GETTING AHEAD OF THE SPIRIT

     Doubtless if we believed God more implicitly we might make fewer mistakes. It is so natural to become restless and over-anxious, especially on special occasions, lest things should not come out all right. At such times we act as though God had deserted us, or, to say the least, had to be coaxed mightily to consider the situation.

     I well remember the time when a business man who offered us his horses came to our home to pray through, and was at it from early morning until nine o'clock at night. No nourishment had been taken and such unearthly groans and confessions were being wrung from his soul that he could not stop, nor could we offer a suggestion. Up until about eight o'clock, the Holy Ghost seemed to say. "Everybody stand back while I deal with this man's depravity." About this time the presence of God lifted a little and the man felt great relief, but did not have a clear witness.

     Here was where I made a mistake. I feared that he had had such a threshing out that to stop short and leave without the assurance and little or no joy might bring a reaction and he might become disgusted and never return. Accordingly, I urged him to press his case until he was fully satisfied. For another hour he agonized, largely in his own strength, and finally said, "I am so weak in body that I can go no further." Without saying much, he departed. During the night the Lord began to talk to me, saying, "That one hour out of the Spirit did more hurt physically, mentally and spiritually than all the other twelve." Oh, what anguish of soul I suffered that night! I told God if He would only overrule it and give us another chance, I would have sense and discernment enough to keep out of His way and stop when He stopped. He took me at my word and sent the dear man back with additional light which he could not have afforded to have passed over, even had it been possible to have received the witness of the Spirit without it. He and his entire family took the way.

     I can see now that God had to permit this blunder of mine to teach me a valuable lesson, viz., to rest in Him and believe Him to bring all things to pass. It taught me that when one fully commits himself, his family and his interests to God, no power can wrest them out of the Omnipotent grasp. "Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

     It taught me that though it is a great art to get souls to the altar, yet they are generally "healed slightly" who are pulled there prematurely. If they are too honest to profess, and yet are not under deep conviction, they are ashamed to return, and thus we defeat our own object.

     It taught me that, though superficial teachers abuse faith and let souls profess too easily, there is, on the other hand, and self-sacrifice, the calls are larger and more frequent. In fact, I fear I am too busy; last season we assisted in ten camp meetings, and at this time, (December 1st) my slate is full until next October. Some good brethren have felt grieved with me because I canceled their calls to their large camps and have accepted smaller invitations. They cannot understand it. But in order to keep the fire and holy unction, I must be saved from itching and pulling for the larger places. Who knows but in the end God may get more glory at the small point! A reformer, a missionary, or a great soul-winner may be dug out in the out-of-way places; whereas, if I took pride in filling the larger calls, I might miss God's first plan. "Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee in open."