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No. 113. 
 
 THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER 
 CONVERTED. 
 
 Stephen Roberts was born in the year 1793, at Wick- 
 bury, near Fording Bridge, Hampshire, where he fol- 
 lowed the laboring line until his twenty-fourth .year. 
 His parents save him no learning, for lie did not know 
 the alphabet before his conversion. Being brought up 
 in perfect ignorance of the ways of God, he neglected 
 his own soul, and openly walked according to the course 
 of thin world, walking in the paths of vice with impu- 
 nity, loving the creature, and neglecting the Creator, 
 "God blessed for evermore." 
 
 He enlisted into the regiment on the 5th June, 
 
 1817, at Gloucester, and in the year 1818 he arrived at 
 the Cape of Good Hope, where he gave himself up to 
 all kinds of wickedness, and became a complete votary 
 of the world, the flesh, and the devil, living truly with- 
 out hope, and without God in the world. The promi- 
 nent features of his character at this time were swearing 
 and drunkenness; these were his besetting sins. 
 
 The oaths which issued from his profane lips were 
 dreadful, and shocking to those not accustomed to such 
 expressions. To every assertion he uttered, whether it 
 were truth or falsehood, he generally affixed the sacred 
 
*A THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 
 
 name of God to confirm it. His mind being darkened, 
 his heart hardened, and his soul alienated, instead 
 of serving and obeying God, and paying the highest 
 reverence to his sacred name, it was his constant prac- 
 tice and pleas'ure to blaspheme it and use it with levity. 
 This evil result of his dissipated life was never more 
 visible than when irritated, for he was very passionate; 
 then a whole train of the most obscene imprecations 
 would flow from his mouth ; the violation of the third 
 commandment' was nothing to him. 
 
 Drunkenness was the other characteristic mark of 
 his wicked life. It is said that he has been in tins 
 awful state three and four days successively, and that 
 very frequently. I have heard himself say that once, 
 when in this degraded state, lie committed a heinous 
 sin, a sin which he never after his conversion spoke of 
 but with shame : he permitted himself to be laid out 
 as a corpse, stretched on a cot, and carried round the 
 barracks by his dissipated associates, while they played 
 the dead march. In this abandoned state he lived 
 until his twenty-ninth year, without any desire of ref- 
 ormation, though sometimes under great convictions, 
 for he often said, that, in his sober moments, awful 
 reflections would terrify his guilty soul, and that when 
 any person died he would pass sentence on the individ- 
 ual, saying, if that person had lived a pious life his 
 spirit now would have been happy in heaven. These 
 convictions, though often drowned by sin, ended in his 
 conversion, for when the appointed time of the Lord 
 was corne, the Eternal Spirit convinced him of his sin 
 and danger, " to the praise of redeeming mercy." 
 
 To appearance, he was one of the last persons whose 
 heart we could have expected would be changed, but 
 that which is impossible with man is possible with 
 
THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 3 
 
 God. Such is his divine will and mercy that he often 
 passes by those who are apparently not far from the 
 kingdom of God, and chooses some of the lowest and 
 most debased, and makes them signal monuments of 
 his free, unmerited grace, and of the sanctifying power 
 of his blessed Spirit. Such was the display of his 
 spontaneous love toward the subject of this narrative, 
 for there was nothing in him which could possibly 
 merit the divine favor, but the reverse. And the happy 
 change must be solely ascribed to the u praise of the 
 glory of his grace, wherein he hath made him accepted 
 in the Beloved." 
 
 He arrived in Bengal in 1822, and proceeded to Ber- 
 hampore, where a religious society was formed, and, by 
 the frequent solicitations of a pious soldier, Enoch Cole- 
 man, of the same company (who afterward became his 
 comrade) he was prevailed on to attend the chapel. It 
 was not in vain, for then, for the first time in his life, 
 he bent the knee at the footstool of mercy, where the 
 sunshine of grace beamed on his soul, and the rays of 
 divine love softened his impenitent heart. The Spirit 
 of God operated effectually to the regeneration of his 
 heart, and filled him with most poignant sorrow for his 
 complicated sins, the remembrance of which was griev- 
 ous, and a burden intolerable for him to bear. Now 
 the breath of prayer incessantly ascended from his 
 weary and heavy-laden soul, his convictions were great 
 and many, often has he been amazed at the infinite 
 mercy, and long-sufFering patience of Jehovah, exer- 
 cised toward him in not plunging him into the horrors 
 of the nethermost pit of perdition, he began to feel that 
 it is a bitter and evil thing to sin against the Lord, and 
 daily without intermission. He would with fervency 
 invoke the God of mercy to forgive a rebel sinner, 
 
