Joseph Bates

 

It seems that Annie Smith, to please her mother, agreed to attend a meeting held by Elder Bates at the home of Paul Folsom, Somerville Massachusetts, on Sabbath.  In Pioneer Stories is the account.

     “The night before that Sabbath she dreamed a dream.  She thought she went to the meeting, but was late, and that when she reached there, they were singing the second hymn.  Every seat was filled except the one next to the door, and she sat down in that.  A tall, noble-looking, pleasant man was pointing to a queer-looking chart, and saying, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”  What he said was very interesting, she dreamed, and she knew it was the truth.

     “The same night Joseph Bates had a dream.  He dreamed he was in the room where the meeting was to be held.  He dreamed that he changed his mind about the subject he was to give, and that he spoke on the sanctuary question.  After they had sung the first hymn and prayed, and were singing the second hymn, the door opened, and a young lady came in and took the only vacant seat, by the door.  It was Annie R. Smith, he dreamed, and she became interested at once and accepted the faith.

     “So they both awoke that Sabbath morning, and they both forgot all about their dreams.  Annie made ready to go to the meeting in plenty of time, but in Somerville she missed her way, and by the time she found Mr. Folsom’s House, it was late.  As she went in, they were singing the second hymn, and she took the only seat left, right by the door.  Joseph Bates stood up and pointed to the chart, quoting, “Unto two thousand three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”  Instantly Annie’s dream flashed into her mind.  At the same time Mr. Bates saw her, and his dream came back to him.  He sent up a prayer for special help.  He explained how the disappointment came about, because the sanctuary is in heaven, not on this earth, and then he showed how the third message must be given, and brought forward the truth of the Sabbath.

     “After the meeting closed, he stepped up to Annie and said, with a welcoming smile, ‘I believe this is Sister Smith’s daughter, of West Wilton.  I never saw you before, but your face looks familiar.  I dreamed of seeing you last night.’

     “Why, said Annie, “I dreamed of seeing you.  ‘I dreamed of being in this meeting, and everything has happened just as I dreamed it.  And,’ she added, with a little hesitation, ‘I dreamed it was the truth, and now I know it is the truth.’”  Pioneer Stories

P 206-207—A.W. Spaulding