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Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White
that I never doubted for a moment that God would answer my prayers.
Without a single exception, the blessing and peace of Jesus rested upon
us in answer to our humble petitions, and the hearts of the despairing
[53]
ones were made joyful by light and hope.
With diligent searching of heart and humble confessions, we came
prayerfully up to the time of expectation. Every morning we felt that
it was our first work to secure the evidence that our lives were right
before God. We realized that if we were not advancing in holiness,
we were sure to retrograde. Our interest for one another increased; we
prayed much with and for one another. We assembled in the orchards
and groves to commune with God and to offer up our petitions to Him,
feeling more fully in His presence when surrounded by His natural
works. The joys of salvation were more necessary to us than our food
and drink. If clouds obscured our minds, we dared not rest or sleep
till they were swept away by the consciousness of our acceptance with
the Lord.
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The Passing Of The Time
The waiting people of God approached the hour when they fondly
hoped their joys would be complete in the coming of the Saviour. But
the time again passed unmarked by the advent of Jesus. It was a bitter
disappointment that fell upon the little flock whose faith had been so
strong and whose hope had been so high. But we were surprised that
we felt so free in the Lord, and were so strongly sustained by His
strength and grace.
The experience of the former year was, however, repeated to a
greater extent. A large class renounced their faith. Some who had been
very confident, were so deeply wounded in their pride that they felt
like fleeing from the world. Like Jonah, they complained of God, and
chose death rather than life. Those who had built their faith upon the
evidence of others, and not upon the word of God, were now as ready
to again change their views. This second great test revealed a mass
of worthless drift that had been drawn into the strong current of the
advent faith, and been borne along for a time with the true believers
and earnest workers.
We were disappointed, but not disheartened. We resolved to refrain
from murmuring at the trying ordeal by which the Lord was purging