THE HICKSON MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 256, 26 October 1923, Page 8

THE HICKSON MISSION.

(To the Editor, i Sir, —It is stated in last Saturday's "Auckland Star" that your correspondent, J. Liddell Kelly, had not read or heard of a single case of genuine "healing," supported by evidence that would stand for a minute in a "court of law." In a court of justice some Auckland cases would stand the test. If your correspondent got the list of names and addresses of over a hundred patients who were cured or benefited, and visited them all, he would, I am sure, find some cases that would stand the teat in a court of justice. As for the "credulous" clergy, being credulous proves their belief or faith. If they were not credulous they lacked belief or faith, and were therefore sceptics. Spiritual healing is done by faith, and not doubt or scepticism. Mr. Hickson, while in Auckland, said that the people in India and the East were more credulous, or had more .a.ith and belief, than in some other countries, therefore greater and more numerous cures were made there. Some h.%ve got some belief or faith with the mission here, and the more they nurture it the greater spiritual benefits and spiritual healing of their bodies will follow. Jesus Christ's words, "As your faith is so shall it be unto you," still apply to the twentieth century to those who acQUire faith, have faith, and cultivate it. Years ago I suffered from deafness, and in an intensity oi emotion over it one day I took it rifrlit then in an earnest prayer to the Groat Physician, and told him that I had absolute and supreme faith that He would cure my deafness within seven days. Ou the sixth day my hearing became perfect just with maintaining, or keeping, my preat faith. At the Hickson Healing Mission I went up to the altar for another affliction, and just before 1 went up I had faith I should be cured, and I was cured. But I could not prove it in a "court of law."—l am etc., FAITH.

(Tn the Editor.* | Sir,—"H.R.H." says that "Mr. Liddell Kolly is quite mistaken in saying that all the sufferers expected to be made whole," but Mr. Kelly asks that only one example of a genuine ease of bodily healing by Mr. Hickson will come forward and testify. So far we do not hear of one, but perhaps some who may feel more comforted in mind as to their future state. As 3lr. Liddell Kelly has before maintained, surely there could have been found one Protestant or Christian clergyman who would be capable of giving such a message from tlie i one and only divine Healer. It does seem extraordinary that, considering the learning and knowledge of our Master's teachings and example I our clergy must have, they should lend themselves to bolster up wandering so-1 called spiritual healers. Notwithstand- I ing all "H.R.H." may maintain, many hundreds of sufferers were led to believe that Mr. Hickson had the Divine power ; from the Master, and with his touch say, "Arise, take up thy bed and walk; j thy faith hath made thee whole." What I a piteous mockery is being tolerated in ; our midst. "H.R.H." says: "As we do not know i much about Divine or spiritual law, our i faith must supply the place of know- i 'ed<re and incline us to resignation," etc. ! Yes, just so perhaps, but what are our many good clergy that they must needs enlist the services of an outsider to preach this spirit of resignation to us? I As to the sneer at the medical profes- i sion, it is cheap. The medical profes-'-t sion is a, jjrand one. of life long and age ■ long study to alleviate incurable disease, remedy those that are curable, with small failures considering the millions treated from day to day. Their efforts . will last with us, while quacks take toll and come and go. Let us meanwhile try and learn and realise the love of our Divine Master through His ap- ' pointed messengers here, our Christian ; clergy. —I am, etc., A.H.M.B. j

(To the Editor.) J S ; r. —Unlike your correspondent "H.R.H." I appreciate Mr. Liddell Kelly's j straight remarks re result of the Hick- . «on Mission. With him I have not a|. particle of faith in religious fermentation. Your correspondent wishes to know if the medical profession restores all to health. Does he put The Almighty to whom "nothing is impossible," on =uch an uncertain footing? Does not the New Testament record "and \ straightway she was -whole," and "1 j say unto thee arise, and she arose?" I According to the record, Mr. Kelly is right, for every case (except where faith was wanting) received, without any preparation, perfect cure. Your correspondent speaks of "modern Christians." \ W T hat does he call -those who were said to be "co-workers with Christ" in even raising the dead? If "modern Christians" exist, then the sooner they forsake their j modernism the better for them and the AVorld. There is too much assertion to-day, with a "heada I win, and tails you lose" policy, i.e., if there appears to be a cure, praise God, aild if not, though He has promised to answer the prayer of faith, don't murmur at the conitrnd'etion. I agree with the late T. De Witt Talmags that these "shooting stars'' do more harm than good. The Church is evidently in a bad way to need these questionable practices. —• j I am, etc., 1 NO MODERN CHRISTIAN. iTj the Edltoi.j Sir, —I asVed for evidence of a single case of genuine "healing" accomplished j through the mediumship of Mr. Hick- j son; the only reply comes from ; "H.R.H.," who disclaims any connection ! with the Mission, but asserts that the partial cures were more numerous than , the "hundred or so" cases which 1 j admitted showed some alleviation. He j bases his correction on the number of , cures reported in your columns. He j must have used a strong magnifying or | multiplying glass when reading, for 1 j certainly saw no report of more than | fifty cases. As a matter of fact, so i small was the expectation of cures on j the par: of the general public that no j one seems to have thought it worth j while to keep a record. All the talk '■ about the power of prayer and the j failure of medical men to cure disease 18 i quite beside the question. I want to see j results from the Hirkson method. As ! for destroying faith, it is surely a merit j to destroy belief in teach- ] ings and practices. Let us have facts-— ! not pleasing theories and vain delusions. —I am, etc., J. LIDDE'LL KELLY.