Chapter D: S. Warner. J. C. Fisher (2)

Cold. Snowed some last night for the first. Went to hunt wood and
hay. Found no wood or hay to spare. It seems hard that a poor
messenger of God must expose himself to drive about sixteen miles
through mud and very raw air to hunt those necessaries. It seems a
light thing nowadays to sow to the people spiritual things, but a
heavy thing to reap a few temporal things, even when we try to live
more simple and cheap than our poor. Oh, how good it would have
been for me to have had this day in the warm with the Lord in my
library! But glory to Jesus, we still joy in sustaining sacrifice
for his sake and feel content with our lot. Only, dear Lord, give
us a good supply of the spirit of love, zeal, wisdom, and power.

Meetings in town were held from house to house until a permanent place of worship could be opened. It was not long, however, until they both felt the Lord leading them to resign the circuit. Brother Warner had accepted with submission and good grace the charge given him (which, after all, was of man's appointment), but as a preacher of holiness with an ever increasing interest in a wider field, he doubtless felt that God wanted him to be free to go and do as the Spirit directed. The following is his entry for November 23:

This morn before daylight, when having morning devotion, the Spirit
of God spoke to both Sarah and me to fast today. Thank God for such
a precious Leader. Who would not obey such a wise Counselor? Spent
most of the day in reading the Word, singing, and prayer. At ten
A. M. we were both before the Lord in silent prayer when we were
both directed by the Spirit to resign this circuit. Still on our
knees, we made known the orders received. We could but say amen,
and the refreshings from the presence of the Lord came upon our
hungry souls. We engaged in prayer and praise, when I was directed
to proceed at once to write my resignation.

This tried me, as I had never before been thrown among such very
kind brethren and sisters. It seemed hard that I must throw up
the circuit without as much as consulting them. But we dared not
disobey God, as some hesitancy to obey in the past had cost me
much power and sweet rest in God. Praise God, our hearts were much
lightened and we felt that we had now got back at the beginning of
the highway of holiness, which we had to some extent missed. We
could now sing, "He leadeth us." Eve, went up to the office and
received a card earnestly calling for our services at Columbiana.
Of this call I had an impression before I went to the office, and
believe it of the Lord. Glory to God! My way has been hedged up
ever since we came on the circuit.

At Columbiana he found a number whose hearts were open to sanctification. His work there resulted in ten persons receiving the experience and one sinner being converted. Returning to his house in Canton on December 6, he became impressed with the idea of writing out in somewhat itemized form the solemn covenant that constituted his consecration to God.

=8.= I fasted today. Remained up with the Lord until after
11 o'clock at night. I was led by the Spirit to a deep
self-examination. I found myself utterly nothing in the sight of
God. I read with great interest the experience of Bro. R. Yeakel,
in the Living Epistles of 1873. As I read over the solemn written
covenant that this holy man entered into with God, I was much
impressed to do likewise, but feared that my impressions came from
a wish to imitate one of God's holy men rather than to follow the
Spirit.

Went to the office this eve and received a letter from Brother
Chambers, chairman of the Ohio Holiness Alliance. As soon as I saw
his name on the envelope the conviction of last Sabbath that I
should give myself up to be a holiness evangelist came strongly to
my mind, and as I walked home I promised God that I would not lie
down until I had reported myself to Brother Chambers for this work.
The Lord helped me to do so, and as I wrote down my convictions and
surrendered to the Lord, the Holy Ghost graciously fell upon my
soul.

=13.= The day was mild and fair. Took a walk in the woods to
commune with God. Thought much of the words of God, "I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel" (Jer. 31:31). In Hebrews 8
and 10 I read that this covenant related to the new dispensation,
and the apostle, in Hebrews 10, actually connects it with
sanctification. I felt like entering more personally and formally
into this covenant with the Almighty. But I thought, Can such a
worm enter into an everlasting covenant with the Holy God of the
universe? God makes the proposition, and with solemn reverence I
venture to step out upon it. And this I do in the name of the Lord
Jesus, my only righteousness.

A covenant is an agreement of two parties in which both voluntarily
bind themselves to fill certain conditions and receive certain
benefits. God is the party of the first part of the contract, and
has bound himself.

1. "I will put my laws into their minds and write them in their
hearts."

2. "And I will be their God."

3. They "shall know me from the least to the greatest."

4. "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness."

5. "Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."

O thou Most High God, thou hast left this covenant in thy Holy
Book, saying, "If any man will take hold of my covenant."

Now, therefore, in holy fear and reverence I present myself as the
party of the second part and subscribe my name to the holy article
of agreement, and following thy example will here and now write
down the conditions on my part.

"They shall be my people." Jer. 31:33. Amen, Lord, =I am forever
thine=.

The vow is passed beyond repeal,
Now will I set the solemn seal.

Lord, thou hast been true to thy covenant, though I have been most
unfaithful and am now altogether unworthy to take hold of thy most
gracious covenant. But knowing that thou hast bound thyself in thy
own free offer to "be merciful to their unrighteousness," I take
courage to approach thee and would most earnestly beseech thee to
fulfil thy wonderful offer to BE MY GOD; and I do most joyfully
yield myself entirely TO BE THINE.

