The difficulties and privations incident to Brother Warner's years
of faithfulness in the ministry, his persecutions on account of
holiness culminating in his expulsion from the Ohio Eldership, his
bereavements of some of his nearest relatives--all were serving
to draw him only closer to the Divine and thereby fitting him for
greater responsibilities and usefulness. As we become acquainted with
his career and the mission to which God had chosen him, we discern
the hand of Providence leading him to his appointed field.
On his return to Upper Sandusky from Tiffin on Apr. 9, 1878, he found
some urgent calls to go to Indiana, and he said, "I think the Lord
is in it; expect to go next week." At this time he became more fully
awakened to the importance of abandoning all party names and creeds
and returning to the "faith once delivered to the saints" in its
entirety. At this time, also, he began to have some conception of the
printing-press as an aid in publishing the truth. The manuscript for
a tract on the subject of holiness, which he was writing, was growing
to the proportions of a book, and he began to pray for means to have
it published. He "received gracious answers by the Spirit," as he
says, and the following night while he was lying awake in meditation,
the Lord opened up to him the new field of publishing holiness by
means of the printing-press.
Over the State line, in Wolcottville, Ind., the Lord had prepared
the opportunity. The little paper Herald of Gospel Freedom, was
in its first year, and its editor, I. W. Lowman, was favorable to
holiness and had been impressed that Brother Warner should conduct a
holiness department in the paper. The appointment was made at the
Eldership meeting, as stated in our previous chapter. As usual when
undertaking any responsibility, Brother Warner placed himself in
entire dependence upon God. He thus speaks of the project:
Oh, that God may endue us both with grace and wisdom to discharge
this solemn and important calling! O my God, I cry unto thee for
help! I am sure thou hast put me under this solemn and responsible
charge. Now thou must qualify thy poor tool for the work. Be
pleased, O Lord, to touch my heart and all my intellect and
religious powers afresh with the Holy Ghost. Be thou thyself my
qualification. I am so glad thou hast promised to be my wisdom. Oh,
give me also thy mind. Be thou the fountain of all knowledge and
goodness in me. Lord, I accept thee for my ALL.
His holiness articles contributed to the Church Advocate, the regular
Church paper, had been effective and had won for him openings and
warm hearts in various places. He possessed excellent gifts for
writing as well as for speaking. His discourse was entertaining and
instructive. He began his editorial duties in much physical weakness,
as, it will be remembered, he was just recovering from a severe
illness that laid low his naturally weak frame.
=Oct. 16, 1878.= Feeling bad. Much fever. Called upon the Lord.
Fasted most of the day. Applied water frequently to my head and
back of my neck. Was compelled to do some writing in order to be in
time with my continued article. This greatly increased my fever and
pain in the head.
=17.= Gathered some apples for myself. Feeling better. Praise the
Lord!
=18.= At twelve Brother Lowman and I started to Wolcottville.
Undertook to me the enormous task of walking to Waterloo, a
distance of three and one half miles. The roads were muddy. I soon
felt that it was impossible for me to go through on my strength
and began to look to God. I took him for my strength. All glory
to God and the Lamb, when we reached the station I felt stronger
than when we started. Lay over some time in Kendallville. Visited
printing-offices, as we are contemplating the purchase of press and
type to run the Herald.
=19.= The Lord is opening the way for us to buy a whole
printing-office here very cheap. Praise his name!
On the 24th he visited Rome City in view of finding a suitable place
to reside. He felt directed to locate here, and wrote his wife to
come. On the 26th of November they moved to their new location. He
bought the south half of lots 103 and 104 for $213.
The entry for the new year, Jan. 1, 1879, is of interest.
