1917
Sing Good Gospel Songs, Bishop Tells M. E. Preachers.
LIMA, Ohio — At the opening of the second day's session of the West Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Thirkield spoke on "Hymnology" to 500 preachers, urging them to use the Methodist Hymnal more, with its splendid gospel songs. He said too many flippant, ragtime tunes, with frivolous wording, have crept into the church today.
—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 4.
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tent Meetings
Ohio, 1901
A Nice Audience, Excellent Song Service and the Story of the Prodigal Son.
Last evening was clear and beautiful and fine, just right for a good meeting at the big tent. And nobody was disappointed. On the platform besides the welcome group of singers, were Revs. Herron and Dennison of Troy, and Revs. Black, Weddell, and Mann of Piqua. With Judd Palmer at the organ and Prof. Weeden to direct the singing and to sing "Calvary" as a solo, the singing was most impressive. Then followed the discourse of the evening by Rev. [J. W.] VanDeVenter, of which we can only give the merest outline.
He began his address with the story of the conversion and the ministry of Harry Moorehouse whose favorite theme was the "Wonderful love of God," and whose favorite text was Jno. 3:16. He said in brief:
"I do not wish to use the text often chosen by Harry Moorehouse but I wish to speak upon the same subject — The Love of God.
"There is a story told by Jesus of Nazareth, in the l5th chapter of Luke, which tells of the wonderful love of the Father, for a poor lost soul, that I want to use as a basis of my remarks. Had Jesus lived in America, and at this time, He probably would have laid the plot of his story here and selected his characters from our midst and I beg that privilege."
The speaker then proceeded to describe a country home with all of its charms, the home of two boys, one of whom, dissatisfied with the dull routine of farm life, asked the father for his portion of the property which finally was given him, and with the same he went out into the world to seek his fortune. He was conceited, stubborn and self-willed and would not listen to the advice of a kind, loving father and went away to the great city of Chicago, to pass through the college of experience.
He described his downward course as he went, step by step, to ruin. In three years he had wasted his substance in riotous living, "comes to himself" and finds that he is without friends, money or character, in short only a tramp. He decides to return to the old home.
The speaker then described the wonderful love of the old father, the anxious waiting, the many prayers offered and the final return of the lost son and his restoration to the old home circle.
In conclusion he told some touching stories which were listened to with deep interest by the audience.
A number asked for prayers and anxious ones were conversed with and led out to freely talk of their desire and determination to lead new lives.
This evening there will be a lecture on the Passion Play, with stereopticon views, the same as are seen at Oberammergau.
—The Piqua Daily Call, Piqua, Ohio, June 4, 1901, p. 5.
A Nice Audience, Excellent Song Service and the Story of the Prodigal Son.
Last evening was clear and beautiful and fine, just right for a good meeting at the big tent. And nobody was disappointed. On the platform besides the welcome group of singers, were Revs. Herron and Dennison of Troy, and Revs. Black, Weddell, and Mann of Piqua. With Judd Palmer at the organ and Prof. Weeden to direct the singing and to sing "Calvary" as a solo, the singing was most impressive. Then followed the discourse of the evening by Rev. [J. W.] VanDeVenter, of which we can only give the merest outline.
He began his address with the story of the conversion and the ministry of Harry Moorehouse whose favorite theme was the "Wonderful love of God," and whose favorite text was Jno. 3:16. He said in brief:
"I do not wish to use the text often chosen by Harry Moorehouse but I wish to speak upon the same subject — The Love of God.
"There is a story told by Jesus of Nazareth, in the l5th chapter of Luke, which tells of the wonderful love of the Father, for a poor lost soul, that I want to use as a basis of my remarks. Had Jesus lived in America, and at this time, He probably would have laid the plot of his story here and selected his characters from our midst and I beg that privilege."
The speaker then proceeded to describe a country home with all of its charms, the home of two boys, one of whom, dissatisfied with the dull routine of farm life, asked the father for his portion of the property which finally was given him, and with the same he went out into the world to seek his fortune. He was conceited, stubborn and self-willed and would not listen to the advice of a kind, loving father and went away to the great city of Chicago, to pass through the college of experience.
He described his downward course as he went, step by step, to ruin. In three years he had wasted his substance in riotous living, "comes to himself" and finds that he is without friends, money or character, in short only a tramp. He decides to return to the old home.
The speaker then described the wonderful love of the old father, the anxious waiting, the many prayers offered and the final return of the lost son and his restoration to the old home circle.
In conclusion he told some touching stories which were listened to with deep interest by the audience.
A number asked for prayers and anxious ones were conversed with and led out to freely talk of their desire and determination to lead new lives.
This evening there will be a lecture on the Passion Play, with stereopticon views, the same as are seen at Oberammergau.
—The Piqua Daily Call, Piqua, Ohio, June 4, 1901, p. 5.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Transplanted to the Skies Early
1901
Paul, the infant son of Rev. and Mrs. David Herr, died at their home in Springfield last Sunday, aged about 15 months. The baby was of delicate mold, too delicate for the blustering winds and angry billows of this life, and knowing this the Good Shepherd gathered it to his own bosom where there is never anything to harm, no pain, no disease, no death, but perpetual life and ever blooming flowers.
The baby was laid away to rest today.
