In about three weeks I fainted and fell to the floor, and remained nearly unconscious about thirty-six hours. It was feared that I could not live, but in answer to prayer I again revived. One week later I received a shock upon my left side. I had a strange sensation of coldness and numbness in my head, and severe pain in my temples. My tongue seemed heavy and numb; I could not speak plainly. My left arm and side were helpless. I thought I was dying, and my great anxiety was to have the evidence in my sufferings that the Lord loved me. For months I had suffered continual pain in my heart, and my spirits were constantly depressed. I had tried to serve God from principle without feeling, but I now thirsted for the salvation of God, I longed to realize His blessing notwithstanding my physical suffering. {1T 93.1}

Omkring tre uger senere besvimede jeg og faldt om på gulvet og forblev næsten bevidstløs i omkring seksogtredive timer. Man frygtede, at jeg ikke kunne overleve, men som svar på bøn livede jeg atter op. En uge senere fik jeg et stød i min venstre side. Jeg havde en mærkelig følelse af kulde og følelsesløshed i mit hoved og stærke smerter i mine tindinger. Min tunge syntes at være tung og følelsesløs; jeg kunne ikke tale klart. Min venstre arm og side var hjælpeløs. Jeg troede, at jeg var ved at dø, og min store ængstelse var i mine lidelser med sikkerhed at vide, at Herren elskede mig. I månedsvis havde jeg lidt af konstant smerte i hjertet, og mit humør var hele tiden nedtrykt. Jeg havde prøvet at tjene Gud af princip uden følelser, men nu tørstede jeg efter Guds frelse, jeg længtes efter at erfare hans velsignelse til trods for min fysiske lidelse.