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On Mule Back
Thru Central America
WITH THE
GOSPEL
A THRILLING MISSIONARY STORY
Giving personal experiences on the mission field; of an
unshaken confidence in the God who took the
family to the field; supported them while
there; gave them many precious souls
for their hire, and brought
them back victorious.
SECOND EDITION
Copies of this book may be obtained from
MATTIE CRAWFORD
_Missionary and Evangelist_
3573 Shurtleff Court, Los Angeles, California
Copyright, 1922, by
MATTIE CRAWFORD
(_Published in the United States of America_)
All Rights Reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface 7
A Message Given to Me in Tongues with Interpretation 15
Preparing to Start 17
Home Leaving 18
The Church in Unity. (The Wonderful Vision) 32
Opening the Way 36
Bread Upon the Waters. (From Los Angeles to
Nicaragua, C. A.) 48
The Stars and Stripes and Beautiful Manzanilla 59
Salina Cruz, Mexico. (My Vision Interpreted) 64
The Virgin of the Angels 71
Arriving in Our Port at Nicaragua 82
Our Stay in Matagalpa 97
Leaving Matagalpa for Leon 110
Our Arrival in Leon 138
Leaving Nicaragua for Panama 183
Sailing from Panama 190
The Needs of Central America 200
The Indians of Nicaragua. (Extract from Article by
Brother Schoenich) 212
“Where is the white man’s Book of Heaven?” 216
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Frontispiece. Mattie Crawford 9
The Crawford Family 13
Father N. J. Norris, who paid our way to the
Mission Field 45
S. S. Curacao on which we sailed to the Mission
Field 49
On Board Ship 53
Carl on bridge of ship at sea 57
Some natives of a tribe in Guatemala, C. A. 61
“Come over and help us” 65
Taking their morning bath 69
A native village 75
Picturesque street scene of the Port of Corinto,
where we landed 83
Resting during the heat of the day 85
Where they heard the Gospel for the first time 89
An Indian hut where we preached the Gospel 93
Indian girls grinding corn for tortillas 95
Alma and her music class in Matagalpa 99
Washday at the river for native women. Their only
way to clean clothes is to rub them on a flat
rock 101
Where we stopped for the night. Note the glare of
the sun on the white sand 105
Alma and Carl among the banana trees 107
Leaving Matagalpa 111
Leaving in the early morning for a day’s journey 113
Alma and Carl feeding the pet deer 117
On our way through the mountains 119
Carl with his faithful pony 123
Bringing coffee down from the mountain plantations 125
The only Jesus they know 129
One of the first to accept the Gospel 131
Carl and his father, as they distributed tracts to
the Indians by the roadside 135
Street scene in Leon 139
Mother with child that was raised up from death 143
Waiting for the Gospel 147
Carl with his boys 151
Where I preached until midnight; and the entire
family was brought to the Lord 159
Where the entire family was brought to Jesus, and
the mother’s hand was healed of blood poisoning 163
Where Carl attended native school to study Spanish 167
Women coming from the market place 171
Alma with her music class in Leon 175
Alma with her English class of native girls 181
Alma reading a Bible story to her girls 187
An Indian woman who came to the meeting and was
saved 191
I am just a brown-faced Indian girl, but I want
to learn to read God’s Word. Will you send
missionaries to teach us? There are thousands
just as I am 203
One Indian who found Jesus and loves his Bible 209
An Indian woman whose attention was attracted
and picture taken without her knowledge.
Indians are very superstitious and are
afraid to have their pictures taken 217
PREFACE
The days of miraculous achievements are not past, as the accounts
chronicled in this book will testify. Four people make a missionary trip
from Los Angeles, Cal., down the coast of Mexico, preaching in many
of her towns while the ship discharges or loads cargo. They arrive in
Nicaragua and preach to the natives, seeing numbers of them baptized in
the Holy Spirit. Returning to the States by way of the Panama Canal, and
New Orleans, they reach St. Louis and Granite City, having been gone less
than two years.
Without missionary board, or other promised support whatever, the
Lord provided some $3,000.00 for the trip. It is a testimony to His
faithfulness, a sample of what He can and will do for those who will
put their trust in Him. Some might question the wisdom and value of the
shortness of their stay, but they moved under Divine direction. If any
possible critic had accompanied them in their journeyings, and seen the
fire in the hearts of those native people there would have been no doubt
in their minds as to the exceeding profitableness of the journey in the
advancement of the kingdom of God. Many remote and scattered people were
reached. Praise God! They will be seen in Heaven because of the Gospel
message which they heard.
Then, too, this sketch of many happenings will, we trust, kindle a flame
of missionary fire in many hearts, and give them a sense of the great
need of these Central American republics, so that they, too, will have
to go, pray, or give. Brother, Sister, have you not some responsibility
toward sending the Gospel to those benighted people so long neglected?
Let us not share in the great age-long crime of the church in her neglect
of the heathen. Do not pass the time in mere happy dreams of spiritual
blessings while the procession of your lost brethren of other nations
tramps on into eternity with no Christ. Be not like drones, who eat the
honey but do nothing for the advancement of the kingdom.
