THE HICKSON MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 219, 13 September 1923, Page 8

THE HICKSON MISSION.

A CAUTIOUS CLERGYMAN. "NO EVIDENCE OF CUBES." PLAJX TALK BY CAXOX JAMES. PROPER INVESTIGATION" ASKED. "HOXOUR OF CHURCH INVOLVED.' This morning a "Star- representative visited St. -Marys Cathedral. Parnell and remained throughout a long inter ceasorv service, conducted by eanoi James", in which prayers were offeret and tho mprciful dispensation of <*oc asked for the recovery of the sick ant suffering. In a congregation number in<r fo^ty-three, tliere were crippled, deaf, partially blind and people other wise iiliysieally attticated, and some, whole themselves, who had come t< intercede for others too ill to leave ther homes. Several of such services have been belt at St. Mary's, as a kind of "prepara tion - ' for the Hickson Healing Mission Observing one woman on crutches am another who was very lame (the. con gregation wa> almost entirely made v) of women) experien;-iu« great difficult; in descending the .-lej's loading from thi Altar afler the service, hx well a several uther infirm people, who had no palpably benelited by their experience the "Star"' representative ,-hortly after wards asked'(. niioii James had an; "cures", been reported in connection will these services. "Some toll mc they are better, am some seem u> have improved in health, , replied the Vicar of Si. Mary's; "but cannot say that I can honestly testif; to any actual cures. No. I could no take that upon myself." (anon .lames was then asked hi straight, opinion concerning the Hicksoi Mission, and. after some rejection, h gave the reporter the following con sidered interview: — "Mr. James Hickson has reached Auck and and some 3000 sick people—sutTerin from every type of malady that i found amongst us—are to receive fron him tlie laying on of hands. None cai remain unmoved by tliis spectaclf What has brought these men and wome: to him? I have consulted many of m; brother clergy and their experience i al?o my own— these patients have beei convinced that through Mr. Hiekson' ministry many remarkable euros o bodily disease have been effected. Thei attitude is nearly always "others hay been cured, why should I not be cure* too?' . They have been taught durin; the last few months, by tlie Anglieai Church, that Mr. Hickso.n has come ti restore 'the apostolic gift of healin; the bodies as well as the souls of men and that he himself possesses the "gif of healing influence,' which is one o the "gifts of the Holy Spirit.' Our peo p!e have been taught to pray in church and daily in their homes, that th Almighty Father would "shed abroad ii our hearts the spirit of expectancy that ti:o visit of thy servant. Jame Hickson. may be richly blessed.' "Our church has scattered broadcas an enormous output of pamphlets an tracts-all containing vague allusions t< remarkable and abundant cures tha have occurred wherever Mr. Hickson ha ministered. Xow we hear that six cure have taken place in the preparation ser vices in Auckland—but there is no cvi deuce vouchsafed to us. And here come Mr. Hickson announcing that 'the cure in the mission in Australia are too num erous for him to select examples. Ther had. however, been many physical cure of chronic and organic disease.' "What is the nature of the testimonon which these great expectations ar based? A leading doctor in Aucklam told the Rev. R. H. Hobday that 'h had carefully studied all the reports h had been able to peruse from Australi; and elsewhere, and had been unable t find a single one properly attested s, that it might become a record of rea scientific value. Not a single datum o measurement has ever been given." '"It does not need a doctor to see this Any thoughtful man will mark the ntte I absence of reliable diagnosis, accurat j record of medical treatment or certifi cate of cur,'. The reports cither do no I understand, or else wholly ignore th essentials of sound testimony. Thes 300(1 people in Auckland are mostl jdraw,, to the mission by the cumula tive efiect of the enormous mass of vi verified, unreliable reports of curei Then, as elsewhere, the church ha aroused the spirit of expectancy with vengeance!" i "Nov.. I desire to plead with all th I friends of tiie mission that they wil iin the interests of truth, endeavour t μ-emed- this great defect in Australi and aUewhcre. A committee ought t Ibe formed of men who have the co, p neienee i>l the community. i t m j ttn ■consist of nine persons-four minister of religion (say two Anglican, one Pre^ l.ytena.i, and one Methodist), four lea, ing medical n.en who specialise in di ferent branches, with. say. „ lawyer ( ;l> gh standing as chairman. A numbe ,ot ypi,a reported cu^ s could then b investigated by this committee I "1 submit that this is the bounde , duty nt the church. Thee tremen" v leainis are accepted largely because t I whole pre-tiap of our ancient Churc ferm, ro be behind them. They Z claims whi.-h ,•„,) b P easily ! •« That „„ £ made to verity them is not credit ,li' St; .haT'JfM lhe cou,miu, !, „ ,■"' of H,p "rranwment an.! eomlnet of tho mission to take th sdith>:hx d;-;lk;atiun. arrmyjcrr.i-UH fur Ins v i-it Sout'.i J", ! delegates are to meet Mr »;,,,. .afifrn.,..,.. -nter ; e,s o ry > :-.ein2 lontinued daily iU st \i. . M iibur.il. Auckland, 'and the ■ land Liefore the openins of tin. n • ■' but it has been decided that notliTn* • !he done before October 1 H ■?= Wl his service's at S t. raft^noons 31 "" 11 "**££