AUSTRALIA 1927
ORANGE, NSW, AUSTRALIA
February 13th 1927
Testimony published in Redemption Tidings, p. 17 October 1930
ARE HEALINGS PERMANENT?
HEALED BY FAITH
HEALED OF RUPTURED HEART – SOUND TODAY
My poor heart was in such a state, past all human aid; even the casing was ruptured, so that the least move would cause a lump to protrude like an egg. For sixteen weeks I just lay prostrate, and how lovely it was to feel so often almost through the pearly gates! Truly, I thought my labours here in this life were ended, and I was so bent on going “home to glory”, that even when asked if I would like to have Mr. Smith Wigglesworth to pray for me, if I should be here when he came, that I said an emphatic “No,” and I certainly meant it. Bro. Wigglesworth was not expected here for nearly two months, when suddenly dates were altered and he arrived here almost without warning.
Of course this did not concern me, for my fellow-invalid (Sister Todd) and I had made up our minds that we weren’t going to have anything to do with the mission or the evangelist. As the mission went on my friend became so convinced of the truth of God, that she came into my room saying she intended going to the mission.
That night I saw her making her way out on her crutches to the car in great agony, but somehow felt in myself she would be healed. Praise the Lord! After her return she came skipping down the steps to my room, like the man of old leaping and praising God, and saying,
“Sister, I’m healed, I’m healed!”
and so she was, perfectly and completely. Hallelujah! It was wonderful.
All that night I prayed and sought the Lord. In the morning, the closing day of the mission, I was waiting for someone to come down to my room to ask them if they would take a message to Bro. Wigglesworth and see if he would come and pray for me after the morning service. After breakfast I could hear the dear ones of the house holding a prayer-meeting, and presently they came out and different ones came into my room, but did not look at me or give me the usual smile and kind word, and I asked each if they would take my message, and not until I had made the request five times did I get a promise that they would. I had said
“No” once, but had to say “Yes” five times.
How long it seemed before that morning service was over; but at last in came matron, face beaming, and said, “He’s come,” and I remember faintly seeing a man step into the room, and after that saw no man but Jesus only. How sweetly does the dear Lord manifest Himself! The evangelist told his daughter (Mrs. Salter) to put her hands on my knees and he put his on my head and prayed a wonderful prayer (wonderful to me because I was right in glory). Then he laid his hands on my heart and prayed for my healing, at the same time rebuking death and commanding it to be dashed away in Jesus’ Name. When he first came in he said, “Are you ready to get up?” I said, “Yes, I am,” and now
he said, “Get up,” and up I got.
My inability to even move just a few minutes before was entirely forgotten. One thought only seemed to possess me, and that was to get dressed as quickly as possible. I rushed across the floor and lifted down two heavy suit cases filled with books in order to get to where I could find some clothing. I was in such a hurry, I wanted to be dressed ready to greet “my girls” of my Bible Class who used to flock in after church to just have a peep at me, sometimes not allowed to speak to me; and the afternoon before I had lain semi-conscious for hours, and those who saw me then thought perhaps it was the last look, and here I am trying to find clothes and let them see me every whit whole. I was healed perfectly and completely, and felt no weakness after my sixteen weeks in bed, when I had eaten scarcely anything. All the while that I laid there I was neither hungry nor thirsty, and would take little sips just to oblige those who brought it to me. Now I wanted my dinner, and a good dinner I had! I was changed, a new creation, just filled with God, divinely healed, raised up in a moment from the shadow of death to abounding life, saved to serve.
The day following my healing I was gloriously baptised in the Holy Ghost according to Acts ii. 4, and daily and hourly He fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
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Now I feel constrained to send you a line to testify of His keeping power as well as to His healing.
Praise the dear Lord, He has led me in wondrous ways to mental and other cases where the strain, etc., has been great (mentally and physically), and praise His dear Name, He has in all places proved Himself to be my strength, my all and in all.
I have not had the joy of being in our Assembly till this week for about eighteen months, and yet they, knowing the dreadful strain, etc., of the last corner He had led me through, found me stronger and weightier than they had ever seen me before. He truly is a safe keeper.
