13 The Scriptures Opened 1780

13 - THE SCRIPTURES OPENED 1780

THOUGH highly prospered in his work, Mr. Randall experienced no little distress of mind for a time, because of the alienation of his former brethren. His attachment was so strong that his separation from them left a deep wound in his heart. He greatly felt the need of fraternal associations and fraternal counsel.

Then, again, he would suffer great perplexity respecting those texts which he could not construe to his own satisfaction. He knew they must harmonize with the general tenor of the Scriptures, but this was not fully satisfactory. The question would often arise, "What do these texts mean? " Then, again, the feeling, "I must know." But how could he obtain the knowledge? He knew of no living person to whom he might resort for aid or comfort. As to (books, in the meager supply at that time) the Bible almost alone taught a full and free salvation. In this extremity, Mr. Randall could go to none but his Bible and his God, with any hope of finding a solution to the questions that burdened him. To these sources of information he turned with all possible concentration of thought and devoutness of feeling. Here we have an illustration of the proverb that " Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity." But we will let Mr. Randall tell of the very extraordinary experience through which he passed:

Some time in July (1780), being in great trial of mind because of such texts, and desiring solitude, I walked to a remote place on my farm, where I had a field of corn, which I entered. My soul being in great agony, I sat down upon a rock, and prayed that my heavenly Father would teach me. All at once it seemed as if the Lord denied my request. This increased my trial, and I said, "Lord, why may I not be taught?" I then saw that my heart needed much purifying and refining. I said, " Lord, here am I, take me, and do with me as thou wilt." And oh, the flaming power that instantly possessed my soul! It would be impossible to give one an adequate idea of the experience, unless he had passed through the same. The power increased in my soul, until it stripped me of everything as to my affections. I tried to recollect my brethren and connections, but had no feeling save of the awful majesty of God, before whom I sank, as it were, into nothing.

Then it appeared that I saw a white robe brought and put over me, which completely covered me, and I appeared as white as snow. A perfect calm, an awful reverence pervaded my soul. A Bible was then presented before the eyes of my mind, and I heard a still, small voice saying, "Look therein." I looked-in at the beginning of Genesis, and out at the close of Revelation. To state the remainder of this vision in fewer words than his account, Mr. Randall saw the seals of those difficult texts all unloosed, and their explanations were seen to be in perfect harmony with a genera] atonement and a universal call. He adds: My soul has never been in any trial about the meaning of those Scriptures since. After passing through this experience the vision was withdrawn. I came to myself sitting on the rock in profuse perspiration, and so weak I could hardly sit up. I observed the sun, and estimated that I had been in this exercise about an hour and a half; and whether in the body or out of the body, I never could tell. This experience of Mr. Randall was certainly remarkable. The extent to which the Holy Spirit may have been operative in producing it will be measured by the religious experience of those who judge. As a help to correct judgment, it should be borne in mind that the whole trend of scriptural teaching is to the effect that God, in the economy of his grace, has made provision for his helpful manifestations to those in extremities such as Mr. Randall had I reached; and that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." The subjoined statements of Samuel D. Robbins, D. D., align with this doctrine:

There is a communion with God in which the soul feels the presence of the unseen One, in the profound depths of his being, with vivid distinctness and a holy reverence, such as no words can describe. There is a state of union with God-I do not say often reached, yet it has been attained in this world-in which all the past and present and future seem reconciled, and eternity is won and enjoyed; and God and man, earth and heaven, with all their mysteries, are apprehended in truth as they lie in the mind of the Infinite.

Mr. Randall was sure that in that vision he was especially favored with divine assistance. However it may be accounted for, he somehow at that time obtained views on those Scriptures that had perplexed him, essentially differing from constructions then current, but which now have general acceptance with the religious world.