p. 39 | A Blessed Experience by L. A. Hoopes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 8, 1914

A Blessed Experience

By L. A. Hoopes

The Week of Prayer at Graysville, Tenn.

We have long talked about the “latter rain,” the “refreshing.” For years we have been saying that God would visit his people with mighty power. It has been likened to Pentecost, only it would be with a greater manifestation of the Holy Spirit. No one could foresee just how he would come, but there was an inward consciousness that there was need of a mighty revival of power in our own lives, and that if we kept abreast with God’s opening providences for the dissemination of the last message of mercy, this revival must not long be delayed. “May not this present week of prayer be the expected time?”

Preparation for the Visit

There were a number of things which, combined, showed that the Spirit of God and holy angels were making preparation and arrangements for the most glorious visitation of mercy that had ever been witnessed in Graysville. The conference president and church officials planned a definite revival in connection with the church and the school. The young people formed a number of prayer bands. The question of prayer bands extended to the adults, then the small

children took it up. Special hours for the readings and for prayer were set apart, and services held in the church each evening, and in the school chapel each day.

The Visit

At last the set time for the visit came. Through the preaching of the word was the announcement that he had come. The heavenly Visitor had come, and what a benediction it was! Unworthy though we were, yet we did not wish to flee, for he had come with such tender mercy and compassion. The Week of Prayer Readings were well timed for such a visitation. They all breathed forth the necessity of a consecration of every faculty of mind and body and means. Everything in the universe foretells a mighty work to be accomplished by his living agencies. Another, a mightier Pentecost, is soon to fall on God’s people.

The conviction of the Holy Spirit had more to do in moving hearts than all else. It was this life-giving agency of the all-powerful Word that stirred even the hardest heart. No one could doubt his presence. “The Comforter has come,” was uttered by more than one. He actually had come to visit his people. There was no mistaking this fact. A heavenly Guest had come. Some of the last work of the judgment was about to be unfolded so that we could see ourselves as we really are before it is forever too late.

How We Were Affected

When the straight message was sounded in our ears, we were pricked to our hearts. It was the best evidence that the Comforter had come, for we were convicted of sin. This is the first work of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. All were affected, some one way, and some another way. Some, at first, felt rebellious, their hearts seemed to get hard and unimpressible; then the tender, subduing influence of the Spirit would soften and tender their hearts, and lead them to yield to his earnest entreaties. The experience was an unutterable longing to extend the invitation to others. Miracles of grace were wrought. Most unlikely subjects were immediately transformed into active missionaries to win their associates to Christ. The prayer bands became like just so many life-saving crews on a stormy sea. Not one was satisfied until the last soul was rescued. Never in the history of Graysville has there been such an experience. Hour after hour and day after day this pleading was continued until the soul yielded to the entreaties of the Spirit. Just as soon as one would yield, he, too, would join the ranks of earnest workers.

The work of the children was specially noticeable. They had their prayer bands. They had long lists of names of the unconverted. Every day they would meet for earnest prayer, that God’s Spirit would move upon these hard hearts. How gratifying it was to them to check name after name of those who had yielded to the earnest entreaties, until the last one on their list had yielded. The almost universal testimony was, “God has answered my prayers.”

We have seen a great many revivals, we have seen entire staffs of institutions moved in a revival; but never had we seen such a fierce conflict with the enemy as has been experienced here, and such a universal turning to the Lord in active service in behalf of the unconverted. Our heavenly Visitant honored our faith.

More than twenty gave their names for baptism, and were baptized on Sabbath afternoon. Others are seriously contemplating this step.

The week of prayer has ended, but the work goes on. The conflict is a fierce one, and many who had a bright experience at the first are having the trial of their lives. But our heavenly Visitor is the captain of our salvation, and is leading us on to still greater victories.

The blessing was recognized by a universal testimony of praise. Many of the adults offered to give up their business and engage in some part of the Lord’s cause. The revival still continues, and as the union conference takes up the work, we expect to see greater victories. We all praise the Lord for what he has done and is doing among us.

L. A. HOOPES.