Part 8

I remember how interested I was when passing the United States Mint to see them stamping the stars and spread eagle on the gold coin. It took a tremendous power to do it. So when the Almighty puts the stamp of divinity on us, knowledge comes with power and clearness, lasting as time. I can never forget the impression that came on me when a lad about fifteen years of age. I was distant from home about one hundred miles. Had been absent some four weeks. All were well when I left. I had a brother that I loved very much, away from home at this time, I visited him just before I left. This impression came on me as sudden as a flash of light, and with it this thought. “There is trouble at home and I must return as quick as possible.” The impression was that some of the dear ones were very sick and that my presence was greatly needed. My feelings were intense, and my mind like the needle that points always to the pole, pointed steadily toward home as the place where I should be. My employer did not want me to leave him and tried to discourage me from yielding to my feelings. I could not eat, nor sleep much. The _impression_ that was on me was painful and for two days I suffered this intense agony before I got started for home. The only way of traveling in those days was by stage, or the two mile per hour on the Erie canal, or go on foot. I took each of these modes of conveyance, and after about thirty-six hours travel, I reached home to find a house of deep mourning. My dear brother that I loved so tenderly was dead, and the time for his funeral had just arrived. The people were there for the funeral service. They had written to me but it had not reached me. I knew nothing of my brother’s sickness and death until I was within one mile of home. From whence came this impression that there was trouble at home, and that I must hasten to their assistance? I know that some entertain peculiar notions about the relation that mind sustains to mind, and the strong sympathy that exists between such minds, and the peculiar, invisible, and undefinable way such minds have of communing with each other. Whatever there may be in the above philosophy, I know not. But the impression that came to me on the above occasion I believe was from the Lord. During my brother’s sickness he often called for me and would say, “Has not Zenas come yet?” At this time I was not a Christian, but a sinner, well rounded out. The promise made, “That in the last days God would pour out of His spirit upon all flesh” is true. I think that it came upon me at that time. Years after this occurrence, I had another experience, quite similar to the one just related. I was doing business for M. Tilden & Co., New Lebanon, N. Y. I had a wife and one child at this time, and was living in Canaan, N. Y. I had gone into the western part of the state expecting to be gone from home some six weeks. After an absence of about two weeks, an impression, or a presentiment, came on me with such force that I could not work, nor eat, nor sleep, and with this impression, came the thought that, wife, or my first born son was very sick. I had received a letter from my wife only the day before, stating that they were well and did not expect me home for at least six weeks. This impression came on me about four o’clock in the afternoon. My feelings were so intense, that I arranged my affairs, took the stage early the next morning, rode fifteen miles, and took the express train for Albany, where I remained all night, or the rest of the night, as we did not reach there until eleven o’clock. That was a night of intense anxiety, and mental suffering, for it seemed to me that my wife or child was very sick, nigh unto death. Imagine my feelings as I stepped from the cars on arriving at Canaan four corners, when one of my neighbors approached me with this question, “Mr. Osborne, is your boy alive?” The same hour of the day when the impression came on me, my dear wife was washing, she dipped out a pail of scalding water from the boiler, set it down, went out to hang out some clothes. My little boy, Henry Z., went up to the pail, pulled up his dress, and put his foot in this pail of scalding hot water. He screamed. His mother rushed into the house, took the boy from the pail; but oh, what a sight! The dear child’s flesh drops off, in places, near to the bone. The boy went into spasms. The physician had doubts of his recovery. This was an anxious time for my dear companion; she wrote me right away, but I had not received her message, but the Almighty had telephoned me most emphatically, and I obeyed the summons, and found the impression was not a delusion, but a divine impression. After my dear child had so far recovered as to be considered out of danger, I returned to my field of labor in western N. Y. Was it not the Lord that made known to me the serious sickness at home, and inspired my heart to hasten to the suffering family? And was it not kind in the blessed Lord, to help in such a time of need? Truly, God is good, in all His works and ways; and His loving care is graciously manifested to all the creatures that He hath made. How much of earth’s storm and tempest we might avoid, if we would only keep our eyes and our ears open to see and hear what God would have us see and hear.

