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Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White
As the others knelt for prayer, I bowed with them, trembling, and
after a few had prayed, my voice arose in prayer before I was aware
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of it. In that moment the promises of God appeared to me like so
many precious pearls that were to be received only for the asking. As
I prayed, the burden and agony of soul that I had so long endured, left
me, and the blessing of the Lord descended upon me like the gentle
dew. I praised God from the depths of my heart. Everything seemed
shut out from me but Jesus and His glory, and I lost consciousness of
what was passing around me.
The Spirit of God rested upon me with such power that I was un-
able to go home that night. When I awakened to realization, I found
myself cared for in the house of my uncle, where we had assembled
for the prayer meeting. Neither my uncle nor my aunt enjoyed reli-
gion, although the former had once made a profession, but had since
backslidden. I was told that he had been greatly disturbed while the
power of God rested upon me in so special a manner, and had walked
the floor, sorely troubled and distressed in his mind.
When I was first struck down, some of those present were greatly
alarmed, and were about to run for a physician, thinking that some sud-
den and dangerous indisposition had attacked me; but my mother bade
them let me alone, for it was plain to her, and to the other experienced
Christians, that it was the wondrous power of God that had prostrated
me. When I did return home, on the following day, a great change
had taken place in my mind. It seemed to me that I could hardly be
the same person that left my father’s house the previous evening. This
passage was continually in my thoughts: “The Lord is my shepherd; I
shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1
. My heart was full of happiness as I softly
repeated these words.
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A View Of The Father’s Love
Faith now took possession of my heart. I felt an inexpressible love
for God, and had the witness of His Spirit that my sins were pardoned.
My views of the Father were changed. I now looked upon Him as
a kind and tender parent, rather than a stern tyrant compelling men
to a blind obedience. My heart went out toward Him in a deep and
fervent love. Obedience to His will seemed a joy; it was a pleasure to
be in His service. No shadow clouded the light that revealed to me the