THE DALLIMORE MISSION.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20731, 16 December 1932, Page 16

THE DALLIMORE MISSION.

TO I'Hr. EDITOH OF THE rBESS. Sir,—While, like your article, the report of tho committee of enquiry into the alleged cures at tho Revival Fire Mission now being conducted by Mr A. IT. Dallimoro in Auckland will carry much weight with fair-minded people, it must not be expected to discredit tho movement with its more enthusiastic supporters and sympathisers. But when we come into closer contact with tho subject w« have an immense task before us. What with the variety ot authorities, and other kinds of knowledge and experience, not to mention the implications of much that usually goes by the name of Christian beliefs, wo have to wall* warily. It is easy to dismiss Dallimore and his tribe as fanatics prosecuting what they believe to be their mission under the forms and phrases of tho Christian religion. But what of the deplorable and cruel episode of the Hickson mission, sponsored and organised by so dignified and conservative an institution as -.10 Anglican Church? What of tho almost unlimited powers attributed to faith in such works as "The Faith that Rebels," which made stiqh a favourable impression in theological circles two or three years ago? Where are we indeed when it comes to the pressing and even painful problem ns to the existence fo supernatural powers_ and agencies, good and evil, abroad in the world. I was amazed to read the pronouncement of his Grace Archbishop Julius on the subject of the loss of the Southern Cross, when he said: "All the ills of Nature are results caused by evil spirits which are lying round about us. . . When this vessel went out the forces of evil probably marshalled against her." I confess it never occurred to me to in that way for the four or five mission ships lost by the London Missionary Societv since it commenced operations. What a tangle such a thought makes of things) . I hold no brief either for Mr Dallimore or the thing he stands for. It seems clear that the alleged cures under the auspices of the mission were felt as a challenge to the intelligence of the community, and that those implicated do not come out of the enquiry creuitably. But the mission ought to set self-possessed, dignified, well-balanced, discreet Christian people wondering where they would be if they took as seriously, and worked at as wholeheartedly as Mr Dallimore, the beliefs thev hold in common.—Yours, etc., S. December 13th, 1932.