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The Lord’s Guidance to Honest Souls

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 6, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 45.

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The Lord’s Guidance to Honest Souls

By E. M. Graham

FROM a brother in the State of Washington we have another evidence of the way in which the Lord is guiding our people to the honest-hearted ones. His account of this experience is as follows:—
“A few months ago, having been trying to think of some way that I might help to advance the cause, I dreamed that a neighbor of mine, whose family consists of himself, wife, grown daughter, and boy of eleven years, was in my presence, and asked me to express to him my opinion of the state of the dead. I told him that my opinion was of no importance whatever, but asked what was his opinion. He gave the popular view ashis opinion, and again requested that I give mine. I refused to give my opinion, but said I should be willing to show him what the Bible said on the subject. He asked me to do so, and expressed himself as astonished to see such things in the Bible, and said that the explanation was the most reasonable he had ever seen or heard. The dream then ended and I awoke.
“From the time of waking there was a strong impression on my mind, as if some person in authority had spoken to me, that I should go and hold Bible readings with that family. This impression continued for weeks, ever growing stronger. I had visited the family only in a business way, and had never talked on Bible subjects with any of them, and how could I go and hold Bible readings with them? But after weeks had passed, I concluded to go.
“The daughter was doing domestic work away from home. One day I took my Bible and called at the house. I found them engaged in a game with a neighbor who had called in for the evening. So after visiting awhile I returned home. But the impression that I should hold Bible readings with that family would give me no rest. In about a week I went again, and again I was hindered, and could do nothing but visit awhile and return home. In obedience to the impression, which had grown stronger, I went again in about another week. These people are Norwegians, and at this visit the daughter was at home, and there was nothing to hinder holding a Bible reading.
“After visiting for a few minutes, I said to the daughter, ‘Ruth, can you read Norwegian?’ ‘Yes,’ was her reply. ‘I wish you would get your father’s Bible, and show me how John 3:16 reads.’ She got the Bible, and the whole family sat around the kitchen-table and listened. After calling attention to the last part of the verse, I took them to Luke 18:30 (last part); 2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 65:17-25, all the while leaving the impression that they were teaching me. In this way I gave them a Bible reading on the ‘home of the saved’ before they knew it. When I had finished that subject, the one came up that was before us in the dream, and the talk and study of it were practically just as I had dreamed. Thus the dear Lord showed me how to go before these people and open the Scriptures to them. I have tried the same plan in other families, and, as in this case, it has resulted in a cordial invitation to come and hold more studies.
“A short time ago I stepped into a strange house to get shelter from the rain. The woman, with her children, sat down to entertain me. I asked if we might not have a little Bible study while the rain lasted. Having their consent, I requested them to get their Bibles, and I gave them a study on the ‘home of the saved.’ The woman expressed herself as being surprised to read such things in the Bible, but said that such a home would be a great deal better than the one that popular theology tells about.”
These experiences remind us of these words: “Find access to the people in whose neighborhood you live. As you tell them of the truth, use words of Christ-like sympathy. Remember that the LordJesus is the Master Worker. He waters the seed sown. He puts into your minds words that will reach hearts. Expect that God will sustain the consecrated, unselfish worker.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 41.
E. M. GRAHAM.