The afternoon of March 2 I spent in counsel
with Brother and Sister S. N. Haskell, discussing the work in
Oakland and their plans to go East to spend some time in South
Lancaster. After our visit I was weary and retired early. I was
suffering with rheumatism in my left side and could get no rest
because of the pain. I turned from side to side, trying to find
ease from the suffering. There was a pain in my heart that portended
no good for me. At last I fell asleep.
About half past nine I attempted to turn
myself, and as I did so, I became aware that my body was entirely
free from pain. As I turned from side to side,
and moved my hands, I experienced an extraordinary freedom and
lightness that I cannot describe. The room was filled with light,
a most beautiful, soft, azure light, and I seemed to be in the
arms of heavenly beings.
This peculiar light I have experienced
in the past in times of special blessing, but this time it was
more distinct, more impressive, and I felt such peace, peace
so full and abundant no words can express it. I raised myself
into a sitting posture, and I saw that I was surrounded by a
bright cloud, white as snow, the edges of which were tinged with
a deep pink. The softest, sweetest music was filling the air,
and I recognized the music as the singing of the angels. Then
a Voice spoke to me, saying: "Fear not; I am your Saviour.
Holy angels are all about you."
"Then this is heaven," I said,
"and now I can be at rest. I shall have no more messages
to bear, no more misrepresentations to endure. Everything will
be easy now, and I shall enjoy peace and rest. Oh, what inexpressible
peace fills my soul! Is this indeed heaven? Am I one of God's
little children? and shall I always have this peace?"
The Voice replied: "Your work is not
yet done."
Again I fell asleep, and when I awoke I
heard music, and I wanted to sing. Then someone passed my door,
and I wondered if that person saw the light. After a time the
light passed away, but the peace remained.
After a while I fell asleep again. This
time I seemed to be in a council meeting where our book work
was being discussed. There were a number of our brethren present,
leaders in our work, and Elder Haskell and his wife were there
consulting together and with the brethren
about the circulation of our books, tracts, and periodicals.
Elder Haskell was presenting strong reasons
why the books which contain the knowledge that has been communicated
to Sister White--the books containing the special message to
come to the world at this present time--should be more freely
circulated. "Why," he inquired, "do not our people
appreciate and circulate more widely the books bearing the divine
credentials? Why is not a specialty made of the books containing
the warnings regarding Satan's work? Why do we not give greater
effort to circulating the books that point out Satan's plans
to counterwork the work of God, that uncover his plans and point
out his deceptions? The moral evils of his deceptions are to
be removed by opening the eyes of the people so that they shall
discern the situation and the dangers of our times; so that they
shall make diligent effort to lay hold by faith upon Christ and
His righteousness."
A messenger from heaven stood in our midst, and he spoke words of warning and instruction. He made us clearly understand that the gospel of the kingdom is the message for which the world is perishing and that this message, as contained in our publications already in print and those yet to be issued, should be circulated among the people who are nigh and afar off.