Seeley D. Kinne.
[Illustration]
Affectionately dedicated to my precious Master, the Lord, who made
possible this service, and to my dear husband, son, and daughter, who
were noble sharers in the battles and triumphs described.
Oh agony of wavering thought
When sinners first so near are brought.
It is my Maker—dare I stay?
My Savior—dare I turn away?
In the ripe harvest fields the day is cried,
And reapers with their sickles bright
Troop, singing, down the mountain side.
[Illustration]
A MESSAGE GIVEN TO ME IN TONGUES WITH INTERPRETATION, March 15, 1919
=It was on this message from the Lord that we went to the mission field
by faith, without any earthly board behind us, knowing that what God had
promised He would perform.=
“The time has come when I will send thee forth. Arise! put away all doubt
and say to the dark clouds, ‘Depart from before my face!’ and to all fear
that may arise to stop you from following in the way that I shall lead
thee, ‘Flee ye, far from me, to return no more! for the Lord my God hath
spoken, and I shall not be dismayed nor put to shame!’
“Begin this day to prepare to go forth, for I will send thee unto the
land to which I have called thee, and every need shall be supplied.
“Only be strong and of good courage, for My left hand is under thy head,
and My right hand doth embrace thee. Thou shalt sit down under My shadow
with great delight, and My fruit shall be sweet to thy taste. I will
plant thee in a fruitful land, and thou shalt bring forth fruit in My
name, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold. Do not fear to
go forth in My name, for I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.
I Am that I Am hath spoken unto thee this day, and I AM THAT I AM will go
before thee.
“Thou shalt see of the travail of thy soul, and shall be satisfied, for
thou shalt see many that sit in darkness and the shadow of death see the
light of My glory, and come to praise My name. For from the rising of the
sun even unto the going down of the same, My name shall be great among
all nations.”
“Would you like to know the sweetness
Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow,
This shall be your sure reward.
And when’er you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting place,
You must mind and bear the image
Of the Master in your face.”
PREPARING TO START
After receiving the wonderful message in tongues, with its
interpretation, telling us the time had come for us to make ready to
go to the mission field, we began packing our trunks, putting away the
things which we would not need during the summer. We had been working
in a hard field that winter, the income had been very small, and poor
husband had worked as much as possible, to get the children clothes and
books for school. But work was scarce and the battle had been long and
hard, for we felt we must settle down again that the children might be in
school, which matter the Lord had dealt with us about many times before.
We were preparing to start as soon as the way was opened, when there
came a letter from a brother asking if we would not come and have some
meetings with them. We felt led to go, and on arriving found the revival
spirit was in the air. The first night the place was packed, and the
altar was filled with hungry people seeking the Lord. We were there
three weeks, and they certainly were blessed weeks of victory, for many
precious souls received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and many were
healed, and the Lord sent in money for some clothing, which we were all
needing badly.
After the meeting we returned for our trunks and to prepare for the trip
across the country to California, for from there we were to sail for our
field in Central America.
The livelong night we’ve toiled in vain,
But at Thy gracious word,
I will let down the net again,
To do Thy will, O Lord.
HOME LEAVING
Bidding our loved ones good-bye we left Granite City, Illinois, May 29th,
1919. We took train from St. Louis at 4 P. M., for Stanton, Missouri,
where God had definitely led us to go.
As the train sped out of the city and over the long stretch of country
beyond, I was meditating over the many things that had happened at our
farewell. My dear mother had said she did not understand this thing,
and my brothers and sisters had spoken against our going out in such a
foolish way, without money and without backing of any kind. They just
knew that we would all starve and die in that far-off country. None of
them being Christians, they could not understand how the dear Lord could
supply our every need. But the blessed Holy Spirit had spoken to my heart
and said, “You have left all, brothers, sisters, father, mother, houses
and lands for My sake, and the Gospel’s, so I will give you brothers,
sisters, fathers and mothers, houses and lands, wherever you go.”
As we rode on, we were praying that God would lead us every step of the
way, and not let us miss His will in any thing we did or said. As I took
some tracts from my hand bag to distribute among the passengers I noticed
a white-haired gentleman take a seat just across from us. The Spirit said
to me, “That is one of your Pentecostal brothers. Ask him what you want
to know about the place to which you are going.”
We were not acquainted with any one at Stanton, and had been wishing that
we could find out something about the place and the people before we
arrived. I began distributing the tracts through the car, and when I came
to this man he looked up and said, “=Praise the Lord!=” We had a blessed
time from there on, talking of the work over the country, and learning of
conditions at Stanton.