Since the last account my time has been closely devoted to writing
for the Herald and on my little book. This seems to have been
the order of the Lord, and he has most wonderfully blessed me in
the work. The Spirit is continually taking the things of Christ
and showing them to me. Glory to God for the new beauties and
blessed unfoldings of divine truth under the clear light of the
"anointing that abideth and teacheth of all things." The luminous
heavens of revelation seen through the all-searching telescope
of the Holy Ghost raise many texts that were but dim and of
doubtful application to the definite purifying grace, to their
true magnitude of absolute authority; while one beautiful, blazing
constellation of Bible truth after another is brought to view until
the adoring soul sees no end to the divine evidences of the "second
grace" save the end of revelation itself; and even there the Spirit
takes up the eternal theme and writes it all over the soul, on the
tablet of the heart and upon every fiber of our conscious being;
yea, writes it upon the "merchandise" of the saints all over the
entire universe of God's creation, on every surrounding object.
Even "upon the bells of the horses shall there be HOLINESS UNTO THE
LORD."
We can begin to see the effects under God of "praising the beauty
of holiness" in this place in our prayer- and class-meetings. Many
express a hunger for full salvation, and as we frequently present
our dear neighbors to God in prayer, the Spirit seems to indicate
a glorious harvest of souls in this place in the near future. All
glory to God!
And now, my soul, another year of thy earthly career and time to
work has passed away. Thank God, it was the first whole year of
my life that I have dwelt in the Canaan of perfect love and sinless
glory. All its events through God have indeed worked together for
good to my soul.
[Illustration: Rome City, Ind., in 1878. Birthplace of the Gospel
Trumpet]
=11.= Since last writing we have constantly shared the goodness of
God. The time has been closely devoted to writing on my book and
for the Herald. The Holy Spirit has greatly assisted. The weather
has been very cold, as much as twenty-four degrees below zero. The
first week of the new year was observed as a week of prayer. The
weather being severe, but few attended our union prayer-meeting.
Last night in the name of Jesus we began a meeting here in the
Methodist church-house on the line of holiness.
The book he speaks of was the Bible Proofs of the Second Work of
Grace. It was printed and bound the next year, 1880, at the E. U.
Mennonite publishing house in Goshen. Two thousand copies were
printed. It contained 493 pages and was, it would seem, an almost
exhaustive treatise on sanctification as a second work of grace as
shown by the Scriptures. It was counted an excellent book by the
holiness people and leaders, and doubtless accomplished much good.
Copies of the book may yet be found in individual libraries. This was
the first book of which Brother Warner was the author. He became the
author of a number of publications afterward.
=27.= Closed meeting tonight. A few souls have found Christ a
perfect Savior. The leading elements in the M. E. Church did not
come near during the meeting. Some did all they could against it.
The preacher in charge a week ago made a very brave defense of
sin in the flesh, justifying rather than condemning it. Oh, the
shameful clamor for sin! the dead and godless condition of the
Church! Surely her glory has departed. Some who were longing for
full salvation, when they saw the united influence of an apostate
church arrayed against this very fundamental doctrine of their
creed, were scared away from the good purposes of their heart and
away from the meeting. Poor souls! Having lost a good conscience
they can not look me in the face; and vainly they talk of growing
the remaining sin out of the heart. Oh, that God would appoint
salvation for this people!
=Feb. 2, 1879.= Have been very busy writing during the past week.
Brother Lowman moved the press here last Thursday. Praise the Lord!
He showed me by the Spirit that I should locate here, and that the
press would be located in this place, when nothing had been thought
or said about it. Oh, I am so glad the Lord does lead his little
ones! I can do much more for the paper now. Oh, that God would
keep Brother Lowman and me straight on the line of holiness and
continue to make the Herald a =real= herald of gospel freedom! Our
circulation is increasing, thank the Lord!
=10.= It is wonderful how God takes care of his dependent little
ones. When we came here, kind friends bade us farewell with some
sadness, fearing that the holiness evangelistic work would not
support us here, where we had no friends and acquaintances. But
what a lesson our heavenly Father has taught us! He has abundantly
provided for us, even at home. I must record some of his kindness.
