Evening journal., 1922-10-23
FAITH CURE
IS POSSIBLE,
RECTOR SAYS.
CONTINUED From First Page, }

I NContlnued FROM First Page.)
this particular case he cured the
mans sick body by putting his con-
science at rest.
] Let me say a word about the re-
) cent history of this movement. I'm
( til a comparatively few years ago the
Episcopal Church gave no recogni-
ton to so-called Faith-cure, or the
Ministry of Healing. Then there
arose The Emmanuel Movement in
connection with a prominent church
in Boston, and under the leadership
of DIR. Elwood Worcester some very
remarkable cures. of mental and
nervous maladies were effected.
'Dr. Worcester had earlier been
Rector OF st. stephens Church in
psychologist, and an intimate friend
and associate OF DIR. Weir Mitchell,
TO whose patients he had frequently
given his spiritual ministrafIons. He
had made a close study of mental
and nervous diseases, and clearly
combined in himself the power OF a
Christian minister and the skill Of a
careful student OF the sort of NAL
aides he dealt with.
Another conspicuous case was
that of an Englishman named Hick- |
son. whose remarkable accomplish |
ments in the ministry of healing |
were being heralded in every news /
paper OF this land about three years |
ago. Many of the cures reported
were undoubtedly authentic, and Mr.. !
\ Ill TIL haN "a
been possessed OF some extraordinary
psychic gift which enabled him to
help a large number of people who
came to him. Besides which, he was
n man OF large faith. of simple de-
meanor. and with a sincere belief
that this power was a Divine gift.
Now assuming that these two
men were especially gifted as TO the
OF healing. it is none the
less clear that the gifts were very
exceptional. and the Church had TO
guard against the inevitable danger
II mistakes and frauds which might
possibly grow out of a widespread
following OF these leaders by people
lot similarly gifted. At the recent
General Convention there was pre-
tented by a commission appointed
hree years earlier. a report contain
ng careful examination Of the {
whole question, but RETAINING from {
definite recognition by church Of /
A Ministry OF Healing or OF the
Incient practice OF JUNCTION for the I
lick The report was not satisfac- q
DRY to- a large element in the con- {
'ention. and was warmly debated in {
10Th houses. The ultimate result 6
vas the discharge of the original 7
and the appointment of s
new one to report three years
renee. to include in its membership ,
stipulated number of reputable =
,hys clans
Now for a brief consideration OF .
he merits of the case. The proper ,
curse for the church to take is
learly indicated by the two facts
mentioned In the Introduction TO
his address. The power of faith
nd the influence of prayer in con- =,
Iection with physical Illness can
ardly be exaggerated. The mental
ttitude OF the patient, and OF those :
n attendance upon the patient, is
a large factor In the
reatment disease. Every doctor
rill acknowledge this. But l submit !
hat there is nothing in Christ's d
eaching or in the practice of the l.
arly church to support the belief u
nat medical skill can be dispensed
18th, or that faith alone is Deces-
iry for he curing of physical dis
asa Exactly the contrary IS true, 2
nd it IS deeply significant that e
MUSICIAN accompanied st. Paul in 4
is great missionary journeys" n
Mr.. Kirkus illustrated the danger
( the Faith-alone theory by read v
* a quotation from a letter by DR..
dward s. COwles, of New York. s.
lblished in the New York Church v
an. Continuing. he said: T
I'VE must remember In this con- NJ
action as in all others, that re- II
gion is not a mere department Of h
II life. but a pervading influence
hich affects every aspect of our "a
,istence The gift of healing is OBJ NJ
ously best acquired by scientific al
search and careful study concern "a
z everything relating 10 disease.
edical skill is just as truly a Di-
ne gift of the physician, az spir-
1al healing IS a gift TO the ex- al
ptionally endowed psychist or tv
ergyman. What We need to re p
ember is that spiritual malady is be
e appointed sphere of operation II
r the Christian minister. while be
lysicaF malady is the sphere of the "A
aimed physician. In a vast number
cases both agencies are needed
r a perfect cure. and DR.. Cowles
question of a joint training of the B,
o is worthy OF the church's care tu
consideration. But the present c.
nper OF the church is clearly in tn
rated by its existing missionary r,
ogram; for in the wide field where Ct
. church is working clergymen. sti
lchers and physicians and sur e.
ons are all sent out as the church's wi
ents in the doing OF Christ's work,
ch TO exercise his or her distinc-
q gift in making our schools and
spitals and churches effective in co
uments in the spread of the Cos
! of Jesus Christ throughout the br
rid"
TTNEARTIJ DEED DATED 1893