Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of LoveWheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Religion
Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of Love
Wheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Evangelistic work; Prisons
Soon after I was converted, I felt the call of God to His service. I
longed to be a missionary. My heart especially went out to the
colored people and the Indians, and to the poor unfortunate ones of my
own sex. Their sufferings touched my heart, and it was this class with
which I did some of my first prison and missionary work in after
years. But in those days there was very little encouragement to a
woman to do such work. O how those who are called of God now should
appreciate their privileges!
Though hindered and discouraged, this call did not leave me. I lived
in the church for years, always doing my part in church work. I was
proud and vain, but knew no better; yet I longed to be all the Lord's.
SANCTIFICATION.
Several years after my conversion I heard of holiness or entire
consecration to God, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit for service.
After this, for about ten years, I was under conviction for a clean
heart, seeking for a while and then growing careless, receiving little
help from the formal professors around me. As I counted the cost, at
times it seemed too great. I knew it meant to give up fashionable
society, home, friends, reputation and all: and to take the way of the
lowly Nazarene. I heard at this time of a holiness meeting about forty
miles from home, which I attended. Here I heard the pure gospel
preached, and light shone upon my soul. I saw that none but the pure
in heart could see God in peace. After wrestling in prayer until about
three o'clock in the morning, I seemed held by an invisible power,
pure and holy, and was so filled with awe that I feared to speak or
move. Soon I heard a wonderful sound, soft, sweet and soothing, like
the rustle of angels' wings. Its holy influence pervaded my whole
being; a sound not of earth, but distinctly audible to both myself and
the sister who was in the same room! I listened enraptured. I feared
it was death, and my breath grew shorter and shorter. I did not move
nor open my eyes. Presently Jesus stood before me, and O the wonderful
look of love--so far above the love of mortals, so humble, meek and
pleading! In the tender voice of the Holy Spirit came these words:
"Can you give up all and follow me? Lay your weary, aching head upon
my breast. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Lo, I am with you
alway even unto the end of the world." I was enabled by the Holy
Spirit to say, "Yes, Lord Jesus." I knew it was Jesus. When I said
"Yes, Lord," the power of God fell upon me, soul and body, and I was
bathed in a sea of glory. When I had recovered from my rapture, Jesus
had vanished as silently as He came; but the blessing and power
remained. The sister whispered and asked, "Did you hear that sound?"
And then she told me that this was for my benefit. This occurred
November 11, 1883. That day the people looked at me and wondered,
seeing the great change God had wrought in me by His power. The night
following we had an all-night meeting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account