THE WORK OF RATANA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1922, Page 3

THE WORK OF RATANA.

. CASE OF MISS F. LAMMAS. RECOVERY FROM LONG ILLNESS. “Tt is said that the day of miracle is ended. Well, in me you have living proof that such is not the case!” In these words, uttered in Auckland in the .course an interesting interview with the Auckland Herald, Miss F. Lammas, of Nelson, flung down the gage to all sceptics, non-believers, and adverse critics of the work of Ratana, the Maori healer.

Eleven months ago Miss Lammas lay at the point of death. “Write to Ratana,” advised the doctor. “It is your last hope. Medical science has done its utmost and failed; nothing but a miracle can help you now.” So in utter feebleness, hardly able to grasp a pen, she wrote, just a few words at a time, seeking the help of the man she had been told had already helped so many others.

“After a whole day spent in prayer,” said Miss Lammas, “I felt a most wonderful sensation of strength and healing rush through my body, and I knew on the instant I was cured. I, who had lain in bed, utterly helpless, for a year, for five years unable to walk, for nearly twenty years able only to move a little by means of a steel frame which enwrapped my whole body—l rose to my feet, walked round the room, and called out to my people to come and see the miracle.”

Listening to this recital, it was hard to imagine that the bright-eyed, animated speaker had been so close to the Valley of the Shadow less than a year ago; indeed, had lived almost at the point of death for many years. The story has been told before, is known, indeed, all over th« world, but as told by the person chiefly concerned it gained all the interest of a personal recital. STEADILY IMPROVING IN HEALTH.

Ever since this experience in February Miss Lammas has continued to improve in health,' is steadily gaining in weight, and says she has never had a set-back. Her doctor, the last of 30 medical advisers who have treated her case, is thoroughly familiar with every detail of her illness, and expresses the opinion that a most remarkable cure has been effected.

For the first time in over nine years Miss Lammas has now undertaken a long trip from home. Her last journey was to Wellington nine years ago, where she was taken in her invalid chair, wearing her steel frame. A rough sketch of this, drawn at the request of the interviewer, showed it to be a structure which gripped the body at the shoulders and waist, with leather supports, and hinges at the hips and knees. It looked like some dreadful relic of the Inquisition, although it served actually, a much more humane and kindly purpose in giving its wearer such little strength as she was able to employ for 19 years.

Miss Lammas left Nelson six' weeks ago, and since then has visited Wellington, Wanganui, and Te Aroha. She arrived in Auckland on Tuesday not a whit upset by a long day’s travel from the latter district. She is at present staying at a private hotel, where she walks up three flights of stairs to reach her room. She had been walking about and shopping yesterday afternoon, and seemed to have felt the strain not at all.

VISIT TO RATANA AT WANGANUI.

At the special request of Ratana, Miss Lammas spent a day at the great Maori camp at Wanganui, this being the first time she had met the man to whom she considers tlwit she owes so much. She was given a cordial reception by the Maoris, and had a most interesting interview with Ratana himself, who regards her case as one of the most notable with which he has been connected. While there, Miss Lammas learned of several other cures which, it was claimed, had taken place at the camp.

VV'hen told that there were many people in Auckland who were still sceptical as to Ratana’s work, and who demanded absolute proof of his cures, Miss Lammas replied: “I shall be only too willing to talk to any clergyman or doctor, or anyone else who seeks proof. There is no room for doubt that but for Ratana I should now have either been dead, or enduring what was little better than living death, the only form of existence I had known for 19 yea?a.

“I feel now that I have never before really known what it was to be alive, and my ; heart is filled with gratitude. If anything I can do or say will help to remove doubts, and give greater confidence and realisation of the wonderful work which Ratana is doing, then I shall be glad indeed.”