Arriving at the station we bade our brother good-bye and got off the
train. It was now quite dark, and raining, and our funds were down to
twenty cents. We stopped under the shed of the depot long enough to
pray for leadings from the Lord, for it was late, the agent had gone,
the depot was closed and the brother had told us that he thought most
of the saints lived out in the country. As we looked to our Heavenly
Father to guide us He directed us to a store on the hill. The owner was
just closing the door as we came up. My husband asked him if any of the
mission people lived in the town and he said he did not know. As we
passed down the street we heard some one say, “=Well, ‘Praise the Lord!’=
Where did you come from?” It was dear brother Armstead. We had met him
and his wife in some meetings in St. Louis, but did not know they lived
in Stanton. Also others were there whom we knew, having met them in other
places. We stayed about ten days and had blessed meetings. The blessing
of the Lord came down upon our souls, the dear little band of faithful
saints were refreshed, and the altar was filled with those seeking the
Lord.
A remarkable incident occurred here. A woman across the street from where
we were having the meetings became very much incensed at us because she
thought we prayed and sang too loud. She sent her children over to throw
rocks and sticks at us, while she sat in her house and made light of the
shouting. One night the power fell in a wonderful way and the people were
very happy. This woman was sitting barefoot in her bedroom reading the
evening paper, and felt something cold touch her foot, but did not give
it any attention at first. Feeling it again she looked down, and there
was a very large snake coiled ready to strike her foot. She sprang away
and screamed, then ran to the meeting crying for some one to come and
kill the snake, as it had gotten on the bed where the baby was asleep.
Some of the brothers went over, found the serpent on the bed, and killed
it. After that the woman felt different toward us and our shouting and
praising the Lord. We had been praying for her and the Lord had told us
He would take care of it all. We find the Lord uses different means to
bring people to Himself.
From Stanton we went to Rolla, Missouri. We knew no one in Rolla, or
anything about the place, but the Lord had told us to go there, so we
went. We just had money enough to get there. As we stepped off the
train a brother threw his arms around my husband and said, “=Well,
Hallelujah!= My wife told me to come and meet this train, for the Lord
was sending some one on it to help us in the meetings we have just
started, and here you are, just in time.” They had opened a little work
there and had been asking the Lord to send someone to help them, so He
had sent us, bless His dear Name! He also sent the Holy Spirit, for we
had a wonderful time. One of the hard fighters of Pentecost received
the Baptism, and many others were blessed in their souls, and some were
healed in their bodies.
From Rolla we went to Springfield, Missouri, and stayed over Sunday with
the dear saints there, having a refreshing time for our souls, and a rest
for our bodies. From there we went to Everton, Missouri, where we had
been led to hold some meetings.
On arriving in this little town we found that the only building there was
for the meetings had burned down the day before. We spent the day in a
grocery store praying for a door to be opened for the Gospel, for we had
been told it was a very wicked town and that the Pentecostal message had
never been preached there.
In the evening we went out to see about getting some rooms where we
could stay while there. Going to a certain place we met the Presbyterian
minister. When he found that we had come to have revival meetings he
hastened to open his church to us and insisted that we begin the services
that night. He told us that he had been praying for a revival as they
had not had a convert in that town for over thirty years, and that he
hoped we could do something to stir the people up. He had not asked us
what we were preaching, as many others do when we arrive in a new place.
If he had known how we would stir up things in that dead town and that
fine Presbyterian church I don’t know whether he would have been so quick
to invite us in.
He rang the church bell, we went in and began to sing and pray, and soon
the crowd came. Such a hungry-looking lot of people they were, yet they
looked like they were ready to run if something happened that they did
not understand. As we prayed and testified the glory settled down over
us. Each night the people moved up a little closer to the fire, and some
dared to come up in the rostrum and help us sing. Once in a while we
heard a faint Amen from the dear old pastor, and one night, after the
Lord had met us in a very sweet and wonderful way, he came and said,
“There is something so different about you people from what we have ever
seen in others. Why,” said he, “it is no trouble at all for you to pray
and testify, and there is something about these meetings that fills my
heart with joy, and I want you to pray that I will get this blessing that
you have, for we need a great spiritual awakening here.”
I felt like jumping up and down and telling him we had the Baptism of the
Holy Ghost and it was that which made us different from other folks. =O
Hallelujah!= But I knew we must use wisdom with them, so left it to the
Lord to work out in His own way and time.
The next night the power fell on Sister Hagg, and she went up and down
the platform singing in the Spirit and speaking in tongues. We were
wonderfully anointed and had a blessed meeting. The dear people had never
seen anything like that before. They looked so hungry.
The next morning the pastor and his wife came to our rooms and he said,
“I want this blessed experience. Pray for me, and pray for my wife’s
healing.” She was deaf. We had a sweet time praying together, the dear
old pastor calling on God to send the Holy Spirit into his life and into
the church.
The next day we had to move on to Kansas City. But I am sure there was
a work done and seed sown in Everton that will bring forth fruit. The
people came to bid us good-bye, saying they were so glad we had come and
brought them the light of Pentecost.
At the depot we were told the price of our tickets was $20. We found we
were short of that amount by $4.20. We had only $14.80. We went aside and
prayed, telling the Lord He had told us to go to Kansas City, Missouri,
and now the train was arriving and we did not have sufficient money.