During my pastorate at Seneca Falls, N. Y., I not only preached at Seneca Falls, but at Auburn, Owosco and Niles, N. Y. Every other week I would preach at Owosco and Niles on the Lord’s day, and on my way back to Seneca Falls, I would stop at Auburn and preach the word of life, on Monday evening at sister Osborne’s; and this was my home when at Auburn. On the occasion of which I now speak, I was requested to stop, and take tea at another place, where I had never been before. The family where I was to stop was made up of three persons, father, daughter, and an aunt of the daughter. Father and sister-in-law were perhaps fifty years of age. The daughter I should judge, twenty-five years of age, and a member of the M. E. Church in that place. I had never met with any of this family prior to this meeting, except _this_ young lady, and her, only one week before, and that at a Quarterly meeting. I called at this place according to agreement to take tea, and spend a couple of hours before service. It was in mid-winter. I entered the house, the young lady met me very politely, took my hat and overcoat, and I took a seat. This was a well-to-do family; they had an abundance of this world’s goods. The house was large, and well furnished. I had not been in the house five minutes, before a strange impression came on me, bewildering, sickening, and with it, came this thought, “unclean devils, unclean devils.” It seemed to me that I should die, if I did not leave that house. I called for my hat and coat, and left. This woman followed me for several weeks, and always when she came near me, the same impression would come over me, unclean devils. Suffice to say, she was a bad woman. She had been too intimate with a married man, who was a class-leader in one of the churches. Was she actuated by the same spirit that those women were that followed Paul and Silas around and declared that they were the real servants of God; and is it not a fact, that the quickest way to destroy the work of God in any place, is to have doubtful characters, professedly, embrace it? and herald abroad the praises of the servants of God? And these persons being so well understood, their lives and their character so well pronounced as to become a stench in the nostrils of the community, and a tremendous bar to the progress of Christianity in every community where such exists. I am always troubled when some people endorse me, and feel like saying, The Lord have mercy on me now! God gave me great prosperity on this big charge, a revival prevailed through the two years. More than one hundred professed conversion at Seneca Falls, besides many were converted at the other points. At Seneca Falls, at one time during our stay there, souls were converted in every means of grace for several months, more than one hundred professed to be sanctified wholly. Some of the richest displays of God’s saving power that I ever saw, was at points on this field of labor. Many that were poor, and wretched slaves to intemperance and licentiousness, were washed, and made clean during our stay here, gems were gathered in, that will deck the Saviour’s Crown forever and ever. More than twenty years have come and gone since we left that field of suffering, cross-bearing, and victory, and yet we would not have the time we spent there blotted out of life’s work for any amount of earth’s riches; and I want to record right here, while this subject is before us, praise and thanksgiving to my heavenly Father, for blessing us, and opening our eyes to see danger, and grace to avoid it, especially in the case referred to at “A”--I have no doubt, but that the devil in some way, wanted to use that wicked woman to destroy the work of God on that big charge.

Did not Bramwell have knowledge given to him to see the deception of the man that professed he wanted help for God’s cause, when Bramwell was led to see, it was a bastard child, help was sought for?

The church has suffered much in the past by the deception of wicked men and women which might have been different, had the church been baptized with the Holy Ghost as it was her privilege to be. Peter saw at once the fraud practiced by Ananias and Sapphira and justly rebuked them. And what a blessing it would be to the church and the world, if the ministry, and laity, had the anointing--the eye salve of the Holy Ghost. I have been perfectly surprised at the success that these saintly appearing frauds have had in playing their tricks upon credulous, godly people. The real saint, the wholly sanctified, the pure in heart, have the eye salve daily applied; Yea, they carry with them, a bank note detective; their coin, is weighed and measured at sight. Perhaps all clearly saved people have not so clear a conception of character, and are not able to judge so readily, of their merit, or demerit as others. However that may be, I believe that all clearly saved people, have remarkable good judgment in regard to character as well as in other matters.

But to return to the theme before us, Dreams, Presentiments--Dreams come, when sleep is upon us, Presentiments come upon us in our wakeful moments; and both may be of the Lord as already shown, though not always. It is wise, however, to try the spirits, and hold fast to that which is good. I have had mapped out to me in my dreams, and I think by the spirit of the Lord, fields of labor that I afterwards occupied, as clear as a sunbeam; and the peculiar phases of my field of labor, and the peculiar characters of the new field, as though written out by the hand of inspiration. I will give but one or two incidents. Three months prior to my being stationed at Oswego, N. Y., I found myself in my dream at Oswego, on my way home from conference, to look over the situation, and arrange for moving on. I met a few, very poor saints, discouraged, and ready to give up and die out. I was told in my dream that I had better look at Brother L. H. R’s. house, perhaps it would suit me. At this time Brother Robinson was preacher in charge at Oswego, and what was still more strange about this dream, this was his first year at Oswego, and some three months before conference. I was very much concerned about a four gallon jug that I had full of very rich, sweet milk. I was anxious to have it kept sweet. A brother pointed out to me a living stream that run near by, and said that I could put my jug of milk in that stream and it would keep. Conference sent me to Oswego that fall, and every step that I took in my dream came literally to pass, looking at the former preacher’s house, and all, except my jug of milk. I soon discovered what my milk meant. The saints at that place had been very much soured up over the conduct of some laborers that they had placed great confidence in, so that the smut covered them deeply. I found my big jug of sweet milk just what they needed. The pure unadulterated gospel, was to them the sincere milk of the word. They received it gladly and grew thereby. In many of the fields of labor that I have occupied, I have previously occupied in dreams when sleep was upon me. A short time before, being stationed at Binghamton, God, by His holy Spirit when deep sleep was upon me, printed upon memory’s tablet, that beautiful Parlor City; surrounded by those lovely hills, covered with green foliage; and those beautiful streams, clear as crystal, reflecting the sunlight of heaven; reminding one of that “stream that makes glad the City of our God.” I saw Court street as clear as day; our church and parsonage; I also saw our society. At that time they were having a little that was unpleasant, a church trial. I saw the division of feeling, one party stood a little way off from the other, shaking their fists at the other party, but as soon as I approached them, they came together and all was lovely.

