and began to sing.  Bro.  Allen accompanied me with his cornet.  Of course one can imagine what an impression this would make on an audience.  I sang, two verses and the chorus.  I then took my seat.  Then a flood of peace and heavenly companionship took possession of me.  I then knew what it was to have angels minister unto you.  God took me at my word and made me appear a “fool,” and objectionable, to the whole people.  What a fatal result there might have been, if I had not obeyed God!

I know why people do not have power with God.  They will not abandon themselves to the whole will of God, because they will not suffer the offense of the cross.  Why care for the criticism of men that change and die!

I had an experience once for eight months, when I felt that Christ had turned his face from me, not in displeasure, but this was a trial of faith.  My prayers had no response, brought me no hope of having been heard.  But I prayed quite as much, if not more.  Never got discouraged, although I was in gloom, and my heart was like lead.  All at once there was a return of the conscious presence of God.  ’Tis a poor servant that serves only for hire.  “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.”  God has kept me from following any but Him.

One dear friend thought that Haney was the great holiness teacher, another one thought Carodine.  They would quote their sayings, but I always found better and clearer teaching in the word of God.  I could see errors in all the holiness teachers, but not one in the Bible.  The book of Job settled the question of the most perfect experience.  Men can be perfect men and not perfect saints.  When Job was, “holding fast his integrity” God did not bless him like He did when Job saw the perfection of God and said:  “Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.”  The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest lesson in holiness and is from the only one that can teach holiness.  Great lessons can be taught by all persons, taught of God, but ’tis better to drink at the fountain than out of a stale bucket.  Besides all have imperfection.  “To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them.”  “They shall all be taught of God.”  “If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given.”

From the time that my Christian experience began, I never wished to be associated with rich people, or rather people that had wealth for display.  Would feel uncomfortable to go in a house filled with furniture or bric-a-brac.  It would be an evidence to me of the great waste of money and time by the owner.  Nothing had value to me only as it could be used for the salvation of men and women, and the glorifying of God.  It mortified me to see a “swell dressed” woman.  I noticed that those so-called fashionable women really never had time or money to do charity.  Of course there are exceptions.