SPIRITUAL HEALING OF BODILY ILLS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 90, 11 January 1924, Page 7

SPIRITUAL HEALING OF BODILY ILLS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES LAMBETH CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT METHODS OF TREATMENT Spiritual healing of bodily ills has been considered by a committee set up by the Lambeth Conference. The committee lays down general principles and suggests methods of treatment. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. London, January 9. The committee appointed by the Lambeth Conference to consider spiritual healing has issued its report. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in his introduction, says that the report only carries the authority of the members of the committee,, but that they are men of capacity, learning and thought, well qualified to handle a difficult subThe report lays down the following gO (l) ra Th P e ri ® w7rk. of the Church in. regard to disease is to develop JR all its members the right attitude of confidence, love, and understanding towards God, to bring those who care for the soul th co-operation with those who care for the body, and to insist on hygiene and plain living as part of the ordinance of God. (2) The churches must sanction methods of religious treatment of bodily disease, alwavs giving full weight to the scientific discoveries of those who are investigating the inter-relation oi spirit, mind, and body. (3) It is not the function of the Church to applv its means of restoration, if no higher end is sought than the recovery of bodily health. the sick must not look to the clergyman to do what the physician and surgeon should do. The Primary Purpose. “Whatever means the Church employs,” continues the report. emphasis should be laid upon the primary purpose of deepening the fellowship with God secured in Christ Jesus. For the purpose of healing, prayer, and sacrament should bo used in conjunction. Before any sacramental rites are employed earnest united prayer should be offered on behalf of the sick person in church as well. as by the patient and his friends at home. “Religious methods are specially appropriate where moral and intellectual difficulties and perplexities have contributed to the disorder. This preliminary treatment requires a real knowledge of moral theology and pyschology: so it is desirable that clergvmen should be adeauately trained. Opnortnnitv should also be given the patient to make a special confession .of sins, and the priest shall absolve him. if he should humbly and heartily be desirous. Then might follow treatment immediately directed to a complete restoration of the pat’ent. This may take the form of unction, that is, the anointing with oil bv the priest, or the laying on of hands either bv the priest or by a lay person, or by both. Sacramental Rites. “These rites have Scriptural authoritv and are sacramental in the sense that they are a b’essing sought and received through the performance of outward visible actions. The motive with which they are used is the dedication of the bodily life of the patient to God’s will. The blessing received will be either a restoration to health or grace to bear sickness patiently. The whole treatment mav appropriately end with the patient’s reception into Holy Communion. “Other methods of procedure are prayer at private gatherings of patients and friends. Sometimes the special gift of. healing seems to be bestowed on a. particular person where there is little corporate action of the Church. It is unnecessary and impracticable to license individual healers _or officially to recognise healing societies.” Professor Clifford Allbutt and Sir R. Jones state that they desire not to associate themselves with the recommendation for the use of unction. ■—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i