OPENING THE WAY.
Arriving in Salt Lake City at noon the next day, we were told the train we should take for Los Angeles did not carry chair cars, so we would have to wait for a train that left at midnight. We were very tired from our long train ride and went aside in the station to rest. I lay down on a couch in the ladies’ rest room, but just as I had settled down for rest the Lord said to me, “Go and buy your berth on this train, for it will be the last train through.” I did not know what it meant, but I did not doubt the voice of God that had spoken to me so many times in the fifteen years I have been saved.
I went to my husband and told him, and together we went to the Pullman ticket office. The agent said, “I have not a berth left. The train is full and leaves in fifteen minutes.” I told him the Lord had said we were to go on that train, and there must be a place somewhere for us. He said he knew he had not a berth left. I said we must have two upper berths, as we did not have sufficient money for lower berths. The $4 given by the little sister in Colorado Springs as our train was leaving and the $3.00 we had was all we had for the berths. Just then a man stepped up and said there were two upper berths left, as some people had decided not to go on that train. “Well,” said the agent, “I guess they are for you, but you will have to hurry, as the train is ready to go.” Entering the coach we found the two berths were together. How the Lord does plan for His children, opening doors which no man can shut. Hallelujah!
As we neared the California border the strike came on that paralyzed all street-car and train service for ten days. Three times the men were about to leave our train out on the desert. But we prayed, and God took the train through to Los Angeles. Other trains that started were forsaken by the trainmen and hundreds of people were left in the desert without food or water. Relief was sent to them by auto trucks, and they came through in that way. But God spoke to us, and we obeyed, and went on the last train that got through for over ten days.
How God does care for His own! We were going out as missionaries and He wanted to teach us lessons of faith. That is why He took us along with just enough money for one trip at a time. Many times we were without money or had but little. Then, He would tell us not to look at our little means, but to look to Him, with Heaven’s great storehouse full for all who would believe. “The just shall live by faith.” The new creature in Christ Jesus becomes heir to ALL His riches in glory. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Rom. 11:33.
We arrived in Los Angeles with seventy-five cents. The taxi man asked $4 to take us to the camp-grounds, and no street cars were running. We asked Father how we were to get out there. It was too far to walk. I was directed to a little lunch-counter across the street, to ask the man about a machine standing in front of his place. He told me he would take us out there, as he was carrying passengers since the strike was on. We asked him the fare and he said, “Seventy-five cents.” We laughed, for Father knew just how much we had, and would not let him ask more.
We reached the camp-grounds about nine o’clock. The Evangelist was preaching on faith, and how we should trust God. She stretched out her arm toward us and said, in a loud voice, “The just shall live by faith.” This was a familiar text to us, as it had been our motto for some three months, or more, but it is always new.
Brother Fisher came and said, “We have a tent up and ready for you, but we have made no arrangements for meals for you, as everybody makes their own arrangements for those.” We praised God for the tent and knew He would take care of the rest, for He had sent us there, so He would provide.
We were invited home with some friends that night, but returned to the camp to stay the next morning. Noon came. Everybody was going out to the stand to get lunch. We had to pray. So we went into our little tent, knelt down and told our Heavenly Father about our needs. He says He knows our needs before we ask Him, but we receive by asking. It is so sweet to tell Him about every little need. We had spoken to no one else about them, as that would not be faith. We went across the grounds to the big tent. A sister came, put her arms around me, and said, “Sister, are you a missionary?” I told her we were just going out for the first time. She said the Lord had laid it on her heart to open a dining tent for the missionaries on the camp-ground, and she wanted to invite me and my little family to eat with them. I need not say that dining tent was one of the sweetest places I have ever seen. We would gather there and sing and praise God and eat the food He had provided. It was Heaven on earth. I am sure dear Sister Craton and her sister, who worked so faithfully, will receive abundant reward when Jesus comes.
