Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Publishing and Traveling 89About this time a celebrated physician who gave counsel freevisited Rochester, and I decided to have him examine my eye. Hethought the swelling would prove to be a cancer. But upon feeling mypulse, he said: “You are much diseased, and will die of apoplexy beforethat swelling shall break out. You are in a dangerous condition withdisease of the heart.” This did not startle me, for I had been aware thatwithout speedy relief I must go down to the grave. Two other women [93]who had come for counsel were suffering with the same disease. Thephysician said that I was in a more dangerous condition than eitherof them, and it could not be more than three weeks before I would beafflicted with paralysis. I asked if he thought his medicine would cureme. He did not give me much encouragement. I tried the remedieswhich he prescribed, but received no benefit.In about three weeks I fainted and fell to the floor, and remainednearly unconscious about thirty-six hours. It was feared that I could notlive, but in answer to prayer I again revived. One week later I receiveda shock upon my left side. I had a strange sensation of coldness andnumbness in my head, and severe pain in my temples. My tongueseemed heavy and numb; I could not speak plainly. My left arm andside were helpless. I thought I was dying, and my great anxiety wasto have the evidence in my sufferings that the Lord loved me. Formonths I had suffered continual pain in my heart, and my spirits wereconstantly depressed. I had tried to serve God from principle withoutfeeling, but I now thirsted for the salvation of God, I longed to realizeHis blessing notwithstanding my physical suffering.The brethren and sisters came together to make my case a specialsubject of prayer. My desire was granted; I received the blessing ofGod, and had the assurance that He loved me. But the pain continued,and I grew more feeble every hour. Again the brethren and sistersassembled to present my case to the Lord. I was so weak that I couldnot pray vocally. My appearance seemed to weaken the faith of thosearound me. Then the promises of God were arrayed before me as Ihad never viewed them before. It seemed to me that Satan was strivingto tear me from my husband and children and lay me in the grave,and these questions were suggested to my mind: Can you believe thenaked promise of God? Can you walk out by faith, let the appearance [94]be what it may? Faith revived. I whispered to my husband: “I believethat I shall recover.” He answered: “I wish I could believe it.” I retired