Waiapu Church Gazette. Monday, July 2nd, 1923. healing Mission.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIV, Issue 1, 2 July 1923, Page 282

Waiapu Church Gazette. Monday, July 2nd, 1923. healing Mission.

The Bishops, and secretaries of the various Dioceses m connection with the Healing Mission to be conducted by Mr James Moore Hickson m -New Zealand, met m Christchurch immediately after the Church Congress and arranged Mr Hickson 's itinerary. (This itinerary has been revised, see below). Mr Hickson originally only offered two months for his visit to New Zealand, and suggested holding only one mission m each Diocese; but, later, he extended the time to two and. a-r half months to enable other: centres of population to be visited m addition to the Cathedral towns. Will the clergy who have not yet obtained their supplies of literature kindly communicate with , me, at once, stating what they need for their intercession services, and also to help patients m their preparation. Supplies of Mr Hickson 's two- booklets can be obtained for any parishioners who may desire them: "The Healing Christ m His Church," Is; "The Revival of Spiritual Gifts," 6d. These booklets should be; widely read. Other useful booklets which can be obtained are "The New Psychology and Spiritual Healing," by H. N. Baker, 9d,; "The. Ministry of Healing," by Canon Batty, Is. Will the laity who wish. to. obtain any of these booklets please apply to me through their own clergyman.? . . ARTHUR F. WILLIAMS, Gen. Sec, Healing Mission, Waiapu Diocese. "Pukehou, Hawke 's Bay. .

An important meeting of the Diocesan Gommittee' was held on Thursday, Jitne 21st. . . ... TJhe Yen. Archdeacon Williams arid the Vei'y Rev., the Dean were added

to the committee. The Rev. Canon Packe : was ; unaWe to be presents The secretary brought forward for consideration $he revised itinerary of Mr Hickson. After some discussion it was ..decided to. accept the Gisbprne and Napier dates as suggested, though -it is greaitly regretted that Rotprua has been. cut out. It will be noted that Mr Hickson is to give a week to. each centre. He will begin his mission . on Monday and Tuesday, will rest on Wednesday and continue the mission on Thursday and Friday,; leaving Saturday for . travelling to the next centre. If a large number of. applications are reeeiyed from Maori patients m this djqcese, a day will be, set apart for them. The following, is the itinerary: — _ r October Ist to sth.— rAuckland. October Bth to 12th.-^-Hamilton. / October 15th to 19th.— Gjsborne. October. 22nd. to 26th.— Napier. \. October 29th to November 2nd.— Palmerston North.-. , . . , November sth to 9th.— Wellington. November 12th to . 16th.— Nelson. November. 19th . to 21st. — Greymouth. ... • November. 24th to 28th,—Christchurch.- ...,'...• December 3rd to. 6th,— Dunedin. A news-sheet will be published monthly for free distribution. Copies for July will be published shortly. • • • • FIMAfNCE.- ; MR HIOKSON-'S EXPENSES. During the actual Mission at the Cathedral, boxes will be placed at the doors to receive the thankofferiiigs of those who have received spiritual or physical benefit, or who wish to help generally the (Juild of Health, under whose auspices Mr; Hickson is working. All offerings j placed m these boxes during the Mission will be at Mr Hickson 's disposal. Out of them he pays his travelling and hotel expenses. The diocese pays Mr Hickson nothing, either for his services or his expenses. ■"•..'•" DIOCESAN EXPENSES. The Committee suggest that, m all churches iii the diocese, one or more boxes .be placed near the., door or doors as soon as possible, with suable inscription above them; for example: "Offerings to defray Diocesan expenses m connection with the Mission of Healing./.' All such offerings should be sent by the churchwardens to the Diocesan Treasurer.. A Thanksgiving service for blessings of the Mission will be held m the Cathedral on Sunday, November 4th. .. It is suggested that, a similar service be .held on. the same day at the. other churches in.Hawke's Bay. The Gisborne. Mission .will .be held during the, week previous to- Oc-

