Brother Isaiah, Healer: Blind Hope Leads Crippled and Suffering

1920--

NEW ORLEANS, April 3. -- The lame, the halt and the blind are beating a track to the door of "Brother Isaiah," who cures, he claims, by the laying on of hands.

"Brother Isaiah" was christened John Cudney. He is 75. He has been variously Mississippi River derelict, peddler of kindling wood and watchman on a government dredge.

Now he lives with an aged sister in a houseboat and day after day and far into each night prays with the sick and afflicted who come for his aid.

Many testify to his power to cure by faith. Others scoff. His followers emphasize his refusal to accept money or gifts.

When Cudney left the dredge he walked about the water front aiding the infirm he met. His fame spread. Now it is not uncommon for thousands to stand on the river bank watching him at his "miracles."

At first only the poor and illiterate came. Now, blind hope leads; white and black, poverty-stricken and wealthy come to him for aid. Once he prayed 22 hours and had to turn away supplicants to obtain rest and food. He prayed with them all that night in a driving rain until 6 o'clock in the morning.

Failed With a Few

For a while it looked bad for "Brother Isaiah." Some of those who had apparently been benefited found their joy was premature.

But the crowds came back when he said he had failed in some cases because of the "supplicant's lack of faith."

Others attested to complete cures; friends and relatives backed them up. One is Mrs. Emilia Letarovich, who for seven years had been an invalid. She walked away from the healer's boat crying that she was cured.

Careful checking of "cures" or "benefits" reveals that the Miracle Man has had little success in relieving those affected by organic diseases. But he has cured or benefited those who ailments might be due largely to imagination, shock or mental condition.

Woman Was Cured

Friends of Mrs. Alex Pujol, wife of the deputy commissioner of public works, who could scarcely walk or move her fingers because of rheumatism, say that she can now walk across the room and use her hands more freely than she has in years.

"This is the power of the living God," "Brother Isaiah" tells his crowds. "I lay my hands on and life takes place in the flesh of sickness. It is the spirit of the Lord that makes them well. None is cured save he who has faith in the Lord and his works. Those I have healed are healed by faith."

--The Des Moines News, Des Moines, Iowa, April 3, 1920, page 4.


"BROTHER ISAIAH" IS ORDERED TO USE SOAP
Healer Must Wash His Hands Between "Layings On," Declare New Orleans Board of Health

NEW ORLEANS -- "Brother Isaiah," aged "faith healer," here has fallen afoul of the state board of health which alleges he doesn't wash his hands between "laying on."

The "Brother" says he is entirely willing to use any soap prescribed. The mayor and police of New Orleans have refused to take action against the old man, because they say most people are anxious to have him continue his "healing."

Since he began his ministrations about a month ago the multitude that daily attends his sermons has increased to the point where the Red Cross has been forced to erect tents to care for the sick who await his treatments.

The old man will accept no money whatever.

Dr. Oscar Dowling, president of the State Board of Health, made the protest that the "healer" did not wash his hands between "layings on."

"Brother Isaiah" immediately stated his willingness to use soap.

Two crippled boys gave the old man soap when the first attempt to check his meetings was made. They ran away when he tried to pay them.

--Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin, April 4, 1920, page 10 of Part 2.