1906
Throughout the early part of the scriptures, as well as through the poems of Homer, not a single passage occurs from which we can infer either the use or the existence of stamped money — the 400 shekels which Abraham gave for the cave of Machpelah, for instance, were measured by weight. It is now agreed that the Egyptians had no coined money.
Danger in Amusements
The habit of dissipating every serious thought by a succession of agreeable sensations is as fatal to happiness as to virtue; for when amusement is uniformly substituted for objects of moral and mental interest, we lose all that elevates our enjoyments above the scale of childish pleasures. — Anna Maria Porter.
Showing posts with label 1906. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1906. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Minister Nears Century Mark
Indiana, 1906
Miami County Minister Will Be 100 Years Old April 1
Wabash, Indiana, Feb. 27 — The Rev. Samuel Murray, for fifty-three years a resident of Pipe Creek township, Miami county, will on April 1 round out one hundred years of life. He was born in Lancaster, Pa., moved to Ohio, and later to Indiana on the farm he has occupied since.
Of his sixteen children, twelve are living. Three of his sons, like himself, are ministers. His children are scattered over several states.
The Rev. Mr. Murray is a German Baptist and he retired from active ministerial work eight years ago. He expects to celebrate his centenary by preaching in an Indianapolis church, his birthday coming on Sunday. He is still vigorous, physically and mentally.
—Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Feb. 28, 1906, p. 4.
Miami County Minister Will Be 100 Years Old April 1
Wabash, Indiana, Feb. 27 — The Rev. Samuel Murray, for fifty-three years a resident of Pipe Creek township, Miami county, will on April 1 round out one hundred years of life. He was born in Lancaster, Pa., moved to Ohio, and later to Indiana on the farm he has occupied since.
Of his sixteen children, twelve are living. Three of his sons, like himself, are ministers. His children are scattered over several states.
The Rev. Mr. Murray is a German Baptist and he retired from active ministerial work eight years ago. He expects to celebrate his centenary by preaching in an Indianapolis church, his birthday coming on Sunday. He is still vigorous, physically and mentally.
—Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Feb. 28, 1906, p. 4.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Ministers Protest Against Street Fair
May 1906
Alton, Illinois — The Alton ministerial alliance yesterday protested to the city council against the holding of a street fair in the city, and denounced such exhibitions as immoral in their tendency and opposed to the legitimate interests of the city according to the effects of former street fairs held in Alton.
The Roman Catholic clergy have united in condemning the proposed fair and it is probable that none will be held. The clergymen also decided to begin a campaign in the interests of improving public morals in Alton, and will hold several mass meetings during the summer.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 15, 1906, p. 9.
Alton, Illinois — The Alton ministerial alliance yesterday protested to the city council against the holding of a street fair in the city, and denounced such exhibitions as immoral in their tendency and opposed to the legitimate interests of the city according to the effects of former street fairs held in Alton.
The Roman Catholic clergy have united in condemning the proposed fair and it is probable that none will be held. The clergymen also decided to begin a campaign in the interests of improving public morals in Alton, and will hold several mass meetings during the summer.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 15, 1906, p. 9.
Hope Crapsey Will See Error of Ways
1906
If He Doesn't His Jurors Decide That Church Shall Suspend Him
Rochester, N. Y., May 15. — The verdict in the heresy trial of Rev. Dr. Algernon S. Crapsey was today delivered to the accused minister. The four jurors state in their opinion sentence should be passed as follows:
"That the respondent should be suspended from exercising functions of the church until such time as he shall satisfy the ecclesiastical authorities of the diocese that his belief and teaching conform to the doctrines of the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed as this church has received the same. However, we express the earnest hope and desire that the respondent may see his way clearly during the thirty days that under the canons of the church must intervene before sentence can be pronounced to fully satisfy the ecclesiastical authorities of such conformity on his part."
The charges against Crapsey grew out of a series of sermons, delivered by him while he was rector of St. Andrew's church at Rochester, and which he subsequently published in book form under the title of "Religion and Politics." In brief the charges declare Crapsey in these writings denies the doctrines of the divinity of Christ, his virgin birth, his resurrection and the doctrine of the Trinity as contained in the Apostles' and Nicene creeds and the Book of Common Prayer of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States.
Dr. Francis S. Dunham filed a minority report in which he says:
"I find from Crapsey's own statements and evidence submitted for his defense that his defense is that his error consists rather in presuming to define what God has not been pleased to reveal, and to interpret those doctrines in a manner not generally received by the church, rather than in denial and rejection of their truth and authority."
If He Doesn't His Jurors Decide That Church Shall Suspend Him
Rochester, N. Y., May 15. — The verdict in the heresy trial of Rev. Dr. Algernon S. Crapsey was today delivered to the accused minister. The four jurors state in their opinion sentence should be passed as follows:
"That the respondent should be suspended from exercising functions of the church until such time as he shall satisfy the ecclesiastical authorities of the diocese that his belief and teaching conform to the doctrines of the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed as this church has received the same. However, we express the earnest hope and desire that the respondent may see his way clearly during the thirty days that under the canons of the church must intervene before sentence can be pronounced to fully satisfy the ecclesiastical authorities of such conformity on his part."
The charges against Crapsey grew out of a series of sermons, delivered by him while he was rector of St. Andrew's church at Rochester, and which he subsequently published in book form under the title of "Religion and Politics." In brief the charges declare Crapsey in these writings denies the doctrines of the divinity of Christ, his virgin birth, his resurrection and the doctrine of the Trinity as contained in the Apostles' and Nicene creeds and the Book of Common Prayer of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States.
Dr. Francis S. Dunham filed a minority report in which he says:
"I find from Crapsey's own statements and evidence submitted for his defense that his defense is that his error consists rather in presuming to define what God has not been pleased to reveal, and to interpret those doctrines in a manner not generally received by the church, rather than in denial and rejection of their truth and authority."
Dowie Swears If He Had His Rights
Illinois, 1906
Then He Would Not Be a Bankrupt as His Enemies Allege
Chicago, May 16. — Attorneys for Dowie today filed an answer in the federal court in the receivership proceedings brought against Dowie some time ago. In his answer Dowie denied that he is insolvent, if all his property was restored to him.
Judge Landis, before whom the arguments were made, entered an order directing the attorneys to leave the matter alone, saying he would settle it himself.
Riots broke out again in Zion City yesterday, following disorder which attended Dowie's effort to address his followers in Shiloh Tabernacle Sunday. Crowds numbering hundreds gathered on Shiloh boulevard, near the general store in the afternoon, and engaged in a furious argument over the respective merits of their leaders, and the questions at issue in the struggle of "Doctor" Dowie and Overseer Veliva for supremacy.
One Dowieite was handled roughly by the mob and serious consequences were only averted by the arrival of the Zion police in answer to a riot call.
James Slater, a negro adherent of the "First Apostle," was escorted to safety by the officers, after being mobbed for his sturdy defense of Dowie. The crowd assembled again after the departure of the police, and another riot call was sent in, which brought out all the reserves of the station, led by Police Captain Walker himself. The mob was forced off the street corners and ordered to disperse.
FEAR FURTHER TROUBLE
The police are apprehensive of further trouble and have called in all their patrolmen from outlying points for possible emergency duty. Slater is said to have started the trouble by exploiting the virtues of Dowie to a crowd near the general store. He was interrupted by loud cries of:
"Dowie has all of my money."
"Dowie is a robber."
"Why doesn't he pay his debts?"
The negro became frightened and ran. He was overtaken by the mob and in turn rescued by the police,
DOWIE CHARGES CONTEMPT
Dowie took personal charge of seeking punishment of persons who caused disorder at his meeting Sunday. He instructed his attorney, Emil C. Witten, to draw Judge Wright's attention to the fact that the terms of the court order issued at the first hearing of the injunction proceedings against Veliva, to the effect that the "First Apostle's" meetings should not he interfered with had been grossly violated. He also ordered his counsellors to announce that all negotiations for the appointment of a triumvirate were off, and that the court proceedings should proceed.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 15, 1906, p. 1.
Then He Would Not Be a Bankrupt as His Enemies Allege
Chicago, May 16. — Attorneys for Dowie today filed an answer in the federal court in the receivership proceedings brought against Dowie some time ago. In his answer Dowie denied that he is insolvent, if all his property was restored to him.
Judge Landis, before whom the arguments were made, entered an order directing the attorneys to leave the matter alone, saying he would settle it himself.
Riots broke out again in Zion City yesterday, following disorder which attended Dowie's effort to address his followers in Shiloh Tabernacle Sunday. Crowds numbering hundreds gathered on Shiloh boulevard, near the general store in the afternoon, and engaged in a furious argument over the respective merits of their leaders, and the questions at issue in the struggle of "Doctor" Dowie and Overseer Veliva for supremacy.
One Dowieite was handled roughly by the mob and serious consequences were only averted by the arrival of the Zion police in answer to a riot call.
James Slater, a negro adherent of the "First Apostle," was escorted to safety by the officers, after being mobbed for his sturdy defense of Dowie. The crowd assembled again after the departure of the police, and another riot call was sent in, which brought out all the reserves of the station, led by Police Captain Walker himself. The mob was forced off the street corners and ordered to disperse.
FEAR FURTHER TROUBLE
The police are apprehensive of further trouble and have called in all their patrolmen from outlying points for possible emergency duty. Slater is said to have started the trouble by exploiting the virtues of Dowie to a crowd near the general store. He was interrupted by loud cries of:
"Dowie has all of my money."
"Dowie is a robber."
"Why doesn't he pay his debts?"
The negro became frightened and ran. He was overtaken by the mob and in turn rescued by the police,
DOWIE CHARGES CONTEMPT
Dowie took personal charge of seeking punishment of persons who caused disorder at his meeting Sunday. He instructed his attorney, Emil C. Witten, to draw Judge Wright's attention to the fact that the terms of the court order issued at the first hearing of the injunction proceedings against Veliva, to the effect that the "First Apostle's" meetings should not he interfered with had been grossly violated. He also ordered his counsellors to announce that all negotiations for the appointment of a triumvirate were off, and that the court proceedings should proceed.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 15, 1906, p. 1.
