WAS IT A RESURRECTION? A Corpse Revived Two Months After Burial.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 207, 18 June 1887, Page 2

WAS IT A RESURRECTION? A Corpse Revived Two Months After Burial.

TiiKKi: is a little one->tory w liite cottage at 107) Fifth-stveel, which hai been the scene of a most remarkable proceeding. It was the attempt of a grief-stricken mother to bring her (laughter back to life after two months. The south half of the little cottage is occupied by Mrs Anna Stickney, a widow. She is a fine looking woman j about 40 years old. Mrs Stickney sat in a well furnished room one morning and told her remarkable story. *" "My daughter Cora,"' she said, "died November 30th. She had been ill about eight weeks. Her body was placed in a vault at Lakewood Cemetery. During her illneFtf I was converted to the faith cure by a cure wrought by Rev. R. A. Torrcy. About ten days after her death 1 becft'no impressed witli the idea of resurrecting by prayer. The thought impre^ecl me strongly ; so much that I think Sod placed it there. I prayed constantly for my daughter and broached the matter at a meeting of the Faithists, at Mrs C. Stratton'fe home, 609, Madison-street. There were three or four ladies there. I told them that I wanted their prayers for my daughter. They were greatly surprised, and even startled, but they acceded to my request. We prayed a great deal. Finally I concluded to bring the body to my house. The body was removed one week from last Tuesday and laid upon a couch. Every day a little knot of ladies would gather about her with me and we would pray. " Last Sunday night I saw signs of life. For six hours there were signs of life— from 5.30 to 11.30. Oh, no; I was not mistaken, I could not be mistaken. lam as sure of it as I am sure them is a heaven. Still I was greatly surprised. I expected to see her rise in perfect health. I was certain that she would. The first indication was a high temperature of the body. I turned to the other ladies and asked them to leave the room. All did so but Mrs Allen, who remained for a few minutes. I placed my hands on the abdomen ;it moved slightly. Then I became aware of a strong odour of brandy. That was the last thing she took before .she died. Then I placed my head upon her breast. I MO her heart ilutter. The lungs were partially inflated. The respiration started —very faint, it is true, but still distinct. Mrs Allen had loft the room after the second breath. " I was sure she was returning to life. In my eagerness I started to rub the body, hoping, to hasten circulation. I had rubbed some time, when I felt the body getting stiff and cold in my hands. I started back in agony ; all signs of life had disappeared. It was a judgment for my lack of faith. I wanted to interfere with God's work. I did not have enough faith. Did I believe God would answer my prayer ? Most assuredly. I believe God is just the same as he was in the days of the Apostles, and that he will answer prayers of faith. Had I had enough faith, my daughter would be alive and well. Can you imagine my agony after I discovered what my interference had done ? I never want to do anything like it again." Mrs Stickney refused to say how the body had been removed from the cemetery and when it had been taken from the house. She was also silent when asked where the body is at present. The remains, she says, were not at all decomposed, but apparently perfectly natural. The proceedings were conducted with the greatest secrecy. Only five people knew anything about them. Even the family who occupy the house with Mrs Stickney were in ignorance. Mrs Allen, Mrs Stratton, Mrs Swett, and Mrs Stanley, all of whom reside in the vicinity, corroborate Mrs Stickney's story. They say she is a Christian woman, of good common sense and rare intelligence. Mrs Stickney is a recent convert to the faith cure, although she has long been prominent in church circles. Her daughter Cora was 19 years of age, and was employed as bookkeeper in Calhoun & Long's dry goods store. Overwork caused consumption of the blood. She would bleed for hours from the nose, and the blood would exude from the pores of the flesh. While she was sick Rev. R. A. Tory effected a temporary cure by faith. The bleeding stopped immediately after he began praying, but when a caller came the girl told her mother not to tell him how she had been cured. The bleeding commenced again and death resulted. This converted Mrs Stickney to the faith cure. It is said that Mrs Stickney is still confident that her daughter will be resurrected-