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The Remarkable Story
of E. Faith Stewart's Serious Illness and Healing
Some of we brethren who were eye witnesses of sister Stewart's
serious illness and her remarkable healing in the spring of 1945
feel constrained by the spirit of God to write some of the facts
concerning this healing as an inspiration to the faith of those who
shall read it. However, let us say that it will be quite impossible
for anyone who did not set her during her illness to really
comprehend just what God did do for her. And our only desire in
writing this is that God's name may be glorified and that poor,
discouraged, suffering ones, reading this may be encouraged to put
their trust in the One Who Never Fails.
On December 29, 1944 Sister Stewart, in closing a three-day
ministers' meeting (in Havana, Cuba) preached the most powerful
sermon on divine healing that we had ever heard her preach in the
fourteen years she had been here in missionary work (up to that
date). In her message she urged the brethren to lay hold and
maintain at any cost the blessed doctrines of the Church of the
living God. She spoke strongly of how the doctrines of the Bible had
been lowered in the church in many places, but that we here in Cuba
must see to it that every Bible doctrine be definitely TAUGHT and
PRACTICED. She said that we as God's people here MUST hold the
standard even at the very greatest in cost. And that many times God
had to let sufferings come to the faithful ones that His Word be
preserved, as the Lord had to have instruments through which he
could work, and Sister Stewart continued saying that if God ever
wanted her as an instrument through which to work out His glory, she
wanted to be submissive and true.
She continued saying, "My brethren, if I ever get so sick that I am
unconscious, where I cannot fight 'the good fight of faith' myself,
I urge you for Jesus sake and for the sake of my reputation as one
who for many years has definitely trusted alone in God as my header,
to just leave me entirely in His hands. If I ever get to where you
feel that medical help is the only thing that would save my life,
then just let me die, going into His presence just as I have lived.
For I would choose death in His will, rather than to extend life in
any other way."
The day after having put this solemn charge on the church, she left
for Punto San Juan, Camaguey, a distance of some 400 mile from
Havana, to hold a two day assembly meeting with a few congregations
in that district. She returned from there on January 3rd, and two
days later was taken very ill. As we saw from the first that her
illness was serious, a doctor was called just to examine her (to
comply with the law). He said her condition was very grave indeed.
He said hers was a case of gallstones, and that to save her life an
immediate operation would he necessary--but he also said that her
heart condition was so serious that it would not permit operating.
What a sad condition she would have been in if her trust had been in
the uncertain arm of flesh. How thankful we all were that we knew
her trust was alone in God, and that He was able.
A few days later Sister Stewart was removed to Buena Vista (another
section of the city of Havana), where she would he closer to the
congregation and could have better care. Soon complications set in
and it required a group of faithful ones to divide their time, and
care for her night and day. Two days after removing her, she lost
all consciousness and also had a 'stroke', which made her entirely
helpless. The church building was dose by, and the doors were never
closed day or night during her entire illness, for groups of
brothers and sisters were constantly there holding on to God in
earnest united prayer for God to spare her life. Cablegrams were
sent to many in the States and they replied that many there were
also holding on for victory.
As we watched our beloved sister sinking lower and lower, another
doctor was called in to examine her, so if she passed away there
would be no trouble with the law. The first doctor who had examined
her had turned so bitter because she was not sent to the hospital
for the operation (although he could give no hopes), that we felt it
unsafe to not call another. This one said her case was hopeless and
that he could not understand how she was living, and said it then
could he only a matter of a few more hours. Hundreds of brethren and
friends from all over this part of the Island came in to see our
sister, and looked on her with sad heart.
At last one night, about 10 o'clock, the toot of an ambulance was
heard, and in walked a doctor and nurse with a friend of ours. This
gentleman friend said to some of the brethren that he had personally
paid for a private room in the hospital and had come to take Miss
Stewart there to see what could be done. He said, "Miss Stewart is
dying and something must be done at once." Several of the brethren
answered and told them that before losing consciousness Miss Stewart
had herself put on them the solemn responsibility of leaving her
definitely in God's hands alone, if she got unconscious where she
could not stand for her own desire, and they felt they could not
submit to her being taken, knowing as they did that it was against
her desires. Then the doctor told us that if she was not allowed to
be taken to a hospital and if she died (as she would) some of the
brethren would be handed over to the law for manslaughter. They also
told us that the Federation of Doctors would take a hand in this. We
pointed out to the doctor that all over the land, men are dying for
the sake of principles which many times do not amount to
anything--then what would it matter if some of us did have to suffer
a little for standing for a principle of Divine Truth, founded on
God's Word.
