St. Landry democrat., 1882-01-07
Another Alleged Cure by Prayer.

A special from Oil City, Pa, narrates
this marvellous story:
A strange and unaccountable occur
renee has startled the residents of Frank
lin, which is denominated as the miracle
of the age in the oil region. Rev. MIR.
Bloyd was assigned as pastor of the
Third Ward Church about eight weeks
ago. He had formerly lived in West
Virginia, and removed with his family
to Franklin, this State. Soon after his
arrival in this city his wife became very
i'll. She came as near the portals of
death as a person can be and live. Ply
sicians were called, and three of the best
in this section held consultation con-
corning her case. They decided that
she was afflicted with what in English
parlance is known as quick cancer, and
SO informed her husband, telling him
he might as well prepare for the worst.
They said neither skill nor physicians
remedies could save her, and that her
death must and would occur in short
time. Both Mrs. Bloyd and her hus-
band are Christians in theory and prac-
tice. They believe in the Bible and
follow its teachings. If death must
come they were both resigned, and for
over six months Mrs. Bloyd has lain in
her bed so weak that she had to be
turned in sheet. Death seemed to
be slowly settling over her
couch, and long and earnestly they
had prayed for relief Hope had
almost departed and faith seemed
ready to die. Her husband decided to
try once more, and last week sent word
to churches from New York to Pitts
burgh, asking them to assemble on
Thursday evening of this week at two
o'clock and wrestle earnestly for the re-
coyery of his wife. When one who saw
her on Wednesday night tells how low
she was, it seems like miracle. She
was SO weak that when she wanted a
drink she could not raise her head to the
glass-too weak to turn over in bed
without assistance. Her faith was
strong, and she said as well as she could
that she would soon be well. Eight
O. clock arrived, and in the church which
adjoins the parsonage every sound was
hushed as the sad-hearted husband
poured forth his feelings in words. In
the parsonage lay his wife, with a lady
friend watching the Pickering spark of
life, almost ready to disappear. Just as
the clock struck eight the invalid, who
moment before could not raise her
hand to her head, suddenly sat upright
in bed. Her companion sprang to her
side, thinking the last moment had
come. Pushing her gently aside, Mrs.
Bloyd said she was better now and
thought she would arise. Despite the eff
forts of her companion, she got out of bed
and dressed herself without assistance;
then kneeling beside the bed offered up
a prayer of Thanksgiving, coming from
a heart burdened with deep feeling. She
then went to the church. Entering the
door she walked up the aisle before the
wondering congregation, who were
amazed at the sight of her. Taking her
husband by the arm she told him what
had occurred, and then turning to the
audience repeated it to them. 1t was a
night of rejoicing in the Bloyd house
hold from that hour until near morning.
Mrs. Bloyd was seen on Friday evening
al five O'Clock, and she informed her
visitor that she felt very well, and that
she had been up around the house all
day, and was not even tired. Whether
it was an exhibition of a strong will
power fostered by an enduring faith in
something that does not exist, or wheth-
er it be an exemplification of the won
derful power of God, one fact remains,
the woman has undergone the changes
ascribed to her. Her weakness has be-
come strength, and there must be rea-
son for it. If she continues to improve,
and gradually regains all she has lost
in sickness. it will be the most wonder
full thing that has occurred for years.