The Lord said, “Go to the window and call for the tickets.” We obeyed,
knowing the Lord was able to send money right straight from Heaven.
As husband received the tickets through the window, the agent said,
“$14.80.” We were soon on the train speeding on our way. We do not know
just how it came about, but we know God did it. =Hallelujah!= He makes a
way where there is no way, if we believe.
It was after dark when we arrived in Kansas City. We prayed and asked the
Lord just where He wanted us to go as we did not know anyone there. He
directed us straight up a street. We walked several blocks, not knowing
where there were any missions. We saw a nice little brick church on a
corner, but no sign to tell about meetings, and the doors were closed. As
we stood there praying, the Lord told me to open the door and go in.
As we pushed on the door it opened into a vestibule. From there some
steps led into the auditorium through another door. We heard some one
saying, “=Praise the Lord!=” and knew they must be Pentecostal people. A
brother came with outstretched hands to greet us, asking, “Where did you
come from?” It was dear Brother Huff from Chicago, who was in charge of
the mission. We had a blessed time together praising God and seeing souls
brought in and baptized in the Spirit. We were also blessed with Brother
Scott in the mission in Kansas City, Kansas, and with his saints.
We then went on to Topeka, Kansas, by the direction of the Lord. We
never went anywhere until we had prayed and received instructions from
the Lord. Most of the time He spoke through my lips the name of the next
place, even telling us when to go, and what train to take. Oh, the
blessedness of the sweet Holy Spirit flowing in and upon our souls till
we are lost in Him.
=“He leadeth me, oh, blessed thought.”=
We arrived in Topeka, knowing nothing of the missions there or how to
find them. As we were walking down a street the Lord said, “Ask that boy
where the mission is.” He was the son of one of the saints, and lived
near the mission. We were at that mission two weeks and had a precious
time.
The Lord provided for us to travel to Colorado Springs with Sister Bowers
in her car. Many were the times and ways God showed His mighty arm
out-stretched toward us. We started with very little money to buy food
and gasoline, or to pay for repairs for the car. But He provided for all.
One morning as we were crossing a bridge, some drunken men ran their car
into ours, throwing it over the edge of the bridge which had no rail, the
bridge being a new one and not completed. Our machine hung out over the
water fifty feet below. But as we went over the edge the power came upon
us all, and we began speaking in tongues. The glory of God came down like
a great white cloud, and the machine was picked up and set in the middle
of the bridge without a scratch on us or on it.
Another time when we came into a town we were told that the road ahead
was impassable; that twenty cars had been pulled out of the place where
the water covered the road for about a mile. We asked the Lord if we
should go on or not. He said we should go on, and if we believed we
should see the glory of God. As we approached the water, which came up to
the doors of the machine, and with great ditches on either side, filled
with water, we could not see where the road was, nor where the ditches
were. The power came down over the machine, and we all began to sing in
tongues. Sister Bowers’ hands went up in the air, and never touched the
wheel till we were over the place, about a mile in length. The mud and
water did not even splash the wind shield or machine anywhere.
=“We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of God we will set up
our banners. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions.”=—Psalm 20:5.
We stopped at several places on the way and held meetings. We also gave
out tracts and papers, filling the rural mail boxes along the highways
with gospel literature. Each morning we cooked our breakfast and had our
morning worship by the roadside, then went on our way praising God for
all His goodness in permitting us to preach His glorious gospel.
One night when we were sleeping out on the open prairie—as we were too
heavily loaded to carry a tent—there came up a terrible storm. The wind
blew at a terrific gale and the thunder and lightning were awful.
We were fast asleep when a large coyote came near and began his loud
barking, evidently sent by the Lord to awaken us just in time to see our
clothes and hats sweeping across the plain before the fierce wind. We ran
after them, and prayed the Lord to stop the storm, telling Him He had
promised us that it should not rain on us. Then the wind stopped, also
the thunder and lightning, and we had nice dry weather the rest of the
way.
Arriving in Colorado Springs, we were welcomed by the dear pastor and
people. They had a nice assembly, and the Lord sweetly worked the few
days we were there.
Some people from the plains came asking us to come and hold meetings
for them in a school-house. They had never heard Pentecost preached,
excepting one woman who had read some about it and was hungry for the
Baptism. We found the whole country Free Methodist, and they said they
had the Holy Spirit.
We had meetings every night for about a week, everybody sitting back and
looking on. On Sunday we were invited to the home of some of the leading
people for dinner. After we had eaten, someone went to the piano and
began playing a hymn, and we started to sing. Soon we heard a terrible
noise. Looking around we saw the man of the house laid out in the middle
of the floor, shaking from head to foot under the power of God. In fact
his feet were up in the air and his whole body was shaking violently.
His wife and the people were running out after water to throw on him.
But we told them it was the power of God, and they must leave him alone.
They declared he had a spell with his heart and was dying, but we kept on
singing and holding on in prayer till he came through.