The Deadbeat Prophet
Illinois, 1906
Yes, why does not John Alexander Dowie, "First Apostle," pay his debts? That question was bandied forth and back in Zion Sunday and it broke up a meeting arranged by Dowie. Police were called in, but they could do little more than keep the faithful and deluded from strangling each other.
It is a pity that it could not have been answered for Dowie that his debts have been paid. It appears that in these days it is necessary for a man to pay his bills if he lays any claim to being an apostle. The one who will not pay may overlay himself with a coating of seeming sanctity and saintliness and apostleship, but his competitors for the favor of the faithful are likely to get him in a corner at any time and call him a deadbeat The opponents of a professedly pious man are inclined at times to get raggedly familiar with him if he does not and will not pay his bills.
The lesson to be learned from all this is that if you expect to play the role of apostle with success here on earth it has become necessary for you to keep the finances straight. Certainly the time will come when a prophet who does not pay his bills will find himself without honor at home.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 14, 1906, p. 4.
Yes, why does not John Alexander Dowie, "First Apostle," pay his debts? That question was bandied forth and back in Zion Sunday and it broke up a meeting arranged by Dowie. Police were called in, but they could do little more than keep the faithful and deluded from strangling each other.
It is a pity that it could not have been answered for Dowie that his debts have been paid. It appears that in these days it is necessary for a man to pay his bills if he lays any claim to being an apostle. The one who will not pay may overlay himself with a coating of seeming sanctity and saintliness and apostleship, but his competitors for the favor of the faithful are likely to get him in a corner at any time and call him a deadbeat The opponents of a professedly pious man are inclined at times to get raggedly familiar with him if he does not and will not pay his bills.
The lesson to be learned from all this is that if you expect to play the role of apostle with success here on earth it has become necessary for you to keep the finances straight. Certainly the time will come when a prophet who does not pay his bills will find himself without honor at home.
—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 14, 1906, p. 4.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Old Time Religion — A Meeting of the "Holy Jumpers"
Wisconsin, 1906
Practiced by Holiness Band in This City
Primitive and Active
Members Give Lively Manifestations of Emotion. Mr. Farson Preached Sunday Evening
For people who like old-fashioned things, who look back to an earlier and simpler civilization with regret and who honestly believe that more primitive manners indicate more honest and genuine feeling, the meetings of the Holiness Band, or the "Holy Jumpers," as they are known, now being held is this city, are heartily recommended. The "Jumpers" have no use for the elegancies, the culture and the restraint incident to the times. They scorn material luxuries and they find in the quiet religion of the present day churches only dust and ashes.
They believe in revivals, continuous revivals, old-fashioned, praise-the-Lord, Hallelujah, revivals, where when a man feels inspiration, he shouts and sings and jumps up and down, and in any way that comes natural expresses his joy in salvation.
The meeting conducted by the Band at the Athenaeum, Sunday evening was like the old-time Methodist camp meetings one reads about.
It began before seven o'clock and continued more than two hours, every moment of which there was something doing. The Band sings with tremendous gusto, their songs of the rollicking, swinging, camp-meeting order, with about seventeen verses apiece. One of the remarkable things about the "Jumpers" is their length of wind. They can sing seventeen verses with the utmost enthusiasm, every once in a while bounding up and down like a rubber ball, without once stopping to take breath. Many of their prayers and testimony are of the same breathless, rapid-fire type.
Mr. Pettingill leads the chorus singing, singing, and also sings solos, accompanying himself upon the zither. He has a good voice and it is pleasant to hear him. For the choruses there is also a cornet, played by one of the men, and a cabinet organ, played by one of the women. Sometimes a singer stops singing to shout out a regular Indian war-whoop, or a woman's voice shrieks out in high G. Often the singers sway and swing, as in "balancing" for old-fashioned quadrilles, and now and then they jump up and down and crack their heels together. The lightness with which these middle-aged people perform their gymnastic feats, argues well for the effect of their regimen upon the physical condition.
Duke M. Farson of Chicago, one of the leaders of the Band, preached Sunday evening. At least he called it preaching, though most people would have called it exhorting. His theme was the need of sanctification, of the actual presence of the Holy Ghost. According to Mr. Farson, real religion means two distinct processes, conversion and sanctification, like a double-barrelled shot gun, as he said, and the former is of very little use without the latter. The man who is sanctified is washed clean of all meanness and wickedness, and is made holy; the Lord lives with him and walks with him. Mr. Farson strode up and down the platform to illustrate.
Mr. Farson hasn't any use for many of the Churches of the present day. Perhaps they used to have sanctification but they haven't got it now. He declared that the Lord believes in revivals, continuous revivals, and he is with the Church that holds continuous revivals, and with none other; he hasn't any use for the Church that has one week of prayer and devotes all the rest of the year to strawberry festivals and oyster suppers. The speaker waxed merry at the expense of the preacher, who writes his sermons, "for fear he should forget what he once thought," and who wears out the carpet just back of the pulpit and no place else. He, Farson, used to prepare his sermons with infinite pains and trouble. Now he has learned the futility of such performances; he has learned that the only way is to fill the heart with true religion and then to open the mouth and let the heart speak.
"It's a great thing to have no reputation to sustain," declared the speaker. "I'm so sorry for the poor man who is getting ten thousand a year and has the reputation of a big preacher to hold up. Think of always having to preach so as to please your board of managers, or they will retire you and get someone else. Now, we don't have to please anybody. If you don't like our meetings, you needn't come. We didn't ask you to come anyway. Of course you're welcome, but we don't owe you anything. You don't pay us $50 a year and we are not asking you for any collections.
Mr. Farson bounded up and down, with an expansive smile, and the members of the Band nodded and smiled approval.
"I saw something that I liked as I came into this hall," continued the speaker. "The letters W O W, — wow," and he gave vent to a war-hoop that split the air.
Mr. Farson looks like the typical city business man. He appears well-fed, and well-dressed and is clean-shaven. He says he was a traveling-man for thirty years, and thought he always frequented the churches, wherever he went, he found very little religion in them. Now he is apparently satisfied that he has found the only genuine simon-pure brand.
The Band is holding its meetings down-town, while the heating-pipes are being put in to the big dining-room at the Fountain House. As soon as that work is completed, the meetings will, it is said, be held there. The down-town meetings naturally attract large audiences, but they are perfectly orderly. The Athenaeum was crowded Sunday evening, and the people laughed occasionally, though hardly so much as those who were conducting the meeting. But there was not the slightest symptom of disrespect. Members of the Band who served as ushers would also, it may be presumed, serve as policemen if necessary. The "Jumpers" have not had Chicago training for nothing.
—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, Wisconsin, March 15, 1906, p. 1.
Practiced by Holiness Band in This City
Primitive and Active
Members Give Lively Manifestations of Emotion. Mr. Farson Preached Sunday Evening
For people who like old-fashioned things, who look back to an earlier and simpler civilization with regret and who honestly believe that more primitive manners indicate more honest and genuine feeling, the meetings of the Holiness Band, or the "Holy Jumpers," as they are known, now being held is this city, are heartily recommended. The "Jumpers" have no use for the elegancies, the culture and the restraint incident to the times. They scorn material luxuries and they find in the quiet religion of the present day churches only dust and ashes.
They believe in revivals, continuous revivals, old-fashioned, praise-the-Lord, Hallelujah, revivals, where when a man feels inspiration, he shouts and sings and jumps up and down, and in any way that comes natural expresses his joy in salvation.
The meeting conducted by the Band at the Athenaeum, Sunday evening was like the old-time Methodist camp meetings one reads about.
It began before seven o'clock and continued more than two hours, every moment of which there was something doing. The Band sings with tremendous gusto, their songs of the rollicking, swinging, camp-meeting order, with about seventeen verses apiece. One of the remarkable things about the "Jumpers" is their length of wind. They can sing seventeen verses with the utmost enthusiasm, every once in a while bounding up and down like a rubber ball, without once stopping to take breath. Many of their prayers and testimony are of the same breathless, rapid-fire type.
Mr. Pettingill leads the chorus singing, singing, and also sings solos, accompanying himself upon the zither. He has a good voice and it is pleasant to hear him. For the choruses there is also a cornet, played by one of the men, and a cabinet organ, played by one of the women. Sometimes a singer stops singing to shout out a regular Indian war-whoop, or a woman's voice shrieks out in high G. Often the singers sway and swing, as in "balancing" for old-fashioned quadrilles, and now and then they jump up and down and crack their heels together. The lightness with which these middle-aged people perform their gymnastic feats, argues well for the effect of their regimen upon the physical condition.
Duke M. Farson of Chicago, one of the leaders of the Band, preached Sunday evening. At least he called it preaching, though most people would have called it exhorting. His theme was the need of sanctification, of the actual presence of the Holy Ghost. According to Mr. Farson, real religion means two distinct processes, conversion and sanctification, like a double-barrelled shot gun, as he said, and the former is of very little use without the latter. The man who is sanctified is washed clean of all meanness and wickedness, and is made holy; the Lord lives with him and walks with him. Mr. Farson strode up and down the platform to illustrate.
Mr. Farson hasn't any use for many of the Churches of the present day. Perhaps they used to have sanctification but they haven't got it now. He declared that the Lord believes in revivals, continuous revivals, and he is with the Church that holds continuous revivals, and with none other; he hasn't any use for the Church that has one week of prayer and devotes all the rest of the year to strawberry festivals and oyster suppers. The speaker waxed merry at the expense of the preacher, who writes his sermons, "for fear he should forget what he once thought," and who wears out the carpet just back of the pulpit and no place else. He, Farson, used to prepare his sermons with infinite pains and trouble. Now he has learned the futility of such performances; he has learned that the only way is to fill the heart with true religion and then to open the mouth and let the heart speak.
