THE HEALING MISSION.

Shannon News, 9 October 1923, Page 4

THE HEALING MISSION.

(BY NURSE MAUDE). AT THE NEW ZEALAND CHURCH CONGRESS. (< lt seems to me that the church of New Zealand is faced with a very grave responsibility in preparing for Mr. Hickson’s Mission of Healing, and I am glad of the opportunity of expressing some of the thoughts given me. There are various means of healingdrugs, air, heat, electricity, suggestion —all God-given, and yet able to be used apart from belief in God. But, they are limited! Spiritual healing is sacramental, and deals with the whole man, soul and body. It affects the spiritual, moral, and physical nature of (nan;. 'Ei hetals through: perfect humanity of our Devine Lord, and makes for perfect soundness, and is unlimited. It reaches the Cause of disease, which is the transgression of nature's laws. We must get rid of lie idea that God sends sickness. How can He send sickness on one hand, and on' the other the remedy? It is unreasonable and unthinkablel No, God uses sickness for our spiritual growth, and for the development of character (and to this I can personally testify from years of experience), but He does not send sickness. Spiritual healing is primarily for the h’ealth of the .sbul, and I am quite sure if we keep that thought in view, there will be less disappointments, when healing does not take place.' Healing comes through union with Christ, either directly by prayer, or through the Holy Eucharist, or through a healer, on whom the gift of healing has been bestowed. Let me briefly give you an account of Mr, Hickson’s methods. He exercises his gifts in and through the church. A loyal member of the Anglican faith himself, Mr. Hickson seeks always to act in conjuction and co-operation with the Bishops and Clergy of the chur.ch. The church he believes is, “the appointed channel, through which Christ’s ministry is continued. ” It is His body, through which the healing and redeeming power of the Incarnate life is extended for the help of suffering and sinning humanity, so Mr. Hickson does nothing apart from the church; He visits only when invited to do so by the church authorities. His missions are held in Cathedrals or churches. He seeks the blessing of the Bishop of the Diocese on his work; and the Clergy prepare for his visits, accompany him, and co-operate with him throughout, his missions. He welcomes all sufferers, and does not confine his attention to Anglicans. He works in full co-operation with the medical profession. He comes, not as the competitor, but as the ally of the physician and surgeon. He does not claim, as some modern cults of healing, that pain and disease are illusory. He recognises them to the full. He sees the knowledge and skill of the medical profession, 'the first line of defence against them. He invites, at all his healing missions, the co-operation and presence of doctors and nurses. Ho claims that 'spiritual) hjeafllng brings resources over and above those which fall within the doctor’s sphere to bear upon the sick. In order that we may receive this healing, we must b'e iu touch with our Lord, responsive and willing to receive, and believing that we shall receive. How are we to prepare? We must acquire faith by desire, by prayer, and by perservance in prayer. Our Lord says, “If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will give it you.’’ God is willing and waiting, it is our. co-operation which is wanting. In little children and mental patients, God deals in other ways as He thinks best, but with others there must be response. Why as, “Can cancer be cured?” Why limit God’s power? Surely it is as easy for a cancerous growth to disappear, as for a cut finger to heal? Directly the doubt is raised, the thought takes wing, and becomes a hindrance. In our preparation we must have penitence and confession of sin. Healing can no more take place without cleansing or confession than a surgically dirty wound can properly knit without the cleansing which corners of the nurse’s care. If the whole of Christendom would realise with true sorrow how this gift our Lord left to His church has been neglected, healing would be the rule, not the exception; and if we in New Zealand would definitely and regularly hold up Mr. Hickson and his work at every. Eucharist, the result would bo beyond realisation. Where there has been much prayer there has been much result. Mr. Hickson’s mission is going to afford us an opportunity of getting nearer God through the Holy Spirit. We who are in health and strength may share with our sick the joy of the mission, and at least may catch the shadow of our Lord —but that shadow is only for those who are fully prepared.