A Personal Experience by Daniel H. Kress

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 18, 1913

A Personal Experience

By Daniel H. Kress

RECENTLY at the close of a meeting a friend came to me and said, “Dr. Kress, I have heard that you have got straightened out. Come up and see us and help straighten us out.” I do not know when I shall be able to visit this friend; and as others may have heard the same report, it occurred to me that what I should say to one I might as well say to all.

Yes, God has straightened me out. For several years I have been groping my way along as best I could, trying to do my best, but not feeling that joy in service that I once possessed. At times I almost despaired of my future. I passed through periods of depression, but continued to work, concealing my feelings as best I could. Three years ago at a thanksgiving meeting held at Washington, Elder Irwin arose and said, “Well, I thank God I am alive.” Truthfully I could not even say that much. This Thanksgiving day I am thankful that I can say it. Never in all my Christian experience has my heart been so filled with gratitude to my Redeemer as now. All I can say is God has been good to me. He led me by ways I knew not, and I found fault with his kind providences. “I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. . . . Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

There are reasons why God has permitted me to pass through these experiences. He did not afflict willingly. What he did was for my sake, and for the sake of this precious cause. I thank him now for these experiences, and believe that he can make my latter end a greater blessing than my beginning, and that these light afflictions may work for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I have learned some valuable lessons: one of them is that God has his hand upon the lever of circumstance, and works everything after the counsel of his own will; that he reigns not merely in heaven, but among the inhabitants of this earth. He protects his cause. When men become inflated, he, in mercy, may suffer them to continue for a time; but sooner or later, through some means they will be separated from his work. He will not even then forsake them, but to protect his name he separates them from having a part in his organized work. I was one of these men, and for the benefit of those who have sympathized with me and thought possibly I was not fairly dealt with, I wish to say, God’s hand was in it all; he has dealt justly and in mercy with me. There never was a time in my experience when I felt the love I now feel in my heart for him and every one else. There never was a time when I loved this truth so well. I somehow feel that the time is short, much shorter than possibly many of us believe, and that God is pouring out his Spirit to prepare a people to pass through the trying times which are before them, and that he is placing in their hearts his love, that they may be able to reveal it to those with whom they associate.

I have no fault to find with any human being. No one can harm the one who is a follower of that which is good. If during the three or four years that I have been in this confused condition I have placed obstacles in the way of any of my acquaintances, I wish to do all in my power from henceforth to remove them. I shall trust God to restore to me the years which the canker-worms have destroyed.

I trust this experience may make me more compassionate and a greater help to those who may be passing through a similar experience. Let us not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try us, as though some strange thing happened unto us, for after we have been tried we shall come forth as gold.

D. H. KRESS.