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understand the Bible. Until then it had been like reading in some
foreign language. Now it became plain, simple, understandable---
and the most interesting, fascinating, enjoyable study of his life.
It was about the same time that a sister-in-law, having
encountered the arguments and hypotheses for the doctrine of
evolution in studying geology and biology in college, challenged
me on this subject, and wounded my pride by calling me "ignorant"
because I did not believe the theory of evolution. Then I also
set out to thoroughly STUDY evolution, and in doing so, studied
the Bible revelation of CREATION. I succeeded in convincing the
sister-in-law that it was SHE who had been in ignorance.
As a result of these two incidences, I made a full
surrender to God, and was converted. This was during the seven-
years' punishment God inflicted, and came when there was plenty
of time for study. Many hours a day were devoted to Bible study.
The writer was amazed to find that many of the teachings of his
boy-hood Sunday school days were the exact OPPOSITE of the plain,
simple statements of the Bible.
At first I was confused---bewildered. But I read in
James 1:5: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ASK OF GOD, . . .
and it shall be given." I did ask, first for UNDERSTANDING, then
for wisdom, which is right knowledge, rightly APPLIED. I began to
pray a great deal---to pray as I studied---and much of my Bible
study from then on was done on my knees. Gradually the picture
cleared. Bible study became my great life-interest. It became a
passion. Not as a hobby or side-interest. Not as a means of
winning arguments. But purely for the love of the truth itself
which had been born in my heart and soul, and as a means of
learning HOW TO LIVE. I studied daily, often until long after
midnight. I read the writings, studied the doctrines of various
faiths and denominations---always following the example of the
Bereans which God commanded, "searching the Scriptures daily,
WHETHER those things were so." And I have BELIEVED only what I
found PROVED in God's Word.
Having been a trained writer, it was but natural that the
amazing, fascinating new truths uncovered were written up in
article form. Not necessarily with an intention of having these
articles published, but as a matter of self-satisfaction. But as
a few Christian friends who were deep Bible students began to read
some of these articles, they urged me to speak before various
groups. This at first I refused to do. Finally, however, a
definite invitation to speak before a certain church group was
accepted, because I had a message I felt literally IMPELLED to give
them.
Somehow that broke the ice. For the first time in my
life I prayed aloud before others that day, upon an unexpected
request I dared not refuse. Enthusiastic invitations to speak
again, followed that meeting. Soon a request came to hold a ten-
day evangelistic campaign in a church in a small Oregon town. It
was during the holidays when I had time on my hands. I agreed to
attempt my first evangelistic effort, on condition that every
member of that church promise to devote at least one solid hour