LIGHT ON THE
WORD AND RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS.
BY MRS. E.E. CHAMBERS.
Six months ago I
was invalid, and had ben for four years. For three years I was confined to the
house, and much of the time to my couch; only going out to a Church service,
and to visit friends occasionally, and then when at my very best condition.
Such efforts were
usually followed by increased prostration and often by great physical
embarrassment.
This state of
ill-health was brought on principally, I think, by overtaxing my physical strength.
In the severe winter of 1877, my mother died, and during several weeks of her
last sickness and death, I was obligated, in my two journeys to her, to ride
over roads which were almost impassible because of deep snow.
Soon after this
my health failed. During the four years of my ill-health, I was under the care
of four different physicians, all of whom were regarded skillful, and in
whom we had great confidence. Especially to Dr. Miner, of Buffalo, who I would
ascribe most grateful acknowledgments for skillful treatment and kind
attention.
Last spring, just
six months ago, my courage began o fail, as I saw no evidence of increasing
strength, and as every attempt to exert myself to go out, even to the nearest
neighbor’s, was only attended by renewed prostration. But one day-how well
do I remember the day! March 15, 1881—one of our friends living near, Mrs. Drs.
S…, came to the door and handed me a little book, entitled “The Prayer of
Faith,” by Miss Carrie F. Judd, of Buffalo, asking me to read it. I took it
with no very great interest, but began at once to read, and read the first two
chapters, all I was able to do at that time. Immediately, strange as it
may seem-and I can only account for it, but by believing it to be the power of
the Holy Spirit, in answer perhaps to the prayers of its author, my attention
was arrested and I began to believe. It was never easy for me to believe
in the supernatural, certainly not as belonging to these days. But the fats
stated in Miss Judd’s experience during her remarkable recovery from sickness,
were too well established for refutation; and as I read of others, in the same
book, recovered from sickness n the same way, my heart began to open to the truth,
and I said, “Truly, ‘God is no respecter of persons,’” and what He will do for one
person that He will, by the same means, do for another.” So after
finishing the book the following day, I began to search the Scriptures
with a settled determination to see, if possible-God helping me by the
aid of the Spirit- “if these things were so;” the greatest fear of my
mind being, lest I should be imbibe some false doctrine. But by prayer and
reading under the influence of the Holy Spirit, fait, sprang up, and at one I
began to walk out and work by faith, constantly looking unto the Lord to uphold
and strengthen me.
Gradually, form
the first, strength came; and with it such a new experience of Christ’s
sustaining power and grace, as at times filled my whole being with joy and
peace, as unspeakable as they were intense and precious. The word seemed a new
book; fuller, stronger, more satisfying than ever before. The promises seemed
more direct and real, and the Saviour a very present and most precious Helper.
True, there were
times of darkness, but like the April clouds, they were soon succeeded by
sunshine; and increasingly as strength came to my body, hope and fear gave
place to a settled conviction of God’s constant presence manifested in
upholding me.
From the first I
laid aside all medicine, and have continued to grow strong without remedies,
trusting alone to the Great Physician to recover me by the cleansing power of
the blood of Christ.
The amount that I
have been able to do during these last six months is proof of renewed health
and strength. Every Sunday, with but one exception, have I been able to attend
the services of the Church. Four times have I been away on the cars, and
spending several days visiting friends in different places. I walk, make calls,
I read and write and attend to my household affairs, as I have not been able to
do for years before. While previous to last March every effort weakened me;
since looking to Jesus Christ alone for strength, such efforts have brought
both physical strength and spiritual blessing.
The Scripture
passages which were of especial help in leading met o look to the Lord for
recovery, were principally these;
“Surely he hath
borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.
“He was wounded
for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of
our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.
“Himself took our
infirmities and bare our sickness.
“That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
“He that spared
not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him,
also, freely give us all things.
“Is anything
afflicted? Let him also pray, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick.
“Therefore I say
unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them, and ye shall have them.
“When I cry unto
Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know, for God is for me.
“Jesus Christ the
same yesterday, and to-day and forever.
“Cast thy burden
on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.
“Fear thou not
for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee;
yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness.
“Behold all they
that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be
as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
“Who His own self
bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should
live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
“Who forgieth all
thine iniquities: Who healeth all thy diseases.”
All these
passages of Scripture impressed me, more and more, that it was my privilege
to ask to be recovered to health, simply on the ground of the atoning blood of
Jesus Christ, our sacrifice; but the question would arise, “How do you know
that this is not presumption? There are many, very many profound
Biblical scholars who do not teach such a doctrine?” Then I remembered the word
of inspiration, which says, “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.”
Also, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” “I
will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide
thee with mine eye.”
I remembered also
that the bodies of the children of Israel were recovered from the bite of the
serpents, simply by looking unto “the serpent of brass,” which was
lifted up, representing Christ, our Great Physician.
Besides all this,
I had not only the prayers of my family, but those of the church to which we
belong; and was also remembered in prayer by Miss Judd in her meetings at “Fait
Sanctuary.”
I would also
mention that one day, the first day of April, when a new difficulty in
my case arose, was spent in fasting and prayer.
I have given
these particulars, that others, who are suffering, may not give up to
discouragement, even though their difficulties seem beyond control, for the
blessed words is full of invitation and of promise and our Saviour is a great
Saviour, and He will save, as He has declared, to the uttermost of all
who come unto God by Him. He has himself said, “Fear not: believe only.” “All
things are possible to him that believeth.”
Albion N.Y., Sept 15, 1881
