Adventures in the Far West | Page 4

world of sinners find it out? Have you made any
plans?" asked Gabriel.
"I have told Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and John, and the
rest of the twelve to go tell the people about it," said Jesus.
"Suppose they do not go?" asked Gabriel. "Have you made any other
plans?"
"No, I am counting on them," said Jesus.
This is only a story, but it illustrates the point of how necessary it is for
us to be consecrated and ready for the Master's service. Jesus is
counting on us!
* * * * *
So you conclude you are still on the wilderness side of the Jordan?
Very well, thank God you are out of the Egypt of sin, that the
wilderness journey through justification is behind you, and that Canaan,
that fair land where milk and honey flows, lies just before you. Only
the Jordan intervenes. Of course the Jordan always is running strong
and out of its banks every time, it seems, when souls are to cross, just
as it was for Israel in Joshua's day. But this is only a necessary test to
prove the sincerity and valor of the soul.
Thousands have made bold to strike their feet in Jordan's waters in the
name of God and start across. You can see them over on the other side
from where you are. Be encouraged; cross over the Jordan and enter the

Canaan of soul-rest.

CHAPTER TWO
THE CROSSING OF THE JORDAN
Just how did you feel at the time you were sanctified? I have heard
some tell of how the holy fire of the Spirit seemed to go all through
them. Others have told of a deeper, more complete peace. Some have
shouted for joy. Others have wept for joy. And I am wondering how
one ought to feel. Can you tell me? And how can I know that I am
consecrated? Every teacher of entire sanctification that I ever heard
says that the consecration must be complete; but how am I to know
when it is complete? I have consecrated over and over, but I do not feel
certain that all, really all, is given up. Might there not be some self-will
left that I do not know of? Please help me.
* * * * *
Probably it might not be wise to tell you just how I felt when the Lord
sanctified me and made me whole, because it might tempt you to want
the experience in the same way it came to me; and, besides, while the
blessed experience is, in its essential features, the same in each case,
yet each person has his own feelings and personal experiences along
with it. These experiences are suited to each one's need; they follow the
trend of one's natural disposition, and are a source of pleasure to us.
The really important thing is to be wholly sanctified.
When Israel under Joshua arrived at the Jordan River, they were
commanded by the Lord to "sanctify" themselves and prepare to cross
over. This command to "sanctify yourselves" points to the perfect
consecration that must be made before the sanctifying power falls upon
us. Crossing the Jordan signified to them leaving the wilderness life
forever behind them and entering upon a new life on the Canaan side.
And in order properly to enter upon that new experience they were
asked by God to set themselves apart by a solemn purification and

consecration of themselves.
To begin with, then, let us consider what a consecration is, and next we
shall consider the evidences of its being perfect and acceptable to God.
Several words and phrases cover what is meant by consecration, as
"abandonment," "surrender," "lay all on the altar," "die," "subject the
will to the will of God," "let Christ have his way."
"Abandonment" here expresses the idea that from now on your soul,
your life, your interests, your time, talents--your all--are no more your
own, but are abandoned to the will of God. You know how some
people abandon themselves to a life of vice; they know no limit, but
give themselves entirely over to it. Well, you are to abandon yourself to
a life of holiness and service to God.
Did you ever see a potter at work on a piece of clay making a vessel of
it? He gathers up a lump of clay and lays it on the wheel. As it turns
and turns He builds up whatever it is that He wishes to make. The clay
being inanimate, dead, yields absolutely to the potter, who makes of it
whatever He pleases. This illustrates the abandonment you are to
make-- though with this difference: you have a will and reason, and
your abandonment is to be the yielding of yourself to God