The news spread all over the country, and that night all the rigs and
autos for many miles around were there bringing the people to see the
strange sights. While we were singing, the daughter of this same man
arose, came to the altar and fell under the power. The fire spread over
the house, God working in a wondrous way. Some said it was the power of
God, others said we were hypnotizing the people, and that was what made
them fall. The whole country was stirred, and many heard the last-day
message of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare the people for
the coming of the Lord. We still receive letters from these people. They
are holding on to God, and He is blessing them.
We also visited with dear Brother and Sister Roper and their sister
Stout, at Immanuel Faith Home, in Pueblo. This is a school for orphan
children, and a faith home where saints and missionaries can come and
rest for a while. We were there for a week, and those were days of great
blessing and refreshings from the Lord. These clear saints have opened
that wonderful work in faith, looking to God to supply every need, and
surely He has done according to His promise. The way we saw God work
there in answering prayer was far beyond anything we had ever witnessed
before, and the way the dear little children were taught to pray and
trust God for their needs was blessed.
From there we went in the machine to Denver, where we spent two weeks
at the camp-meeting. How the blessing of the Lord did come down on our
souls! We were greatly refreshed and our faith was quickened. The latter
was needed, for we were going to the mission field by faith, looking to
the Lord alone to supply every need.
The camp-meeting was coming to a close and the tents were being taken
down, but we did not know where we were to go next. As I was packing the
suit-cases, and getting ready to leave, the Lord said to me, “Arrange
your clothes, for you will go to Los Angeles in a few days.”
Offerings had been small and expenses heavy, so we had but little money,
therefore we did not see how we could get to Los Angeles. But never
mind. “The natural man receiveth not the things of God.” Don’t reason,
but believe. As I walked out by the lake, and saw the pretty little fish
so at home in the beautiful water, without a care, for God took care of
them, He spoke to my heart, and said, “Not a worry, for as I made this
beautiful crystal lake for the fish, so I have made a great and beautiful
way for My children. And just as the fish swim through the water and
drink it, so My little children shall live and move in Me.” “For in Him
we live and move and have our being.”
Just then three women came up in a machine and stopped near where I was.
All were strangers to me, but the Spirit said, “Join yourself to them.”
I went over and spoke to them, asking if they were Christians. They
said they were, and were wanting to see me. They had heard me speak the
night before, and wanted to see more of me. When I bade them good-bye
one of them went with me to my tent. She said she had some of the Lord’s
money for me, but did not know how to find me, as the camp was breaking
up and everyone was going away, but she had been directed back to the
camp-ground. “Give me your address on the mission field,” she said,
“as I am to help support you there.” Besides what she gave me at the
camp-meeting, she was one of our main supports on the field, sending her
offerings in no small sums.
We then went to Colorado Springs with a brother in his auto. All the way
the Lord kept saying to me, “You will leave for Los Angeles soon after
arriving at the Springs.” As we must have $100.00 more for our tickets,
we did not know how it was going to work out. When we went to the post
office we received a letter from a brother in Kansas with a check for
$100.00. In the letter he said, “I supposed you were in California, but
as I was writing this check I was led to send it to Colorado Springs.
Hope you receive it o. k.” So here was the rest of our fare. Just as God
had said, we were to go to California. He had the money right on hand,
bless His name! After buying our tickets and a little lunch, we had $3
left. We praised the Lord we were on our way to the mission field, to
tell the heathen of this wonderful salvation.
As the train pulled out of the station, a little sister who had been very
kind to us threw $4 in at the window.
THE CHURCH IN UNITY
The Wonderful Vision
We passed through Royal Gorge, and over the mountains, reaching the
highest point just as the sun was sinking behind the western hills.
They call it “The Top of the World.” There is a post office there where
tourists mail folders and cards to all parts of the country, describing
the beautiful scenery. Here is the Arkansas River, dividing at an
elevation of 10,000 feet, running two ways, growing wider and wider as
it flows down the mountain beside the railroad. I sat looking out the
window at the stream which waters the fields all along the sides of the
mountains and in the valleys. The water is conducted through great flumes
running in all directions, even carrying the water up hill in some places.
The scene faded before my eyes, and in its place I saw a great desert, O,
so big and barren! There was nothing but bits of thorny cactus growing
here and there. The sand was dry and parched. Far out in the middle of
the desert there was an old house. It was only a shack. The roof boards
were so old and weather beaten they were curling up at the ends. The
sides were beginning to fall away from the roof. The door was small and
falling off the hinges. There seemed not one ray of hope for the little
old shack so far away in the desert. The winds of many centuries had
beaten upon its sides. It was ready to fall.
As I looked far away on every side I saw nothing but hot dry sand. Over
the sand came a man. He was weary, and the hot sun beat fiercely upon
his bare head. As he came nearer I saw he was reading a Bible. He was
so interested in it that he looked not to the right or left. His face
was right down in the Book. Behind him came another, and still another,
until there was a great company of people, thousands of them, both men
and women. All had their faces buried in the Bible. They were entering
the little old shack, passing in one by one. I wondered at so many people
being able to get into so small a house. But soon I discovered that the
house was enlarging. The door became new and swung upright on new hinges.
