South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-10-01
Modern Miracles.

A few months ago one oftle Presby-
terrain papers had an account Of a re-
markable cure in answer to prayer, which
was claimed to be what may be properly
called miraculous. We could see moth
ing in the facts beyond the blessing of
God upon the use Of such means as might
naturally be expected to produce the re
suit. Such aresult is in no proper sense
Of the word miraculous.
A Methodist minister in Brooklyn has
more recently given to the public his own
experience, claiming to have been mirac-
ulously cured of q grievous disease. The
ministers of his denomination had the
matter before them last week, and de-
mand was made for thorough investi.
CATION into the alleged facts. Let the
truth be established. if possible. Truth
never hurts anything that ought not to
be hurt.
We have no idea that investigation
will reach any other result than the dis
coyery that the disease was ideal. or the
cure was natural, not supernatural. f.
ven the opinions of physicians are not
always infalliblc. They may be decciv-
cd even as to the existence Of disease,
and more easily as to its nature and seat.
A gentleman Of our acquaintance died
recently, his two physicians being divi.
died. in opinion as to what organ was dis
cased. A post mortem examination
proved that neither of them was right.
but both the organs suspected Of disease
were perfectly sound. So when a Ro-
man Catholic physician in st. Louis gives
hot
Mt the point of death by disease and was
instantly restored to health, with no 9TH
ef medical agency than The interposition
of the Virgin Mary, we do not value the
certificate as worth copper.
The argument against the possibility
OF miracles is easily overthrow; but
the evidence Of miracles in our day al
ways vanishes into thin air when the
torch Of truth is lighted In the darkness
where these miracles are invariably
wrought.
Matthew Arnold says, in the COntem.
POrtTy RecieU, that miracles, not modern
only but all miracles, arc so widely and
deeply disCredited that n man must not
depend on them TO assist him in holding
on to Christianity. "lIe is irresistibly
led to class all these occurrences in one
category Of marvel" Such is the super
cilious cant Of modern rationalism and
intidelity. But il anything could give
FEASIBILITY to Mr.. Arnolds assertions,
it would be the publication Of such folly
and superstition as Brooklyn Metho.
dist pastor has just put forth as story
Of his "Cure by Faith" We have read
his pamphlet, and it furnishes to our
minds not ono line OF evidence that there
was anything miraculous OF mysterious.
scarcely extraordinary. in his cure
Ne,o York Observer.
tV'Vanderbilt was born on Staten
Island, and when a boy was tall. dar.
ing athletic lad. When quite young he
earned six hundred dollars by putting
crew on board a vessel in storm. lie
owed his start i'm life 20 n daring feat
AT the risk Of his life he rowed man
10 the Battery, the man lying fat on the
bottom Of the skif. That mans father
wanted fearless man 10 run an opposi
ton steamboat. Vanderbilt was hired.
and there his career began.
EVWhat we need is serious thought
and honest work, thrift in business G..
economy in living, return TO the old i
dea that TO have money we must earn il.
not steal II or gamble for il,