X.

HEALING FAITH.

Much has been said and written on the subject of healing faith. God has said much on that subject for our benefit. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” Many scriptures might be introduced bearing upon this subject; but the statement above so clear, and emphatic, will suffice. Genuine faith is begotten of the spirit. It is not born of simple desire. Here a great many good people have made great mistakes, they have had great _desires_ for those that were sick, that they should recover--they have prayed to this end, and have gone so far as to make statements very positive that they _knew_ they would recover, because God had told them so, when the facts were very clear--their supposed faith was nothing but desire. This has proved true in a great many cases, the subject of prayer passing into eternity soon after these positive statements were made. If they had had genuine faith, the sick would have recovered. In no case, have we ever discovered the Almighty arrayed against Himself, but in every operation we find it in exact harmony with a “thus saith the Lord.”

Take the case of President Garfield. The nation prayed for his recovery. Many said--“He will recover,” but he died. Why did he not recover? good people prayed for him--and thought--and said that he would be spared to the nation. To this I answer,--The prayer offered for him, _was not inspired by the Holy Ghost_; if it had been, God would have raised him up. The word of the Lord is--“The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” _Doubtless_, the inspiration of this class was purely carnal.

The word of the Lord is, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven.” Now, a great many were united in praying for the President, and they were good people; but they put in an if in every prayer; and that if, in every case sums up a tremendous _doubt_, which reveals as clear as day, the lack of that faith, begotten of the “Spirit,” which brings health immediately to its possessor. Faith begotten of the spirit is very positive: it amounts to a divine assurance--and utters forth its triumphant voice, “_It shall be done_”--and it is done. This kind, has no _ifs_ in it. It makes its possessor bold to move on to the aid of the sick and suffering; and has an intuitive perception, that the “power of the Lord is present to heal.” Good-will was, doubtless, the great incentive in the President’s case. The scriptures very clearly indicate that the power of the Lord is not always present to heal; likewise experience by those that have been healed by faith, and have at times had faith that has brought health immediately to the bodies of others, are not always thus blessed. St. Paul, left his co-laborer, TROPHIMUS, sick at Miletus, which he would not have done, had he been in possession of that _faith_, which so wonderfully characterized his labors on other occasions.

William Bramwell, a man of mighty faith in the power of God to heal, had prayed for a certain person and God had raised them up in answer to his prayers on several occasions, but the last time that he was called upon to pray for this person, he could not, and said they must die, or that in substance.

