EXPERIENCES
OF SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HEALING.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases. –Psa. ciii: 23.
Hamilton,
Ont., May 14, 1881
Dear Miss Judd:
It is with feelings of great gratitude to God
that I take this opportunity (by your request) of giving an account of the
marvelous way in which my health has been restored. It has been a number of
years since I have known what it is to enjoy even a comparative degree of
health, but since my husband’s death, which occurred over three years ago, I
have been a great sufferer.
I need not enter into particulars regarding the
years of affliction and bereavement through which I have passed. If it has not
been for the support and solace of my Heavenly Friend, I could not have endured
my trials.
Although not fit for work, I had been running a
sewing machine until last August, when I was taken down with a complication of
diseases along with exhaustion of the nervous system, which had seriously
affected my spine. It is impossible to describe what I at times suffered with my
head, the intense agony, and pressure on the brain seemed more than mortal
could bear. I would then become cold all over with twitching of the nerves, and
every appearance of approaching death.
All that the best medical skill could do for me,
was done, my physician, Dr. Vernon, being classed among the most celebrated
physicians in this city, and from the first of my illness he candidly
acknowledged my case to be a very critical one, and that, if I recovered, it
could only be with the greatest care and best of nursing, which situated as I
was it was impossible for me to receive.
I have not been able to get out of bed without
assistance, and then only with the greatest difficulty to the rocking chair.
Sometimes for a week or two I have had such severe attacks as not to be able to
turn myself in bed. My spine became weaker and my ankles and knees seemed to
have lost all strength. About nine or ten weeks ago, two ladies called to see
me, and in the course of conversation one of them remarked what a good thing it
would be fore me, if I could be raised up by prayer and faith, as was Miss
Judd. I smiled incredulously, I am obligated to confess, feeling rather more
the assurance of the blessing of God on the means used, than His blessing
without them.
Two weeks after, your correspondent Miss C. read
your little book to me. I was much interested in hearing it, but still I did
not then realize my glorious privilege, as His child to “ask and receive, that
my joy may be full.” I continued praying much, as I had done all through my
illnesses, that, if it were the will of God, that He would spare me to my
children; at the same time many doubts would arise as to the possibility of my
getting better. (And yet I have had many manifestations of the power and
willingness of the dear Saviour in answering the prayers of His children.”
I knew nothing of Miss C.’s writing you, until
your answer was put into my hand, appointing the hour for united prayer. I then
felt very much impressed that it was in accordance with the will of my Heavenly
Father. That “man’s extremity was God’s opportunity.” That He had been
influencing the hearts of my friends in my behalf. I commenced to pray for an
increase in faith and received many comforting assurances, until Thursday the
day appointed for special prayer. In the morning I was worse, dreadful back and
headache; not only was I suffering physically, but terrible temptations and
doubts took possession of me.
At seven in the evening my minister, Rev. G. W.
Henderson, came in and talked and prayed with me. After he left I felt easier,
and the passages which had before been very comforting, again occurred to my
mind. I John v:14, 15: “And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we
know that we will have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Also John xv:
7,9: “If ye abide in me,” etc.
light commenced to break in upon me, and
gradually I realized the power of Jesus as my “conquering Lord.” One “Who
healeth all our diseases.” I then remembered that if I fully trusted in Jesus I
was to act faith by getting up. While
thinking “how am I ever to do that?” I felt an inward voice, “rise up and
walk.” I knew that it was my Saviour’s command, and instead of resting any
longer, I was afraid of not obeying at once, so springing from the bed, I
called to a friend who was the only one in the house with me (excepting one of
my little girls) to give me her arm, and with her I walked to the front door,
and back to the rocking-chair. As soon as my feet touch the floor I felt no
longer pain in my ankles or knees, and immediately my soul was filled with love
of Jesus! I began praising Him. I felt then, as if I wanted all my friends with
me to praise the Lord. After sitting for a while I felt chilly, so arising
without any assistance whatever, I walked back to my bed.
“All
hail the power of Jesus’ name,
Let
angels prostrate fall;
Bring
forth the royal diadem,
And
crown Him Lord of all.”
I have been up the greater part of the day ever
since.
On the third day walked out into the yard. On the
forth took a drive, and I have since several times walked out. I am now
trusting for complete recovery. My friends met with me on the evening of the 22nd
and held a most delightful praise meeting. My earnest desire is to be kept very
humble. “Adorning the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things,” and “Glorifying
Him in my body and spirit, which are His.”
Yours
in Christian Love,
Mrs.
L. J. Mottashed.