Therefore this soul which thou hast made in thine own image is
placed wholly in thy hands to do with it as seemeth good.

This mind shall think only for thy glory and the promotion of thy
cause.

This will is thy will, O God!

The spirit within this body is now thine; do with it as thou wilt,
in life and death.

This body is thy temple forevermore.

These hands shall work only for thee.

These eyes to see thy adorable works and thy holy law.

This tongue and these lips to speak only holiness unto the Lord.

These ears to hear thy voice alone.

These feet to walk only in thy ways.

And all my being is now and forever thine.

In signing my name to this solemn covenant I am aware that I bind
myself to live, act, speak, think, move, sit, stand up, lie down,
eat, drink, hear, see, feel, and whatsoever I do all the days and
nights of my life to do all continually and exclusively to the
glory of God. I must henceforth wear nothing but what honors God. I
must have nothing in my possession or under my control but such as
I can consistently write upon, "Holiness unto the Lord." The place
where I live must be wholly dedicated to God. Every item of goods
or property that is under my control is hereby conveyed fully over
into the hands of God to be used by him as he will and to be taken
from my stewardship whenever the great Owner wishes, and it is not
my business at all.

She whom I call my wife belongs forevermore to God. Use her as thou
wilt and where thou wilt, and leave her with me, or take her from
me, just as seemeth good to thee and to thy glory. Amen.

Levilla Modest, whom we love as a dear child bestowed upon us
by thy infinite goodness, is hereby returned to thee. If thou
wilt leave us to care for her and teach her of her true Father
and Owner, we will do the best we can by thy aid to make her
profitable unto thee. But if thou deemest us unfit to properly rear
her or wouldst have her in thy more immediate presence, behold, she
is thine, take her. Amen and amen.

And now, great and merciful Father, thou to whom I belong, with all
that pertains to me, and thou who art mine with all that pertains
to thy fulness and richness, all this offering which I have made
would be but foolishness and waste of time were it not for what
I have in thee obtained to confirm the solemn contract. For were
it not that thou art my God, my promises would be but idle words.
I could fulfil nothing which my mouth has uttered and my pen has
written. But since thou, Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and
Eternal God, art mine, I have a thousandfold assurance that all
shall be fulfilled through thy fulness.

My ignorance is fully supplied by thy own infinite wisdom. My utter
weakness and inability to preserve myself from sin is abundantly
supplied by thy omnipotence, to thy everlasting praise.

Glory to thy holy name! Though I have solemnly pledged all things
to thee, yet, as thou art my "all and in all," I have nothing to
fear. Now, O Father! my God and Savior, I humbly pray thee so to
keep me that all my powers of soul, body, and spirit, my time,
talents, will, influence, words, and works, shall continually,
exclusively, and eternally glorify thy holy name through Jesus
Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen and amen.

In covenant with the God of all grace and mercy, who has become my
salvation, my all, and whose I am forever, to the praise of his
glory. Amen.

Entered into by the direction of the Holy Spirit and signed this
Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord Eighteen
Hundred and Seventy-Seven.

DANIEL SIDNEY WARNER.

I realized much strength by obeying the impressions of the Spirit
in writing out the foregoing covenant. God seemed present as though
I was making an agreement with a person whom I could see by my side.

Eve, Romans 12. The Lord was there to make truth effectual, and
after preaching succeeded in getting about all the members in the
altar, and we had a solemn, heart-searching time. Then we had
speaking meeting. I urged the brethren and sisters to confess what
they felt to be their true condition and their wants. About all
confessed: "I have an evil nature within me which I would like to
get rid of if that can be." "I confess I have sin in me." "Have
carnality yet in me." Glory to God, this brought the Lord very
near. My soul seemed in heaven. Everything seemed melting down
before God and yielding to his constraining love and sinners were
serious.

=16.= Sabbath. Preached on Hebrews. Had a talk with Bro. William
Fuller on sanctification. He was critical and talked for argument.
The Spirit bade me leave him, but I did not obey for some time,
wishing to show my regards for the young brother. I have learned,
however, never again to disobey God out of deference to man. When
God says cease an argument, the cause of holiness can only suffer
by disobedience. I finally withdrew to the closet and confessed my
disobedience to the Spirit. After coming out, Mr. W----, a poor
sinner, attacked me, using some insulting language. I read a little
Scripture and left him.

Eve, read 1 Thessalonians and 1 John on perfect love. The Lord's
Spirit was there to melt hearts. Opposition began to give way.
Brother Fuller, after meeting, confessed that his eyes were being
opened to the truth; hoped I would return. Bro. Abraham Whitmire
confessed his convictions that unless this community accepted
holiness the cause of religion would greatly suffer here. Others
with tears asked our prayers. Glory to God, good seed is sown here
which will bring forth in the future.

On the 19th Brother and Sister Warner began packing their goods to move to Upper Sandusky, the home of the latter's parents. They had received word that a holiness revival was desired in Findlay, where the seed had already been sown. On arriving at Upper Sandusky they found that they were already engaged for Findlay and were to go there the following Monday. Of their work in Findlay, in which they were assisted by Father and Mother Keller, a few selected notes from the diary will give a sufficient account.