We do thank the brethren here and in the North who stood solidly
during this long, severe test. The church in Cuba had never
experienced anything like this before, but God gave sufficient
grace. The first doctor who examined Sister Stewart said this case
was a case of slow murder, and that when she died (for of course
they knew she would die) he would see to it that not one of the
several doctors who had examined her should give a certificate for
burial. But thank God, while these were waiting for the hour when
they could plunge God's people here into confusion (as they thought)
and great trouble, God was working out His own great plan for the
glory of His name.
Our sister lay in this condition entirely unconscious for 29 days.
But the PRAYER OF FAITH PREVAILED. On a Friday night God gave the
witness that prayer had gone through, and although slight signs of
improvement were visible, still God let us be tested, and she
remained unconscious until the following Sunday morning when to the
great joy of those watching her, her eyes opened. This was the
morning of February 9th, and as different ones rushed to her side
and spoke, she recognized each one by their voice, although her
vision had not yet returned. The first one who reached her side and
spoke to her, was the friend who had formerly brought the ambulance
and doctor, to take her away by force, to the hospital.
Sister Stewart had to learn to eat again, and had to learn to walk,
etc. She was as one having been completely gone from this world,
being restored. Praise our God forever. Glory be to His matchless
name! Her strength began to return and one month later she was able
to go in a car to the city to attend to some business. She had gone
down in flesh from a weight of 168 pounds, to around 90 pounds. The
day she went into the city, just one month after her healing, she
was weighed, and had gained until that day she weighed just 100
pounds. What a mighty God we do serve! Oh that men everywhere would
learn to trust in God for all things. Truly the mouths of the
gainsayers were stopped, and our Christ was exalted among the
people. And as Sister Stewart once more walked the streets of this
city, going in and out among the people in her ministry of service
to humanity, many were blessed and were made to believe in Our
Living God as never before. Truly they that trust in the Lord shall
never be confounded or put to shame. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul and
all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.
Signed:
MR. JOSE CAMPINS. Pastor,
Church of God, Almendares, Havana, Cuba
MRS. M. CAMPINS, Assistant Pastor,
Church of God, Almendares, Havana, Cuba
ERASMO TEXIDOR, Evangelist
MRS. AMERICA SUAREZ, Pastor,
Church of God, St. Fe, Cuba
This is one testimony of healing that I could not possible write, as
much as I might want to, for I was so completely dead to everything,
that I only know what the brethren tell me. As far as I know, no one
who saw me during this illness has ever seen anyone else in the
condition I was in, living on to tell the story. Never shall I
forget the burden that gripped at my heart the 29th of December,
1944, when I preached in the last service of our three day
ministers' and workers' meeting. Having watched the drift that had
been coining in on the church in the States, and having suffered
deeply over seeing the blessed standard of God's Holy Word let down,
my soul was stirred and I did heavy preaching in that three day
meeting, and my special burden was that we as The Church of God in
Cuba, definitely take our stand (and keep it), to keep the full
unadulterated Word of Eternal Truth right up in the place God,
Himself, has put it, and not allow compromise of any kind to enter
our work. My last message was on Divine Healing of the body, and
that message of Truth burns in my very soul yet today. God's Word is
unchanging; His promises are DIVINE (not human); therefore, they
cannot be broken or changed.
