NATURAL LAW.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1923, Page 1

NATURAL LAW.

THE RATIONALE OF OICKSONIS.M (|iv Harold 11. F. Cross, Ph.H., in u Svdney Paper).

It is immediately apparent to tlw deductive miml that the results el the Hickson mission are running precisely parallel to other efforts of that hind, noth now and in past decades, and also to the results obtained by the legitimate practise of psychological medicine, apart from religion. This is an important point, as it is surely strong evidence at least that the same laws are operating in both cases : that both the healing through -Mr Hickson and that through the mind physician of Macquarie-stroet are in conformity with natural law, not in opposition to it. No one for a moment suggests that there is anything “miraculous about Macquarie-stroet, hut nearly everybody is associating what may he aptly termed “siiponiaturalism” with either Mr Hickson himself or tho power that he inst riimentalises. It cannot be 100 widely broadcasted at this time that all the ••miracles" of Mr Hickson are under the restraining hand of God’s immutable law. He has in 1 iis good pleasure set a seal — a limit, on the potential growth of human tissues. ••Potential” growth is used advisedly, as in many cases the actual result is stunted or at least decreased in effectiveness by trying to force extraneous remedial measures wlv-n such are contraindicated. The natural healing power will do wonders if not seriously opposed by misguided effort ; hut it cannot do everything, and there are times when nature needs most prompt assistance, and not to interfere then is criminal. Such cases will, of course. Hock to Mr Hickson with others, and these will still he sick in spite of the bishop’s blessing or M.r Hickson’s bauds. They will not only not get better, hut they will steadily get worse—it is Coal s law that they should do so. God has given us men with brains to work —maintaining the integrity ol the organism. If wo reltise their aid we shall, surely die. Even Mary Raker Eddy says Christian Science cannot join a cut artery—and specifioally advises her followers to call upon the skilful aid of the surgeon in such a crisis.

Let us look to the Hickson evidence is reported in the Press. In no case ipjnircntly was the healing in-tan-.anootis. .Mr Hickson made a sticccssul appeal to the patients’ sub-con-scious minds and thereby set in moion a chain of “forces’’ that started ir speeded up the ‘•cure.” “Suggosion” you will say, yes, hut what a mtont “sifegesUon”—anticipated for reeks, longed for, prayed for—at lasi lie almost magic words are spoken mto a supersoiisitised ear and the ‘suggestion” takes root and hears orlh fruit tho full hundredfold. That ‘suggestion” does not stop with the lepniture of Afr Hickson —it goes ill mlil it is opposed by the patient or iis seejitieai friends in some way. A svdney man recently said to the " ift•r “Well. Em going 'o give him a go, [ don't suppose it'll ’url me; I’ve :er i n going to Dr So and Go for ten rocks and lie never done mo no good, such a man does not really believe bat Air I lick sou will not hurt him ie.lv: he has a strong, deep-seated Inith which he would he loth to admit ~ an outsider, or even to uis bestfriend for that matter. Such a man will get benefit whether his complaint lie rancor or cold feet. Although v.o cannot yet dogmatise oil the limitations of the subconscious mind at the present state of our knowledge, the prognosis for a cure in Hie formei case is unfavourable. There is no ohvious reason why this is so, ii is morely- nut of harmony with the laws which govern the sub-conscious mind’s power to heal the body. Hypnotic research lias shown that this sub-conscious mind has enormous power ns an alterative over the tissues of the body. It is probable that the bombshell of hope that ATr Hickson drops into its bond office—the soul—is vastly more effective than any hypnoidul suggestions made tn the patient in any state ot consciousness out of harmony with the patient’s religious teachings and beliefs. The failure of many to be helped by Mr Hickson .is no reflection on Air Hickson or his mission: it occurs because the cases presented did not come under the law. There are many ways of producing a cure, and spirituni healing for some offers special difficulties 7 material methods may he a thousand times quicker for them. The spiritual blindness on the part of many would need first to be cured, and thus having attuned their spiritual wave length with tilings not of the flesh there would he some hope of cure.