The Use and Need of the Life of Carrie A. Nation [39]
on an audience.
I sang, two verses and the chorus. I then took my seat. Then a flood
of peace and heavenly companionship took possession of me. I then knew
what it was to have angels minister unto you. God took me at my word
and made me appear a "fool," and objectionable, to the whole people.
What a fatal result there might have been, if I had not obeyed God!
I know why people do not have power with God. They will not
abandon themselves to the whole will of God, because they will not suffer
the OFFENSE of the cross. Why care for the criticism of men that change
and die!
I had an experience once for eight months, when I felt that Christ
had turned his face from me, not in displeasure, but this was a trial of
faith. My prayers had no response, brought me no hope of having been
heard. But I prayed quite as much, if not more. Never got discouraged,
although I was in gloom, and my heart was like lead. All at once there
was a return of the conscious presence of God. 'Tis a poor servant that
serves only for hire. "Though He slay me yet will I trust Him." God
has kept me from following any but Him.
One dear friend thought that Haney was the great holiness teacher,
another one thought Carodine. They would quote their sayings, but
I always found better and clearer teaching in the word of God. I could
see errors in all the holiness teachers, but not one in the Bible. The
book of Job settled the question of the most perfect experience. Men can
be perfect men and not perfect saints. When Job was, "holding fast
his integrity" God did not bless him like He did when Job saw the perfection
of God and said: Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust
and ashes." The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest lesson in holiness and is
from the only one that can teach holiness. Great lessons
can be taught by all persons, taught of God, but 'tis better to drink at
the fountain than out of a stale bucket. Besides all have imperfection.
"To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this
word it is because there is no light in them." "They shall all be taught
of God." "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all
liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given."
From the time that my Christian experience began, I never wished
to be associated with rich people, or rather people that had wealth for
display. Would feel uncomfortable to go in a house filled with furniture
or bric-a-brac. It would be an evidence to me of the great waste of
money and time by the owner. Nothing had value to me only as it could
be used for the salvation of men and women, and the glorifying of God.
It mortified me to see a "swell dressed" woman. I noticed that those so-
called fashionable women really never had time or money to do charity.
Of course there are exceptions. The display of wealth to me is an evidence
of a depraved nature. The use of wealth, is in relieving the wants
of mankind. The time is coming when the millionaires will be the
despised of the people, for they are learning fast that people who amass
fortunes, and hoard them, are in that condition because they have ground
the face of the poor. They are not honest or good. A man or woman
now that can hoard money or goods and pass and repass the suffering
every day, has a cold, selfish heart, and instead of its being in the future
a letter of credit to say: "Mr. So and So is a millionaire," it will be a
disgrace as it should be, to live for wealth and self alone. Still
'tis well to get all the money in a good way, that you can and then use it
in a good cause. Job was a rich man but he was a friend of the "fatherless
and widow." He dealt his bread to the hungry. He was feet to the lame
and eyes to the blind." Such rich men as Job are blessings, but those
men who boast of their hoarded treasures, spend their money in the
gratification of their lusts, to them God says: "Woe or curses unto you
rich men! Weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you!
Your garments are motheaten, your gold is cankered and the rust
I sang, two verses and the chorus. I then took my seat. Then a flood
of peace and heavenly companionship took possession of me. I then knew
what it was to have angels minister unto you. God took me at my word
and made me appear a "fool," and objectionable, to the whole people.
What a fatal result there might have been, if I had not obeyed God!
I know why people do not have power with God. They will not
abandon themselves to the whole will of God, because they will not suffer
the OFFENSE of the cross. Why care for the criticism of men that change
and die!
I had an experience once for eight months, when I felt that Christ
had turned his face from me, not in displeasure, but this was a trial of
faith. My prayers had no response, brought me no hope of having been
heard. But I prayed quite as much, if not more. Never got discouraged,
although I was in gloom, and my heart was like lead. All at once there
was a return of the conscious presence of God. 'Tis a poor servant that
serves only for hire. "Though He slay me yet will I trust Him." God
has kept me from following any but Him.
One dear friend thought that Haney was the great holiness teacher,
another one thought Carodine. They would quote their sayings, but
I always found better and clearer teaching in the word of God. I could
see errors in all the holiness teachers, but not one in the Bible. The
book of Job settled the question of the most perfect experience. Men can
be perfect men and not perfect saints. When Job was, "holding fast
his integrity" God did not bless him like He did when Job saw the perfection
of God and said: Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust
and ashes." The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest lesson in holiness and is
from the only one that can teach holiness. Great lessons
can be taught by all persons, taught of God, but 'tis better to drink at
the fountain than out of a stale bucket. Besides all have imperfection.
"To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this
word it is because there is no light in them." "They shall all be taught
of God." "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all
liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given."
From the time that my Christian experience began, I never wished
to be associated with rich people, or rather people that had wealth for
display. Would feel uncomfortable to go in a house filled with furniture
or bric-a-brac. It would be an evidence to me of the great waste of
money and time by the owner. Nothing had value to me only as it could
be used for the salvation of men and women, and the glorifying of God.
It mortified me to see a "swell dressed" woman. I noticed that those so-
called fashionable women really never had time or money to do charity.
Of course there are exceptions. The display of wealth to me is an evidence
of a depraved nature. The use of wealth, is in relieving the wants
of mankind. The time is coming when the millionaires will be the
despised of the people, for they are learning fast that people who amass
fortunes, and hoard them, are in that condition because they have ground
the face of the poor. They are not honest or good. A man or woman
now that can hoard money or goods and pass and repass the suffering
every day, has a cold, selfish heart, and instead of its being in the future
a letter of credit to say: "Mr. So and So is a millionaire," it will be a
disgrace as it should be, to live for wealth and self alone. Still
'tis well to get all the money in a good way, that you can and then use it
in a good cause. Job was a rich man but he was a friend of the "fatherless
and widow." He dealt his bread to the hungry. He was feet to the lame
and eyes to the blind." Such rich men as Job are blessings, but those
men who boast of their hoarded treasures, spend their money in the
gratification of their lusts, to them God says: "Woe or curses unto you
rich men! Weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you!
Your garments are motheaten, your gold is cankered and the rust