“In this manner I waited before God until the morning of the 29th of July, when, without ecstasy of joy, or extra illumination, came a sense of the presence of Jesus, and a presentation of this gift, accompanied with these words:  ’Here is the gift for which you have been praying; are you willing to receive it?’

“I at first felt the incoming of the Divine power at the parts diseased, steadily driving out the same, until death was swallowed up in victory.  I at once arose from my bed, and proceeded to work about the house, to the great astonishment of my friends, some of whom thought me wild; but I continued my work, assuring them that Jesus had healed me.  Realizing the scrutiny and doubt with which I was observed, I said to my father, ‘What do you think?’ He replied, ’It is supernatural power; no one can deny it.’

“My healing took place on Wednesday; on Saturday was persuaded to lie down, which I did, but found the bed was no place for me; thought of Peter’s wife’s mother, who ’arose and ministered to them; knew that to her, strength, as well as health, was instantly given, as in the case of the palsied man, who rose, took up his bed, and departed.  I returned to my work, backing my experience with those in God’s word, and since then have not lain down during the day time.

“My friends could not realize the completeness of the cure, until I read a full hour, and that by lamp-light, and until asked to desist, the first opportunity after being healed.

“A week from this time, I discharged the hired girl, taking charge of the household work, which I have continued with perfect ease.  About four weeks after my healing, had occasion to walk four miles, which I did with little or no weariness.  Let me add to the praise of God, that I have no disease whatever.  Am able to do more hard work with less weariness, than at any other period in my life, and faith in the Lord is the balm that made me whole.”

THE WIDOW’S SHOES.

A poor woman—­a widow with an invalid son—­a member of the church, could not attend church, or the neighborhood prayer-meetings, for the want of shoes.  She asked the Lord for the shoes.  That very day the village school-master called in to see her son.  Meanwhile he noticed that the boy’s mother had very poor shoes.  He said nothing, but felt impressed, and inwardly resolved to purchase the poor woman a pair of shoes forthwith.  He accordingly hired a horse, rode two miles on horseback to a shoe-store, bought the shoes, and requested them sent to the widow’s cottage without delay.  They proved a perfect fit; and that very night the overjoyed woman hurried to the prayer-meeting to announce that in answer to prayer the Lord had sent her the shoes.

The young school-master, who, I suspect, was my informant himself, now a venerable, white-haired man, heard the poor woman’s testimony; and his pillow that night was wet with tears of gratitude and joy because God had used him thus to bless the poor widow, and to answer her prayers.