A Testimony to Healing by W. Ray Simpson; Abbie Winegar-Simpson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1905

A Testimony to Healing.

By W. Ray Simpson; Abbie Winegar-Simpson

“O THAT men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Truly do we feel like praising the Lord for the wonderful manifestation of his power in restoring our little daughter to health and strength, and that our faith has been so strengthened.

May 5 our little six-year-old daughter was taken suddenly sick, having been to all appearances in good health up to this time. The difficulty seemed at first like a slight digestive disturbance, and we gave her thorough treatment to relieve the constant vomiting, as she was unable to retain even water in the stomach. All our efforts were in vain, and she grew rapidly worse.

During Sunday night (she had continued vomiting since Sabbath) she vomited blood, which caused us some uneasiness, and we made every effort to relieve her. Her strength was failing, and it did not seem that she could endure the strain much longer. Monday night she vomited a considerable quantity of blood and was becoming comatose, so we decided to call counsel. We had prayed earnestly, but felt that God would have us do everything within our power. Dr. Davis, of Los Angeles, was called, and advised an operation as the only hope. We communicated with Dr. Lobingier, one of the leading surgeons of the city, and arranged to take her to the city that night. On reaching the hospital an examination was made by the doctors, who decided that no operation was needed. They wished to call another child specialist in consultation, to which we gave our consent. The third doctor came early in the morning, and upon examining the child, found her condition very critical. He then called for the surgeon and the other physician, and after careful examination and consultation, they gave us no hope whatever. While an operation is sometimes beneficial in tubercular peritonitis, she was altogether too weak to undergo an operation.

We then telephoned our workers at Glendale and Fernando to have prayer for her, and we also prayed earnestly. All that day she was apparently in a dying condition, did not seem to recognize us or to know where she was. Wednesday morning about five o'clock I heard her asking the nurse for me, so I went immediately to her; she put her arms around my neck and prayed; she then asked for a drink of water, and sat up in bed, and took the water from the nurse. The vomiting had ceased, and her pulse was better, though not normal. When the doctors came, one of them met the nurse in the hall and asked how the child was, and when she told him she was very much better, he said, “Impossible!” They all seemed greatly surprised at the change. That night she was somewhat restless, but slept some, and Thursday morning seemed better. We felt, however, that the Lord had a greater blessing in store for us, so we again asked for prayers at twelve o'clock on Thursday. The family again met, and Mr. Simpson and a sister and myself met at the hospital at the same time.

Immediately after this season of prayer she fell asleep, and slept naturally for two hours. When she awoke, she seemed perfectly well. Her pulse before twelve o'clock was 138, after sleeping the two hours it was 108; before the first season of prayer her pulse was from 140 to 150, and at times was almost imperceptible at the wrist. She slept about four hours that afternoon, and almost all the night, and seemed well in the morning.

When the doctors called, they were pleased to see her so well, and gave their consent to our taking her home. We brought her home that afternoon, just four days from the time we took her to the hospital, and she has had no symptom of disease since coming home. The experience has proved a blessing to many; for patients as well as helpers in the sanitarium recognize it as a case of divine healing in answer to prayer. We praise the Lord for this blessed experience, and that we still have our little one entrusted to us.

W. RAY SIMPSON, ABBIE WINEGAR-SIMPSON.