4 THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 
 
 through the invaluable atonement of the Saviour.- His 
 language was that of a man who saw himself con- 
 demned, and he continued a length of time under the 
 awful apprehension of the wrath of God being ready to 
 be poured out upon him. Thus he continued burdened, 
 until, through the preaching of the word, he was drawn 
 by a living faith to lay hold on Jesus, the sinner's hope, 
 and received consolation in believing; "forbeing justi- 
 fied by faith he found peace with God, through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ." He applied to that fountain which 
 is open for sin and uncleanness, and that precious blood 
 which satisfies divine justice, appeases wrath, recon- 
 ciles man to God, expiates guilt, and cleanseth from all 
 sin. He felt the love of God, and his goodness in giv- 
 ing Christ to die for him ; he experienced that love 
 wherewith Christ loved him, and saw the willingness of 
 God to save returning sinners. Now he could say of a 
 truth, " It is a faithful saying, that Jesus Christ came 
 into the world to save sinners/' of whom he felt himself 
 the chief: The language of his heart was : 
 
 " I ihe chief of sinners am. 
 But Jesus died for me." 
 
 In a short time he became a member of the Christian 
 society, and continued a consistent and exemplary or- 
 nament to the same, reflecting the light of divine grace, 
 which shone conspicuously through his life and conver- 
 sation. 
 
 Sincerity from the commencement of his religious 
 career unto the end shone with a resplendent lustre. 
 It might have been truly said of him: 4< Behold an 
 Israelite, indeed, in whom is no guile." All his actions 
 were sincere and disinterested, springing from the pure 
 fountain of a Saviour's love, and for the period of eleven 
 
THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 5 
 
 years in the sincerity of his heart he served God, and 
 as soon as he began to serve God, he- stood in the midst 
 of the barrack-room, and decidedly told his former 
 wicked companions that he would not associate with 
 them any more This promise by grace lie kept. Often 
 have they endeavored to lead him into sin, but their 
 efforts were in vain; he kept the wise man's admonition 
 in mind : " If sinners entice thee, consent thou not." 
 
 His spirit of piety was steady and persevering, he 
 constantly pressed forward, and during the arduous 
 expedition against the Burman Empire, in 1824, 1825, 
 and part of 1820, where many were the trials, suffer- 
 ings, and temptations he was called to endure, he, like a 
 good soldier of the Cross, was enabled to overcome them, 
 and while many around him drew back he continued 
 firm and loyal, always watchful, both in season and out 
 of season. 
 
 Repentance was also a prominent feature of his Chris- 
 tian character ; all the essential ingredients of gospel 
 repentance, such as conviction of sin, contrition for sin, 
 confession of sin, and conversion from sin, were com- 
 bined in his life; he daily bewailed the wanderings of 
 his heart, and the evil propensities and infirmities of his 
 fallen nature. 
 
 His faith, hope, and charity were of a purely gospel 
 kind. His faith by times was exceedingly vivid, though 
 frequently his hope was weak, still he retained that 
 hope which maketh not ashamed, and that faith which 
 purified his heart from the love of sin. He Joved and 
 respected the household of faith, and they who love 
 most the image of Christ were his peculiar company; 
 he was also liberal, according to his circumstances; he 
 contributed to the Bible Society, and always gave his 
 mite to every Christian purpose. 
 