Although I had not said much about my physical condition, I knew
well that unless God worked a miracle in my body I could not long be
with the little church in Cuba, and my soul was heavily moved. Would
they be able to stand in the persecutions that I believed were soon
coming on us, and to keep up the standard of Truth where God wanted
it kept, or would they weaken. Would their courage and faith hold
out? So out of a burdened heart I spoke, and thank God the message
of Truth had a definite response from the hearts of many of our
number. Thank God for brethren who could stand such a test, and say
with David, "Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, we shall fear no evil, for thou are with us, and thy rod and
thy staff, they comfort me." At the time I took my bed I weighed 168
pounds, and when I got up, or when God touched my body in healing, I
weighed around 90 pounds. After being well nourished for exactly one
month (after getting out of bed) I made my first trip out in a car,
and went to the bank. That day I just balanced 100 pounds. Thank
God, He soon brought me back to normal, and I have now put in more
than six years of the hardest work I ever put though. Never have I
at any time in past life carried the amount of heavy responsibility
and put though such excessive work as in these past six years.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, He is still the very same
Christ of God, and none of His promised have lost any of their
power. If you want a fulfillment of His promises in your life, be
sure to live to the full standard, and to teach the full standard,
and keep your life entirely hidden away in His will, and the
promises are yours. Here in Cuba we are still going right on with
the good old time TRUTH and it is good enough for us. We are not
seeking any easier or broader way. Praise God forever! Yours in
defense of the FULL GOSPEL.
Healing of Blind Eyes
Truly we are living in a day of infidelity and unbelief; and as
children of God we need to seek every means possible to keep our
faith in God and in His unfailing promises alive. If the devil can
destroy faith in the great power of God, it will not he long until
the entire plan of redemption will become vague, and the very
foundation of everything spiritual will go right out from under us,
and our religion will then be only a dead form, even denying the
power of God, and we shall be carried into the whirlpool of sure
destruction. My brethren, awake, and renew your search of the Holy
Scriptures, and pray through until the fire of the Holy Spirit will
be kindled anew in your hearts (if you have lost it) and His
promises will become real to you, and you will be able to have the
daily benefits of His power working in your behalf.
I personally know scores of men and women today, who at one time
trusted God for their healing just as definitely as I do today, but
who slipped somewhere along "life's highway," and today they not
only do not trust their own bodies in God's powerful hand, but they
ridicule those who really do get answers from the Lord. But if I
believe the Bible to be God's inspired Word of Truth, then I must
believe the promises He has given us, and must act like I believe
it. The world of Sinners around us will never know anything of God's
divine power, and of our privilege of living where the blessings
promised may be ours, UNLESS we as Christians have a living
demonstration of the fulfillment of these "promises" in our own
lives. Let us let the Word of God be demonstrated through us, so
unbelievers will be converted and drawn to our Christ.
In the year of 1923, while laboring in India as a missionary, I
began to suffer much with my eyes. At first, I thought it was
because I was at that time staying in Puri, where there was but
little grass or green foliage to rest the eyes; but the great
stretches of white sand, with the glaring sun casting its rays on
this, and I thought that when I would return to Cuttack, India, I
would he relieved of this trouble. But it was not so. I went back to
the Children's Home where I had lived many years, but my eyes kept
getting worse. The constant burning of the eyeballs was almost more
than I could endure, and too, I could no longer see with the glasses
I had. I then went to Calcutta to have glasses fitted. This was
carefully done by one of the best opticians, and I returned to
Cuttack to await the day when I would receive the new glasses,
expecting them to be a great help. It was possibly ten days before
the glasses came, and great was my disappointment when I found I
could not see with them. Believing some mistake had been made, I was
taken again to Calcutta to the same optician, and he carefully
listened and then examined my eves again, and told us there had been
a great change in my sight from the day I had been there before.
Again le carefully the eyes, and I returned again to Cuttack to
await the gasses, but this time with some doubts as to the results.
When the glasses came, and I tried them on I could only weep, for I
could not use them. There was nothing to do but to return to the
city, and tell the doctor of my great disappointment all this time
the suffering was increasing, and at times I felt I could not endure
it longer. This time the optician said he would not make any attempt
at fitting gasses to my eyes, until I would go to a specialist to
whom he was sending me, and that if after examination he said I
could he fitted, he would try his best. I was taken to this
specialist, and was soon told that I would never wear glasses again.
We all knew what that meant--and went back home with sad hearts. The
day after reaching the Home in Cuttack I spent much time in secret
prayer, deepening my consecration, and making my decision to be true
in trusting God to the end, no matter what that might mean. He sent
comfort to my soul, and I settled down to await His time. I had been
suffering then about seven months, and at this time was almost
blind. I could only faintly see objects, and daily the sight was
dimmer. In about three weeks more I was blind, and remained this way
nearly seven months. God only knows the suffering, and the sadness.