—The Piqua Daily Call, Piqua, Ohio, June 4, 1901, p. 8.
Comment: The headline "Transplanted to the Skies Early" is the original headline for this little article, and of course the rest of the article is as it was first published. It is a remarkable way to describe an infant's death, or at least it would be remarkable today. You still can find plenty of very sentimental language in obituaries today, which is written by funeral homes or by family members. But I seldom see anything written in quite the same poetic tone as this little article.
Paul, the infant son of Rev. and Mrs. David Herr, died at their home in Springfield last Sunday, aged about 15 months. The baby was of delicate mold, too delicate for the blustering winds and angry billows of this life, and knowing this the Good Shepherd gathered it to his own bosom where there is never anything to harm, no pain, no disease, no death, but perpetual life and ever blooming flowers.
The baby was laid away to rest today.
—The Piqua Daily Call, Piqua, Ohio, June 4, 1901, p. 8.
Comment: The headline "Transplanted to the Skies Early" is the original headline for this little article, and of course the rest of the article is as it was first published. It is a remarkable way to describe an infant's death, or at least it would be remarkable today. You still can find plenty of very sentimental language in obituaries today, which is written by funeral homes or by family members. But I seldom see anything written in quite the same poetic tone as this little article.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Military Men Stumped by Acts of Mennonites
1917
Associated Press Telegram
Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, Nov. 1. — Officers at Camp Sherman were further perplexed today when another delegation of Amish Mennonites joined the ranks of rebelling conscientious objectors and refused to obey orders.
Thirty of the fifty recently transferred to non-combatant service at the base hospital now are in open rebellion and there are prospects the strike will include the whole number of the religious sect. Efforts to give them some task at which they can not object have proved of no avail.
Although most are excellent judges of livestock, they refuse to do work about the remount station because it is part of the military camp. They were questioned as to what they would like to do and to find if there was something at which they could raise no objection but that did not solve the problem.
"What would you do if you saw that women were forced to walk about the hospital in mud?" was one of the questions put to them by an officer.
"Build walks," was the reply; so they were to start building walks about camp. But they rebelled, declaring that the walks would be used by soldiers. Anything a part of Camp Sherman or having to do in the slightest way with the men of Camp Sherman is disapproved and they have openly and successfully evaded all tasks. Guard house confinement was given up when it brought no results. Other punishment is of no avail. The men likewise have refused to permit their beards to be cut or to shave. It is contrary to one of their religious beliefs to shave. So far as officers here know, the thirty now on strike are the first to balk military rule in war times, and "get away with it" as officers frankly admit the Mennonites are doing.
Associated Press Telegram
Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, Nov. 1. — Officers at Camp Sherman were further perplexed today when another delegation of Amish Mennonites joined the ranks of rebelling conscientious objectors and refused to obey orders.
Thirty of the fifty recently transferred to non-combatant service at the base hospital now are in open rebellion and there are prospects the strike will include the whole number of the religious sect. Efforts to give them some task at which they can not object have proved of no avail.
Although most are excellent judges of livestock, they refuse to do work about the remount station because it is part of the military camp. They were questioned as to what they would like to do and to find if there was something at which they could raise no objection but that did not solve the problem.
"What would you do if you saw that women were forced to walk about the hospital in mud?" was one of the questions put to them by an officer.
"Build walks," was the reply; so they were to start building walks about camp. But they rebelled, declaring that the walks would be used by soldiers. Anything a part of Camp Sherman or having to do in the slightest way with the men of Camp Sherman is disapproved and they have openly and successfully evaded all tasks. Guard house confinement was given up when it brought no results. Other punishment is of no avail. The men likewise have refused to permit their beards to be cut or to shave. It is contrary to one of their religious beliefs to shave. So far as officers here know, the thirty now on strike are the first to balk military rule in war times, and "get away with it" as officers frankly admit the Mennonites are doing.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Friends Church: "You Need Baptism of The Holy Ghost"
Ohio, 1916
Increased Attendance at Friends Church Revival
Large crowds attended the revival services at the Friends Church, Sunday. Last night it was necessary to throw open the Sunday School room. Seven persons presented their names for membership.
In his sermon in the morning the pastor spoke on the need of "Divine Equipment for Service." In part he said: God not only wants to save men from sin, but prepare them for service. It is not enough to have your sin pardoned, but you need the baptism of the Holy Ghost to give you power to do. This is the crying need of the church to-day. In the days of Finney, Edwards and the Wesleys it is claimed less than fifteen per cent of the converts backslid. In our day less than this number stand and all because we do not preach a full gospel.
In the evening his subject was "God's Estimate of the Value of a Soul." He said that no soul has ever gone so low but what Jesus goes beneath that one to lift him up. It is an abomination in the sight of Heaven for church people to talk about trash. All men are human beings, and have a soul and the soul of a poor harlot or drunkard is as precious in the eyes of Jesus Christ as that of the President or a King. When you hear a person talk about trash you may rest assured that that person is dirtier than the "trash" they talk about. The mission of Jesus is to put all men on an equality. Blind Bartimaeus had to be lifted up, while the self-righteous Zacchaeus had to come down, and the two met on the same platform.
Meetings to night at 7:30. Special prayer and inquiry meeting at 6:30. Special music at every service.
