Gathering Time
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believe even in the first ‘Advent of Christ,’ much more, to believe in
his second Advent. I saw that Satan had greatly deceived some in this
thing, and that souls, all around them, in this land, could be helped
by them, and led to keep the commandments of God; but they were
leaving them to perish. I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be
built up; and that Satan was doing his utmost to lead the minds of the
children of the Lord into these things now, in the gathering time, to
keep them from throwing their whole interest into the present work of
the Lord, and to cause them to neglect the necessary preparation for
the day of the Lord.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
A sense of duty to my brethren and sisters, and a desire that the
blood of souls might not be found on my garments, has governed me
in this little work. I am aware of the unbelief that exists in the minds
of the multitude relative to visions, also, that many who profess to be
looking for Christ, and teach that we are in the “last days,” call them
all of Satan. I expect much opposition from such, and had I not felt
that the Lord required it of me I should not have made my views thus
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public, which will probably call forth the hatred and derision of some.
But I fear God more than man.
When the Lord first gave me messages to deliver to his people, it
was hard for me to declare them. And I often softened them down,
and made them as mild as possible for fear of grieving them. It was a
great trial to declare the messages as the Lord gave them to me. I did
not realize that I was so unfaithful, and did not see the danger and sin
of such a course, until I was taken in vision into the presence of Jesus.
He looked upon me with a frown, and turned his face from me. It is
not possible to describe the terror and agony I then felt. I fell upon my
face before him, but had no power to utter a word. O, how I longed
to be covered and hid from that dreadful frown. Then could I realize,
in some degree what the feelings of the lost will be, when they cry,
‘Mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that
sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”
Presently an angel bid me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can
hardly be described. A company was presented before me whose hair