Part 28 (1/2)
THE FAITH LIFE OF MR. ZELLER.
After the death of Dorothea Trudel, the work at Mannedorf, inst.i.tuted by her, has been furthered and carried on by Mr. Samuel Zeller, who had been her a.s.sociate. He has published two reports, which contain many instances of answers to prayer, showing that the Lord still gave blessed results, and rewarded their faithful trust.
”No disease is found to be more obstinate than epilepsy, yet several instances are recorded of patients being restored to perfect health.
Persons afflicted with mental disorder and convulsions are frequently brought to Mannedorf, and many return cured or benefited.
”On one occasion, a lady who had been afflicted with constant headache for five years, found her disorder removed speedily under the influence of prayer. In other cases the pa.s.sion for strong drink was taken away; fever more or less disappeared; and the subjects of various kinds of chronic diseases, even some apparently far gone in consumption, have found their strength return to them under the same influence.
”Unhappy victims of spiritualist delusions have found deliverance at the mercy-seat; and there, too, many in the bondage of sin have rejoiced in a present Saviour.
”One patient afflicted with convulsions, who came several years successively without being cured, at last confessed that she possessed a book of 'charms' in which she put some degree of, faith, and she had recommended them to others. She was led to see the folly and sin of such things, and soon after the book was burned she was restored to health.”
Many cases have occurred where the suffering patient was utterly unable to come to Mannedorf, but prayer has been offered there in their behalf, and the answers have been as frequent as with the cases which have come under the same roof.
”A brother living at R---- was seized with a violent fever, and appeared to be at death's door. Intelligence having been sent to Mannedorf, united prayer was made in his behalf; and very soon afterwards a telegraphic message announced that he was recovering. On this occasion the promise was remembered with joy,' Before they call I will answer.'”
”Perhaps one of the most striking cases of blessing recorded is that of a lady, who was subject to fits of insanity so violent that they threatened her life, and who was so far conscious of her miserable condition, that happening to go into a meeting where she heard G.o.d's word, she requested to be prayed for. A friend wrote to Mannedorf, describing the case, and asking prayer on her behalf; and only a fortnight later, the same friend communicated the happy news of her recovery. After a fit of unusual severity, she fell into a deep sleep, from which she awoke in her right mind; more than that, she learned to believe in the _Lord Jesus_, and rejoiced in His love.”
”A patient in this inst.i.tution, who arrived unconverted, and was thought to be in a dying state, heard the good news of Salvation, and was enabled to rejoice in the Lord, through simple trust in Him; and from that moment she began to rapidly recover from her disorder, and soon became strong enough to nurse another patient.”
Another remarkable case was that of a young girl who, in consequence of the breaking off of a marriage engagement, manifested decided symptoms of insanity. She not only recovered from her malady, but found the Saviour.
THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.
Prayer was asked for a young lady who was wholly blind. A letter received soon after brought this joyful news:
”In answer to your prayer for our niece, I must thankfully tell you, her eyes are so much better that the Doctor this morning told her to thank G.o.d for having saved her from the most dangerous kind of cataract.
”While examining her eyes, the Doctor, who is a Jew, took up a book lying near, and opening it told her to try and read, which she was able to do with ease. It was a hymn book, and the first words on which her eyes fell were these:
'Christ Jesus, glorious King of Light, Great Conqueror, David's heir, Come now and give my blind eyes sight, O Saviour, hear my prayer!'
”'That will do,' said the Doctor, 'you are much better.'
”I for my part hastened to my chamber, and shutting the door fell on my knees with a cry of joyful praise.”
Threats were made by many of the villagers that they would burn up the house for this inst.i.tution, saying all manner of unreasonable things.
”You can not prevent this by prayer,” said one writer, ”we have taken an oath to do it.” Mr. Zeller remained quiet, taking no notice of these threats, but quietly trusted in the Lord. Though other anonymous letters came frequently, yet the threats were never carried out.
It will he seen from this that, blessed as was the work of faith, still the spirit of persecution was permitted by the Lord only to make his own children rely more confidently on Him, and that he might fulfill more positively his promise, ”_No evil shall befall thee, no harm come nigh thy dwelling_.”
THE BANK OF FAITH. G.o.d THE GUARDIAN OF THE POOR.