The meeting was wonderful. The Word was preached under the mighty anointing every afternoon and night. Hundreds were brought in and baptized in the Holy Spirit, and many were healed. One day they carried in a Jew. He was an invalid, had been sick for many years and did not believe the Bible or in God. We gathered around him and prayed. A great ball of fire came down through the tent, struck that man on the head, knocked him out of his chair and on to his feet, and almost knocked down all who were praying with him. He was healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit, and ran over the grounds leaping and praising God. Many things God did there that strengthened our faith and prepared us for the life of faith on the mission field.
After the camp-meeting we rented a little apartment where we might live and make ready for our trip, for there was sewing to be done and things to be made ready. We were expecting to sail about the first of October. But one day, as we were praying about when we should sail, the Lord said, “You will sail about the first of the year.” We thought that was a long time off, and did not understand why we were to wait so long. Going to the steamship office we learned that the port of Corinto, where we were to land, was under quarantine for yellow fever, and had been for several months, but the ban would be lifted about the first of the year, and it was.
They were precious months that followed. Everything that we needed had to be prayed in—trunks, suitcases, clothing, everything came in answer to prayer.
While in San Francisco I was very busy in meetings and had many letters to write. Sister Kerr said, “Ask the Lord to give you a typewriter to take with you.” “Oh,” I said, “I could never have faith for a typewriter, as I could get along without that, and need so many other things.” While I was praying in my room the Lord said to me, “You can have faith for a typewriter. Ask for one, and you shall have it.” I said, “Lord, I do not know how to use a typewriter.” He told me that when I went back to Los Angeles I could go to night school and learn to use a typewriter, and then He would give me one. This I did, and soon learned how to typewrite. Then I received a letter from a brother enclosing a check for $50, saying it was for a Corona typewriter to take to the mission field. I had never seen the brother and do not know how he knew of me, but God knows. I almost ran to the Corona office to get my typewriter, and with it I am writing this book.
“I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.”—Psalm 116:1, 2.
While in Oakland dear sister Rawlins told me the Lord had spoken to her to take her new Singer sewing machine, go home with me to Los Angeles and do up all my sewing. Here again was the dear loving hand of my Heavenly Father. He said He would give me mothers and brothers and sisters. This dear sister was truly a mother to me. She came with me, did up the sewing, and, as we were packing ready to leave for the mission field, and she to return to Oakland, she gave me the machine to take with me. How sweet that God has so many precious children who are ready to lay down their lives for the Gospel. We may not all be called to go, but we all can do our part. God bless every one who has given so freely and made it possible for the missionaries to go. As I think of the many things and the money that have been given by the dear children of God, it makes me fear I may not prove true and use it all to His glory. But there is a cry in my soul that the Lord will help me to be faithful, and render unto the Lord for all His benefits unto me. Psalm 116:12.
Everything was provided for the trip. New trunks were sent up to the house. Two nice handbags were given. One woman gave my daughter and me beautiful riding suits made to order. A certain book I had long been wanting to read, and had not been able to get, was brought and laid on our table when I was out. Many little tokens of love were brought by the saints—nice useful things.
But there was one thing lacking, a most important one. That was our fare. The Lord had miraculously interfered and gotten us our passports, and everything was packed and ready, but no money for the fare, which was near $700.00, including excess baggage. One morning, while praying in my room, the Lord said, “Go to the steamship office and make your reservations.” “But, Lord, I haven’t the money to pay down.” He said, “Get ready; I will send the money.” By the time I was dressed and ready, a friend entered the room and gave me $15. Well, why hadn’t the Lord sent all that was needed for the fare? Never mind; He had another lesson of faith to teach us. I went to the office and found out about the steamers. One sailed January 12th. The Lord said “Take that one.” Different faithful friend, asked, “When does the steamer sail?” We told them. “And you haven’t your fare yet?” “No, we haven’t the fare yet, but it is coming.” They said they did not believe we were to sail so soon or God would have sent the fare. But we knew God had spoken and we believed.
