July 31, 1895.
... I wish you had sent Potter one of “Is Sin Burnt Out?” I think it is just the thing for that case. If you would rather not send, send it to me, and I will send it to him. Potter has work on his hands at that place, and it looks as if the Lord is working. One can see that souls are being tested by the Word. I hope Mrs. McD. may get on. If she does, perhaps others, too, will get help. I would hope the young man who was “searched,” will make progress.
Well, I must tell you a little about our meeting last night. It seemed to me a somewhat extraordinary meeting. During the day we got more lumber and increased the seating capacity to over 300. I somewhat dreaded the responsibility which I felt resting upon me, and the more so when I learned that this man Haight was a bold and unprincipled infidel. The brethren who know him greatly feared that he would disturb the meeting by asking annoying questions. I was told that his wife was a Christian, and was driven to desperation by his infidelity, and hung herself some years ago. Well, before going to the meeting I made special request of the Lord, that He would seal the man’s mouth, and not allow the meeting to be disturbed, and that He would magnify His own Word and Name and work for blessing to His own.
There were nearly 300 people present. Many of the Christians of the town were present. The B’s were all in and the R’s were all there, and R. had got word to R-n and J., and R-n was there and J. and his wife. It showed some real desire to see these people coming, 8, 10, 20 and 25 miles. One felt that they helped by their prayers, too. Then the infidel was there with his crowd — all expectation!
I spoke from 1 Kings 18 — “How long halt ye between two opinions?” and entered almost immediately on the question of the veracity of Scripture as the Word of God, making the Word of God its own proof, showing that the great events recorded in the book, such as the crossing of the Red Sea, the giving of the law, the crossing of the Jordan, the resurrection of Christ, etc., were marked in such a way that deception and falsehood were impossible. And then at the last I called attention to the character of the revelation given through Jesus Christ — a revelation of perfect love — perfect goodness — in the midst of universal evil — a revelation in which the heart can find perfect rest and peace — something outside all the natural mind’s mode of thinking — never found outside of Christianity, and so proving its divine origin. By this revelation I appealed to those present to open their hearts to it, and to submit to it, and to Christ as a Savior of men. A feeling of deep interest and solemnity seemed to pervade the meeting throughout. The infidel himself listened with great attention, most respectfully, and at times, apparently, with absorbing interest. And there was no move of any kind to give the least disturbance. After I had prayed, Mr. Haight arose and said, as he had requested the address on this subject, he now desired to request a vote of thanks to the speaker! After the meeting a good many stayed back and talked in groups. A number of Christians came to me and in a most hearty manner expressed their gratitude for the word, which had been a confirmation of their faith. It was most manifest that we had the hearty sympathy of the Christians there, and I do not doubt good has been done. I look for a fair attendance tonight, though, no doubt, many will drop out, now that curiosity has been satisfied. Then there are prayer meetings in the churches tonight. I expect to be here at least today and tomorrow. There have been only a few at the afternoon meetings, but I think God has been working in the afternoon meetings, and several getting real help....