Healing and Revival

"Carrier of the Vision"

Samuel Zeller was a young worker with Dorothea Trudel at Mannedorf, Switzerland. He was born in 1834 and his father was well-known as the founder of the Reformatory at Beuggen. He had been a missionary in Glarus and the Lake of Zurich areas. When he found he had a skin disease he came to the Mannadorf healing home for prayer. She told him "when he had a cleaner soul he would have cleaner skin" and he was healed there over time. Dorothea called him "her adopted son and successor" and prayed for him regularly that her mantle of the Spirit and faith would fall upon him. Upon her death he took over the work, with the help of his sister, and it eventually was renamed to the Zeller Institute. They had the support of several men and women, who had been healed at the institute. The staff were for the most part unpaid volunteers. They regularly served and ministered to 150 people a day.

There were two distinct groups of people at Mannedorf, those who came for rest and refreshment, and those who had been deemed incurable by physicians and came seeking a touch from God. Many who came seemed to have mental or emotional problems. Healing was generally considered a progressive work among the patients. The patients were "soaked" in hands-on prayer, intercession, the word, and rest. Zeller emphasized the need to confess past sins. He believed that sin and sickness, especially emotional, were often tied. "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16

Zeller was not opposed to medical help, and would call in physicians where he felt they would be of some help. He also disagreed with the extreme teachings that sickness was always proof of sin, or a lack of faith. Zeller would preach the gospel, as well as pray for the sick. Over the years that he ran the institute, hundreds were healed and brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. Otto Stockmayer,of Switzerland, was healed under Zeller and went on to begin his own healing home and to teach people about healing all over Europe.

The home charged based on ability and many stayed for months without paying anything to the organization. Like George Mueller and Charles Cullis, they lived on faith and finances were often extremely low. By 1881, there were seven healing houses and many visitors were being put up in the homes of local villagers.

The daily pattern was simple. Breakfast was at seven o'clock. At eight a bell rang that called everyone to Chapel. Hymns were sung and Zeller would share letters from individuals requesting prayer or giving healing testimonies. They would then pray for the requests and Zeller would preach on a passage of Scripture he felt was applicable. Finally the service ended with more singing. After the service, Zeller would then make rounds and lay hands on, and pray for the sick. Lunch was at one o'clock. After lunch, all who were able, walked the grounds and relaxed through the afternoon. At five o'clock a prayer meeting was called. This was intercessory, in nature, and focused on crying out for God to heal and deliver the patients. Supper was at seven in the evening, which was followed by Zeller sharing his experiences and testimonies. From nine to ten o'clock at night there was an evening service, frequently attended by local citizens. This service included singing and preaching by Zeller once again. Throughout the day Zeller would be called to speak and minister to visitors who came by the home. It was often difficult for him to even eat his meals in peace. He continued his work until his death on April 18, 1912, when it was taken over by his son Alfred.

Names showing up in blue are other people who have biographies on this web site.