--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Crockett, Fred W. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 2 number: 6 published: 1899-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Crockett, Fred W., "Acts of Special Providence in Missionary Experience—Promptings of the Still, Small Voice," *Improvement Era* 2, no. 6 (April 1899): 452–453.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera26unse start_page: 452 end_page: 453 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26unse publication_year: 1899 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Acts of Special Providence in Missionary Experience—Promptings of the Still, Small Voice ACTS OF SPECIAL PROVIDENCE IN MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE. PROMPTINGS OF THE "STILL SMALL VOICE. BY FRED W. CROCKETT. Evansville is a considerable city, situated in the southwestern part of the State of Indiana. It stretches along the banks of the muddy Ohio for a distance,probably,of two miles. Near the southern end of this "stretch," on the immediate bank of the river, stands a quaint, odd-looking homestead that at one time, not many months ago in fact, was frequently visited by two Mormon Elders, the writer being one of the party. Within the walls of this time-worn structure lived a widow and her two sons, by the name of Williams. Sister Williams had heard the Gospel, believed it and obeyed it; but, like agood many others, she was surrounded by an element whose chief delight it was to ridicule and otherwise molest and abuse the true disciples of Christ. Especially was this the case whenever the Elders came to spend the evening at her home, although it was an occasion for singing praises to God and thanking Him for His goodness. Many threats had been made by the neighbors to the effect that the "preachers" would be shot, thrown into the river, and a dozen other modes of severing the vital cord had found expression from their lips. To these threats, however, the Elders paid but little if any attention, knowing that the Lord would shield them ACTS OF SPECIAL PROVIDENCE. 453 while in the course of duty, and ascribed the threats more to a "bluffing" spirit than to any real determination to carry them into effect. It was the 22nd day of July, 1898. The sun had gone down, when two Elders, Brother L and myself, walked along the line of the enemy, or better, perhaps, our misinformed friends, and approached the house of our sister. Many people were sitting on their porches enjoying the freshness of the evening air, and either frowned or smiled sarcastically as we passed along. Upon reaching the gate we paused for a moment and looked around. A few steps to the west flowed the broad river, while across the road to the south was a deserted mill, abound which were large piles of weather-worn lumber, all uniting, as we thought, to make at least a half-desolate scene. We found our sister and family well and rejoicing in the faith of which she had so lately been the recipient. Several hymns were sung and different Gospel subjects were freely discussed during the evening. We all felt happy, and in this mood we knelt and offered thanks to God for His manifold blessings. With no thought but of security and happiness we said "Good night." But no sooner had the door closed than the Spirit whispered in my ear, "Something is wrong. Turn the corner and go north along the bank of the river instead of east, the way you came." I at once revealed this to my companion, who was a little in advance of me. He, mistaking the meaning of my words, turned and started east, the way we came. With a feeling of reluctance I quickened my step and was soon at his side; and, in direct opposition to the promptings of the Spirit, proceeded with him in an easterly course. It must be remembered all this happened in just a few moments. As I said, we continued going east; but the Spirit, still desiring to shield us again, whispered to me: "Go slowly; be very careful." In obedience to this divine admonition, for such it was, our steps were taken slowly and cautiously. "Brother L ,be careful; here is a wire stretched across the walk" (my foot had struck against it with no more force than if I had known it was there). "We must walk around this." Well, we did; but no sooner had we done so than out rushed our enemies from behind the large pile of lumber. To say the eggs and other missiles flew copiously and wth