Sydney hospital
I have gained over three stone in weight since He touched and called me to rise up from my death-bed in Epworth Hospital, Orange, on February 13th, 1927. He just keeps me moving about from place to place that people may see for themselves that He keeps as well as heals. I am just hurrying this off to try and catch the next mail that you may know my healing was perfect as well as instant.
My friend Miss Todd is a witness of the same, and is well and strong too. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Yours in His glad service,
Sister Mary (M. Legate Pople).
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AUSTRALIA
June 1927
Report published in Pentecostal Evangel, p. 6-7 July 30, 1927
TWO MARVELLOUS HEALINGS IN AUSTRALIA
Arthritis
While engaged in my occupation as nurse in Sydney I met with a serious accident, fracturing the knee cap and dislocating the internal cartilage, which resulted in synovitis and arthritis (chronic). I had the best medical skill both in Sydney and in Orange without any permanent relief, but just up for a while and then back to bed again, and so on for eighteen months, and long, weary months they were, especially when, after about fourteen months, I had the misfortune to rupture the fibers of the muscles of the other leg, which resulted in having a lay-up for six weeks and then keep it tightly bandaged, as the pain at times was most severe. I was a real invalid with no prospect of ever being able to follow my profession again. Being otherwise perfectly healthy, it was hard to look into the future with both legs crippled, to be dependent upon others to look after and keep me.
How blind I was, for since being invalided to Orange I had lived and moved among folk who believed and tried to get me to listen to the Scriptural teaching of divine healing, but I thought differently. Truly the Bible did tell of wonderful things in bygone days, but to me those days were gone and things were different now. There was great talk of Evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, but I was not interested, though he was expected to come here. It was nothing to me. But God is able to do all things according to the counsel of His own will; and how completely He turned me around.
After the evangelist had begun his mission, which only lasted five days, my brother, together with others, spoke most convincingly to me about the reality of the teaching of the Scripture on divine healing, and though I was right up till then adverse to it,
Sydney street corner
I went to my Bible again and, being like the prodigal son, at the end of myself, I too was led to say, “I will arise and go to my Father,” and, praise the dear Lord, what blessings He had waiting to bestow upon me! I had been a Christian many years, but I had to be awakened before I could hear His voice and have Him anoint mine eyes, but as I read I was arrested by the scripture telling of the blind man upon whose eyes the Lord put the clay, and sent him to the Pool of Siloam to wash and he came seeing. On being questioned as to how he received his sight and having told them many times, he finally said, “One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.” (Read John 9.) This kept running through my mind all day Friday and Saturday, also the words of God, “I am the Lord, I change not.” So persistently did these scriptures keep coming to me that I made up my mind to go that night to the mission for prayer and the laying on of hands.
Sydney Hospital
On one leg I had a steel and leather apparatus to keep the knee joint from locking and pinching, which caused intense pain, and the other in tight bandages, and with the aid of a pair of crutches I got out to the car to be taken to the meeting, and though suffering intensely, I believed I would be healed. After the address, I joined with those who were to be ministered to, and as the evangelist laid his hands on me and prayed I had a strange yet beautiful experience as though cold water with great force was being sprayed in jets upon both of my afflicted members where they were injured; so strong seemed to be the force that it even hurt me, and I knew it was the Lord, but on turning to go away I didn’t feel any better, and expressed disappointment to two or three.
All the way home I wept copiously, and poured out my heart to God, and continued to say, “Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” Arriving home, I was helped out of the car, and after walking a few steps, said that I thought I could walk alone. Just as I reached the threshold of the door a wall of bright shining light confronted me, so exceedingly bright that it almost staggered me, and instantly I cried out, “Glory to God, I ‘m healed,” and truly I was. I went through the house praising the Lord, and up and down the back verandah, glorifying God and walking as I did before meeting with the accident. Seeing the crutches, I said, “Take those back to the kind friend that loaned them to me. I shall not want them any more.” So the crutches were returned just before midnight. Hallelujah! Old things pass away, behold all things become new. On rising next morning I discarded the steel and leather support and the bandages, and have never touched them since, for I was made every whit whole.
