A Trial of Faith by J. D. Van Horn

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 3, 1877

A Trial of Faith.

By J. D. Van Horn

Bro. Wm. Goodwin is a member and the deacon of the church of S. D. Adventists at Milton, Oregon. He is the director of the T. and M. work in the Walla Walla Valley. Coming from skepticism into the truth a little more than two years ago, he has become a very active worker in the cause.

About six months ago, or during fruit harvest last fall, he had the misfortune to fall from a pear tree, injuring severely the head of the spinal column in the neck. He recovered from the shock so as to go on with his work that day and for some time after. About six weeks after the accident he showed evident signs of insanity. He grew worse rapidly, and one of the principal physicians of the city of Walla Walla was called, who pronounced it a regular case of insanity. He thought Bro. G. would not live long, or if he did he would remain insane.

He became so bad that he needed two or three constantly to take care of him. The story began to go that his religion had made him insane. People were more ready to believe this report, than the truth in his case. Our brethren both in Milton and in Walla Walla began to feel the blow heavily. All help from physicians or any other earthly source was gone. They had been praying to the Lord in his behalf, but now the time had come for a special work of faith.

At Bro. G.'s request the elders of the Walla Walla, and Milton churches, with a few other good brethren, met at his house and engaged in a special season of prayer. They had assurance of help from the Lord. From that hour Bro. G. began to get better. In about two weeks he went to the city and greatly surprised the doctor as he stepped into his office to settle his bill. His restoration was a wonder to all, but a great joy to the friends of present truth.

It has been the privilege of the writer, in a recent visit to the Walla Walla Valley, to see this brother in the congregation at our good quarterly meeting, with his heart full of gratitude and his countenance beaming with joy. And again, after this at his own fireside, we were made to rejoice as we saw the triumph of living faith, and the consecration to God manifested in his good home. Victory has been given to faith, and the cause of truth rejoices in the Walla Walla Valley.

J. D. VAN HORN.