2SG - Spiritual Gifts. Volume 2 (1860) - Truth for …

1 2SG - Spiritual Gifts. Volume 2 (1860) Preface. Having borne my testimony, and scattered, several books containing my visions, in the Eastern, Middle, and Western States, and formed many happy acquaintances, I have felt it my duty to give to my friends and to the world a sketch of my Christian experience, visions, and labors in connection with the rise and progress of the third angel's message. {2SG } In preparing the following pages, I have labored under great disadvantages, as I have had to depend in many instances, on memory, having kept no journal till within a few years. In several instances I have sent the manuscripts to friends who were present when the circumstances related occurred, for their examination before they were put in print. I have taken great care, and have spent much time, in endeavoring to state the simple facts as correctly as possible. {2SG } I have, however, been much assisted in arriving at dates by the many letters which I wrote to Bro.

2 S. Howland and family, of Topsham, Me. As they for the period of five years had the care of my Henry, iv I felt it my duty to write to them often, and give them my experience, my joys, trials, and victories. In many instances I have copied from these letters. {2SG } As the cry of Mormonism is often raised, especially in the west, at the introduction of the Bible argument of the perpetuity of Spiritual gifts, I have felt anxious that my brethren should know what my experience has been, and where it has been. {2SG } When at Knoxville, Iowa, March, 1860, we learned that a man had been reporting that he knew me and my husband twenty years ago, when we were leaders among the Mormans [Mormons] at Nauvoo! At that time I was only twelve years old! {2SG } The statements in this work, backed up by the testimonies of those who have been personally acquainted with my experience and labors for the past sixteen years, may help the minds of some. The tongue of slander will not harm unworthy me.

3 It has been with the hope to benefit, in some degree, the cause of Truth , that I have prepared this work. And may God add his blessing, that it may feed and cheer the little flock. E. G. W. {2SG } Contents Chapter Page 1. My Misfortune, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 7 2. The Advent Faith, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 12 3. Feelings of Despair, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 15 4. The Methodist Church, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 21 5. Opposition of Formal Brethren, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 26 6. My first Vision, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 30 7. Call to Travel, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 35 8. Fanaticism in Maine, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 49 9.

4 Vision of the New Earth, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 52 10. Trials and Victories, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 57 11. Visit to Massachusetts, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 67 12. Meeting at Randolph, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 75 13. Return to Maine, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 79 14. Visit to Connecticut, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 91 15. Western New York, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 96 16. Return to Connecticut, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 104 17. Visit to Mass. and N. H., ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 108 18. Publishing and Traveling, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 114 19.

5 Visit to Vermont and Maine, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 127 20. Publishing Again, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 136 21. The Review and Herald, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 143 22. Removal to Saratoga Springs, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 152 23. Removal to Rochester, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 160 24. Eastern Tour, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 166 25. Nathaniel and Anna, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 173 26. Labor in Michigan, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 179 27. Second Visit to Michigan, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 188 28. Extreme Trials, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 194 29. Captivity Turned, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 203 30.

6 The West, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 212 31. The Laodicean Testimony, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 222 32. Systematic Benevolence, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 230 33. Vision at Monterey, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 238 34. Young Sabbath-keepers, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 250 35. Visit to Ohio, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 265 36. Visit to Illinois, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 273 37. Testimony for the Church, ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 277 1. My Misfortune. At the age of nine years an accident happened to me which was to affect my whole life. In company with my twin sister, and one of our schoolmates, I was crossing a common in the city of Portland, Maine, when a girl about thirteen years old followed us, threatening to strike us.

7 My parents had taught me never to contend with any one, but if we were in danger of being injured, to hasten away and return home. We were doing this, running towards home, but the girl was following us with a stone in her hand. I turned to see how far she was behind me, and as I turned, the stone hit me on my nose. I fell senseless. When I revived, I found myself in a merchant's store, the blood streaming from my nose, my garments covered with blood, and a large stream of blood on the floor. {2SG } A kind stranger offered to take me home in his carriage. I knew not how weak I was, and told him I should greatly soil his carriage with blood, and that I could walk home. Those present were not aware 8 that I was so seriously injured. I had walked but a few rods when I grew dizzy and faint. My twin sister and my schoolmate carried me home. I have no recollection of anything for some time after the accident.

8 My mother says that I noticed nothing, but lay in a stupid state for three weeks. No one thought I would live except my mother. For some reason she felt that I would not die. A kind neighbor, who had interested herself much in my behalf, at one time thought me to be dying, and wished to purchase a robe for me. Mother said to her, "Not yet;" for something told her that I would not die. {2SG } As I aroused to consciousness, it seemed to me that I had been asleep. I was not aware of the accident, and knew not the cause of my sickness. Friends often visited my parents, and looked upon me with pity, and advised them to prosecute the parents of the child who had, as they said, ruined me. But mother was for peace. She said that if it could bring me back health and natural looks again, then there would be something gained, but as it was, she would only make herself enemies by following their advice. {2SG } As I began to gain a little strength, my curiosity was aroused by hearing those who came to see me, say, "What a pity!

9 I should not know her," &c. I asked for a looking-glass, and as I looked into it, I was 9 shocked at the change in my appearance. Every feature of my face seemed changed. The sight was more than I could bear. The bone of my nose proved to be broken. The idea of carrying my misfortune through life was insupportable. I could see no pleasure in my life. I did not wish to live, and I dared not die, for I was not prepared. {2SG } It was a long time before I gained much strength. Physicians thought that a silver wire could be put in my nose to hold it in shape, but said that it would be of little use; that I had lost so much blood my recovery was doubtful; that if I should get better, I could not live long. I was reduced almost to a skeleton. {2SG } At this time I began to pray to the Lord to prepare me to die. When christian friends visited the family, they would ask my mother if she had talked with me about dying.

10 This I overheard which aroused me. I desired to be a christian, and prayed for the forgiveness of my sins as well as I could, and felt peace of mind. Especially at one time, I loved every one, and felt an interest that all should have their sins forgiven and love Jesus. {2SG } I well remember one night in winter when the snow was upon the ground, the heavens were lighted up, the sky looked red and angry, and seemed to open and shut. The snow looked like blood. The neighbors were much frightened. Mother took me out of bed in her arms, and carried me to the 10 window. I was happy. I thought Jesus was coming, and I longed to see him. My heart was full. I clapped my hands for joy, and thought my sufferings were ended. But I was disappointed. The next morning the sun arose as usual, and the singular appearance of the heavens had disappeared. {2SG } It was some time before I became strong. As I was able to unite in play with my young friends, I was forced to learn this bitter lesson, that looks make a difference in the feelings of many.