Resignation
Rev. Hugh Willard Hanna tendered his resignation as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kenton, "for the sake of peace and harmony." His resignation caused general surprise as he was called to the pastorate in June, 1914, from Freeport, Pa.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1916.
Increased Attendance at Friends Church Revival
Large crowds attended the revival services at the Friends Church, Sunday. Last night it was necessary to throw open the Sunday School room. Seven persons presented their names for membership.
In his sermon in the morning the pastor spoke on the need of "Divine Equipment for Service." In part he said: God not only wants to save men from sin, but prepare them for service. It is not enough to have your sin pardoned, but you need the baptism of the Holy Ghost to give you power to do. This is the crying need of the church to-day. In the days of Finney, Edwards and the Wesleys it is claimed less than fifteen per cent of the converts backslid. In our day less than this number stand and all because we do not preach a full gospel.
In the evening his subject was "God's Estimate of the Value of a Soul." He said that no soul has ever gone so low but what Jesus goes beneath that one to lift him up. It is an abomination in the sight of Heaven for church people to talk about trash. All men are human beings, and have a soul and the soul of a poor harlot or drunkard is as precious in the eyes of Jesus Christ as that of the President or a King. When you hear a person talk about trash you may rest assured that that person is dirtier than the "trash" they talk about. The mission of Jesus is to put all men on an equality. Blind Bartimaeus had to be lifted up, while the self-righteous Zacchaeus had to come down, and the two met on the same platform.
Meetings to night at 7:30. Special prayer and inquiry meeting at 6:30. Special music at every service.
Resignation
Rev. Hugh Willard Hanna tendered his resignation as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kenton, "for the sake of peace and harmony." His resignation caused general surprise as he was called to the pastorate in June, 1914, from Freeport, Pa.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1916.
Monday, June 18, 2007
S. L. Wingert Talks at Big Tent Meeting
Ohio, 1915
"A Sinless Life"
The tent meeting of the church of God, which is being held on St. John avenue and Center street, is still progressing with interest. Souls are being converted at every service. S. L. Wingert of New Hampshire, Ohio, delivered a sermon last night to an interested congregation, on the subject of "A Sinless Life." His message was in part as follows:
Text: 1 Cor. 15:34. "Awake to righteousness and sin not." In this text we are exhorted by the apostle to sin not. We meet a great many who say that they are Christians and yet commit more or less sin every day. This is the experience of all sinners, some days they commit more sin and some days less, but Christians do not sin. 1 John 3:9 says "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." John 8:34 tells us that "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Also in Matt. 8:24, we find the word says, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other; ye cannot serve God and mammon." Paul says, Rom. 6:16, "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness." These texts clearly teach that if we are the servants of righteousness, we are free from sin, but if we are the servants of sin, we are not servants of God. 1 John 3:8. "If the son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36.
It might be well to define sin. 1 John 3:4 says, "Sin is a transgression of the law." James 4:17, "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin." Webster says, "Sin is willful transgression of divine law." Temptations are not sins. Christ "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust (or desire) and enticed. Then when lust (or desire) hath conceived it bringeth forth sin." James 1:14-15.
The speaker concluded his discourse by explaining a number of texts which professed Christians use to excuse their sinning. If we make heaven our home we must be saved from all sin, in this life. John 8:21.
Andrew Haste of Bedford, Indiana, will deliver a message tonight on the subject, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Services for Sunday will be held as follows: Sunday school at 9:30 and preaching 10:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. and in the evening at 7:30. S. L. Wingert of New Hampshire, Ohio, will deliver an illustrated sermon Sunday evening on the subject of "Man in Time and Eternity." All are invited to come.
—The Lima Daily News, Lima, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1915, p. 5.
"A Sinless Life"
The tent meeting of the church of God, which is being held on St. John avenue and Center street, is still progressing with interest. Souls are being converted at every service. S. L. Wingert of New Hampshire, Ohio, delivered a sermon last night to an interested congregation, on the subject of "A Sinless Life." His message was in part as follows:
Text: 1 Cor. 15:34. "Awake to righteousness and sin not." In this text we are exhorted by the apostle to sin not. We meet a great many who say that they are Christians and yet commit more or less sin every day. This is the experience of all sinners, some days they commit more sin and some days less, but Christians do not sin. 1 John 3:9 says "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." John 8:34 tells us that "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Also in Matt. 8:24, we find the word says, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other; ye cannot serve God and mammon." Paul says, Rom. 6:16, "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness." These texts clearly teach that if we are the servants of righteousness, we are free from sin, but if we are the servants of sin, we are not servants of God. 1 John 3:8. "If the son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36.
It might be well to define sin. 1 John 3:4 says, "Sin is a transgression of the law." James 4:17, "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin." Webster says, "Sin is willful transgression of divine law." Temptations are not sins. Christ "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust (or desire) and enticed. Then when lust (or desire) hath conceived it bringeth forth sin." James 1:14-15.
The speaker concluded his discourse by explaining a number of texts which professed Christians use to excuse their sinning. If we make heaven our home we must be saved from all sin, in this life. John 8:21.
