HICKSON MISSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1923, Page 3

HICKSON MISSION

SCENES AT WELLINGTON. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 6. The Hickson Mission opened in St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral to-day, the weather being gloriously fine and bright sunshine welcoming the patients as they came out from the sacred edifice after the laying on of hands, and adding to the gladness already visible on many faces.

The patients began to arrive at ,8.30 and were quickly and quietly ushered to their places. Cot and other serious cases were placed in front of the chancel, and the most serious were treated in the vestry, which was set apart for this special purpose. Before the main service commenced at ten o’clock, the church was packed in every part, over five hundred patients being accommodated therein, in addition to a considerable number of intercessors.

At ten o’clock the Bishop of Wellington, Dr. Sprott, opened a short service, after which Mr. Hickson gave his address on the objects and spirit of the mission. He impressed upon all the necessity of realising that spiritual healing came from Christ, and to remember Christ was there in their midst. That was one thing that would help them all. That realisation was the greatest need of the Church today. Once man’s heart embraced that all his doubts and fears would vanish. God was a God of love. He did not send disease and sickness into the world. Christ came to take these, things away. His touch still had, through the medium of the Church, its ancient power to heal. Suppliants must not think that disease was a visitation of God. They must not be discouraged if complete healing were not received at once. Prayer, hope, and right living would supply that. The laying on of hands followed, and the organisation was so efficient that, by a quarter past twelve, all the patients were out of the Church. Nurses in uniform assisted patients in the aisles, and tended sufferers as they made slow progress towards the altar rail, where Mr. Hickson laid healing hands on their heads, after which the Bishop administered the Church’s blessing. Thence they moved to the right and left through the vestries, and their places were taken by others. All was done in an orderly manner in an atmosphere of quiet reverence.

Many cases were of people piteously afflicted, but on every face there seemed to shine hope and a firm fixed faith in One Who never failed to send succour to the believer. After the patients had gone, the helpers and intercessors received the healer’s touch, and the service ended with the singing of the Doxology, followed by the Bishop’s benediction. As the patients were removed to •heir homes immediately they left the church, it was not easy to gain information regarding “cures.” Several persons, however, reported feeling greatly improved physically, while evidence of a spiritual uplifting was visible all about. Mention was made of an elderly lady who had not walked for several years, and was able to walk a short distance this afternoon; also of a Petone man, who was several years on crutches, showing with fervent htankfulness, how he could take steps without their aid.

Mr. Hickson visited Porirua Mental Asylum in the afternoon, where a considerable number of afflicted people received a laying on of hands.

The mission continues at St. Paul’s to-morrow and Thursday, about seven hundred patients being due on those two days.