GEO. O. STATES by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons from Past Experiences — No. 19

GEO. O. STATES

In 1874 and 1875—I was attending the school in Battle Creek when it was held in one of the Office buildings. I well remember the night of Jan. 3, 1875, when a meeting was held in the church, and it was reported that Sister White was very sick, and her life was despaired of.

The elders met and followed out the instruction of James, and she was healed, and was taken off in vision. I think perhaps the meeting was about half over, and I shall never forget the thrill that went through the large congregation when Brother White walked up the aisle with Sister White leaning on his strong arm. As they walked up to the front, we could feel the presence of the angels. It has been my privilege to be present where the special presence of God was manifested, but never was I in a meeting where we so strongly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as we did at that time while Brother White told us how, in answer to prayer, Sister White had been healed. Sister White then arose, and for twenty minutes related some things that the Lord had just shown her in vision.

There was a power accompanying her words as she said: “As the time draws near for Christ to be revealed in the clouds of heaven, Satan’s temptations will be brought to bear with greater power upon those who keep God’s commandments; for he knows that his time is short.”

It has been my privilege to know of the influence accompanying the Testimonies these many years, to see the terrible results of rejecting the warnings sent. Others have received the light, confessed their wrongs, and the blessings of God have been upon them and their work. We shall have to come to the place where we shall stand firmly on the Word and the Testimonies that God has been sending us for so many years.

In “Spiritual Gifts,” Volume I, the servant of the Lord tells us that “Satan has power to bring before us the appearance of forms purporting to be our relatives

or friends who sleep in Jesus.” In the terrible scenes before us we must stand firmly on God’s Word, not trusting even our own sight. “We must examine well the foundation of our hope; for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome. But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do his part, and his all-powerful arm will protect us. He would sooner send every angel out of glory to make a hedge about faithful souls, than have them deceived and led away by the wonders of Satan.” We should all study the counsel the Lord has sent his people.

Cedaredge, Colo.