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Selected Messages Book 1
she struck the ice. There was a fearful shock, and the iceberg broke
into many pieces, falling with a noise like thunder to the deck. The
passengers were violently shaken by the force of the collisions, but
no lives were lost. The vessel was injured, but not beyond repair. She
rebounded from the contact, trembling from stem to stern, like a living
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creature. Then she moved forward on her way.
Well I knew the meaning of this representation. I had my orders. I
had heard the words, like a voice from our Captain, “Meet it!” I knew
what my duty was, and that there was not a moment to lose. The time
for decided action had come. I must without delay obey the command,
“Meet it!”.
That night I was up at one o’clock, writing as fast as my hand
could pass over the paper. For the next few days I worked early and
late, preparing for our people the instruction given me regarding the
errors that were coming in among us.
I have been hoping that there would be a thorough reformation, and
that the principles for which we fought in the early days, and which
were brought out in the power of the Holy Spirit, would be maintained.
The Firm Foundation of Our Faith
Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of
our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father
Pierce, [
Older brethren among the pioneers are here thus reminiscently
referred to. “Father Pierce” was Stephen Pierce, who served in min-
isterial and administrative work in the early days. “Father Andrews”
was Edward Andrews, the father of J. N. Andrews.—Compilers.
]
Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were
among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for
the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and
prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and
sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the
Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible,
in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach
it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they
said, “We can do nothing more,” the Spirit of the Lord would come
upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the
passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as
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