HEALING MISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15356, 3 October 1923, Page 6

HEALING MISSION.

ARE ALLEGED CURES CREDIBLE? (By "Laicus,” Goulbum, N.S.W.) Thousands of people all over New Zealand are looking forward with the keenest interest to the coming mission of healing in the larger centres. This article is intended to answer the query that heads the page. It is written by one whio had the inestimable privilege of participation in the work of the first mission in New South Wales — that held in Goulburn. The writer thus has first-hand knowledge of what took place at a time of marvellous blessing to hundreds of our townsfolk. And the experience of Goulburn was repeated all over the State —in many cases in a vastly greater degree than here. In Sydney, for example, the results of the mission, transcending all expectation, were a stern reproof to that lack of faith and of simple acceptance of Biblical teaching which made the manifestation of God’s goodness and power seem so marvellous, while it was simply the natural outcome of obedience to a Divine injunction —“Heal the sick, ‘cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give." Experiences In Goulburn and Elsewhero.

In Goulburn, as elsewhere, we saw the blind receive their sight, wholly or partially; the lame to walk, the deaf to hear. Case after case oould be quoted, if space permitted. In other cases, patients who were carried to the church walked out, fully restored. Testimonies as to cures, full or partial, immediate or gradual, have been sent to local committees in shoals. At a thanksgiving service in Goulburn Cathedral, held two or three days after the mission, the Bishop read a list of scores of names of thankful correspondents. Two cases came under the notice of the writer within 10 minutes during one evening —one of complete cure of deafness, another.of restoration of speech. Sir Walter Davidson’s Testimony.

One testimony, the more impressive because it is that of one who “though he is dead, yet speaketh,” may here be given. During the progress of the Sydney mission our late Governor, Sir Walter Davidson, said, “Some of you will have ' first-hand knowledge of miraculous cures which have occurred in the healing mission. I know of many, and I am very deeply impressed by such demonstrations of the loving kindness of God, Who has been pleased to relieve personal suffering and distress.” This was not the testimony of an excited, and emotional, if pious, individual; but the carefully considered statement of a trained thinker, an eminent public servant.

Irrefutable Evidence. The case resolves itself into this. Wherever the healing mission has been held, hosts of people have claimed to have received physical or mental health. These claims are vouched for by those who know the individuals most intimately. To deny the reality of the cures is to proclaim oneself as wilfully blind or woefully determined not to know the truth.

The most recent evidence is that furnished from the West Australian mission just ended. An extract from a newspaper report of the Perth thanksgiving service says, “A portion only of the many hundreds of thanksgivings received was read during the service.”

A Sequel to the Goulburn Mission. One point that was insisted on by the mission in all centres was that the gift of healing was a gift to the Church, and. not to isolated individuals. He urges the clergy everywhere to carry on the work after his mission shall have closed. And bishops and clergy of Anglican and non-Anglican Churches alike are taking this advice. I wish to conclude this article with the report of a case of cure resulting from the laying-on of hands, and of intercessory prayer. The facts can be verified by application to any of the clergy named below, or to the parishioners of Barmcdman parish.

The Rev. J. D. ; Nieolson, rector of Barmedman, diocese of Goulburn, visited a leading Sydney ocullist on account of eye-trouble. He was told that he had lost the sight of one eye, and that soon he would be blind in both eyes. The trouble was cataract. I quote Bishop Radford’s words: "Mr Nieolson returned to Goulburn and asked me to give him the laying-on of hands, with prayer for the recovery of his sight. Accordingly a service was held in the chapel, the clergy, Archdbacon Ward, Canon Howell, and Rev. W. Parkes (all of Goulburn), being present as intercessors. Meanwhile the church people of Barmedman and 'of Wyalong had arranged to be interceding in the churches at the same time. Immediately after the administration, Mr Nieolson was conscious of a lifting of the burden, and on rising to his feet he discovered that he could see with his hitherto blind eye.” On the Sunday morning following he told a Cathedral congregation of the wondrous goodness of God in the restoration of a blessing necessary to the effective continuance of his work as a parish priest. Here is a case, susceptible of every investigation; but it is simply one of thousands of such in the history of the Christian healing mission all over the world.

An Appeal.

May the writer, as one who has seen great wonders wrought, both in the sphere of physical and mental healing, and of far greater importance, in the healing of souls, appeal Jo all who believe in a loving and almighty Father, to prepare for great blessings by the calm and confident expectation of them, basing their expectation on the knowledge that Christ commissioned His Church, to “heal the sick.” In that commission is implied the power to carry out His injunction.

An Ashburton lady made a remarkable discovery the other day. For some time she was troubled to know why the fireplace in the guests’ ropm was always dirty no matter how often it was cleaned. One morning she was cleaning it when a starling flew into the room from the chimney and escaped through the window. On investigating, the perplexed lady found that the bird had been building in the chimney just above the fireplace, and on dragging out the nest she was surprised to find a £1 bank note, much discoloured, among the bird’s building material.

“Chills lurk even Jn Spring.”— Mayes. People'' are often caught off their guard in Spring-time, and as a consequence contract severe coughs and colds. These ailments, however, are quickly banished with a dose or two of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. A unique remedy is “Baxter’s”— so rich, penetrative and dependable. Gratifying relief follows each soothing dose, Invaluable also as a build-ing-up tonic. 2s 6d buys a gener-ous-sized bottle at chemists and stores. Family size 4s 6d. ,(6)