An Interesting Meeting
By E. R. PALMER
The service at the Battle Creek church, Sabbath morning, May 2, was of more than usual interest. The morning was beautiful, and the seating capacity of the large church was taxed to the utmost. On the stand were four of the “old hands,” Elders G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, I. D. Van Horn, and G. A. Irwin. Fifteen years have passed since these aged warriors, who have been fighting the battles of the Lord in various countries, have had the privilege of all uniting in such a service; and it was evident that they greatly enjoyed the renewed association. Elder Butler led the congregation in prayer. His earnest words of supplication carried the writer, and probably many others, back to the days of childhood and youth, when the Holy Spirit, again and again, used that same voice, both in prayer and in exhortation, to stir our hearts, and turn our feet into the way of this truth. Elder Haskell spoke on the subject of the Holy Spirit, introducing the lesson by reading the wonderful tenfold promise of the Spirit as found in Luke 11: 9-13. The Lord greatly blessed his aged servant with clear thought and powerful utterance. The sermon was reported, and it will probably appear in an early issue of the REVIEW. A gratifying feature of the service was the powerful “Amens” from Brother Butler. Such responses are none too common at the present time. The good old “amen corner” has almost died out. The occasional revival of it by the “old hands” is indeed refreshing. On this occasion the strong “Amens” seemed to gather up the words of the speaker, and carry them, warm and glowing, to the hearts of the listeners. Following the remarks, the congregation united in singing the familiar and fitting words:—
“Holy Spirit, faithful Guide,
Ever near the Christian’s side;
Gently lead us by the hand,
Pilgrims in a desert land;
Weary souls fore’er rejoice,
When they hear that sweetest voice,
Whisper softly, ‘Wanderer, come!
Follow me, I’ll guide thee home!’” At the close of the meeting thirteen candidates were buried in baptism. Elder Jones preached at the same hour in the Sanitarium chapel.