A TOKEN FOR GOOD | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1868

A TOKEN FOR GOOD.

The church in Battle Creek have again been graciously favored with the presence of the Lord. Bro. and Sr. White returned from Monterey June 10, according to previous arrangement, to spend another Sabbath with this church. At the evening meeting commencing the Sabbath, a large congregation assembled at the house of worship. After some timely and close remarks by Bro. White, Sr. White arose to free her mind from a great burden resting upon it for this people. Wrongs were faithfully pointed out and reproved. Two personal testimonies for persons in the congregation were read, followed by most stirring appeals and exhortations. And while Sr. W. was thus speaking, reaching a point in her remarks of most intense solemnity, instantly, and unexpectedly to all present, she was taken off in vision, and fell to the floor. Judging from her appearance and occasional expressions, while in vision, scenes of a different character, some terrible to behold, and others of surpassing glory, passed before her. The scene was most impressive. Many were present who had never before had the privilege of witnessing a manifestation of this kind; and to these the privilege was given of coming forward and beholding for themselves the various phenomena attending it. Their testimony is that though they had before no occasion to doubt the visions, now they can look upon them as a reality. They see not how any one, witnessing the manner in which they are given, can for a moment doubt them to be the work of the Holy Spirit. People may talk of mesmerism, clairvoyants, and spirit mediums; but this has nothing in common with them. It is something else entirely, as different from any thing of that kind, as the heavens are higher than the earth; and those who attribute the visions to any of those sources, are only suffering the Devil to deceive them.

The power of the Holy Spirit was present too manifestly to be mistaken. We doubt if there were many in the house, who did not feel that the Lord had drawn near for the especial instruction of his people. It was good to be there. What a privilege as well as necessity it is to be instructed from on high; for we are engaged in a work, not of building ourselves up in self-righteousness, but in trying to discover and put away our wrongs, and secure a moral preparation to enter, in a little from this, into the presence of the King of glory.

What has been shown will be made known to those whom it may concern as soon as possible. Meanwhile let us remember what a vast amount of labor is entailed upon Sr. White on account of the position she is called to occupy; and let us all endeavor to stay up her hands. All can do something in this respect, if in no other way, at least by holy living. Let the church, let all far and near, come up to a position of acceptance with God, and it will lift from her one of the heaviest burdens she now has to bear.

Sabbath was a profitable day. Besides the good words spoken by Bro. and Sr. White, over a hundred bore testimony to their determination to live a more consecrated life. And though there was not all the promptness to take hold of the work, that the occasion demanded, yet there was evident progress through the day. The turning point in the religious experience of the Laodicean church must soon come; the point from which they will rise to that glowing zeal and fervor which the True Witness requires, or be spued out of his mouth; and it seems as though even now enough had been said, and seen, and done, to leave all of us who shall fail of everlasting life, without excuse.

We shall look for good fruit from this meeting. To-day, the 14th, Bro. White baptized twenty-five, most of whom have but recently commenced to live the Christian life.