But He did comfort, and help me to get adjusted to my lot, and I
went on with as much as possible of my work. All the time I was
meditating on the Great Promises of His Word, and feeding my soul on
these, my faith was growing. Thank God for the Power of His Word. At
last a time was set for prayer and fasting by the great Church of
God at large. But even before the date set for special prayer--God
by His Spirit laid the burden for my healing on many hearts and we
began to get letters telling of this burden. Six days before the
date that had been fixed for special fasting and prayer, a letter
came bringing an anointed handkerchief. Some ministers who
definitely believed then in the power of God to answer prayer had
prepared this. When other missionaries in the HOME saw this, they
rejoiced and read the letter to me, telling of how God had laid the
burden so definitely on their hearts to have united prayer, and
anoint the handkerchief, and send it to me, as the apostle Paul had
done while in his ministry, (and others) and had seen the mighty
results in the healing of the afflicted. As the letter was read we
all felt that was God's day to heal, and our faith was definitely
lifted up. Some faithful Indian brethren were called in for united
prayer at 4 p.m. that day, and the anointed handkerchief was applied
to my eyes. The power of God touched me and I saw "as through a mist
darkly" but rapidly the mist cleared away and by bedtime I could see
the stars of the heavens above. Praise God forever and forever. The
next morning I took my Bible and sat down to weep and read from His
Holy Word, the first time I had been able to do this in almost a
year. Some five months had elapsed while I was losing my sight, and
I then passed almost seven full months BLIND. I want to emphasize
the fact that I was blind, and NOW I see! Glory be to His matchless
name. I put emphasis on this, as it has been reported, and used as a
weapon against God's holy cause, that I was not blind. God's Word
tells us of a class of people who will even deny the very power of
God, and still profess to be His, and the Word warns us just what to
do to save our own souls. Let us read carefully from 2 Timothy
3:4-5, "Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof; FROM SUCH TURN AWAY." Praise God this is what I had to do,
and now His blessings still fill my soul, and thrill my being as I
live in the place where PRAYER IS STILL ANSWERED for those whose
hearts are perfect to-wards Him.
For the benefit of those who read, I am inserting here a letter that
I received from the optician who had worked so hard to fit me with
glasses, and failed because my sight was fast going. The healing of
my eyes took place April 1, 1924.
FAITH STEWART HEALED Anderson, Indiana, April 3, 1924 A cablegram
just received here announces the healing of Faith Stewart. No
particulars are given. This information is being sent to inspire you
and your congregation in the healing services of April 6. J. W.
Phelps
Text of a mailing card that was mailed from Anderson, Indiana, prior
to the April 6 meeting.
Healed of Heart Dropsy
In the winter and spring of 1936, I was in very poor health and
found it almost impossible to carry on my mission work. I suffered
greatly from shortness of breath and fatigue. My feet became more
and more swollen, they were so bad that sometimes as I walked the
streets people would turn and look back at me, and I have had
brethren and sisters remonstrate against me trying to go out at all.
I never did stop my activities in the Lord's work as long as I could
keep going at all. My teacher in Spanish during my early days in
Cuba happened to be a medical student, and by the time of which I am
now speaking he was a practicing physician. When the time came that
I felt my case was serious, I went to this medical friend to consult
with him that I might know how to care for myself and what I could
safely eat to nourish my body, but with no idea of accepting any
medical aid and I frankly told him so. He examined me and was
shocked at seeing me in the condition that I was in. He sent me home
to go to bed and stay there, and told me he would come out the
following morning to see me. How well I remember that visit. He told
me that if I had a family here, I would never know what he was then
going to tell me. Since I was absolutely alone in Cuba, he would
have to come out frankly and tell me my true condition so I could
personally do my best to help myself. Knowing me as he did, he knew
it would be useless to even suggest medicine but he made out a diet,
forbidding the use of any salt or lard or meats. In fact, in a few
days, all foods but milk and juices were taken from me. I was
propped up straight in the bed and forbidden to lay down at all, as
the physician said I was in the last stages of heart dropsy and that
even if I had wanted medicine, very little if anything could have
been done for me. When the doctor gave his verdict, I was alone in
the house with a small child who was staying with me. After he had
gone, I had the child close my door and go out. There, alone with my
Bible and my God, I fought the battle out. In tears, I asked the
Lord to direct my reading and without knowing where the Bible would
open I let it fall open to the 20th chapter of 2nd Kings and I began
reading. As I read the first verse where the Lord sent the prophet
to tell Hezekiah "thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order, for
thou shalt die and not live." I wept before God and searched my
heart until the very presence of the Lord literally filled the room
with His Glory. Then I said, "Oh, Lord, I thank thee that all is
well with my soul. I have nothing to fix up." An hour like that is
when hearts are truly sincere for they know they are very definitely
in the presence of the Lord God. Glory filled my being and alone
there I wept in joy. Later, I continued reading of how Hezekiah wept
before the Lord and of how God sent the prophet again to tell him
his prayer had been heard and that fifteen years would be added to
his life (read from 2 Kings 20:1-6). Thank God yet today, God's true
servants can pray through and by the power of prayer can change
things. This is what we might call effective praying. Prayer that
does something! Prayer that brings forth fruits! God still hears the
heart cry of His children; He still sees the tears of confidence
that flow from those who in afflictions press right through trusting
Him to the very end. That morning God assured me He would heal me.
