A Personal Experience by Willard H. Saxby

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1916

A Personal Experience

By Willard H. Saxby

SEVERAL years ago, while attending the Ohio camp meeting as a conference laborer, I received a Testimony from the servant of the Lord. It had been sent to one of our leading brethren, to be read to me. At the close of an evening meeting we retired to his tent. Elder A (for so I shall call him) said, “You believe in the Testimonies?” I replied, “Certainly I do.” We united in prayer, after which he slowly read the manuscript (it was in Sister White’s own handwriting). The first five pages pertained to me personally; the next six were counsels more general in character, applying specially to any one in charge of a city mission, etc. After Elder A had read a few paragraphs, he read a personal statement to which I objected, saying with emphasis, “That is not so!” He stopped, and said, “Brother Saxby, you say it is so, and the Lord will help you to see that it is so.” “But how can I say a thing is so when I know it is not so?” He repeated, slowly, substantially what he had said, and continued reading. After a page or more, I said again, concerning another statement, “That is not so!” He repeated what he had said before.

talked awhile, and then resumed his reading.

I objected four times in all; but it was on the first point that I was especially positive.

At my request, Elder A lent me the Testimony until the next day. I returned rather late to my room, and Mrs. Saxby was anxious to know why I was so late. When I told her my experience, she asked me to read the Testimony. I said, “No, it will take too much time tonight; but here is one paragraph I will read. I told Elder A it was not so.” It was a matter between my wife and me; and I shall never forget how, after I had read this paragraph, she rose up in bed and said, with all the earnestness of her being, pointing to me with her index finger, “Willard, that is so!”

I began to reason very seriously, like this: My wife says it is so; and Elder A., because of his confidence in the Spirit of prophecy, says it is so; and, above all, the Lord through his servant says it is so: it must be so—three against one. As I sought the Lord by fasting and prayer, I soon saw things in the true light. The Testimony was a photograph of my inner life, and I could see that it was.

It is comparatively easy to believe a Testimony in reproof of some one else; but to one’s own self it is altogether a different proposition, at least I found it so.

This scripture came with force to my mind: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12. When we are sure that we are all right we may be all wrong. In our shortsightedness it is very becoming to us to walk in all humility before the Lord. “Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chron. 20:20. I praise God for the gift of the Spirit of prophecy. WILLARD H. SAXBY.