I Will Set on You a Refiner s Fire - A Glenn Rawson Story

Описание: #glennrawsonstories #pioneers

I Will Set on You a Refiner's Fire

Inside this story is hidden an answer to this question: "Why does the Lord not hear and answer my earnest prayer—now?”

John was born in Simpson County Kentucky in 1808. He said:
“From my first remembrance I had serious reflections on futurity. My parents being of Methodist faith, and hearing them talk about it, I had impressions on my mind that I shall never forget.”

From the age of 7 until his early 20s, John was sorely afflicted with what he called attacks of “rheumatics,” that caused him to suffer terribly and nearly cripple him. In one of those last episodes. John said:
“I began to have serious reflections at times about my future existence and I often thought what the Lord wanted of such a being as me upon the earth and I desired either to have my health restored and become like other boys at my age or die, for I did not like to live in that way.”

And then came a period of remarkable growth. Notwithstanding his afflictions, John grew to be six feet tall. Around the same time there was a period of revivalism. He went to some of the meetings and while his companions rejoiced and “professed a remission of their sins”, John could feel nothing, and he refused to pretend. “I made up my mind,” he said, “if there was such a thing as religion, I would have it and keep it as my own property letting no one know it.”

One day while in Church, he said:
“I thought I could see every sin I ever committed and while in this condition I felt as though my seat was sinking from under me all at once. Thus, I felt with all my soul to call upon the Lord God to forgive me, a sinner, and all of an instant, the burden left me and I felt to rejoice for a minute or two.”

A voice said to him, “You have yet to preach the Gospel to the world."

From that point forward, John poured out his heart in searching the scriptures. From them, and from all the strife and contention around him, he was persuaded firmly that the true Church was not in his part of Kentucky. It was all, he said, “A mess of confusion.” Nevertheless, John continued attending his Church and praying with all of his heart for the truth—doing the best he could.

Source: The Autobiography of John Lowe Butler. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/per...


For the rest of this story, and to see more, visit glennrawsonstories.com