Fuel is rather scarce here, wood quite high, and the weather
being quite severe I could not well see from whence we should be
supplied. But as we do not walk by sight I trusted all in the hands
of the Lord. We have a neighbor who is a very wicked man, but no
loving children of God could be more kind and benevolent to us than
the whole family are. They tell us by word and action that we shall
not want for any good thing while they have it. Another very wicked
young man had bought twelve acres of timber about three miles from
town. The best timber and most of the nicest cord-wood timber had
been taken off. My kind neighbor asked him how much he would take
for all that remained, and to his utter astonishment he said, "I
will give it to =you= for five dollars." Neighbor and I had talked
the matter over before and he agreed to take me in partnership if
we could get the wood reasonable. He was true to this agreement,
and we both have wood enough to do us for two or three years.
This is nothing else than the dealing of God. Oh, who would not
trust thee, blessed Father of mercies! Thou art all love and
boundless goodness. But thou art also perfect wisdom, therefore
will we trust thee when thy providence =seems= to be against our
wishes and inimical to our happiness; for we know that such can
only be in appearance, because of our ignorance. Oh, we thank thee
that we can rejoice in all thy righteous will; for as thou art
thyself love, nothing but love can proceed from thee.
=11.= Bro. L. Spencer and Brother Kimmel brought me home, each
bringing me a load of wood from my place of procuring fuel. When
arriving home, I found wife well as usual. Arrived at one o'clock,
and at two I was to preach the funeral of Miss Sigler. Poor girl,
I visited and prayed with her last Saturday before leaving home.
The family are not religious, the father is quite wicked and
intemperate; but Mary gave me satisfactory evidence that God had
forgiven her sins. However, when about to die she was left in great
distress of mind. Brother Newton, residing near by, was sent for;
he prayed for her. She obtained the victory and closed life in
peace.
The temperance meeting that was in progress when I left continued
with success until tonight. Over three hundred signed the pledge,
and a permanent organization was effected.
=23.= Sabbath. A. M., preached in Albion on faith. P. M., led
the holiness meeting and organized a holiness band of sixty-six
members. Praise the Lord, they expect to work for the Master in
spreading holiness.
On the 11th of March he and Elder Lowman drew up articles of
agreement by which they were to be joint editors and publishers of
the Herald and all other papers, books, etc., issued from their
office. Brother Warner was to pay Lowman $250 for a half interest
in the paper and office. Both were to bear half the expense of
publishing the Herald and any other publications. Both were to share
equally in all the income of the office except the job-work, which
Lowman was to do with his own press and stock, and receive the
proceeds. Brother Warner, however, was to realize fifteen per cent
from all the job-work he should procure. All manuscripts written by
or donated to either party after the date of their agreement were to
be jointly published and owned, and all manuscripts written by or
donated to either party before the date of agreement were to yield to
the owner ten per cent more than one half the proceeds.
From this time the diary entries are rather scattered, until finally
they cease altogether. This is owing to the fact, doubtless,
that the events of his life were associated with evangelistic and
editorial effort and went largely into the paper as news items.
=May 4, 1879.= Sabbath. Went to hear Brother Allison, United
Brethren minister. He requested me to talk. I did so, with great
liberty and power of the Spirit. Brother A., who had hitherto
been an opposer of distinct holiness, was overwhelmed by the
power of God and truth, and confessed that it was Bible doctrine.
Another man, whose carnality was greatly stirred, turned pale,
grew nervous, and finally interrupted me with questions and
contradictions. Just then God sent an increased volume of sweet
love to my heart. Glory to God! Burning coals were freely heaped
upon his head, and soft words soon turned wrath away, and after
meeting he humbly apologized.
=17.= Brother and Sister Shock brought me to Syracuse. Being late,
Brothers Martin and Bell had left just a few moments before.
Brother and Sister S. began to lament their disappointment. I began
to praise God, for the Spirit seemed to say, "I want thee with me
alone today." I said I expected a glorious time by the way. They
looked astonished that I was so free from complaint and regrets.
