Testimonies Blog

The writer first met Ethan O. Allen at the Old Orchard Convention, over thirty years ago. At that time he was in his early eighties. He told me that for more than fifty years he had done nothing but pray for the sick and the insane, or, as he expressed it, “castin out devils and “healin the sick.” Small of stature and slight of build, he did not seem to carry more pounds than he did years. When I inquired how he had been directed into
this particular line of service, he told me the story of his conversion and healing. He had been a consumptive and disqualified for hard labor, and so had been appointed superintendent of the poor farm. This rather crude institution was not only a home for the indigent, but for the feeble-minded and harmless lunatics as well.

He did not seem to remember just what had induced hire to attend a meeting of the Methodist class leaders that was being held in the country schoolhouse nearby. The night was dreary and wet, but the class leaders were earnest in their testimonies and prayers. At the close one of them said to him, “Brother Allen, don’t you think it is
time for you to seek religion?” He was deeply impressed, and responded to the invitation to come forward for prayer. How intelligently —or otherwise—the subject may have been presented, he did not say; he simply stated the fact of his having accepted Jesus as his Savior, and of the unspeakable joy that filled his soul as a result. There was not only joy in the presence of the angels, hut also in the presence of the class leaders, who celebrated in old-time Methodist style.

After the demonstration had subsided, he said, “Brethren, if you will pray for me, I believe this mighty power that has come upon me will heal my lung.” Such a thing was unheard of, and for a moment the faith of the class leaders was staggered. At last one of them spoke up, and said, “Does it not say `They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover? Then someone suggested that they try it. And lo, to the astonishment of all but Ethan O. Allen, he was instantly and perfectly healed!

Returning to his duties as poor-master, he began to pray for the healing of the sick under his care. Considerable success attended his efforts; and, while he knew that he was the subject of adverse criticism, the fact that the sick were actually healed in answer to his prayers, encouraged him to press on to greater achievements.

Excerpt from “Ethan O. Allen” by William T. MacArthur.