He was born at Gornal, near Dudley, in Staffordshire, was sent apprentice to Birmingham, where he sat under the ministry of Mr. John Ryland, and became exceedingly anxious to obtain a knowledge of the Scriptures. Here it pleased God to lay his afflicting hand on him by fever. On a particular occasion he heard Mr. Ryland address a congregation of young people. On this occasion, the Lord impressed his mind respecting the salvation of his immortal soul; he began to feel he was a sinner, a lost sinner, but how to look for salvation he could not tell. He began to pray and cry to God for mercy; and on several occasions got a few of his youthful companions into a hay loft, told them…