Precious Personal Experiences
By D. T. Bourdeau
EXPERIENCE is knowledge obtained in obeying the truth while passing through trials. This knowledge is infinitely more precious than mere theoretical and intellectual knowledge, because it is the basis of genuine hope, of that hope which “maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5: 3-5. It is attended with the sweets and blessedness resulting from testing the truth by practicing it in affliction. Such as do this, see the preciousness of the truth as they could not possibly see it if they simply possessed a theory of the truth. They see this through the cheering and approving blessings consequent on obeying the truth under most trying circumstances. Experience is what we need in order to pass through the fiery ordeals awaiting us in the near future. But we should remember that we can never obtain experience if we are disposed to shun the very trials through which it is secured; for without trials there can be no genuine experience. Trials are suffered to come upon us to show us the weak points of our character, that we may overcome them by conforming more fully to the truth, through which we are to be sanctified. As we progress in the formation of Christian character, and, consequently, in sanctification, the Lord blesses us, so we can say, How beautiful is the character God would have us form, and how precious are the truths and Spirit through which that character is to be wrought out! Experience may be truly said to be multiple. In other words, we are to obtain several experiences in passing through various trials in the work of forming righteous characters. In view of this fact, should we not, with Paul, “glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom. 5: 3-5), and with James count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trying of our faith worketh patience? James 1: 2-4. With sadness did I with others learn of the burning of our Sanitarium, and see the main building of the Review and Herald reduced to ashes; but as I have reflected upon these calamities, inquired into their meaning, and prayed to God to overrule them to his glory, the heavy gloom that hovered over my spirits has been dissipated by the settled conviction that with humility and consecration on11the part of our managers and on the part of our people, we would yet see these sad events, through the great mercy and infinite wisdom of him whose counsels are unsearchable, result in greater blessings and victories than would have been realized had they never occurred. Let our prayers still ascend to the throne of grace, that God may bless with grace and wisdom those who have the special management of these institutions, that these glorious results may appear to the joy of all who have the cause of God at heart. In doing this and in cherishing this hope, I have enjoyed great freedom in the Lord. I believe that the removal of the Review and Herald and of the office of the General Conference to a more prominent center, will give greater publicity to our message and work, and will be made eminently subservient to the carrying forward of the work of the last gospel message far more expeditiously than in the past. Experience has taught us that with our laborers a change of fields has, in many cases, been an advantage, both to the laborers and to the cause. Why may not this be true with regard to our publishing institution, which by being placed at or near some great center, may gather freshness and increased power and influence, while being a greater blessing to its new neighbors and new constituents and patrons than it could have been under former circumstances? And why may not the contemplated change prove to be a great blessing to those who have so long had this institution in their midst, in that it will give them the precious opportunity of nobly exemplifying the law of equal love for others through self-denial for their sakes, that others may share in some of the blessedness that they have so long enjoyed? May we all pray that God will lead those upon whom it will devolve to locate the Review and Herald Publishing Company, to choose and decide in harmony with his will, so that we shall have reason to rejoice in standing by what is done. I firmly believe that God will lead in so important a matter, and I enjoy my faith as if the thing were already realized. One blessed experience that God has given Mrs. Bourdeau and me since I reported last, has been to dispose of our humble home in Battle Creek, that we might go where we could be more useful, sustain our daughter in her medical work, and again take up our evangelistic work as in former years, and before I was held in Battle Creek by an accident that God in his wise providence suffered to come upon me. It was right for us to spend a season in Battle Creek to educate our children; but we felt that the time had come for us to sell, and leave that city. In this God heard our importunate prayers, and wrought miraculously, for which we praise him, asking him to give to others in Battle Creek a similar experience. Of late I have been meditating on the power of godliness that transforms the character, and causes the truth received in the heart and practically carried out in the life, to advance the closing work of salvation among men. Brethren, let us by faith and full consecration to God, lay hold of this power, and magnify the riches of grace in laboring for those outside the ark of safety, that we may hasten the return of our blessed Lord; enjoy abiding peace even when passing through fiery trials, and have the refreshings of the latter rain. This is our privilege. God wants us to improve upon it and enjoy its blessedness now, that the whole earth may soon be lightened with the glory and power of the third angel’s message, and that God may cut his work short in righteousness in the earth. Rom. 9:28. We must have this power of godliness now, that Christ may be fully formed in us, and that we may hasten to do the work he has assigned us. About forty-three years ago, before we had a regular conference organized, I made a trip with our beloved and lamented brother, Elder G. W. Sperry, visiting the few companies and scattered believers in New England. One morning upon awakening with the Spirit of God resting upon him, this brother said to me, “I have had a wonderful dream. I saw the angels going west, and then they returned east with mighty power. It was the loud cry of the third angel. And the work soon wound up in glorious triumph.” If Brother Sperry were here, he would discern that the last part of his dream is being fulfilled. Do we discern this as being in perfect consonance with the sure word of prophecy? Never was my interest in the closing gospel work for mankind as intense as it now is. My faith, hope, and courage as to the more rapid advancement of this work and its near and final consummation, increase as I gather the numerous evidences that the end is imminent. Surely we can now lift up our heads and look up, knowing that our redemption is indeed very near. Luke 21:28. As never before we can now behold by faith Jesus hastening to finish his mediatorial work for saint and sinner, that he may soon return to our earth to take his people to their heavenly home. Shall we not co-operate with him in the final work of preparation? It is too late for us to plan and act as if we were going to make a long stay on earth. Let us sacrifice for the salvation of others, and lay up treasures where thieves can not break in. With so glorious a prospect before us, is it not better to sacrifice for God and his cause than to hide our talents in the earth, to have them perish with it and with us in the day of God’s just wrath that hasteth greatly?