Encouraging Providences
87
The Family Of Leonard Hastings
We found Brother Leonard Hastings’s family in deep affliction.
Sister Hastings met us with tears, exclaiming, “The Lord has sent you
to us in a time of great need.” She had an infant about eight weeks
old, which cried continually when awake. This, added to her wretched
state of health, was fast wearing away her strength.
We prayed earnestly to God for the mother, following the directions
given in James, and we had the assurance that our prayers were heard.
Jesus was in the midst of us to break the power of Satan and release the
captive. But we felt sure that the mother could not gain much strength
until the cries of the child should cease. We anointed the child and
prayed over it, believing that the Lord would give both mother and
child peace and rest. It was done. The cries of the child ceased, and
we left them both doing well. The gratitude of the mother could not
be expressed.
Our interview with that dear family was very precious. Our hearts
were knit together; especially was the heart of Sister Hastings knit
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with mine as were those of David and Jonathan. Our union was not
marred while she lived.
Living Waters—A Dream
My husband attended meetings in New Hampshire and Maine.
During his absence I was much troubled, fearing he might take the
cholera, which was then prevailing. But one night I dreamed that while
many around us were dying with the cholera, my husband proposed
that we should take a walk. In our walk I noticed that his eyes looked
bloodshot, his countenance flushed, and his lips pale. I told him that I
feared that he would be an easy subject for the cholera. Said he, “Walk
on a little further, and I will show you a sure remedy for the cholera.”
As we walked on, we came to a bridge over a stream of water,
when he abruptly left me and plunged out of sight into the water. I was
frightened; but he soon arose, holding in his hand a glass of sparkling
water. He drank it, saying, “This water cures all manner of diseases.”
He plunged in again out of sight, brought up another glass of clear
water, and as he held it up repeated the same words.