tob.er 21st. It is suggested therefore that Poverty Bay clergy may find it convenient to hold a thanksgiving service on October 21st ' . As Synod will meet immediately after the Mission m Napier, Sunday, October 28th (F. St. Simon and St. Jude) will be Synod Sunday when the clergy will be away from their parishes. ' : It is hoped that Vestries will give to the Diocesan Expenses Fund the alms given at the Thanksgiving Ser^. vice. : - The Diocesan expenses will be fairly heavy. They cover the cost- of .a great deal of literature which will be freely distributed, cost of cars to carry cpt v cases to and from the Cathedral (though it is hoped that sympathisers-w ill place ears •■ at the disposal of the committee, -gratis), ; cost of accommodation of invalids arid ihaiiy other expenses of management. Of course,, patients who can afford to do so will pay all their town expenses, but the Committee are anxious that no sick persons who desire spiritual healing should be 'deprived of it through poverty and inability to pay expenses. Offers of hospitality for the sick during the Mission will be gratefully .received by the subcommittee. We have dealt here with' this question of finance because, evilthinking critics, who cannot under- 1 stand purely spiritual . motive's; : and who think of everything m terms of money, havc> elsewhere, venomously attacked the Mission as a, morifey making business. We wish to make itclear that the Mission aims at eoh^ f erring. Spiritual blessings "without money and without price. :" r ■' Still there must be expenses arid those who wish to help to defray them will have the opportunity of doing so in ' tne manner, above indicated. We are' glad to leave the' subject and to deal with the Mission, itself. No- patient will be admitted to the Cathedral for the Mission services without a card. . ' The cards will be obtainable frorii the parish clergy. '■ Intending patients should commurii T cate at once with their parish clergy (!) that they may be prayed for at the Intercession services, (2) that they may receive literature explaining the Mission, its aims and its teaching, (3) that they riiay be individually prepared for the ' Mission. The Mission is not merely 'for bodily healing, it is for spiritual: healing. We cannot ask God to heal our bodies unless we are prepared bjr repentance and faith to receive the healing of our souls. ' ' thy sins be for.-: given thee". comes before "Arise. and take up thy bed and walk.'? . Patients who dq riot belong, to .the Anglican, Church may. (if they, prefer it) give their names to their own

ministers, .who will, no doubt, arrange for their spiritual preparation. The Bishop 'will, shortly ask all nonAnglican ministers to - a conference with-hini at which the arrangements will be explained and their co-opera-tion invited. . A leaflet explaining the Mission m simple language will shortly be distributed throughout the diocese., Archdeacon , Williams and Canon Arthur Williams have been asked, to draw up m Maori a letter giving the. Maori clergy and people information . on the chief essentials of the Mission. All who are interested. in the Mission should ask for literature from the Vicar of the parish, v Copies of the form of intercession can be: obtained from Canon Williams, Pukehou, Intercession services should begin, at once. . A letter to intending patients . has been printed, copies can be obtained from Canon Williams. Canon Williams has supplies of booklets, clergy can get these from him for sale, unsold copies to be returned. The leading booksellers m Hastings and Napier will also have booklets for sale, and free literature for distribution. Canon . Williams is prepared to. preach or give addresses m Hawke's Bay at the request of clergy who need his help during July and August, but not later. If satisfactory .arrangements can be made to relieve the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst. (chairman of the Committee) of other duties, he, also, will be able to help by giving addresses. (Arrangements . have been made) . The paper read by Dr. Felkin at the Church Congress has been printed and those clergy who desire copies for free distribution m their parishes can obtain them from Canon Williams. Early application should be made as, the supply is limited. In order that all necessary arrangements may be made, as soon as possible, intending patients should lose no time m sending their names to the Vicar or minister of their parish. THe Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst, Canon A Williams and the Very Rev. the Dean are a sub-committee for arranging details m connection with the Mis^ sion itself. All offers of help, cars, hospitality, etc., should be addressed to the sub-committee ( Canon Wilr liams, secretary). ■..'■? "Christianity is selective m its effect. Paul has a thorn m the flosh though he raises Eutychus from, the dead. Tiophimus is left at Miletus sick but Publius is healed. As a wireless transmitter siffts out receivers, and is understood only by those tuned to the key, it follows that normally belief m- God will be- a condition of reffectiveness,' tfrough not the

