Ellen White's Plea at a Methodist District Meeting
For several days such scriptures as the following have been ringing in my ears: “If thou take forth the precious from the vile, . . . I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall;” “Join thyself to this chariot.” About 2 A. M. last night I awoke, and went to my “cave,” where I go to seek the Lord. A long time I prayed, till at length a calm settled upon me; and coming forth, I found that the day had dawned, so I went about my daily duties, until suddenly I conceived the idea of going to a city twelve miles away, with my husband, to do some business. On my way I stopped at the home of one of the members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which I was once a member, and under which, at one time, I had license to preach. Before I left her home, she said to me, “Come and go with me to district meeting next week. I have to read a paper on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I wish you would help me out.” I saw in a moment an opportunity for the truth. The subjects assigned for discussion were, the Millennium, Intermediate State of the Dead, Exposition of Luke 16, and Our Inheritance in Christ. After the reading of the papers, an open discussion is to follow. I ask prayer that I may be used of the Lord in his own way, and that points of doctrine brought out may be gracefully, but forcibly, met by the Word, as evidently the Lord designs to be done by myself. I feel that the truth is on trial, and it is for the truth I plead.