=24.= Reached the Bethel in Findlay before preaching. Found that
God was wondrously at work here. Twenty-three sanctified. Some of
the old members fighting the work. The Lord blessed me in preaching
full salvation. His power rested on the people and some came to the
altar. Father and I went home with Father Sherick. He had been
opposed to holiness but, thank God, he is now yielding and begins
to confess his need of full salvation. He is eighty years old
and probably fifty years a Christian--but has never grown out of
depravity.

=25.= Today we celebrate the birth of Christ. Arose before
daylight, as usual, and after my daily bath Father and I had a
precious season of prayer and praises. Met at ten at the Bethel.
Had a prayer- and general experience-meeting. The "little ones"
testified straight and strong. Eve, house full. Was asked to
preach again. Felt much straightened. The elders were to let us
know about our having the Bethel for a holiness meeting, and it
was expected that tonight the meeting should be conducted for
sinners; but last night God showed me after preaching that this
must be a holiness meeting. So I was hedged up by the church on one
side and God on the other. Tried to preach some time to sinners,
but was absolutely abandoned to myself. Oh, how empty and hollow
all I said! I saw that this would not do, so I proceeded to full
salvation for believers. Glory to God, I had some unction then, but
felt the displeasure of some of the church. Two mourners and three
believers presented themselves at the altar. One soul sanctified.
After meeting a very intelligent and pleasant sister came forward
and said, "God gave me the wonderful Christmas gift of entire
sanctification while you were preaching." Glory to God forever! We
announced meetings in the future on the holiness line.

=26.= Up before the family, bathed and prayed. A. M., wrote,
occasionally talked holiness to persons coming in seeking light.
All the city is in an uproar on holiness. Halleluiah! At half-past
two met at the Bethel. Brother Linsey led the meeting. Satan made
a dreadful rally today. All the old cold members got in the back
part of the house. Bro. Samuel Ferguson acted as spokesman for the
devil. He set out in a raging storm. Called this work the judgment
of the whore, the abomination that maketh desolate. Called God to
rebuke it, to smite it in the mouth until the blood should fly out.
He hollowed and stamped and foamed like a madman. Glory to God, who
kept his little ones in perfect peace. God gave me great peace,
and I could but say thank God for the trial of his holy cause.
I proceeded in a calm spirit to show the people some of God's
sacred truth that they were rejecting. Brother Wilson arose on the
opposition side and asked some questions, threatening a call of the
Standing Committee. May the Lord help him to seek the cleansing
blood.

A young man, member of the church, by the name of Teams stepped out
in the aisle and began to yell and stamp and walk to-and-fro. He
consumed about fifteen minutes in silly harangue against perfect
holiness by the blood of Christ. There was no reason, sense, Bible,
or even apparent civilization in his aspersions. All the little
ones were kept in perfect peace. Eve, Brother Updike preached his
farewell sermon to the church. He felt so directed because of the
recent abuses of his wife by some of the church and because of
the wicked opposition of the leaders of the church to holiness.
He declared his withdrawal from this charge. The old and formal
part of the church were aroused most furiously. I followed by some
remarks. A few came out to seek purity.

=27.= Had meeting at 2 P. M. in the court-house, whither we have
moved because of the constant disturbance in the Bethel. Eve, tried
to preach to a good congregation at the court-house. The Lord
was with us in sweet peace and power. We felt we were in a purer
spiritual atmosphere.

=30.= Sabbath. Met at ten. Heb. 13:20,21. The Lord helped me to
show the people that perfection is commanded and attained =now=;
what it is and is not; that it is not attained in conversion,
but by a second work. At 2:30 P. M. met in the court-house in a
temperance meeting. Brothers Linsey and Ackers both glorified God
by testifying to their wonderful salvation from drink and tobacco,
both having had delirium tremens several times. Brother A. called
the tobacco habit a twin sister to strong drink and claimed that
it was the cause of his becoming a drunkard. After they spoke, a
Lutheran minister arose and deprecated the springing of tobacco
in the meeting and palliated this abomination as consistent with
perfect consecration to God and piety. Shame! Shame!

A brother asked concerning our holiness. So we bowed together
and had a season of prayer, and as we afterward began to talk he
constantly interrupted me, would not let me finish a point or
connect the Scripture proofs of the two works. We bowed again in
prayer and he led. He asked God to purify his heart and take all
the evil nature out of him. After arising I remarked that as he
would interrupt all my efforts to give him instruction I would now
ask him some questions and learn. I asked him what things we were
allowed of God. Answer, "Such things as he promises." Do you always
pray for such only? "Yes." Do you receive them? "Yes." Then you
have just now been sanctified, made pure, is it not so? "Yes."
Then you should hereafter not ask God to do what he has done! But
he contended that he should keep on making the same prayer. Brother
Larcomb suggested the equal propriety of continuing to pray to God
to convert him. Oh what confusion and ignorance! Still they thought
we had gone astray.