"It's a great thing to have no reputation to sustain," declared the speaker. "I'm so sorry for the poor man who is getting ten thousand a year and has the reputation of a big preacher to hold up. Think of always having to preach so as to please your board of managers, or they will retire you and get someone else. Now, we don't have to please anybody. If you don't like our meetings, you needn't come. We didn't ask you to come anyway. Of course you're welcome, but we don't owe you anything. You don't pay us $50 a year and we are not asking you for any collections.
Mr. Farson bounded up and down, with an expansive smile, and the members of the Band nodded and smiled approval.
"I saw something that I liked as I came into this hall," continued the speaker. "The letters W O W, — wow," and he gave vent to a war-hoop that split the air.
Mr. Farson looks like the typical city business man. He appears well-fed, and well-dressed and is clean-shaven. He says he was a traveling-man for thirty years, and thought he always frequented the churches, wherever he went, he found very little religion in them. Now he is apparently satisfied that he has found the only genuine simon-pure brand.
The Band is holding its meetings down-town, while the heating-pipes are being put in to the big dining-room at the Fountain House. As soon as that work is completed, the meetings will, it is said, be held there. The down-town meetings naturally attract large audiences, but they are perfectly orderly. The Athenaeum was crowded Sunday evening, and the people laughed occasionally, though hardly so much as those who were conducting the meeting. But there was not the slightest symptom of disrespect. Members of the Band who served as ushers would also, it may be presumed, serve as policemen if necessary. The "Jumpers" have not had Chicago training for nothing.
—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, Wisconsin, March 15, 1906, p. 1.
Claim Gift of Tongues
1906
Members of New Sect Suddenly Endowed With Ability to Speak Chinese and Greek
Power to heal the sick, to prophesy, and the gift of tongues like that which enabled the first apostles to preach the gospel in strange lands, are all claimed by the members of the Church of the Full Gospel, a new religious sect which in the past three years has sprung up in Colorado and grown with remarkable rapidity.
In an old church on the corner of Nineteenth and Welton street, the congregation in Denver, which now numbers 800, holds its meetings on Sunday for regular service. Every Wednesday afternoon a meeting is held at which it is claimed the power of Divine healing has been again and again manifested. The Rev. G. F. Fink is founder of the new sect. The pastor of the Denver congregation is the Rev. S. A. Brelesford. Fifteen young men are now preparing themselves to become missionaries in foreign fields. Most of them understand no foreign language, but they will leave in the faith that this difficulty will be overcome through divine aid.
The claim is made that in the presence of many people members of the church have already been gifted with tongues they never heard before. Ethel Brelesford, the 12-year-old daughter of Pastor Brelesford, is said to have recently spoken in Chinese. James Diltz, assistant roadmaster of the Rock Island, recently resigned to become a missionary. He, too, they say, can speak Chinese. Others have spoken in German and Spanish, and two were gifted with the Greek language.
Members of New Sect Suddenly Endowed With Ability to Speak Chinese and Greek
Power to heal the sick, to prophesy, and the gift of tongues like that which enabled the first apostles to preach the gospel in strange lands, are all claimed by the members of the Church of the Full Gospel, a new religious sect which in the past three years has sprung up in Colorado and grown with remarkable rapidity.
In an old church on the corner of Nineteenth and Welton street, the congregation in Denver, which now numbers 800, holds its meetings on Sunday for regular service. Every Wednesday afternoon a meeting is held at which it is claimed the power of Divine healing has been again and again manifested. The Rev. G. F. Fink is founder of the new sect. The pastor of the Denver congregation is the Rev. S. A. Brelesford. Fifteen young men are now preparing themselves to become missionaries in foreign fields. Most of them understand no foreign language, but they will leave in the faith that this difficulty will be overcome through divine aid.
The claim is made that in the presence of many people members of the church have already been gifted with tongues they never heard before. Ethel Brelesford, the 12-year-old daughter of Pastor Brelesford, is said to have recently spoken in Chinese. James Diltz, assistant roadmaster of the Rock Island, recently resigned to become a missionary. He, too, they say, can speak Chinese. Others have spoken in German and Spanish, and two were gifted with the Greek language.
The "Holy House" — Jesus' House Appears
1906
Legend of the Home of Mary and the Saviour
Let me first give the main outlines of the legend. At Nazareth was preserved with pious care the House of our Lady. The dwelling place in which she received the gracious message of the Incarnation, the lowly home which sheltered the Holy Family for so many years, was a very precious sanctuary. On May 10, 1291, a month after the taking of Tripoli and Ptolemais, this Holy House was carried by the hands of angels from Nazareth to a place in Dalmatia between Flume and Tersatz on the Adriatic shore.
It was a one roomed edifice, built of red square stones, fastened with cement, and bore proof of age and Oriental design. It stood without any foundation and had a wooden decorated ceiling. The walls were covered with frescoes; there was a door and a narrow window; inside there was an altar of stone, an ancient crucifix, a small cupboard, containing a few vessels of common use; a chimney and hearth, above which was a cedar statue of our Lady with the Holy Child in her arms. The pastor of the place learned in a vision that the building was the House of Our Lady; the stone altar that at which St. Peter celebrated mass, and the statue the work of St. Luke the Evangelist. In proof of the vision he was cured of a serious illness. A deputation of four responsible persons forthwith were sent to Nazareth to investigate the mystery, and there they found that the house was no longer to be found.
Measurement and other means taken proved that the house that had suddenly appeared in Dalmatia was indeed none other than that which had as suddenly left Palestine. Three years after, on December 10, 1294, the Holy House again disappeared, and under the pontificate of Celestine V. came to Recanati, a little town in the March of Ancona, when it fixed itself in a laurel grove belonging to a pious lady called Loreto. It was discovered by some shepherds and soon became recognized, and was henceforth a much frequented place of pilgrimage. Eight months afterward the house removed to a small hill, three miles from Recanati, to land belonging to two brothers, who, however, fell out shortly afterward over the division of wealth which began to flow to the new shrine.
To save strife between the brothers the house was suddenly lifted once more, and this time settled down, finally, in the midst of the public way, which, had to be diverted in consequence. Here, too, in the course of time a chapel was built, which gave way in time to the present basilica. The famous pilgrimage of Loreto goes on today. Popes, kings and princes have visited this shrine and left great gifts. Later on a festival with liturgical rites was instituted; and in time the feast of the translation of the Holy House was extended to many countries. — Fortnightly Review.
Legend of the Home of Mary and the Saviour
Let me first give the main outlines of the legend. At Nazareth was preserved with pious care the House of our Lady. The dwelling place in which she received the gracious message of the Incarnation, the lowly home which sheltered the Holy Family for so many years, was a very precious sanctuary. On May 10, 1291, a month after the taking of Tripoli and Ptolemais, this Holy House was carried by the hands of angels from Nazareth to a place in Dalmatia between Flume and Tersatz on the Adriatic shore.
It was a one roomed edifice, built of red square stones, fastened with cement, and bore proof of age and Oriental design. It stood without any foundation and had a wooden decorated ceiling. The walls were covered with frescoes; there was a door and a narrow window; inside there was an altar of stone, an ancient crucifix, a small cupboard, containing a few vessels of common use; a chimney and hearth, above which was a cedar statue of our Lady with the Holy Child in her arms. The pastor of the place learned in a vision that the building was the House of Our Lady; the stone altar that at which St. Peter celebrated mass, and the statue the work of St. Luke the Evangelist. In proof of the vision he was cured of a serious illness. A deputation of four responsible persons forthwith were sent to Nazareth to investigate the mystery, and there they found that the house was no longer to be found.
Measurement and other means taken proved that the house that had suddenly appeared in Dalmatia was indeed none other than that which had as suddenly left Palestine. Three years after, on December 10, 1294, the Holy House again disappeared, and under the pontificate of Celestine V. came to Recanati, a little town in the March of Ancona, when it fixed itself in a laurel grove belonging to a pious lady called Loreto. It was discovered by some shepherds and soon became recognized, and was henceforth a much frequented place of pilgrimage. Eight months afterward the house removed to a small hill, three miles from Recanati, to land belonging to two brothers, who, however, fell out shortly afterward over the division of wealth which began to flow to the new shrine.
To save strife between the brothers the house was suddenly lifted once more, and this time settled down, finally, in the midst of the public way, which, had to be diverted in consequence. Here, too, in the course of time a chapel was built, which gave way in time to the present basilica. The famous pilgrimage of Loreto goes on today. Popes, kings and princes have visited this shrine and left great gifts. Later on a festival with liturgical rites was instituted; and in time the feast of the translation of the Holy House was extended to many countries. — Fortnightly Review.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Words of Wisdom — "A Beggar at God's Door"
1906
Art thou a beggar at God's door, be sure thou gettest a great bowl, for as thy bowl is so will be thy mess. According to thy faith, saith He, be it unto thee. — John Bunyan.
Kind looks, kind words, kind acts and warm handshakes — these are secondary means of grace when men are in trouble and are fighting their unseen battles. — John Hall.
I have looked up every Scripture where anything like meditation is mentioned, and I find that we are never once told to meditate upon sin. — W. H. Griffith Thomas.
Who is meant by our neighbors we cannot doubt; it is every one with whom we are thrown into contact, he or she, whosoever it be, whom we have the means of helping. — Dean Stanley.
You can help your fellow men; you must help them, but the only way you can help them is by being the noblest and the best man that it is possible for you to be. — Phillips Brooks.
Who could believe that from that unpromising bulb would spring the gorgeous flower enveloped in its sheltering leaves? Yet such shall be our body then compared with our body now. — E. H. Bickersteth.
The cure for heartache is to be found in occupations which take us away from our petty self regardings or self pityings, our morbid broodings, and which connect our life with other lives and with other affairs; or merge our individual interest in the larger whole. — Charles G. Ames.
