(303-307) not. Our heavenly Father wants us to work for him, not for results,—work from principle, not from a mere desire to see our efforts prospering. Should we not also esteem the fruit borne in our lives of more consequence than the results of labors in the harvest field? Does not 2 Tim. 2:6 teach this? So even if there was no fruit from the colporteur labors except the fruits of patience, humility and fortitude borne in our own lives, it would more than pay to be in that work, but there is other kind of fruit too, and we pilgrim brethren would like to tell of that for their encouragement. “God’s mercy ’tis which hides results— A mercy which our good consults; For did he choose he could reveal The fruitage of our Christian zeal. “He might have shown the seed you thought Had surely died and come to naught Was living in some unknown place Producing words and works of grace.” May the dear Lord continue to bless those noble brethren and sisters who in this way are “laying down their lives for the brethren.” With Christian love in the royal service of the King, Bens, H. Barron,—Pilgrim. Dear Bro. IN Curist JESUS: I am so thankful to the Lord for having brought my husband and myself out of that awful darkness into the light of present truth, that I want to write you a few lines in regard to same. We were spiritualists for five years: In fact I was a trance medium, although I could never bring myself to take any money for it, as I regarded it altogether too holy to use Vou. XXVI ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA., OCTOBER 15, 1905 AtiecHeny, Pa. it for earthly gain; yet for the past few years I was not satisfied with it and its teaching, and I prayed to the Lord to show me whether it was his work, as J] had always remarked to the spirits if it were God’s work I would be very thankful for the gift and to be his instrument to further his truth; but if it were the devil’s I did not wish for any of it. Whereupon they always replied, “There is no devil,” and that it is God’s work. I gave up friends for their sake, and for two years I lived in a haunted house suffering untold agony, doing, as they told me, what God had ordained me to do, to release an earthbound spirit, the spirit of a man that committed suicide by cutting his throat from ear to ear. Many times I suffered to horror and agony of having the sensation of a razor cut my throat from ear to ear. This they told me was to be 2 proof when that spirit was near me: Time upon time I suffered dying agonies to bring tests to friends. Prior to my coming into the truth last fall, I had a very severe trial, which I thought I could not bear, and when I prayed to die a beautiful little form appeared assuring me God would forgive, and I would suffer no punishment if I committed suicide, which I had intended. But, thank God, my husband watched me until I became more calm, and could reason again, That was just one week before the booklet, “What say the Scriptures on Spiritualism” was placed in my hands. When studying that for two hours, and fighting the great battle all night, I knew whom I had been serving, and so you can probably gain a glimpse of why I say awful darkness. In fact I could write many more experiences, should you think they would be any benefit to God’s people. I rejoice in the Lord and pray he may keep all. I desire to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Lord and to you, for the DAwNs—as Bible Keys. May the Lord continue to bless you and use you as that faithful steward, is our earnest prayer. Yours with Christian love, Mrs. G. K.—Ill. No. 20 THE EDITOR’S WESTERN TOUR (CONTINUED FROM LAST ISSUE) Ogden, Utah, was our next appointment. By this time our company was small, as some came no farther than Denver; however, others joined us en route for Portland. The Ogden friends met us at the depot, and showed abundantly, by words and deeds, that they were glad of the one-session Convention. They had secured the use of the Mormon Tabernacle and had thoroughly advertised our discourse, “To Hell and Back. Who are there? Hope for many of them.” About 600 were present, a very large audience for us in a city of Ogden’s size. Excellent attention was given for nearly two hours, while we endeavored to show forth that the real penality for sin is death, that the tomb is the hell of the Bible and that the salvation promised as a result of Christ’s death and a consequent reconciliation with the Father is awakening and resurrection—for whomsoever wills. We believe that some were helped. ON TO PORTLAND, OREGON We took train for Portland at 2:30 o’clock in the morning —spending nearly two nights and two days on the journey. A crowd of dear friends awaited us at the depot, though our train was several hours belated. We got a good opportunity to wash and rest and visit before the opening of the Convention on Friday, September 8. The Portland gathering had the distinction of being the only three-days’ Convention on this trip, and it was a most enjoyable season of refreshment. The local friends had made every preparation for the nearly two hundred visiting friends who, while chiefly from Oregon, Washington and Utah, included representatives from British Columbia, Dakota, Minnesota, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and one from Australia. The interspersed testimony meetings were rich treats, as always, and caused many hearts to “burn” as they recounted their experiences and heard of similar mercies of God variously manifested toward others. We had “Woodmen’s Hall” for all the meetings except the Baptism service, which was held in the Christian church, and the service specially advertised for the public, which was held in the Taylor St. M. E. church on Sunday, Sept. 10th. At the latter our topic was, “To Hell and Back,” etc., and an audience of about 900 gave close attention for about two hours and then took our free literature with avidity. The program was followed throughout. One of the Elders opened the Convention with words of greeting and welcome, after which Brother A. H. MacMillan became the permanent chairman and greeted all present in the name of our Society, and then the first testimony meeting began. Pilgrim Brother Harrison gave an able address in the afternoon, his subject being, “The cost to our Lord for the world’s redemption.” The necessity and value of the ransom were shown, as well as the Master’s great sacrifice in leaving the realms of glory and enduring all that our redemption cost. “Take heed to the doctrine” of the ransom was the essence of his discourse. The evening service, introduced by a service of praise, was a Chart Discourse by Pilgrim Brother Barton, who made the various features of the divine plan very plain and very interesting. Saturday morning’s opening service was one of praise and prayer, after which a question meeting, occupying two hours and involving a great variety of topics, prepared us all for noon refreshments and rest, The entire afternoon was devoted to the consideration of Baptism, showing the erroneous views, and, in contrast, the true teachings of the Bible on the subject—substantially as set forth in MILLENNIAL Dawn, Vol. vi. Following the discourse twenty-nine requested and received symbolic immersion in water, as illustrating and confessing their true baptism into Christ’s death. Saturday evening Pilgrim Brother Barton addressed the Convention on the lessons of the Ninety-first Psalm—showing what it is to be safe under the protecting shadow of the Almighty, and how these secured ones are protected from the various snares and deceptions of this harvest time. About 300 heard very attentively. Sunday forenoon brought another blessed testimony, praise and prayer meeting, after which we spent over an hour discussing the spiritual lessons taught by the Exposition, which many of you have read through the columns of the Pittsburgh Dispatch and other Monday publications, which now carry extra messages from the editor of this journal to so many of the friends weekly. The Sunday afternoon discourse we have already mentioned. The Convention closed that evening with a Love Feast introduced by a short discourse on the Twenty-third Psalm. We parted, hoping to meet at the great Convention, “The General Assembly of the church of the firstborn.” We left on the night train for Everett, Washington, about twenty friends of those parts accompanying us. EVERETT’S ONE-DAY CONVENTION Warm hearts and hands greeted us and entertained us at [3644]
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