But the battle was long and hard. Eleven weeks passed with me daily
growing worse. All this time I was forced to sit upright against
pillows. My legs became so heavy that I, of my little strength,
could not move them to change my position. My body was rapidly
filling up with poison and daily, my condition grew worse. How well
I remember the day when the doctor friend (former teacher) told me
very definitely that my days were numbered and that there was not
one ray of hope for me physically. On getting this information, all
my personal belongings were divided out and I was waiting to go (if
that was His will). But during these long months my comfort by day
and my pillow by night was John 15:7, "If ye abide in me and my
words abide in you (then in this condition) ask what ye will, and it
shall he done unto you." This promise is as broad as the entire span
of life, and so deep that it reaches away down far below the deepest
suffering we ever could have. "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all
that is within me, bits' His Holy Name"--forever. At last from the
poison that was filling my body, dark spots came out all over me.
This doctor friend had to leave me on Sunday night for the States
and before leaving, he made out my death certificate and called
another doctor and showed it to him telling him that he would be
notified when it was all over, and for him to kindly fill in the
date and the hour. This happened on Sunday afternoon; I lived on but
on Tuesday following, my feet touched the chilly waters as I was
going down in the valley of the shadow of death when I could no
longer speak to man, I still had communion with the Lord and I kept
quoting John 15:7. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be given." I would say in my
heart "Lord, all I ask is extended life for Cuba." At last all I
could do was to say, "Lord Jesus--John 15:7," and at last I could
only say in my soul, "Lord, Cuba."
This was on Tuesday evening. That night a call was sent to Brother
Calloway, at that time, pastor of the Church of God in Jacksonville,
Florida. He was urged to come by the first plane as I was dying and
they wanted a minister from the States. By 9 A. M. Wednesday, he was
at my bedside and quietly prayed. At the close of his prayer, I said
in a whisper "death is rebuked." I lingered in the same condition
over two days and one night. Death was rebuked but there was no
visible change. That second night the congregation met at the church
to pray for me all night. Prayer prevailed. I was definitely healed.
Through the early morning hours I slept as I had not done for three
months. The weary watchers by my bed seeing the change went out to
rest a little and from over-fatigue, they slept soundly. On getting
up and finding me lying right on my left side, they thought I was
dead but thank God I was healed--healed by divine power. Two days
later I was taken for a long drive and ten days later when Brother
Calloway left for the States, he left me in the pulpit in the Church
in Buena Vista, Havana, preaching to the congregation.
Dear ones, would you like to have an experience as glorious as this
one? You may have some day, but remember that to have this you would
have to travel the same road of suffering and go all the way that
the Lord marks out. Christ never could have passed through the
glories of the Resurrection morning if he had not first gone through
Gethsemane, and to Calvary.
The standard of healing has been so lowered through the terrible
apostasy that has swept in among those who profess to be truly His,
that it is not easy to obtain real healing for one does not even
know (in many places) who to call to obey the Word (James 5:14) and
pray the prayer of faith. Even among those who at one time trusted
God for their own bodies, can be found many who will refuse to
believe this testimony, but praise God forever, there are scores of
people living right around us today who know it is true.
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