The praying of Saul in a new manner, with ardour, humility and faith in the name of Christ was evidence of grace and a new heart in the arch persecutor. His Christianity was discoverable by his prayer life.

Whenever General Cornwallis was in Ireland dealing with the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion, a case of alleged spying was brought before him. It involved a soldier in one of the regiments who was noticed to daily remove himself from his quarters. He was accused of spying for the rebels and daily conveying intelligence to them. A court marshal did not believe his defence and he was sentenced to death. Cornwallis being notified of the case examined the minutes and sent for the man to interrogate him himself. The General questioned him and found his denials of treachery as well as his solemn affirmations of loyalty to appear very genuine. His defence at the time of trial had been that he left camp for a quiet place for private worship. The profanity and opposition of his comrades had necessitated this. Cornwallis was not ignorant of the possibility of a malicious intent against the accused on account of his profession of Christ. However to satisfy his own mind he said to the accused, “In praying so much you must have obtained some considerable aptness in this exercise.” Then the General insisted that the accused man kneel down and pray aloud before him. The soldier immediately did this and poured out his soul before God with such fluency and ardour, that the marquis was amazed. Cornwallis could see that indeed, “behold he prayeth.” He took him by the hand and said, “no man could pray in that manner who did not live in the habit of intercourse with his God.” It is said that Cornwallis not only revoked the sentence, but promoted him to be among his personal attendants.