FAITH HEALING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2346, 23 July 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

FAITH HEALING.

In Sir Bernard Burkes 11 Family Romance’' is given the singular story of Valentine Greatraks. Apropos, of the claims of Milner Stephen and Dnwioto the possession of supernatural or extraordinary healing powers, it might be interesting to our readers to persue the story. It appears Valentine Greatraks was the son of an Irish gentleman, and was born on Valentine’s day, 1(128. As he grow np he manifested more fondness for the study of humanity of hooks. He was pained to see the misery that surrounded him. About the year 1002 he became conscious of what he believed to be a divine commission to cure the King’s Evil. His faith in his mission was soon shared by afflicted persons. The simple method he employed was rubbing with his hands the alfeoted parts while offering prayer to Jesus. He thus obtained the designation of “ The Stroker.” Asked why some of his patients were cured and not others, Greatraks replied that he was in God’s hands. He chose to use different means for the cure of different people. Asked whether it was a supernatural power or friction that cured, Greatraks said ho believed it was an extraordinary gift of God. He was inhibited by the eeclesiatical authorities from practising, but he disobeyed the order whenever sick people asked help from him. M, de St. Kvoremoud in his “ Miscellanies” ridiculed Greatraks, but the people far and wide believed in him. Ha died in 1(5(13. He is spoken of f as having an attractive and vivacious appearance and very fine eyes, besides great bodily strength. He had a very large soft and heavy hand. There is no doubt ho was a remarkable man, sincere, earnest, and disinterested, and his story is an interesting chapter in the history of faith healing.