Signs and Wonders God Wrought in the Ministry for Forty Years/Chapter 5
CHAPTER V
SURPRISES
While at Lima, Ohio, I attended a surprise party on Father P., it being his eighty-third birthday. About one hundred and sixty took dinner in a beautiful grove near the house. Several of the oldest settlers in the county were present. After the old gentleman had been loaded with presents, I opened the meeting with singing. Father R., the first settler in Van Wert county, led in prayer. I preached from the text, "We are Pilgrims and Strangers," after which we had a praise meeting. Nine rose for the prayers of God's people. We closed by singing, "Oh, Think of the Home Over There," and shaking hands. We felt that we would never meet again in that glorious gathering; but if faithful we will all meet on the Golden Shore, where we never more shall say good-bye.
At Bro. B.'s request we went to Zion, Olive Branch Circuit, in May, and commenced a meeting which continued two weeks. I found a few names on the class book, but they were scattered. Only two or three faithful ones could be found. They, with their pastor, were discouraged. They had so much opposition to contend with, that they thought Zion would never rise and shine. But I held on by faith, and the walls began to go up. Although it was in corn planting time, I had meeting day and night. The meetings were well attended. On Sabbath the house was full, and in the evening they could not all get into the house. God's people were very much revived, and back-sliders were reclaimed, and many came out in the true light.
A few days after the meeting closed, a man was thrown from his horse near the church and killed. I believe it was a warning from God to those who were fighting conviction. He was out of Christ, and no doubt took a leap in the dark. Dear reader, how is it with you? If the Pale Messenger of Death should come for you to-day, would you take a leap into Eternity, and hear the Judge say: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting punishment, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth," or would you go shouting home to glory? God help you to make Heaven your home. After our visit to those places I held meeting a few days in a school-house, and fifteen arose for prayers. Six of one family came out upon the Lord's side. A young man with whom I had labored hard and tried to induce to come to Christ, died very suddenly. He died without leaving any evidence of being saved. His death cast a gloom over the whole neighborhood. His father and the whole family, except his mother, were unsaved. I was particularly interested in this family; but they never came to meeting.
Some of the brethren said I could get the school-house near where they lived. We held one meeting, and they attended. We had services once a week for a month. The mother came out in a very bright experience, and the father and five of the children were happily converted, except one son. He said he was not satisfied yet. They all united with the class at Fairview and are very earnest workers. I think they will be a great help to the church. Bro. C. preached at Fairview, and opened the doors of the church. Ten were taken in—this family among the number. We then went to the river, where twenty were baptized. I never saw a more beautiful sight. The Holy Spirit came down in great power, and nearly every one came out of the water shouting and praising the Lord. A very large crowd witnessed the scene, and all seemed to feel the power of God. We then went to the school-house and had preaching in the evening.
I had been holding a few meetings at Bethel, and on coming home was surprised to see buggies and wagons and people approaching the house from all directions. The dear brothers and sisters and friends were gathering on that day to celebrate my thirty-ninth anniversary. They all brought their baskets well filled, and the table was burdened with good things. After we had all done justice to the good things with which the table was so bountifully spread, I received quite a number of presents. We then collected in the grove near by, where we spent the rest of the day in religious services. The exercises were opened by the Rev. T., and prayer was offered by Bro. W. Bro. H. made some appropriate remarks, and excellent addresses were delivered by other brethren, after which remarks were made by some of the sisters. The power of God was wonderfully manifested. I then thanked the people for their kindness, and talked of the Glorious Reunion awaiting us by and by over the River. We then rose and sung, "Oh, Think of a Home Over There." I said we would shake hands while singing, and all think of our Home and loved ones over there. The whole congregation wept, and we all felt that if we never met on earth again, we would meet in heaven, where there is no parting and no sorrow.
I held a basket meeting, commencing July 28th, 1883, and continuing three days, in the beautiful grove by the side of the river. There was a large attendance and the best of order prevailed. On Sabbath about two thousand people assembled in the grove. We had a praise meeting in the morning. It was a glorious sight to see the children of God from all denominations, and hear them raise their voices telling their hope of heaven. At the close of this heavenly feast I preached from the text, "Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the Seven Seals thereof." The power of God was wonderfully present. A death-like stillness rested over the people, and many of the saints and sinners wept. In the afternoon Bro. M. preached on "The Early Dawn of the Church; its Moonlight and Sunlight of To-day." At the close we went to the river near by, and a number were baptized by Bro. M. As I looked over the multitude crowding the river-bank, my mind went back to the scene at Jordan. In the evening I preached from the text, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him."