As far as I could see across the plain people were coming. Each one’s
face was down in the Word of God. They were all moving toward and into
the house, now no longer a dilapidated shack but becoming a great strong
building. The roof was now of new material, of such a bright red color
that my eyes could not look upon it. The sides had become new. From the
door clear water was beginning to flow. I could see the sands of the
desert carried before it as it went down and out of the building. Then
the water burst forth from all sides of the house, till all but the roof
was clear, crystal water.
The water spread over the desert, until it had become a mighty river
covering the whole country, and people of every nation came running to
it. The great house in the center was of such beauty that my eyes could
not look upon it. The people began to come out of the house, but they
were not the same as when they went into it. They were now large men
and women, as tall as telephone poles. Their countenances were shining
with the glory of God. In their hands were large nets. These they cast
into the stream, in which there were many fish, for as the people of all
nations ran and fell into the water they became fish. I could see their
tails as they swam about. Each net was brought up full of fine, large
fish.
Over the top of the building was written in letters of fire, “THE CHURCH
IN UNITY.” As the vision disappeared, I realized I was still on the
train. Having my Bible in my hand I opened to this Scripture, “DECLARE
HIS GLORY AMONG THE HEATHEN, =HIS MARVELLOUS WORKS AMONG ALL NATIONS=.” I
Chron. 16:24.
Then the Lord showed me that when His people receive, through the Holy
Spirit, the revelation of the Word, they will come together in unity;
not merely be brought together by some creed or doctrine, but by the
revelation of the scriptures, as they are made Spirit and life. This
will cause the dilapidated building, which represents the church out in
the desert of unbelief and false doctrine, to become new, strong and
great, with the waters of the Spirit flowing out to all nations. And
just as the Arkansas River, rising at the mountain summit, divided and
ran both ways, watering the fields on either side of the mountain, so
as the church reaches the mountain summit of God’s love and revelation
of the scriptures, the waters of salvation will flow both ways, to the
home and also to the foreign field, and there will be a Heaven-taught and
Spirit-trained ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, and for the evangelization of
the heathen.
OPENING THE WAY.
Arriving in Salt Lake City at noon the next day, we were told the train
we should take for Los Angeles did not carry chair cars, so we would have
to wait for a train that left at midnight. We were very tired from our
long train ride and went aside in the station to rest. I lay down on a
couch in the ladies’ rest room, but just as I had settled down for rest
the Lord said to me, “Go and buy your berth on this train, for it will
be the last train through.” I did not know what it meant, but I did not
doubt the voice of God that had spoken to me so many times in the fifteen
years I have been saved.
I went to my husband and told him, and together we went to the Pullman
ticket office. The agent said, “I have not a berth left. The train is
full and leaves in fifteen minutes.” I told him the Lord had said we were
to go on that train, and there must be a place somewhere for us. He said
he knew he had not a berth left. I said we must have two upper berths, as
we did not have sufficient money for lower berths. The $4 given by the
little sister in Colorado Springs as our train was leaving and the $3.00
we had was all we had for the berths. Just then a man stepped up and said
there were two upper berths left, as some people had decided not to go on
that train. “Well,” said the agent, “I guess they are for you, but you
will have to hurry, as the train is ready to go.” Entering the coach
we found the two berths were together. How the Lord does plan for His
children, opening doors which no man can shut. =Hallelujah!=
As we neared the California border the strike came on that paralyzed all
street-car and train service for ten days. Three times the men were about
to leave our train out on the desert. But we prayed, and God took the
train through to Los Angeles. Other trains that started were forsaken by
the trainmen and hundreds of people were left in the desert without food
or water. Relief was sent to them by auto trucks, and they came through
in that way. But God spoke to us, and we obeyed, and went on the last
train that got through for over ten days.
How God does care for His own! We were going out as missionaries and He
wanted to teach us lessons of faith. That is why He took us along with
just enough money for one trip at a time. Many times we were without
money or had but little. Then, He would tell us not to look at our little
means, but to look to Him, with Heaven’s great storehouse full for all
who would believe. “=The just shall live by faith.=” The new creature in
Christ Jesus becomes heir to ALL His riches in glory. “=O the depth of
the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are
His judgments, and His ways past finding out!=” Rom. 11:33.
We arrived in Los Angeles with seventy-five cents. The taxi man asked
$4 to take us to the camp-grounds, and no street cars were running. We
asked Father how we were to get out there. It was too far to walk. I was
directed to a little lunch-counter across the street, to ask the man
about a machine standing in front of his place. He told me he would take
us out there, as he was carrying passengers since the strike was on. We
asked him the fare and he said, “Seventy-five cents.” We laughed, for
Father knew just how much we had, and would not let him ask more.
We reached the camp-grounds about nine o’clock. The Evangelist was
preaching on faith, and how we should trust God. She stretched out
her arm toward us and said, in a loud voice, “=The just shall live by
faith=.” This was a familiar text to us, as it had been our motto for
some three months, or more, but it is always new.
