The World's End Coming Soon, According to Lima Man

Ohio, 1905

Whittredge Advises People to Sell Everything in Order to be "Clean" on Judgment Day

Lima, O., Feb. 22. — Wm. Whittredge, who was put in jail here for refusing to send his nine-year-old daughter to school because the world was coming to an end in March, is now issuing daily bulletins beseeching the people to watch and pray, claiming that he, like of Noah of old, has been delegated as the Lord's apostle and prophet.

Whittredge has formulated a new cult known as "The Church of the Israelites," which has for its teachings preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He has a number of converts in this and adjacent counties, and among his divine orders Whittredge instills the decree that followers must sell their worldly goods and be ready and "clean" to make their peace.

Yesterday Whittredge received in his mail, which has grown quite heavy, a letter from S. J. Hickey, dated East Orange, N. J., in which the writer asks for blessings, and follows with the statement: "Perhaps we can help each other in this situation through Christ, for I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you."

In his latest reiteration of the coming of the end in March, Whittredge proclaims through the press: "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of Man now be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else now knows. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, and it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch and pray."

—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1905, p. 6.


OTHERS

Who Agree With Wm. Whittredge

That the World is Coming to an End Next Month

East Orange, N.J., 76 Midland Ave.
Mr. Wm. Whitredge,
Lima, O., Feb. 14, 1905.

Dear Brother —

A recent press dispatch informs us that you have been jailed for refusing to send your daughter to school, your reason being that you believed the end to be so near as to make it not worth the while. I am also of the opinion that the destruction of the cosmos by fire, as predicted by the Apostle Peter, is very near at hand and extend you my sympathy. Will you kindly tell me what has convinced you of the truth concerning these last things, perhaps we can help each other in the situation through Christ. I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you.

Your brother in Christ Jesus. S. J. HICKEY.


The Lord is come with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainer walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advance. Jude 14-15-16. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign will be given but the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else will know. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth His secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch and pray. MRS. WM. WHITTREDGE

—The Lima Times Democrat, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1905.


WAIT FOR WORLD TO END

Decatur, Ind., March 9. — Waiting for the world to come to an end and advocating the creed of their sect, several families, under the leadership of William Whittredge, formerly of Elgin, Ohio, are preparing for the millennium, which they say will be here in April. The little band has no name, but its members apparently are sincere in their belief. When Whittredge and his followers came here quietly several weeks ago they attracted little attention, but it was noticed that the entire band of three families was housed in one dwelling. Then the people of the neighborhood began to wonder. It was made known yesterday that the strangers were simply waiting for the world to come to an end and tracts were scattered over the city warning residents that the end is expected in April. The followers of Whittredge in preaching their doctrine point to revelations, and on the tracts they distribute are printed quotations from the bible. The members of the band are all intelligent and well informed.

—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, March 9, 1905, p. 9.