Praying for the Sick
[
Our Camp Meetings, Pages 44-48 (1892).
]
In the matter of praying for the sick ... I have been considering
many things that have been presented to me in the past in reference to
this subject.
Suppose that twenty men and women should present themselves
as subjects for prayer at some of our camp meetings, this would not be
unlikely, for those who are suffering will do anything in their power
to obtain relief and to regain strength and health. Of these twenty,
few have regarded the light on the subject of purity and health reform.
They have neglected to practice right principles in eating and drinking
and in taking care of their bodies, and some of those who are married
have formed gross habits and indulged in unholy practice, while of
those who are unmarried, some have been reckless of health and life,
since in clear rays the light has shone upon them; but they have not
had respect unto the light, nor have they walked circumspectly. Yet
they solicit the prayers of God’s people and call for the elders of the
church.
Should they regain the blessing of health, many of them would
pursue the same course of heedless transgression of nature’s laws
unless enlightened and thoroughly transformed....
Sin has brought many of them where they are—to a state of feeble-
ness of mind and debility of body. Shall prayer be offered to the God
of heaven for His healing to come upon them then and there, without
specifying any conditions? I say, No, decidedly no. What, then, shall
be done? Present their cases before Him who knows every individual
by name.
Present these thoughts to the persons who come asking for your
prayers: We are human; we cannot read the heart or know the secrets
[374]
of your life. These are known only to yourself and God. If you now
repent of your sin, if any of you can see that in any instance you have
walked contrary to the light given you of God and have neglected to
388