Their membership had increased exponentially since their inception in 1948. A great many of the members were from outside Essex and they had been asking “How can I train to be a Healer?” After the official announcement of the start of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH), in June 1954 attention was turned to training. The first advert for the Healing Diploma was in the Autumn 1954 edition of Essex Healers Newsletter. John, was our founder and the first Chairman of the NFSH, attended a meeting of senior members of the NFSH, approval was given for the diploma to be offered to anyone that wanted to train as a healer. The advert was then placed in The Spiritual Healer in January 1955.
“HEALING DIPLOMAS
We have recently received enquiries in respect of the issue of the Essex Healers' Association diploma for healing; as this may be of general interest we will outline the general requirements for this award:
Applicants will be required to give a short lecture on one of the above sections (candidate's own choice). The above requirements for the diploma are not easy of attainment but if this were not so then the award would have little value. We feel that such an all-round knowledge of subjects that are of great use in the after-care of our patients is essential to all healers; the few minutes that they can be under actual contact healing are so short that unless we can give good advice and instruction to our patients to carry them through until the next treatment, then the tendency is to go back or, at best, mark time. We must not forget the great part that the environment plays in illness, and also that such things as food, clothes, mental outlook and many other things are part of that environment. If the illness is caused through something in the environment, then it must be obvious that, unless we can alter the environment, the cause is still there and will sooner or later re-assert itself; healing in such cases is not permanent; but healing plus the correct alteration of environment is. Remember, a changed habit alters the environment; a changed outlook does so even more; if by a little study you can be instrumental in effecting this then you will be able to help our spirit helpers to turn a chronic persistent case into a clear and permanent cure. Please apply To: The Essex Healers' Association, 33 Eastwood Road, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex”.
Following on from that advert and its success, it was decided that membership of the NFSH was to be divided into Full Healer Members who had been approved by a panel and Associate Membership for those who wished to support the Federation’s work.
In March 1958, it was announced that Full Healer Members only, could attend a “Course of lectures on Spiritual Healing combined with Practical Application of Healing Treatment.” This was held on the last two Saturdays of May and the first two Saturdays in June at the Marylebone Spiritual Association, 33 Belgrave Square, London SW1.
“The objects were:
The lectures commenced at 3pm, each lecture was followed by questions and discussions. After a break for tea a Healing Session with six invited patients for treatments. These treatments were accompanied by explanations and discussions. Healer members were invited to take part in the treatments. The purpose of the treatments is not to provide spectacular cures, but rather the understanding of the patients’ conditions and the method of treatment.
The Syllabus of Lectures was:
Healing Course – 150 members attended with each County Association represented, including delegates from the newly formed Liverpool and District Association. All those who attended were unanimous in their approval of the value of the course and especially the practical healing session, in which numbers of healers took part under the direction of our President. It was indeed good to observe that every healer who took part in this is observing the New Way in healing, possessing the understanding of the right approach and method.
In January 1960, it was announced that “A Course on Anatomy with Bailliere's Atlas” was now available. This was something that our late Chairman John Britnell had insisted happen. He was very concerned that some trainee healers did not understand basic anatomy. Bailliere’s Atlas of the body showed its systems and anatomical details. By May 1960, 337 members were under taking this correspondence course, which including the Atlas was fourteen shillings. It was a perpetual course which ran until the late 1960’s. Membership of the NFSH in March 1960 was 2,672.
The first residential “Summer School” happened 16th – 22nd July 1960 its theme was “We Tell”. Gordon Turner was The Director of the School. Mr. Ashley Mote took charge of residential accommodation for members. There was a panel of experienced healers speaking including: Percy Wilson on the Healing Process, Gordon Turner on Research and Healing, Ronald Beesley on “Triune Healing”, including a brilliant demonstration of auric diagnosis. Psychology and Healing etc., other speakers were Harry Edwards, Eric Stuart (SAGB President), Harold Sharp, Jordan Gill, Olive Burton, Sydney Richardson and Mr. Morrow (the NFSH solicitor). A Service of Dedication of Healing was held at Harry Edwards Sanctuary in Shere, a coach tour of London plus a social evening organised by Essex Healers’ Association with old time dancing and games, then various trips to London Healing Centres and a trip to see “My Fair Lady” at the Dury Lane Theatre. The summer school closed with a Mass Healing Service at St. Pancras Town Hall. Attendance was 112 full paid members + 8 helpers.
