Although I have been preaching the third angel's message for twenty-six years, sixteen of those years passed by without there having come into my experience the reality of deliverance from sin, receiving the righteousness of Christ by faith, and the abiding presence of Christ in the heart to keep me from sinning.
Well do I remember when this new and blessed experience came to me, ten years ago. I was engaged in holding a series of tent meetings. It was my custom to call the workers together each morning for prayer and study, and one morning I read a portion from the spirit of prophecy which contained a statement that pierced my heart like an arrow. It was to the effect that when the cross of Christ is mentioned, it should stir the deepest emotions of the heart. I knew that this was far from being my experience. I could read about the cross, or talk about the cross, without experiencing any emotion. So I decided to pray that my heart might become changed; and three hours of each day, for a considerable period of time, I spent on my knees seeking for a new revelation of the cross of Calvary. Little did I realize how God would answer that prayer!
One day while reading a book concerning the Holy Spirit, there flashed into my mind and heart the reality of righteousness — the righteousness of Christ which by provision of His death He imputed to me, and which by His life He desires to impart to me for my daily need. Naturally, the cross became a new theme to me, and from that time until now I have given considerable study to the message of righteousness by faith. More and more have I come to see that " the religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. . . . It means a heart emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ."—" Christ's Object Lesson;' pp. 419, 420.
Since that time, many precious lessons have come to me through reading, but the most definite blessings have been experienced as the direct result of prayer. In the early part of the year 1928, earnestly desiring the special blessing of God in a richer measure, I spent six hours of each day in my study, praying and reading the Bible and the volumes of the spirit of prophecy. I continued to do this for a period of three months. It was a wonderful experience. The Bible became a new book; many truths were brought to my attention which I had never known before, and the burden of the Laodicean message rested heavily upon my heart. There was not an hour while I was on my knees in prayer that there did not burn in my heart a conviction that the Laodicean message was as the knock of the Holy Spirit at the door of the lukewarm heart, seeking admittance for the heavenly Guest. Astonishing as it may seem, I have found ministers who say that the Laodicean message does not apply to us as a people at the present time. No man really understands the application of the Laodicean message until he has prayed through it point by point; and after such an experience he will never again say that the day of its application is to others.
This late experience in prayer came shortly before the Harvest Ingathering campaign began. Never have I enjoyed the Ingathering work as I have this year, and never have I been so successful. To the Lord be all the praise. Just at the present time a new line of work is opening up before me. In attending the meetings of the Ministerial Association of this county I have taken an active part in the discussions. When the subject of church organization was considered, I was asked many questions concerning our work and the tithing system. I realized the presence of the Holy Spirit with me, and a very favorable impression of the message we so dearly love was made upon the hearts of the men assembled. One of the ministers told me that he had changed his mind entirely regarding Seventh-day Adventists. Formerly he had been under the impression that we were a narrow-minded, bigoted people; but now he urges me to come and speak to his people, and he is ready to read our literature. Since the close of the Ministerial Association meetings, I have responded to the call of the pastor of the Methodist church, who wished me to speak to his people on our missionary work and the loyalty of Seventh-day Adventists to the support of missions. Many expressed appreciation of the sermon.
The average minister in the popular churches does not realize the magnitude of the work we are doing, and I believe that the Holy Spirit has brought me in contact with these men in order that prejudice might be broken down, knowledge of the truth imparted, and that some at least might accept the message. We are told that we should pray for and with the ministers of other denominations. We are living in the time of the latter rain. We must prepare to receive it. Procrastination or refusal to do so will result in eternal loss, and it may be that many who have been considered " last " in hopeful cases for accepting light, will become " first " in the possession of living Christian experience.
How fearfully solemn is that personal message to the church communicated through John while in exile on the isle of Patmos: " Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." The safest place, and " the highest place to which any human being can come, is kneeling at the foot of the cross." " The cross of Christ must be studied. It must rivet the attention and hold the affections. The blood which there was shed for sins, will purify and cleanse mind and heart from every species of selfishness."" Testimonies to Ministers," p. 378.
A pastor.