They suggested that I should go by the cars. I remarked that the
conductor would probably put me off, as I had no money. I praised
the Lord that he would be my strength to walk. They looked the more
strangely as I started off with praises to the Lord. I hope that
God may convince them of the blessedness of the rest of faith.
Walked about sixteen miles to Warsaw, and God did most wonderfully
bless my soul by the way. Reached Warsaw about 3 P. M., without
fatigue or hunger. Called at Brother Barber's a few moments. Looked
for a team that was going out south, but had to take the train, the
Lord having told Brother Barber to give me fifty cents to pay fare.
Brother Lowman was on the train. After reaching Silver Lake we had
three miles more to walk to Gospel Hill. Praise God, he was my
strength this day, even without food from early morning till late
in the eve.
=18.= Sabbath. Brother Bear and many dear holy ones came from
Yellow Lake and elsewhere. Glorious time in the Lord.
P. M., met at half-past two. I was urged again to lead the meeting.
The Spirit of the Lord was wonderfully upon me; anointed me to
preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Halleluiah! The deep
prejudices began to give way; opposition ceased; God was triumphing.
Eve, Brother Lowman having the sore throat, Brother Martin not
being well, and Brother Bear having left, I was much humbled before
God in talking again to the people. I was brought low in the dust
at the thought of being too prominent among the brethren in thus
leading the meeting so much.
=June 4, 1879.= This is the fifth anniversary of our marriage. Took
early train for home. Found dear Sarah quite ill; may the Lord
bless the precious object of my strongest earthly love.
=July 4, 1879.= Sarah and I got a horse and buggy and went out
three miles and picked a fine lot of raspberries, and thus escaped
the throng and rabble that filled our little picturesque city. Oh,
how much more sweet and comfortable to get away with the Lord alone!
=6.= Sabbath. At home. Unwell. The Lord sent a young man here
today, that I might have something to do for Him. Some weeks ago I
found the poor wayfarer at the lake, fishing. Having learned that
he was a stranger and without money I brought him home for the
night. He seems very teachable. I tried hard to get him to call
upon the Lord and be saved. This is the second time he has been to
see us, not having found us at home the former time. He is a very
intelligent Swede. Has had some practise in type-setting, and has
corresponded some for papers.
=Aug. 6, 1879.= Came to Warsaw camp-meeting. The Lord was at work,
many being saved. About forty tents occupied. Bishops Weaver,
William Taylor and a host of preachers present. Rejoiced to form
the acquaintance of Brothers Lambert, Krupp, and Low, of the New
Mennonite Church. They are gloriously saved and definite for Jesus.
We found a wonderful affinity in our hearts. If the Lord will, I
shall attend their conference. I pray God we may become one fold.
The Lord did not have his way fully in this meeting. Too much
looking to men.
=Sept. 3, 1879.= Took train for Upper Sandusky. Found Wife and
friends and many of the holiness workers already on the camp-ground.
=10.= Meeting closed tonight. A mob of two or three hundred of
the baser sort were let loose by Satan upon us. They threatened
everything to Bro. W. T. Ellis, against whom they were incensed by
what appears to have been imprudent conduct of his own. We finally
succeeded in escorting him through the surging, raging rabble to
our quarters. Some eggs were fired upon us. This Brother E. is
indeed to me a mystery. His conduct is very rough. He is truly a
"new sharp threshing-instrument having teeth." Notwithstanding
he provokes malice from the world and forfeits confidence of
believers, he brings souls to God.
On Tuesday we had a faith meeting. Special faith and gifts of
healing were considered. All who had infirmities which they
believed the Lord desired them to be healed from presented
themselves before the Lord, and several remarkable healings were
performed. Sister Monnett, from Bucyrus, who walked upon crutches,
was made whole, and used them no more. Another sister was healed by
the Great Physician of a spinal affliction which she had had from
her youth. The next day she was surprized to find that even the
deformity had disappeared. Praise God!
