Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-28

CURED BY PRAYER.
An IDeurabIe ParaI, lie Cured, as He
Says, by the Power OF Jesus,
10 Whom He
Appealed fn Prayer His Attending
Rbastetak.s-Iezt Won
derfui Story.

PrTTsBUEG, November 27.-The details of
the apparently miraculous cure by prayer
OF Richard Hoffman. cripple of Ben;leys-
vile, Washington county, which has already
been bril- hy referred 70 in these dispatches.
make wonderful story. Hoffman is
forty years old, and was born near
where he now lives. He is a carpenter
by trade and very Ingenious mechanic.
When thirteen years old bis spine was
injured by fall. He suffered more or less
1Dtil five years ago, when he YVES compelled
10 reliuquish ms trade, and had to use
crutches TO assist him IN walking. As be
grew weaker his feet refused TO support him
and for about year he walked as best be
could on his knees. After that he Travelled
about in wheeled chair, operated by
levers, bat 6ualiy he became unable TO SIT
up and rssorted TO the use Of contriyancs
which was n combination OF chair and
lounge, in which ne could sit erect or lie
down IS he felt able. A year ago he Was
given up by bis physicians, who pronounced
him incurabie, and declared that his death
was only question Of time. Huffman read
several newspaper accounts OF remarkable
cIres of erippies Dsar Ere through The
medium Of prayer. He opened correspond
ence with them and they confirmed The
statements he hsd read. Mrs. Ella Thomp-
son and Mrs Ward, OF Erie, one Of whom
had been an invalid for eighteen years, both
wrote to him that they had been cured by
prayer.
Ii was long time, be gays, before be could
bring himself 10 believe that prayer would
effect his cure, but eventually such faith in
sPired him. sni, after correspondents with
tue persons at Erie, it was muIusliy agreed
that Thursday, the 9ih instant, should be de-
voted by the N 10 prayers for his recovery.
Ga that night he says he crawled out in
the dark and rain on his knees TO the wagon
shed, where he prayed for two hours. He
felt thst the very door OF heavens mercy
was open, and that be could see Jesus
stretching forth his hands to lift him from
his inhrmities. When done praying be
arose to his feet and walked up a hill some
five miles, next up light OF steps, ni1e
in number, and then forty feet across
porch and through kitchen
into the house where he called his
relatives to see his wonderful restoration.
Ever since he has walked erect and unaided,
and mas been COILS antly growing in strength.
The story OF Hufman's marvellous recovery
can be vouched tor by hundreds of persons,
among whom is the Rev Marquis of the
Pigeon Creek Presbyterian church, who says
that Huffman has been for years very re-
ligioas man
Dr.. Jesse Y. Scott, who attended Huffnan,
= as Very much surprised 70 hear OF his sud
den recovery. fie says Huffman wss afflicted
with hardening OF The spinal cord, compress
iDg tue nerve fiberss aud break ing the con-
nection by which sensations are transmitted
TO the brain. When be Il ad exhausted every
resource at his command he took Huffm an
before the Washington County Medical Socie-
ty, which pronounced the case incurable. In
c1nclnding bis statement DR.. Scott said:
"Huffn an was on his knees last week, but
last night saw him walking. He is of an
exeitable disposition, but strictly good
man, aud don't think he would pactice de-
cei tlon. / have had no chance as vet to
make an examination. As / said before.
the disease is Considered iucurable, but The
TACT OF his walking is he bts, evidence Of his
recovery"