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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
not the work of good angels to control minds against the will of the
individuals. If they yield to the enemy, and make no effort to resist
him, then the angels of God can do but little more than hold in check
the host of Satan, that they should not destroy, until further light is
given to those in peril, to move them to arouse and look to Heaven for
help. Jesus will not commission holy angels to extricate those who
make no effort to help themselves.
If Satan sees he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself
to the utmost to keep that one. And when the individual is aroused
to his danger, and with distress and fervor looks to Jesus for strength,
Satan fears he shall lose a captive, and he calls a reinforcement of his
angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around
him, that Heaven’s light may not reach him. But if the one in danger
perseveres, and in helplessness and weakness casts himself upon the
merits of the blood of Christ, Jesus listens to the earnest prayer of faith,
and sends a reinforcement of those angels which excel in strength to
deliver them. Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed
to, for he fears and trembles before his strength and majesty. At the
sound of fervent prayer Satan’s whole host trembles. He continues
to call legions of his evil angels to accomplish his object. And when
angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armory of Heaven, come to the
help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back, well
knowing that their battle is lost.
The willing subjects of Satan are faithful and active, united in one
object. And although they will hate, and war with, each other, yet they
will improve every opportunity to advance their common interest. But
the great Commander in Heaven and earth has limited Satan’s power.
[106]
My experience has been singular, and for years I have suffered
peculiar trials of mind. The condition of God’s people, and my con-
nection with the work of God, has often brought upon me a weight of
sadness and discouragement which cannot be expressed. For years I
have looked to the grave as a sweet resting-place.
In my last vision I inquired of my attending angel why I was left to
suffer such perplexity of mind, and so often thrown upon the Devil’s
battle-ground. I entreated that if I must be so closely connected with
the cause of truth, that I might be delivered from these severe trials.
There was power and strength with the angels of God, and I plead that
I might be shielded.