第 18 节
作者:
谁与争疯 更新:2021-02-19 00:36 字数:9322
hearts of the children of men。 I have been greatly edified by conversing
with Catholic priests。 When I lived in Texas my spiritual condition was
such that I wanted some explanation。 I went to see Father Hennesy; of
Houston; I explained to him my strange leadings; he said a wise and
good thing; told me to 〃read the scriptures and pray and God would lead
me right。〃
I was at church in Medicine Lodge one night; during a protracted
meeting held by Bro。 Parker and Hodges。 Two sisters came to me and
complained that I made so much noise; said they could not enjoy the service。
I said: 〃To please you I will try to keep quiet; but remember
it is my God and YOUR God I am praising。 I would rejoice to hear
you praise Him。〃 Next night something was said that was good to
me。 I said: 〃Praise God!〃 caught myself when I saw one of the sisters
near; and from that time I felt little impulse and at last none。 I went
to every meeting but lost my liberty and became so bound; I could not
testify or pray。 I was very miserable; would weep from a desolation of
spirit。 This continued for three weeks。 The meeting was still going on。
My spiritual darkness became so great; I went up one afternoon to the altar。
I rose and told of how I had 〃lost my liberty and peace by withholding
praise to God by trying to please two sisters。〃 While I was confessing;
the spirit fell in great power and I acted like I was beside myself; was
almost wild with delight。 I seemed to fly home and back in the evening。
One in this state appears crazy to the world; even disgusting。 No one
sees a reason for this unnatural overflow of feeling。 At the beginning
of the service; opportunity was given for testimony。 I rose eager to tell
of my returned joy; told of praying for; and getting what I prayed for;
then losing it; by compromise; closed by saying: 〃That never again
would I refuse to do the will of God even if it offended all and made me
appear a fool。〃 My testimony seemed to be fanatical; for my manner
indicated one greatly moved。 When I took my seat a 〃still small voice〃
said。 〃You must sing a song。〃 Bro。 Osburn was sitting near。 He had
the song book 〃Finest of the Wheat;〃 in his hands。 I took it then handed
it back。 I felt like one in a dreadful dilemmaall joy had given place
to fear。 Bro。 Osburn again handed me the book。 I felt then I must go
through this trying ordeal。 I took the book; walked up to the front; all
were standing; the church crowded and Bro。 Parker gave out the number
of the hymn 〃40〃。 〃No;〃 I said; 〃We will sing No。 3。〃 This song
was; 〃I know Not Why This Wondrous Grace To Me He Hath Made
Known。〃 Bro。 Parker gave out the number again。 I said; 〃No;〃 and
began to sing。 Bro。 Allen accompanied me with his cornet。 Of course
one can imagine what an impression this would make on an audience。
I sang; two verses and the chorus。 I then took my seat。 Then a flood
of peace and heavenly companionship took possession of me。 I then knew
what it was to have angels minister unto you。 God took me at my word
and made me appear a 〃fool;〃 and objectionable; to the whole people。
What a fatal result there might have been; if I had not obeyed God!
I know why people do not have power with God。 They will not
abandon themselves to the whole will of God; because they will not suffer
the OFFENSE of the cross。 Why care for the criticism of men that change
and die!
