The Legacy of Harry Edwards
Harry Edwards was born in London in 1893, one of nine children. His father was a printer and his mother had originally worked as a dressmaker. As a young man, Harry entered a seven-year printing apprenticeship while also developing a strong interest in politics.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship in 1914, he enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment to serve during the First World War. He was commissioned in the field, eventually achieving the rank of Captain, and was sent to Persia, now Iran.
There he was placed in charge of local labourers working to build a link between two sections of the Baghdad to Mosul Railway. Injuries and illness were common, and many local workers began coming to Harry for help and medical treatment.
Despite having only the barest essentials available to treat those who came to him, the recovery rate was remarkable. Word soon began to spread about Harry Edwards and what many believed to be his extraordinary healing abilities.
Returning Home
From returning to England in 1921 to establishing a dedicated healing sanctuary, this period marked the transformation of Harry Edwards' spiritual healing work into the central purpose of his life.
In 1921, Harry returned home to England and married Phyllis, whom he had met while both families lived in Balham. Together they opened a stationer's shop and printing works, while Harry continued his long-standing interest in politics and stood for parliamentary and council seats on several occasions.
Coming from a Church of England background, Harry had initially been sceptical of spiritualist claims. However, in 1936 he attended an open circle, an experience that caused him to reconsider his views and eventually led him to become a medium.
Other mediums encouraged Harry to explore his ability as a healer. He was asked to help a person seriously ill with tuberculosis who later made an excellent recovery. His next patient was suffering from terminal cancer and, following Harry Edwards' help, became well enough to return to work.
Similar cases followed and media interest increased. Harry's reputation, together with wider awareness of Spiritual Healing, grew rapidly as more people began seeking his help.
From His Family Home to a Healing Sanctuary
Harry's healing work soon became a major part of his life and began affecting his ability to continue running the printing business. He healed during evenings and weekends, with queues forming outside his home while increasing numbers of healing requests and progress reports arrived by post.
During the Second World War, Harry joined the Home Guard and continued providing healing to members of the Armed Forces and even to his own son. His work continued despite his house being bombed and the loss of records relating to his distant healing patients.
After the war, Harry moved to Stoneleigh and began using the front room of his home as a healing sanctuary. His distant healing patients soon re-established contact, many having continued to experience benefits during the period in between.
By 1946, healing had become the much larger part of Harry's life. His brother took over the printing business and, with support from his family, Harry purchased Burrows Lea, a large property in Shere surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodland.
Part of the ground floor was converted into offices and the former billiard room was extended to become his Healing Sanctuary. Before long, a large team of typists and local helpers were supporting the growing number of distant healing requests, administration duties, estate management and Harry's appointments throughout the country.
Harry returned home, married Phyllis and established a printing and stationery business in Balham.
An open circle changed his outlook and helped begin his journey into mediumship and spiritual healing.
Healing became his main life's work and Burrows Lea developed into a dedicated sanctuary and centre for healing.
Harry's Audio
Listen to some of harry’s audio teaching and meditation healings audio.
Harry's Influence Around The World
From packed healing demonstrations to thousands of letters arriving every week, Harry Edwards helped bring Spiritual Healing to the attention of people across Britain and far beyond.
At the height of Harry Edwards' ministry, he was receiving more than 10,000 letters every week. In 1948, he conducted a major healing demonstration in Manchester attended by approximately 6,000 people.
This was only one of many demonstrations held at venues ranging from Newcastle to Amsterdam. With characteristic humour and humility, Harry brought healing to people of different ages and backgrounds. A number of well-known public figures also received healing and spoke publicly about their experiences.
Royal Festival Hall, London
One of Harry Edwards' best-known appearances took place at the Royal Festival Hall, where he demonstrated Spiritual Healing before a packed auditorium.
As Spiritual Healing became increasingly popular, both Church and medical establishments began to take notice. Although there was public criticism, individual priests and doctors were among those who practised healing themselves or were willing to consider the evidence being presented.
In 1953, an Archbishops' Commission on Divine Healing was established to examine the subject. The following year Harry addressed the Commission and provided documentary evidence of a number of healing cases, with the full permission and co-operation of the people involved.
Harry held a public healing demonstration before approximately 6,000 people, including members of the Commission, and launched the 10 o'clock Healing Minute.
The Sanctuary founded by Harry Edwards was established as a registered charity, creating a foundation for his healing work to continue into the future.
Harry's physical life came to an end, but the Sanctuary and the healing movement he helped develop continued his legacy.
Although the eventual Commission report did not acknowledge the healing evidence in the way Harry had hoped, his reputation and that of Spiritual Healing continued to grow. People from around the world continued contacting the Sanctuary for healing help.
Healing That Continues Around The World
Harry Edwards passed into Spirit in 1976, but the Sanctuary he founded continues his legacy today, offering healing support to thousands of people around the world and preserving the principles to which he dedicated so much of his life.