Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

50 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[50]On one occasion, while Elder Stockman was preaching, ElderBrown, a Christian Baptist minister, whose name has been mentionedbefore in this narrative, was sitting in the desk listening to the sermonwith intense interest. He became deeply moved, and suddenly hiscountenance grew pale as the dead, he reeled in his chair, and ElderStockman caught him in his arms just as he was falling to the floor,and laid him on the sofa behind the desk, where he lay powerless untilthe discourse was finished.He then arose, his face still pale, but shining with light from theSun of Righteousness, and gave a very impressive testimony. Heseemed to receive holy unction from above. He was usually slow ofspeech, with an earnest manner, entirely free from excitement. On thisoccasion his solemn, measured words carried with them a new poweras he warned sinners and his brother ministers to put away unbelief,prejudice, and cold formality, and, like the noble Bereans, search thesacred writings, comparing scripture with scripture, to ascertain ifthese things were not true. He entreated the ministers present not tofeel themselves injured by the direct and searching manner in whichElder Stockman had presented the solemn subject that interested allminds.Said he: “We want to reach the people; we want sinners to beconvicted and become truly repentant before it is too late for them tobe saved, lest they shall take up the lamentation, ‘The harvest is past,the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ Brethren in the ministrysay that our arrows hit them; will they please stand aside from betweenus and the people, and let us reach the hearts of sinners? If they makethemselves a target for our aim, they have no reason to complain of thewounds they receive. Stand aside, brethren, and you will not get hit!”He related his own experience with such simplicity and candorthat many who had been greatly prejudiced were affected to tears. TheSpirit of God was felt in his words and seen upon his countenance.With a holy exaltation he boldly declared that he had taken the wordof God as his counselor, that his doubts had been swept away andhis faith confirmed. With earnestness he invited his brother ministers,church members, sinners, and infidels to examine the Bible for themselves,and charged them to let no man turn them from the purpose ofascertaining what was the truth.