If there be a pleasure on earth which angels cannot enjoy, and which they might almost envy man the possession of, it is the power of relieving distress. If there be a pain which devils might pity man for enduring, it is the death bed reflection that we have possessed the power of doing good, but that we have abused and perverted it to purposes of evil — Lacon.
By giving to the repetition of an act of duty a fixed regularity, I can multiply my moral power in that direction as much as a man multiplies his material power when he gets hold of a lever. By faithful habit I can make that which was at first laborious come to be after a while less difficult, then easy, and perhaps at last spontaneous and delightful. — G. S. Merriam.
Art thou a beggar at God's door, be sure thou gettest a great bowl, for as thy bowl is so will be thy mess. According to thy faith, saith He, be it unto thee. — John Bunyan.
Kind looks, kind words, kind acts and warm handshakes — these are secondary means of grace when men are in trouble and are fighting their unseen battles. — John Hall.
I have looked up every Scripture where anything like meditation is mentioned, and I find that we are never once told to meditate upon sin. — W. H. Griffith Thomas.
Who is meant by our neighbors we cannot doubt; it is every one with whom we are thrown into contact, he or she, whosoever it be, whom we have the means of helping. — Dean Stanley.
You can help your fellow men; you must help them, but the only way you can help them is by being the noblest and the best man that it is possible for you to be. — Phillips Brooks.
Who could believe that from that unpromising bulb would spring the gorgeous flower enveloped in its sheltering leaves? Yet such shall be our body then compared with our body now. — E. H. Bickersteth.
The cure for heartache is to be found in occupations which take us away from our petty self regardings or self pityings, our morbid broodings, and which connect our life with other lives and with other affairs; or merge our individual interest in the larger whole. — Charles G. Ames.
If there be a pleasure on earth which angels cannot enjoy, and which they might almost envy man the possession of, it is the power of relieving distress. If there be a pain which devils might pity man for enduring, it is the death bed reflection that we have possessed the power of doing good, but that we have abused and perverted it to purposes of evil — Lacon.
By giving to the repetition of an act of duty a fixed regularity, I can multiply my moral power in that direction as much as a man multiplies his material power when he gets hold of a lever. By faithful habit I can make that which was at first laborious come to be after a while less difficult, then easy, and perhaps at last spontaneous and delightful. — G. S. Merriam.
No Funerals on Sunday
Indiana, 1906
Cemetery in Muncie, Ind., Will Bar Burials on Holy Days and Holidays
Muncie, Ind. — Heeding a popular cry against Sunday funerals, the trustees of Beach Grove cemetery, in Muncie, have issued an order forbidding any burial in that cemetery on any Sunday, on January 1, May 30 or December 25, of any year except in cases of great necessity or contagious diseases. This order is not to take effect, however, until the first day of next year. After that time, therefore, if there be Sunday funerals in Muncie, the burials must be made in some country cemetery or in some other town.
The cemetery trustees give the following as their reasons for this action: The Sunday funeral disturbs the quiet of the Lord's day, as it is frequently attended by bands of music and by hundreds of curiosity seekers, and is "often accompanied by an evident desire for display on the part of the supposed or real mourners;" if funeral services are held in a church, they frequently disturb the regular service of that church; cemeteries are most often visited on Sundays and a funeral serves to excite morbid curiosity and causes visitors in the burying ground to trample upon graves and to "disregard the decorum that should attend such occasions;" the Sunday funeral is in violation of the decalogue which says: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," because it necessitates work on the part of the cemetery employes.
Muncie ministers are heartily in favor of the plan and it is believed the public will be, also.
Cemetery in Muncie, Ind., Will Bar Burials on Holy Days and Holidays
Muncie, Ind. — Heeding a popular cry against Sunday funerals, the trustees of Beach Grove cemetery, in Muncie, have issued an order forbidding any burial in that cemetery on any Sunday, on January 1, May 30 or December 25, of any year except in cases of great necessity or contagious diseases. This order is not to take effect, however, until the first day of next year. After that time, therefore, if there be Sunday funerals in Muncie, the burials must be made in some country cemetery or in some other town.
The cemetery trustees give the following as their reasons for this action: The Sunday funeral disturbs the quiet of the Lord's day, as it is frequently attended by bands of music and by hundreds of curiosity seekers, and is "often accompanied by an evident desire for display on the part of the supposed or real mourners;" if funeral services are held in a church, they frequently disturb the regular service of that church; cemeteries are most often visited on Sundays and a funeral serves to excite morbid curiosity and causes visitors in the burying ground to trample upon graves and to "disregard the decorum that should attend such occasions;" the Sunday funeral is in violation of the decalogue which says: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," because it necessitates work on the part of the cemetery employes.
Muncie ministers are heartily in favor of the plan and it is believed the public will be, also.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Father and Healer Held After Child's Death
1906
FATHER AND HEALER ARE HELD
Death of Philadelphia Child Without Medical Aid Causes Arrests
Philadelphia, Feb. 24. — At the conclusion today of the coroner's inquest into the death of Grace Bates, 3 years old, Daniel Bates, the child's father, and Rev. Ambrose Clark, assistant pastor of Faith Tabernacle, were committed without bail for trial. The father is charged with criminal neglect and the clergyman is held as an accessory. The defendants are members of the Church of Christ and both testified that they endeavored to accomplish the recovery of the girl through prayer and that medical attention was not provided for the child, who died of typhoid fever.
FATHER AND HEALER ARE HELD
Death of Philadelphia Child Without Medical Aid Causes Arrests
Philadelphia, Feb. 24. — At the conclusion today of the coroner's inquest into the death of Grace Bates, 3 years old, Daniel Bates, the child's father, and Rev. Ambrose Clark, assistant pastor of Faith Tabernacle, were committed without bail for trial. The father is charged with criminal neglect and the clergyman is held as an accessory. The defendants are members of the Church of Christ and both testified that they endeavored to accomplish the recovery of the girl through prayer and that medical attention was not provided for the child, who died of typhoid fever.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Pastor Offers Sermon Series on "Historic Johns in Church and State"
Oakland, CA, 1907
Rev. Homer J. Vosburgh of First Baptist to Give Series of Evening Sermons.
Rev. Homer J. Vosburgh, of the First Baptist church, will preach a series of Sunday evening sermons on "Historic Johns In Church and State: a Study of Men Who Have Brought Things to Pass," with subjects and dates as follows: January 6—John Wycliffe; the Morning-Star of the Reformation (1324-1384). January 13, John Calvin; the Aristotle of Protestantism (1509-1564). January 20, John Knox; The Light of Scotland (1505-1572). January 27, John Milton; the Poet-Prophet of the New Era (1608-1674). February 3, John Bunyan; the Immortal Dreamer (1628-1683). February 10, John Wesley; the Brightest Name of the Eighteenth Century (1703-1791).
The work of rebuilding the auditorium of this church, which was so badly injured by the earthquake, is proceeding rapidly. The work is being done in the most substantial manner. As soon as the walls are rebuilt the auditorium will be completed.
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, Jan. 6, 1907, page 20.
Rev. Homer J. Vosburgh of First Baptist to Give Series of Evening Sermons.
Rev. Homer J. Vosburgh, of the First Baptist church, will preach a series of Sunday evening sermons on "Historic Johns In Church and State: a Study of Men Who Have Brought Things to Pass," with subjects and dates as follows: January 6—John Wycliffe; the Morning-Star of the Reformation (1324-1384). January 13, John Calvin; the Aristotle of Protestantism (1509-1564). January 20, John Knox; The Light of Scotland (1505-1572). January 27, John Milton; the Poet-Prophet of the New Era (1608-1674). February 3, John Bunyan; the Immortal Dreamer (1628-1683). February 10, John Wesley; the Brightest Name of the Eighteenth Century (1703-1791).
The work of rebuilding the auditorium of this church, which was so badly injured by the earthquake, is proceeding rapidly. The work is being done in the most substantial manner. As soon as the walls are rebuilt the auditorium will be completed.
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, Jan. 6, 1907, page 20.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Death and the Hereafter
Butte, Montana, 1906
THE MEANING OF DEATH AND THE FUTURE LIFE
FACTS ABOUT EXISTENCE BEYOND THE GRAVE
ARE DEFINITELY KNOWN
Claim that it is possible to obtain information at first hand about these most perplexing problems of humanity
That very many people in Butte have become interested in the theosophical and scientific lectures being given by Henry Hotchner, under the auspices of the Butte Theosophical society, was again evidenced last evening by the big audience that filled Orton hall to hear Mr. Hotchner speak on the subject of "Death and the Hereafter." Mr. Hotchner claims that it has been demonstrated that life on the other side of death is just as real and active as life in the physical world, and that the "dead" are as much alive as they ever were.
Meaning of Death
"Though the public as a whole is not yet aware of the fact, the meaning of death and the character of man's existence thereafter are as definitely known and understood as the other truths in nature," said Mr. Hotchner. "This vitally important information, illuminating as it does one of the most perplexing problems of life, is the result of a most thorough investigation conducted by trained observers for a period of many years, and all the facts are now classified and arranged in a scientific manner.
Evidence on Subject
"For a long time evidence has been accumulating as to the certainty of existence after death and as to the nature of that existence. In the literature of almost every nation we have repeated assertions made of the return of the dead as apparitions. W. R. Stead's 'Real Ghost Stories' is an important contribution to that literature, and many well-attested tales can be found in it. Genuine phenomena of spiritualism, involving, as they sometimes do, actual return of the dead in materializations so that they can be seen, touched and spoken to, also furnish valuable evidence on the subject.
Beyond the Grave
"But far more important and reliable than these methods is the scientific examination of after-death conditions that has been made by trained theosophical investigators. These students, by right living and right education, have developed higher faculties and powers that enable them to penetrate the world of the dead and to report the facts as they are. A number of these have been working together for many years, verifying each other's observations and carefully tabulating and classifying the phenomena, and in C. W. Leadbeater's 'Astral Plane' and 'The Other Side of Death' the results of that work are to be found. It is indeed gratifying to know that the world beyond the grave is governed by law, as is this world; that the laws are analogous to those here; that the future experience conforms to reason and common sense, and that every person can verify all these facts for himself by fitting himself to do so.