I had an experience once for eight months; when I felt that Christ
had turned his face from me; not in displeasure; but this was a trial of
faith。 My prayers had no response; brought me no hope of having been
heard。 But I prayed quite as much; if not more。 Never got discouraged;
although I was in gloom; and my heart was like lead。 All at once there
was a return of the conscious presence of God。 'Tis a poor servant that
serves only for hire。 〃Though He slay me yet will I trust Him。〃 God
has kept me from following any but Him。
One dear friend thought that Haney was the great holiness teacher;
another one thought Carodine。 They would quote their sayings; but
I always found better and clearer teaching in the word of God。 I could
see errors in all the holiness teachers; but not one in the Bible。 The
book of Job settled the question of the most perfect experience。 Men can
be perfect men and not perfect saints。 When Job was; 〃holding fast
his integrity〃 God did not bless him like He did when Job saw the perfection
of God and said: Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust
and ashes。〃 The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest lesson in holiness and is
from the only one that can teach holiness。 Great lessons
can be taught by all persons; taught of God; but 'tis better to drink at
the fountain than out of a stale bucket。 Besides all have imperfection。
〃To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this
word it is because there is no light in them。〃 〃They shall all be taught
of God。〃 〃If any lack wisdom; let him ask of God who giveth to all
liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given。〃
From the time that my Christian experience began; I never wished
to be associated with rich people; or rather people that had wealth for
display。 Would feel uncomfortable to go in a house filled with furniture
or bric…a…brac。 It would be an evidence to me of the great waste of
money and time by the owner。 Nothing had value to me only as it could
be used for the salvation of men and women; and the glorifying of God。
It mortified me to see a 〃swell dressed〃 woman。 I noticed that those so…
called fashionable women really never had time or money to do charity。
Of course there are exceptions。 The display of wealth to me is an evidence
of a depraved nature。 The use of wealth; is in relieving the wants
of mankind。 The time is coming when the millionaires will be the
despised of the people; for they are learning fast that people who amass
fortunes; and hoard them; are in that condition because they have ground
the face of the poor。 They are not honest or good。 A man or woman
now that can hoard money or goods and pass and repass the suffering
every day; has a cold; selfish heart; and instead of its being in the future
a letter of credit to say: 〃Mr。 So and So is a millionaire;〃 it will be a
disgrace as it should be; to live for wealth and self alone。 Still
'tis well to get all the money in a good way; that you can and then use it
in a good cause。 Job was a rich man but he was a friend of the 〃fatherless
and widow。〃 He dealt his bread to the hungry。 He was feet to the lame
and eyes to the blind。〃 Such rich men as Job are blessings; but those
men who boast of their hoarded treasures; spend their money in the
gratification of their lusts; to them God says: 〃Woe or curses unto you
rich men! Weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you!
Your garments are motheaten; your gold is cankered and the rust shall
eat your flesh as if it were fire。〃 Yes; there is a class of rich men that
would now HOWL; and weep with all their money; if they knew their fate。
I have never had so light a heart or felt so well satisfied as since I
smashed those murder mills。 For years I had an aching; weeping heart。
I would often put ashes on my head。 I felt like wearing sackcloth。 I can
see the hand of God in my life。 From a small child I loved the world;
used to be fond of pets。 It seemed that my pets always came to grief。
Then I was very anxious to be thought smart。 Would try to write and
wanted a thorough education。 I became almost an invalid。 Could not
attend school。 Was hindered on account of the circumstances brought
about by the Civil war。 The man I loved and married brought to me
bitter grief。 The child I loved so well became afflicted and never seemed
to want my love。 The man I married; hoping to serve God; I found to
be opposed to all I did; as a Christian。 I used to wonder why this was。
I saw others with their loving children and husbands and I would wish
their condition was mine。 I now see why God saw in me a great lover;
and in order to have me use that love for Him; and others; He did not
let me have those that would have narrowed my life down to my own
selfish wishes。 Oh! the grief He has sent me! Oh! the fiery trials!
Oh! the shattered hopes! How I love Him for this! 〃Whom the Lord
loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth。〃
There are pages in my life that have had much to do in bringing me in
sympathy with the fallen tempted natures。 These I cannot write; but let
no erring; sinful man or woman think that Carry Nation would not understand
this; for Carry Nation is a sinner saved by grace and I know He
can save to the uttermost; all that come unto Him。 〃Heaven is made for
redeemed sinners and hell for the proud and disobedient。〃 When I
see the proud glance; the boastful manner; the display of; 〃I am better
than thou;〃 I feel pity and commiseration for the poor dying creature and
see 〃behind the face a grinning skull〃。 I like the companionship of the
servant in the kitchen more than the mistress in the parlor。 I covet the
humblest walk。 I wish for the power; often; to make the rich take back
seats; and give the front to the poor; the crippled; the lame and the blind。
I will not have a piece of fine furni