The Heart-Cry of JesusRees, Byron J. (Byron Johnson)
Religion
The Heart-Cry of Jesus
Rees, Byron J. (Byron Johnson)
Pilgrim Holiness Church -- Controversial literature; Sanctification
During the winter of 1891-1892 I became almost wretched on account of
conviction. The Holy Ghost fairly dogged my steps and whispered in my
ear at every turn. There were many things which He used to convict me
of--my unfaithfulness and aridity of soul and life. My junior year at
Oak Grove Seminary is distinctly remembered as a time of continuous
conviction and unrest. Now and then I would find peace and comfort for
a time, but they remained only for a time. I kept up secret devotions
very carefully. I never missed my daily prayers, but my life was
inconsistent and God-dishonoring. The lives of real Christians rebuked
me, and the mockery of my empty profession haunted me like a spectre.
RECLAMATION.
In the summer of 1892 I began to seek God earnestly, and was not long
in finding pardon and reclamation. No sooner was I at peace with God
than I began to hunger for holiness. O, how my heart longed for full
salvation! I saw much about me that was an indication that there was an
experience enjoyed by some of which I was not possessed. My mother's
calm, victorious life, and her constant unwavering Christian faith,
convicted me. I was proud and selfish, and hypersensitive and
ambitious. She was restful, contented, loving, meek. How frequently I
gave way to some temptation, and how mortified I was to be so
humiliated by the Adversary.
HUNGER FOR HOLINESS.
Many of the members of my father's church at Portsmouth had an
experience of freedom and liberty which I craved. In July my father, my
mother, and I spent a couple of days at Douglas camp-meeting. I
remember so well every incident of the trip--my deep unrest as we
entered the grounds, my aversion to certain "boisterous persons" who
said "Bless the Lord" so frequently, my disrelish for food, my dislike
of taking a front seat in the audience. Two old sisters sat facing the
preacher one evening. Their faces were full of joy, and they seemed to
overflow with joy and spiritual exhilaration. I inwardly said, "I wish
I had an experience like they seem to have." I made up my mind I would
seek. I can not recall a word of the sermon. I do not think I heard it
at the time--my mind was so full of an inward struggle.
CANDIDATE FOR SANCTIFICATION.
When the call was made, I went forward and consecrated myself and all
my hopes and desires and longings and all to God. How in the world I
had ever acquired so low a desire I do not know, but my chief ambition
had been to be a professor of science in some college. But the Lord put
me through a series of questions:
"Will you be my property henceforth?"
"Yes, Lord."
"Are you willing that people should call you a 'holiness crank'?"
"Yes, Lord."
"Supposing I should ask you to shout, would you?"
"I would do my best at it."
"Will you give up all your plans and be a one-horse preacher of
holiness if I want you to?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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