When the prophet was surrounded by the enemies of the Lord, his servant was frightened, because he was sure his master would be killed. The prophet of God, however, was calm; he looked up to God, and said, “Open the young man’s eyes.” His eyes were opened, and he looked around, and saw the Armies of the Lord, with Horses and Chariots of Fire: all the Artillery of Heaven surrounding and protecting one little prophet of God.
They said to Paul, “This sect is everywhere spoken against.” (Acts 28, 22.) The gospel preached by the Holy Ghost, with signs, stirs the devil, and his hosts in these last days. They lay pits and traps to catch us, as they did to our Saviour, at the time when they were going to throw him over the hill, to destroy him; but he slipped away. The devil hates me with perfect hatred, and has tried many times, and in many ways, to kill and destroy me. I only escaped by the ever present, watchful, loving care of my Lord. He said, “Fear not, I am with you.” It means everything to know that God is with us.
I have been in many places where my life was not worth a straw, but I always stood firm. I have been in the greatest dangers, but bless and praise His Holy Name, He always came, with the Hosts of Heaven, and in such a way that the fear of God fell on them, whether it was one, or a howling mob. Sometimes they could not move; sometimes they fell like drunken men; others: ran, and they were glad to escape with their lives and liberty. In all these trials God got the victory, for all knew that the Lord was with me, and with us, and fighting His own battles.
California Meetings
California is a great place for wickedness, and for men and women to hide from the law. In the great crowds that attended our meetings, they told me there were murderers there, and all kinds of other outlaws; they mixed through the crowds, with concealed weapons, ready to kill, or fight at the least thing that did not suit them. The brothers built a high board fence around the back of the pulpit, where I stood; they did not tell me why, but they were afraid I would be shot while preaching.
Some were saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and some of their friends objecting to this, let the devil take charge of them; they sent a letter, with a sketch of a skull and cross-bones; also one of a heart with a dagger stuck through it, and the blood
