The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-26
THE TRANCE EVANGELIST.

Mrs. Woodwork Creates Excitement in Penn
syIvania by Performing Many Miracles.
Chambersburg Special to New York Herald.
Mrs. Maria Is. W God worth, ''tne trance evan
gelist," who performs miracles and has created
such a sensation in Indiana, Illinois aud else
where, is now in this place.
The sensation she is creating is without parallel.
She claims in brief, to have been called By Jesus
Christ to out and heal the sick and preach
the gospel, as did the apostles of old.
''She has" we are told. frequent visitatons
or frances, during which she talks with the Sa-
vior, and tastes of the joys of heaven; she is
also sometimes given glimpses of the horror of
hell. In order to spur her on to harder work IN
saving souls therefrOm"
She claims to be endowed with apostolic fire.
or inspiration, tho same as that given the apos-
ties the day Of Pentecost, when the Holy
Spirit descended upon them and they spoke with
divine tongues So far as the meager records
go, it would seem that she has already per-
formed more miracles than all the apostles COM
bined.
The meetings here are held in the King street
United Brethren Church, which is not a quarter
large enough to hold the throng. Mrs. Wood
worth and her three assistants. all fem ales con
ducs the meetings. 1t Is said they were saved
from bottomless pit by the evangelist
Mrs Woodwork has in her husband bust
ness manager who is up to the times and be-
lieves in taking care of the nckles and dimes
that fall into the contribution box, which is
religiously passed every half hour.
Mrs Woodwork is a pleasant-facsd lady,
about 10 years old. but looks younger, and is an
easv unem barrassed and unpretentious speaker.
She makes preparation for her address.
except by reading the Bible-she trusts to the
inspiration of the Lord-and she repeats herself
considerably. In private conversation she lie
witty; but the indications are her early educa-
ton was somewhat neglected.
The most remarkable cure Mrs. Woodwork
has performed since she has been here was that
of ex-Sherif Josiah Fletcher. who, by the way.
is q very intimate friend of Col. A. K. Mcclure,
of Philadelphia. Mr.. Fletcher, about q year
ago. had paralytic stroke. which rendered the
right side OF the body helpless On Thursday
night Mrs Woodwo told him If he had abso-
lutte faith she could cure him. He said he had
faith. and she told him to kneel down and she
would pray that his affection might be removed
Mr.. Fletcher expressed the fear that if he got
down he would De unable to get mp again, but he
was told have faith, so he got down on his
knees After Mrs. Woodwork had offered q
prayer and rubbed his leg and arm vigorously
she told him TO arise. and he sprang to his fe ct
as timber hoy or sixteen, and holding his
paralyzed arm above his head thanked God and
Mrs. Woodwork for the miracle He then
stuck his cane under his arm and walked home
Mr.. Fletcher sage Mrs. Woodwork exercises
electrical force, which she during the cures
in connection with the faith of both. He saws
she vigorously rubbed his right side, including
his shoulders, arms. and legs, for long time
while they were praying together. and attrib-
utes his recovery largely to that He was not
so timber the next morning, but was still vastly
better than he had been before Mrs. Woodwork
operated on him. He says he has perfect conf
Deuce that she by the help of God can cure
him entirely. In fact. he is almost as well as
ever now.