Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

of Reidsville, N. C., during a meeting held there by that most earnest and godly man, James E.
Schoolfield. Since that time until the present, except for a short period in the fall of that year, there
has been freedom from fear and doubt and condemnation, and we believe, from the feeling of evil
tempers, as well as their outward expression, while unmixed love and peace have certainly seemed
to rule in our heart. And observing men who have waited on our ministry since that time say that
there has been decided increase in the spirituality and power of our preaching.
The lapse referred to above we think came from brooding over real and imaginary wrongs, done
us by another, when Satan took advantage of us and temporarily triumphed. But since then our peace
and rest have been undisturbed. Our experience has been in substantial harmony with that of those
who testify through this volume -- Christ dwelling within and keeping us from evil. We have since
then doubtless made many mistakes, and others may have misinterpreted our motives and criticized
our words and actions, but the "testimony of our conscience" is that we have, by the grace of God,
lived "in simplicity and godly sincerity" -- without, we trust, any feeling, word, or deed that was
inconsistent with love.
Our message to you now is one of love and of earnest exhortation. We beg you to seek at once
that which will prove the joy and comfort of your hearts and the strength and stay of your lives. Were
these our dying words to you, we would say: Surrender your will and consecrate your all to Jesus
now, and claim "the promise of the Father" -- "the gift of the Holy Ghost" -- to fill and thrill and keep
you. Do not listen to any theorizing about the matter, but say, Lord Jesus, thou knowest what I need
-- give it to me now. You need not seek it as "sanctification" *[Please see my comments in the
Introduction to this digital edition. -- DVM] or the "second blessing" if you are prejudiced against
these terms. Simply ask to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" and with "all the fullness of God." No
caviler who believes in the Bible can deny you the right to claim that blessing, and that is all you
need. That is the way in which we proceeded.
Do not mind it if some one says that you received all that at conversion. Just tell him that if you
did you have lost it, and need it again; that you want something that will abide and enable you to
"rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything: give thanks." You know that neither your
conversion nor any subsequent baptism, unless you have received "the baptism with the Holy Ghost,"
has enabled you to do this for any considerable length of time. Even Dr. Mudge, as we have seen,
says that the great mass of Church members, no matter what they received at conversion, need to
pass through such a "crisis" and receive very much such a blessing as is implied in this ethical
baptism or fullness of the Spirit.
If you want help in your seeking, read Dr. Keen's Pentecostal Papers, McNeil's Spirit-filled Life,
McDonald's Saved to the Uttermost, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, etc. They cost very little.
If you do not know where to get them, write us and we will secure them for you. Ask God to help
you see your need and his rich provision for supplying that need, and then appropriate that provision.
Ask him to "make you willing to be made willing" to become wholly his.
And now, dear people, once under our care, and still in our heart, and all other readers of this
humble volume, may the "very God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and we pray God your