The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-02
THE POWER OF FAITH.
Instances in Which 1t Has Healed Par
alytics. Cured Consumptivcs and Almost
brought the Dead to Life Again.


DR.. Julia Holmes Smith contributes
to the Chicago Herald some interesting
views on the faith cure" After an
nouncing her belief in the efficacy Of
prayer under certain conditions to heal
disease she tells the following circum-
stance, upon the authority Of two Of
her most trustworthy friends.
"A mother, Mrs Jordan, II years of
age, her daughter, Miss Jordan, a
widowed daughter, Mrs. Furlong, are
the subjects of what seems to me to be
as great a miracle as any Of those of
our Lord. Mrs. Jordan suffered from u
fracture of the hip, and on account of
her years anchylosis of the joint took
place. She was obliged to walk with
cane, and while in this condition fell
and sustained fracture of one of the
bones Of the arm. The daughter. Miss
Jordan, was pronounced victim of
tuberculosis, her physician being hope
less Of doing more than alleviate her
suffering. Mrs. Furlong, from care and
overwork, became paralyZed on one
side, her arm being entirely helpless.
She failed to keep appointments with
her physician on two successive occa-
sions, although sorely needing help; and
after the second one, sat alone in the
dining room and meditated one evening
upon her helplessness and the futility
of all human aid. To whom should she
go for help If not to the great healer?
And in this hour of her utmost need
she appealed to God, through Christ, for
relief of her infirmity. Laying the
withered hand upon the table she de-
manded that it be made whole like its
fellow. 1t was unto her even as she
said; her side was made whole that
very hour. and to the surprise of the
whole family next morning she was
able to attend services in the church,
walking to and fro during the day
sixty blocks.
Another Astonishing Cure.
"This result Of prayer seems to me
entirely in accord with the laws of ma
ture; the nerves were deadened,
numbed, not atrophied, and the intense
effort of the mind in prayer produced
a rush of blood to the parts,
thus resulting in shock to the nervous
centers presiding over the paralyzed
muscles and health came again. When
I tell you, however, that in answer to
the prayer of this woman the decrepit
mother was restored to activity, and
the senses which had been numbed for
years had renewed their youth, that
Miss Jordan, hopelessly dying of con-
sumption, was lifted from her bed of
suffering and Is now an active teacher
among the freed men of the south,
well and strong and happy in her new
life, I find myself constrained to the
confession that, SO far as I know,
science applies no explanation Of this
phenomenon, and one seems to hear
the voice which said: BE still and
know that I am Cod
"The miracles Of our lady of Lourdes
furnish other instances of the no less
wonderful power Of prayer and faith.
Not long ago / heard an account given
by Father Doney. Of Chicago, of the
miraculous cure Of his sister from a
grave malady which had wrecked her
life for many years, and which physi-
clans in charge Of the case had declared
hopeless, except by means of a grave
operation. The girl was taken to
Lourdes. dipped in the water, and has
never since said: L am sick The
power of faith cannot be measured by
any Instruments or by any chemicals.
1t has nothing to do with science or
philosophy; its laws are unknown to
man; 1t begins before reason, science
and observation begin. and extends far
beyond where either end. But do not
know and cannot tell by what power
1T works the marvel of recreation of lost
tissue Of either lung or bone or muscle;
and until. like the doubling Thomas,
can put my hand on the healed part,
cannot believe"