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