MILNER STEPHEN OUTDONE. Devils Expelled

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 4

MILNER STEPHEN OUTDONE. Devils Expelled

An extraordinary novelty has lately been introduced into a religious organisation, the Christian Crusaders, who hold forth in Adelaide. The additional excitement is in the shape of an individual named Wood, who alleges that he has received commission from the Deity to heal the sick, and to make the lame walk, by the laying on of his hands. His modus operandi is somewhat peculiar. After the conclusion of the service, which is of the Salvation Army character, Wood retires to a private room, and people of every sort and condition are requested by the Rev. A. Turnbull, who acts as Wood's aide-de-camp, to ascend the platform. Immediately a long procession tile up and testify to cures w Inch liave been performed upon them. This feature being over, persons among the audience who suppose themselves suffering from diseases come up and are ordered infco Wood's room. There the gifted one works them up to a high pitch of religious excitement, and while they are in this condition Wood starts a prayer, places his hand on the patient's head, strokes him or her down the body to the feet, and says the person is cured, and that the devil who had previously taken up his abode in the patient's body has made its exit. It was stated at the meeting that he has already operated on a barmaid, and cured her of an ulcer in her throat. The directress of a hydropathic establishment affirmed that she has been absolutely cured of heart disease, from which she suffered ior twenty years ; while another interesting creature, a negro, said he was cured of a severe acute disease, but he became angry and lost his temper with another fellow, and the disease returned ! He had prayed to the Lord to heal him once more, but so far without success. In the evening, however, he saw Wood, and Wood was merciful and stroked him down, and the complaint "lapsed into the infinite." On Tuesday night a reporter desired to be present during the healing process ; but as he has not embraced the faith, Wood refused to admit him. The " curer "is an illiterate, uneducated man of very harmless appearance.