I praise God, that I was ever put in possession of that _faith_, which brought health to my body, when sick, and suffering. When stationed at Utica, I was taken one Sabbath evening while preaching, with the dysentery. I was very sick until Friday. I had quite frequent bloody evacuations, with tenesmus, of a very severe character. My dear companion was very much alarmed in regard to my very dangerous symptoms, and thought she had better go for the doctor. I felt all through me--I want no doctor but Jesus. In that direction I continued to look. My symptoms became more alarming. Anxiety on the part of my family increased. Conviction with me, that Jesus Christ was coming to check disease, and heal my body, seemed to grow more and more like a living reality. Friday morning dawned upon us, and to all appearances, I was rapidly yielding in my physical powers, to the destructive power of the fearful disease that was preying so rapidly upon my body. After much solicitation on the part of my very precious wife, I consented to let her go after the doctor. A moment after she left the house, Jesus came--laid His hand upon me, and made me every whit whole: Bless His holy name! The doctor did not come until Saturday. He left me two very small bottles of pills, and charged me not to go to church on the coming Sabbath. However, I went to church, preached twice at Utica, rode twelve miles and preached, making three sermons; and with such a blessing, it did seem to me that my soul would leave my body if God should let another drop of love on me. Growing out of this, I had an experience where I knew what the statement meant, “_For I am sick of love_.” On another occasion after this, when sick, and much worn down by overwork, I went to the Murray camp-meeting with a view of recuperation. I felt peculiarly led of the spirit to go. On arriving there I was powerfully tempted to leave the ground and return home. As it was about tea time I was invited to take tea with an old friend. After tea we had prayers. The Lord blessed me--I felt better, but did not get the healing power on my body which I so much needed. I was very much helped all through the meeting. The day the meeting closed, Brother Roberts was tying up his tent, Sister Roberts asked me if I had received the help in my body that I needed--I said no; but while in conversation with her, the blessing came with such force that disease and weakness oozed out from the very center of every bone in my body, and instantly I was covered with perspiration; and for months after this, I felt as though I was made up of iron. I could preach, visit, sing, pray and study a good share of the hours out of every twenty-four. On a good many occasions, the blessed Jesus has wonderfully blessed, and healed, both soul and body. God has at times, touched my heart, and given to me faith for others, and in answer to prayer, I have seen them raised up to health. I have not always had faith for myself, nor for others.

I have been sick, have suffered pain, but could not cause the heavens to bend, seemingly a single inch towards my deliverance--when at the same time my soul was blessed and happy in God. I will mention a few cases where God in answer to prayer healed them almost instantly.

Twenty-five years ago our conference was held at Binghamton, N. Y. A number of preachers were kept at Sister Sparks. One of them was very sick, with an intense fever. We sat down to the table for our tea. The burden came on me for this suffering brother, I could not eat, and proposed that prayer should be offered for him. In a few moments the fever was checked, and a copious perspiration followed. The brother got up, took tea, went to church, exhorted after the sermon as though he had never been sick in all his life.

At a camp meeting, a sister, one of my members, tenting with the Rose pilgrims as we had no tent on the ground, was taken sick with what seemed to be, Asiatic cholera. Her case was so alarming after a night’s suffering the Rose preacher came to me and said, Brother Osborne, that sister is so sick that you must have her taken off the ground as none can stay in the tent except those that wait on her. Instantly my faith took hold on God for her recovery. I did not know until that moment that she was sick. I went into the tent where she was. I saw she was very sick. I said to her, “you know that Jesus can make you well in a moment.” She answered, “Yes.” I said, “don’t you think that He wants to make you well now?” She replied, “I think He will if you ask him.” In less than three minutes she was on her feet praising God with all her might. She dressed herself, ate her breakfast, went about her Master’s business and enjoyed the meeting the rest of the time as though she had been on Pisgah from the beginning.

Sister Francisco of Rome, was to all appearance, nearly used up with what a number of the great doctors called cancers. One in her throat, nearly choked her to death. Another on her upper gums. The first time that I visited her, I said, “Sister, you know that Jesus Christ can make you well.” She replied, “Yes, but the doctors all say that I must die.” She became so bad off--the odor emanating from the cancer was so offensive, that it was with difficulty that anybody could be in the house with her. I thought on several occasions as I went to visit her, this will be, in all probability, the last time that I shall visit her until I go to preach her funeral sermon. The last time I called upon her before she was healed, she said to me, “Brother Osborne, the Lord Jesus is going to make me well.” I replied--“Praise the Lord, it is just like him to do so.” Two days after this the Lord touched her; the cancer left her throat--dropped off her gum--and she ran about that part of the city and reported what great things the Lord had done for her. Immediately she went at hard work, and now, more than three years have passed away, and she is still strong and healthy.

Another case at Rome, Sister Conrad had been very sick for about two months, with fever and other difficulties. Her right lung had lost its power of action; her left arm had become paralyzed. The neighbors thought she could not live but a short time; the doctors considered her case hopeless. Wife and I thought that we ought to visit her that _Wednesday_. On that day she looked more like a corpse, than a living being. We sang, and prayed--The Lord was present to heal. Such a display of God’s power to heal I never saw before. First she was made clear in the blessing of perfect love. This was glorious. After this, came a mighty wave of liquid love and fire--and health. When it touched the withered lung, how she did shout forth the praises of our God. This aroused the people in that region who came around to see what the matter was. Then the power struck the palsied arm, and that began to move about to the tune of “Glory Hallelujah,” and this she continued for more than two hours. She got up, dressed herself, went to supper, ate a hearty meal, and slept the soundest, the sweetest, that night, that she had done for a long while before. She rose early the next morning, mended her husband’s pants, ate her breakfast, and moved about as well as ever.