Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-04-25

ilhN III lNt tlFlA AufiHAlNh 'hhaN"
there was nu ordinance Tor the benefit
ofthe sick. They were to be- anointed
with oil and prayed over, the Elders
laying hands upon them. But II was
"the prayer Of faith" that was to "save
the sick, " and 1t was the Lord that
was to "ralse them up, mot magnetic
action upon shattered nerves. See
James v, II, 10.
The Church In those days did not
claim any "credip' for the henlluga
that were wrought In this way, nor
does the Church clnim or want any
"orcdip now, because the power exer'
cltcd is from God and the glory be-
longs 10 Him alone. That He IL
ready to manifest 1t now through faith
rs much as ut any former time, Is well
known 10 thousands Of La,ter.Jay
Saints who have seen and felt Its
operations in all kinds Of meryels,
which some people call miracles, 40
instantaneous and wonderful "a any
thing recorded In the Old or the New
Testament, But they are not given to
bring .'crcdit to the Church." nor to
be bohs,ed OF, nor to be displayed, nor
to max. skcptics believe. They arc
the eilects, not the cause u faith, and
they are for the benefit Of believers
and the glory Of God.
IL IL true that there are persons who
have "the gift Of healing" Their
very touch Is soothing to the sick.
Healing virtue seems to How out OF
them when they lay their hands
on the afflicted. There are others who
have faith 10 be healed. II IL easy for
them to obtain relief even II no special
gift Of healing Is posstsscd by those
who administer TO them the ordinance
appointed for the sick. There are
various gifts which are manifestations
" the Spirit Of God through different
individuals, adapted to their organisms
aud according 10 their faith. But as n
general form for the good Of the sick,
amounting with oil and the laying ON Of
hands OF the Elders Is established In
the Church, and there are thousands
Of witnesses m otis general efficacy.
But suppose In spite Of the aimini'
stration Of this ordinance child should
ole. Would there be any "uommon
sense" iDl'loading a shotgun and going
on hunt to extermina,e healers?"
Is It not often the case
that in spite Of all thepowders, plastoIs,
potions, learning, experience and
skill OF the best phyticians, children
die, sometimes very unexpectedly
Does any sane person talk then OF 80.
Ing after tho doctors with q loaded sho,.
gun 10 exterminato professional heal.
ors? Would II not he both a sin against
common sense and against God to
kill physician because his patient
died In spite Of his medicine?
The ordinance Of the Church for the
benefit OF the sick does not preclude
the administration OF healing remedies
to those who have not faith. on the
contrary, II is commanded In the
Church that they are to be nourlshed
with herbs and mild food, and that
these are to be administered with
Judgment and skill, with prudence
and thanksgiving. But, at ths
same time, the ordinance for
the sick is not to be- neglect.
ed. All have not faith to
obtained the desired benefits. For
this they are not TO be blamed. Neither
Ia It always mark Of merit that n per.
sou has the gilt to heal, or faith TO be
healed.
There are some persons who have
what IL called animal magnetism, and
they 20 about ON professional tours,
stimulating chartered nerves, and work.
ing upon weak peoples strong imagi.
nation. We do not wish to be under.
stood IN saying anything against any
good they may be- able TO accomplish.
But we DO say that when t. child, sick
near unto death, IA head by the 10y.
Ing on Of hands, when broken bones
are knit with marvellous rapidity, when
the blind are made 10 see, the lame 10
walk, the deaf to hear, the dumb 10
speak, feverS are dispersed In mo.
ment, dolormities made TO disap.
pear, organic arrangements to
take their flight, and diseases,
pronounced iucurable, to be per
msnently dispersed, those ART
not merely the workings Of a mag
noiic personality upon shattered nerves
but the manifestations Of u dlvln,
power that works through faith. IL II
faith In the administrator or In tn,
recipient, or both. II ~ as much AZ
operation OF force as the Hiding OF 1
weight, the scat,erl ny Of dust by ia,
wind, the attraction OF mo isture by Ia,
rays OF the sun, or any Of the common
exhibitions Of physical power that ar,
called natural pheuomoua.
Healing by faith is an essential part
OF the Christian creed. II was neg.
lecitd and Ignored when the errors and
follies OF perverted Christianity over.
spread the world. II is restored with
the pure Gospel Of the Savior. II has
come back In n day OF unbelief. 1t I.
but impericctly exercised and enjoyed.
| IL IA rllirnled own ny Ihnan WIN