[12] Desiring to trace the earlier history of the Gospel Trumpet, I
have permitted the preceding chapter to overlap this one a few years.
[13] She relates that her consecration occurred in the house of an
Elder Walker, and that so great was the power and manifestation of
God in Brother Warner while he was praying for her that Walker and
his wife through fright fled into another room, where he was found
squatted in a corner. In Brother Warner's report of this trip he
speaks of a meeting near Lacey's Lake (in Eaton or Barry County) as
follows: "Was happy at this place to meet a people who have come
out of various denominations, ignoring human creeds and sects and
endeavoring to walk in the oneness of the Spirit."
[14] This vision is very similar to the one recorded in the Shepherd
of Hermas, in the second century. It was a remarkable coincidence
that while Sister Fisher had never heard of the vision of the
Shepherd of Hermas, she and her husband had ordered the set of books
known as the Apostolic Fathers (in which the Shepherd of Hermas is
included), and on the same day of her vision the books were received
and unpacked, and on looking into them her husband opened right at
the vision in the Shepherd of Hermas. They were astonished to find
that her vision was there recorded and explained as the church.
[15] Once after her second marriage, while living in Cincinnati, she
wrote a letter to her boy, Sidney, who was in the care of his father.
Brother Warner had been to visit her twice since their separation,
and he was constrained to go again. So he took the boy and went to
the city address as given in her letter. She happened not to be at
the house just then. So the two walked about leisurely until she
should return. While on the opposite side of the street from her
house they saw her returning. She reached the house first and entered
the hall and stood waiting for them. When they reached the door she
railed out in terrible abuse on her former husband. That was his
only reception. He had on his former visits to her felt the Spirit
dictating that there was no hope of a reconciliation; and likewise on
this occasion, as his child clung the closer to him, the Spirit said,
"It is enough; leave off thy fond pursuit."
[16] In reference to this apparent instance of a person's being in a
justified state while at the same time in possession of evil spirits
it can be said, without attempting an explanation of whether such
might be possible, that Brother Warner was always very particular to
insist on justification as an essential condition to sanctification,
and that if we knew all the circumstances in this case (allowing that
the account may not be full) there probably would be no question in
our minds.
[17] Brother Leininger relates that at this meeting a Dunkard
minister drew his fist to strike him. A daughter of this preacher was
a hired helper in Brother Leininger's family. She had obtained the
experience of sanctification, which angered her father. As Brother
Leininger was going out of the meeting-house, this man stood at the
door ready to do violence to him. He drew back his fist to strike,
but it seems his blow was rather misdirected, as his thumb nail
grazed his own nose and tore loose a bit of skin, so that he went
home bleeding and discomfited.
[18] A man who lived in the neighborhood said in one of the meetings
that he was going to kick Brother Warner. As the latter was among
the last to pass out of the building, this man lingered at the door,
while the crowd was waiting to see him do the deed. As Brother Warner
passed out he raised his foot to kick, but he did not kick. He was
asked why he did not. His reply was, "I was afraid the Lord would
kick me". This man accepted the truth and became one of the permanent
fixtures in the church in that place.
[19] On the second Sunday the meeting was held in the grove. After
the people had assembled a very frightful storm threatened, and
people began to leave. Brother Warner stopped in the midst of his
preaching, and with his hand lifted to heaven prayed God to scatter
the storm and not let it hinder the meeting. He assured the people
that they need not leave, that it would not rain. Some had begun to
depart but stopped to see whether his prayer would be answered. It
did not rain. There were other instances of this kind in Brother
Warner's career.
[20] An interesting episode in connection with this trip is related
by Bro. D. Leininger, of Beaver Dam, whose mother, known as Mother
Krause, was at this time not expected to live. Mother Krause had for
some cause held a slight grievance against Brother Warner. Early in
December, on the night before she died, she declared she must see
Brother Warner and begged to have him sent for. She was told that
Brother Warner was over in LaGrange County, quite a distance away,
and that if the Lord wanted her to see him he would spare her life
until she should have that opportunity. Scarcely had this been said
when Brother Warner arrived, to the surprize of all.
Two days before, where he had been holding meetings, he expressed the
conviction that the Spirit bade him go to Beaver Dam. Accordingly it
was decided to go, and he resumed his writing, at which he had been
engaged, until the time to start. Perceiving that no preparations
were being made he dropped his pen and asked the cause. He was
told that the weather was inclement and that traveling would be
disagreeable. He said, "Never mind the weather; the Lord can take
care of that. The Lord says, 'Go to Beaver Dam'." Thus it was that
he and his company were prompted to make the trip. Landing at Bro.
William Ballenger's, they stayed over night. In the latter part of
the night Brother Warner awoke Brother Ballenger and said he must go
to see Mother Krause immediately.
Mother Krause died the following evening, but not before she was
comforted by the presence of Brother Warner.
[21] In addition to this a letter had been received in the community,
from Carthage, Mo., written by an opposer who misrepresented the
saints as believers in amalgamation with the colored people, the
purpose of the letter being, of course, to stir up prejudice.
[22] These meetings in the vicinity of Spring Hill were almost the
author's first experience in gospel work. I was asked to join the
company to supply a missing part in song, Mother Smith having dropped
out previously. After arriving at Meridian it was some time before I
could locate Brother Warner.
[23] To one unaccustomed it was hard to realize that opposition to
the truth would take the form of a mob. We were quartered at the
house of a Brother Smith. When the mob first came, Brother Warner
asked if I wished to join him in his escape from the house. I then
accompanied him to the pine woods some distance from the dwelling,
and we remained there until we could hear that the mob had left. Bro.
B. E. Warren had found a hiding-place under the house. The first
company of men that came proved to be only a detachment, and the mob
afterward came in greater force. This second time I remained in the
house with the women folks, while Brothers Warner and Warren took the
hiding under the building. The men wanted Brother Warner and lingered
at the gate for some time talking with Brother Smith, who would not
allow them within the gate except to see for themselves that Brother
Warner was not in the house. Finally, after learning that I was
present, they asked to see me, whereupon I went out and talked with
them from the porch. They asked a number of questions and then left.
[Illustration: Trumpet Family, 1895, at Grand Junction, Michigan]
[Music: Sing It Again.