=22.= Came home via the Baltimore and Ohio.
=24.= Went out to the Mennonite conference in the Hawpatch, about
nine miles from here.
=26.= Bade these beloved brethren farewell, feeling that our hearts
are wonderfully knit together in love. They appointed a delegate to
our Eldership.
=27.= Met beloved companion this eve at our Eldership at Yellow
Lake Bethel, she having come directly from Ohio.
=29.= Sessions very pleasant, even spiritual. After leaving the
house, very strange feelings came over me. I felt sure that the
powers of darkness were about to make a desperate rally. We stayed
up at Brother Bear's and prayed until one o'clock. I then lay down
and took a short sleep, when the Spirit bade me arise and go out
in the woods. Oh, what wrestling and agony of soul! What burden of
heart and cries unto God for the salvation of his cause in that
lone place from about 4:30 till 6 A. M.! Received some relief and
victory. An evil spirit seemed to be upon the session from the
opening this morning. The foreseen darkness was there. Business
did not pass off so pleasantly. At noon I spent all the time shut
up with God, and received great relief from the mountain that
seemed to crush my heart. This was a new and strange experience to
my soul. Closed business at a late hour at night. The Eldership
purchased the office from Brother Lowman and me.
=Oct. 1, 1879.= Sarah started home this morning. I felt led to go
to see the brethren in the Cook neighborhood and Warsaw concerning
the formation of a State Holiness Alliance.
=14.= Received an urgent call to go to Wakarusa. Was led to go.
Asked God for the means, and in less than one hour a gentleman came
and summoned me to affirm a small matter before the court, which
any of my neighbors could have done as well.
=21.= [At Palestine.] Quite a good turn-out. Two quite zealous
Christians who disbelieved the second work of grace--a father and
son--both spoke. The first believed in sanctification as a gradual
work after pardon and consummated at death. The latter testified
that he received it in conversion. What incongruity in the two, but
harmony in all who have the fulness!
Eve, read prophecies of the present holiness movement. Exhorted
the many holy ones present to fill the Bible description of God's
holy army, moving out in every direction, setting the wilderness
on fire, invading every city, casting down every wall, staying and
burying Gog, beating the mountains fine, and blowing the mass of
chaff from the Lord's threshing-floor (Ezek. 38, 39).
=23.= Came home. Among the mail awaiting me was a card stating
that obligations to the amount of $45 must be paid at once in
Wolcottville. Blessed be the Lord, another letter contained the
precise amount of $45, that had been due me nearly a year from
Nebraska. Glory to God, he supplies all our needs. How perfectly he
meets all our wants!
=Nov. 16, 1879.= Sabbath. A glorious meeting was in progress at
Churubusko. Brother Wood, the leader, had taken sick and the little
ones were praying to the Lord to send some one to proclaim the word
of the Lord. We heard of the meeting and at once were moved to go.
We found the Methodist Episcopal house crowded. A good band of
holiness witnesses and singers all had their eyes on the Lord to
send a man to lead the host. Praise his name, he anointed me for
the work and a glorious meeting ensued. Four or five fully saved.
=17.= This morning we found Brother Wood still quite sick. The
doctor anticipated a severe attack of bilious pneumonia fever. We
anointed him with oil and the Lord heard prayer in his behalf and
raised him up at once.
=18.= Brother Wood quite well and able to work in the meetings.
Held a special faith-meeting today. Prayed for the restoration of
the boy who is perfectly deaf. We were not at all discouraged, but
felt it our duty to continue in prayer from day to day just as we
often have to do with those seeking pardon and purification.