Two days later I was sweetly baptized in the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4. My Bible means more to me now than ever before. I now see my Lord and Saviour who saves from sin, the Great Physician, the One who baptizes with the Holy Ghost, and the One who is coming for His bride very soon. I cannot praise Him enough for the great things He has done for me, where of I am glad. In giving this testimony my prayer is that some poor suffering one might be led to see the truth that makes free as it was revealed to me through the Blessed One who will guide into all truth.
Any one desiring fuller particulars or help along these lines are kindly invited to write or call on me at the following address. – Miss H. Todd, 43 Grafton Ave., Naremburn, N. S. W., Australia.
Ruptured Heart
Genesis 24:27 – “I being in the way, the Lord led me”-seems to be the best explanation of God’s wondrous blessings to me five weeks ago. How I did want to go home! My poor heart was in such a state, past all human aid, even the casing was ruptured so that the least move would cause a lump to protrude like an egg. For sixteen weeks I just lay prostrate, and how lovely it was to feel so near home, so often almost through the pearly gates, how real the dawning of that eternal day was to me, and how I just longed to enter right in, knowing that if the “earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5 :1.
Truly, I thought my labors here in this life were ended, and I was so bent on going “home to glory” that when asked if I would like to have Evangelist Wigglesworth to pray for me, if I should be here when he came, I said an emphatic, “No,” and I certainly meant it. Such a band of dear friends were praying for me everywhere that I just felt I wanted no more; my mind and my hopes were all centered on things above and not on things here below.
How little did I know what wondrous blessings there were here below that I had not even tasted of, that my dear loving Saviour wanted me to experience before I should pass through those pearly gates, and how graciously did He work to bring it to pass. Brother Wigglesworth was not expected here for nearly two months, when suddenly dates were altered and he arrived almost without warning. Of course this did not concern me for my fellow invalid (Sister Todd) and I had made up our minds that we weren’t going to have anything to do with the mission or the evangelist. How true are the Lord’s words, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isa. 65:8-11. As the mission went on my friend, who was averse to the teaching of divine healing, began to search the Scriptures afresh to see if these things that were being taught, and which were confidently affirmed by numbers around who believed, were so; became so convinced of the truth of God, who said, “I am the Lord; I change not,’ that she came into my room saying she intended going to the mission to have the laying on of hands and prayer. How wonderfully and sweetly does our precious Lord turn our feet into His paths and lead us in a way we know not!
That night I saw her making her way out on her crutches to the car in great agony, but somehow felt in myself she would be healed. Praise the Lord! After her return she came skipping down the steps to my room, like the man of old leaping and praising God, and saying, “Sister, I’m healed, I’m healed,” and so she was, perfectly and completely. Hallelujah! It was wonderful.
All that night I prayed and sought the Lord, and then came the thought, “How could I face my dear Lord whom I loved with all my heart if I just slipped home, having refused the test to prove if He wanted me to do any more ‘little corner filling’ for Him, when before my eyes He had wrought such a miracle?” “Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word.” In the morning, the closing day of the mission, and what turned out to be my day of opportunity, I was waiting for some one to come down to my room to ask them if they would take a message to Brother Wigglesworth and see if he would come and pray for me after the morning service. After breakfast I could hear the dear ones of the house holding a prayer meeting, but as they had closed the door I could not hear just what was taking place, but how I was longing for some one to come in to take my message, but no, time was getting away, and how I pleaded with the Lord. I must get some one to be my messenger, and could it be that they were all too much occupied with their own blessings and were unmindful of me? Ah, no, they were busy praying that the dear Lord would put it in my heart to call for prayer, and because I had said, “No “ so decidedly they would not ask me again, but were all asking the Lord to constrain me to ask for prayer.