Andrew Haste of Bedford, Indiana, will deliver a message tonight on the subject, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Services for Sunday will be held as follows: Sunday school at 9:30 and preaching 10:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. and in the evening at 7:30. S. L. Wingert of New Hampshire, Ohio, will deliver an illustrated sermon Sunday evening on the subject of "Man in Time and Eternity." All are invited to come.
—The Lima Daily News, Lima, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1915, p. 5.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Preacher Whips His Hearers with Sarcasm
Ohio, 1922
Marietta Pastor Recommends Jack Dempsey as Successor and Quits Job in Disgust
MARIETTA, Ohio, Sept. 26. — "They tell me when your last pastor preached his farewell sermon he said he would never recommend a preacher for this pulpit. I would not go as far as that. I think I have someone in mind who would be the right man for this church. He is a London minister and is called 'the fighting parson.' Whenever anyone disagrees with him he takes them outside the church and gives them a good licking. I recommend him for this pulpit.
"But, you say, 'Oh, we don't want an Englishman.' Then you can get someone in this country. There is Jack Dempsey; he's good enough for you. Failing him, you could get a mechanical, life sized preacher that some of the officious in the church could run."
In these words Rev. Mayson H. Sewell opened his farewell sermon in the fashionable First Presbyterian church here Sunday evening.
Before he had finished he made the arraignment of his congregation so hot that many of Marietta's "first citizens" arose from their pews and left the church.
Mr. Sewell lambasted the card players and dancers and continuing said: "There are lots of people who have lots of money, fine clothing, beautiful homes and fine limousines who are poor — poor in sympathy, poor in charity, poor in the experience of real, vital religion, maybe poor in honesty and in integrity. You think you are educated and know it all. Christ says you are blind — blind in regard to your spiritual state and your lack of spiritual vision. There is a great difference between what some people think themselves to be and what they really are. There is little hope for the man whose eyes are sanded with self-conceit and blinded to his own deficiencies."
Dr. Sewell came to Marietta eight months ago from New Philadelphia. He is an Englishman by birth and soon after coming here asked for a three months leave of absence to visit his European home. The session of the church refused this and the refusal led to an open break. The pastor appealed the case to the congregation, declared the session was autocratic and tendered his resignation.
The congregation voted nearly unanimously to accept. Dr. Sewell says he has had enough of America and will return to his native land.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, Ohio, September 26, 1922, p. 3.
Note: The above article actually gives the pastor's first name and middle initial as "Myson M.," changed here. Other newspapers all give his first name as "Mayson" and whether it's "H" or "M" would be a toss-up. But his name appears on a Google search as "Mayson H. Sewell," being pastor at Arlington Heights Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, 1912-1913, and the same name at another place in 1910-1912. The great "sarcasm" headline is from an Indiana paper.
Marietta Pastor Recommends Jack Dempsey as Successor and Quits Job in Disgust
MARIETTA, Ohio, Sept. 26. — "They tell me when your last pastor preached his farewell sermon he said he would never recommend a preacher for this pulpit. I would not go as far as that. I think I have someone in mind who would be the right man for this church. He is a London minister and is called 'the fighting parson.' Whenever anyone disagrees with him he takes them outside the church and gives them a good licking. I recommend him for this pulpit.
"But, you say, 'Oh, we don't want an Englishman.' Then you can get someone in this country. There is Jack Dempsey; he's good enough for you. Failing him, you could get a mechanical, life sized preacher that some of the officious in the church could run."
In these words Rev. Mayson H. Sewell opened his farewell sermon in the fashionable First Presbyterian church here Sunday evening.
Before he had finished he made the arraignment of his congregation so hot that many of Marietta's "first citizens" arose from their pews and left the church.
Mr. Sewell lambasted the card players and dancers and continuing said: "There are lots of people who have lots of money, fine clothing, beautiful homes and fine limousines who are poor — poor in sympathy, poor in charity, poor in the experience of real, vital religion, maybe poor in honesty and in integrity. You think you are educated and know it all. Christ says you are blind — blind in regard to your spiritual state and your lack of spiritual vision. There is a great difference between what some people think themselves to be and what they really are. There is little hope for the man whose eyes are sanded with self-conceit and blinded to his own deficiencies."
Dr. Sewell came to Marietta eight months ago from New Philadelphia. He is an Englishman by birth and soon after coming here asked for a three months leave of absence to visit his European home. The session of the church refused this and the refusal led to an open break. The pastor appealed the case to the congregation, declared the session was autocratic and tendered his resignation.
The congregation voted nearly unanimously to accept. Dr. Sewell says he has had enough of America and will return to his native land.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, Ohio, September 26, 1922, p. 3.
Note: The above article actually gives the pastor's first name and middle initial as "Myson M.," changed here. Other newspapers all give his first name as "Mayson" and whether it's "H" or "M" would be a toss-up. But his name appears on a Google search as "Mayson H. Sewell," being pastor at Arlington Heights Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, 1912-1913, and the same name at another place in 1910-1912. The great "sarcasm" headline is from an Indiana paper.
In Temptation, Look to the Saviour's Greater Glory
Ohio, 1902
Discussed by Rector of All Saints Church Sunday
Church Members Should Pray Over Their Amusements — Where to Draw Line
Rev. J. D. Herron, of All Saints Episcopal church, preached Sunday morning on the "Temptations of Christ." His sermon was a timely one, treating as it did of amusements of the day. After treating of the "lust of the flesh" and the only hope for the drunkard he spoke as follows on the "lust of the eye" and the "pride of life."
