem of the chaplain and
his teachers in the Sabbath-school, till
they could have no doubt of his entire
reformation and genuine repentance.
Though his circumstances were unfavour
able, and his opportunities very limited for
the developement of Christian character,
he was by no means deficient in the mani¬
festation of some of the most striking
traits of religious experience.
In the solitude of his cell, he learned
the true nature and the value of prayer,
as the great means of access to God by
a Redeemer; and it was evidently the
abundance of his supplication here, that
laid so firmly the foundation of his whole
Christian character through the lemainder
of his life. It was by prayer that he
found the Saviour, and it was by prayei
that he drew from the Bible its most pre¬
cious truths and abiding consolations.
Such was Jacob's uniform deportment,
his fidelity and apparent piety, that the
great ends of justice were felt to be satis¬
fied in his case, and interest was at length