Whatever  we  may  be  disposed  to  think  of  the  fact  re-
lated, concerning  the  conversion  of  Constantine,  the  Roman
emperor  to  Christianity,  and  I  have  thrown  out  the  explana-
tion given  in  the  last  chapter,  merely  as  a  conjecture;  in  re-
gard to  the  circumstances,  which  are  said  to  have  attended
that  of  colonel  Gardiner,  I  think  no  rational  mind  should
hesitate  in  forming  a  most  decided  opinion.  The  facts,  as
stated  by  Dr.  Doddridge,  in  his  life  of  that  officer,  are  the
following.  "  This  memorable  event,  (his  conversion)  happen-
ed towards  the  middle  of  July,  1719;  but  I  cannot  be  exact
as  to  the  day.  The  colonel  had  spent  the  evening,  and,  if  I
mistake  not,  it  was  the  Sabbath,  in  some  gay  company,  and
had  an  unhappy  assignation  with  a  married  woman,  of  what
rank  or  quality  I  did  not  particularly  inquire,  whom  he  was
to  attend  exactly  at  twelve.  The  company  broke  up  about
eleven,  and  not  judging  it  convenient  to  anticipate  the  time
appointed,«he  went  into  his  chamber  to  kill  the  tedious  hour,
perhaps,  with  some  amusing  book,  or  some  other  way.  But
it  very  accidentally  happened,  that  he  took  up  a  religious
book,  which  his  good  mother  or  aunt,  had,  without  his  know-
ledge, slipped  into  his  portmanteau.  It  was  called  the
"  Christian  Soldier,  or  Heaven  taken  by  Storm."  Guessing
by  the  title  of  it,  that  he  should  find  some  phrases  of  his
own  profession  spiritualized,  in  a  manner  which  he  thought,
might  afford  him  some  diversion,  he  resolved  to  dip  into  it;
but  he  took  no  serious  notice  of  any  thirtg  he  read  in  it;  and
yetj  while  this  book  was  in  his  hand,  an  impression  was  made


490  Spectral  Visions  and  Apparitions.