The lust of the eye, the power of the world to make us forget God, to make us worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, to choke us with cares and riches and pleasures, so that we may bring no fruit to perfection, this lust, what life is there which has not felt its blight?
It is a hard temptation to decline, for it changes with the circumstances of each life. It is not the same for any two individuals. There are sources of temptation to every life. All seek naturally after pleasure. Pleasures are not evil in themselves, but all of them, when touching upon our bad hearts, are prime causes of evil. People say that they must have pleasures, that it is a natural hunger of the heart, and they say rightly. But pleasure has its limits. To escape the poison of worldly lust, it must be sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Do dancing, card playing, theatre-going, croquet, billiards, lawn tennis, novel reading, music, painting, gossiping, lunching interfere with the flow of your religious life, benumb your soul from prayer, from desire for the Holy Feast, from thoughts of Heaven, from meditations upon the life and the love of Jesus? "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell."
Do you ask, how can we draw the line? How can we know when these pleasures of life are hurtful to us? Would it not be better for the church to give us rules, and tell us what we may do, and what we should not do? Dear friends! the Saviour gave us no rules. He gave us simply himself. Let the Holy Feast of the altar, where He comes to meet you, be your guide. For there you will be with the Saviour upon the top of an exceeding high mountain, the mountain of human aspiration, from which the evil one has been dethroned, and as the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them pass before your imagination, the vision of a greater glory will fill the eye of your soul.
—The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1902, p. 7.
Discussed by Rector of All Saints Church Sunday
Church Members Should Pray Over Their Amusements — Where to Draw Line
Rev. J. D. Herron, of All Saints Episcopal church, preached Sunday morning on the "Temptations of Christ." His sermon was a timely one, treating as it did of amusements of the day. After treating of the "lust of the flesh" and the only hope for the drunkard he spoke as follows on the "lust of the eye" and the "pride of life."
The lust of the eye, the power of the world to make us forget God, to make us worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, to choke us with cares and riches and pleasures, so that we may bring no fruit to perfection, this lust, what life is there which has not felt its blight?
It is a hard temptation to decline, for it changes with the circumstances of each life. It is not the same for any two individuals. There are sources of temptation to every life. All seek naturally after pleasure. Pleasures are not evil in themselves, but all of them, when touching upon our bad hearts, are prime causes of evil. People say that they must have pleasures, that it is a natural hunger of the heart, and they say rightly. But pleasure has its limits. To escape the poison of worldly lust, it must be sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Do dancing, card playing, theatre-going, croquet, billiards, lawn tennis, novel reading, music, painting, gossiping, lunching interfere with the flow of your religious life, benumb your soul from prayer, from desire for the Holy Feast, from thoughts of Heaven, from meditations upon the life and the love of Jesus? "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell."
Do you ask, how can we draw the line? How can we know when these pleasures of life are hurtful to us? Would it not be better for the church to give us rules, and tell us what we may do, and what we should not do? Dear friends! the Saviour gave us no rules. He gave us simply himself. Let the Holy Feast of the altar, where He comes to meet you, be your guide. For there you will be with the Saviour upon the top of an exceeding high mountain, the mountain of human aspiration, from which the evil one has been dethroned, and as the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them pass before your imagination, the vision of a greater glory will fill the eye of your soul.
—The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1902, p. 7.
Monday, May 28, 2007
The World's End Coming Soon, According to Lima Man
Ohio, 1905
Whittredge Advises People to Sell Everything in Order to be "Clean" on Judgment Day
Lima, O., Feb. 22. — Wm. Whittredge, who was put in jail here for refusing to send his nine-year-old daughter to school because the world was coming to an end in March, is now issuing daily bulletins beseeching the people to watch and pray, claiming that he, like of Noah of old, has been delegated as the Lord's apostle and prophet.
Whittredge has formulated a new cult known as "The Church of the Israelites," which has for its teachings preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He has a number of converts in this and adjacent counties, and among his divine orders Whittredge instills the decree that followers must sell their worldly goods and be ready and "clean" to make their peace.
Yesterday Whittredge received in his mail, which has grown quite heavy, a letter from S. J. Hickey, dated East Orange, N. J., in which the writer asks for blessings, and follows with the statement: "Perhaps we can help each other in this situation through Christ, for I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you."
In his latest reiteration of the coming of the end in March, Whittredge proclaims through the press: "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of Man now be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else now knows. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, and it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch and pray."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1905, p. 6.
OTHERS
Who Agree With Wm. Whittredge
That the World is Coming to an End Next Month
East Orange, N.J., 76 Midland Ave.
Mr. Wm. Whitredge,
Lima, O., Feb. 14, 1905.
Dear Brother —
A recent press dispatch informs us that you have been jailed for refusing to send your daughter to school, your reason being that you believed the end to be so near as to make it not worth the while. I am also of the opinion that the destruction of the cosmos by fire, as predicted by the Apostle Peter, is very near at hand and extend you my sympathy. Will you kindly tell me what has convinced you of the truth concerning these last things, perhaps we can help each other in the situation through Christ. I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you.
