Rev. Morgan Edwards, a respected New Jersey clergyman, told this well-documented story regarding a woman named Hannah Carman who died in Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1776. A. J. Gordon (1836–1895), in his book The Ministry of Healing, relayed it in Edwards’ own words:
At the 25th year of her age, Hannah got a fall from a horse, which so hurt her back that she was bowed down and could in no wise lift herself up. Her limbs were so affected that she was a perfect cripple, not able to walk nor help herself in the smallest matters.
One day the young woman who cared for her went into the garden. She had not been long in the garden before she heard a rumbling noise in the house. She hastened in, thinking Hannah had tumbled out of her chair; but how was she surprised to see the cripple in the far end of the room praising God who had made her whole every whit.
Her neighbor came in haste and was equally astonished, for Hannah was in an ecstasy, running about the house, moving chairs and tables from place to place, going to her bedroom, walking, and every now and then falling on her knees to praise God.
Hannah soon explained, “While I was musing on the words, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole,’ I could not help breathing out my heart in the following manner: ‘O that I had been in Aeneas’ place!’ Upon that I heard an audible voice saying, ‘Arise, take up thy bed and walk!’ The suddenness of the voice made me start in my chair; but how was I astonished to find my back strengthening and my limbs recovering. I got up, and to convince myself that it was reality and not a vision, I lifted up my chair and whatever came in my way till I was convinced the cure was real and not a dream or delusion.”
Robert J. Morgan