True Man a Soul
"As a consequence of these researches it is established that the true man is a soul and not a physical body, and that the soul is immortal. Death, therefore, is not at all the end of the man's existence, but merely a stage in his progress, and the body is discarded because it has served its necessary purpose of providing experience and knowledge for the soul's growth.
Living After Death
"The man does not, after the death of his body, go to some far distant planet, but he usually remains in the same room and surroundings for quite some time. He is then living in a finer kind of matter than the physical; finer, in fact, than the ether of science. That is called astral matter. It interpenetrates all physical particles and is so rare and tenuous that it cannot be seen by the human eye. The dead man inhabits this realm or plane and is clothed in a body composed of this finer matter. Though he cannot be seen by the average man, he can be very readily perceived and communicated with by the spiritual man who has developed the inner senses and faculties which permit him to see the inhabitants and activities of the astral plane.
Except Without Physical Body
"The dead man is found not to be dead at all, but usually fully alive and conscious of his surroundings. He is not changed at all, in fact he is exactly the same man as before in habits, desires, emotions and aspirations, excepting that he is without the physical body. The life he will lead after his death depends entirely upon himself. The loving father and mother will remain hovering over their children, like guardian angels, pouring love and sympathy and tenderness upon them; doing their best to cheer their sorrowing ones and to assure them that they are alive and not dead. So it is a joyous fact that we are not separated from our loved ones who have died, and that every kind and helpful thought of them reaches them and makes their lives happier.
Now the Time to Decide
"The astral plane life after death is the first stage of the hereafter. It is very much like a purgatory, for its purpose is to cleanse the man of all his lower earthly desires and passions. If these desires were of a low type and had a strong hold on the man during his physical life, they will make him very uncomfortable and unhappy after death, because then he will not have the means wherewith to gratify them. But if they were of a high type, if the man tried to live up to the ideal of a good and useful and unselfish citizen, then his astral plane existence will be a glorious one and he will be able to do much good. By his life here and now man decides what his life will be after death, for the law of cause and effect puts his future into his own hands, and he will assuredly reap as he has sown.
Into the Heaven World
"When the man's stay in the astral plane is over, he passes into the heaven world, which is a realm of matter even finer than the astral. He is the same man as before, excepting that he is purged of lower desires, and he is now to enjoy the fruits of his nobler efforts during life. In this case also the man determines for himself the kind and length of his stay. If on earth he was thoughtful, kind and unselfish, he will have a long stay in the heaven world and will advance much in character and ability. If he had not much of such activities in earth life, his stay will be short. But, in any event, the heaven life is one of the most intense bliss, and its purpose is to enable the man to work into his character the results of his experiences during physical life.
Purpose of Existence
In due course the man will have utilized to the full every good energy and thought of his physical life, and then there will be nothing more to keep him in the heaven world. But that is not the end of things. The purpose of man's existence here is that he shall become perfect in wisdom, power and love, and in order to be that he must have many more experiences on earth. So he returns in this physical world, takes birth in a baby body and is ready for another day in the school of life.
"Thus it is seen that law and order rule in all departments of existence; that there is a reasonable and coherent plan in the world, and that man is to evolve slowly but surely to the perfection of divinity."
Tomorrow night Mr. Hotcher will speak in Anaconda, and next Wednesday evening he will deliver another public lecture at Orton hall in Butte. His subject will be "The Future of Mankind."
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 8, 1906, page 7.
THE MEANING OF DEATH AND THE FUTURE LIFE
FACTS ABOUT EXISTENCE BEYOND THE GRAVE
ARE DEFINITELY KNOWN
Claim that it is possible to obtain information at first hand about these most perplexing problems of humanity
That very many people in Butte have become interested in the theosophical and scientific lectures being given by Henry Hotchner, under the auspices of the Butte Theosophical society, was again evidenced last evening by the big audience that filled Orton hall to hear Mr. Hotchner speak on the subject of "Death and the Hereafter." Mr. Hotchner claims that it has been demonstrated that life on the other side of death is just as real and active as life in the physical world, and that the "dead" are as much alive as they ever were.
Meaning of Death
"Though the public as a whole is not yet aware of the fact, the meaning of death and the character of man's existence thereafter are as definitely known and understood as the other truths in nature," said Mr. Hotchner. "This vitally important information, illuminating as it does one of the most perplexing problems of life, is the result of a most thorough investigation conducted by trained observers for a period of many years, and all the facts are now classified and arranged in a scientific manner.
Evidence on Subject
"For a long time evidence has been accumulating as to the certainty of existence after death and as to the nature of that existence. In the literature of almost every nation we have repeated assertions made of the return of the dead as apparitions. W. R. Stead's 'Real Ghost Stories' is an important contribution to that literature, and many well-attested tales can be found in it. Genuine phenomena of spiritualism, involving, as they sometimes do, actual return of the dead in materializations so that they can be seen, touched and spoken to, also furnish valuable evidence on the subject.
Beyond the Grave
"But far more important and reliable than these methods is the scientific examination of after-death conditions that has been made by trained theosophical investigators. These students, by right living and right education, have developed higher faculties and powers that enable them to penetrate the world of the dead and to report the facts as they are. A number of these have been working together for many years, verifying each other's observations and carefully tabulating and classifying the phenomena, and in C. W. Leadbeater's 'Astral Plane' and 'The Other Side of Death' the results of that work are to be found. It is indeed gratifying to know that the world beyond the grave is governed by law, as is this world; that the laws are analogous to those here; that the future experience conforms to reason and common sense, and that every person can verify all these facts for himself by fitting himself to do so.
True Man a Soul
"As a consequence of these researches it is established that the true man is a soul and not a physical body, and that the soul is immortal. Death, therefore, is not at all the end of the man's existence, but merely a stage in his progress, and the body is discarded because it has served its necessary purpose of providing experience and knowledge for the soul's growth.
Living After Death
"The man does not, after the death of his body, go to some far distant planet, but he usually remains in the same room and surroundings for quite some time. He is then living in a finer kind of matter than the physical; finer, in fact, than the ether of science. That is called astral matter. It interpenetrates all physical particles and is so rare and tenuous that it cannot be seen by the human eye. The dead man inhabits this realm or plane and is clothed in a body composed of this finer matter. Though he cannot be seen by the average man, he can be very readily perceived and communicated with by the spiritual man who has developed the inner senses and faculties which permit him to see the inhabitants and activities of the astral plane.
Except Without Physical Body
"The dead man is found not to be dead at all, but usually fully alive and conscious of his surroundings. He is not changed at all, in fact he is exactly the same man as before in habits, desires, emotions and aspirations, excepting that he is without the physical body. The life he will lead after his death depends entirely upon himself. The loving father and mother will remain hovering over their children, like guardian angels, pouring love and sympathy and tenderness upon them; doing their best to cheer their sorrowing ones and to assure them that they are alive and not dead. So it is a joyous fact that we are not separated from our loved ones who have died, and that every kind and helpful thought of them reaches them and makes their lives happier.
Now the Time to Decide
"The astral plane life after death is the first stage of the hereafter. It is very much like a purgatory, for its purpose is to cleanse the man of all his lower earthly desires and passions. If these desires were of a low type and had a strong hold on the man during his physical life, they will make him very uncomfortable and unhappy after death, because then he will not have the means wherewith to gratify them. But if they were of a high type, if the man tried to live up to the ideal of a good and useful and unselfish citizen, then his astral plane existence will be a glorious one and he will be able to do much good. By his life here and now man decides what his life will be after death, for the law of cause and effect puts his future into his own hands, and he will assuredly reap as he has sown.
Into the Heaven World
"When the man's stay in the astral plane is over, he passes into the heaven world, which is a realm of matter even finer than the astral. He is the same man as before, excepting that he is purged of lower desires, and he is now to enjoy the fruits of his nobler efforts during life. In this case also the man determines for himself the kind and length of his stay. If on earth he was thoughtful, kind and unselfish, he will have a long stay in the heaven world and will advance much in character and ability. If he had not much of such activities in earth life, his stay will be short. But, in any event, the heaven life is one of the most intense bliss, and its purpose is to enable the man to work into his character the results of his experiences during physical life.
Purpose of Existence
In due course the man will have utilized to the full every good energy and thought of his physical life, and then there will be nothing more to keep him in the heaven world. But that is not the end of things. The purpose of man's existence here is that he shall become perfect in wisdom, power and love, and in order to be that he must have many more experiences on earth. So he returns in this physical world, takes birth in a baby body and is ready for another day in the school of life.
"Thus it is seen that law and order rule in all departments of existence; that there is a reasonable and coherent plan in the world, and that man is to evolve slowly but surely to the perfection of divinity."
Tomorrow night Mr. Hotcher will speak in Anaconda, and next Wednesday evening he will deliver another public lecture at Orton hall in Butte. His subject will be "The Future of Mankind."
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 8, 1906, page 7.
Theosophy Satisfies The Religious Instinct
Butte, Montana, 1906
IT WHOLLY SATISFIES THE YEARNING TO KNOW
THEOSOPHY SUPPLIES WHAT OTHER TEACHINGS LACK
THE RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
Longing to know about God and the world and its people an inherent part of human nature — A motive for right living and acting
Henry Hotchner yesterday afternoon gave another public lecture before a very large audience, using for his subject the query, "Does Theosophy Satisfy the Religious Instinct?" Many who heard the lecture pronounced it the most interesting yet delivered by Mr. Hotchner to the public in Butte. Briefly, he said:
"Theosophy certainly does satisfy the religious instinct and satisfy it wholly and rationally. The religious instinct, which is an inherent part of human nature, is the yearning to know about God, about ourselves, about the world in which we live, and about how we must live in order to be happy and useful now and hereafter. Theosophy satisfies this instinct because it provides this information and thus furnishes the motive for right living and acting.
