MISSION OF HEALING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2647, 18 October 1923, Page 3

MISSION OF HEALING.

MR HICKSON AT GISBORNE. ' Gisborne, Last Nightf The mission of spiritual healing conducted by Mr J. M. Hickson, opened in Gisborne to-day. There are over 600 Europeans and about 150 Maori.patients to be treated. The service in the morning was of an exceedingly solemn nature, and many professed to having received spiritual uplift, but no miraculous cures have so far been reported. REMARKABLE AUCKLAND CASE A remarkable case of healing in connection with the Hickson Mission was brought to the attention of the Auckland “Herald,” during the week-end by Mi’ Arthuir Hobman, of Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn. For over two years, Mr Hobman has been to move only with the aid of crutches; he walked into, the office without any assistance whatever, and related one of the most interesting stories of healing that has yet been told in Auckland with regard to the Mission. “Ever since November, 1921, I have sneered from rheumatoid arthritis, which followed an attack of rheumatic fever,” he said. “I spent six months in the Auckland Hospital, and since coming out have received x-ray treatment and massage, "and the best medical treatment to be had .here. But nothing came of it, I suffered excruciating pain," and could only drag myself along on crutches. Life has been a burden for two years, for I could do no work and felt myself only a hopeless wreck. “When I heard of the coming of the Hickson Mission, I decided to see whether God could give me any

relief, and attended all the intercessory services at St. Matthew’s. Well, those services brought me back to the fact that men cannot get along without God in tltyir lives, but it did not ease one of my pain or help me to walk without crutches. My faith began to waver on the Sunday before the mission opened—there seemed to be so much doubt whether it was going to do good, but I prayed hard that I might be strengthened in spirit and body, and on Tuesday I went to 4St. Matthew’s Church for treatment. It took me

half an hour to get. from Queen St. to the top of Wellesley St., with the J assistance of a friend, and the exertion brought on great pain.” IMMEDIATE RELIEF GIVEN. Mr Hobman was one of the first treated by Mr Hickson, in the morning chapel of St. Matthew’s, being among the chair cases. “The moment Mi’ Hickson laid his hands on my head,' I felt a tingling shock pass through my body and down into my legs,” continued Mr Hobman. “I do not know anything about magnetism or suggestion or any of those, things,' - but I do know I felt that shock light through me, and it left me trembling. After Bishop Averill had given the blessing, I got out of the chair, and looked round for someone me my crutches, but no one saw me. The pain had left me, I felt I could walk if I tried, so I went over to where they stood against the wall, and walked out of the church .with them under my arm. In the restroom I had some tea, but then I collapsed and had to be helped borne. “Next morning, it seemed as though the spirits of evil were all let loose to do their worst. I was full of pain, and I could not stand, but I remembered what had happened the day before and I clung hard to the belief- that God was really going to heal me. Next day I felt better, but I could not stand again without my crutches. On Friday night I had a hard battle with despair and doubt, and 1 prayed with all my might for stronger faith. PETITIONS ANSWERED. “On Saturday morning 1 got up from my bed feeling that my prayers had been answered, and walked across the room. From that momeat I have never gone back. There is, only one way to put it. 1 walked with faith rejoicing. 1 cannot tell you how filled with joy 1 was; it seemed so absolutely wonderful to be walking again after all the pain, and" the dragging around on crutches! In the afternoon I walked from Grey Lynn to the hospital to see a crippled friend there, and he could hardly believe his eyes. Anyone in our dstrict will vouch for my case. The tram conductors and the motormen all know me, and it is fine to see how they smile and wave when they see me walking about now instead of riding crippled in the trams! I'feel that ! want everyone to know how I have been cured and to tell all those who have been to the mission to keep up their faith, and to believe that even if they do not get better.at once, the healing will come.”