Presently they came out and different ones came into my room, but did not look at me or give me the usual smile and kind word, and I asked each if they would take my message, and not until I had made the request five times did I get a promise that they would. I had said, “No” once, but had to say, “Yes,” five times. How long it seemed before that morning service was over, but at last in came matron, face beaming, and said, “He’s come,” and I remember faintly seeing a man step into the room, and after that saw no man but Jesus only. How sweetly does the dear Lord manifest Himself. The evangelist told his daughter (Mrs. Salter) to put her hands on my knees and he put his on my head and prayed a wonderful prayer (wonderful to me because I was right in glory). Then he laid his hands on my heart and prayed for my healing, at the same time rebuking death and commanding it to be dashed away in Jesus’ name. When he first came in he said, “Are you ready to get up?” I said “Yes, I am,” and now he said, “Get up,” and up I got. My inability to even move just a few minutes before was entirely forgotten. One thought only seemed to possess me, and that was to get dressed as quickly as possible. I rushed across the floor and lifted down two heavy suit cases filled with books in order to get to where I could find some clothing. I was in such a hurry, I wanted to be dressed ready to greet “my girls” of my Bible class who used to flock in after church to just have a peep at me, sometimes not allowed to speak to me; and the afternoon before I had lain semi-conscious for hours, and those who saw me then thought perhaps it was the last look, and here I am trying to find clothes and let them see me every whit whole. I was just ready when the door opened and a number of them were admitted, and what a shock they got. Some wept; some laughed, then wept; they hugged me, then would think of my heart and let go; but it was all right. I was healed perfectly and completely, and felt no weakness after my sixteen weeks in bed, when I had eaten scarcely anything. All the while that I lay there I was neither hungry nor thirsty, and would take little sips just to oblige those who brought it to me. Now I wanted my dinner, and a good dinner I had. I was changed, a new creation, just filled with God, divinely healed, raised up in a moment, from the shadow of death to abounding life, saved to serve.
What a wonderful word Faith is! It seems I never knew its real meaning before. By faith we conquer, we overcome, we enter into our inheritance. The Scriptures declare that all things are possible to him that believeth.
Some are waiting to see if it will last, but praise the dear Lord, this is the fifth week and I am perfectly well and whole, have walked long distances to visit others, and find that He not only saves but keeps. The day following my healing I was gloriously baptized in the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4, and daily and hourly He fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
I commend the teaching of the Foursquare Gospel to one and all – Jesus Christ our Lord, the Saviour from sin, the Divine Healer, the One who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and our soon coming King.
Mrs. M. Legate Pople, “Epworth,” 82 Anson-street, Orange, N. S. W.
From the Australian Evangel.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Spring 1927
Report published in Redemption Tidings, p. 8 June 1927
FROM ‘AUSTRALIAN EVANGEL’
HEALINGS AT WIGGLESWORTH MEETINGS, RICHMOND TEMPLE, MELBOURNE
The healings at the Wigglesworth meetings in Melbourne have been very inspiring to those who beheld and most blessed to those who were delivered from affliction. At every meeting the sick were invited to remain for special prayer and anointing with oil. But in many of the meetings Brother Wigglesworth would pray for all who would stand up and believe that the Lord would heal them. He would say to the congregation that he would count three and at the time he would say three everyone who would dare to believe and receive healing were to spring to their feet and cry out to God that they received deliverance in Jesus’ name. The response to this method was always most hearty for it would be after a rousing sermon on faith and all were aroused to bestir themselves. Many testified to being healed in this way.
Melbourne street scene
Another method used was to ask any one to stand who had pain while he prayed for them from the platform. The very first meeting on the opening Sunday witnessed this method. A lady arose saying she had pains in her head and gallstones causing suffering. When Brother Wigglesworth prayed the power of the Spirit came upon her so she could not stand. When she was free to answer she said her pain was all gone. So with others in this way.
Among the multitude who were healed and have given testimony to the fact the following are a few of the written testimonies received. More will be secured as each case is traced up by the cards. May these cases inspire others to a like precious faith for healing and blessing.
HEALED OF TUMOR IN HOSPITAL
Handkerchief Taken from Evangelist and Laid on the Sick.