=31.= A. M., wrote. Eve, met at seven and continued the meeting
until after twelve. The house was crowded, the isles standing full
of people to the close of the meeting. Pretty good order for the
throng. Brother Updike preached. After some altar work, we had
good testimony-meeting. I then preached a short discourse on Eph.
4:22-24. A few minutes before twelve the altar was again filled
with seekers and little ones. I read the Christian consecration,
and all said amen. The power of God came upon us. Many shouts. A
Mother Goodwin, of the M. E. Church, was the subject of a wonderful
work of grace tonight. For eighteen years she had sought for this
experience. She had a dreadful death, turned perfectly white and
shook like a leaf. She hesitated to believe through the temptation
of unworthiness. I asked her if Christ was not worthy. Told her
to believe for the glory of his name. Then she took hold. She
soon fully overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of her
testimony. It was a wonderful work wrought by the power of God in
one of the most intelligent and pious ladies of Findlay, of about
fifty years of age. She was filled with wonder at the great change
and testified with a halo of glory beaming from her countenance.
How can such a marked work be doubted? What a reproach upon the
ministry that this dear saint should be kept eighteen years in the
wilderness longing for some Joshua to lead her over to the land of
perfect rest of soul from all sin!

=Jan. 1, 1878.= Praise God for the mercies of the past year. I am
so thankful that the old year witnessed the final death of the old
man in me, and now for the first time I enter upon the New Year all
renewed in the image of God. Glory to his name in the highest! I
am redeemed and washed in the blood of the Lamb. O Canaan, sweet
Canaan, surely here flows milk and honey! God is my everlasting
all, my satisfying portion. Oh, wonders of redeeming love! Can
it be that through the precious blood of Christ I have "entered
into the holiest" and am forever shut in with God, and dead to
the world! O God, I feel that I can stand in thy holy presence! I
tremble with awe and reverence. O my God and Redeemer! keep me on
thine altar and in spotless purity lest I offend thy Holiness and
die. I shall forever dwell with thee, and through the riches of
thy boundless grace my whole being, every thought, word, feeling,
emotion, appetite, desire, wish, purpose, and action, yea my whole
life, shall be a continual offering to God, in the flames of his
love. Amen. Almighty, All-wise, and ever present God, fulfil this
thy pleasure in me. I am in thy hands. Amen and amen.

=A. M.=, wrote some. Met at 10 A. M. and held meetings until 4
P. M.; the power of God rested upon us. Four, I believe, were
sanctified. The Lord gave me much light on the sanctuary as setting
forth the different degrees of grace (Heb. 10:19,22). In chapter 8
the apostle compares the sanctuary and the temple service with the
present spiritual house or church. 9:9 shows that the former temple
service was typical of the church, also 10:11. Now, as the temple
all through the Bible typifies the church, so also the tabernacle.
We must make some application of its departments. This the apostle
does for us. The court represents penitence or approach to the
church, the sanctuary or "holy." From this we have access into the
"holiest." In the sanctuary they are "brethren" and (v. 22) have
"their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." Were justified
when they came into the holy, and now are invited into the holiest,
not into heaven but into a state of purity through the blood of
Christ.

=2.= Wrote some. Brother Doty came today. Thank the Lord. Eve.
Brother Doty preached on the difference between justification and
entire sanctification. (1) Inbred sin is not cognizable to our
consciousness when actual sin and guilt crowd the conscience. (2)
We need not lack wisdom, for such is Christ to us; but may greatly
lack knowledge. (3) Entire sanctification takes away all vain
curiosity. (4) Makes us simple in giving, etc. (5) Leaves natural
appetites the same, but removes unnatural.

Two were most gloriously sanctified, one an old mother over eighty
years of age. Oh, how wonderfully God blessed her! She ran around
as spritely as a young girl. The house, as usual, was greatly
crowded, the space on the floor about all occupied by standers.
The whole city is stirred. All the protracted efforts in the
place are without interest. All the elements are attracted here.
Sinners want this kind of religion that saves from all sin. Glory
to God forever! Some of the county officials, I presume, are
getting uneasy, hence concluded that we could no longer have the
court-house. Received the promise of the Reform house, at least for
the next evening.

=3.= God's power was with us. Three souls were sweetly sanctified,
one of whom, a sister Miller, was converted to God from Catholicism
last winter. They say her conversion was among the most bright
of the 150 converts and her life has been true. Oh how calm and
clearly she came out! Her testimony was sublime and more than
human. It was spoken by the Spirit. Praise God! Another meeting
was held in East Findlay. The Lord was also there in power. A
brother in the Church of God who had rashly denounced holiness was
sanctified at this meeting.

Eve, the promised house was not opened. The little ones were
scattered each not knowing where to meet the rest, and yet we felt
a great desire to be together. One company gathered and we went to
a United Brethren Church. As we passed along, crowds gathered after
us and asked where we were going to have meeting. The people were
much disappointed. Brother Engle, the pastor, preached an earnest
sermon to sinners from, "The way of the transgressor is hard."
I felt that the church was an iceberg between this sanctified
preacher and the sinners. We all prayed fervently for the efficacy
of the word. Some twelve arose for prayer, among the number was
Sister Wert's son, a very intelligent young man with whom I called
today. When I asked him concerning his soul's interests, he said
that he did not "go much on religion." I calmly replied that
I presumed he had none to go on. I added that I did not go on
religion either before I had any to go on. This was God-sent, and
he knew not how to express himself again. I waited a few seconds
then proposed prayer. We all kneeled and I presented him to the
mercy of God. After holding his hand and giving him a few words I
left him, praying to God to bring him down to the cross. Praise
God, I saw him rise in the congregation.

