He Knoweth by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

“He Knoweth”

By GEO. O. STATES

GEO. O. STATES

I HAVE thought for months, as I have read in our good REVIEW the reports of the good meetings our people were having, “O that I had the health to get out among our people once more and enjoy these refreshings!” When the date for the Western Colorado Conference camp meeting was settled, I decided that I would attend a few days of the opening meetings. The day before I should have to start, I talked it over with my family, and it was decided that it would not be best for me to go.

On going to bed, I was quite nervous, and began reflecting over the past. I thought of how, over eleven years ago, I was stricken down at the close of a series of meetings in which some dear souls accepted the truth and were baptized and taken into the church. I wondered why I had had to suffer so many years. “Here I am,” I thought; “the message is swelling into the loud cry, and I have to stay at home, half of the time not well enough to attend the Sabbath school and church services, and having no part in the closing of the message.” With my mind dwelling on these things, I finally fell asleep. When it was time to arise, I was apparently dreaming, and these words were impressed upon my mind as vividly as if spoken: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

I thought, “Is it possible that it has taken all these years of suffering that I might reflect the divine nature?” This text then came to my mind: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I said, “Notwithstanding all my mistakes, I surely love the Lord. Then all this will work out for my good. Though I cannot understand it here, yet in the eternal ages it will all be made plain.”

As these thoughts were passing through my mind, I surely felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to trust him, to leave the Lord to order my life in his own good way. While I never expect to go out and preach the message as in the past, yet I do feel more of a willingness to act any part that the Lord may appoint for me. If I cannot meet with the Lord’s children as I should like, I will bear my testimony in our good REVIEW.

There is a story of a man who was quietly doing much good in advancing the cause of Christ, and Satan called a council of his leaders, asking different ones what to do to break up his usefulness. Many suggestions were made, but Satan said, “No, these suggestions never will work out, for he will know where they come from.” Finally one who had been listening quietly and not taking any part said, “Give him over to me, and I will discourage him.”

The devil knows better than to tempt me on the leading points of this message. He knows that over sixty years ago I saw Sister White in open vision; and although I was then just a little child, I know something of the power of God accompanying this message in its early days; so Satan does not tempt me on that point. Some months ago, when I was recovering from a severe illness, he came to me with this thought: “Here you have given your life for the advancement of this work; your brethren have no use for you; you are simply an expense, and no benefit. Now what is the use of keeping up family worship? Tell wife to do the reading and praying and you will listen.” When these suggestions came to me, I went down into the grove by the creek, and pleaded with the Lord to keep me from falling.

The Lord has been looking on through all my afflictions. When I have pleaded with him, asking that if I could not be cured so as to have some part in the closing of the message, he would lay me away to await the first resurrection, he was even then blessing my humble efforts. When I was in the greatest discouragement, one whole family accepted the truth as a result of the few Bible readings I was able to give and the reading matter I could put out. From the fast-fulfilling prophecies I know we are near the close of this work. Soon the time will come when those who have silver and gold which they have heaped up will cast their money to the moles and to the bats.

I recently learned that one of our brethren whom I used to visit in the eastern part of our State nearly twenty-five years ago, had given up the truth and gone to making money. I made inquiries as to how it happened. I was told that it came about through his criticizing our system of organization, and also the spirit of prophecy, which God placed in this church at its beginning. Dear brethren and sisters, there are some things we may not understand, but I want to tell you that this is the third angel’s message, and it is going to gather out a people for translation. The question with us as individuals should be, Shall I be one of that number?

Cedaredge, Colo.