CHRISTIAN HEALING MISSION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 54, 28 November 1923, Page 8

CHRISTIAN HEALING MISSION

THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. PAUL’S

REMARKABLE TESTIMONIES THE BLIND AND THE LAME CURED A sendee of thanksgiving, at which tho Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott) read numerous testimonies to the benefits received through intercession and the laying-on of hands by Mr. J. Hickson during tho recent mission here, was largely attended at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral yesterday morning. The service was fully choral, and Holy Communion was celebrated by the Bishop. The epistle was read by Archdeacon Johnson, and the gospel by Archdeacon Innes-Jones. The Bev. W. Fancourt, of St. Thomas's Church, Newtown, preached from St. John 19-20: “Then came Jesus and stood in tho midst.” He spoke of tho lack of faith of the disciples in the resurrection of Christ, despite repeated assurances that Ho had been seen, and how all doubts wore dispelled by tho revelation at the breaking of the bread, and perplexity gave way to joy and certainty in the truth of Christ’s promise. The heart of religion was being in contact with tho living Christ, the certainty that He was in our midst as always. It was. this experience that had upheld famous martyrs and missionaries in times of danger and death. Religion was not a mere matter of faith, not a mere matter of taking the word of Christ, but tho experience of His companionship. Tho lessons of tho mission, than which none more marvellous had ever been held in Wellington, and which had brought many wonderful gifts, was that of forgetfulness of self in thought for others, and its greatest value was the realisation of the ever abiding presence of Christ. Altogether some 150 testimonials to benefits from the mission have been sent in to the secretary, and yesterday 30 more were received. Some of the most striking were read by th? Bishop, who stated that many cases were still being investigated. Remarkable Cures. The most remarkable of the cures mentioned wore as follows: — A Mother’s Testimony.—“My little baby, aged 6 months, was, as far as the doctors could tell, born blind. I had him under tho doctors for somo time as he was physiqily weak as well. There was no improvement. I took him to the Christian healing mission, and since then there has been a great improvement in the child in every way. His sight is gradually coming, and he can now see us, but does not quite fix his object. I frel confident, .the. cure will continue,, and in a very short time my boy will be quite strong and well, and mv husband and myself are very thankful to God for His great goodness to us.” Curs of Deafness in Rtelit Ear.— “So very much improved that 1 can hear a clock ticking when the left ear is closed.” Testimony from a Nurse.. —“Two rears ago I incurred an accident to my eye. which necessitated an operation and part of the iris had to be taken out. Tho doctor told me that I should be thankful for keeping the eye, and that I must not except to see with it again. Latterly the drain was so great on the other eye that I had to have my lens changed every t wo months. Ton days before the mission tho sight began to come hack to i? v blind eye. I can now see to read clearly with both eyes and distinguish everything. For years I have been a martyr to sciatica; since the mission all my suffering has passed, n’Vl I can now sleep soundly. The stiffness in my knee joints is lessening. Last Sun day night for the first time for years I was able to stand throughout tho A Mother’s Testimony; Child’s Dislocated Hips.—“Mv little girl has suffered from dislocated bins from birth, and has boom under medical attention from crawling age. She has been in plastcr-of-Paris for tho past three years. I took her to the Wellington mission and when hands wore laid upon her the plaster broke, and I feel sure this was intended to bo a sign of her recovery. Our doctor examined her this week (November 18-25), and be lioves she is completely cured. But I have to take her for another examination next month. I am sure that tho Blessing of God sought for and iv. ceived at tho mission has followed the doctor’s treatment of her.”. Eyesight Restored. —“I wish to give thanks for great benefit received through the healing mission.. I vt.nt as a patient with weak eyesight. At the service on Thursday my sight was restored, and I can see as I never have seen before, having worn glasses as a small child. I can see perfectly now.” Other Striking Cases. Other cases in which benefit Lad been received were recorded ns under: A Wairarapa Case.—A woman, suffering from valvular disease of. the which was intensified hy« influenza a few months ago, had been laid up ever since, and for the past few weeks lind been in a hospital. The doctors thought she would lie there for months. She was prayed for at the mission, and the following Sunday slie was taken home on medical advice. She is feeling very well. Paralysis.-—A young woman, whose arm has been paralysed for six years, gradually recovered during the preparation' services for the mission. She is now able to carry a kettle of water with the o«ice useless arm, and can fold it behind her back. Atrerial Failure in Both Legs.—A man, who is suffering from arterial failure in both legs, . and was stated -by the doctors to bo incurable, is rc.w able to ascend a steep bill without his sticks. Tuberculosis. —A woman who had been suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs for eight years, had. spent sovcraf months from time to time in hospital shelter and Otaki Sanatorium, and had often to give up work and rest owing to lack of strength, began to feel her health recovering and strength returning during the time of preparation for the mission. three weeks after the laying-on of hands she was examined by tho doctor who bad attended her for many years, who savs that the lungs are perfectly wi-li. Broken Leg.—A woman, very lame, and crippled through the effect of a broken leg. can now walk in an agile manner. Swellings on her side and ! breast, which gave great pain. have now entirely disappeared.