22nd – 29th July 1961, the second residential Summer School was held at Oriel & Keble College, Oxford. The theme was “We show the way”. Gordon Turner secured the use of one of the College Chapels for the week and one of the members who was an ordained minister was to take charge of the services. There was a limit of 300 members. Social programme included a river trip, a coach outing to Harry’s Sanctuary at Shere, a Theatre trip. This year the Summer School commenced with a great public Healing service conducted by Harry Edwards and the Burtons in Oxford Town Hall and there was a Civic Reception. Healers travelled from Sweden, South Africa, USA, and Canada. Double the attendees of last year.
19th – 26th September 1962, the third residential Summer School had moved to Mallon Dene Holiday Camp, Rustington, West Sussex. The camp was composed of permanent buildings (not chalets), set in 12.5 acres of grounds right on the sea front, complete with a swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling green, putting green and laundry. All meals including morning and afternoon tea were supplied. Opening evening was a Dinner & Dance with an orchestra. Special emphasis this year was practical healing and mental health.
It was a great occasion when Dorothy Kerin made a special journey to speak to the School, she became a full NFSH member during the week. (Dorothy Kerin was an English Christian visionary and healer, she was the founder of Burrswood. She was regarded as a pioneer in the Church’s ministry of healing). Other speakers were Ursula Roberts, on healing development. Mr. Horace Leaf on healing sick minds. We heard Moon Trail, entranced through Mr. Hambling. Gordon Turner gave another brilliant lecture. The Rev. Peake spoke about his work in the rehabilitation of prisoners, and Mrs. Nan Mackenzie showed us again the depth of her love and understanding in her talk of the healing gift. Rev. Woods lectured on the psychic factor in healing and Harry Edwards turned a lecture into a healing demonstration for the delegates alone! Mrs. Burton delighted us with her answers to our questions. Two of our members, now Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Prince (Devon & Cornwall County Association) who first met at last year’s School in Oxford, were married by Harry Edwards in the presence of the full company. The Rev. Bontoft de St. Quentin (Rex to us) was the School Padre. He conducted a Holy Communion service and other services and the nightly absent healing service. Over 260 people attended including three local doctors, delegates from India, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Holland and European Countries.
21st – 28th September 1963, the fourth residential Summer School was held at Mallon Dene. The theme was Healing Attunement, Healing Development & Healing Practice. Dr. Latto lectured on Vegetarianism. Harold Sharp lectured on herbs and sent us out on the foreshore in search of them. Gilbert Anderson and Bill Read gave us wisdom into healing, coupled with the practical and necessary knowledge of first-aid. Mr. and Mrs. Gunkel, from Holland spoke to us about their experiences and ambitions in the healing field. We saw a film, “The Rehabilitation of Spastic,” with its wonderful courage and endeavour, the age-old wisdom and poetry of language we heard through Ursula Roberts, Gordon Turner was at his brilliant best, and Dr. Langton-Lockton on Psychosomatic Healing. Attendance was over 300 healers from places including Japan, USA, the Dominions, and Europe.
19th – 26th September 1964, we again returned for the fifth Summer School to Mallon Dene. The theme was “Co-operation with medical practice and with those societies who have special diseases as their concern. Gordon Turner spoke of the touch of Spirit that at some time during the week would descend upon us all, bringing that closeness and companionship that is the true life of this meeting. Brother Mandus spoke beautifully about co-operating with medicine men. Mr. David Scott Blackhall spoke movingly about life displaying courage and honesty in admitting his one-time fear of living without sight. He spoke from the darkness, but his words were light itself. He has no sight, yet he sees far into the truths of life, we were humbled!
