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Selected Messages Book 1
Several seats were quickly filled and the whole congregation was on
the move. We told them the best they could do was to be seated right
where they were and we would all seek the Lord together by confessing
our sins, and the Lord had pledged His word, “If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness” (
1 John 1:9
).
Many testimonies were borne in quick succession and with depth
of feelings, showing that the hearts were touched by the Spirit of God.
Our meetings continued from two o’clock P.M. to five, and then we
were obliged to close, with several earnest prayers.—Diary, February
20, 1887.
An Outstanding Experience in Australia
On Sabbath, May 25 [1895], we had a precious meeting in the
hall where our people meet at North Fitzroy. For several days before
the meeting, I knew that I was expected to speak in the church on
Sabbath; but unfortunately I had a severe cold and was quite hoarse.
I felt inclined to excuse myself from this appointment; but as it was
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my only opportunity, I said, “I will place myself before the people,
and I believe the Lord will answer my earnest prayers, and remove the
hoarseness so that I can present my message to the people.” I presented
to my heavenly Father the promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For
every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to
him that knocketh it shall be opened.... If ye, then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (
Luke
11:9-13
)....
The word of God is sure. I had asked, and I believed that I would
be enabled to speak to the people. I selected a portion of Scripture; but
when I rose to speak, it was taken from my mind, and I felt impressed
to speak from the first chapter of second Peter. The Lord gave me
special freedom in presenting the value of the grace of God.... I was
enabled by the aid of the Holy Spirit to speak with clearness and power.
At the close of my discourse, I felt impressed by the Spirit of God
to extend an invitation for all those to come forward who desired to
give themselves fully to the Lord. Those who felt the need of the