FAITH-HEALING IN CUMBERLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9142, 25 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

FAITH-HEALING IN CUMBERLAND.

Some excitement is being created in Maryport (says the Newcastle Chronicle) by the faith-healing services being held there by " Major" Pearson in connection with the local corps of the Salvation Army. There was a numerous attendance at a meeting, and, when the invitation was given to those who wanted healing to come forward, there was quite a rush towards the platform. A large number of people then closed around the invalids, and a very earnest prayer - meeting ensued. The "Major" exhorted the company to believe, and not to be afraid of shouting " Amen" and exclamations of that kind, and his instructions were obeyed. One man took his coat off, whilst others showed by the swaying movement of their bodies and the swinging of their arms that they were desperately in earnest. Another hymn having been sung, the " Major proceeded to lay his hands on the heads of those who had come out for healing. Then he called for testimonies. The first to rise was a young man who had a swelling on the right side of his face, and which he said had been cured. This was visibly not the fact, and, on being questioned on the subject, he said he believed it was going to be taken away. The next to rise was a woman, who said she had been cured of deafness. The " Major" held a watch to her ear, when she said she could hear it ticking, but it was a louder one than her own. A less*watch was produced with the same result, but it was evident from the look and manner of the "Major" that he did not consider the case much of a cure. " She hears better than she did," he remarked, as he passed on to the next. A woman then came forward, and said she had been afflicted with rheumatism for six years, and during that time had been unable to put her own clothes on or off. She then threw up her left arm to show that she was cured, but, when told to put her other hand to her head, she was unable to do so. On trying again, she succeeded, after which she declared emphatically that all her pains had left her. Several others declared themselves cured of various ailments. The last subject was a blind boy. After putting a watch before his face, the Major' said the boy needed a work of creation, and he did not go in for creation. Some cases, he added, were not fully delivered, but he hoped they would come again. " Major" Pearson held another faith-healing meeting in the Athen«um on another night. A large number of people came up to be healed. A woman who was afflicted with paralysis fainted, and had to be taken out of the meeting. A woman from Flimby, who has been deaf for four years, and was fifteen weeks in Liverpool Infirmary, asserted that she was completely cured. A medical gentleman who was present expressed himself as perfectly' satisfied that the cure was complete. A man who had been lame for five years was also cured. He ran and jumped about the room. There were several people, however, who were not cured.