Brother Linsey and I stayed up all night in prayer to God for
Findlay. God rolled upon our hearts a dreadful agony for souls and
gave us an awful sight of the wicked apostasy of the churches. Like
the old prophets, we groaned and cried to God for salvation to come
out of Zion.

=27.= Sabbath. Met at the United Brethren Church. Good
testimony-meeting. One sister said, "I do not believe in a second
work; would as leave you would hit me in the face as to speak of
it; it is like a dart to my heart to hear it." Just so the "pure
testimony put forth in the Spirit cuts," etc. Brother Engle read
a very interesting chapter of United Brethren history showing the
holiness revival in that church. Otterbein, Bishop Edwards, Wilson,
and many others of the most eminent ministers professed and taught
holiness as a distinct work.

At this point in his diary Brother Warner tells of his expulsion from the West Ohio Eldership, and gives the subject a special heading.

=TRIAL AND EXPULSION FROM THE WEST OHIO ELDERSHIP OF THE CHURCH OF
GOD FOR PREACHING FULL SALVATION; FOR FOLLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT;
FOR HELPING TO SAVE OVER 150 SOULS IN THIS PLACE=

=30.= Standing Committee met in Findlay today. Principal business
to attend to was charges prefered by Bro. G. W. Wilson against
Bro. J. V. Updike and me--against him for maladministration of the
church here, deserting it, and turning church interests over to
the Holiness Alliance, etc.; against me for (1) transcending the
restrictions of the Eldership, (2) violating rules of cooperation,
(3) participating in dividing the church.

As to the first, it relates to an action of the body last Eldership
in which I was prohibited from springing the holiness meeting
on any church where they did not wish it. This charge was not
sustained by a single proof. The facts are as follows: Father
Keller was led by the Spirit to go to Findlay to procure a place
for a holiness meeting. He found a meeting in progress in the
Church of God, tried to get the house to begin as soon as they were
through, but they refused. He then engaged the Reformed house, but
left an offer still with the Church of God to occupy their house
if they concluded to let us have it. When we received word that
the meeting was about to close we went up and found it still in
progress, and as the holiness workers were there, we wished to
begin a meeting on the holiness line. We gave the church the first
offer to use their house, and they consented to our using the
house. However, this I think they did because they knew that if we
went to another house we would carry all the interests from their
house. And when the whole counsel of God was presented they could
not stand it, but gathered in the back end of the house with wicked
men and fought the work of God, so that we soon saw that nothing
could be done there, hence we removed to the court-house. I had
nothing at all to do with the appointment of the meeting there and
only did some of the preaching after Father Keller and Brothers
Ackers and Linsey had got the use of the house from the elders and
trustees, or a majority of them.

Second charge, "Violation of rules of cooperation." The rule cited
was like this: No person shall go upon another's field of labor to
hold meetings, etc, without the consent of preacher and church.
When we announced meeting at the court-house, one of the elders
announced preaching there at the Bethel the next night. Brother
Wilson filled the pulpit and continued some four or five nights
with no success and small congregations. Now, because I assisted
in the meeting at the court-house while these church services were
continued in the same town, I am thus charged, when these meetings
were really appointed after and in opposition to the real work of
the Lord, where souls were daily being saved.

Third charge, "Dividing the church." I showed that the only results
of the holiness meeting were fifty-three sinners converted and 118
believers sanctified, and that all the division and confusion was
caused by the carnal and wicked opposition on the part of the rest
of the church, just like the envious Jews stirred up the people
at Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17) and interrupted the apostles
in their peaceable work of leading souls to Jesus, as well as
disturbed the peace of the city. The apostles, of course, had to
bear the blame, and like everywhere else they went, bonds and
prisons awaited them; and I, too, was ready to suffer affliction
with the people of God for the sake of Christ. All Adam became
aroused, so that I was stopped from reading other Scriptures. [He
had been reading and speaking from Isa. 32:15.] When for the sake
of the dear people calling themselves the Church of God I was
studying how to compromise the two elements in the church here,
the Lord gave me this text, and the Spirit led me to preach it
straight, although it conflicted with what I had cherished, that
is, a hope of fraternizing the sanctified and the unsanctified.

Eve, Brother Updike's case was adjusted by the Committee, the
elders, and himself. They tried hard to bind him down to abandon
holiness as a definite work and to have no communion with holiness
workers. He agreed to some restrictions about preaching holiness
where it was not wanted. Received his license and was placed on
McComb circuit. Evidently they have some hopes of leading him to a
recantation. May the mercy and grace of God keep him from coming
down from the highway! Brother Chambers was at our meeting in North
Findlay this eve.