According to Acts 19, 11-12, the Lord wrought healings by Paul through handkerchiefs or aprons being taken from his body and laid upon absent sick ones. This was done in this meeting for many who could not come. The following case is reported by Mrs. Ingram, who writes of a visit to the hospital, where a friend was to be operated on for tumor, taking a handkerchief from Brother Wigglesworth upon which he had laid his hands as he prayed for her to recover. The letter states, “She was to be operated on on Tuesday. I took the handkerchief on Monday. She placed it on in the name of Jesus. On Wednesday, when I visited her, she told me she was on the operating table and the ether was administered, but when she came to herself again she discovered that they had not operated. They told her there was no need now for the operation. Glory be to God. When I saw her today she was able to sit up in bed and the swelling had all gone. The woman later returned home quite free.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Mrs. A. Lavery, of Collingwood, writes: “I thank God for the blessed healing power. I came to Brother Wigglesworth’s meetings and he laid his hands on my head. I had blood pressure pains in my head for one year and six months night and day. I know I am healed.”
DISPLACED KIDNEYS AND RUNNING EAR
Miss Q. Green, of 23, Hardy Street, East Brunswick, testifies: “I had mastoid trouble in my ear and general weakness throughout my body. Both my kidneys had dropped an inch. I suffered terribly with pain in my kidneys, but relief came when I was prayed for. My ear was discharging. I had been operated on but did not get relief; but when I was prayed for the discharge ceased and now there is no pain.”
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Reports published in Redemption Tidings, p. 17 March 1929
TWO MARVELLOUS HEALINGS IN AUSTRALIA
Miss H. Todd, 43 Grafton Avenue, Naremburn, N.S.W., Australia, writes:-
While I was engaged as a nurse at Sydney, I met with an accident, fracturing my knee cap and dislocating the internal cartlege, which resulted in synovitis and arthritis (chronic). I had the best medical skill both in Sydney and Orange, but without any permanent relief. Fourteen months later I ruptured the fibres of the muscles of the other leg. I was laid up for six weeks with most severe pain. There was no prospect of following my profession. There was great talk among the people of Mr. Smith Wigglesworth coming here, but I was not interested. My brother and others spoke to me of divine healing. I turned to my Bible and these words arrested me, ‘I am the Lord; I change not.’ I decided to go to the mission for prayer and the laying on of hands. On one leg I had a steel and leather apparatus to keep the knee joint from locking and punching, which caused intense pain and the other closely bandaged, and with the aid of a pair of crutches I got out of the car. After the message from God’s Word was given, I joined those who wished to be ministered to, and as the evangelist laid his hands on me and prayed, it seemed as though cold water was being sprayed with great force. I knew it was God, but I felt no better. On the way home I wept. On getting out of the car I said, ‘Lord, I do believe.’ On reaching the threshold a wall of shining light confronted me. I said, ‘Glory to God, I am healed,’ and I was. I went through the house glorifying God. I had no use for my crutches, and I discarded the supports and bandages, for I was every whit whole. Two days later I was baptised in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts ii. 4. To God be all the glory.”
Mrs. M. Legate Pople, Epworth, Anson Street, Orange, N.S.W., writes:-
“Gen. xxiv. 27: ‘I being in the way, the Lord led me.’ I had a ruptured heart, so that the least move caused a lump to protrude like an egg; for sixteen weeks I lay prostrate. Some friends were praying for me. Mr. Wigglesworth was coming to the town, but I was not interested, but God’s ways are not our way. Seeing Miss Todd was healed, I sent a message after the morning service asking if the evangelist would come to pray for me. He came with his daughter (Mrs. Salter). He told her to put her hands on my knees. He laid his hands on my head and prayed, at the same time rebuking death and commanding it to loose away in the Name of Jesus. He said, ‘Are you ready to get up?’ I said, ‘I am.’ My inability to move was forgotten. I rose and dressed in the Name of Jesus. I was just ready when the girls of my Bible Class came in. What a shock! How they laughed and wept. I was healed perfectly and completely and felt no weakness after my sixteen weeks in bed. I wanted my dinner now. I was changed, a new creation: raised from the shadow of death to abounding life. Saved to serve. This is the fifth week, and I have walked long distances to visit others. Later I was baptised with the Holy Spirit, according to Acts ii. 4. I praise God from whom all blessings flow.”