Your brother in Christ Jesus. S. J. HICKEY.
The Lord is come with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainer walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advance. Jude 14-15-16. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign will be given but the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else will know. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth His secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch and pray. MRS. WM. WHITTREDGE
—The Lima Times Democrat, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1905.
WAIT FOR WORLD TO END
Decatur, Ind., March 9. — Waiting for the world to come to an end and advocating the creed of their sect, several families, under the leadership of William Whittredge, formerly of Elgin, Ohio, are preparing for the millennium, which they say will be here in April. The little band has no name, but its members apparently are sincere in their belief. When Whittredge and his followers came here quietly several weeks ago they attracted little attention, but it was noticed that the entire band of three families was housed in one dwelling. Then the people of the neighborhood began to wonder. It was made known yesterday that the strangers were simply waiting for the world to come to an end and tracts were scattered over the city warning residents that the end is expected in April. The followers of Whittredge in preaching their doctrine point to revelations, and on the tracts they distribute are printed quotations from the bible. The members of the band are all intelligent and well informed.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, March 9, 1905, p. 9.
Whittredge Advises People to Sell Everything in Order to be "Clean" on Judgment Day
Lima, O., Feb. 22. — Wm. Whittredge, who was put in jail here for refusing to send his nine-year-old daughter to school because the world was coming to an end in March, is now issuing daily bulletins beseeching the people to watch and pray, claiming that he, like of Noah of old, has been delegated as the Lord's apostle and prophet.
Whittredge has formulated a new cult known as "The Church of the Israelites," which has for its teachings preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He has a number of converts in this and adjacent counties, and among his divine orders Whittredge instills the decree that followers must sell their worldly goods and be ready and "clean" to make their peace.
Yesterday Whittredge received in his mail, which has grown quite heavy, a letter from S. J. Hickey, dated East Orange, N. J., in which the writer asks for blessings, and follows with the statement: "Perhaps we can help each other in this situation through Christ, for I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you."
In his latest reiteration of the coming of the end in March, Whittredge proclaims through the press: "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of Man now be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else now knows. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, and it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch and pray."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1905, p. 6.
OTHERS
Who Agree With Wm. Whittredge
That the World is Coming to an End Next Month
East Orange, N.J., 76 Midland Ave.
Mr. Wm. Whitredge,
Lima, O., Feb. 14, 1905.
Dear Brother —
A recent press dispatch informs us that you have been jailed for refusing to send your daughter to school, your reason being that you believed the end to be so near as to make it not worth the while. I am also of the opinion that the destruction of the cosmos by fire, as predicted by the Apostle Peter, is very near at hand and extend you my sympathy. Will you kindly tell me what has convinced you of the truth concerning these last things, perhaps we can help each other in the situation through Christ. I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you.
Your brother in Christ Jesus. S. J. HICKEY.
The Lord is come with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainer walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advance. Jude 14-15-16. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign will be given but the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else will know. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth His secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch and pray. MRS. WM. WHITTREDGE
—The Lima Times Democrat, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1905.
WAIT FOR WORLD TO END
Decatur, Ind., March 9. — Waiting for the world to come to an end and advocating the creed of their sect, several families, under the leadership of William Whittredge, formerly of Elgin, Ohio, are preparing for the millennium, which they say will be here in April. The little band has no name, but its members apparently are sincere in their belief. When Whittredge and his followers came here quietly several weeks ago they attracted little attention, but it was noticed that the entire band of three families was housed in one dwelling. Then the people of the neighborhood began to wonder. It was made known yesterday that the strangers were simply waiting for the world to come to an end and tracts were scattered over the city warning residents that the end is expected in April. The followers of Whittredge in preaching their doctrine point to revelations, and on the tracts they distribute are printed quotations from the bible. The members of the band are all intelligent and well informed.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, March 9, 1905, p. 9.
Sermon — "Prepare To Meet Thy God"
Ohio, 1905
The Protracted Meetings at the First Methodist and Presbyterian Grow in Interest
Rev. Wean, of Bryan, delivered another one of his splendid sermons at the First M. E. church last night, taking for his text, Amos 4:12: "Prepare to Meet thy God."
I take it that the person who tries to dispose of Jesus Christ has a problem on his hands. With the coming of Jesus into the world there has come a responsibility upon all mankind. With all the means of knowledge of Christ and the love of God to-day can we shirk this responsibility? I never found an infidel who did not expect to be a witness at the time when justice was meted out on the great day. Science will agree with the Bible altogether after a while. We all agree on this one point, that some time there will be a judgment.
This meeting with God somewhere after death at judgment is an important event. God is impartial; no matter who we are we must all be there. Death levels all. The rich man comes at last to the grave, the pauper although he has lived apart from the rich man they lie down together. The young lady who spurns her mother's prayers, denies her father's Christian life and goes out to the world's pleasure will be glad to come back to find a place by them at death.
Death knocks at no door, he comes unbidden. Death furnishes a good living for the undertaker. Death is a mighty monarch marching forth in the land. Don't treat it lightly for it is an important event. If I never attracted attention in my life I shall attract attention at death. The oldest, worthless tramp who is crushed beneath the wheels of the car attracts the attention of the large crowd. The unconcerned and frivolous, think when in the presence of death as they have never thought before, but the time to think is not over a casket, think in life.
