Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-04

Almost everybody in Augusta has heard of
Ed. Frank Ward, a minister of the Christian
church, residing on the Togus road, a distance
Of two miles from the city. On the 18th
of OttOber last he cut a terrible gash in his
left ankle while chopping wood, the axe en-
tering the limb between the bones of the leg
and severing several cords and arteries. So
serious was the cut that before physician
| could arrive he los. all but four pounds of
| blood, at least, so the doctor said. As q re-
suit he was very low and great sufferer the
entire winter. At times Mr.. Ward would be
| irrational and his mind would be wandering.
So weak was he that all winter long he did
not set up but two half hours excepting to
have his bed made. The sufferer was con-
stantly growing weaker. and shortly before
the healing his appetite failed him. and be
slept but six hours during the last week. To
make the case still worse neuralgia set in
Nearly every one had given him over to die
On the l4th of March he had trouble around
the heart and bad commissions. On coming
out of them Mr.. Ward stated that he had re-
ceived dispatch from God which said that
he should be healed on the 18th of March at
four o'clock, z. NJ, being just five months TO
day and an hour from the time the cut was
received; also that at the same hour he should
arise from his couch and walk from the same
to the kitchen door, distance of eight feet.
He told his attendants to take the medicine
away that the Lord Jesus Christ had taken
his case in hand and it was for Gods glory.
Sunday the 18th of March came. He
could only take half teaspoonful of water at
a time; his extremities were cold. About
80 o'clock, p. NJ, people began to gather
until 2S were present. Shortly before four
o'clock Elder Ward requested several of the
Brothers to put on his clothing, which was
done. Then the hymn The Great Physician
Now is Near" was sung. and the 18th chap.
of Isl Kings commencing with the 2lst verse
was read. Following this Friends minister
Phebe Wadsworth of this city offered prayer
also Mrs. Stewart. On his request he was
raised from his reclining position by Brothers
present. Before leaving the bed his breath
became natural, and he became perfectly
calm. Then at precisely four o'clock, Mr..
Ward arose from his bed, stood up, the first
time for five months, and walked to the door
but very little lame. Here, he says, the Lord
told him to walk back to the bed. Again, at
the same command he walked to the door and
back again. On returning the last time he
took hold of one corner of the bed and lifted |
it bodily from the floor so that a caster
dropped out. Then sitting down on his couch |
the heretofore bedridden man shouted GLORY |
to God again and again, little remarkable
from the fact that he had not spoken above a
whisper for two wears and half. At supper
time our friend walked to the table, sat down
and ate hearty meal, and in the evening
sung a hymn. At night he lay down to slum
Der and slept perfectly sound all night long,
the first natural sleep for five months. In the
morning Mr.. Ward arose, Dire ssed himself, |
went to the door and shouted praises to God
so that the neighbors were aroused across the
street. Since March 10Th, the day of the
miraculous healing, the Elder has been up
and walking about seemingly as smart as
ever, and repeatedly offering thanks to God.
Next Sabbath afternoon Elder Ward will
preach in the chapel on Cushnoc Heights,
when all can have an opportunity to hear
from his own lips of the Lords wonderful
goodness to him.