Brother Fisher came and said, “We have a tent up and ready for you,
but we have made no arrangements for meals for you, as everybody makes
their own arrangements for those.” We praised God for the tent and knew
He would take care of the rest, for He had sent us there, so He would
provide.
We were invited home with some friends that night, but returned to the
camp to stay the next morning. Noon came. Everybody was going out to the
stand to get lunch. We had to pray. So we went into our little tent,
knelt down and told our Heavenly Father about our needs. He says He
knows our needs before we ask Him, but we receive by asking. It is so
sweet to tell Him about every little need. We had spoken to no one else
about them, as that would not be faith. We went across the grounds to the
big tent. A sister came, put her arms around me, and said, “Sister, are
you a missionary?” I told her we were just going out for the first time.
She said the Lord had laid it on her heart to open a dining tent for
the missionaries on the camp-ground, and she wanted to invite me and my
little family to eat with them. I need not say that dining tent was one
of the sweetest places I have ever seen. We would gather there and sing
and praise God and eat the food He had provided. It was Heaven on earth.
I am sure dear Sister Craton and her sister, who worked so faithfully,
will receive abundant reward when Jesus comes.
The meeting was wonderful. The Word was preached under the mighty
anointing every afternoon and night. Hundreds were brought in and
baptized in the Holy Spirit, and many were healed. One day they carried
in a Jew. He was an invalid, had been sick for many years and did not
believe the Bible or in God. We gathered around him and prayed. A great
ball of fire came down through the tent, struck that man on the head,
knocked him out of his chair and on to his feet, and almost knocked down
all who were praying with him. He was healed and baptized in the Holy
Spirit, and ran over the grounds leaping and praising God. Many things
God did there that strengthened our faith and prepared us for the life of
faith on the mission field.
After the camp-meeting we rented a little apartment where we might live
and make ready for our trip, for there was sewing to be done and things
to be made ready. We were expecting to sail about the first of October.
But one day, as we were praying about when we should sail, the Lord said,
“You will sail about the first of the year.” We thought that was a long
time off, and did not understand why we were to wait so long. Going to
the steamship office we learned that the port of Corinto, where we were
to land, was under quarantine for yellow fever, and had been for several
months, but the ban would be lifted about the first of the year, and it
was.
They were precious months that followed. Everything that we needed had to
be prayed in—trunks, suitcases, clothing, everything came in answer to
prayer.
While in San Francisco I was very busy in meetings and had many letters
to write. Sister Kerr said, “Ask the Lord to give you a typewriter to
take with you.” “Oh,” I said, “I could never have faith for a typewriter,
as I could get along without that, and need so many other things.” While
I was praying in my room the Lord said to me, “You can have faith for a
typewriter. Ask for one, and you shall have it.” I said, “Lord, I do not
know how to use a typewriter.” He told me that when I went back to Los
Angeles I could go to night school and learn to use a typewriter, and
then He would give me one. This I did, and soon learned how to typewrite.
Then I received a letter from a brother enclosing a check for $50, saying
it was for a Corona typewriter to take to the mission field. I had never
seen the brother and do not know how he knew of me, but God knows. I
almost ran to the Corona office to get my typewriter, and with it I am
writing this book.
=“I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him
as long as I live.”=—Psalm 116:1, 2.
While in Oakland dear sister Rawlins told me the Lord had spoken to her
to take her new Singer sewing machine, go home with me to Los Angeles and
do up all my sewing. Here again was the dear loving hand of my Heavenly
Father. He said He would give me mothers and brothers and sisters. This
dear sister was truly a mother to me. She came with me, did up the
sewing, and, as we were packing ready to leave for the mission field, and
she to return to Oakland, she gave me the machine to take with me. How
sweet that God has so many precious children who are ready to lay down
their lives for the Gospel. We may not all be called to go, but we all
can do our part. God bless every one who has given so freely and made it
possible for the missionaries to go. As I think of the many things and
the money that have been given by the dear children of God, it makes me
fear I may not prove true and use it all to His glory. But there is a cry
in my soul that the Lord will help me to be faithful, and render unto the
Lord for all His benefits unto me. Psalm 116:12.
Everything was provided for the trip. New trunks were sent up to the
house. Two nice handbags were given. One woman gave my daughter and me
beautiful riding suits made to order. A certain book I had long been
wanting to read, and had not been able to get, was brought and laid on
our table when I was out. Many little tokens of love were brought by the
saints—nice useful things.
But there was one thing lacking, a most important one. That was our
fare. The Lord had miraculously interfered and gotten us our passports,
and everything was packed and ready, but no money for the fare, which
was near $700.00, including excess baggage. One morning, while praying
in my room, the Lord said, “Go to the steamship office and make your
reservations.” “But, Lord, I haven’t the money to pay down.” He said,
“Get ready; I will send the money.” By the time I was dressed and ready,
a friend entered the room and gave me $15. Well, why hadn’t the Lord sent
all that was needed for the fare? Never mind; He had another lesson of
faith to teach us. I went to the office and found out about the steamers.
