The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10
AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE.
A SOuth Carolina Preacher in Ala.
bnma Is Rejoicing While He La
bOrs I'm the Viueyard.

Lincoln, Ala, Feb, 6. 1897.
Press and Banner:-If you will allow 1t we
ton hear from us once more. 1t has now
been sixteen years since we left the dear old
home near Greenwood to seek our fortune In
Alabama. Many have been the shifting
about five years ago everything seemed TO be
against u.s. both spiritually and temporarily,
but thanks to His good name the time came,
when he who rules and superrnles, said In
language too plain, TO leave any room for
doubt. Son buck le on the armor and enter
the field for we have need OF thee. Twenty
years or more had passed since we first felt
impTsssed, 70 od PreaGh s tne glorious gospel OF
angel Of light suggested unfit, not learned
enough, could not preach If you were to try.
SO one night after all we're soundIy sleeping
but myself, God so directed as as TO have US
ask him, Lord what can do In order 10 be
relieved of my burden, for we felt as 1t were
some great calamity Weighing us down, and
when we prayed for everything we could dc
in his cluse and nothing more to think of,
we said, Dear Father, If preaching the gospel
will remove the burden we will gladly CO."
In moment we were rejoicing to know OF
truth that we were called Of God 10 this work.
In another moment we doubted, for by this
time, Satan said, "You are drunkard, and
have no influence and never will. Down on
our knees we went again, Dear Father, we've
made rash vow, promised to preach, and
yet we are drunkard; cannot resist the
temptation, but we do believe, Oh God, II
thou cans't fit US and.qualify US for this high
station In life, that thou cans'L make US free
the desire, the hot burning thirst just now.
and let US feel 1t as plainly as we feel that
thou has called US to preach, and we will be
thy willing and ready servant. Yes Lord, we
will begin tomorrow" Thou art as sound as
dollar was the answer to this petition, and
thank God it ia true not one drop since nor
ever will 20 down my throat for when God
works none can hinder, and He can open, and
none can shut, and He can shut and none can
open.
I write these lines and maybe some poor
sot will read them and do likewise. re.
member having said several times If ever
treated, for 1 felt the burning shame and dis
grace was bringing upon those loved, and
often vowed would desist But dear
friends, 1 lack ed one thing. and that one thing
drunkard, trust not In the Kelley Institute.
but ask Of God what you will, believing and
He will come to your help. We had grand
jubilee at our house that night for we were
all In Christ except the two younger children,
and after returning TO the house and had told
what great things the Lord had done for rs,
and seeing the iaces of wife and children lit
up, we decided we had better preach our first
sermon that night, and the Old dusty Bible
was given US, and then and there we began
TO tell the story. / am not sure If 1t wasn't
the biggest sermon we ever preached. Next
day at church God blessed the two younger
children, and l am SO happy, to think up
yOnder, there will not be missing link In
our family. Yes, we've been going from place
TO place, and thank God he has rewarded our
work by giving us souls for our hire. l have
received several letters that wish you could
publish, but for fear we are trespassing we
must bring this 10 q close. 1 want to say in
order that all may understand II, that there
is work for me to do out there, especially
in Bucklevel where we were sent by God last
summer. a year ago, for we feel 1t on US TO go
Ihere. Now dear friends, the Lord permit
ling, you may expect us, and ask an inter-
est in your prayers until the time arrives,
and feel that God will bless us and many
Will be born into His kingdom.
Finally brethren farewell.
Your servant In Christ,
Rev. w. c. Ferell.