MR. MILNER STEPHEN AND THE GIFT OF HEALING.

Kumara Times, Issue 2032, 5 March 1883, Page 2

MR. MILNER STEPHEN AND THE GIFT OF HEALING.

On Friday last we published a somewhat lengthy statement made by Mr Milner Stephen when introducing himself to the public of Christchnrch on the 27th ult., and of the "wonderful cures" he said he had effected. His seance at Christchurch does not appear from the papers published there to have strengthened any belief which may have existed in the minds of persons disposed to impartially judge of hia " wonderful" power of healing. He explained that there were a few personal friends besides Mrs Stephen on the platform, which was otherwise perfectly clear, and asked that only one patient shouid come up at a time, as his power radiated fourteen feet, and anyone coming within that radius interfered with him very much. He also asked that the stage should be kept as clear as possible, as it was necessary that he should have the purest air to breathe. Mr Stephen said he would first relieve those who were suffering pain. The Press states that the following cases were then treated : A girl about 15 years of age, who said she was in great pain from an attack of neuralgia which she had had for five weeks. Mr Stephen placed his hands upon her head for a few seconds, and the girl said she was better. He told her to use magnetised oil and water.

A young man aged about eighteen, complained of pains in the liver and back, which extended to his head, causing partial deafness. After Mr Stephen had laid his hands on the part affected, the man said he felt "some change." His head being again touched, he said " I feel greatly relieved, and much better. The pain has gone out of my head."

Baby with whooping cough. Breathed on its chest through a small silver tube, and through a piece of red flannel. Man about forty, who looked very ill. His wife said some doctors were of opinion that he had a " closed stomach," and others that he had a cancer. Mr Stephen placed his hand at the back of the patient's neck, explaining that he always did so, because from that spot his power was transmitted through the body. He also breathed through the tube on the part

of the back said to be affected. The patient said there was a feeling of comfort. Was told to use magnetised oil and water.

Man, who said he was racked in every part. Doctors said it arose from his mind. Was a working man, and studied at nigbt. His food did not nourish him. Said he felt great relief and very much stronger. Girl eight years old. Bad cough for twelve mouths and could not sleep. Doctors said the lungs were bad. After being breathed upon through the silver tube and red flannel, the girl said she felt better.

Man, one of whose eyes had been removed, and who could not see clearly with the other. No improvement effected. The patient said he had beeu usiug a lotion. Mr Stephen said that was what retarded his power. Girl about eight, on crutches. Had been suffering from hip disease for eighteen months; leg contracted. Mr Stephen said the pain was relieved and the leg lengthened ; but it was impossible to see from the body of the hall whether this was so or not.

Ex-Police Sergeant John Maguire, whose side had been paralysed since 1876 in consequence of a shock and exposure while doing duty at a fire at Oxford. Had a singing sound in his ear, and his eyesight was also defective. After treatment said he could see everybody in the hall as well as he could when he used to fire his rifle: Said his side was much better, and came forward and went through the extension motions, evidently greatly delighted, and amidst applause- Also said that the sound as of a kettle boiling had gone from his left ear. Lady in an invalid chair, had been afflicted with paralysis for seventeen years and had lost the use of .her limbs for four years. No perceptible improvement.

Little girl, deaf and dumb, named Jones, inmate of Sumner Asylum. After breathing into her ears and repeating the process once or twice, Mr Stephen asked in an ordinary tone "Can you hear?" The girl turned suddenly round and made an inarticulate sound. He breathed into her ear again and whispered, when she turned round as if hearing the sound. Whispered " Bo" in her ear, and she repeated the syllable. The result of this case was received with applause. After the patient left the stage Mr Stephen said the doctor who' was present informed him that the girl could now hear the ticking of a watch at a distance of three inches. The father of the patient said that when anyone hollared she would always jump round and repeat the noise, but she had never heard the tickiug of a watch before. Man about forty-five, suffering from paralysis. His hand was shaking as if from palsy. Said he did not think he dragged his leg so much. Otherwise there was no improvement. Girl of twelve, with scrofulous sores. Mr Stephen said there was a partial cure, but he could not afford the time then to complete it. Young man about eighteen was nearnighted. Said it might be fancy, but thought there was a slight improvement.

Little boy, about seven, who had had six operations performed on his eyes and ears. After the first trial thought he could hear better with one ear and see better with the left eye. Another trial with no further result.

Little girl, partially deaf and dumb. Appeared to hear better, replying to questions put in the ordinary tone. Elderly lady, with paralysis in the hand. Said she was decidedly better. Young woman with a bad eye. Said she thought she saw better. Youth, aged eighteen, bliud of an eye and deaf. Could hear the clapping of hands. His mother said he could not hear the sound of a cannon before.

Girl, about sixteen, with contracted leg. Mr Stephen said it was lengthened an iuch and a half, and still further after a subsequent trial, but the audience could not very well judge. Young lady about twenty appeared to have paralysis in the right arm. After consulting with Dr Bakewell, who was on the stage, Mr Stephen said it was one of those cases in which he had no'power. Patient with sciatica. Said he was much better. Man afflicted with lameness. No result. No perceptible improvement also iu the next case, which was one of partial blindness. Woman who had received a shock eight years ago, and had pains in her loins and back. Said the pain was gone. Little boy about five years old, on crutches ; injury to the hip bone. No perceptible cure. 1 Young woman with pains in her head and liver. She said she was cured,

Man who had lost one eye, the sight of the other being almost gone. Mr Stephen said the case was hopeless. At this point there was still a crowd of persons waiting to be healed, but it was 6 o'clock, and Mr Stephen announced that he could take no more. The Lyttelton Times remarks:— " Nearly all the patients were told to apply to Mr Stephen for magnetised oil, or magnetised water or flannel. Several were directed to return next Saturday, wheu another seance would be held. Several were pronounced better by Mr Stephen in whom we could perceive no change, and those cases of deafness which were pronounced improved were subjected to no tests either before or after the " healing " on which any scientific judgement could be based. Altogether, the result was disappointing. There was nothing at all done (except by forcible extension and flexion) which left a result that any outsider could appreciate. The changes, such as they were, were all in the patients' own state of consciousness, but no objective change was produced perceptible to the spectators."