Rose Cummings

I was born in England, and from the time I was able to carry a pitcher—I was just a tiny little tot—my mother took me to the saloon. When I was old enough to reach the bar, we stood at it together and drank. She was an infidel. I never heard a prayer in our home, and I was taught to believe there was nothing to religion, that it was a myth. Mother used to say, “All the Hell we get, we get right here on earth, and when we die, we die like a dog.” Because of this, I did not believe in Hell, and if there was no Hell, I was going to have a good time—whatever money and liquor could bring. Instead, I found misery and remorse. I became a deep-dyed sinner, a fallen woman, and a drunkard.

One day when I was drunk on the street, I was picked up and put in a patrol wagon. I was told I would be placed in jail if I did not get off the streets permanently, so I went into a reformatory for six months. It did not do me any good—the minute I got out and had a little money, I went right back into sin. Many times, I woke up after being drunk and wished I was dead or that there was some way out of this life style. Finally, I was forced to leave the country because of my bad character. No one wanted a woman like me around.

I traveled five thousand miles to Portland, Oregon. I thought I could turn over a new leaf, but I became worse. I married a man who owned a saloon on Sixth street, and then I was just like the woman at the well, because I had already had four husbands in England. For the next six years, I was hardly ever sober, and I went to dances almost every night of the week. Eventually, my body broke down and I could not do a day’s work.

Sometimes I wondered why I had come to America, but now I know that God brought me here. I never dreamed He would come into my life, but one day when I was forty years old, I was handed an Apostolic Faith paper while standing on Third street. I read in that paper about a fallen, drunken woman who was saved. I saw that God was real in her life, and could give me something real, too. I said, “If God gave her a chance, surely He will give me one.”  

I went to an Apostolic Faith meeting in a sick and miserable condition. My lungs were diseased from a life of sin, and I could scarcely talk. The people who were there prayed for me and God marvelously healed me. I said, “Oh God, if You can heal my body, You can save my soul.” I went to the altar, and the mountains of sin seemed too high. God showed me how I had wronged others. I thought He could never forgive me for the things I had done, but when I finished praying an honest prayer, He spoke peace to my soul. He saved me and instantly delivered me from alcohol.

After I was saved, I wrote to my eighty-year-old mother in England about what God had done for me. I sent her an Apostolic Faith paper, and after reading it, she repented of her sin and God saved her, too. Today she is safe in the arms of Jesus.

For thirty-three years, I have proved that God is real and there is power in the Blood of Jesus. God restored my health and strength, and He gave me a good reputation. I used to think the grave was the end of everything, but today I know Christ is real, and someday I will meet Him and stand before His Throne. I used to go to bed in fear and dread, but now I lie down in peace and rest. In the morning, I wake up and praise God. I thank Him for this wonderful Gospel.