The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-09-01
ENCLAND'S VIEW
Of FAITH HEALING
Committee of Doctors and
Clergy Finds it Helps Only in
Functional Disorders
New York Times.

tors ana ten OF the CnufcH
of England. h have come to the
unanimous conclusion that all forms
of healing by faith, prayer. and what
not are instances of suggestion. The
committee has been investigating
since 1911 and has examined very
many witnesses. but not in a single
instance has there been a bit of proof
that an organic lesion has been cured
by such means. /
II concludes that benefit has been
obtained only in functional disorders.
AS distinct from organic ailments" bat
does not state what the funtional d.
orders are.
The inconsistent and curious part
OF the report" says American Medi-
cine. lis the conclusion that When
prayer is the medium Of applying sug-
geStion there is evoked a Divine pow
err which works through natural laws,
and that spiritual miniStration should
he recognized equally with medical
ministration' as the most potent form
of suggestion. This is amazing. in
view of the committees conclusion
thai equally good results are obtained
with suggestion without spiritual
means. Indeed. it deprecateS treat
ment by irresponsible and unqualified
persons. and advises against post
poning real treatment by scientific
means.
THAT leaves us just where we were
before. The sick should consult a doe
tor and request him to use the means
which experience has proved to be
the best-whether a knife, a pill, or a
suggestion.
The medical men on the committee
included Sir Dyce Duckworth, Sir
Richard Powell. Sir Thomas Clifford,
Allbut. and Theodore b. Hyslop.
Though we must accept their word
with considerable reverence, we cam
not help thinking that they have been
unduly influenced by the deplOrable
persistence of certain Clergymen who
boldly intrude into work for which
they have no training or knowledge.
Their claims of miraculous healing
power are not the less ridiculous by
stating that it acts through natural
means.
That leaves just where we were
before. The sick should consult a
doctor and request him to use the
means which experience has proved to
be the best-whether a knife, a pill,
or n suggestion.
"The medical men on the commit
tee included Sir Dyce Duckwortn, Sill
Richard Powell. Sir Thomas Clifford
Allbutt. and Theodore Il. Hyslop.
Though we must accept their word
with considerable reverence, we can
not help thinking that they have beer
undufy influenced by the deplorable
persistence of certain cleI yme who
boldly intrude into work fer which
they have no training or knowledge
Their claims of miraculous healing
power are not the less ridiculous by
stating that it acts through natura
means.
THE real benefit Of prayer is no
mentioned in the report as far as i
has been published. Every one know
lnt 49, -arA n-l I'll @,4 ~,-sA
ments increase the pulse rate, reSpira
ton. and circulation, n also increas
fever through the more rapid meta
bolism. Under UGH conditions all in
Examinations get worse. We are fer
getful of the opposite effect of claim
ing the mental processes. OF cOurs
we put the patient to bed n remov
all sources of irritation, but we neg
let the means of calming the min
ny prayer, though its effect is a Ion
attested fact.
The committee dimly saw tn
when it stated that suggestion act
more powerfully in the hands of SON
men than in others. We all know tn
tremendous feeling OF relief Vhe W
get the opinion and advice of thos
who are mighty to save. How muc
more quieting must it be to those WI
believe that they are leaving the
cases to one whom they think a
I1lSuty 10 Saw. III view Oh lnlS Ia
we have always advocated the pre-
ence of clergymen in the sick roor
as they are the tangible Intern,
diaries, representing the Almighty.
These facts are recognized and vi
lied by physicians who are then
selves the veriest atheists. This is
warrant for the committee to asse
that clergy and physicians are equa
ly important in the sickrom. or tn
prayer is the most potent form
suggestion. Other mays may SCOT
the patient more. and we may fiji
that the clergyman has such an alarI
ing effect to neceSSitate eXCluSiO
In moribund cases or in great shoe
their presence has no effect one w
or the other.
The judicial recognition of pra
Ell as "A peutic measure is t
sum and substance of the affirm
ton by the Appellate Division of t
New York Supreme Court of t
conviction of a Christian Scier