A LOST VOICE REGAINED.

“Some nine months since a lady showed signs of indisposition, and soon was attacked by a cough.  Change of air was prescribed, but after a lapse of some weeks she returned to her home, in no way improved.  Physicians were consulted, her lungs found to be much irritated and pulse low.  Soon all appetite left her, a hoarseness succeeded, resulting in entire loss of voice.

“There was little desire to eat, as everything taken into the stomach caused great distress.  Months succeeded; nothing could be gained from medical treatment.  I felt that I must trust all to God.  I seemed to feel that God would heal me.  I read in his Bible, ’The prayer of faith shall save the sick.’  I accepted it at once, I felt sure that it was for me.  I was led to visit Boston and see Doctor Cullis.  I stated all the circumstances of my illness, and was asked if I could trust God to heal me?  I replied, ‘Yes, I am sure the Lord is able and willing.’

“’We knelt in prayer; in a moment, as it were, my. voice came to me, I was able to talk with ease, and from that time nothing that I have eaten has given me any distress.  The Lord’s promises are sure, and He has filled my soul with joy and praise.’”

In speaking of the many cases of cures in answer to prayer, Doctor Cullis says:  “I have noticed that in some cases the cure has been instantaneous; others I have prayed with two or three times, or even more.  My explanation is, as far as I have been able to observe, that there has been oftentimes a question or lack of faith on the part of the patient; for some seem to come, not in faith, but as a matter of experiment.  God’s word says it is the prayer of faith that shall save the sick.”

From this it will be noticed that the faith is that of the patient, and the more strongly it is fixed on God and the promise, the surer the answer.

It is but justice to say, that in no case has there ever been the thought or the assumption, by Doctor Cullis himself, of having any divinely conferred power to heal all that come to him, or for whom he may pray.  No such power would ever be given to any human creature by our Lord.  It is the Lord himself who works the wonder—­but solely because of the faith of sufferers who have sought the addition of the prayer of one who is stronger in faith and prayer than its own.  Each must wait upon God, and must have faith without a doubt, and perfect willingness to trust all to Him, and continue to expect the blessing.

It should be noticed, also, that all who have come pleading the prayer of faith, and asking the Lord for relief, have either then, or before, pledged themselves to the service of the Lord, and have desired the good gifts they seek, that they may more efficiently work for His own honor and glory, and the good of others.

When such a desire for healing is united with the desire and the promise to work in future for the Lord, His own kingdom and glory, the Lord is pleased with it, and His promise is made sure to those who come in faith.