ll. He had to preach one evening in a little village
where there was a small Methodist Society. "The friend," said he, "at
whose house we preached, had at that time a daughter, who lived with one
of our people about ten miles off. His wife was gone to attend her
daughter, who was dangerously ill of a fever; and her husband had that
day received a message from her, informing him that his child's life was
despaired of. He earnestly and with tears desired Mr. Whitehead to
recommend his daughter to God in prayer, both before and after
preaching. He did so in the most warm and affectionate manner. Late that
evening, or very early next morning, while the young woman's mother was
sitting by her daughter's bedside (who had been in a strong delirium for
several days), she opened her eyes and hastily addressed her mother
thus: 'O mother! I have been dreaming that I saw a man lifting up his
eyes and hands to heaven, and fervently praying to God for my recovery!
The Lord has heard his prayers, and my fever is gone; and what is far
better, the Lord has spoken peace to my soul, and sealed His pardoning
love on my heart. I know it, I feel it, my dear mother; and His Spirit
bears witness with my spirit, that I am a child of God, and an heir of
glory.' Her mother, thinking that she was still in delirium, desired her
to compose herself, and remain quiet. The daughter replied, 'My dear
mother, I am in no delirium now; I am perfectly in my senses; do help me
to rise, that upon my bended knees I may praise God.' Her mother did so,
and they both praised God with joyful hearts, and from that hour the
young woman recovered so fast, that she was soon able to attend to the
affairs of the family where she lived. She had never seen Mr. Whitehead,
previous to this remarkable time; but some weeks after, she saw him, and
the moment she beheld his face, she fainted away. As soon as she came to
herself, she said, 'Sir, you are the person I saw in my dream, when I
was ill in a violent fever; and I beheld you lift up your hands and eyes
to heaven, and most fervently pray for my recovery and conversion to
God. The Lord, in mercy, heard your prayers, and answered them to the
healing of my wounded spirit, and to the restoration of my body. I have
walked in the light of His countenance from that time to the present,
and I trust I shall do so as long as I live.' How remarkably does this
circumstance illustrate the words of St. James, 'The prayer of faith
shall