ORTHODOX CHURCH MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1920, Page 6

ORTHODOX CHURCH MOVEMENT

PROGRESS IN CALIFORNIA

(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LOS ANGELES, 17th February. A remarkable movement in this city to revive the work and methods of Christ in healing the sick, as 1 an Apostolic activity with Scriptural authority, has taken the form of an organisation of prominent ministers and laymen representing a large number of loading evangelical churches and of a' plan of operation including lectures and sermons, prayer meetings and classes for the study of healing. The movement does not -conform to nor agree with Christian Science teachings. Neither is it intended to combat that or other organisations. Some of the members plainly state, however, that a large number of people have gone from the churches to healing organisations and express tho belief' that the churches can and should hold their members more firmly by definitely including bodily healing in their work. So far as it has been tried it is declared to be- practical and successful. Some idea of the progress made by Christian Science may be gained from the fact that in Los Angeles with a population of about 700,000, there are eleven churches oT Cn'riot Scientist, most of which hold 3000 worshippers at all services. The newly-formed Christian: League of Healing does not deny the existence of sin and disease, but affirms the power of God to triumph over them. It holds God's power to heal as transcending all earthly science, and expresses faith in the power of divinity when science has failed. It supports the work of the doctors and therapeutic agencies and methods used in conformity with natural laws. Its healing work is to be done without fee or reward. MANY CHURCHES PARTICIPATING. Healing activities have been taken up by all the usual orthodox churches, except the Roman patholic. The Episcopal Church (the American Church of England) is taking-a prominent part in the movement. The first step is to lay the foundation by study and lectures by the minister, then regular meetings are held for the discussion and study of Christian healing, and to help afflicted ones through prayer. Good success is reported in specific cases. The arrival of Mr. James Moore Hickson, who has a record of healings m England and in this country, is giving' a great impetus to. the movement. At Pasadena, near this city, Mr. Hickson is helping hundreds. He is an Episcopal layman, and he meats the people at AJi Sainte' Church in that city. There were no spectacular cases of instantaneous healing, it was reported, yet a very real change was,seen. Pain-racked faces had lost lines of suffering. One woman who walked in on a crutch was able to walk ont without it, and. another woman suddenly lost her deafness,' witnesses said. , Mr. Hickson treated 300 people on the first day) ana 700 rteiA fccv Inm on the following day. -