d.' 'Well, we have faith,'
they said, and went to Blumhardt. Three days after it was perfectly
well." These events could not fail to attract attention, and miracles
or healings from his prayers were of constant occurrence. In 1852
Blumhardt moved to Boll, Wurtemberg, and until his death he continued
his healing. He did not despise human means of healing, but he stoutly
held that Jesus would answer the prayer of faith uttered for and by
the sick.

About the middle of the century Father Mathew (1790-1856) attracted a
large number of persons who were in need of healing. He was best
known as the famous apostle of temperance, and was to Ireland in the
nineteenth century what Wesley was to England in the eighteenth. He
also travelled over England and Scotland and spent two years in
America. In one period of nine months he induced two hundred thousand
persons to take the temperance pledge. Among other things he cured
blindness, lameness, paralysis, hysteria, headache, and lunacy. After
his death the same diseases which he had cured during his lifetime
were just as effectively relieved by visiting the good father's tomb,
in the firm belief that a miracle would be performed. From the
following cure, his first one, it will be seen that the discovery of
his healing power was rather accidental.

"A young lady, of position and intelligence, was for
years the victim of the most violent headaches, which
assumed a chronic character. Eminent advice was had but
in vain; the malady became more intense, the agony more
excruciating. Starting up one day from the sofa on which
she lay in a delirium of pain, she exclaimed--'I cannot
endure this torture any longer; I will go and see what
Father Mathew can do for me.' She immediately proceeded
to Lehanagh, where Father Mathew was then sick and
feeble. Flinging herself on her knees before him she
besought his prayers and blessing. In fact, stung by
intolerable suffering she asked him to cure her. 'My
dear child, you ask me what no mortal has power to do.
The power to cure rests alone with God. I have no such
power.' 'Then bless me, and pray for me--place your hand
on my head,' implored the afflicted lady. 'I cannot
refuse to pray for you, or to bless you,' said Father
Mathew, who did pray for and bless her, and place his
hand upon her poor throbbing brow. Was it faith?--was it
magnetism?--was it the force of imagination exerted
wonderfully? I shall