Faith-Healing

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 13

Faith-Healing

Sir, —The scathing'rebuke issued, by Canon Percival James from the pulpit of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral on Sunday evening last would certainly be warranted if no cures or healings by faith were proven. . ... St Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, definitely states “that to some (mark the word some) the gift of healing is given by the Holy. Spirit. To others is given the gift of .faith. prophesy, of the working of miracles', and of the gift of interpreting tongues.. At present the diecussion is on faithhealing. Does the reverend gentleman forget that Mr. J. M. Hickson conducted a healing mission under the auspices of his own 'church, and was instrumental m bringing about a number of cures? . . . At a later date we had the healing ministrations of Ratana the Maori faith healer, Whose cures were.numerous. I quite agree with Canon James that the amount of misery, and disease that exists to-day is appalling, and when one reads that man was made in. God’s own image, it is more appalling still. Christ, when on earth, went about healing continuously. The disciples and apostles did also, at the direct command of the Master, and the Apostle. Paul states definitely that to some are given the gifts of healing. Cannot some of the faith-healers of today (earnest, God-fearing men, most of them) be considered as carrying on the commands of the Master? The church has certainlv forfeited her ministry ot healing, and must set about putting her house in order if she is to gain the confidence of her people again. In conclusion I refer to Janies v.. verses 13 to 16, wherein is given instruction «s to the healing of the sick aud weary.—l am, etc., BRIAN HEWITT. Wellington, October 26.

Sir, —Canon James’s remarks on “Faith Healjng” in the extracts from a sermon published in your issue of October 25 call for some comment. He seems to infer that disease is, or may be, the will of God because some sufferers have developed beauty of character and spiritual power under, affliction. While not denying that this is true, did not our Master refer to a sick woman whom be healed as one “whom batan hath bound low these eighteen years. . It is Satan or the Adversary—that is, a power that opposes God and not toe divine Creator Himself that is the cause of sickness. On the contrary God, as the Psalmist says, "healeth all thy diseases.” ... While not wishing in any way to DClittle the splendid work of those who arc engaged in the medical and surgical field, aud whose efforts have eased the sufferings of countless thousands by material methods, surely it is hardly correct to say that they arc the legitimate successors of the Master and.iiis disciples, whose methods were entirely spiritual? What is needed in these days is not less but more faith in God, and it is a matter io be sincerely thankful for. that throughout the world it is. a fact thousands are by prayer and spiritual understanding being healed of diseases aud other afflictions that have defied the most skilful efforts of doctors. Surely a minister of the Church, one would think, should treat the subject witli a lit lie more sympathy, instead of characterising the attitude of those who turn to God, and not to the physicians, for help, as “credulity and superstition.” In conclusion might I say that if the canon will read carefully the fifth chapter of the epistle of the New Testament writer whose name be bears he .will find these words: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him . . . and the praver of faith shall save the sick, and the’Lord shall raise him up."— 1 am 6tC ” W.F.K.