The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-01-17
(From the London Christian J
Faith Miracles

The following letter appeared in the Pail
MdH Gazette, on Wednesday December 81
Sir-Although you may perhaps think that
am making too great a demand upon the cred
ullty of your readers permit me to lay before
you some alleged facts" which are attracting
good deal of attention at present in certain
circles. A few days ago | had an interview
with the Rev. W. F.. Boardman, who is at the
head OF movement which is attracting a
large amount of attention not only in the
metropolis but throughout the country. The
headquarters of this movement is house in the
north of London which has been designated
" Bethshan," and the leading doctrine taught
there Is that of healing by faith. In other
words, they teach that miracles may be wrought
by means of prayer, and the healing virtues
which have heen claimed for French and Irish
shrines by Roman Catholic devotees cannot
compare with the power In which the believers
In the new Gospel put their trust. At time
when belief in the supernatural is said to be
vanishing and when every effect is scientifical-
ly traced to natural cause, it is. to saw the
least, remarkable to hear men and women pub
llcly testify to their recovery from long-stand-
ing and apparently incurable diseases without
medical or surgical aids. l have been present
at roore than one of their meetings, and have
heard many personal testimonies to complete
cure from almost all the ills that flesh is heir
to-" The following typical instances were furn-
lshed to me by Mr.. Boardman =
A lady named Miss Scoons came on We'd
nesday evening to "Bethshan" about six
months ago. At the meeting that evening she
had an epileptic fit, and had to be carried out
of the room. On the Sunday evening follow
ing she rose from the couch on which she was
lying PROSTATE and said q" l am perfectly we'll.
She told those who surrounded her, and had
been converslng with her, that she had been for
upwards OF fourteen years an invalid having
been afflicted with a complication of disorders
including an internal tumour and epilepsy. She
had been IN number of hospitals and under
many physicians. and her case had been aban-
doned as hopeless. Her cure was instantaneous.
and she is now the picture of health. At the
present time she Is engaged in religious work
among the warehouse girls in the City, and is
known to many.
A second case of a different type was that of
carpenter named Newman, who resides at
Dorklng. He suffered from CONSUMPTION and
SO far had the disease run that he was COM
PIetely exhausted on arriving at Beththan"
lie remained for a week, and was completely
cured. This is also case of six months stand-
ing, and since his return home Newman has
followed his occupation and engaged in religious
work.
working man from Grimsby named Noodle
furnished an illustration of a different kind
For six years he was lame in one foot and leo
the allment taking such a curious form that the
limb had to be carried high in the air. For
three years he had not put his foot on the
ground, to attempt to do SO having caused the
greatest agony. He had been treated bv medi-
cal men In Grimsby and Hull and by surgeon
IN London, who eventually amputated his great
toe This gave no relief, and he came second
time to London and had an interview with a
celebrated surgeon. who remarked upon the
popularity OF the case, and said that nothing
could be done for it. Noodle remained for
three years in his lame condition, moving about
by means OF crutches. A few months ago he
came under Mr.. Boardman's care and in a week
he could dispense with his artificial aids while
after the lapse of few more days he left for
home with his limb completely healed He is
now In business in Grimsby.
1t Is asserted that since the beginning of the
movement, now six months ago there have been
about one hundred remarkable cures, including
every variety of disease-cancer, paralysis
deafness, consumption, chronic rheumatism. and
lameness, many trophies in the form of crutcbes
being left behind. No outward means are used
indeed, doctors and medicines must be entirely
gwen up, and implicit faith is the lone thing
needful " Bethshan" its projectors state is
no hospital but rather a nursery for faith :"
and many of the cures of which testimony is
gwen are said to have been effected by cores
Pondence The patient is usually anointed
with OIL and, after prayer an immediate cure
is looked for. L may add that the institution is
above suspicion on pecuniary grounds
am, SIR, your obedient servant, NJ.
Hornsey, Dec. %.
We merely give the above as one of the top
les of the day, without intending to endorse
it.-EDs. Cen. PRES.