HICKSON MISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2641, 4 October 1923, Page 2

HICKSON MISSION.

CRIPPLED BOY WALKS, BLIND WOMAN SEES. Auckland, Tuesday. The Hickson Mission was continued to-day, when the scene dur-, ing the arrival of the patients was very much the same as on the opening day. The footpaths outside St. Matthew’s Church were thronged with onlookers. St. John Ambulance officers carried or wheeled the helpless patients into the church, where the services were marked by great religious fervour. After the “laying on of hands,” AH-s Fitcliens, of New Lynn, was seen holding the band of her nine- \ ear-old boy, stricken seven years ago with infantile paralysis. He has never been able to run or walk like other children,” she said, “and up to a short time ago his legs were so twisted that he couldn’t stand on them straight. Look at them now!” At this the child promUy straightened his pitiful little legs and looked down with a beaming smile on his two feet, not turned inwards, as before but straight out as children’s feet should lie. Nearby sat a man with'a happy smile. “It is quite - true,” he said, “1 have known the little hoy for a long time, and he has never stood so straight before.” One of the helpers told of a case of healing, of which more will probably he heard later, that of a lady who was led into the hall by a friend, and appearing to he rather exhausted, was taken into a quiet mom. A little while later she. suddenly exclaimed: “I can see! There are 1 chairs and* yon have blue on your dress.” She said she had been almost blind for eight years. Other cases where patients have benefited are reported One young man is said to have gone to church using crutches, and when he left he carried his crutches out.