THE SECOND CRISIS IN CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
20 -- SANCTIFIED PEOPLE SHOT
There are many sanctified people who have need of being
shot. This fact is gathered from the oil fields, or gas belt. After a well has
been flowing for a good while it often happens that the pressure becomes weak,
and the flow decreases, until the inexperienced might conclude that the supply
had become exhausted. But they who understand such matters will proceed to drop
a fresh stick of dynamite down into the depth of the well, and there discharge
it; this at once opens the fissures and channel-ways, and the oil will spurt
into the air with a much increased pressure and volume, so that this particular
well may be said to be a regular gusher; this process is termed "shooting
the well," and those familiar with the procedure will say, "That well
has been shot." It is exactly in this sense we mean to say that there are
a great many sanctified people all over this country who have need of being
shot. When first they entered the experience they struck a gusher, and the flow
was so abundant -- the pressure so strong -- their new-found joy and gladsome
testimony spouted in sufficient volume to attract the attention of the
community at large; and while some of the neighbors became envious and complained,
others said they had struck it rich, and still others owning farms nearby
concluded they might be able to drill into the same "pocket," and so
went to digging. But after flowing freely for a time, they have slackened their
zeal, have lost much of their intensity and unction, and the exuberance and
glow of testimony have subsided. While they may yet have the well and maintain
their profession, and contend for the doctrine, much of the sap and juice of
their former experience seems to have leaked out. They themselves may scarcely
know how to account for it. It may be they have had an ecclesiastical
"cap" placed over their mouth, and so toned down in testimony. We are
told that the waters of the Dead Sea are not dead because it has no inlet --
for the Jordan flows into it all the while -- but they are dead because it has
not sufficient outlet. This may be the difficulty with those of whom we are
writing; for many Christians are like the rivers that empty into the Arctic Ocean -- all frozen over at the mouth. Or, it may be that they have been browbeaten
and starved and persecuted, and so have allowed these things to oppress them
or, that the plea of prudence and seeking to give no offense have choked off
the flow. Whatever may be the cause, they need a fresh charge of the dynamite
of the Pentecost -- the energy and fire and power of the Holy Ghost -- let down
into their souls, to open up anew the fissures and avenues of their soul.
Brother, do not abandon the well, nor "shut up shop" and quit the
business, but ask God to "shoot your well," and "tarry
until." Thank God the supply has not yet been exhausted, and if you will
insist on being shot you may again flow several hundred barrels a day, and so
not simply have sufficient for yourself but help to supply the markets.
Recently we heard a good brother praying most earnestly in
one of our meetings, "Oh, Lord, take all of the clinkers out of my
soul." It was a real heart-cry, and we said "Amen!" Then we
emembered that clinkers in the furnace were the result of intense beat in the
past, and were formed by coal that had been burnt out and now had undergone a
cooling process. The living on a past experience, and cooling off in secret
prayer, reading of the word and testimony is very apt to form "chokers"
and so shut off the draft and prevent the fire from burning with the intensity
and glow it might reasonably be expected to have. With all the
"clinkers" out and the draft of prayer and testimony wide open, the
fire is bound to burn, and make it hot for those who may come in contact with
us.
While, properly speaking, the soul may have but one
Pentecost in which it receives the baptism with the Holy Ghost, it may have,
and must have, frequent and repeated anointings, and new undergirdings, and
fresh manifestations of the spirit. It is not enough that the soul has entered
the Canaan of Perfect Love, but it must push on, and up into the hill country,
explore the land, and make new discoveries, and constantly take in more
territory. The ashes of our camp-fires should never be found in the same place
two nights in succession. "It is better farther on." "The path
of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the
perfect day." "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger."
(Prov. 4:18; Job 17:9.)
