Testimony of Healing April 15, 1911 Issue

As I look back over the years of human life, I remember...

Pauline Muir

As I look back over the years of human life, I remember the struggle to understand it,—the failures and achievements; the cloudy days, so sad and dreary, the golden days when the very air seemed laden with promises; the winters and summers of restless anxiety, and compassion mingled with disgust for my former self. My disposition had been deeply religious in early life, and my constant desire was to understand the Bible. I patiently studied it for years, joined the church, and with many failures and much dissatisfaction strove to walk in the footsteps of the Master.

A few years passed, and into our quiet neighborhood came a dignified, eloquent gentleman, a pastor from another church, and in the modest little schoolhouse held a "protracted meeting." In the long winter evenings, here gathered the weary, afflicted, and perplexed, to learn of God. My own interest was intense, and I believed this earnest gentleman could solve many of my problems. I was faithful in my attendance, and listened to the many beautiful utterances that fell from those eloquent lips, throwing new light on many incidents of the Bible. He spoke of the great Physician who healed the sin-sick soul, and at an invitation many arose to be prayed for. I was very happy, and felt sure I had learned enough to progress rapidly.

The kind gentleman left us and went back to his church in the city, and I went back to a more earnest study of the Bible. One winter afternoon, as I was turning over the leaves, my attention was drawn especially to these verses of Mark: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." I believed, this religious gentleman believed, but we could not show our faith by our works. Then came the question: Was Jesus an impostor? Was the gentleman misinformed? After all, did he understand as little as I? I turned faint and heartsick as this fact dawned upon me. Then my soul cried out for the truth, and I abandoned the churches and without material symbols or human worship I sought God with the faith that works by love.

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