THE HEALING MISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15353, 29 September 1923, Page 6

THE HEALING MISSION.

DEEPENING INTEREST. GREAT EXPECTANCY MANIFESTED. As the date for the healing mission to be conducted by Mr J. M. Hickson In Hamilton approaches interest deepens and there is a great feeling of expectancy manifested. All the intercessory services are being largely attended and numerous prayer services are held in private houses at which intercession for the mission and the patients is the keynote. A pleasing feature in connection with these meetings is that members of all denominations are co-operating and it is confidently anticipated that one result of the mission will be a much larger measiAe of Christian unity will be manifested in future than has hitherto been obtained.

Patients are coming to Hamilton over a large area, and arrangements are being made to extend hospitality to them in private homes. The arrangements for the mission are nearly completed and will be announced in due course. In the case of several local patients who have been long afflicted, it is stated that very marked improvement is already noticeable. SERMON AT TE AWAMUTU, At St John’s Anglican church, Te Awamutu, on Sunday last, the vicar (Rev. G. T. Robson) preached an eloqquent sermon on the coming spiritual Healing Mission, taking as his text, Acts 5, 38, 39. “For if this counsel or this work be of men. It will come to nought; but if It be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." The vicar pointed out that there were three classes that were apparently not whole heartedly in favour of the mission; first those that were openly hostile, and very many sarcastic and bitter remarks had been made. About two months ago, in one of his sermons he had said that there would very likely be some controversy about this mission, this forecast had been verified. Secondly there were those who were sceptical about the expected results and even though these may be achieved they very probably would be inclined to put them down to other causes, being apparently afraid to allow any credit to appertain to the church from any manifestation of this nature. Thirdly, there were those who asked for a sign; these were to be likened to the old type of Pharisee; the same were asking for committees to be set up to pass judgment on the results.

Though very many bitter remarks had been made during this controversy in the daily papers, he was more than pleased to be able to say that there were many that were welcoming the mission in no uncertain way; though the Medical Association was not officially co-operating, still many doctors were more than sympathetic. All Missions of this nature were' bound to raise opposition, it had been so from time immemorial, and would doubtless be so in the future. Those people that were asking for committees did not seemingly take the evidence of bishops and others from South Africa and Australia as satisfactory. They must see for themselves to believe. How would It be possible to measure the spiritual gain of those preparing for the mission. The great point was that this mission was more than a mere healing mission. The greater part of the expected gain was spiritually, and this gain could only be judged by those preparing and their Maker. It was also stated that if cures were not effected in different cases, the result would be disastrous to thos immediately concerned, but personally, he could not see how this would be the case, as the period of preparation showed all intending patients that there was no certainty of their cure so much as was necessary. If absolute faith was there, then a spiritual or physical blessing would follow, or even the glorious reality of both resulting. He also referred to a leader in the local paper, which was practical, helpful and instructive, from which he quoted, “We may just add an expression of hope that the progress of the mission in New Zealand will not be attended by controversy of a wanton or acrimonious character, though doubtless there will be ample scope for thoughtful discussion of a subject related to science as well as to religion,” and again “Mr Hickson seems to have been anxious not, indeed, to minimise the physical elements in his work, but to place them in proper proportional relation to the entire missionary scheme.” The preacher went on to say the mission must bring us into closer touch with God, and that alone will be the highest form of healing; and in conclusion, surely my friends, we do not "want to be so foolish as to fight against God. Remember “Ye ought to obey God, rather than men.”