NEW FORM OF FAITH CURE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13336, 30 January 1909, Page 12

NEW FORM OF FAITH CURE.

"HEALTH CONFERENCES" IN CECUKiCH. Surprising growth attends the now »uto-enggestioti religious cure that New England has given to th© world under the name of the''Emmanuel Movement" (says the Netv York correspondent of the "Standard," writing under date of December 9th). New England popularly is credited with inventing a new religion a week, but tho idea of quaokory contained in the gibe does not pertain to Emmanuel ism. Its cures (have .been too pronounced and the movement is attracting too many -persons of high intellectual gifts for the scoffer to innd much field for his comment. Enxmanuelism owes its inception to the Rev- Elwood Forcestor, D.D., I*h.D., irector of Emmaiuicl I'rotestant Episcopal Church at .Boston. It has spread among many denominations, but its chief strength is within tho Episcopal ranks, America's Ohurch of England). Everywhere Episcopal clergymen axe becoming enthusiastic converts to the principle of the influence of mind on disease. Emmanfuelism has nothing in common with -Christian Science. It differs fundamentally from the doctrine of 'Mrs Eddy, in recognising the existence oi disease and in acknowledging tho preponderating use of .tho physician's skill in curing illn«s>. It differentiates, however, between functional disorders and organic d'isenscis. It declares medical treatment nlone ie able to euro tho latter, but complaints, of the nervous system yield not only to tho physician's ministration, but also may bo treated by religious theirapoutics, in the form of thought suggestion). Once a week Dr. Worcester holds what ho calls a "health conference-" in Emmanuel Church. The servico lasts from eight until nin© in tho evening, and is attended jjy ?_n average of 800 persons. Thcro is the orthodox religious service, with singing and a sermon. The Emmanuelism element enters in the form of prayers for the. cure of those who request Divine assistance. The prayers are offered aloud by Dr.' Worcester, or are mado in .silo-nee by the whole congregetyin. Tho idea is to put into the minds of sufferers tho thought that religious help is at work on their behalf. After the service a (social reception follows, where refreshments are served by prettily dressed young women, light music is played, and gaiety abounds. Th« people are forbidden to talk about the.ir disorders, and are encouraged to lose thought of themselves in the joyousness of tho occasion. This part of the treatment bns for its object tho forcing of the afterthought on the pa- j tients that their illnesses had vanished during tho tim-o they had ceased thinking of themselves. ''Interest tho sufferers in work outside themselves, and cot them to bo- j liove they shnll become well, and they j will recover," says Dr. Worcester. Such : illnesses as alcholism, insomnia, mdi- j gestion, neurasthenia, senility, and lo- > comotor ataxia are registered among ; Dr. Worcester's euros. He de-clnros i there is no one method ho follows in j his treatment of patients beyond tho , . xpedient of trying to indue© th." patient to forget himself, which. periinr*.. may be considered tho basic principle ; of Emman-uelism. | In mnnv casos tho Emmanuel doc- 1 trine consists of nothing moro than n : preparation of the mental condition or ■. a patient previous to his visit to a ; doctor. A person, for instance, about: to undergo a. serious operation may br> ' visited by an Kninisiimelist. who will speak quietly a.bout tho usefulness of soK-commnnd. Ho -will endeavour to put into the pntiont's mind, a con-nc- .; tiort that the operation will be success- j ful and there is no necessity to run ' down the nervous system by -worrying. | Tl*e patient may yield to the mental i suggestion, and wiQ g<> to the O]x>rat- j ing theatre in nvuch better condition- j to -withstand the shock than ono whoso | nerves are> in an overwrought state. I A sufferer from insomnia, going to ( an. Emmanuelist, will bo treated eimi- ; larlv, end -when he shows the. effoct of tlve "quieting influence he will be told to say to himself on going; to lxxli: "To-night I shall sleep n long, happj' sleep. When 1 awake. I shall Ik? refreshed , and happy; I shall have new liopo and new courage and tranquility of thought, and ttwit healthful state of mind- for which I so long." ; The Emmanuel workers do not charge

anyone a penny for their .services. Contriiiiiti«n-* aic rfeej-.-cd for the furtherance of th<- wjrk. but no fees of anykind are accepted.