MRS. WHITNEY’S CURE IN ANSWER TO PRAYER.

Mrs. C.S.  Whitney of Hartford, Conn., a lady well known for her Christian work among the poor, thus gives in a letter to Dr. Patton, her personal testimony of the efficacy of prayer: 

“Three years ago, I was healed of a bodily disease.  I had been troubled from my birth with canker, and at times suffered greatly.  I had consulted some of the best physicians in the land, and had been treated by the most skillful.  My case was said to be incurable.  When I learned to trust Christ for everything, I applied to Him for healing.  My husband joined with me in this prayer for three weeks; but all the time I was growing worse.  I then prayed for entire submission.  About the first of October, 1872, my stomach, throat and mouth were so cankered, I could scarcely eat anything.  One day, I took up the little book entitled, ‘Dorothea Trudel;’ and while reading, I seemed to hear a voice saying unto me, ’All things are possible unto him that believeth.’  ’According to thy faith be it unto thee.’ I claimed the faith, and immediately asked God to heal me, and in His own way.  While yet on my knees, it seemed very clear to me that I should go to Boston, and ask Doctor Cullis to pray with me.  I obeyed that leading, and made preparations to go the day following.  Just as I was ready to start for the depot, I realized that I was cured.  An entire change was wrought in my system, and my soul was filled with joy and gratitude.”

PRESIDENT FINNEY’S PRAYER FOR RAIN.

The following incident of the prayer of President Finney for rain, and its immediate answer, is furnished by Professor Cowles, the intimate friend of President Finney: 

“Somewhat more than twenty years ago, the village of Oberlin and its adjacent country along the lake shore, suffered severely through the hot season from a total failure of rain, for nearly three months.  Clouds that seemed to promise rain were repelled from the heated dry atmosphere over the land, and attracted by the more moist atmosphere over the lake, to pour out their waters there.  On one such occasion, the clouds had gathered dark, low, and heavy over the lakes, and lay there with no particular indication of rising.  President Finney walked out with his eye on these clouds.  I give the sequel in his own words, as they fell from his lips, less than three months since: 

“’In this walk I met Ralph, who turned sharply upon me.  ’Mr. Finney, I should like to know what you mean in preaching that God is always wise and always good, when you see him pouring out that great rain upon the lake, where it can do no good, and leaving us to suffer so terribly for the want of that wasted water?’

“’His words cut me to the heart; I turned, and ran home to my closet, fell on my knees, and told the Lord what Ralph had been saying about Him; and besought Him, for the honor of His great name, to confound this caviler, and show forth the glory of His power and the greatness of His love.  I pleaded with Him that He had encouraged His people to pray for rain, and that now the time seemed to have come for Him to show His power in this thing, and His faithfulness as a hearer of prayer.