| 198 Mr. Draper who happened to be on the premises with his thresher. They succeeded in helping him to the house, but just before reaching there his sight grew dim and he felt as if death was upon him, and he felt an ardent desire to speak to his wife once more, after they got him in the house and seated on a chair, but he was only able to faintly articulate the words, "Good-bye, Mary." Mr. Draper suggested to Sr. Chambers to dispatch some one for medical aid with all possible speed, not that he considered it possible that anything could be done (thinking he was too far gone), which Sr. Chambers did not do, but sent for Bro. W. Chambers, living within half a mile, and in the meantime she applied oil and prayed for her, to all human appearance, dying husband, as best she could under the distressing and exciting circumstances.
On the arrival of Bro. W. Chambers a terrible sight met his gaze, his brother lying with a yawning gash over his eye rendering the skull bone visible, his head resting upon his chin and but little or no signs of consciousness. Wishing to get him into an adjoining room that peradventure they might lay him on a sofa, he suggested it to Mr. Draper. An attempt was made to raise him from the chair by placing their hands under his arms, but his cries forced them to desist, but raising the chair they conveyed him to another room, propping him up as best they could, and proceeded to anoint him with oil. By this time his breast was much swollen and turning black, yet though swollen, there was quite an unnatural hollow or sunken place therein, and the slightest touch of the shoulders, arms, head, face, or breast, would cause the most acute pain, while the least move of the head or arms would produce sounds like the grating of broken bones. His chin still resting upon his breast, and signs of blood accumulated in his throat, causing apprehension of his choking. Bro. W. Chambers called upon his father to assist in laying on hands. But little benefit was received by the sufferer, except a partial restoration to consciousness. They administered a second time with but little better result. The injured man then spoke, and asked them if they had not faith to rebuke the pain. Whereupon Bro. W. Chambers administered the third time, rebuking the pain and commanding him to arise, which he did and walked into the room from which he had been so recently carried as one almost dead, and sat down and eat a hearty breakfast.
Mr. Draper, who had assisted in carrying him to the house, while the brethren were praying, went out; but mark his surprise on returning, with three or four other non-members of the church, at seeing him whom they supposed was, or soon would be dead, seated at the table eating and drinking. They stood and gazed with astonishment, yet glad to see the change, as evidenced by the fact of each one of them shaking hands with him as if he was an intimate friend who had just returned from a long journey. This being done Bro. D. Chambers bore testimony of God's power by which he had been saved from death and made whole.
I shall not attempt to describe the joy of his wife, his brother and wife,
(page 198) |
