p. 54 | Some Personal Experiences by A. T. Robinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 15, 1914

Some Personal Experiences

By A. T. Robinson

—No. 1

A. T. ROBINSON

THERE is nothing that gives one greater confidence and assurance in the message which is now preparing a people for the soon coming of our Saviour than to have that truth become a personal experience in the life.

One of the special characteristics of the remnant church, as foretold in the Scriptures, is the exercise of the spirit of prophecy among them. The church of Jesus Christ, after the close of his personal ministry, was enriched by the bestowal of added spiritual gifts. "Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he . . . gave gifts unto men." Eph. 4:8. These gifts are for the benefit of the church, and are to remain therein until, through the work of the ministry, the church reaches perfection, and its entire membership comes to the unity of the faith. Eph. 4:12, 13. The testimony of the apostle assures us that when the church is waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus, the spirit of prophecy will be confirmed therein. 1 Cor. 1:6, 7; Rev. 19:10. The dragon was wroth with John, the revelator, because of the "testimony of Jesus Christ," and in order to get rid of that gift banished that aged servant of God to the lonely island of Patmos. Rev. 1:2, 9.

The same dragonic spirit was to be manifested against the remnant church, because they "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," which is declared to be the "spirit of prophecy." Rev. 12:17; 19:10.

The gift of prophecy, as in the case of the early church, is for the special benefit of God's believing children. As stated by the apostle, "Prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." 1 Cor. 14:22. It seems appropriate therefore to "call to remembrance" some of those experiences in which the exercise of this blessed gift has saved the cause and work of God from confusion and disaster, in connection with this closing message of the gospel. Having had some experiences in connection with the exercise of the gift of prophecy in the work of the third angel's message, the writer has felt impressed to relate some of those experiences, that others "might know the certainty of those things" "which are surely believed among us."

In the year 1887 it was my privilege to spend several weeks in company with Sister E. G. White and her son, Elder W. C. White, traveling and laboring in the Eastern States. In the early part of November a general meeting was held at Salamanca, N. Y. One morning during the time of the meeting, Elder White and I went to the room in which Sister White was staying, and in the course of conversation she said to us, "A scene was presented to me during the night, which I wish to relate to you." Her mind seemed to go from the subject, and the conversation continued on other themes. After we had left the room, I remarked to Elder White that his mother did not tell us what had been presented to her.

The following winter, in the month of January, I think, at the General Conference in Battle Creek, Mich., Sister White preached in the Tabernacle on Sabbath morning from the text, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." The Tabernacle was crowded to its utmost capacity. The sermon was a powerful appeal in behalf of holding aloft the banner of truth and letting the world know that we have a special message for this time. Three times during that sermon these words were repeated: "At the Salamanca meeting some things were presented before me which I wish to relate." Each time her mind seemed to be somewhat confused, and the third time she said, with a great deal of emphasis, "but I shall have more to say about that some other time." I felt intensely interested in the repeated references to the Salamanca meeting, and was anxious to hear her relate what had been presented to her at that time. This led me to note more particularly and remember more exactly what she said each time.

That Sabbath afternoon Sister White met in counsel with members of the General Conference committee and others, at which time she told Elder Geo. I. Butler, president of the General Conference, that she would not be out to the early morning meeting the following day.

On the evening of that Sabbath day a meeting of the members of the Religious Liberty Association was held in the Review Office chapel, at which quite a lengthy and heated discussion took place concerning the policy of the American Sentinel. One party contended strongly that the Sentinel should not contain strong articles on what was termed "the objectionable features of our faith." Others contended just as earnestly that the Sentinel must be true to its name and proclaim the whole message. One brother in that meeting exhibited a copy of the paper, calling attention to certain articles which would arouse prejudice in the minds of statesmen and leading men to whom the paper was being sent. This meeting lasted until past midnight, and the discussion waxed so warm and earnest that it ended in the adoption, by majority vote, of a resolution to drop the American Sentinel as the official organ of the Religious Liberty Association, and launch a new paper for that purpose.

From that meeting just referred to I went home with Brother W. C. White, where I was being entertained during the conference. On Sunday morning, as we were on the way to the Tabernacle to attend the early morning meeting, which was held from 5:30 to 6:30, as we passed the home of Sister White we noticed the house was lighted up, and Brother White remarked that his mother must have changed her mind and was planning to attend the meeting. It was a stinging cold winter morning, but after the meeting was opened, Sister White and her attendant came in. Elder Butler asked her if she had something to say, to which she replied that she had, and began by repeating the text of the Sabbath morning sermon. After speaking very earnestly for some time along the same line of thought that she had presented in her sermon the morning before, she said, in a very impressive manner, "At the Salamanca meeting I was taken into a meeting of brethren where the subject under discussion was the American Sentinel. One in the company arose, with a copy of the paper in his hand, and pointed out certain articles which should not be published in the paper." She then bore a very earnest testimony, to the effect that there must be no compromising of the principles of the message.

That meeting, instead of closing at half past six for breakfast, as usual, continued until past ten o'clock. I shall never forget the confessions made by those who the night before thought they were right, but who were ready to change their course of action. The brother who had made the canvass of the Sentinel the night before was the first to speak after Sister White closed. He said, "Sister White, I was in that meeting and was the one who pointed out what articles should not be published in the Sentinel. That meeting was held last night." As he said this, Sister White interrupted him, and I shall never forget the puzzled look on her face as she exclaimed, "Last night!"

Instead of strife and division among those who had been in the meeting the night before, the hearts of all were cemented together by the sweet Spirit of God, which had rested down upon the morning meeting, and all were ready to go forward in the proclamation of the whole message committed to this people.

College View, Nebr.