AUTHENTIC HISTORICAL PROPHETIC DOCUMENTS

Spiritual Gifts. Volume 2 

EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS

CHAPTER IV

The Methodist Church

 

02.04.001 My brother Robert and myself still attended the Methodist class-meeting.

02.04.002 One evening the presiding elder was present.

02.04.003 And, filled with the love of God, I related what he had done for me, that I had at last found the blessing I had so long sought for--entire conformity to the will of God.

02.04.004 I rejoiced in the soon coming of Jesus.

02.04.005 I expected they would rejoice with me, but was disappointed.

02.04.006 After I ceased speaking Elder B. asked me if it would not be more pleasant to live a long life of holiness here, and do others good, than to have Jesus come and destroy poor sinners.

02.04.007 I told him I longed for Jesus to come.

02.04.008 Then sin would have an end, and we should enjoy sanctification forever where there would be no tempting Devil to lead our steps astray.

02.04.009 Then he asked me if I would not rather die easy on a bed, than to pass through the pain of being changed from mortal to immortality.

02.04.0010 I answered that I wished Jesus to come and save his children; and that I was willing to live or die; that I could endure all the pain that could be borne in a moment in the twinkling of an eye; and that I desird the wheels of time to roll swiftly round, and bring the welcome day, when these vile bodies should be changed, and fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body.

02.04.0011 I also stated that when I lived nearest to the Lord, the more earnestly did I long for his appearing.

02.04.0012 Some in the classmeeting seemed to be greatly displeased.

02.04.0013 Once more I attended class-meeting, and was happy in the love of God, and wished to bear my testimony among them. I told them again what Jesus had done for me, through the belief of the near coming of the Son of God.

02.04.0014 The class-leader interrupted me, saying, "Through Methodism!"

02.04.0015 But I could not give the glory to Methodism, when it was Christ and the hope of his soon coming, that made me free.

02.04.0016 I finished my testimony, the last I was ever to bear among the Methodists, and sat down.

02.04.0017 I was convinced that I must give up my belief in the soon coming of my Lord, or should have no freedom in class-meeting, or among the Methodists; for my feelings would be wounded, and their ire would be kindled against me, if I talked out what the Spirit of the Lord wrought in me.

02.04.0018 Soon the minister visited my father's family.

02.04.0019 The entire family were interested in the doctrine of the Lord's coming.

02.04.0020 The minister wished us to withdraw from the church, as that would save a church trial.

02.04.0021 My parents told him they wished to know the reason of this request.

02.04.0022 He said that we had been walking contrary to their rules, and that they had rather we would withdraw, than to have the sound go out that they had turned us out.

02.04.0023 We preferred a trial, that we might know what sin we had committed.

02.04.0024 We were not conscious of any wrong, unless it was a sin to be looking for, and loving the appearing of, our Saviour.

02.04.0025 Our family were notified of the church-meeting, and we met in the vestry of the meeting-house.

02.04.0026 The only charge brought against us was that we had walked contrary to their rules.

02.04.0027 It was asked, "What rules have we violated?"

02.04.0028 After a little hesitation it was stated that we had absented ourselves from the class-meeting, and had attended other meetings, and they considered that we had violated their rules.

02.04.0029 They were reminded of some who were retained in the church, who had not attended class meeting for more than a year, and a portion of our family had been in the country, and none who had remained in the city had absented themselves but a few weeks, and they were compelled to remain away because they could not talk out the sentiments of their heart.

02.04.0030 If they mentioned the coming of their Saviour, or their love for his appearing, there was a hard pressing spirit against them, and such displeasure manifested that there was a plain division of feeling, and we knew if they loved Jesus they would love to hear of his coming.

02.04.0031 It was asked us whether we would agree to conform to their rules, and confess that we had walked contrary to them.

02.04.0032 We answered that we would confess that after the manner which they call heresy, so would we worship the God of our fathers.

02.04.0033 We dared not yield our faith.

02.04.0034 With free spirits, happy in the love of God, we left the vestry of the Methodist meeting-house.

02.04.0035 We had the assurance that God was on our side, who was more than all they that were against us.

02.04.0036 At the commencement of their love-feast, Elder B. read off our names, seven in number, and wished it understood that it was not for immoral conduct that we were turned out, but for a breach of their rules.

02.04.0037 He also stated that a door was now open, and all who should walk contrary to their rules would share the same fate.

02.04.0038 They had made a beginning, and should follow it up.

02.04.0039 There were others in the Methodist church who were looking for the appearing of the Saviour.

02.04.0040 They wished to hold these persons among them by frightening them.

02.04.0041 They succeeded in a few instances, and some sold their favor with God for a place in the Methodist church.

02.04.0042 Many believed, but dared not confess their faith for fear of being turned out of the synagogue.

02.04.0043 They loved the praise of men more than the favor of God.

02.04.0044 Some afterwards left them and joined those who were loving the appearing of Jesus.

02.04.0045 We were all pushed out of the church because we believed and talked the near coming of our Saviour.

02.04.0046 At this time the words of the prophet were exceedingly precious: "Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Isa. lxvi, 5.

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