Lessons from Past Experiences by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 13, 1908

Lessons from Past Experiences

By GEO. O. STATES

—No. 23

GEO. O. STATES

It was five years after the Testimony referred to in our last article was given when the Lord gave the light on health reform. We were living near Battle Creek, in 1863, when Sister White had that wonderful vision upon the matter of health reform. Brethren Smith and Amadon, the local elders of the church, used to call the attention of the church to what the Lord had shown his servant, and soon we learned that there was a book being published on the matter, called “How to Live,” and that among other things Sister White had been shown that the people expecting to be translated would give up eating pork. It was quite a trial, but as soon as our people learned what the Lord had said on that question, they gladly accepted the light given.

Soon the book was out, and there seemed to be a desire on the part of the families among our people to secure a copy. Our ministers and church elders would read from it at our Sabbath services, and when the right time came, the subject was presented to our people in a way that made a stir all through our ranks.

In those days, when our church elders read from Sister White’s writings, we all listened with deep interest, firmly believing that we were listening to what the Lord had been pleased to communicate to his people through his chosen servant. I well remember, as Brother White used to speak in the church, bringing out and reading extracts from that wonderful vision, how deeply interested we were. We did not stop to parley over it, and wonder how much of what was written was caused by Brother White’s influence over his wife. I can not recall the circumstances, but I well remember that at one time Brother White took a position which the Lord showed through his servant was wrong. Brother White did not stop to question the matter. He took his position in harmony with the mind of the Spirit of God. It was the same with our other leading ministers; when God reproved them, they did not stop to parley, but said, “I was wrong, and I confess it, and now I am right.”

There seemed to be a desire among our people generally to keep in line with all the advance light God was giving the remnant church. Some expressions in my mother’s prayers are still ringing in my ears to this day, such as, “O Lord, as thy servants go out to present this truth, may they present it in its purity.” In our local prayer-meetings in the church the same burden was expressed. There seemed to be a general desire among our people all through our ranks to accept every ray of light that God saw fit to bring to us through his servant.

Our people generally believed that what Sister White wrote was what the Lord was opening before her in vision. My heart has ached for years as I have seen coming in among us a lack of giving heed to the Testimonies. It is a sorrowful fact that there are thousands, especially among our younger members, who know very little of what is in the Testimonies. I have wondered whether God might not remove this gift from among us if this slighting of the Testimonies should continue.

“God’s people have departed from their simplicity. They have not made God their strength, and are weak and faint, spiritually. I have been shown that unbelief in the Testimonies has been steadily increasing as the people backslide from God. It is all through our ranks, all over the field. But few know what our churches are to experience. I saw that at present we are under divine forbearance; but no one can say how long this will continue. No one knows how great the mercy that has been exercised toward us. But few are heartily devoted to God. There are only a few who, like the stars on a tempestuous night, shine here and there among the clouds. God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of his Spirit, than by the outward training of scientific institutions.” These words were given us years ago. Have we heeded them?

Cedaredge, Colo.