p. 15 | -Christian Ward by Christian Ward

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 13.

—Christian Ward

By Christian Ward

“Doing”

This treatise, “Power for Witnessing,” as the author, Albion F. Ballenger, truly remarks in the preface, is more an “exhortation to doing” than an exposition of doctrine. It is written in a good, clear style, and can not fail to impress the reader as the utterance of a man with deep convictions and an intense desire to do good.

The theme is the full baptism of the Holy Ghost as a necessary preparation for witnessing. To secure this power there must first be a cleansing. We have no need of power to bear witness of weaknesses, infirmities, or sins. Who wants to publish the possession of an unruly tongue or an uncontrolled temper? In order to be a witness, there must first of all be something to tell. Upon repentance and faith come forgiveness of sins. We must bear witness at once up to the point of all that God has done for us. The reason why the class or testimony meeting is often so poorly attended is because there are so few that have anything to tell. The first thing to do is to get an experience worth telling.

At this stage in the unfolding of his theme, the author gives a vivid account of his own experience. Candidates for the baptism of the Holy Ghost must confess their sins to God and their faults to their neighbor, and in every case wherein they have wronged any one, make full restitution.

These points Mr. Ballenger illustrates by many incidents and personal illustrations. Righteousness must precede power. The dominion of sin can and must be broken. When the Lord has shown us a sin there is no need for us to continue in it any more.