The Great Teachers
"To give such information, to proclaim these facts, is the reason for the coming of the great spiritual teachers, Moses, Christ, Buddha, and others. Each one emphasized such truths as would help certain grades of souls, as would satisfy the religious instinct of the people they wished especially to help. Each one of the 300 or 400 religions in the world is helping certain kinds of people; no one religion could help all.
"The religious instinct based on the needs of the character must necessarily change as the character evolves. The religious instinct of the primitive man is satisfied with far less information than is necessary to satisfy the yearning and demands of the civilized man. The information given to men 2,000 years ago, or 200 years ago, and the manner in which it was given, cannot be completely satisfying now. The grown man cannot be satisfied with the food given to the infant. The religious instinct of the more advanced soul can be satisfied only by more information, greater light, stronger stimulus to right living.
The Modern Thinker
"In order to satisfy the modern thinker, the facts about religion must be presented in exactly the same way as are facts about any other department of knowledge. They must conform to reason, to common sense; they must be harmonious with other laws in nature, and they must explain things and satisfy them. It is because many religions fail to do this, because they insist upon proclaiming statements which are obviously unjust and irrational, that they are not satisfying the religious instinct of many very good people.
"Theosophy is not at all antagonistic to religions. On the contrary, it recognizes that they are helping many people. Theosophy suggests that people search into their own religion for the truths which they seek, even though they might well accept truth from other sources also.
Satisfies Religious Instinct
"Theosophy satisfies the religious instinct wholly because it gives the information which people want. It tells them definitely and accurately why we are here, the nature of the universe, its principal laws, how we should conform to these, what it is necessary to do so as to be happy and useful, what is the future that lies before us, and all other essential truths. It enlarges our previous conceptions of honor, of truth, of duty; it removes our fear of death, it relieves our worries, it lightens our burdens; it stimulates us to greater usefulness and greater happiness."
Tonight Mr. Hotchner will speak at Orton hall on "Death and the Hereafter," the lecture to begin punctually at 8 o'clock. His subject is one that will probably draw even a larger audience than usual, because it is the one subject humanity is mostly interested in and about which it knows least.
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 7, 1906, page 9.
IT WHOLLY SATISFIES THE YEARNING TO KNOW
THEOSOPHY SUPPLIES WHAT OTHER TEACHINGS LACK
THE RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
Longing to know about God and the world and its people an inherent part of human nature — A motive for right living and acting
Henry Hotchner yesterday afternoon gave another public lecture before a very large audience, using for his subject the query, "Does Theosophy Satisfy the Religious Instinct?" Many who heard the lecture pronounced it the most interesting yet delivered by Mr. Hotchner to the public in Butte. Briefly, he said:
"Theosophy certainly does satisfy the religious instinct and satisfy it wholly and rationally. The religious instinct, which is an inherent part of human nature, is the yearning to know about God, about ourselves, about the world in which we live, and about how we must live in order to be happy and useful now and hereafter. Theosophy satisfies this instinct because it provides this information and thus furnishes the motive for right living and acting.
The Great Teachers
"To give such information, to proclaim these facts, is the reason for the coming of the great spiritual teachers, Moses, Christ, Buddha, and others. Each one emphasized such truths as would help certain grades of souls, as would satisfy the religious instinct of the people they wished especially to help. Each one of the 300 or 400 religions in the world is helping certain kinds of people; no one religion could help all.
"The religious instinct based on the needs of the character must necessarily change as the character evolves. The religious instinct of the primitive man is satisfied with far less information than is necessary to satisfy the yearning and demands of the civilized man. The information given to men 2,000 years ago, or 200 years ago, and the manner in which it was given, cannot be completely satisfying now. The grown man cannot be satisfied with the food given to the infant. The religious instinct of the more advanced soul can be satisfied only by more information, greater light, stronger stimulus to right living.
The Modern Thinker
"In order to satisfy the modern thinker, the facts about religion must be presented in exactly the same way as are facts about any other department of knowledge. They must conform to reason, to common sense; they must be harmonious with other laws in nature, and they must explain things and satisfy them. It is because many religions fail to do this, because they insist upon proclaiming statements which are obviously unjust and irrational, that they are not satisfying the religious instinct of many very good people.
"Theosophy is not at all antagonistic to religions. On the contrary, it recognizes that they are helping many people. Theosophy suggests that people search into their own religion for the truths which they seek, even though they might well accept truth from other sources also.
Satisfies Religious Instinct
"Theosophy satisfies the religious instinct wholly because it gives the information which people want. It tells them definitely and accurately why we are here, the nature of the universe, its principal laws, how we should conform to these, what it is necessary to do so as to be happy and useful, what is the future that lies before us, and all other essential truths. It enlarges our previous conceptions of honor, of truth, of duty; it removes our fear of death, it relieves our worries, it lightens our burdens; it stimulates us to greater usefulness and greater happiness."
Tonight Mr. Hotchner will speak at Orton hall on "Death and the Hereafter," the lecture to begin punctually at 8 o'clock. His subject is one that will probably draw even a larger audience than usual, because it is the one subject humanity is mostly interested in and about which it knows least.
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 7, 1906, page 9.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Clairvoyant Brought Here From New York To Find Valuable Papers
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1906
Clairvoyant Powers
Was Brought Here from New York to Locate Some Valuable Papers
Mr. Bauer Astonishes People Who Call to Test His Occult Powers — Reads Thoughts and Tells Past and Future — Insists Upon Giving Satisfaction to His Clients
Without a doubt one of the greatest known clairvoyants in the world today is Mr. Bauer, the distinguished clairvoyant and psychic, who has just come to Fort Wayne from New York.
The marvelous manifestations of his wonderful powers are as far superior to the ordinary palmist and fortune teller as the perfect automobile is to the wheelbarrow.
Those who come to scoff may not remain to pray, but they go away with a puzzled look on their faces, wondering mightily. Perhaps you laugh at first, when you see the rather peculiar methods used by the professor in telling a fortune, but when he commences to talk and pile up fact after fact, which you know to be true even to the smallest detail, your laugh dies away, and you gaze in amazement akin to awe at the mysterious man before you as though he were some uncanny being fresh from another world. You sit chained to the chair with fascination while your past and future are laid bare before you. After answering the final question, you are perplexed and abstractedly draw forth your purse, throwing an inquiring glance at Mr. Bauer. He smiles and asks if you are satisfied, saying that he never accepts payment until assured that a person is perfectly satisfied and that he believes he has received fair return for his money.
Most assuredly the professor differs from other clairvoyants. You laugh, still rather confusedly, and like everyone else, declare that you are glad to pay the small compensation asked. Many affirm no money value can be fixed upon the good they have received.
The professor tells fortunes by astrology and clairvoyance. He is absolutely reliable, and, realizing that merit, brings reward when the reading is over with, you do not have to p»y unless you feel satisfied with what you have been told.
Those who have been humbugged by the hundreds of fake fortune tellers now on the road, will do well to consult Mr. Bauer. He gives advice on business, speculation and courtship. He settles lovers' quarrels, reunites the separated, causes speedy and happy marriages. In fact, everything.
Clairvoyance is a branch of mesmerism, though it is more far-reaching in its effect. In clairvoyance it is the mind reader and not the subject who is affected by the mysterious influence. Mesmerism does not lift the veil of the future, whereas clairvoyance goes beyond the surface of the present and delves into the hidden depths of the "great beyond." Clairvoyance, in short, is a polished and advanced form of mesmerism, which has long been given world-wide recognition.
Mr. Bauer is both a clairvoyant and an astrologer. He possesses, besides, remarkable spiritual powers and employs all three gifts in arriving at the truth of matters presented to him for elucidation.
Mr. Bauer has been studying every phase of this problem since his arrival and feels confident that he will be able to locate the papers. This would, indeed, be a manifestation of occult power which even the most skeptical critic could not sneeze at. There have been many manifestations of mental telepathy in connection with hidden articles, but the recovery of lost papers is an achievement vouchsafed to a few men. If Mr. Bauer crowns his Fort Wayne career with the recovery of the missing documents he will command more respect for clairvoyance and astrology than these mysterious sciences have hitherto enjoyed, though they have not lacked for devotees.
Therefore, it must be said that Mr. Bauer is of the very highest class of clairvoyants. His beliefs are that the material heavens have a moral influence over the earth and its inhabitants. There are some wiseacres who scoff at this idea, not knowing, perhaps, that the first study of the heavens embraced and dominated over every other attempt at science. Astrology was the beginning of science, the first encyclopedia of the world. In the ancient ages physicians consulted the stars before they applied potions and gave nostrums. The cosmogonists explained the earth by the influence of the heavens. The zodiac was the first book that lay open for all to read.
As for clairvoyance it has both supporters and enemies. The theory of clairvoyance, however, is inseparable from a science that has so firmly impressed itself upon the public mind as to leave no doubt of its truthfulness. Reference is made to mesmerism, or hypnotic influence, which of late years has been demonstrated to be as virile an occult force as one could well imagine.
Ladies and gentlemen can visit Mr. Bauer without fear of having their confidence betrayed, as he considers his business a sacred trust. Mr. Bauer can be consulted dally at residence, 1129 Clinton street, near Lewis street. Madam Bauer receives all callers.
Hours — 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. daily. 10 to 4 Sundays. He will positively see no one after hours.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 31, 1906, page 4.
Clairvoyant Powers
Was Brought Here from New York to Locate Some Valuable Papers
Mr. Bauer Astonishes People Who Call to Test His Occult Powers — Reads Thoughts and Tells Past and Future — Insists Upon Giving Satisfaction to His Clients
Without a doubt one of the greatest known clairvoyants in the world today is Mr. Bauer, the distinguished clairvoyant and psychic, who has just come to Fort Wayne from New York.