6 THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 
 
 He regularly and punctually attended divine wor- 
 ship, and there poured out his soul's desire to him who 
 hath said, "seek and ye shall find." Secret prayer 
 was his delight, every means of grace was a Bethel to 
 his soul, and he experienced with the poet, that 
 
 "Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream 
 Of glory on the consecrated hour 
 Of man in audience with the Deity" 
 
 He was an attentive reader of the Scripture. He 
 daily read its sacred pages, and treasured its contents 
 in his heart; he constantly aimed at practising its pre- 
 cepts and commands, knowing that Christ left us an 
 example, that we should follow his steps. His other 
 books were fttWj and, next to the Bible, Dr. Doddridge's 
 Rise and Progress of Religion was his favorite ; he 
 often read it with delight, and endeavored to experience 
 its contents. In conversation he was botli simple and 
 heavenly, he was in many respects a burning and a 
 shining light in religion. 
 
 Soldiers frequently say that they cannot serve God, 
 because they are surrounded with so many temptations 
 and trials, but he not only served God in spirit and in 
 truth, but he endeavored, and was enabled in sincerity 
 to fulfil that Scripture : u Let your light so shine before 
 men, that they may see your good works and glorify 
 your Father which is in heaven." 
 
 On the 3d July, 1833, he felt unwell, but could not 
 account for ii ; he still attended his usual duties, and 
 in the evening he read the 11th and 12th chapters of 
 Mark, and went to prayer with a member of the society. 
 After prayer he spoke freely and long upon the love of 
 Jesus, and the bright prospects of the eternal world ; 
 but that niffht about twelve o'clock he was seized with 
 
THE SWEARING DRUNKARD SOLDIER CONVERTED. 7 
 
 cholera, and was taken into the hospital. I visited him, 
 and when lie saw rne, with his usual smile, he said, 
 "my poor tabernacle is going." I replied, '« fear not, 
 soon your race will be finished, and a crown of glory 
 awaits you." He pressed my hand as a token of the 
 truth of what I asserted, for he could not speak at that 
 moment, through the excessive pain of the disease. 
 He lingered for a few hours, and at intervals called 
 on his blessed Saviour, saying: "Come Lord Jesus; 
 come Lord Jesus ; have mercy on me. I feel very easy. 
 Soon all my trials will be over." On the morning of 
 4th July, 1833, in the fortieth year of his age, his happy 
 spirit, in the steadfast assurance of faitli in Christ, and 
 with a hope full of immortality, took its flight to that 
 rest which remains for the people of God. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
 Printed by Erans k Cogswell, No. 3 Broad street, Charleston, S. C. 
 
LIST OF TRACTS 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
 No. of Number 
 
 Tract. of pages 
 
 l...Am I Self-Deceived 4 
 
 2...H.ve You ? 12 
 
 3.. .The Sinner's Friend 90 
 
 4. ..The Act of Faith 4 
 
 6... What is it to Believe on Christ P.'. 4 
 C... Dialogue Between the Bible and a 
 
 Sinner 4 
 
 7... Self-Dedication to God 4 
 
 8... Why Do We Sit Still? 4 
 
 9. ..Ye Shall Not Surely Die 4 
 
 10... A Convenient Season 4 
 
 11. ..The Bible the Word of God 4 
 
 12... Three Words 4 
 
 13... A Word of Warning 4 
 
 14. ..Grieving the Spirit of God 4 
 
 15... Hinder Me Not 4 
 
 16.. .The Soldier's Pocket Bible 10 
 
 17... I Don't Like Professions 4 
 
 IS. ..The Bible in my Trunk 4 
 
 19. ..How to Dispose of Care 4 
 
 20. ..The Way of Peace 8 
 
 21. ..Quench Not the Spirit 4 
 
 22... Fatal Delusions 4 
 
 23. ..The Sword of the Spirit 4 
 
 24... Procrastination 4 
 
 25. ..The .Missionary's Nephew 4 
 
 26... Lost Convictions 4 
 
 27. ..Profane Swearing 4 
 
 28. ..Obstacles to Conversion 4 
 
 29. ..The Spirit Grieved 4 
 
 30. ..Counsel to the Convicted 4 
 
 31. ..Every Man the Friend or the En- 
 emy of Christ 4 
 
 32. ..The Soldier's Victory . 8 
 
 33. ..The Wrath to Come 4 
 
 34... What Are You Fit For? 8 
 
 35. ..Christ a Covert from the Tempest 8 
 
 36.. .The Christian Traveller 8 
 
 37. ..Napoleon's Argument for the Di- 
 vinity of Christ anu the Scrip- 
 tures..: 8 
 
 38... I Can't Make Myself Different 8 
 
 39. ..The Sinner his own Destroyer 8 
 
 40. ..The Infidel's Creed .* 8 
 
 41. ..Alarm to the Careless 8 
 
 42. ..True Conversion 8 
 
 43...The.Christian Officer 8 
 
 44... Our War, Our Cause, and Our 
 
 Duty 16 
 
 45. ..The Crimean Hero: the late Capt. 
 