One sailed January 12th. The Lord said “Take that one.” Different
faithful friend, asked, “When does the steamer sail?” We told them.
“And you haven’t your fare yet?” “No, we haven’t the fare yet, but it is
coming.” They said they did not believe we were to sail so soon or God
would have sent the fare. But we knew God had spoken and we believed.
One afternoon a woman came with a message which she claimed was from God.
Some of them had been praying about our going, and had received a message
that we were not to go yet. Instead we were to go to a certain place and
open a work. For that reason God had not sent us our fare. I replied,
“I can’t believe that, for God has spoken to me many times, and this
message is the same that came through my lips in San Francisco, when He
told me that we were to sail about the first of the year.” At that time,
as already related, we found the port was under quarantine that would be
lifted about the first of the year. Later we found it had been lifted,
and the Lord had told us we were to sail on the steamer that went on Jan.
12.
We kept in sweet communion with the Lord, and every time these friends
came with a message, He whispered to us to be still and know He was God;
and we should see His salvation. Time went by. Only a week more before
sailing, and we must have our ticket in three days in order to have our
baggage attended to, still there was no money in sight. We kept praising
the Lord that He had spoken, and it would come to pass. A dear saint,
we thought much of, came in. She asked if we had our fare. We said we
had not. She said, “Surely there is something wrong. God does not want
you to go now.” But we quietly praised God. He had spoken, and it was
so. Like Paul, we thanked God and took courage, when it seemed that
everything was against us on every side, and the darkest hour was there.
Then came dear Brother Norris from San Bernardino, California. He said
the Lord had sent him to pay our fares. So he went down and paid for our
tickets and excess baggage.
Why did we have this test? It was just one more lesson for us to learn.
We must come to the place where we know the voice of the Lord and there
must be no mistake about it. He wants us to know beyond the shadow of a
doubt. We are in dark days and there are many spirits to deceive. We must
know the voice of God, and then, no matter how impossible it may seem,
follow His voice.
Many were the tests and trials we passed through, but glorious was the
victory He gave in the end.
[Illustration: Father N. J. Norris, who paid our way to the Mission
field]
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;
He leadeth me out of the dry and thirsty land,
He bringeth me forth in pastures of green—
My eyes may not see all the ways He has planned,
Far out with Him in the way of faith, unseen.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
Over the way of thorns and rocks I may go,
But He is the one who taketh me through;
Through the thick darkness of doubt and woe,
But out from the clouds of darkness falls Heaven’s sweet dew.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
So lead me on by Thy Spirit, O God,
Take me into Thyself so dear;
Leave me not, though I pass under Thy rod,
Breathing the breath of fragrant air, leaving behind all fear.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
Out to the mission field, alone with Him;
To tell the poor heathen that Jesus has died;
Breaking the bread to one and all,
Telling them His death redeemed from the fall.
BREAD UPON THE WATERS
From Los Angeles to Nicaragua, C. A.
We sailed from Los Angeles, on the S. S. Curacao, January 12th, 1920.
After five days we arrived at the port of Matzalan, Mexico. The first
sight of the city was the large cathedral on the hill. Our boat came to
anchor, and as it was to stay a whole day, we took a launch and went
ashore.
The city was very beautiful, nestling in the valley, surrounded by
mountains and sea. The beach was thronged with bathers. The streets and
courts were lined with tropical flowers, palm and cocoanut trees. The sun
was so warm that we were soon persuaded to remove our coats and sweaters,
and we stepped into a hotel court to rest.
We noticed one beggar after another coming in and asking alms. Going
out into the streets again we noticed they seemed to be filled with
poor, ragged, barefoot people begging. On inquiry we were told this was
“Beggars’ Day,” when the poor came out and received help.
[Illustration: S. S. Curacao on which we sailed to the Mission field]
As we sat in the plaza and saw all the sin and wickedness around us, we
were reminded of Paul’s experience at Athens. His spirit was stirred when
he saw the city wholly given to idolatry, and found the altar with the
inscription, “To the unknown God.” Truly our spirits were stirred when we
saw the high spires on the cathedral, and the altar within, and realized
that God was not known to the people. The many beggars were a striking
picture of the great need of the whole city. The beggars’ dirty rags told
of their need of the robes of righteousness. Their bare feet showed the
need of being shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, for truly
they had no peace. Many of them were blind, and surely they were blind to
the truth. Beggars would come and touch us, and ask alms. Like Peter and
John, silver and gold we did not have, but we could tell them of Jesus,
and we did so. But they were so blind and deaf they did not seem to know
what we were talking about.
We were taken by a gentleman in a carriage to see the places of interest
in the city, which were many. Then we returned to the ship, but found it
would not be ready to sail for some time yet. We seated ourselves on the
deck and watched the many boats and launches that covered the waters. The
wind was strong and the waves ran high. We saw a small row-boat with two
men in it, rowing hard for the shore. It made me think of the great mass
of people here who were being tossed by the waves of sin.
=“Captain, Lower the Gang-Plank for I am Coming.”=