The marvelous manifestations of his wonderful powers are as far superior to the ordinary palmist and fortune teller as the perfect automobile is to the wheelbarrow.
Those who come to scoff may not remain to pray, but they go away with a puzzled look on their faces, wondering mightily. Perhaps you laugh at first, when you see the rather peculiar methods used by the professor in telling a fortune, but when he commences to talk and pile up fact after fact, which you know to be true even to the smallest detail, your laugh dies away, and you gaze in amazement akin to awe at the mysterious man before you as though he were some uncanny being fresh from another world. You sit chained to the chair with fascination while your past and future are laid bare before you. After answering the final question, you are perplexed and abstractedly draw forth your purse, throwing an inquiring glance at Mr. Bauer. He smiles and asks if you are satisfied, saying that he never accepts payment until assured that a person is perfectly satisfied and that he believes he has received fair return for his money.
Most assuredly the professor differs from other clairvoyants. You laugh, still rather confusedly, and like everyone else, declare that you are glad to pay the small compensation asked. Many affirm no money value can be fixed upon the good they have received.
The professor tells fortunes by astrology and clairvoyance. He is absolutely reliable, and, realizing that merit, brings reward when the reading is over with, you do not have to p»y unless you feel satisfied with what you have been told.
Those who have been humbugged by the hundreds of fake fortune tellers now on the road, will do well to consult Mr. Bauer. He gives advice on business, speculation and courtship. He settles lovers' quarrels, reunites the separated, causes speedy and happy marriages. In fact, everything.
Clairvoyance is a branch of mesmerism, though it is more far-reaching in its effect. In clairvoyance it is the mind reader and not the subject who is affected by the mysterious influence. Mesmerism does not lift the veil of the future, whereas clairvoyance goes beyond the surface of the present and delves into the hidden depths of the "great beyond." Clairvoyance, in short, is a polished and advanced form of mesmerism, which has long been given world-wide recognition.
Mr. Bauer is both a clairvoyant and an astrologer. He possesses, besides, remarkable spiritual powers and employs all three gifts in arriving at the truth of matters presented to him for elucidation.
Mr. Bauer has been studying every phase of this problem since his arrival and feels confident that he will be able to locate the papers. This would, indeed, be a manifestation of occult power which even the most skeptical critic could not sneeze at. There have been many manifestations of mental telepathy in connection with hidden articles, but the recovery of lost papers is an achievement vouchsafed to a few men. If Mr. Bauer crowns his Fort Wayne career with the recovery of the missing documents he will command more respect for clairvoyance and astrology than these mysterious sciences have hitherto enjoyed, though they have not lacked for devotees.
Therefore, it must be said that Mr. Bauer is of the very highest class of clairvoyants. His beliefs are that the material heavens have a moral influence over the earth and its inhabitants. There are some wiseacres who scoff at this idea, not knowing, perhaps, that the first study of the heavens embraced and dominated over every other attempt at science. Astrology was the beginning of science, the first encyclopedia of the world. In the ancient ages physicians consulted the stars before they applied potions and gave nostrums. The cosmogonists explained the earth by the influence of the heavens. The zodiac was the first book that lay open for all to read.
As for clairvoyance it has both supporters and enemies. The theory of clairvoyance, however, is inseparable from a science that has so firmly impressed itself upon the public mind as to leave no doubt of its truthfulness. Reference is made to mesmerism, or hypnotic influence, which of late years has been demonstrated to be as virile an occult force as one could well imagine.
Ladies and gentlemen can visit Mr. Bauer without fear of having their confidence betrayed, as he considers his business a sacred trust. Mr. Bauer can be consulted dally at residence, 1129 Clinton street, near Lewis street. Madam Bauer receives all callers.
Hours — 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. daily. 10 to 4 Sundays. He will positively see no one after hours.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 31, 1906, page 4.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Secrets Revealed! 1906 Psychic Advertisement, New York
Antique Advertisement
Middletown, New York, 1906
SECRETS REVEALED
PAST! PRESENT! FUTURE!
Consult this gifted clairvoyant and Psychic Medium. She is controlled by the honest Hindua. You will find out who are your friends and who are not. Also if you are in trouble or in doubt of any character concerning anyone or anything, feel yourself invited to call and be convinced and you will receive satisfaction.
The charges are within the reach of all and the strictest confidence is maintained.
Residence, 18 Railroad Ave., Middletown, N. Y. Open day and Sundays. Charges are 50c.
--Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, New York, May 4, 1906, page 4.
Middletown, New York, 1906
SECRETS REVEALED
PAST! PRESENT! FUTURE!
Consult this gifted clairvoyant and Psychic Medium. She is controlled by the honest Hindua. You will find out who are your friends and who are not. Also if you are in trouble or in doubt of any character concerning anyone or anything, feel yourself invited to call and be convinced and you will receive satisfaction.
The charges are within the reach of all and the strictest confidence is maintained.
Residence, 18 Railroad Ave., Middletown, N. Y. Open day and Sundays. Charges are 50c.
--Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, New York, May 4, 1906, page 4.
Divorcing Christian Scientist Husband, No Time For Child
Columbia City, Indiana, 1906
ASKS DIVORCE FROM CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Aug 13 — Mrs. Ida Creager, residing near Collamer through her attorney, F. B. Moe, of South Whitley, Monday filed suit in the Whitley circuit court for divorce from her husband, Joseph Creager, alleging that he is a Christian Scientist and wholly failed to support her and their twelve-year-old daughter for more than two years past. Her complaint avers that since they removed from this county to Elkhart three years ago she has been compelled to work out in order to secure the means to support herself and child, while her husband refused to labor, stating that he was a Christian Scientist and had no time to devote to his family as he preferred to be alone and without wife and child that he might read and meditate along the line of his spiritual welfare. When she fell ill last fall he brought her to the home of her mother, Mrs. Sisk near Collamer, where she has since made her home. She asks an absolute divorce and custody of the child and $100 of alimony.
--The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 14, 1906, page 6.
ASKS DIVORCE FROM CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Aug 13 — Mrs. Ida Creager, residing near Collamer through her attorney, F. B. Moe, of South Whitley, Monday filed suit in the Whitley circuit court for divorce from her husband, Joseph Creager, alleging that he is a Christian Scientist and wholly failed to support her and their twelve-year-old daughter for more than two years past. Her complaint avers that since they removed from this county to Elkhart three years ago she has been compelled to work out in order to secure the means to support herself and child, while her husband refused to labor, stating that he was a Christian Scientist and had no time to devote to his family as he preferred to be alone and without wife and child that he might read and meditate along the line of his spiritual welfare. When she fell ill last fall he brought her to the home of her mother, Mrs. Sisk near Collamer, where she has since made her home. She asks an absolute divorce and custody of the child and $100 of alimony.
--The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 14, 1906, page 6.
Evangelists Raps Spiritualists, They Rap Back
Anaconda, Montana, 1905-06
EVANGELIST DANIELS RAPS SPIRITUALISM
SCANDINAVIAN PREACHER SAYS IT IS OF ANCIENT ORIGIN
HE ROASTS THE MEDIUMS
Denies the power of humans to call up the spirits of the dead and says that if they can only evil ones would respond.
If John J. Daniels, pastor of the Rockford, Ill., Swedish church and traveling evangelist, has the right of it spiritualism is a humbug. Evangelist Daniels, who is now on an evangelistic tour of the coast, preached in Swedish last evening in the church on the corner of Alder and Fifth streets to a large and interested audience.
Mr. Daniels showed that there is nothing new about spiritualism; that there were spiritualists in the days of Moses. It was a medium, he said, that called up the spirit of Samuel for Saul. He said that modern spiritualism is supposed to have originated in the year 1848. A family by the name of Fox in Hydesville, N. Y., was much disturbed by spirit rappings and when Miss Kate Fox spoke to these rappings she discovered that they were made by the spirit of a murdered peddler. The spirit would answer questions by rapping once for no and three times for yes. All spirits are said to follow this rule.
Miss Kate Fox and her sister discovered that it was possible to communicate in this manner with any spirit of the dead, especially with relatives, but the spirits would answer questions only through mediums. The Fox sisters were the first mediums in modern spiritualism.
Many Kinds of Mediums
Mr. Daniels stated that since 1848 the means of communicating with spirits has developed wonderfully. There are now many kinds of mediums. We have slat writing mediums, spirit circle mediums, trance mediums, materializing mediums and medium photographers.
Modern spiritualism has progressed rapidly and there are many thousands in all civilized nations. They have more than 10 newspapers developed to their interests, and, according to the last census, there are 50,000 spiritualists in the United States. There are many among the Scandinavians of both the old and the new world.
These people have no common doctrine. They believe there is a God, but they do not believe in the divinity of Christ, and they interpret the Bible to suit their own peculiar notions. Some mediums claim they have communicated with the spirit of Christ and the spirits of the apostles. In these communications Christ disowns the divinity, and the Apostle Paul congratulates the spiritualists on having found the light and the truth.
Spiritualists do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, buy they believe with Swedenborg in a development in the spirit world. They do not believe there is a hell, but many of them profess to believe in the theory of reincarnation.
Only Evil Spirits
Mr. Daniels expressed believe in a spirit world, but did not think that mediums had the power to call the spirits of the dead or communicate with them. He thought that if they could communicate with any spirits it is only with evil spirits. The phenomena of spiritualism can be ascribed almost wholly to trickery and to hypnotism. When the mediums go into trances they are in a hypnotic condition. When in this condition they make some wonderful and startling guesses, as they are all clever mind readers.
In conclusion he showed that spiritualism produced sin, vice and immorality. He said that spiritualism is the religion of free love, and mediums were usually grass widows. They have a superstition that a seventh daughter of a seventh sister is the best medium, but according to the speaker the seventh wife of a seventh husband was the best. He warned people who investigated spiritualism against allowing themselves to be hypnotized, as it greatly weakens the will power.
