PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
By H. C. Miller
ALTHOUGH the following does not agree with the popular idea in regard to the perpetuity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, yet it is a good answer to those who contend that only faith abides of all the gifts set in the church by the Great Head. Joel prophesied that it should “come to pass in the last day that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; . . . your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions,” &c. History gives account of the fulfilling. We copy from a sketch of the Life of Nathan Bangs in Ladies’ Repository for June, 1869, a dream of his: “Nathan Bangs was born May 2, 1778. Was awakened and converted in 1800. Began to preach in 1801. . . . His first year was one of great trial. He preached with all the ardor of a youthful evangelist, full of fire and vigor, but souls were not converted. Temptation came; his heart and courage failed; and he was disposed to quit his work and go home. One night after a weary day of fruitless labor, he slept heavily and dreamed. He was working with a pick-ax on the top of a basaltic rock. His muscular arm brought down stroke after stroke for hours; but after all, the rock was hardly indented. He said to himself, at last, ‘It is useless; I will pick no more.’ Suddenly, a stranger of dignified mien stood by his side, and spoke to him. ‘You will pick no more?’ ‘No.’ ‘Were you not set to this task?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And why abandon it?’ ‘My work is vain; I make no impression on the rock.’ Solemnly the stranger replied: ‘What is that to you? Your duty is to pick, whether the rock yields, or not. Your work is in your own hands; the result is not. Go on!’ He resumed his task. The first blow was given with almost superhuman force, and the rock flew into a thousand pieces. He awoke; went to work with fresh zeal and energy, and a great revival followed.”