p. 166 | AN IMPRESSIVE DREAM by C. W. Stone

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 21.

AN IMPRESSIVE DREAM.

By C. W. Stone

[Bro. C. W. Stone sends the following dream for publication in the REVIEW, at the request of his brethren.]

One night several weeks ago, I dreamed that a stranger stopped in front of my door with a span of horses and a double sled. He unhitched the horses and led them into my neighbor's barn. I went out and stepped upon the sled. It began to slide back down a little descent into the road. With a very even and gentle movement it passed across a level space of about six rods, then up a little rise, such as it descended at first. I thought it a little strange that the sled should go so far; for the hill down which it slid at first was slight, and the sled had moved slowly all the way; but I concluded that it was all right, and did not study very deeply into the matter. As the sled was about to cross the railway, I put my foot down and easily stopped it.

It was now down hill in the opposite direction, so it was not very surprising that the sled began to slide back over the same ground. With the same easy movement it returned to the place where I first got on, and passing onward it ran up over a bank into the field, and moved in a large circle around the buildings. I was somewhat puzzled with the moving of the sled up over the bank, but I stopped philosophizing and settled down to an enjoyment of the ride. There was something about it that was so bewitching, so fascinating, that my misgivings were soon quieted. With that same lulling movement, the sled completed the circuit, coming down into the road over a bank, which, though usually very steep, was then very well graded.

The sled began the second round. This time it ascended a very steep bank, and as it reached the field its speed began to increase rapidly, although on rising ground. I was aroused, and queried, What makes this sled go? The answer came into my mind, This is spiritualism. Some invisible hand draws this sled.

Then I reasoned thus: This is a wonderful power that I have. This feat is fully equal to that of the medium in London who was transported from a high window to another on the opposite side of the street by unseen power. I shall become famous. I shall be sought after by people from all parts of the world. But is it right for me to dabble in spiritualism? I know it is of the devil. But it is so charming to ride on this sled and the honor will be so great that I will ride awhile. I can get off just when I want to do so; and as I know that it is wrong, of course I will get off before any harm comes.

Having thus put down my wholesome fears, I thought to enjoy myself a little longer. The speed increased. I looked ahead to the bank between myself and the road, with some fear that the sled would not run down over it so smoothly as it did before. My fears were realized. When I reached the bank I found it a perpendicular fall of about fifteen feet. The sled went over, and, falling faster than I did, it turned over twice, striking right side up. Thrilled with fear, I floated down easily to the sled. I ought then to have got off, but recklessly I rode on. The sled now took a different course, running down through a field full of stumps and hollows. It was very rough.

There was now no pleasure in riding, nor was there a prospect of being able to get safely off, so great was the speed. My whole strength was now employed in clinging to the sled which was just entering a forest. The route was descending, and as far ahead as I could see it was down hill. The forest grew denser, and as I peered down into its dismal shades a cold shudder passed over me; for I saw that I was being borne rapidly down into the deep, dark valley of despair and everlasting destruction.

Before me was death. An effort to stop could result in nothing worse. I must make it. I struck my foot firmly against a rock. The sled stopped. I arose to retrace my way, but I could not move a step. A mighty attraction, which seemed like magnetism, held me. I looked, and, lo! thirty feet from me, with a triumphant smile on his dark visage, his feet firmly braced, stood an evil angel. He held a mass of cords in his hands which, I then saw, passed from me, proceeding from all parts of my body from my head to my feet. Close to my body the cords were invisible, but they held me with such power that I could not move.

Oh, the terror of my situation! “Led captive by the devil at his will,” on his own ground, how should I escape? I saw that my own strength was not sufficient to take me back, even one step. I began to pray. I took my eyes off from my enemy and looked toward Heaven. Thick clouds hung over me with awful darkness. I prayed in agony. I pleaded for help. I confessed my sin. The cloud parted a little, and a ray of light fell down like a cord. I seized it and was inspired with hope. I clung to the cords and began to pull my way back to the clearing. It was hard work, but continuing in earnest prayer, I pressed forward. The opening in the cloud enlarged, and a large bundle of rays of light like cords, by which I held, came

down through. I gained strength. The farther I went, the faster I could go, and the more help and light I received.

I reached the field of stumps and struggled up through it, never once ceasing to pray, nor taking my eye off from the opening in the clouds. Just as I was stepping from the field of stumps into the road before my own door, the cords by which Satan held me dropped off. Prayer was turned to praise. It seemed light all around. I praised God for victory over the enemy, and in God's name I bade him defiance. He turned and fled in great haste down into the dark woods from which I had been delivered. The joy of that moment cannot be told.

A voice near me said, “This dream is to illustrate the way individuals yield to temptation and indulge in petty sins, until they are ensnared by the devil; and also to show that man cannot overcome in his own strength.”

I awoke. The dream was fresh in my mind. I pondered its application. I saw that it was a perfect illustration of the downward course of him who yields to temptation. He begins to violate the Sabbath by cutting a little off from each end. He grows more careless until he takes the whole. He associates occasionally with evil companions. He knows it is wrong, but thinks to leave them at some future time. He clings to them till the prison or the gallows looms up before him, when he awakes to his lost condition.

The young are often fond of gay society. Such a youth is converted. He knows that the influence of his trifling companions is not good. Still, for this once, he will go to that party. He knows that it is not just right, but he does not mean to make a practice of it. He goes. The lively talk, the flattering attentions of some one, the excitement generally, are too much for him. He goes again and again. Light conversation and vain thoughts take possession of his mind; and if he thinks at all of reforming, he puts the day so far in the future that he may never reach it.

A young man begins to take an occasional glass, or smoke an occasional cigar, with his friends. He does not wish to become a drunkard nor a smoker. He says he can take a glass or let it alone; he can smoke a cigar or not; he can stop when he wishes. Ah! that is a deception of the devil. He knows it is wrong, and yet he has not the power to resist the first temptation to indulge, nor the second, nor the third, or else he does not wish to resist. How does he know that he will ever wish to stop? or that he will have the power when he does desire to reform?

The best way is not to get on the sled—not to place yourself where you will be tempted. But if you are on the sled, stop it when you can do it easily. Show your power to resist temptation by doing it at first. It can never be done so easily as then.

Dear reader, what sin is binding you down and making you a slave? Set your foot down firmly, and call upon God for help. There is no time to lose. The Judgment will soon reveal every secret sin. None but the pure in heart shall see God. Jesus soon is coming. Those who will have the confidence to say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us,” will be found yielding to no sin. They will have gotten a complete victory. May the reader and the writer be among that happy number. C. W. STONE.

Richford, Vt.