UFO Potpourri No 326

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue Identifier: no. 326-7,8-34
Publisher: JOHN F. SCHUESSLER
Publication Country: USA
Original Language: English
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO POTPOURRI presents a historical account titled "HEAVENLY HOST OR UFO?" The article, credited to John F. Schuessler and based on excerpts from Jess Carr's book "THE SAINT OF THE WINDERNESS," delves into a purported event from the 1800s involving the itinerant preacher Robert Sayers Sheffey.

The "Miracle at the Wabash Campground"

The central narrative revolves around an experience at the Wabash Campground, where Sheffey, known for his dedication, was absent during a camp meeting. The story is told through excerpts from pages 399-403 of Carr's book, detailing an event that occurred on the last night of the meetings.

As Sheffey descended a road eastward from the Bland County line into Giles, he observed a long train of wagons, buggies, and horses returning from the Wabash camp grounds. The people appeared to be in a state of ecstasy and peace, with some humming low and others weeping softly. Sheffey slowed his approach, initially suspecting a trick of vision.

Upon reaching the gathering, he was met by an elderly woman who exclaimed, "Oh, Brother Sheffey, you should have been there--the angels sang!" His words seemed to go unheard by the onlookers, who were still enraptured. A dozen voices echoed the sentiment, "The angels sang!"

A faithful campgoer, identified as Brother Suiter, explained that the phenomenon occurred when they were singing the closing hymn of the service the previous night. He stated, "The sweet Lord manifests Himself in many ways," and expressed his eagerness to share what had been seen and heard.

Suiter described the event as a glorious camp session with over five thousand people in attendance, calling it the most spirit-filled meeting he had ever experienced. He recounted that on Monday night, Dr. J.W. Perry from Abingdon was preaching from the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. During the sermon, Suiter felt a sensation he had never experienced before, a feeling shared by his wife and others around them.

He continued, detailing how they were sitting on slab pews under the worship shed. When the call to repentance and conversion came, many went forward, and those remaining began to sing "Jesus, Lover of My, Soul." It was at this moment that a strange feeling came over Suiter, and he heard a high-pitched drone above his head, described as being like a swarm of bees. People outside the shed were looking toward the sky and pointing upward.

Reverend Ed Bailey, the leader, stopped singing and looked up. Reverend Wagner, also present, called out loudly above the singing, "Listen! Listen! The redeemed hosts of heaven are singing! I hear the voice of my mother!" The singing stopped, and Mrs. Stafford recognized her mother's voice.

More people rushed out from under the shed, while some knelt in prayer. Those outside heard a sweetness in the voices that was clearer and higher than human voices, yet not close by or far away. The heavenly chorus lasted only a short while before stopping abruptly. The faces of those looking up appeared to reflect moonbeams in the moonlight.

Suiter, seemingly exhausted, finished his account. Robert searched his face and saw that he had relieved himself of a great burden. Suiter implored Sheffey to believe him, stating, "all that I have told you is the truth!"

Robert nodded, and every head around him was nodding agreement. He responded, "Not for a moment do I doubt our sweet Lord's presence in a special way." Suiter breathed reverently, "It was a miracle."

He added that he had never heard the angels sing before, and many people felt things they had never felt. The narrative then shifts to a more philosophical reflection, suggesting that there is much for hearts and minds to see if prepared. It posits that only the Lord knows if it was a miracle, but the belief is that the spirit-filled session allowed many to humble themselves to a level of spiritual obedience, enabling them to see life with greater depth.

The text also references earlier happenings of the session, including conversions, and the rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner. It suggests that it is not beyond reason or divine dispensation to have been shown the "heights of a very great happiness."

A timid voice from the circle questioned, "But it never happened before." Robert countered by asking if they had ever felt more humbled and yielding before, to which the answer was no. This knowledge had been the main subject of the all-night discussion following the soul-shaking experience.

There was also a concern raised about why not all onlookers had been aware of the phenomenon if it was indeed a miracle. The speaker then stated, "Dear brothers and sisters, what I am saying is that you have seen for only a brief while what is all around us--what was already there. Bless you for your soul's vision, and may it always strengthen you... Do not allow yourselves to think of this experience as the supernatural...."

An hour after eating, Sheffey and Gideon stood on the soil of the Wabash camp grounds. Nearly all the participating preachers had remained, described as shaken and humbled men. Tyler Frazier confirmed all that Robert had already heard.

Editorial Notes and Credits

The article is credited to M. Beach (Genealogist) and published by JOHN F. SCHUESSLER, P. O. BOX 58485, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77258-8485.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the interpretation of unusual phenomena within a religious framework. The issue explores the intersection of the unexplained (a high-pitched drone, unusual voices) with deeply held spiritual beliefs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting a historical account that challenges conventional explanations and invites readers to consider extraordinary possibilities, whether divine or potentially extraterrestrial (as suggested by the title "HEAVENLY HOST OR UFO?"). The narrative emphasizes spiritual humility, divine manifestation, and the subjective nature of extraordinary experiences.