=31.= Was brought to the depot this morn in sled. Heavy snow
falling. After I had been riding some time in the train with him in
conversation, Brother Cassel, one of the Committee, seeing that I
was not enough concerned to ask him what disposition they had made
of my case, informed me that the Committee had decided that the
charges were sustained, and that they had withheld my license.[8]
I thanked him for their decision and assured him that if I were to
look upon the matter from the mere human standpoint and consider my
attachment to the Church of God and her principles, I should regard
their action a dreadful calamity and intolerable to bear; but that
I had now that charity which "believeth all things" and "endureth
all things," and therefore I calmly rested in the promise of God
that "all things work together for good" to me, and the sweet
assurance that my dear Father, to whom I belonged, would turn this
and everything else (as long as I stay on the altar) to my good and
his glory. Praise his holy name! Reached home about 2 P. M.

Up to the time of leaving Findlay there were 53 converted, 118
believers sanctified, including about all the 53 converts. Many of
them were sanctified at the next meeting after converted, and a few
the same meeting. Glory to God for full salvation!

Following the effort at Findlay, a series of holiness meetings was held at Upper Sandusky in the early part of February. Brother Dunbar and others assisted. On the 9th, Brother Warner was called to spend Sunday at Dunkirk, and was kept there for several days. While at Dunkirk he was impressed by the Spirit to announce that if any sick in the town would send for him he would go in faith to pray for them to recover. A sister who had been afflicted for years with catarrh in the head, which had spread to the throat and lungs so that she was consumptive, thought much about being healed. She had strong faith and came to meeting the next day, and in answer to prayer was gloriously healed, perfectly sound. Another, a blacksmith in Dunkirk, was impressed to go and pray for the healing of a young colored sister on the verge of death from consumption. She was wonderfully benefited, as for six weeks she had to be lifted from her bed but now was able to arise and, assisted by the hand of a sister, walk across the floor. She had been able only to whisper, but now could sing praises to God.

Brother Warner felt that he should return to Upper Sandusky to assist in the meetings that were being held there. In a day or two after returning he was called back to Dunkirk to preach the funeral of the young colored sister. The brother who had prayed for her and a sister who had strong faith believed that God would raise the departed sister from the dead in answer to their prayers. Brother Warner announced the funeral for 10 A. M., if the Lord did not direct matters otherwise. He prayed and examined the scriptures relative to miracles and found that (1) Christ aroused and inspired faith and admiration in the people by miracles, (2) the final commission teaches miracles, (3) they were the means of the success of the apostles, (4) the gift is set in the church. Hence, he concluded that miracles were to be a permanent factor in the system of salvation. He does not say that he was particularly impressed that God was going to work a miracle in this case. He rather fell in with the idea as urged by the sister who felt so impressed. At her home she and her husband and Brother Warner waited in prayer for some time, then went to the house where the corpse lay. The two brethren kneeled in prayer while the sister uncovered the body and commanded the departed to arise in the name of Jesus. Their faith for some time was wonderfully strong and they confidently expected to see her arise. They held on with unwavering faith for half an hour, when they all felt relieved and that the will of the Lord had been done. Brother Warner preached the funeral the next day. He writes that this incident seemed only to increase their faith and that he believed that God was well pleased with the effort to exert this faith; that if not through them, God would through some one else revive this element of apostolic power.

There was a report, intended to ridicule, and published by some who opposed Brother Warner, that he with others tried to bring a dead body to life by standing it on its feet and commanding it to walk, etc. This of course was untrue.

Remaining in Dunkirk for a few days, he held meetings which resulted in about twenty conversions. He found himself much attached to the brethren and sisters here. They had come out of the United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal denominations and had formed themselves into a Wesleyan body. Many of them, however, were not satisfied with a human church and creed and there was a strong tendency to come to the apostolic faith. Returning to Upper Sandusky he assisted in the meetings there. In company with Father and Mother Keller he visited the jail and prayed with the convicts. One of those, by name, John Bristol, was gloriously converted. Bristol said he did not care a cent to get out of jail so long as Jesus stayed with him. He had been badly abandoned and had followed shows, drinking, balloon ascensions, etc. He once fell sixty feet from a balloon, breaking an arm, a leg, splitting a hip socket, etc. The sparing of his life was only by the mercy of God.

For the 7th of March 1878 we quote the following:

Fellowshiped some fourteen souls in the Church of God formed on a
congregational basis, with holiness the principal foundation-stone.
On the 31st of last January the Lord showed me that holiness could
never prosper upon sectarian soil encumbered by human creeds and
party names, and he gave me a new commission to join holiness and
all truth together and build up the apostolic church of the living
God. Praise his name! I will obey him.

