LE ROY

February 9, 2017 // Story

 

  1. LE ROY

Dear Brother King:– Permit me, for the encouragement of all who are seeking for full

redemption in the blood of the Lamb, to declare through the medium of the Guide, what God has
done for my soul. The love of Christ constrains me to speak forth his praises, and to talk of his
power — his power to save from all sin.

Sixteen years ago, through the divine mercy, my sins were pardoned, and I received the

spirit of adoption, whereby I could cry Abba, Father. Immediately I connected myself with the M.
E. Church, and resolved to be a Christian all my days. I was then young, and surrounded by the
snares and allurements of a vain world. I had not proceeded far in the heavenly journey, before I
discovered that my spiritual foes within were not destroyed. I read in the word of God, that Jesus
came to save his people from their sins. “That if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Again I read, “this is the will of
God, even your sanctification.” I saw that holiness was infinitely desirable in itself, and also that
without it I could not meet the claims of the divine being upon me. I sought for this blessing then
with all my heart. Earnestly did I plead for purity of spirit, that I might love God supremely, and be
fitted fully for his service.

Various were the spiritual conflicts through which I passed. For awhile Satan opposed my

purpose, and unbelief kept me from the fountain of life. But when I fully resigned my all into the
hands of Christ, he saved me from all my sins, and I rejoiced in the fullness of his love. For quite a
length of time I retained this great salvation, and was filled with unspeakable joy. But being young
in years as well as in experience, I did not understand the devices of the adversary. In seasons of
spiritual conflict and trial I was often tempted to believe that I had sinned against my heavenly
Father, and thereby forfeited this salvation. Painful indeed were these seasons of doubt and fear
through which I passed.

At length, sad to relate, I quit my hold on Jesus as my sanctifier. How deeply do I now

regret that I have not always, from my first setting out in the way of holiness, walked therein. Since
that time I have lived in the possession of justifying grace, having no other desire than to be a

 

Christian and make my way to heaven. But ah! there has been an aching void within my soul, a
painful sense of a want of conformity to the image of God, and of victory over the world. But glory
be to the name of the Lord, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous.”

About four months ago I came to the conclusion that I could live no longer without holiness

of heart. I had such a view of the corruptions of my fallen nature, and the sinfulness and desert of
sin, that I felt that in all probability, if I did not then receive the sanctifying grace of God, I should
miss of heaven. That after having experienced so much of the love of Christ, I should at last be
obliged to take up the heart-rending lamentation, “The harvest is passed, the summer is ended, and”
I am “not saved.”

Being thus awakened by the divine spirit, I immediately began to seek the Lord, that he

would come and “create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” I confessed my
backslidings. I plead the merit of the crucified, his dying groans on Calvary for my poor soul.

What an hour was that: I felt that I must prevail, or perish by the hands of my enemies. But

thanks be to my adorable Redeemer, when I let go of every other trust, and consecrated my whole
being to his service, and became willing to be his, at all times, in all places, and under all
circumstances, he gave me the desire of my heart. I was enabled to exclaim with a glad heart,
”thanks be unto God, who giveth” me “the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

How great the change then wrought in my heart. Since that hour I have been enabled to

realize and declare that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. The plague of
sin has been removed, the leprosy of my fallen nature has been washed away, and as did Naaman
of old, I rejoice in the mighty change. When I contemplate the greatness and freeness of this
salvation, my soul is filled with indescribable emotions, and the language of my heart is

“O that the world might taste and see,
The riches of his grace;
The arms of love, that compass me,
Would all mankind embrace.”

How much the faithful ministers of Jesus Christ need the baptism of the Holy Ghost, to be

enabled to declare the whole counsel of God! How can they successfully point the inquiring soul to
the cleansing blood of Christ, who do not feel its sanctifying power in their own. O Lord, sanctify
thy ministers, and make them all flaming heralds of the Cross!

Permit me, in conclusion, to entreat all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and are

panting after that perfect conformity to the image and will of God which his word requires, not to
be disheartened, but, in the strength of grace, continue to plead for purity, and while you ask,
believe that you are receiving, through Jesus, the desire of your heart. “This is the will of God,
even your sanctification.” The apostle John declares: “And this is the confidence we have in him,
that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petition we desired of him.” Why, then, should we
doubt? Lord forgive us that we are so unbelieving.

 

  1. Le Roy, August 25th, 1849

Source: Guide to Holiness Articles, Vol. 15, Part 4 (HDM Collection)

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HOW THEY ENTERED CANAAN
(A Collection of Holiness Experience Accounts)
Compiled by Duane V. Maxey

Vol. I — Named Accounts

Interchurch Holiness Convention

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