By degrees, the sense of authority and power to heal passed out from the consciousness of the Church.

It ceased to be a sign of the indwelling Spirit.

For fifteen centuries, the recognition of this authority and power has been altogether exceptional.

Here and there, through the history of these centuries, there have been those who have entered into this belief of their own privilege and duty, and have used the gift which they recognized.

The Church has never been left without a line of witnesses to this aspect of the discipleship of Christ.