Sketch of Experience
539
the remaining clinging tendrils of the vine, and it lay prostrated upon
the earth.
The distress and anguish of my mind as I saw the vine lying upon
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the ground was beyond description. Many passed and looked pityingly
upon it, and I waited anxiously for a friendly hand to raise it; but no
help was offered. I inquired why no hand raised the vine. Presently
I saw an angel come to the apparently deserted vine. He spread out
his arms and placed them beneath the vine and raised it so that it stood
upright, saying: “Stand toward heaven, and let thy tendrils entwine
about God. Thou art shaken from human support. Thou canst stand,
in the strength of God, and flourish without it. Lean upon God alone,
and thou shalt never lean in vain, or be shaken therefrom.” I felt
inexpressible relief, amounting to joy, as I saw the neglected vine
cared for. I turned to the angel and inquired what these things meant.
Said he: “Thou art this vine. All this thou wilt experience, and then,
when these things occur, thou shalt fully understand the figure of the
vine. God will be to thee a present help in time of trouble.” From this
time I was settled as to my duty and never more free in bearing my
testimony to the people. If I ever felt the arm of the Lord holding me
up, it was at that meeting. My husband was also free and clear in his
preaching, and the testimony of all was: We have had an excellent
meeting.
After we returned from Monterey, I felt it my duty to call another
meeting, as my brethren made no effort to relieve my feelings. I
decided to move forward in the strength of God and again express my
feelings and free myself from the suspicions and reports circulated
to our injury. I bore my testimony and related things which had been
shown me in the past history of some present, warning them of their
dangers and reproving their wrong course of action. I stated that I
had been placed in most disagreeable positions. When families and
individuals were brought before me in vision, it was frequently the
case that what was shown me in relation to them was of a private
nature, reproving secret sins. I have labored with some for months
in regard to wrongs of which others knew nothing. As my brethren
see these persons sad, and hear them express doubts in regard to their
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acceptance with God, also feelings of despondency, they have cast
censure upon me, as though I were to blame for their being in trial.
Those who thus censured me were entirely ignorant of what they were