Mr. Daniels will speak in the same church to-night on "Infidelity." He expects to remain in the city for a week or more, and he will then go to Missoula and on to the coast cities and towns.
--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, December 14, 1905, page 5.
ANOTHER REPLY TO THE SWEDISH EVANGELIST
EDITOR TUTTLE WRITES ABOUT THE SPIRITUALISTIC FAITH
HE ASKS FOR A FAIR DEAL
Fewer divorces and less criminality among spiritualists than any other faith, according to Mr. Tuttle's statistics
Hudson Tuttle, the acknowledged chief of the spiritualists of the United States, writing from Berlin Heights, Ohio in reply to the sermon preached in this city some time ago by a Scandinavian evangelist, has the following to say:
Editor of The Anaconda Standard: "In your issue of Dec. 14 appears a report of a sermon by Evangelist Daniels, in which he roasts mediums and denies the power of humans to call up the spirits of the dead, and says if they can, only evil ones would respond. In his discourse he assails spiritualism, making charges so far from the truth that he shows either utter ignorance of the subject or a design to mislead. If his object is to lead believers away from what he thinks a great sin and delusion, should he not have in some small measure the charity of the Master? Can he hope to win by epithets and false representations? As this sermon is one of his stock, constantly repeated wherever he goes, he ought to know that his statements are correct and the ground solid beneath his feet.
"He commences by saying that there is nothing new about spiritualism, as though someone had made that claim. Spiritualists make no such claim. To the contrary, they hold it to be as old as the rain. The Bible, from beginning to end, is filled with records of spirit ministrations, and there is not a phase of mediumship between the spirit world and this not given in its pages. History records manifestations of spirits in all ages and among all races, from the savage to the most civilized. All the spiritualists claim is that in its modern form it belongs to the present. The study of the laws and conditions of the psychic or spiritual domain by the methods of physical science -- experimentation, careful observation of phenomena and co-ordination of facts; the deduction therefrom of a philosophy of life, here and hereafter; the foundation on this basis of a system of ethics and of a religion which is devoted to righteousness— this is spiritualism as understood by its believers.
"As Rev. Daniels admits that spirits can communicate, there is no contention on that point. But he is not content with this theory. He declares that the phenomenon can be ascribed almost wholly to trickery and hypnotism. Hypnotism is one of those all-embracing terms which, when difficulties arise, sound learned, but mean nothing. But there is a residium left which neither trickery nor hypnotism can explain even to Rev. Daniel's satisfaction, and he calls in evil spirits to his aid. He takes the Bible as infallible authority, and by what right does he dare assert that all spirits that communicate are evil? He well says that spiritualism is not new. Yes, and is it not the same spiritualism recorded in the Bible? The witch of Endor was a medium when she called up the spirit of Samuel. Was he an evil spirit? An angel unloosed Peter from chains in prison; an angel appeared to Hager; two came to Abraham; angels came to Joseph. These are a few instances recorded, for the book must be almost quoted as a whole to give them all. Were these angels and messengers evil spirits? "What is a spirit? According to Matthew, xiv., 26; Luke, xxiv., 37, 'The soul of man separated from his body,' of this being it is said, Hebrews, i., 14, 'Are not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs to salvation?' Is it not strange that while our good and loving friends are shut from us by an impassable wall, the evil spirits can approach, communicate and lead us to ruin? There is not a text in the Bible supporting Rev. Daniels in this conclusion, which is a libel on the God he worships.
"But his opinion, being no more than an opinion, requires only passing mention. His charges against the moral status of spiritualists are of vastly more consequence. They are such as no Christian gentleman should make unless doubly sure of their correctness. Only overwhelming sense of sinfulness and desire to save souls from ruin would justify such uncharitable accusations. As reported, he said: 'In conclusion he showed that spiritualism produced sin, vice and immorality. He said that spiritualism is the religion of free love, and mediums were usually grass widows. They have a superstition that a seventh daughter of a seventh sister is the best medium, but, according to the speaker, the seventh wife of a seventh husband was the best.' These are all threadbare charges, utterly without foundation in truth. He truly said that spiritualism has made rapid growth. It is estimated that there are 3,000,000 of spiritualists in the United States. It has representative journals in England, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the South American states. It has a national association possessing a splendid home building at Washington, with a library and publishing bureau for the free distribution of its literature; a missionary force in the field and a lyceum or Sunday school for instruction of the children in its principles. This association has all the rights and privileges conferred by law on religious bodies.
"Is not a tree known by its fruits? Spiritualism has been before the world for more than 50 years. If it is the work of evil spirits, and hence immoral in its tendencies should not the record of crime indicate its influence? I have collected the reports of all great penal institutions in this country and Canada and find that not a single spiritualist is reported within their walls. There are more than 700 ministers of the gospel and several evangelists, but not a single spiritualist. I do not mention this strange fact in disparagement of the ministerial profession, but to emphasize the statement that spiritualism leads directly away from crime. As to the charge of 'free love,' in all the standard literature of spiritualism there cannot be found one word of endorsement of that doctrine. Is not a cause represented by the organizations formed for its culture and extension? Are not all churches represented by their creeds? The national association thus represents spiritualism, and its statement of principles has no word indorsing any other relation in married life than that of the purest love, mutual devotion and faithfulness to the vows which make two souls one in the journey of life. It publishes a ritual containing the marriage service, and its ordained speakers have the right to officiate at marriages. There are fewer divorces among spiriutalists than of other beliefs, for the marriage relation is held with greater reverence as not only continuing till death, but into the infinite life beyond."
--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 1, 1906, page 2.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Descrating or Keeping the Sabbath
1906
SABBATH DESECRATION
(Christian Herald.)
During the last decade there has been a greater change in Sunday observance than in all the preceding years back to the time the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and while not advocating a return to the "blue-laws" of the seventeenth century, one cannot but admit that the change has not been for the better. Instead of an American Sunday, we are getting the European Sunday. On the other side of the Atlantic, especially on the continent, Sunday is not, nor has been in modern times, a day of rest. People there may, or may not go to church in the morning, but practically all go for a picnic, or to the theater, or the races, and other places of amusement in the afternoon. The evening resembles a carnival. There is no spirit of worship, no sense of restfulness. With the great influx of foreigners from continental countries, things in America began to take on an European aspect. Amusement places at our beach resorts began open their doors on the Lord's day, then we got the Sunday concert, which has now degenerated to the level of an ordinary vaudeville show.
All this involves a great many bad features, and no good ones, so far as we have been able to discover. Our young people must necessarily lose reverence for a day that is devoted to athletic sports and social affairs, while theoretically it stands for something else. The thought of church-going becomes irksome to them, and is finally abandoned altogether. Thousands of people who are entitled to their day of rest are debarred from it, through the selfishness of the amusement seekers. Motormen and conductors must take them to the parks and beaches, and the people who are employed in stores and restaurants must rush themselves to the point of exhaustion, so that on Monday, instead of rising refreshed, and heartened for the week's toil, they appear at their work unfitted for the task before them.
Several organizations have been formed for the protection of the American Sunday, and they are being aided, to a certain extent, by labor bodies, who believe that their members should have the rest accorded to others. Europe is feeling that a reaction must come, unless its people become moral degenerates. In England, the bishops are preaching against the desecration of the day by fashionable week-end parties, racing and cards being popular Sunday diversions.
If we keep on at the present rate, much that we have gained in national character by keeping Sunday as a holy day, and not as a holiday, will be lost, and, once lost, cannot be regained, unless there comes a marked quickening of the public conscience. Sunday should mean a day that stands apart from the others of the week, when men's thoughts can turn to something higher than the sordidness of money-getting and money-spending, a day for worship, for the reunion of parents and children, a day of preparation for the week to come.
--The Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 18, 1906, page 4, editorial.
SABBATH DESECRATION
(Christian Herald.)
During the last decade there has been a greater change in Sunday observance than in all the preceding years back to the time the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and while not advocating a return to the "blue-laws" of the seventeenth century, one cannot but admit that the change has not been for the better. Instead of an American Sunday, we are getting the European Sunday. On the other side of the Atlantic, especially on the continent, Sunday is not, nor has been in modern times, a day of rest. People there may, or may not go to church in the morning, but practically all go for a picnic, or to the theater, or the races, and other places of amusement in the afternoon. The evening resembles a carnival. There is no spirit of worship, no sense of restfulness. With the great influx of foreigners from continental countries, things in America began to take on an European aspect. Amusement places at our beach resorts began open their doors on the Lord's day, then we got the Sunday concert, which has now degenerated to the level of an ordinary vaudeville show.
All this involves a great many bad features, and no good ones, so far as we have been able to discover. Our young people must necessarily lose reverence for a day that is devoted to athletic sports and social affairs, while theoretically it stands for something else. The thought of church-going becomes irksome to them, and is finally abandoned altogether. Thousands of people who are entitled to their day of rest are debarred from it, through the selfishness of the amusement seekers. Motormen and conductors must take them to the parks and beaches, and the people who are employed in stores and restaurants must rush themselves to the point of exhaustion, so that on Monday, instead of rising refreshed, and heartened for the week's toil, they appear at their work unfitted for the task before them.
Several organizations have been formed for the protection of the American Sunday, and they are being aided, to a certain extent, by labor bodies, who believe that their members should have the rest accorded to others. Europe is feeling that a reaction must come, unless its people become moral degenerates. In England, the bishops are preaching against the desecration of the day by fashionable week-end parties, racing and cards being popular Sunday diversions.
If we keep on at the present rate, much that we have gained in national character by keeping Sunday as a holy day, and not as a holiday, will be lost, and, once lost, cannot be regained, unless there comes a marked quickening of the public conscience. Sunday should mean a day that stands apart from the others of the week, when men's thoughts can turn to something higher than the sordidness of money-getting and money-spending, a day for worship, for the reunion of parents and children, a day of preparation for the week to come.
--The Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 18, 1906, page 4, editorial.
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