BRO. FORNEY.--Under the banner of Jesus another long and hard battle has been fought, and, and all glory be to the King, another victory has been won. On the 8th of November I commenced a meeting at the Pleasant Prairie school-house, Polk county, Neb. The Church of God was all in uniform and with their armor on. We kept up vigorous operations against the enemy's work till the 19th with little effect, save that the King was with his hosts to fill their hearts with joy. After a council of war we determined on a flank movement to attack the enemy at Victory school-house, about five miles to the northeast, at the other extremity of the brotherhood who are located between the two houses. After an interval of a few days, in which I went to Seward and preached for the church near there, we renewed the engagement on Sabbath, November 23. Being determined to take some spoil from the enemy, we adopted a still more vigorous policy. The next day was set apart for fasting, prayer and meditation.

      We also set apart ten o'clock every day for family prayer meeting, which was afterward changed to two o'clock. We also had speaking meeting every night before a short sermon. We further agreed to mention by name every poor sinner in the neighborhood one by one to the Lord, and make special supplication for their salvation. And, according to the directions and promise of our Savior, we agreed together as touching what we should ask of the Lord, viz., that God should mightily trouble and convict every sinner in the community; and to the glory of God it must be said that he did just as was besought of him. I recommend these rules to all my brethren in the ministry.

      From the night of our fast day God's chariots began to roll, sinners feared, and trembling with guilt came to the altar. Their souls were blessed and there were many shouts in the camp, as well as joy in heaven.

      A respectable woman living near the school-house, who was raised under Presbyterian influence, and being somewhat skeptical in reference to the power of God manifested in the meeting was under conviction and unwilling to yield up to the Savior. One night during the meeting she was stricken down by the power of God, and was in great distress, almost helpless, and could not speak above a whisper till after twelve o'clock that night. Then she began to pray in an audible voice. She was taken home and put to bed, and we sang and prayed with her till one o'clock. She confessed that God had made her feel his power, which she was unwilling to believe. The next night she was blessed at her home, and was made every whit whole. She exhorted her husband to repent, which he finally did after long struggles to resist conviction, till he was nearly as sin-sick as she had been. They are now happy in the Lord.

      One of the first seekers, after coming to the altar the first night, retired alone in a sad mood to his bed, and a few minutes after lying down, when the rest of the family had retired, and being yet wide awake, saw in his room what he at once recognized as the devil and a host of his imps. He was almost the shape of a man, the upper part of his body being very large and tapering downward; had a horrifying look, two horns, enormous eyes, rough hair on his head, neck and arms, and paws like an animal. He seemed to be seated on a chair near the entrance of the room and had a book in his hand (probably the writings of Tom Paine or some other of his faithful children). His emissaries were all around him, about the same in appearance, but much smaller. Of course our brother, who is a man of about twenty-eight years of age, did not enjoy the visit very much; but to break through the ranks of his unwelcome visitors and leave the room would require some than ordinary nerves to do; so he lay still and awaited the issue. In about fifteen or twenty minutes the Satanic party took their leave and departed.

      The brother says, "You may judge I did not sleep much that night." The next day he was so much horrified that he scarcely spoke a word to any one. He spent most of the day in retirement. Two nights later he was blessed with what he called the "glory of his soul." He thinks that if he had seen the devil years ago he would not have remained in his service so long. Sinner, if you read this, I ask if you do not feel a little ashamed to serve such a horrible master. One night since I preached on the text, "Resist the devil," etc. One poor sinner became angry at the discourse, and I sent word to him that he was offended at me for exposing his father before the congregation. I closed the meeting on Monday night. There were 14 converted, some of whom had once been professors before. I immersed on two different Sabbaths, in all seven; 19 were fellowshiped, and a few more will be received in the future. We also observed the ordinances of feet-washing and the Lord's supper. The Church of God now numbers 34 at that place, and they are a noble, faithful band. The converts are all strong and zealous.

      I presented THE ADVOCATE cause to the people in public, and got one subscriber. Many would like to have it who have not the means. God bless this faithful band of soldiers for Jesus. I would like to live and die with such people. I go next to Fillmore Co. to start a meeting. Expect the joint labors of Bro. Aller, there which will be very pleasant, and not quite so hard.

      I have preached 59 sermons in the last 57 days. I ask the continued prayers of the whole brotherhood.

[The Church Advocate 38 (December 31, 1873): 5.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "Revival News from Nebraska" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 38, No. 35 (December 31, 1873), p. 5. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article provided by Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 15 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.