His Messenger

Chapter 12—A Wild Colt Tamed

A wild colt was feeding in the pasture of one of the Adventist men who lived near Topsham, Maine. This colt belonged to a man who lived many miles away, and he wanted him brought home. He didn’t have time to come after the horse, so he suggested that someone coming up that way drive the colt home. HMes 60.1

No one wanted to drive the young animal, for he had been mistreated by the men who were trying to train him, and had become badly frightened, until it was almost impossible to manage him. Once when the men were trying to drive him, the colt had become so frightened that he had run against the rocky cliff at the side of the road and crushed one of the men to death. HMes 60.2

If someone did hitch up the colt to a buggy, the reins had to be held tightly and not allowed to touch the flanks of the colt, for if anything touched him, he at once began to kick furiously. HMes 60.3

Shortly after the meeting at Topsham, Maine, in which Mr. Bates was so happy because he felt that God had sent the vision of the stars especially for him, Mr. and Mrs. White decided to go to the town where the owner of the colt lived. HMes 60.4

“Mr. White, why don’t you drive that colt back to its owner, since you’re going there now?” suggested someone. “Oh, no, you had better not take him,” said another. “He isn’t safe. He’ll hurt someone.” HMes 60.5

“I think I can manage him,” answered James White. “I’ve broken in several colts to drive, and I think we’ll get along all right.” HMes 61.1

Someone offered Mr. White the use of a market wagon, which had a front and a back seat. It was without a dashboard, and to enter, one had to step up onto an iron step on the shafts and then onto a step that went across the front of the wagon. The colt was brought and hitched to the wagon, and Mr. White got in, holding the reins tight and straight. While someone held the horse’s head, Mrs. White sat down beside her husband, and Captain Bates and another brother climbed into the back seat. When all were ready, the colt was let loose, and the party started off. Mr. White had his hands full, but he managed the colt, and they went on their way without any real difficulty. HMes 61.2

As they followed the road through the beautiful hills that were aflame with the colors of the late autumn, Mrs. White spoke of the beauties of the new earth and of the joy that will come to all followers of Christ. HMes 61.3

While she was talking, the power of God came upon her and she was given a vision. In a beautiful voice she called, “Glory! Glory! Glory!” as she saw the glories of heaven opened before her. As soon as she began to speak, the colt suddenly stopped perfectly still and stood with his head drooped. At the same time, Mrs. White stood up, and with her eyes looking upward, stepped over the front of the wagon, and laying her hand on the haunches of the colt, stepped down onto the shafts. HMes 61.4

“That colt will kick her to death!” called out Mr. Bates. HMes 61.5

“The Lord has the colt in charge now; I do not wish to interfere,” quietly answered Mr. White. The colt stood as gently as an old horse, as Mrs. White, with her hand on his back, stepped down onto the ground. Mrs. White went up the bank onto a grassy plot beside the road, and walked back and forth while she described the beauties of the new earth. HMes 61.6

While Mrs. White was out of the wagon, Mr. White thought he would test the horse to see what was making him so tame. First, he touched the colt with the whip, and it did not move; then Mr. White struck the horse harder and harder, but it remained quiet, just as though it had not even felt the touch of the whip. HMes 62.1

“This is a solemn place,” said Mr. Bates. “Surely the power that gives the vision, also has subdued the wild nature of this colt.” HMes 62.2

Then Mrs. White walked slowly down the bank, and again putting her hand on the colt’s haunches, stepped back up onto the shafts and into the wagon. When she took her seat, the vision was ended. The colt at once started, and the travelers continued on their journey and reached their destination in safety. HMes 62.3

Mr. and Mrs. White went on from church to church, bringing good courage to the believers. Many times meetings were held in a barn, since there were no houses large enough to hold all the people who came together. At times the meetings lasted several days, and the neighbors opened their homes to the visitors, who brought their own bedding and food. HMes 62.4

After one meeting had closed, the workers would hurry on to the next place, for they had no time to lose, with so many waiting to hear their message. HMes 62.5

The meeting in Port Gibson, New York, lasted longer than they had expected, and Mr. and Mrs. White, accompanied by Captain Bates and another worker, hurried to catch the boat that was to take them on to New York City for a Sabbath meeting. They reached the landing at the river too late. The boat for New York City had gone. There was another smaller boat going down the river a short distance, and they went on it, expecting to change and take the next boat for the city when it should overtake them. HMes 62.6

As the larger boat came near, they called, but the captain would not stop. There was nothing for the travelers to do but to jump from the small boat to the deck of the larger, as the boats were floating near together down the stream. Mr. White jumped onto the low deck of the large boat and then helped Mrs. White to follow him. Captain Bates had the money for their fare in his hand as he jumped to the deck, but the boats had separated a little, and he could not quite make the wide jump. He fell into the dirty water of the river, but immediately he started swimming after the big boat, with the money for their fare in one hand and his pocketbook in the other. His hat came off, and in rescuing it, he lost the fare money. At last the captain of the river boat ordered it to be slowed up, and the dignified Captain Bates was taken aboard, dripping wet, but with his pocketbook held tightly. HMes 63.1

It was then impossible to go and fill the appointment in New York, so Mr. White asked the boat captain to let them off at the next village. This he did, and Mr. and Mrs. White, and Captain Bates, who was still drenched, left the boat. At this town lived a few Adventist families, and the travelers went to the home of one of them. HMes 63.2

These good people opened up their home to the visitors, and Captain Bates was soon comfortable in dry clothes, while his wet ones were being made fit to wear again. HMes 63.3

This unplanned visit proved a great blessing to this family. The mother had been sick for many years, but the workers talked with her and prayed that God would heal her. She was restored to health. Others in the village came in and also received blessing and encouragement from the ministers. HMes 63.4

Mr. White felt that as soon as they could they should go on and try to reach their appointment in New York. But when they realized they could not reach the city before the Sabbath, they decided to spend the day with a family of Adventists who lived not far away. HMes 65.1

“Here we are,” said Captain Bates, when they stopped at the gate in front of the house. HMes 65.2

“Let just one of us go to the door first,” said Mr. White, “and see if they can keep us; if they can’t, we will drive on and spend the Sabbath at a hotel.” HMes 65.3

When the woman of the house answered his knock, he said, “I am a Sabbathkeeper.” HMes 65.4

“I am glad to see you. Come in,” she said. HMes 65.5

“But there are three more in the carriage with me. I thought if we came in together we might frighten you.” HMes 65.6

“I am never frightened at Christians,” was the woman’s gentle reply. HMes 65.7

The good sister heartily welcomed the travelers. When she was introduced to Captain Bates, she said, “Can this be Brother Bates who wrote that book on the Sabbath question? And come to see us? I am unworthy to have you come under my roof. But the Lord has sent you to us, for we are all starving for the truth.” HMes 65.8

The next day was a wonderful Sabbath for this family as they gathered in their neighbors to hear the words of truth. The travelers were sure that God had led them in this way, for here were people hungry to hear their message. HMes 65.9