Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-20
LAME AND HALT
| BES|EGE HEALER
Thousands at Trinity Church
When James N. Hickson
"Lays on Hands"

the eyes of the onlookers. nearly 5000
persons-the lame the malt the blind
and those afflicted with mental dis
orders-fled into Trinity Church to-
day to receive spiritual blessing
! through the medium OF James Moore
dickson. the healer, who opened a
three-day christian healing mission
AS the soft notes of the organ
| foated through the nave of the edi-
nee MIR dickson. murmuring a prayer
for the restoration to health of the
sufferers, laid his hands on the af-
hicted. In another corner of the
church little band of men and wom-
en- prayed continually for the suffer
ing ones.
Afflicted Gather.
Some limped up the aisle on crutches.
others were led by attentive relatives
or friends. while not few had to oe
carried or wheeled to the chancel rail-
ing. where Mr.. Hickson. assisted by
clergymen of the diocese. administered
the laying on of hands
There were no instantaneous cures"
reported. None were expected, for Mr.
Hickson. prior to conducting his heal
ing services. made it clear that instan
taneous cases were the exception. He
said the relief of bodily ills is gradual
and the patient must continue to pray
For hours before the church opened.
at $50 o'clock. hundreds of afflicted
persons lined the sidewalks in front
Of the edifice. All had Registration
cards" which entitled them TO ad-
mission to the church At noon sew
eral hundred who had been unsuc-
cessful in gaining admission to the
| church were told that Mr.. Hickson
could not possibly attend to any more
after the church was~Sacated.
Ambulances Bring Many.
Red Cross ambulances brought
scores of cripples to the church. while
many automobiles were parked out
side. Red Cross nurses and physi-
clans were present at the services. A
for clergymen of all denominations.
representatives of the medical fra
ternity and the press
At 10 o'clock. Mr.. Hickson. clad in
a navy blue business suit, came into
the chancel. accompanied by Rev.
David Ransom Covell of Trinity. Rev.
Randolph II. McKim. rector of the
Church of the Epiphany: Rev. c. d.
Weldon. vicar of st. Agnes Chapel
and Rev. ID. w. Curran.
After the hymn. My Faith Looks
Up to Thee" Mr.. Hickson was intro
duced by Mr.. Covell. Mr.. Hickson said
there is nothing miraculous in cures
resulting from the laying on of hands.
This practice was freely INDUCED in
IN the apostolic church. he said. He
declared the church has gotten away
from the practice.
He warned the persons who expected
to be treated by him that unless
they did their share and played the
game" by getting right with God.
and keeping right. all his work would
t'be in vain.
AEEeaiiax Power Il GsA's.,
II have no power to help you" he
said. II never healed any one. Neither
has any other man. The healing
power can come only through the
spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come
to Jesus. and ask Him to prepare your
hearts and souls to receive the bless
irg.''
Mr.. Hickson first laid his hands on
the heads of a number of elderly per-
sons and ones who had to be wheeled
to the altar on cots or wheel chairs
Then he went to the children. many
of whom were carried to the chancel
by their parents.
To witness the crippled as they
limped down the aisles to the door
after having been received by Mr.
Hickson was revelation Tears
streamed down the cheeks of MANY.
Others had light in their eyes which
could be described as heavenly"
Nearly all smiled.
After Mr.. Hickson had laid his
hands on the heads of the sufferers
and had offered up a short prayer his
example was followed by DR.. Curran
and DR.. Weldon. Clergymen in the
nave of the church assisted the pa
tients to the chancel
Mission Closes Thursday,
The mission at Trinity Church will
close Thursday. following which Mr..
Hickson will go to Baltimore to con-
duct similar services. Mr.. Hickson.
who is layman in the Church of
England. first came TO this country a
year ago. He has visited nearly ALI
of the large cities of the country His
visit to Washington is part of a world
tour which will continue for some
years. he intends to visit China
Japan. Russia. India, Egypt and the
Holy Land.
Mr.. Hickson believes that if there
was ever time when the world needs
the healing power of the Savior il is
today. He declared prior to the meet
ing today that the whole creation is
groaning and Travelling n pain.
"All the time there stands One
among you whom we know not" he
said One who was lifted up from
the earth. and who is alive for ever
Christ.
"A living church must be healing
church. The gift of healing is a /
chrismatic gift, which is inherent in |
the church of Christ. The possession !
of the gift of healing does not give |
to any man or woman the power to |
heal OF themselves. but makes them |
the special channels through which
our Lord can reach and heal His suf- |
fering ones. The lack of corporate
faith has been one of the great him
ORANGES 10 the revival of the ministry |
of healing"