Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

64 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[66]that I was doing the will of God, and saw marked results attending myefforts.The way providentially opened for me to go to the eastern part ofMaine. Brother William Jordan was going on business to Orrington,accompanied by his sister, and I was urged to go with them. As I hadpromised the Lord to walk in the path He opened before me, I darednot refuse. At Orrington I met Elder James White. He was acquaintedwith my friends, and was himself engaged in the work of salvation.The Spirit of God attended the message I bore; hearts were madeglad in the truth, and the desponding ones were cheered and encouragedto renew their faith. At Garland a large number collected fromdifferent quarters to hear my message. But my heart was very heavy; Ihad just received a letter from my mother begging me to return home,for false reports were circulating concerning me. This was an unexpectedblow. My name had always been free from the shadow ofreproach, and my reputation was very dear to me. I also felt grievedthat my mother should suffer on my account; her heart was bound upin her children, and she was very sensitive in regard to them. If therehad been an opportunity, I should have set out for home immediately;but this was impossible.My sorrow was so great that I felt too depressed to speak that night.My friends urged me to trust in the Lord; and at length the brethrenengaged in prayer for me. The blessing of the Lord soon rested uponme, and I bore my testimony that evening with great freedom. Thereseemed to be an angel standing by my side to strengthen me. Shouts ofglory and victory went up from that house, and the presence of Jesuswas felt among us.In my labors I was called to oppose the course of some who by theirfanaticism were bringing reproach upon the cause of God. These fanaticalones seemed to think that religion consisted in great excitementand noise. They would talk in a manner that would irritate unbelievers,and cause them to hate them and the doctrines they taught; then theywould rejoice that they suffered persecution. Unbelievers could seeno consistency in their course. The brethren in some places wereprevented from assembling for meetings. The innocent suffered withthe guilty. I carried a sad and heavy heart much of the time. It seemedcruel that the cause of Christ should be injured by the course of theseinjudicious men. They were not only ruining their own souls, but