SPIRITUAL HEALING.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1924, Page 2

SPIRITUAL HEALING.

REPORT OF LAMBETH COMAIITTF.E. • ÜBTKAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LOXDOX, Jan. !>. A committee appointed by the Lambeth conference to consider spiritual healing, lias issued a rejiort. * Thj Archbishop of Canterbury i'll an introduction to the report -ay- it- only carries the authority of -members of the committee, but they are men of capacity, learning and thought, well qualified to handle tho difficult subject. The report lays down the following general principles:— Firstly, the chief work of the church in regard to disease is to develop in all its members the right attitude of confidence, love ancl understanding towards God; *o bring those who care for the soul into co-upuTitic.n with those who care t-o* the hotly, and to insist on hygiene and plain living as part of the ordinance of C>l.

Secondly, the church must sanction the methods ot religions treatment of bodily disease, always giving tin! weight to the scientific discoveries <-t those who are investigating the intci-l-elation of spirit and body. Thirdly, it is not the function ot the church to apply its means *n restoration if no higher end is soag.it than the recovery of bodily healtn. The sick must not look to elergym-n t,., do what the physician or surgeon could do. 1

Whatever means the- church employs emphasis should lie laid upon tho primary purpose of deepening fellowship with God, secured in ( hri-t Jesus. For the purposes of healing, prayer and the sacrament should bo used in conjunction, before any saer-i mental rites are employed. Earnest united prayer should lie offered ’ 1 behalf of a sick person in Church as well as by the patient and his friend i As some religious methods are speeiiillv appropriate where moral an 1 intellectual difficulties and perplexities have contributed to disorder, flits

preliminary treatment requires reel knowledge of moral theology and psychology, so it is desirable that, clergymen he trained adequately. Opportunity should also ho given for a patient to make a special confession of his silts and a priest to absolve him if he should he humoly and heartily desirous of forgiveness Then might follow* treatment immediately directed to complete the restoration of the patient. This may take the form of an unction, that is, anointing with oil by a priest, or dm laying on of hands either by a priest or lav person, or both. These rites have scriptural authority and are sacramental in th A sense that a blessing is sought and received through the performance of outward. visible actions. The motive with which they tire used is a dedication of the- bodily life of a patient to (bid’s will and the blessing received will he either the restoration of health or grace to hear patiently. The whole treatment may appropriately he with the patients’ reception of holy communion. Other methods ol procedure are prayer at private gatherings of patients’ friends and sonfetimes a special gift. If healing seems to bestowed on a particular person where there is little corporate of the ehitreh, it is unnecessary and impracticable to license individual healers or ollieially recognise healing societies. Professor Clifford Allbutt and tor I! Jones state they desire not to associate themselves with the. recommendation to use unction.