only one."— Archbishop of Melbourne.; "We find that practically all are helped, even when not healed. Why all are hot cured 'we do • not know. He knows and we simply are His servants. "—Archbishop of - Melbourne. It is God 's will that disease should be removed, but He cannot carry out His will vbecause men are rebellious. Not even the power of God • can cleanse and heal m the face of indifference" and impenitence .'' We are told that, when our Lord went. to', a certain district, He \buld. do no mighty works there because of their unbelief. It was the unbelief of the whole community that formed the barrier. So, to-day, even though our suffering brethren may have faith, our unbelief may : erect a barrier which hinders the healing power, "r-^ Bishop of Newcastle. Amongst the number of those who went to' the altar rail at Newcastle to receive a" spiritual blessing' was one of Newcastle's best known medical men, whose wife was a patient; Notes m the "Church Standard," from Wyalong, Dio. of Bathurst, say: "There have been several remarkable cures as a result of the Healing • Mission. One nearly, blind recovered her sight immediately. Another, ail Indian Christian, had a unique experience. One leg was shorter by four inches than the other. He could not walkany distance. The leg is now its proper -length: On his home, journey he w.alked fourteen miles » with no ill-effects." As the healing mission progresses m Australia the '■' Church Standard" reports become more and more interesting. Week by week the story^ of the marvellous "work of the Holy Spirit is recorded. We. cannot quote a. irthe of the things that are said and done.' It is not too late for our readers to obtain the reports of the last two months of the mission. We would strongly urge all to send at once to the Church Publishing Company, 16 Spring Street, Sydney, either an annual, subscription 12s 6d (two subscriptions for £1) or a subscription for three months (4^d per copy). One of the mbst gratifying features of "the Healing Mission has been the keen co-operation oi the ministers and laity of other churches. They have accepted gladly the' invitation extended to them and have taken full advantage of the opportunity which the Mission has: offered.. They have thrown themselves willingly into the work of ; spiritual preparation and have found; as deep a spiritual response as that which has been so remarkable m our own Church. 'They have conferred -frith "us, prayed with us," and worked with us. Many of them have expressed *the ' keenest appreciation' jot the- treatment accorded to them both before a»d..dui f ing: the

Mission. The co-operation thus "practised lias brought- us and them togethen to a remarkable degree, iefya ixftfy " well prove of the utmost importance as a step m the direction of corpor- . ate reunion. /' '"\ '-''.'l', ''' • The Governor of New South- Wales, Sir Walter Davidson, ■speaking aa.at '.a valedictiry function to Mr Hicksou, said that he knew many miraculous cures .resulting^frbni the mission; He' had beeii" very deeply impressed by the mission.' He realised that there had been happenings m their midst enough to bring a pleasure-loying community back into the most deep, arid perfect faith, back to the" religion and the traditions jof their forefathers. ■ '■"■■•■ ' : "■'" "■ : : Thanksgiving services m ■.... conn^r tion with the mission of healiiig In Sydney were well filled with patients who had received physical or spiritual benefit.. The Rev. H; N. Baker who.-, was director of the service at North Sydney has been -with an address from the -non- Anglican ministers ■ which reads •as follows :— Dear Mr Baker,— We, the undersigned,' on "■ behalf of the non-Anglican ministers ■ of the northern- suburbs, desire to express to you- personally, and to all* the clergy our hearty appreciation "-pi' the cordial and fraternal spirit' shown during the unforgettable days of the healing mission held m your beautiful church. ;'■••• • "■■ " . ■' It was a sacred joy to have' a fellowship with you m this ministry of mercy, and to receive the benediction of the Great Shepherd, ; -who . gently gathered ' our flocks into the green" pasture of one fold) arid guided us beside the still 1 waters- as; one brotherhood. — " : The spirit of Lambeth inspired the appeal for co-operation; and the spirit "of Peritcost translated it- into consecrated action, -for we ft were i all with one accord m; ohie i place." : We venture v to i believe -and hope that the goodwill and camaraderie shown will not be merely a hallowed memory, but also a blessed inspiratiori, ■finding fervour- and- 1 fuller oxpjression iii uiiited r service f or "heMing of ; those distressed of "soul, distraught of mind, and diseased df body ; those sufferers who have -waited wistfully through the' years for-blessing from mtnistiies that might: mingle; ' ' at certain seasons'," and iri-orie cori.secrafted and concentrated manifestation, riiove like the healing waters of Betheada. To. this end we will w^elcome any renewal of an association that; has been, a benediction to us all, and has tended to heal the scars ; andow.punds m His body, the Church.— "Church Standard.'* .. v ; -- ,J AFTER THE HIISSIOm # The Bishop of GijDpsVand .'in^'jihe course of ar long letter on^'iAitif i^tjject, 'writes :— I have no w"o*ds : fro? Say

