Encouraging Providences
97
was thirteen years old, had been sick for nine weeks with the whooping
cough, and was wasted almost to a skeleton. The parents thought him
to be in consumption, and they were greatly distressed to think that
their only son must be taken from them.
We united in prayer for the boy, and earnestly besought the Lord
to spare his life. We believed that he would get well, though to all
appearances there was no possibility of his recovery. My husband
raised him in his arms, exclaiming as he walked the room, “You will
not die, but live!” We believed that God would be glorified in his
recovery.
We left Dartmouth, and were absent about eight days. When
we returned, little Gilbert came out to meet us. He had gained four
pounds in weight. We found the household rejoicing in God over this
manifestation of divine favor.
Healing of Sister Temple
Having received a request to visit Sister Hastings, of New Ipswich,
N. H., who was greatly afflicted, we made the matter a subject of
prayer, and obtained evidence that the Lord would go with us. On
our way we stopped at Dorchester, with Brother Otis Nichols’s family,
and they told us of the affliction of Sister Temple of Boston. On her
arm she had a sore, which caused her much anxiety. It had extended
over the bend of the elbow. She had suffered great agony, and had in
[122]
vain resorted to human means for relief. The last effort had driven the
disease to her lungs, and she felt that unless she obtained immediate
help, the disease would end in consumption.
Sister Temple had left word for us to come and pray for her. We
went with trembling, having sought in vain for the assurance that God
would work in her behalf. We went into the sickroom, relying upon the
naked promises of God. Sister Temple’s arm was in such a condition
that we could not touch it, and were obliged to pour the oil upon it.
Then we united in prayer, and claimed the promises of God. The pain
and soreness left the arm while we were praying, and we left Sister
Temple rejoicing in the Lord. On our return, eight days later, we found
her in good health, and hard at work at the washtub.