The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-25

with the practical air of a mechanic
at his work bench. Yet one could not
which he held his mission. Only on
occasion did he smile. He began at
Ione end of the chancel rail and worked
| to the left. When he had reached the
end of the row of kneeling sufferers
he walked rapidly to the right end and
began over again.
Altho there was nothing wonderful
| in the manner with which Mr.. Hick-
son did his work, the whole setting
most wonderful feature of all was the
phenomenal faith with which the null
titude regarded him. There was a
look Of confidence and trust out of the
| ordinary in the faces of those who
went forward to the rail. Sometimes
tears were seen, but more often there
were smiles.
The impressions made upon the
spectators by the scene were frequent
admiration. Not once. within or with
out the cathedral, was a word of crit
icism or adverse comment heard.
There appeared to be no impatience
on the part of those who had come for
| treatment, altho some had waited for
hours before they were admitted to
| the chancel
| One little Rlrls escorted Dy a young
woman, went to the chancel rail. Her
little legs were fitted with steel braces.
When she returned, she danced up and
down on the chancel and laughed.
| One of the most remarkable features
of the mission was the manner in
which invalids and cripples were cared
for. Uniformed nurses were at the
chancei rail, ready to render instant
aid in case of emergency. The ushers
helped every person up and down the
steps, and escorted them across the
chancel to the rail, where they kneeled
for the laying on of hands by the
Healer.
One woman in a wheel chair ar
rived at the cathedral at 7 o'clock. A
little old man, bent and infirm, wear
ing a white wool shawl and red
'.bandana' handkerchief, was among
from Guthrie, Okla, bringing her two
children, both suffering with infantile
paralysis. A woman is coming to-
morrow from Albuquerque, N. M.
Persons unable to walk were placed
in chars and lifted up and down the
chancel steps by the ushers. Persons
conveyed in this manner and in wheel
chairs were numerous. but hundreds
more came to the rail apparently in
good health and unaffected.
A little blind boy excited the pity of
spectators when, holding to his moth
Gel steps and stood in line with the
crowd. He stubbed his toe as he
Emoanted the steps, but was caught by
an usher. The look of fear on his
white face had given place to smile
when he returned.
"Oh I think feel better" was the
comment of the average persons when
asked how they felt after receiving
treatment at the hands of the English
layman. Beyond this statement, they
seemed unable to describe their feel
ings.
The West Eighth street cars usually
making their mid-morning trips with
a handful of passengers, this morning
could hardly accommodate the crowds
that waited in the falling rain at
Eighth and Kansas avenues. Black
and white alike made the pilgrimage
; to the West side cathedral, nor was
there any distinction in race, creed or
: color when the services began The
car company added cars to the service
, to care for the crowds.
A small negro boy boarded the car
at Eighth and Kansas avenues, with a
basket almost as large as himself, con-
tanning an eight-months-o old baby with
: shriveled legs. Men and women, aged
: and infirnl, some with crutches, some
!, with canes; men and women in the
+. prime of years, but suffering with
various ailments. and boys and girls
, ranging from tiny babies to youths
7 about to enter the realm of manhood
crowded onto the waiting cars that
were to take them to Grace cathedral
and probable relief.
: At 10 o'clock Polk street from
Eighth to Ninth and Eighth street
: from Polk to Taylor street were sc
? crowded with waiting automobiles
that there was scarcely more room tC
park. Long before the hour for the
service, Grace cathedral was filled
with humanity. Scores of spectators
t were on hand, but ushers made sure
i that persons suffering from various
ailments were seated before the on
! lockers were given seats. 1t was g
reverent audience that filed thru the
cathedral door to witness the services
| Spectators on the outside of tbs
D church witnessed pathetic. scenes. One
man, suffering from partial paralysis
( was escorted into the church by two
. women. one holding each arm. So SLOW
! he moved that several minutes were
D required for him to mount the step!
of the church.
Registration was conducted in Guilt
@ hall where patients and their attend
! ants were given tickets. admitting
= them to seats near the front of the ca
thedral. Only afflicted persons wert
= admitted at the chapel entrance OF
. Polk street.
Almost every ailment known to hu
I manity was represented in the mass o.
II human beings that sought relief a
il the hands OF the famous healer. In
!, valids in wheel chairs and ambulances
cripples on crutches, the deaf. th'
| blind and the dumb. came to the door!
of the church in the murky, driZzlint
: rain. Scores Of children. many will
: twisted little limbs or staring sightles
L ! eyes. were carried up the cathedra
I aisles by trusting parents.
d