Missionary Experiences: A Case of Miraculous Healing

CASE OF MIRACULOUS HEALING.

BY EPHRAIM H. NYE, PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSION.

Under date of San Francisco, June 12, 1899, President Nye writes as follows: The work of the Lord is moving steadily onward in this mis- sion, and the Almighty is manifesting His approval of our efforts to spread the truth by signs and miracles that are truly wonderful. I will give you an account of a case that is causing considerable stir in the neighborhood where it is known. T. M. Shaw, one of our members, but whose wife is a pillar of the Methodist church on Sixteenth Street, San Francisco, and whose children also belong to that church, was baptized a year ago last May. He is a painter and has been employed as such in the Mare Island Navy yard, but roomed at Vallejo. About ten days ago, while at his work, he suddenly fell to the ground and was unable to rise. The post doctor was called, and on examination found that he was stricken with paralysis, the whole right side being affected. He was taken to his room in an ambulance. The doctor proposed to give him some pills, but he refused to take anything, declaring that he would be all right as soon as he could send for the Elders and have them lay hands upon him. The doctor, however, told him that he would never have the use of his arm or leg again. In this condition he lay until the fourth day. In the meantime his wife wrote for me. As I was away, the letter

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lay here unopened until she became impatient and set out to learn why I had not responded. On her arrival here, Elder F. B. Piatt, president of the conference, and Elder J. M. Hess started for Vallejo, arriving there about noon. They found Brother Shaw in a pitiable condition, and leg to the knee being his right foot apparently as dead as though they were part of a corpse. They were cold and clammy; the right arm was also aifected, and he could not move a finger or a toe on that side. The Elders anointed him with oil and laid their hands upon him. He at once began to open and shut his hand, then raised it to his head. Mrs. Shaw gave vent to an exclamation of surprise and delight. Elder Hess asked him if he could now move his leg at which he began to move it about. Calling for his clothes he dressed and walked about the room, and within an hour walked out and up the hill on the side of which stood the house. The Elders sought to restrain him from moving about too freely, but he declared he would do so. During the morning, before the arrival of the Elders, a kind- hearted neighbor came in and while ministering to his comfort pityingly remarked that he would never walk again. He at once told her that if the Elders came on that noon train, he would call at her house during the evening. She ridiculed the very thought, declaring it to be impossible. Nevertheless, after climbing the accompanied by his wife, he visited the house. The lady on hill,

opening the door immediately threw up her hands and screamed with affright. Brother Shaw held out the once afflicted hand, saying: "I told you I would come, and here I am." The fact that he was there with his wife could not be denied, and the lady had to acknowledge that a wonderful miracle had taken place. Brother Shaw has since returned to his home in San Fran- cisco. The other day Elder Hess and I partook of dinner at his house, he and his wife conversing freely before us and their chil- dren on the wonderful occurrence. Yesterday they walked to our meeting, a distance of at least two miles. It is said that over a thousand men at the Navy Yard know of this wonderful case, but they account for it by saying that we have two Elders charged with magnetism and electricity and send

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them around to do these wonderful things. Any theory is more acceptable to the unbeliever than the truth.

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