New-York tribune., 1919-06-07
200 PATIENTS
Seek Relief at
Healer's Shrine
Men, Women and Children
Call OH Mr.. Hickson at
Trinity Chapel for Prayer
and Laying On Of Hands
By Ishbel M. Ross

A single cluster of lights diffused
pale radiance that barely reached the
farthest corners Of Trinity Chapel. 1t
was not strong enough to accentuate
the cruder features of yesterdays pro-
cesslon of pilgrims to James Moore
Hlckson. the healer, who has suddenly
made his presence known in New York.
His hands were laid upon at least two
hundred men, women and children
within the course Of the morning His
prayers and ministrations were con-
tinuous for two hours. There were
those who went out saying that they
felt better, though no visible trans
bearing. A few came down from the
chancel with springier step and eyes
lustrous with excitement But the
lame, the palsied the paralyzed, came
out as they went in, save that tears of
exhaustion glistened on the cheeks of
some
Not a Pretty Picture
Toned down though it was in the
quiet, dimly-lighted church, it was not
a pleasant sight to watch the stream
OF people that went hesitatingly up the
aisle There was pathos in such an
aggregation Of human suffering. Worst
Of all were the very old and the very
young. Fully a dozen little ones, all
twisted and emaciated, were brought
b. sad-eyed mothers. A baby's cry
broke the stiffness of the church from
time TO time. Involuntary groans of
pain escaped the quivering lips of some
Of the older ones
A stranger gathering of human suf-
ferers it would be difficult to imagine.
The majority appeared to have muscu-
lar Affections. Many limped; some had
twisted limbs; there were others who
had to be carried in. Worst of all was
the palsied man who was carried to
pew near the rear and who could not
go forward for minstration
All Are Asked to PRAY
The other sufferers held their breath
while Mr.. Hickson walked toward him
and laid his two hands firmly and
steadily on the head that could not be
kept still. He prayed for very spe-
c'ai help for this sadly afflicted bro
ther' Then he asked every one to
repeat the Lords Prayer.
1t was tense moment in the chanel.
The eyes OF dozens of the sick were
turned toward Mr. Hickson and his
patient. 1t was as if they expected a
miracle 10 happen before their ewes
hcy prayed fervently, forgetting their
own troubles for the moment. They
prayed aNdibly. Sobs broke from the
women. Tears streamed down the fur
rowed cheeks Of the palsied man. and
his trembling hand fumbed for his
handkerchief and had not the strength
to pull It forth from his pocket.
There Was No Miracle
Then Mr.. Hickson withdrew his
hands and the tension snapped. Men
and women who had been hanging
forward brcathless with eagcrness sud
denly relaxed. 1t was over There lad
been no miracle. The sufferer was
carried out Of the church shaken and
worn with excitement. Tears coursed
u1estraincdiy down mis- face He sent
an ache through the hearts Of the on
lookers There was nothing that quite
eGualled mis- case since Mr. Hickson's
work mas began.
Another man, palsied too, came halt
lngly down the aisle after his treat
ment.
"fes, I do ~ feel -- stronger" he
CAPPED az he reached the door. But
even as he spoke his trembling in
creased threefold and his lips refused
~ frame another sentence.
The worst Of the juvenile cases vas
the little hunchback girl brought by Il
staiwart-lookinK father. She might
have been Daralytic from her birth or
her condition might have been the re.
suI, of an accident.
!, was imposaible 10 judge the nature
Of the trouble in many cases, because
IN tho yaricd &hrop3 were mon and