Recent Experiences in Battle Creek
By G. W. Amadon
The week of prayer in this city was an occasion of more than ordinary interest. To make this season of greater benefit to the entire church, cottage meetings were appointed in numerous places in the city. There were about fifty of these small gatherings, and it was planned that from fifteen to twenty-five persons would constitute a group. In several cases those not of our faith attended, and the effect on all was generally excellent. In some instances requests have been sent to the church elders to have these meetings permanently continued. The cottage meetings were held on only four evenings of the week of prayer, the other services being in the Tabernacle, for the benefit of the entire congregation. During the week the Lord sent his servants, Elders Daniells and Irwin, here, with instructions to read to the church certain Testimonies of his Spirit for our admonition. These messages were of a heart-searching character. They pointed out the defects of some in high positions, and the danger of introducing false philosophy and a specious interpretation of the Scriptures into the work of God. Sharp were the reproofs, touching the entreaties, and pathetic the warnings for all—leaders and people, high and low—to turn to God lest sorer judgments should come upon us. It is sad to write that these messages indicated a state of rebellion and depravity in our midst such as none would expect in so favored a place as the Battle Creek Seventh-day Adventist church. Such puerile objections as the age of the instrument employed by the Spirit in giving the testimonies of warning, and that the one through whom they are given is biased by human influences in writing them, are not uncommon here. To facilitate the matter of getting the messages before the people, up to the present writing many meetings have been held—more than thirty in all. A great many of these have been general gatherings in the Tabernacle, some unusually large. Several of the meetings have been devoted wholly to answering questions pertaining to the validity of the Testimonies, and matters relating thereto. The burden of this feature of the work seemed to fall principally to the lot of Elder Daniells. Other meetings were not of so general a character. In these, persons who had quite lost faith in the spirit of prophecy and its operations, freely conversed in reference to their condition, and through prayerful counsel and the help of God, were extricated from the mire of unbelief. Not a few such are now rejoicing in that liberty which makes them free indeed. There were very many experiences of this kind. Some of the meetings were occasions for prayer, in which the presence of God was very earnestly supplicated. And many have been the instances in which small groups of from eight to twelve or more, have met to cry earnestly to Heaven in view of the forbidding condition of spiritual matters here. In the meantime the city press reporters have been unusually active, and the journals have published from day to day the most unscrupulous statements regarding the Testimonies and the author.17The wrath of the dragon has been stirred, and threats of resorting to the law to stop the reading of the Testimonies have been made by individuals both in the church and out. It is a pleasure, however, to add that the general effect of these heaven-sent messages of reproof has been excellent. Scores, and doubtless hundreds, who had lost faith in the spirit of prophecy, and had settled into a state of spiritual indifference, are now rejoicing in the restored light of the divine presence. Particularly has a good work been done for the younger medical students, the nurses, and sanitarium workers. For this let humble thanks be given to the God of heaven; and should evangelistic efforts be continued, we might expect a great revival of the work of God in Battle Creek. But that all the men in high positions here have not sympathized with the recent work is only too apparent. Indeed, one sermon was preached in the Tabernacle, which, however good the intentions were, was more calculated to embarrass and confuse than to help. As a natural result a number are more confirmed in being on the wrong side in this crisis. January 3, the evening following the effort just mentioned, Elder Daniells read further from the spirit of prophecy, and after general remarks to the audience, left on the next train for Washington, to which place he had been called by telegram. G. W. AMADON.