=19.= After our day meeting a brother and sister and I formed one
of the visiting committees. When nearly sundown we found a poor
suffering "woman who was a sinner," and blind for some time, and
afflicted with much pain. We told her that Jesus could wash away
her sins and heal and open her eyes. The Spirit soon brought on
conviction and new-birth labors. She was gloriously converted, and
giving a shout she sat down, and after a few seconds composure
said, "Glory to God, I can see! My eyes are healed!" She then
embraced her child and husband, whom she had not seen for about
two weeks. She had lost all power to move her eyes, and they were
both turned upward in her head. She was very weak, having eaten
but little for days, and she sat with her hands over her eyes to
exclude the light. Now she had the lamp lit and proceeded at once
to get supper. All glory to the Great Physician! Twenty-seven
sanctified souls arose to join into a holiness band. Hallelujah!
God is mustering his host to the battle.
The accounts immediately following, in which he speaks of
consolidating the Eldership with the Mennonites, show that he had not
as yet gotten away from the idea of an external union in addition to
that which the bonds of salvation alone can afford. He had already
made a trip to Goshen, and had met Brother Lambert and others of the
Mennonite faith.
=Dec. 5, 1879.= Am pushing my book to completion. Today Sarah and
I started for the joint meeting of our Standing Committee and the
Mennonite Quarterly Conference at Hawpatch.
=6.= Drove eight miles this morning to the place of meeting. Was
happy to meet with those beloved brethren once more. Had a joint
convention. The subject of consolidation was warmly advocated from
both sides, while our hearts glowed with the unifying glory of
Jesus Christ. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, the God of all grace has most emphatically taught us in
his Word that his church is one as the Father and Son are one, and
that a manifestation of this unity is to be the world-saving salt
of the church.
Therefore, we, as the professed sons of God and members of the
United Mennonite Church and the Church of God assembled in the
name of Jesus Christ in a joint meeting, do confess it our duty
to put away from us every accursed thing that might in the least
distract, divide, and alienate us in heart, or cause divergency
in practise; and for the sake of securing an answer to the prayer
of the adorable Savior, we do solemnly agree to abandon anything
not warranted by the Word of God and accept any and everything it
teaches. Therefore--
I. Resolved, That we joyfully consent to the will of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ and agree to unite in one body as soon as in
the providence of God the consolidation can be consummated, and
II. Resolved, That we recognize the Word of God as the only true
basis of Christian union. Furthermore,
III. Resolved, That we believe that the truth as it is in Christ
Jesus is within our reach, hence, can be ascertained on all points
of difference, and that we are therefore morally bound to learn and
abide its decision.
=14.= [At home.] Preached at the Wesleyan house at 1 P. M. on faith
in relation to gifts of the Spirit. In the evening at the United
Brethren house on the philosophy of faith.
=16.= Though very stormy, quite a company of dear brethren and
young men turned out to chop and haul me wood. Oh, the goodness of
God!
=Jan. 1, 1880.= Last night after a very successful and powerful
meeting at Chambers' Schoolhouse we came to the watch-meeting at
Albion. The Spirit greatly moved us to come. On reaching the house
I dropped on my knees, when the Spirit gave me a searching message
for the people. We kept up until after twelve. The old year passed
away while we were on our knees in solemn consecration to God.
This is the last quotation which we make from his diary. By the first
of the year he was given full charge of the Herald, and any further
record of his life-events must be found in the papers which he was
editing. Unfortunately, from Jan. 4, 1880, the date of the last entry
in his diary, until the issue of the Herald for Nov. 7, 1880, is a
gap over which we must bridge with silence, as I have no access to
any copy of the Herald for that year other than the one mentioned,
nor have I been supplied with information from any other source
covering that period. In it is also announced that the following
resolution was passed. "Resolved, That we are willing to consolidate
the Herald with any other paper that advocates the same gospel
principles."
In the number of the Herald referred to is printed the decision of
the Board of Publication to make the following announcement: "Edited
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by D. S. Warner, Rome City,
Ind. Dedicated to the God of the Bible and to the service of all
saints who desire to love God with a pure heart fervently, and the
holy Church he has established over eighteen hundred years ago."
From his book Bible Proofs we have drawn material for our next
chapter.