THE HICKSON MISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 3

THE HICKSON MISSION.

remarkable CASES AUCKLAND. October 5. An atmosphere of dee]) reverence and fervent expectancy pervaded St. Matthew’s Church this morning. The big assembly at the final service in connection with the spiritual healing mission knelt in prayer, while scores of alHicled poisons, whose ages ranged from two and three years to well over the allotted span, went forward to the altar rails to receive the laying on of hands. Naturally, this being the last service, many looked for some special manifestation, and the spirit of the hi

congregation seemed to charge the air with a force almost electrical. What may he looked upon as one of the most remarkable instantaneous cures was cifeeted in the ease of a lady who resides in Manukau Road. She was brought to the church in a wheel chair, being unable to move her leg- owing to rehuniatoid arthri-

tic Immediately alter receiving the laying on oi hands by Mr Hickson she felt better, and alter Bishop Averiil had given hi- blessing strength seemed to enter into her legs. Du being wheeled to the ball where tea was dispensed, she at l opted to walk and found that she could move her legs. About half an hour later, with the assistance of a doci or and a clergyman who supported her by placing their hands under her elbows, she took a number r.f short .steps. Her delight at this achievement was obvious in her face, which was lit up with a joyous expression. Her friends regarded the act ol walking a- a miracle, since they knew, hv reason ol their intimate attendance upon her. that lormerly this was impossible. “ [ am so happy, but my legs are quite still' with tile elfort.'' she said as she left, the hall. Another lady, aged seventy, sullering with chronic rheumatism and dropsy, was overjoyed to find licit -ho could move her legs which had previously teen still' and numb. ‘Hm raised if. stretching it out h.-ioro her and regarded il with pleasure.

A Kt John Ambulance driver informed a rep irier that lie had bien very surprised, ibis morning, on calling at a house before the service, lo find the palient standing al ihe door, supported hv her friends, awaiting the ambulance. Ambulance men had been told that this wa- a very difficult ease and that they would have to exercise in licit care in carrying her out to the conveyance. What was their surprise when the old lady got on lo the stretcher herself and lay dow n comfortably Her friends said that owing to ihe peculiar nature of her complaint she

had been unable to lie down lor weeks past, having to be propped up in a chair night and day. This sullcrer

lias been praying at intercession services held in her home and attributes her new strength in the lailli thus en-

.teudered. After the laying on of hands site • aid she felt, like skipping, though her 'rieuds, not wishing to undo the good ■cceived, took care that she did mil ry the experiment

Special stress is laid on the fact hat. this service must mil he regarded is the conclusion of work ol the

Mr Hickson, devoting some minuteof his powerful address to litis matter, said it wa’s ( hrist Who healed, mil man, and sininlv because t lie big .ser-

vices were over the people mii-l not think that ihe work ol healing was at an end The ('hurrli must coni inue to minister to those who had received the blessing. All the i a ids oi the alfheted who had attended tie- services were ivlained. Throe would be gun through and filed, so that small services could

he organised in varioii.-. pari-lies. with

a \ iew to currying on tin work commenced. Christians must put. their shoulders to the whorl in a roneerteil effort to continue ill" work. This was a trust, sacred and binding, pbo-od upon the Church hv ('.o l, As well a-

n privilege, it wa- a grave respnii-ibii ity which must not be shirked. “Jesus Christ still stands among ir witll linl id s (.11! si re tel le. I. saying 'Coin, unto -Me,’ “ emit j iiueii Air llickson

“Let us take the Lord at Hi- word and stand up for religion and its power as we should. Ton niauv of tr-' behove that the age of miracles has passed. That has been the cry for tunny years. We do not believe in our hearts that He hits the power to heal. Christ -Li 11 has His pow er t,, Imal but many hope and do not believe in their hearts that the Lord will help them.’'