HAVING noticed a few weeks ago an invitation in the REVIEW to those who witnessed the falling stars in 1833 to contribute a personal experience, I take this opportunity to bear my testimony.
I was born in Botetourt County, Va., Dec. 8, 1813. My early Christian experience was in the Campbellite Church, to which I adhered until 1843. At this time I heard the prophecies of the soon coming of Christ preached by a man (his name I do not recall) who was making a hurried trip through the country, giving prophetic lectures from house to house. This was in Wabash County, Ind. The clearness with which he presented his message convinced me of its truthfulness, and I with many thousands of others accepted it.
I was living in Hendricks County, Ind., when the stars fell in 1833, and was twenty years old. It was one of the most remarkable sights ever witnessed in this world, and was seen by thousands throughout the Western world. About three o'clock in the morning of that event, I was awakened by a young man who was boarding at our house. We stayed up until daylight, watching it. It appeared as if all the stars in the heavens were falling. Some of them would leave long streaks behind them when they shot off, similar to a bright rainbow, and the streaks would draw up after a few seconds, resembling large serpents. Millions upon millions fell during the time I witnessed the event.
It was a frosty morning, and not a cloud to be seen, and even after sunrise this phenomenon was visible, resembling large flakes of snow falling in the sunlight.
Great excitement prevailed during this time. People ran from house to house, confessing their sins to one another and imploring forgiveness. Some fell upon their faces and implored God for mercy. Others ran into the house, jumped into bed, and covered their faces to keep from seeing it. That sight is just as vivid in my mind to-day as it was that frosty morning of Nov. 13, 1833.
It was not until my return from the gold-fields in California in 1854, that I first heard of the health reform principles taught by our people. I had been using tobacco, tea and coffee, and pork ever since I was fifteen years old, but I immediately discontinued their use, and have tried to live according to the rules of health ever since. These health principles worked a marvelous change in my appearance. In 1854 I was quite gray, and appeared to be an old man at forty-one. After five years of right living, an old acquaintance of mine, upon stopping at my house one evening, took me to be one of the boys instead of the “old man.” My hair gradually came in black again, and the strength and vigor of youth seemed to return. To-day, at the age of ninety-two, I am no grayer than I was in 1854 at the age of forty-one. My general health is good. I have a good appetite and sleep usually well. Rheumatism has taken hold of me, and my hearing is failing fast, but my eyes continue to do me an average amount of service. I never fail to read the REVIEW, each week, which I have done ever since it appeared, also the Signs and Good Health.
OTEY JAMES, AGED 92
It was in the spring of 1860 that I heard the Sabbath truth preached for the first time. This was in a debate held in Knoxville, Iowa, between Moses Hull and a Presbyterian minister by the name of Presley. This debate lasted two weeks. My wife and I attended it, and were both convinced of the Sabbath truth, and began its observance at the close of the discussion.
This decision on our part led all our children to accept the truth, all of whom are still living and rejoicing in this message. Of my six children, four have been elders of churches. Of these four, one is a missionary and one a minister. One of my grandsons and his wife are missionaries in India, and one is a minister and president of a conference. All my children and many of my grandchildren have at some time been actively engaged in spreading this message.
Thus God has been merciful to me in continuing my life more than the allotted threescore and ten years. My courage is good, and my hope was never brighter. I long to see the King in all his beauty and behold a better world than this. My hope shall not be long deferred. This generation shall not all pass till these things be fulfilled; and while it may be God's will to let me rest before that time, yet I know that that glad day cometh, and cometh quickly. “He that endureth unto the end the same shall be saved.”
