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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
the Lord.” I never before saw him so free and happy. His countenance
shone with the light of heaven, and he exhorted the church with power.
From the Conference I returned with my husband to Gorham,
where my parents were then living. Here I was taken very sick, and
suffered extremely. My parents, husband, and sisters united in prayer
for me, but I suffered on for three weeks. I often fainted like one dead,
but in answer to prayer revived again. My agony was so great that I
pleaded with those around me not to pray for me; for I thought their
prayers were protracting my sufferings. Our neighbors gave me up
to die. For a time it pleased the Lord to try our faith. At length, as
my friends again united in prayer for me, a brother who was present
seemed much burdened, and with the power of God resting upon him,
rose from his knees, came across the room, and laid his hands upon
my head, saying: “Sister Ellen, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole,” and
fell back, prostrated by the power of God. I believed that the work was
of God, and the pain left me. My soul was filled with gratitude and
peace. The language of my heart was: “There is no help for us but
in God. We can be in peace only as we rest in Him and wait for His
salvation.”
The next day there was a severe storm, and none of the neighbors
came to our house. I was able to be up in the sitting room; and as some
saw the windows of my room raised, they supposed that I was dead.
They knew not that the Great Physician had graciously entered the
dwelling, rebuked the disease, and set me free. The next day we rode
thirty-eight miles to Topsham. Inquiries were made of my father, at
what time the funeral would be. Father asked: “What funeral?” “The
funeral of your daughter,” was the reply. Father answered: “She has
been healed by the prayer of faith, and is on her way to Topsham.”
A few weeks after this, on our way to Boston we took the steamer
at Portland. A violent storm came up, and we were in great peril. The
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boat rolled fearfully, and the waves dashed into the cabin windows.
There was great fear in the ladies’ cabin. Many were confessing their
sins, and crying to God for mercy. Some were calling upon the Virgin
Mary to keep them, while others were making solemn vows to God
that if they reached land they would devote their lives to His service. It
was a scene of terror and confusion. As the boat rocked, a lady turned
to me and said: “Are you not terrified? I suppose it is a fact that we
may never reach land.” I told her that I had made Christ my refuge, and