In the name of God, in the name of all that's good why is it so hard to get men to prepare to meet God? You will get ready for a whole year for a wedding, you will plan for months for the pleasure of a friend. Why wait to prepare for death? I do not take much stock in death-bed repentance, many a man would be unwilling for his heart to be laid bare, many a girl would not want her companions to see her heart. What will it be when all hearts are bare before God and the angels?
Prepare for death, prepare to meet your God. Get ready for the time when the Great Judge shall mete out justice without partiality. Oh, prepare to meet God, you haven't a moment to lose. All God has done and said, all His plans are that you may be ready to meet Him. Jesus is such a loving Savior, come to Him now.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1905, p. 3.
The Protracted Meetings at the First Methodist and Presbyterian Grow in Interest
Rev. Wean, of Bryan, delivered another one of his splendid sermons at the First M. E. church last night, taking for his text, Amos 4:12: "Prepare to Meet thy God."
I take it that the person who tries to dispose of Jesus Christ has a problem on his hands. With the coming of Jesus into the world there has come a responsibility upon all mankind. With all the means of knowledge of Christ and the love of God to-day can we shirk this responsibility? I never found an infidel who did not expect to be a witness at the time when justice was meted out on the great day. Science will agree with the Bible altogether after a while. We all agree on this one point, that some time there will be a judgment.
This meeting with God somewhere after death at judgment is an important event. God is impartial; no matter who we are we must all be there. Death levels all. The rich man comes at last to the grave, the pauper although he has lived apart from the rich man they lie down together. The young lady who spurns her mother's prayers, denies her father's Christian life and goes out to the world's pleasure will be glad to come back to find a place by them at death.
Death knocks at no door, he comes unbidden. Death furnishes a good living for the undertaker. Death is a mighty monarch marching forth in the land. Don't treat it lightly for it is an important event. If I never attracted attention in my life I shall attract attention at death. The oldest, worthless tramp who is crushed beneath the wheels of the car attracts the attention of the large crowd. The unconcerned and frivolous, think when in the presence of death as they have never thought before, but the time to think is not over a casket, think in life.
In the name of God, in the name of all that's good why is it so hard to get men to prepare to meet God? You will get ready for a whole year for a wedding, you will plan for months for the pleasure of a friend. Why wait to prepare for death? I do not take much stock in death-bed repentance, many a man would be unwilling for his heart to be laid bare, many a girl would not want her companions to see her heart. What will it be when all hearts are bare before God and the angels?
Prepare for death, prepare to meet your God. Get ready for the time when the Great Judge shall mete out justice without partiality. Oh, prepare to meet God, you haven't a moment to lose. All God has done and said, all His plans are that you may be ready to meet Him. Jesus is such a loving Savior, come to Him now.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1905, p. 3.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Church Notes — "Down with the Saloons"
Ohio, 1912
Second M. E.
Corner Center and Blaine streets, Rev. A. H. Roebuck, Pastor. Sunday school, 9:30 a. m., William Rank, Superintendent; H. N. Henney, Assistant Superintendent. Lesson, "Wanderings in the Decapolis," Mark 7:31-37. Is Bible study worth while? Then come and spend an hour with us in that study. The Rechabite's teacher, Rev. Roebuck, wants to meet all members at the meeting. Let this be the banner collection class.
Morning service, 10.30 a. m. Sermon by the pastor, "Victory In Jesus." Let the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be within all.
Epworth League, 6:00 p. m. The lesson will be on temperance and let every one make it a talk and song service for the cause. Will Rank will serve as leader.
The evening service will be what we make it to ourselves. Down with the saloons and up with the white rose of purity. Preaching at 7:00 p. m., by the pastor.
A business meeting of the Epworth League will be held Tuesday, at 1:00 p. m. A nice program will be rendered and all members of our league and of all other young people's societies are invited to attend.
—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, OH, Oct. 26, 1912, p. 4.
Second M. E.
Corner Center and Blaine streets, Rev. A. H. Roebuck, Pastor. Sunday school, 9:30 a. m., William Rank, Superintendent; H. N. Henney, Assistant Superintendent. Lesson, "Wanderings in the Decapolis," Mark 7:31-37. Is Bible study worth while? Then come and spend an hour with us in that study. The Rechabite's teacher, Rev. Roebuck, wants to meet all members at the meeting. Let this be the banner collection class.
Morning service, 10.30 a. m. Sermon by the pastor, "Victory In Jesus." Let the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be within all.
Epworth League, 6:00 p. m. The lesson will be on temperance and let every one make it a talk and song service for the cause. Will Rank will serve as leader.
The evening service will be what we make it to ourselves. Down with the saloons and up with the white rose of purity. Preaching at 7:00 p. m., by the pastor.
A business meeting of the Epworth League will be held Tuesday, at 1:00 p. m. A nice program will be rendered and all members of our league and of all other young people's societies are invited to attend.