In March an evangelistic effort was made in Tiffin, but with difficulty. The denominational houses seemed to be closed to holiness. A few meetings were held in a private house and in a rented room. He states that at this place Sister Warner was called to go to Mansfield to assist in a holiness meeting. This was a peculiar test and he thus speaks of it:

=23.= Sarah left today. The Lord tested our loyalty by requiring
us to labor apart. At first I disbelieved that it was the order
of God and was decidedly opposed to her going. So were Father and
Mother Keller. I thought it would give place to the devil and
hurt the sacred cause and endanger our domestic happiness. But
this morn I arose early and consulted the Lord. I laid down all
my understanding and the many seemingly plain reasons for her not
going and besought God to direct the matter, and to my astonishment
the Holy Spirit confirmed Sarah's call by reminding me of my solemn
covenant with God, that there I had laid her on the altar and given
her back to God to use her where and as he saw fit. At the same
time all unwillingness vanished from my mind. In fact, a desire was
at once created within me for her to go.

O God, thy ways are not our ways, but we will walk in thy ways all
the days of our life. Season sad. Here she is greatly needed; there
is a strong old band. How would it look for me to work for God here
and she whom the Lord had joined to me go elsewhere? Were I at
home, not at all in a meeting, then there could be no appearance
of evil in her going. But ah! I now see there would then be no
test, which is just the thing God intended. Abraham's faith would
not have been half so much tried and proved had not Isaac been the
heir of the promise. Father and Mother still strongly opposed her
going, so that doubtless she would have shrunk with a burdened
heart from the call had not God raised help in me.

On the 4th of April he received a letter from her stating that the meeting at Mansfield was excellent for the establishing and strengthening of God's little ones, and that she had gone home.

During this time Brother Warner was getting much light on the Scriptures concerning holiness and was writing with the view of publishing a tract on the subject. The matter he was accumulating, however, proved to be enough for a book, which, as we shall see, was published two years later. Also, he speaks of an effort at this time to obtain more of the manifestation of God in his soul.

=25.= I set out this day to seek a more full and conscious
manifestation of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost in my heart.
Spent much time in the closet. Visited and prayed with a few
families.

=30.= Prayed much for a more perfect, full, constant, and conscious
manifestation of God in my soul. Had a glorious victory. Yesterday
Brother Lee was about to start to walk home to Nevada, twenty-two
miles. I thought it was too hard a task with such muddy roads. How
I wished for the means to send him home by railroad! Recently,
being without means to send a letter, I took it to the Lord, and
before I had the letter written a kind sister gave me fifty cents.
I had a quarter left and I thought of giving it to Brother Lee if
others would make up the remainder. But then the tempter said, "You
are dependent yourself and should not give to others that which
the Lord has sent to meet your wants." I took it to the Lord and
the Spirit said, "Give and it shall be given." I gave the quarter
to Brother Lee. The dollar needed by him was soon made, and he was
able to stay until this morn. Praise God, this morn a kind sister
called and said the Lord had sent her to give me a dollar. The
Spirit kept his promise and gave four-fold.

=Apr. 3, 1878.= God is daily giving me more of his great fulness
and conforming me more and more to his glorious image. This is
because I am earnestly endeavoring to consecrate more perfectly
every moment of my time to him and because I spend more time with
God alone in the closet. I have on several occasions besought
God to conform me more perfectly to his nature, and without any
particular emotions that might indicate the answer I claimed the
desire of my heart and by faith thanked Father that he had granted
my petitions. To the glory of God I can say that as I went on my
way I found from hour to hour that as my faith was so was it meted
out to me. Oh, how sweet it is to go to our heavenly Father for
all our heart's and soul's need, and in the name of Jesus ask for
it rejoicing that we know we have the desire of our heart! Surely
"happy are the people that are in such a case; yea, happy are the
people whose God is the Lord."

On his return to Upper Sandusky on April 9 he found some urgent calls to go to Indiana, and he felt that the Lord was in it. On Sunday the 14th, he conducted the services in Upper Sandusky. The theme in the evening was, Salvation from Church, using 1 Pet. 1:18,19 and 2 Pet. 1:3,4--deliverance from all that is human and the reception of all that is of divine origin.

The Lord blessed me and greatly awakened my own mind and I think
opened the eyes of others to the importance of abandoning all human
and party creeds, party names, party spirit, and party interests
in order to maintain a life of perfect holiness, as well as to the
duty of returning to the "faith once delivered to the saints" in
its entirety.

It is interesting to note that at this time, coincident to his receiving the call to Indiana, there came to his mind the idea of using the printing-press as a means of publishing the gospel truth he was so burdened to promulgate.

Recently I asked my heavenly Father to send means to meet our
wants, pay debts, and as soon as I was ready to print my work on
holiness, to furnish the means. I received gracious answers by
the Spirit, and the following night while lying in meditation how
I could better honor God in publishing full salvation, the Lord
opened a new field for me. The Spirit suggested that my heavenly
Father would provide me with a small hand printing-press by means
of which I could print my book myself and scatter many holiness
tracts as leaves of salvation.

Praise God, today I received a most cheering letter from Eld. W. W.
Roberts, of Missouri. He is in the land of Canaan, and having seen
my articles and the Standing Committee's action in the Advocate
he writes to encourage me in the good work; and though he knows
nothing of my circumstances he offers to furnish me some money if
I need it. Praise God, who is faithful and always heareth his poor
and needy little ones that cry unto him.

