Next came Rosalie, the niece, who had been a member of the family since her mother’s death, in her early childhood. One day, shortly after the other girls had been turned to the Lord, Rosalie’s aunt told her that the Lord was going to take His people up to heaven, and Satan would roam down here upon earth for a time; she then asked her if she would like to see the rest of them go to be with the Lord and she left down here “running about with Satan!” This question arrested Rosalie’s attention and she then began to be exercised about her soul. One evening after they had returned from one of the little meetings they sat and talked until between one and two o’clock; they were all so deeply interested in spiritual matters that this was no uncommon occurrence. When they finally separated for the night, Rosalie went to her room and fell upon her knees and asked the Lord to save her. When she got to bed, it was only to weep. Mabel, who was in the same room, said, “What is the matter, Rosalie, are you sick?”
Rosalie made no reply; then Mabel said to her, “Pray again.” So Rosalie knelt down again and asked the Lord to save her, and she told the Lord she would not get off her knees until He saved her. She was very wrong in this, for it is not for us, poor worms of the dust, to say to the Lord what He shall do, or what He shall not do; and He allowed Rosalie to find this out; she stayed on her knees until she got weary and tired waiting and then she got into her bed; but she sat up in bed, thinking the Lord would hear her, and she was waiting to see what He would do. The Lord always answers faith, but must ever rebuke anything that savors of presumption. Rosalie was not saved in the time or way that in her mind she had marked out, but the Lord graciously gave answer to her expectant heart. While waiting in bed, a light, like a flash of lightning, passed before her. She looked upon this as the Lord’s answer and felt very happy. Wearied out, she fell asleep. On waking next morning, this comforting verse came to her, “let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” Jno. 11:11Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (John 11:1). This was precious to her, confirming, as it did, her thoughts of the night before. She believed in Jesus, and the trouble of her heart was gone.
How wonderful is God’s grace! In two short weeks this entire household had been brought to know Jesus and been made to rejoice in Him. Truly His grace and love are past finding out! But now came a testing time for this family, brought in so short a time, to know and trust in the Lord. Satan likes to disturb God’s people if he can and he began in this case to stir up persecution against this dear family. Mr. I., who for years dad employed Mr. W. to do his farming, discharged him because he “had left the church.” This brought trial and sorrow upon the household but they waited upon God, to see what He would do for them. Mrs. W. went to Mrs. I., after a time, not wishing her to feel that she held anything in her heart against her. Mrs. I. told her that she had not known, at the time, of the discharge, and she was disappointed about it when her husband told her of it; she also said that they were all dissatisfied about it, for they had lost greatly by taking a man who was not so faithful and good as Mr. W. had been.
After some time Mr. I. discharged his new man and posted a notice for another. Mr. W., seeing this, went to him and offered to work for him, and he was very glad to take Mr. W. back. Thus the Lord thwarted this effort of Satan and over—ruled all for blessing.
Other persecutions came to this devoted family, of which we may speak again.
ML 10/14/1900