At the start of 1965, Gordon Turner was exhausted from overwork for the NFSH and his fulltime job. Harry Edwards could see that Gordon was close to collapse and offered to take him as his guest to the South of France for a month-long holiday. It was not quite the holiday Gordon needed! Whilst away, they talked a lot about healing and their experiences. Their collaboration of minds took them to drafting the first official NFSH Study course for healers. Once they returned Olive Burton assisted with completion of the course. Harry and Gorden intended to put it out under their joint names but they decided to donate it to the NFSH.
Announcement of the: NFSH – SPIRITUAL HEALING STUDY COURSE No 1
In July 1965 at the AGM, Harry announced that he, Gordon Turner and Olive Burton have produced a detailed spiritual healing study course (a correspondence course) which all new members will be asked to complete, existing members will become starred if they complete it! It comprised of 17 papers in two parts. The first deals with The Theory of Spiritual Healing, the other ten: Historical Background of Spiritual Healing: The Healing Spirit: The Art of Attunement: Diagnosis: Healing Energies: "The Giving Power": The Use of Hands for the Healing Purpose: Other aspects of Healing: Healing Ethics: Conduct of a Healing Clinic. The second part concerns the Practice of Healing - Introduction to papers related to healing Treatment: Healing of Spinal Conditions: Healing of Arthritis, Rheumatism and Kindred Diseases: Treatment of Paralysis: Healing of Respiratory Diseases: Treatment of Mental Stress: Healing of Internal Disorders, Functional Troubles, Growths etc.
Harry Edwards said: - “There is no one way to conduct spiritual healing and there are no set rules to govern procedure. Different religious concepts may influence the methods of healing. Every healer is an individual unto themselves, and the healing guides are individuals too. There are, however, a number of general conclusions which are common to all. It is on the conclusions these Study Papers are based. But there are a number of general conclusions which are common to all. It is hoped every member will take this course and those who satisfactorily complete it will become a "Starred member" and that in time The Effective Membership will comprise Starred membership. All new applicants will be asked to take the course before their membership is fully credited. By this means a high standard of healership will be ensured”.
Psychic News led with this article on 28 September 1965 "Healers Study Course Launched - major landmark in Federation's history". It will provide the basis for the summer schools, it primary purpose is to “elevate healership, to provide a wider measure of understanding for healers, to assist them knowledgably to cooperate with the healing processes and to assist in subduing questionable practices".
18th – 25th September 1965 Summer School was the sixth one at Mallon Dene. The first evening was a memorial service for Syd Richardson who had recently died. The classes were based on the new healing course. After the first day of classes everyone watched the film “Healing in Trafalgar Square” from Whit-Sunday this year. This was our third year of public spiritual healing on the plinth of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square organised by Surrey Healers’ Association. After the demonstrations there was a Mass Healing Service. Monday gave us the only trance lecture of the week. This was on Healing Attunement by Brother Peter, through Mr. Harold Sharpe. Such talks as these live long in the memory and were deeply appreciated by all present. On Tuesday after another full day at Harry’s Sanctuary at Shere, we heard a lecture by Mrs. Ella Sheridan on “Healing with a Christian Purpose.” Wednesday it was the turn of Rev. B. Woods lecture on “The Church’s Attitude to Spiritual Healing,” followed by a Fancy-Dress parade! Thursday gave us a Syd Staples lecture on the healing work of the Federation, and how it is meeting the world’s needs. Gordon Turner gave us an evening lecture on our Healing Heritage, which was powerful and inspiring. Friday, Harry Edwards spoke about spiritual healing, working on the healing intelligence of the body. The School ended with Ruth and Gilbert Anderson who came into their own as producers of the folliest of follies… There was talent, laughter and clever improvisation and the rafters rang! Over 250 attended.
By Charlie Kennedy, Historian of the Healing Trust. charlie@charliekennedy.co.uk.
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