Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

54 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[55]even by some professed Christians who accepted the Bible, yet failedto learn its great and important truths. Their blinded eyes seemed tosee but a vague and distant meaning in the solemn warning, God “hathappointed a day, in the which He will judge the world,” and in theassurance that the saints will be caught up together to meet the Lordin the air.The orthodox churches used every means to prevent the belief inChrist’s soon coming from spreading. No liberty was granted in theirmeetings to those who dared mention a hope of the soon coming ofChrist. Professed lovers of Jesus scornfully rejected the tidings that Hewhom they claimed as their best friend was soon to visit them. Theywere excited and angered against those who proclaimed the news ofHis coming, and who rejoiced that they should speedily behold Himin His glory.Every moment seemed to me of the utmost importance. I felt thatwe were doing work for eternity and that the careless and uninterestedwere in the greatest peril. My faith was unclouded, and I appropriatedto myself the precious promises of Jesus. He had said to His disciples:“Ask, and ye shall receive.” I firmly believed that whatever I asked inaccordance with the will of God would certainly be granted to me. Isank in humility at the feet of Jesus, with my heart in harmony withHis will.I often visited families and engaged in earnest prayer with thosewho were oppressed by fears and despondency. My faith was sostrong that I never doubted for a moment that God would answer myprayers, and without a single exception the blessing and peace of Jesusrested upon us in answer to our humble petitions, and the hearts of thedespairing ones were made joyful by light and hope.With diligent searching of heart and humble confessions we cameprayerfully up to the time of expectation. Every morning we felt thatit was our first work to secure the evidence that our lives were rightbefore God. Our interest for one another increased; we prayed muchwith and for one an other. We assembled in the orchards and groves tocommune with God and to offer up our petitions to Him, feeling morefully in His presence when surrounded by His natural works. The joysof salvation were more necessary to us than our food and drink. Ifclouds obscured our minds, we dared not rest or sleep till they wereswept away by the consciousness of our acceptance with the Lord.