THE MIRACLE MAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3664, 30 December 1920, Page 4

THE MIRACLE MAN.

KATANA AT WORK

REM ARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. WELLINGTON VISITOR’S IM: PRESSIONS. A well,-known Wellington business' man, who has been spending his Christmas vacation in Wanganui, motored out to Ratana, the tent village between Wangaehu and Turakina, to see Ratana, the ‘‘Miracle Man, at work among his patients. He went" out in a spirit of -idle yuri_ ‘osity—he returned fully convinced of the marvellous powers of the faith healer. “He’s a wonderful man,’’' said the visitor, in describing his experiences to a Chronicle representative. “Seeing is believing, and in this case the evidence of my eyes is enough for me. I personally saw and interrogated live people who were stone blind and who now enjoy the blessing of sight. I learned that during, the holiday season Ratana has treated cases, of whom 17 were totally blind, and in every case —man, woman, or child—a seemingly complete cure has been effected. Here is one typical instance, of the bona fides of which I have no reason to doubt. A young girl, hopelessly crippled, was driven out in a taxi. At the time of her arrival Ratana was .conducting service in his church. They told him of her arrival and of her sorry state, and he said, “I will come to~ her when theservice is over. ’ ’ ‘ ‘But she is in terrible pain,” they replied. “Co back to her,” he replied/ “and you will see that the pain has ! -passedaway.” They went, and found ifi so, and later, when Ratana came, he said, “Come, child, walk with me to the church.” Her friends, smiling through their tears, told the healer that his command was in vain, as the poor girl could not move hand pr foot, much less walk. But Ra_ tana only smiled—he has a rare and winsome smile —and turning to the girl, he said again, “Come, walk with me to the church. ’ ’ And to the amazement of her friends, the sufferer stepped out of the taxi,. walked to the church, and*® a little later returned healed, th full enjoyment of use of her limbs. The visitor spefit some hours at the camp, chatting among the assembled Maoris, of whom they ,wers fully 3250 in residence in tents, and from all withwhom he spoke he gathered testimony to the wonders that are daily being worked* by Ratana. At present the healer is devoting his powers to the benefit of his poorer brothers and sisters of his own race, hut the visitor learned of two urgent European cases that had been treated during fhe past few days. One was the crippled girl above referred to, and " another a gentleman from Gisborne, who arrived on crutches, and within two hours went away without them. A chief, intelling the visitor about , this ease, mentioned that as the joyful patient left the church he quietly deposited a £SO note on a table near the healer. Just before the man got out of the building Ratana saw the note and exclaimed, “Friends, someone has left some money. Who is it?” Turning back, the happy Gisborne. man said, “I have but left, you a small recompense for the great good you have done mo.” “You must take it away,” sa\d Ratana, “for I cannot .accept payment. My work is a labour of love, and I am but doing my religious duty.” In concluding the account of his impres-' sions, the Wellington visitor said that after what ho had seen and ‘ heard he regarded. Ratana as a man whom it was an honor to meet and a. pleasure to speak to. He is so quiet, so gentle, so unassuming, yet withal he has an impressive and command, ing personality.

The public .should make a note of the fact that the premises of S. S. Timbs, and of the Tui Street Meal Company, will bo closed on Monday, 3'rd January, as well as on Saturday, Ist January.