ye£ m .regard •to the. apostolic .us© ; of; oil for unction. At the end of this . month I expect to confer with lny brother Bishops of the Province about this matter. I. will then be ready to give directions about it. , For ■' the present, I will content myself Svjth. saying, that I believe there is at least as "much New Testament authority • for the us.c of oil m the Church's ministry to the sick as there. is for the -iaying-bn of hands. In all- that is done, I urge close eo-operatioii. with the medical profession. Lot the dqcthemselyes recognise, that we regarcl themj as God's good gift. v to- humanity, bu* let. them also "know, what they themselves recognise, ..that Aye ragard their powers as severely limited, that their work must always be „ supplemented - by. the compassionate, power of the Great. Healer. Therefore, take your sick to your doctor, but • -bring them, also to JESUS.. Let us Av.ork .m this way and we shall, see. wonderful results. . • ■- , . Do not be hurt or troubled by criticism. Personally, I welcome - it. ,It is the uncriticised Church that I .tremble for. When the . Church is alive and is going. on m. a new faith to do her Master 's work criticism by the poor, ignorant, unbelieving world is sure to follow. It did m the case of Christ Himself ; and woe betide us if our adventurous spirit becomes so weak that no criticism is provoted. Do not let anyone believe that as a result of the Mission the Ministry of Healing is being stressed above the other functions of the Church. The truth is that m these past days God has spoken to us again, and has shown us that we have left undone what we ; ought to have done. And the Church must not dare to disobey. She must "heal the sick," preach the Word, visit the flock,, teach the congregation, organise, the parish, and ' ' be instant m season and out of season. ' ' • That is what I mean when I say that : the blessing of the Mission must now . pass, into our normal life. But, m the . meantime, nothing must be-vleft Undone which has hitherto been done.- — t "Church Standard."

Of one thing there can be no doubt, and>that is that the attention of our people is almost entirely centred on the physical healing part of the Mission. They are expecting 1 , hoping, praying for visible results, and we do not for a moment doubt that they will get them, but we desire to make it quite clear, that it is neither possible nor probable that every case of sickness or trouble will be instantaneous^ ly or subsequently cured. Mr Hickson gives no such assurance. All through, his addresses and writings, ;he deprecates the idea thai; the most important .part .of the Mission is the healing of the body;, What he. does

say is that, as sickness and disease 1 are as, much, opposed to the will of God as. sin is, if we, by repentance seek for and obtain the remission of our sins, so m like manner^, if we manifest pur entire * belief iii- our Ldrd!'s promises to His Church we may confidently look for the. healing of pur bodies and the freeing of them from physical evils. — Tasmanian '■'Church News." . .