One afternoon a woman came with a message which she claimed was from God. Some of them had been praying about our going, and had received a message that we were not to go yet. Instead we were to go to a certain place and open a work. For that reason God had not sent us our fare. I replied, “I can’t believe that, for God has spoken to me many times, and this message is the same that came through my lips in San Francisco, when He told me that we were to sail about the first of the year.” At that time, as already related, we found the port was under quarantine that would be lifted about the first of the year. Later we found it had been lifted, and the Lord had told us we were to sail on the steamer that went on Jan. 12.
We kept in sweet communion with the Lord, and every time these friends came with a message, He whispered to us to be still and know He was God; and we should see His salvation. Time went by. Only a week more before sailing, and we must have our ticket in three days in order to have our baggage attended to, still there was no money in sight. We kept praising the Lord that He had spoken, and it would come to pass. A dear saint, we thought much of, came in. She asked if we had our fare. We said we had not. She said, “Surely there is something wrong. God does not want you to go now.” But we quietly praised God. He had spoken, and it was so. Like Paul, we thanked God and took courage, when it seemed that everything was against us on every side, and the darkest hour was there. Then came dear Brother Norris from San Bernardino, California. He said the Lord had sent him to pay our fares. So he went down and paid for our tickets and excess baggage.
Why did we have this test? It was just one more lesson for us to learn. We must come to the place where we know the voice of the Lord and there must be no mistake about it. He wants us to know beyond the shadow of a doubt. We are in dark days and there are many spirits to deceive. We must know the voice of God, and then, no matter how impossible it may seem, follow His voice.
Many were the tests and trials we passed through, but glorious was the victory He gave in the end.
Father N. J. Norris, who paid our way to the Mission field
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;
He leadeth me out of the dry and thirsty land,
He bringeth me forth in pastures of green—
My eyes may not see all the ways He has planned,
Far out with Him in the way of faith, unseen.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
Over the way of thorns and rocks I may go,
But He is the one who taketh me through;
Through the thick darkness of doubt and woe,
But out from the clouds of darkness falls Heaven’s sweet dew.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
So lead me on by Thy Spirit, O God,
Take me into Thyself so dear;
Leave me not, though I pass under Thy rod,
Breathing the breath of fragrant air, leaving behind all fear.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
Out to the mission field, alone with Him;
To tell the poor heathen that Jesus has died;
Breaking the bread to one and all,
Telling them His death redeemed from the fall.
BREAD UPON THE WATERS
From Los Angeles to Nicaragua, C. A.
We sailed from Los Angeles, on the S. S. Curacao, January 12th, 1920. After five days we arrived at the port of Matzalan, Mexico. The first sight of the city was the large cathedral on the hill. Our boat came to anchor, and as it was to stay a whole day, we took a launch and went ashore.
The city was very beautiful, nestling in the valley, surrounded by mountains and sea. The beach was thronged with bathers. The streets and courts were lined with tropical flowers, palm and cocoanut trees. The sun was so warm that we were soon persuaded to remove our coats and sweaters, and we stepped into a hotel court to rest.
We noticed one beggar after another coming in and asking alms. Going out into the streets again we noticed they seemed to be filled with poor, ragged, barefoot people begging. On inquiry we were told this was “Beggars’ Day,” when the poor came out and received help.
S. S. Curacao on which we sailed to the Mission field
As we sat in the plaza and saw all the sin and wickedness around us, we were reminded of Paul’s experience at Athens. His spirit was stirred when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry, and found the altar with the inscription, “To the unknown God.” Truly our spirits were stirred when we saw the high spires on the cathedral, and the altar within, and realized that God was not known to the people. The many beggars were a striking picture of the great need of the whole city. The beggars’ dirty rags told of their need of the robes of righteousness. Their bare feet showed the need of being shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, for truly they had no peace. Many of them were blind, and surely they were blind to the truth. Beggars would come and touch us, and ask alms. Like Peter and John, silver and gold we did not have, but we could tell them of Jesus, and we did so. But they were so blind and deaf they did not seem to know what we were talking about.
