SPIRITUAL HEALING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 10

SPIRITUAL HEALING

, A (SUSSEX VILLAGE. MB HICKSON’S MISSION. (Feom Oub Own Cobbespondent.l LONDON, May 30l / At the village of Brede, Sussex, intercessory work has been going on in connection with the Christian Healing Mission, conducted hy Mr J. M. Hickson, who shortly intends going to New Zealand. He went to Brede with the consent of the bishop, and an account of what happened has been gent to the Guardian:— “During the week 'previous the .Holy Sacrifice was offered daily with special intention for the work of the mission; later'in the morning there was a quiet hour for prayer, and a dhdrt address was riven and intercessions made at evensong. Mr Hickson told us his first message in a little, old grey church to simple country folk. We were reminded again of the love of Christ and of His mighty compassion, g.nd how He jHwer rejected the sick one who came for ■ cleansing and healing. He never suggested that illness was ‘ godly discipline,’ ohd therefore to be, as it were, encouraged. Always Ho healed. Because His Church has neglected the gift of healing, that is no reason for imagining 'that the power to heal has been taken from her. “ Next day the village green was -thronged with cars and carriage, and even u char-a-banc or two, bringing ‘the lame, thp halt, and the blind from outlying villages and farms and from the neighbouring towns. For those who were to receive the imposition of hands tickets had been provided. On these cards was written the name of the sufferer, and the nature of the illness, so that Mr Hickson should know exactly for what to pray, and ho was to be accompanied by two priests, one to read the name of the disease to him and one to give tha Church's blessing after he had laid his hands on the individual. Secretaries in the vestry wrote the cards and stewards in the olmreh found seats, helped the crippled' ones, and saw the mothers with the sick children happily placed. There was no excitement, no hurry; the people came simply and naturally, it was all very beautiful and pathetic, the blind, the deaf, a girl in a hath choir, a tiny child with club feet, all coming forward with faith and prayer. A simple hymn was sung, we said our creed, and than the ndsedoner again addressed us, “ After the 'address Mr Hickson, with the two priests, cams down into the nave to minister to such os could not approach the altar rails. A great hush fell, the low voice was heard, and Christ's work of healing began. Up to the altar rails the people went, very quietly and reverently, and quite simply the work went on. It was all very natural after all; people who wished for healing and strength coming to Him Who alone could supply it.’’