Returning to Tiffin with his father-in-law, Keller, he found the little ones in good spirits. All testified definitely and boldly. He held three services there on the following Sunday. He found there had come to be a wonderful awakening in Tiffin among the denominational churches on the subject of perfect holiness.

On the 22nd he took train for New Washington, the place of his childhood home. Here seven years previous he labored alone in a revival that resulted in the salvation of about fifty souls. For one year they did well. A good house of worship was built and twice a week it was filled at prayer-meetings that were very lively and interesting. But adversity came and there now remained but a small force of faithful ones to tell the story of salvation. Elder Oliver, who had preferred charges against him for the preaching of holiness, was in charge of the work here and of course had greatly prejudiced the people against holiness. Two of the flock, however, had received the experience.

At this place, through his brother Lewis, who lived in the vicinity, he learned that his father was very poorly and he at once became much burdened for his father's soul.

=May 5, 1878.= Sabbath. Met about 10 A. M. All the little ones
testified boldly in the Spirit to sanctification. Brother Oliver
and wife were much annoyed at the same. Brother O. preached from
Rev. 21:27. A good text to enforce holiness, but alas, the time and
opportunity were wasted in attacks upon the Lord's work of full
salvation. How my heart was grieved that the dear brother was not
led by the Spirit of God! What a favorable opportunity and text to
set forth the necessity of holiness and the all-cleansing blood!
But alas, how few unsanctified preachers know what spirit they are
of! Oh, how little they value the worth of souls! How indifferent
to the solemn responsibilities of the ministry!

=16.= [At Upper Sandusky.] Preached the funeral of a poor sinner
who was accidentally shot dead with a revolver. He died in fifteen
minutes, calling upon God for mercy. He was married one week ago
today. Life is but a vapor.

On the 16th he left for Indiana. He reached Silver Lake, Kosciusko County, the next day and was met by Bro. F. Krause and conveyed seven miles through a heavy rain to Beaver Dam. In spite of bad weather a fair congregation assembled that evening to hear him preach. About all manifested their desire for sanctification by rising to their feet. In his sermon on Sunday he identified the inheritance in sanctification with the promise made to Abraham. At the afternoon service about fifteen were at the altar seeking full salvation.

In this section of the country Brother Warner found many warm hearts. They had read his articles on holiness in the Church Advocate, and had doubtless heard of his rejection by the Ohio Eldership. He held meetings at Beaver Dam, Yellow Lake, and Silver Lake. His diary gives the following account for Sunday, May 26, at Yellow Lake.

Sabbath. This day was put in for God. From my waking moments this
morn I began to plead with God for the salvation of the people.
Had gracious answers to prayer. Was sure God would save a number
of souls. We had announced a fast all day, and meeting to begin
at 10 A. M. and continue until 4 P. M. The house was filled. Had
a lively testimony-meeting. Preached on the tabernacle (Hebrews).
Several at the altar. But there seemed to be a dulness. None
grasped the blessings. We had speaking-meeting, but the interest
seemed to be moderate. I was impressed that the dear little ones
were hungry, and Satan said we had better close. But, glory to God,
I knew that God would yet come and save souls, as he impressed me
in the morning, hence I held on to him. Preached a short discourse
on faith and gave another invitation. Several came to the altar
for sanctification and soon the holy fire fell on us from heaven,
and all were sanctified. Some that were not at the altar received
the blessing. The Holy Ghost filled the house, and there was great
rejoicing. A fellowship-meeting resulted from following the Spirit;
and as the dear ones went about shaking hands many, yea, about
all in the house, were melted to tears. I gave another invitation
and then friend Yocum came out, also Brother Bear's daughter, and
another young lady for sanctification. She soon received a glorious
baptism, and Sister Bear was converted. Came home with Brother
Bear. We did not get to close until nearly five o'clock. Spent much
of the time until eve on my knees.

Eve, house crowded. People were there from a distance of six and
eight miles. I preached mainly to sinners. I had announced a few
nights ago that I had an impression to preach to the unconverted,
but I now see my mistake. I should have made no such announcement.
The Spirit seemed to be baffled in giving me a subject. I did more
preaching myself tonight than I have for a long time, was conscious
that Christ Jesus was not preaching as much as usual. Thank the
Lord for the lesson learned. Three at the altar. Brother Yocum
was greatly smitten down by the Spirit; all physical strength was
gone. About 9:30 P. M. we dismissed the congregation, but Brother
Y. would not leave the altar. Several of us stayed until after
eleven. He was measurably blessed. He has been a very good moral,
benevolent, and honorable man, and thought heretofore that he had
but little sin and could easily get salvation when he once came for
it; but he found himself a great sinner under the searching light
of the Spirit.

Glory to God for this day's work! It was a high day for my soul.
Among the fourteen sanctified were two very fine young men by the
name of Smith. They are brothers, both school-teachers, and I pray
that God will make them both very useful.

He found a wide-spread awakening for holiness in this part of Indiana. The time for the annual Eldership Meeting of the Church was at hand, and he asked the Lord whether he might not stay and attend the meetings instead of going to the Eldership. As there were others who could continue the meetings the Spirit seemed to relieve his mind of all burden for that place, and he felt it his duty to attend the Eldership.