DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I take the liberty to address a few lines to you, giving a short account of my experience, for the encouragement of those who are laboring to spread the present truth. About thirteen years ago, I made a public profession, and in a time when there was no religious interest, but soon after the Lord revived his work in power. My soul was drawn out after my fellow men, and the Lord called me to go into all the world and preach, and not be confined to any circuit, station or place, and form no societies. But I was young, had but little education and less experience. Aged ministers held out inducements to join the Methodist P. Church, telling me that I would be more useful and have better opportunities for improvement. The Spirit withstood me by night and by day, and for four years, while I remained in the church, I felt like a man in prison. The Lord showed me the state of the nominal Church, how fallen, and how little of the spirit of primitive Christianity they possessed.
It was my settled opinion that the people of God might enjoy the same gifts and blessings that they did in the days of the apostles. I ventured to preach it, but soon discovered the dragon power and felt the iron rod of oppression. Measures were taken to gag me, and put a stop to my preaching such doctrines. But my foundation was on the word of God and not to be moved. Creeds and disciplines must fall before the Word. I withdrew from the church, renouncing all human creeds for the Scriptures, as a sufficient rule of faith and practice, and have stood so for six or seven years. My prayer has been, Lord, revive primitive holiness. I saw no sect that bore the image of Christ, or possessed the apostolic spirit and power. Deadness was apparent on every hand. After being confined191at home for some time, I started out to hold meetings in the vicinity of Jackson. Being invited, I called on Mr. Holford who was keeping the seventh day, called seventh-day Adventist. But I looked upon the whole body of the Millerites as a set of enthusiasts, and supposed that they had done much harm in the world, and perhaps the principal cause of so much coldness in the church. Yet I knew nothing of their doctrines, only as my information was derived from opposers. Though there was a band in Jackson, near by, my prejudice prevented me from enquiring after them. But Sister Holford said there were several classes of Adventists. The seventh-day Adventists believed in having the same spirit and power that the early Christians had, and did not employ physicians when sick. She told of some that had been cured in answer to prayer. This information removed some prejudice, for I had believed for years the same.
I could not object to the Sabbath of the Lord very hard; for my mind had been enlightened sufficient to know that the first day was not the Sabbath of the Bible, but supposed that there was no Sabbath. However, my mind was soon made up to enquire after the seventh-day people. On my way home I stopped in Jackson, and called at Bro. Russel's shop, where I found Bro. Case, and several others of the same faith. They were ready to give me information, and handed me some books. Bro. Case invited me to stay and attend a Conference with him in Sylvan the next Saturday and Sunday. Every move was watched to ascertain to my satisfaction, if they were the people of God. Bro. Case exhibited his Chart and gave a brief exposition of the Sanctuary, which was very striking to me. My prejudice began to give way, and I was much pleased with the brotherly love that appeared among the brethren and sisters. Attended the Conference, heard the lectures on the Sabbath and Sanctuary, while a flood of light broke in upon my mind, and those Scriptures which once appeared dark were clear to my mind.
My heart now rejoices in the present truth. The commandments, how pure, how perfect. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed to keep thy commandments. The second volume of the Review and some pamphlets which the brethren gave me, have been read with much interest. Those who are believing in the present truth are occupying holy ground, and if anything will cause a coming out from the world, or Babylon, this will. May the Lord give me help to walk in the light as he is in the light.
Yours in the patient waiting for Christ,
S. T. CRANSON.
Tompkins, Mich., March 20th, 1853.