We were taken by a gentleman in a carriage to see the places of interest in the city, which were many. Then we returned to the ship, but found it would not be ready to sail for some time yet. We seated ourselves on the deck and watched the many boats and launches that covered the waters. The wind was strong and the waves ran high. We saw a small row-boat with two men in it, rowing hard for the shore. It made me think of the great mass of people here who were being tossed by the waves of sin.
“Captain, Lower the Gang-Plank for I am Coming.”
Then the Spirit gave me a picture of the sinner as the small boat tossed to and fro by the high waves of sin. The large steamer, with all her passengers, very peaceful, and with no toiling to keep afloat, represented the children of God with all His cargo of love and grace in their souls. They did not have to work to keep saved, but He saved them and they were at home on the waters of His love. I seemed to hear the Lord say that as the waters of this mighty ocean could come in on that little boat, and sink it beneath its waves, never again to be found, even so His great love for the sinner could come in on his frail bark of sin, swallow it up, and sink it in the sea of forgetfulness, never again to be found.
Darkness began to settle over the waters. The whistle had blown, the gang plank been pulled in, and the vessel was slowly moving away. Suddenly we heard a cry coming over the waves, “Captain, lower the gang plank, for I am coming.” In the dim evening light we could see a man standing in the launch that was coming as fast as it could. Again the cry came, “Captain, lower the gang plank, for I am coming.” It was our freight clerk, who had been ashore, drinking and indulging in sin, until he had almost missed his opportunity to get on board. But at the captain’s command they lowered the gang plank, the clerk jumped on it and came on board.
On Board Ship
To me this taught a lesson. The big ship Salvation has pulled into the harbor of the needy, the needy one comes in his little row-boat of trouble and cries for help, and the gang plank, the Gospel of love, is let down to him, and he jumps on and is saved. So, as we go among these needy people, in their little old row-boats toiling on the angry waters of sin, we hope to see the dear old Gospel ship of Zion pull into many a harbor, and lower the gang plank of love and mercy, and see people jumping on and coming aboard for the glory-land. For truly, Jesus is coming soon, and what we do we must do quickly, ere they perish.
At another port we had to wait a day for the unloading of cargo. Many natives came to the ship to sell birds and different things, and we had a wonderful opportunity to give out the Word of God to them. How eager they were to hear of the love of God to save them. One old man came up out of his little boat and said. “Are there many people in your country who know about this great God, and how He sent His Son to die for us?” We told him there were many who knew about it. Then he said, “Why don’t they come and tell us about it and help us to find Him.” We were speechless, for we knew there were few who would leave all to tell them of Jesus and His power to save.
“I’ll Be Waiting for You When Your Ship Returns.”
Several little boys came on board from the many boats and lighters, and played with Carl. He brought out his little train, that ran on a track. They had never seen anything like that before, so they spent the day with him. We gave each one tracts and a Testament to carry home. How their little dark faces did shine with delight when we told them of the love of Jesus for every one of them, and how God had sent us to tell the people to get ready, for He was soon coming back to earth. One little fellow was very much interested, asking many questions about the Bible and the tracts we had given him.
Just then the bell rang, and orders were given for every visitor to get off, for the ship was ready to go. As this dear little fellow took Carl’s hand and shook it he said, “I will be waiting for you when you come back. I will wait every day till I see this ship return, and then you can tell me more about Jesus and how to find this peace you have.”
He rowed away in a small boat, and, as far as we could see, we saw his little hand waving, and heard him saying, “I will be waiting for you when you come back.”
How we wept, for we knew we would not come that way again, and realized that the little fellow might never again hear the Gospel. Shall we fail to go to them with the bread of life?
Carl on bridge of ship at sea