God Almighty’s train must be managed according to the _old time-table_. Jobbers--compromisers--and all that love and make a lie, off from the track at once. But few brakemen are needed on this train, but a premium is offered for first-class firemen. Beloveds, up with the brakes, and let the train move on, and don’t become alarmed if she gets under big headway.
In 1863 Brother and Sister Cooley and the writer held a camp-meeting at Blood’s Corners, N. Y. After the Sabbath we were helped by Brother and Sister Roberts. Brother James Matthews and others came in from a meeting that had just closed at Akron. It was a very hard place to run a meeting from the fact that in that section of country nearly all professed to be Christians, when it was plain to be seen that in most cases they were in a backslidden state if they had ever been converted, which was doubted. Crowds came on the ground and openly and in other ways opposed the work that we were called to do, that was to spread “scriptural holiness.” On one occasion when Brother Cooley was exhorting a large crowd on this subject, a local preacher belonging to some church, jumped up and commanded Brother Cooley to stop at once, “they did not want to hear such stuff.” Brother Cooley paid no attention to this but continued to exhort. Then the fellow turned on Brother C., and cried out with all his might for the Holy Ghost to knock our brother down. This he repeated, declaring they would not hear such talk. This was a hard fought battle field but victory came on this wise. On Tuesday night about twelve o’clock it was thought by a number of real saints that came on the ground from New York City, and from Illinois, and by those that had been there from the beginning that God could and would give the victory if we should make a more thorough effort. Accordingly twenty or more (and they were members of eight denominations) went into Brother Roberts’ tent and engaged in earnest prayer to this end.
Our praying was characterized by intense earnestness, all that were in that meeting felt that way. Some took a very humble position, especially Brother Belden of N. Y. He was a Presbyterian minister. He confessed he had compromised, but would do so no more. He would preach a whole gospel the remainder of his life, if compelled by so doing to beg from door to door. It seemed to take us until four o’clock in the morning to reach the spot where faith sprang up claiming the Holy Ghost and the fire. At this point it came on all in that tent. It made no difference because we belonged to different organizations, all fell as slain in battle, except one. At this meeting our dear Brother Roberts fell under the power of God several times. He approached the person that did not fall to lay his hands on their head, but when his hands came within one foot of them he fell the quickest of any person that I ever saw fall. This was one of the most glorious meetings that I ever knew anything about. After this salvation flowed in upon us like a mighty river, souls were saved, believers were sanctified wholly, and the Free Methodists struck an abiding place at that time, and from this point it has gone out to bless others in regions beyond. In those days we made it a point to have the victory on all occasions. If at first we did not succeed we would try again, let the drill go down until we struck the living stream. There is no such thing as failure with those whose faith and trust is in God. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”