Some one
in the garden of delights; he wonders why that one tells of the dark
valley. One at the base of the hill cannot understand why others see
what he cannot. The young beginner tells of the beautiful sights and
songs; and maybe the one who has been on the road almost a life time
will tell of the "continual heaviness, hours of darkness, and the smoking
furnace, and the lamp." I have found that the warrior is never as bouyant
as the new recruit, in his dress parade. We humor children, and call
on men to labor. Few, comparatively, get to the place where they prefer
hard labor; to endure desolation of heart; to seek self in nothing;
to see all loved but himself; to see others exalted but only abasement for
self; to "endure hardness as a good soldier; to lay on the ground; to
eat hard tack; to make long, weary marches; footsore and still fight on;
to suffer traveling over rocks and thorns; to endure the loss of all
things." I will take this last for mine. 'Tis the best, Oh my God, give
me this! "He that goeth forth and WEEPETH bearing precious seeds shall
doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." I do
not ask this because I enjoy suffering but to prove my love and gratitude
to Him who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
After we moved to Medicine Lodge the Free Methodists came there
and held a meeting. I had never heard the doctrine of the "second
blessing" or "sanctification" taught.
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