THE HALT AND THE BLIND

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1923, Page 11

THE HALT AND THE BLIND

PATIENTS SHOW IMPROVEMENT

ST. MATTHEWS CHURCH ' THRONGED YESTERDAY.

(»I TEIEQRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 2nd October.

The. Hickson mission was continued K>-day, when the scene during the arrival of patients was very much the same as on the opening day. The footpaths outside St. Matthew's. Church were thronged with onlookers. St. John Ambulance officers carried or wheeled helpless patients into the church, where the service was marked by great religious fervour. ■After the laying on of hands, Mrs. Rtchens, of New Lynn,: was seen holding the hand of a nine-year-old boy stricken seven years' ago by infantile paralysis. "He has never been able: to run or walk like other children,", she Baid, "and up to a short time ago his legs were so twisted that he could not stand straight. Look at them now!" At this the child proudly straightened his., pitiful little legs and locj ed down with a beaming smile on his feet, not turned inwards as before, but straight out as children's feet should be. Nearby sat a man with a happy smile. "It..is quite true," he said, "I have known the little boy for a long time, and he has | never stood so straight before.' 1 One of the helpers told of a case of healing of which more will probably be heard later, that of a lady who was led into the hall by a friend, and, appearing to be rather exhausted, was taken into a quiet room. A little while later, she' suddenly exclaimed: "I can! see ! There are chairs, and you have blue on your, dress." She said that she had been almost blind for eight years. Other cases where patients have benefited are reported. One young man is said to have gone to the church using crutches, but when he left he carried his crutches out. '

Accompanied by Bishop Averill and clergy, Mr. Hickson visited the Archhill Mental Hospital, where about forty patients, including several. children arid bed-ridde"n cases, were presented. Mr. Hickson went to each in turn, laying his hands on his or her head, and uttered a simple prayer for the relief of the sufferer's disorder. ■ '■■ '