The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-03-13

who processes to have power to per-
form any biblical miracle, with three
exceptions. He says he cannot walk
upon the water, feed a multitude with
five loaves and fishes, or cleanse lep
dead. though he has never experiment
ed with a human corpse. But he re
lates that he babe a dead chicken in
Front street to arise and walk AMI
forthwith the feathered Lazarus flop
ped it's wings and proceeded on its
way rejoicing.
The Portland expounder of miracles
is B. F. Newman, who styles himself
healer" and lives in room II in the
Glisan block, on Ash street, between
First and Second streets. For eighteen
years he has lived and labored in Port
land and is known by hundreds. He le-
clares that his patients and the bene-
| ficiaries of his wonderful powers are
legion, and that some of Portland's
most prominent citizens are On the
list. But, strange to relate, the di-
vine healer, to whom reputable men
and women attribute remarkable pow
ers is modest and free of desire for
sordid gain. In all the eighteen yeats
he has practiced what he terms di-
vine healing. Newman says ne has re-
ceived less than $50 in compensation
for his services. He has no price, and
those whom he cures or helps are
never asked for money. Should they
desire. however, they may bestow
coin or other gifts upon their healer.
Shuns Publicity.
In bare little room, scant of fur
niture and with ample evidence of a
poverty that frequently accompanies
piety, lives the quiet old man VINO
makes such startling claims. Abso-
lutely devoid of the ostentation Of
! fakir. stunning publicity, he lives the
life Of a voluntary hermit, while the
noise and hustle of a great city go on
| about him. In pursuance of the faith
which, he claims, has exalted him, ne
| abstains from intercourse with men
| except where he may touch or benefit
them or alleviate their sufferings. He
refrains from all mundane things be-
cause. he says. he is not Of this world
and has only a spiritual existence.
Faith, he says, a simple, unboundei,
undoubting faith. has given him the
power that he claims for himself. The
whole world may possess them, ne
says. the whole world may be endow-
ed with powers equal to those of
| Christ if it will only have faith. Faitn
declares the healer, will literally re-
move mountains, and he feels sure
/ that by faith he may tramp at will
upon the swift-Aowing Willamette or
walk boldly down the Columbia to the
sea- However. he has never tried,
moved by the spirit. And he will
never try it if it is merely an idle
curiosity that prompts him.
Eighteen Years a Healer.
For eighteen years Mr.. Newman has
been "healer' And for eighteen
years he has been a Christian. 1t was
only a brief time after he became
Christian that he became a 'Ihealer,
he says. The healing power came 70
him through faith and prayer. 1t was
after he had been thoroughly cleanser
of all iniquities. and after six devils
had been literally cast from him. He
announces that he is prepared and
able to cast devils from others, and
explains how each unconverted per-
| son will never be free of them until
they are cast out.
Among other wonderful things that
have come to pass in the life of this
! strange man who talks nationally on
| all other subjects. and has the pat
ronage of rich and prominent citizens
| of Portland, was a personal interview
with the Christ He declares that
the Messiah appeared to him at Ore
gon City while he was at work in
mill. He was so overcome by the daz-
zling brilliancy of the divinity that
if was three DAYS before he recovered.
i When he did finally recover he had
been thoroughly cleansed, he. says;
/ sight that had been dimmed by age
was restored. sordid appetites and de-
sires had disappeared, and the heal
ing powers had come.