Beginning of Public Labors
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had become new. There was not a cloud to mar my perfect bliss. I
longed to tell the story of Jesus’ love, but felt no disposition to engage
in common conversation with any one. My heart was so filled with
love to God and the peace that passeth understanding, that I loved to
meditate and pray.
Bearing Testimony
The night after receiving so great a blessing, I attended the advent
meeting. When the time came for the followers of Christ to speak in
His favor, I could not remain silent, but rose and related my experience.
Not a thought had entered my mind of what I should say; but the simple
story of Jesus’ love to me fell from my lips with perfect freedom, and
my heart was so happy to be liberated from its bondage of dark despair,
that I lost sight of the people about me, and seemed to be alone with
God. I found no difficulty in expressing my peace and happiness,
except for the tears of gratitude that choked my utterance.
Elder Stockman was present. He had recently seen me in deep
despair, and as he now saw my captivity turned, he wept aloud, rejoic-
ing with me, and praising God for this proof of His tender mercy and
loving kindness.
Not long after receiving this great blessing, I attended a conference
meeting at the Christian church, where Elder Brown was pastor. I
was invited to relate my experience, and felt not only great freedom
of expression, but happiness, in telling my simple story of the love of
Jesus and the joy of being accepted of God. As I spoke, with subdued
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heart and tearful eyes, my soul seemed drawn toward heaven in thanks-
giving. The melting power of the Lord came upon the assembled
people. Many were weeping and others praising God.
Sinners were invited to arise for prayers, and many responded to
the call. My heart was so thankful to God for the blessing He had
given me, that I longed to have others participate in this sacred joy. My
mind was deeply interested for those who might be suffering under a
sense of the Lord’s displeasure and the burden of sin. While relating
my experience, I felt that no one could resist the evidence of God’s
pardoning love that had wrought so wonderful a change in me. The
reality of true conversion seemed so plain to me that I felt like helping