 Vicars 12 
 
 46... The Muffled Drum 8 
 
 47. ..How Do You Bear Your Trials?... 8 
 48... How Long Have You Been Sick?..12 
 49 ...Soldier! Do you Believe the Bible 4 
 
 50. ..The Long Roll 4 
 
 51... Mortally Wounded 8 
 
 52. ..The Sailor Lost and Found 8 
 
 53. ..Captain Deverell; or, From Dark- 
 ness to Light 12 
 
 64... A Word from the Ladies of the 
 Soldiers' Relief Association of 
 Charleston to the Soldier 4 
 
 No. of Number 
 
 Tract. of pagei 
 
 55. ..Colonel Gardiner — as a Man, a 
 
 Christian, and a Soldier 24 
 
 56. ..The Railway Guide 16 
 
 57. ..The Confederate Hero, and his 
 
 Patriotic Father 16 
 
 58. ..The Sailor's Home 8 
 
 69. ..Kind Words to a Wounded Sol- 
 dier 3 
 
 60. ..The Eventful Twelve Hours; or. 
 The Destitution and Wretch- 
 edness of the Drunkard 16 
 
 61. ..The Dying Robber 8 
 
 62... Do You Pray iu Secret? 4 
 
 63. ..Do You Enjoy Religion? 4 
 
 64... I 've Never Thought of DyiDg So 4 
 
 86... Why Sit Ye Here Hie? 4 
 
 66. ..Come and Welcome 12 
 
 67. ..The Silly Fisn 4 
 
 68... Why Yet Impenitent? 4 
 
 69... Who Slew All These? 4 
 
 70. ..The Navy Surgeon 12 
 
 71... A True Story of Lucknow 8 
 
 72. ..The Sailor and the Soldier 8 
 
 73. ..Are You Not Afraid to Die ? 4 
 
 74... The Wonderful Kscape 4 
 
 75. ..The Two Soldiers 4 
 
 76... Where Are You Going? 6 
 
 77. ..The Young Officer's Start in Life. 8 
 
 78... Show Me Myself — 
 
 79. ..Divine Grace Illustrated 4 
 
 80. ..The Christian Soldier 8 
 
 81. ...Mustered iuto Service 8 
 
 82... Lieutenant R. ; or, The Tract 
 
 Read in the Theatre 8 
 
 83... Do Thyself No Harm 4 
 
 84... Appeal to the Youth, and espe- 
 cially to the Soldiers of the 
 
 Confederate States 16 
 
 85... Very Short and Very Long, and 
 
 The Strict Search .7 8 
 
 86.. .The Fatal Mistake; or, The Mid- 
 night Shipwreck 4 
 
 87. ..The Day of Trial.....* 4 
 
 88... My Time is But a Day 4 
 
 89... The Substance of the Gospel 4 
 
 90... Noah's Carpenters 4 
 
 91. ..Come and Rest 4 
 
 92... A Patriotic Sermon 4 
 
 93... Discharged — I am Going Home.. 4 
 94... Anecdotes for the SoldierB, No. 1..24 
 95... Anecdotes for the Soldiers, No. 2..24 
 96.. .A Kind Word to the Officers of 
 
 our Army 4 
 
 97... Soldiers in Hospital; or, Come 
 
 to Christ 4 
 
 98. ..The Old Soldier 4 
 
 99... A Letter to a Son in Cams 4 
 
 100. ..The Colonel's Conversion — A 
 Chief of Sinners made a Chief 
 
 of Saints 24 
 
 101. ..The Muster 4 
 
 102. ..The Guard-House..... 4 
 
 103... An Appeal to Young Soldiers 8 
 
Hollinger Corp. 
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