Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-03
POWER OF FAITH.
A Remarkable Instance Of ~ Prayer
Cure.

CINCINNATI, April "A little less than
year ago an account appeared in several OF
the Cincinnati dailies of faith cure
which was said to have taken place in the
neighboring suburb of College Hill. 1t at
tracted a great deal of attention at the
time, the accounts being extensively cop
led, aad the case was even discussed at
length by the various ministerial assemblies
of the city. Mrs. NJ. L. Washburn, nee
Snowdon, was the person who was alleged
to have been cured. She is q lady well
known in Cincinnati, especially in art cir
cles, and was brought up here, graduating
from Hughes High School and from the Art
DEPARTMENT of McMicken University. In
Dayton o., she also has a large acquain-
tance, having had a studio there for sever
al years. About eight years age her health
began TO fail, and she was obliged lay aside
her palette and brush, and return to her
home on College Hill in the en-
deayOr to regain her strength.
But she grew no better. Physi-
cans OF every school were consulted, bat
they could not tell what was the exact ma
tUre Of her disease nor could they benefit
her. At last il was discovered that she
was afflicted with internal cancer, and the
doctors told her that she had but a few
weeks at the mosi to live.
She rapidly grew weaker, and every
preparation was made for death. der
friends bade her good bye, and her pastor
prayed, as he thought, with her for the last
time. 1. may he said that she and her
family are all devout Christians and MEM
hers OF the College Hill Presbyterian
Church. At this juncture, when she
1,,Nlx for oh
visited by female missionary, who aG-
vised her since men could not help her, to
call God in upon the case and try the
efficacy OF prayer. At the same time the
advocate of prayer annoiHted the sick lady
with oil. This advice eXsrted a powerful
influence upon Mrs. Washourn's mind,
and firmly convinced that she would be
cured be began to pray. Her mother and
sister. who constituted the family at Col
lege Hill, had the same belief, and also
joined their prayers with those of the in
valid.
What was the surprise OF tho neighbors,
who had more than questioned these latter
operations 10 see the sick woman suddenly
rise from her diving bed and be restored to
something like her former self. Ia fact,
from the time the praying began Mrs.
Washburn steadily grew better. She
said she could feel the volume of
the cancer decreasing. At times she
bad relapses, but these were always
brosght on; as she averred from some
temporary backsliding. This thirg went
on for several months, and all the lady's
friends gradually commenced to think that
she was really cured. As has been before
stated, the case got into the papers and
Mrs. Washburn received hundreds Of let
| ters from believers and scoffsrs inquiring
! about the case, She always replied
TO these in the most encouraging strain,
ever adyocrting cure by faith. But those
about her began 10 notice that her mind
! appeared slightly affected, especially upon
religious subjects, and at last the truth
could no longer be held back that
'nus recovery, and the excitement
| incident upon il had driven her insane. Her
particular halluciastion was that she WAS
under the guidance Of the Lord, who Was
continually calling upon her 10 do the most
absurd things At one time she wished to
| kill the family horse because the Lord de-
msnded il as sacrifice and il vas only With
| extreme difficulty that she was prevented
| from carry ing out her purpose. And this
IS only sample OF her strange ideas. Her
reason dethroned, her health again gave
| Nav. snd after a prolonged illness, caused
| hy the cancer, which she believed had dis
appeared. she died at 5 o'clock yesis'd4y
morning. Whatever msy be thought
of the efficacy Of prayer, in this
case il is c. rtainly wonderful example OF
the ,ower OF The will over the body. Here
a woman, told By her physicians that
death was a matter OF few hours, and so
weak that she could not sit up in bed.
suddenly arises as strong and apparently
as we'll as she had been previous to her
illness. II Is q strange case, almost unique
in medical annals, and one worthy the
sttentiUn of Psychologists and psycholo-
fisfS