Delivered from Disease and Death
By Mary P. Shaw
Bro. Smith: I can say with the Psalmist, O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. I feel to rejoice and praise the Lord for all his goodness to me. "Draw near, all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul." I have wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way, but the Lord has led me in a way that I knew not. He has gotten the victory in my case, over disease and death; to his name be all the glory. My health has been very poor for a number of years. The last Winter and Spring I have been very sick; my lungs, heart, stomach and liver were all badly diseased, the nervous system was almost prostrated, and the whole system deranged. I suffered most intensely, far more than I can describe, and continued to grow worse every day until the first Sixth-day of last month, when I found that death was on my track and determined to have his prey; but I was not ready nor willing to go. I told my family there was no human arm that could save me, none but God himself could save in that hour. I called my father, and told him if he had any faith in God, he must pray immediately for him to spare my life a little longer; but I found I must take hold of the cable of faith which seemed to hang down before me. I did so, and cried to the Lord in my trouble, and he heard and delivered me from death, which would doubtless have been my lot in less than one hour, if the Lord had not interposed immediately and saved me. Our prayers, though feeble, were answered. Praise the Lord! My request was granted, my life was spared; but we had to exercise faith perseveringly, for distress and pain would come very often; but when we asked the Lord he would drive it all away. I promised the Lord if he would raise me up I would do everything that I could to honor him; nothing should be too hard. I was perfectly satisfied that none but God could cure, or do me any good, so I refused to have any other physician. My husband also promised he would not oppose me in serving the Lord. I sent for Bro. Bates, he being an elder, as I believed that the Lord would hear and answer if we followed his book of directions. Bro. Bates and his wife came and followed the directions in James v, 15, and the Lord fulfilled his promises. Praise the Lord, O my soul! In his name I got up, dressed, and walked out into another room. My heart stopped its painful exertions, and I have since continued to gain strength, and expect still more from his bountiful hand. The change has been very great. I cannot find words to express all I wish to. I lived without eating food for twenty-four days before I was raised up, and six days after, before I had appetite for food. I took a little water occasionally to wet my mouth. It is a miracle to show all that are diseased that will come to him, how able and willing he is to help. O, ye afflicted, come to the great Physician, and ask, believe and receive that your joy may be full. It is very plain to be seen already, though we had the promise of not being opposed in serving the Lord, that my path will be hedged up and filled with trials, principally because I must keep God's holy Sabbath; but I am determined to walk just where the Lord calls me, for by an eye of faith, I, like Elisha, see he that is for me is more than they that be against me. So I will praise the Lord, for he is a good friend in every time of need. I will not work on his holy Sabbath, the blessed day which he has sanctified and made holy. I am thankful that I have been led to see and understand the time we are living in, and the truth that is meant for this age of the world. I want to have a part in that inheritance where holiness shall dwell. May the Lord grant it to all that may read this. You all may share a part if you will do his will. Yours striving to overcome.
MARY P. SHAW.
Fairhaven, Mass., May 30th, 1858.