THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK.
By A. P. Lawton
For the encouragement of the afflicted saints, I feel it my duty to tell what the Lord has done for me. Since February I have been nearly confined to the house, and much of the time to the bed, caused by over-doing and a cold, attended with fever, dyspepsia, erysipelas and inflammation of the mucous membranes. My stomach (always weak) was the seat of the disease. We tried various remedies, but to no effect. I continued to fall until I knew I must die soon, or get help. The choice seemed to pass before me, Will you die, and rest, or live and suffer? For the sake of my little girl, I chose the latter. I felt that I had my request; but still I continued to fall. Nothing but the promise remained, and sometimes doubts of that. Sabbath, June 1st, brother and sister Wheeler with a few of the brethren and sisters being present, we followed the directions given in James v, 14–16. At that time I used only rice prepared like gruel, and very little of that, my stomach was so weak. I was then confined to my bed. God in great mercy condescended to hear and answer the prayer of faith. I arose, left my bed, my room and medicine, leaning on the great Physician. I that day began to use substantial food, and did not throw it up as usual; and in a few days I was able to eat as much as a well person. My stomach is not yet strong to labor hard, but I have been about my house since. The enemy has thrust sore at me, but God has stood by me to rebuke him, and I yet stand as a monument of his saving, sustaining power. All praise to God alone. Never have I felt so sensibly the presence of God and his majesty. “A solemn reverence checks my song,
And praise sits silent on my tongue.” I understand that God has spoken, and I must step softly. I stand by faith on the immutable word of the Lord, and it bears me up. Praise God, forever praise him!