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GEO. O. STATES

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 30, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 35.

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GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons From Past Experiences —No. 4

GEO. O. STATES

Soon after the Messenger Party went down, my people moved away from Sylvan, and for some years lived where there were none of our people. My father, having become disgusted with the Messenger Party, did not make any profession for years, but mother always took the REVIEW and remained faithful to the truth amid all these trying circumstances, and taught the truth to us children. There were a few times when work was quite pressing that father had my brother and me help, but generally he did not interfere with our keeping the Sabbath.
In 1860 we moved near Battle Creek, where we lived a number of years. Grandpa Harmon (Sister White’s father) lived in Battle Creek, and used to visit us, sometimes staying a few days. Although he was quite an old man, yet he seemed to enjoy getting out in the field with us boys and helping hoe and rake. Although I was quite young, yet his earnest talks about the first angel’s message and the power attending it are still fresh in my memory.
At night he used to take charge, at mother’s request, of the family worship. I shall always remember as we sat around the family circle his interesting talks explaining the truth, especially to father, and of the mighty power accompanying his daughter’s visions. We used to enjoy his visits very much, and his talks had much to do in establishing father on points of truth that had been troubling him, especially in regard to the Testimonies, and he soon took his stand again for the whole truth, and was baptized by Elder Loughborough, uniting with the Battle Creek church.
Brethren and sisters, there is one thing I am positive of, and that is, in those early days we believed, appreciated, and studied this important gift as we have not in later years. Many in our ranks are regretting that, as their children become of age, they are leaving the message. There is certainly a reason, and I believe it is right on this point; we have not appreciated and studied the truth as we did back in the memory of us who have grown gray in this truth. As the work has grown, and has necessarily been divided into more departments, is it not possible that we as ministers and leading brethren have studied plans for carrying on the different phases of work until we have neglected more important matters? All the way along the Lord has been sending us counsel on this point. Years ago we were told that, as ministers and those in responsible positions, “many are satisfied with business activity in the cause of God, while their hearts are destitute of love and compassion one for another. They know nothing of the tender sympathy that dwelt in the bosom of Jesus; and unless their characters are transformed, unless the heart is made tender, and they become partakers of the divine nature, they will make grave blunders, and fail to become inhabitants of heaven.”
I am so glad that our ministers are now having more to say about the Testimonies. I can hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, and I do believe God is stirring up our people in these matters, and I know parents are becoming more faithful in instructing their children. In the early days of this message parents taught this truth to their children in the house, walking by the way, before retiring, and when rising, and so must we teach it at this critical time. The most important thing in this world to-day is the third angel’s message, and as we return to the old paths, leadingothers in the good way, we shall see our children becoming more and more interested in the message.
Cedaredge, Colo.