Margaret Thornton

The mercy and love of God have been extended to me for the past sixty-one years. It was in the spring of 1907 that I had the wonderful privilege of attending some services at a little meeting place at Second and Main Street in Portland, Oregon, where the Latter Rain Gospel was being preached. Although I was just a young school girl, the Lord revealed the plan of salvation to me and I received Him into my heart. It was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me, and today I cherish the memories of those days as something very special.

God saved not only me, but also several members of my family, and we had the privilege of serving God together. The thought of the soon coming of Jesus was held before us constantly. It was the main topic of our conversation when the family was together; how He would come, at what time, and what we might be doing. We expected Jesus any time and tried to keep ourselves ready for His appearance.

The years have gone by and during this ‘waiting period’ I have seen the Lord do marvelous things for His people. I can point to miracles I have seen in the healing of the sick. I have felt that mighty healing touch many times myself. In fact, the only reason I can praise Him now is because of a miraculous healing of my body in 1967.

I had what appeared to be a severe heart attack and pneumonia. I was unable to care for myself or even to pray for myself. How thankful I am for faithful prayers that went up for me! The pain in my chest was almost unbearable. Nerve spasms shook my body every four or five minutes. I was unable to lie down, and part of the time I had to have my face almost touching my knees in order to breathe.

One night, when it seemed I would not live very long, all at once I was wide awake and alert. I was alone, but I sensed something had happened. Suddenly I realized that awful pain was gone from my chest—what a relief! I was afraid to move for fear it might come back. I sat real still for a short time, then moved my shoulders just a little and waited. The pain didn’t come back. Three times I did this, raising my shoulders a little more each time. Then I took courage and sat up straight, laying my head on the pillows that lined the overstuffed chair where I was sitting. I found I could breathe normally! It was then I realized the Lord had been there with His healing touch. I took no medicine, no home remedies, and no doctor examined me. The prayers that had gone up for me reached the Throne and God answered. After a period of recuperation, I returned to my work in the church office helping to get the Gospel out to others.

Today the signs of the Lord’s coming are greater than ever before. It is my desire to be ready, watching, and waiting for His appearance.