—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, OH, Oct. 26, 1912, p. 4.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Evangelist Dr. Lyon on Christian Socialism, Unions, Tuberculosis
Newark, Ohio, 1912
With the largest attendance yet recorded at a men's meeting — estimated at very close to 2000 men — the meeting yesterday afternoon proved to be one of the most successful in the history of the present campaign. Although the number of actual conversions was not as large as it should have been, only a few over forty taking a definite stand for Christ, those who are in the paths of sin and still undecided at least had given to them a message that will burn in their ears for many a day, until their conscience dictates them to follow the course that leads to their eternal salvation.
Dr. Lyon was at his best, as he always seems to be when facing an audience of men, and his message on "Profit and Loss" was a clear-cut definition of the principles that make the gospel of Jesus Christ one that cannot be rejected by the man who is able and willing to exert one iota of common sense in the affairs of his life.
The audience was swelled by the attendance of a delegation from the trades unions of the city, nearly 200 men responding to the call issued by council for the observance of "Anti-Tuberculosis Sunday." This delegation was accorded a reserved section in the center of the tabernacle, with the local Typographical Union's representation, by reason of their especial activity in the fighting of "the great white plague," occupying the front seats. Dr. Lyon's remarks regarding this great campaign was an excellent exemplification of his belief in Christian socialism and the power of the unions to bring about lasting benefits if their efforts are properly directed.
The service opened with the singing of "America," "All Hail the Power" and "Revive Us Again," after which the visiting delegation sang "Throw Out the Life Line" with a vim and vigor that showed that their interest in the revival movement has been substantially quickened during the past few weeks. Of course the men called for "The Little Church in the Wildwood,"' and the male chorus sang this attractive number in a splendid manner. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Hawk, pastor of the Methodist church at Granville, one of the pastors who has the happy faculty of successfully appealing to young men. The feature of the introductory service that was probably most interesting, with the possible exception of Prof. Mitchell's solo "The Man of Galilee," was the singing of "Steady, Brother, Steady" by a double sextet of Newark men. This demanded the continued applause of the audience, which, subsided as the congregation was greeted by Dr. Lyon. who launched immediately into his remarks anent the great "anti-tuberculosis campaign."
Tells of the "White Plague."
In part, the evangelist said: "Upon this day that is set apart all over the nation called 'anti-tuberculosis day,' I feel it is in accordance with our work to say something about what is being done for the prevention and cure of the white plague. I say it is proper because when our Lord Jesus was on this earth he spent much time in the healing of the body. A diseased body depreciates the value of the work of the individual in the intellectual and spiritual realm just as an impaired machine would depreciate the value of the labor of a workingman. There are 200,000 deaths in this country each year from tuberculosis. More deaths are cause from this than from any other cause. From one-seventh to one-tenth of the people that die, die from this disease, and one-third of all those who die between the ages of 15 and 45 years die of tuberculosis.
Dr Lyon then told of the discovery of the vegetable bacillus which causes the disease, the fact that it is transmitted from the sputum that is coughed up from the lungs of a tubercular victim, and pointed out that the real cure for the disease is to be considered as curable. "It is especially appropriate that you men are here at this time, because you have done something to shorten the working hours of the people throughout this country," said the speaker. "I want you to know I am in favor of trades unions, as well as for Christian socialism. I do not stand in favor of ungodly, infidel socialism, that denies Christ, for the basis of brotherhood — I do not care whether you call it a club or lodge, a brotherhood or what not — must be in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You trade union men have done very much to promote the work of the prevention of disease in shortening excessive hours of toil.
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1912, p. 7.
Note: Evangelist Milford H. Lyon. He seems to have been very famous at the time, but I hadn't heard of him before, so not very famous now. In the particular excerpt above he seems to have a moderate, almost socially-progressive manner. But other articles show him in the Billy Sunday mold of evangelists, provocative statements, taking on sin by ridicule, calling sinners cowards, dramatically taking on the devil nose to nose, etc. I saw a headline with the word "pin-head" in it! So he had a popular, over-the-top style that got him crowds and publicity, but he also apparently took part, at least in conservative ways, in social issues. Just going by a couple articles.
By the time of this article, Dr. Lyon was at the close of the fifth week of a campaign that was front page news. Nearly two hundred men and women had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Page 1 of the Oct. 28 paper, above, said there was every evidence that the total number of conversions in the coming week would reach at least 3,000, with some optimistic forecasts of nearly 3,500 souls! Seven more days remained for the meetings.
"Tonight" there was to be a "great religions" parade, with several thousand people participating, two bands, and delegations from the city's Protestant churches and other organizations. And for tonight, this interesting sentence: "Dr. Lyon's sermon, said to be the strongest in his repertoire, will be especially attractive to workingmen, and delegations from many of the labor unions will attend in a body." Oct. 28 was a Monday. Tuesday will be another "big night" at the tabernacle, the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors, the Forester's Drill Team in uniform to be in attendance. The attendance was so great, over 5,000 gathering at the tabernacle early, that hundreds had to be turned away because of not enough seating. There were over 300 in the choir. It sounds like a massive thing.
With the largest attendance yet recorded at a men's meeting — estimated at very close to 2000 men — the meeting yesterday afternoon proved to be one of the most successful in the history of the present campaign. Although the number of actual conversions was not as large as it should have been, only a few over forty taking a definite stand for Christ, those who are in the paths of sin and still undecided at least had given to them a message that will burn in their ears for many a day, until their conscience dictates them to follow the course that leads to their eternal salvation.
Dr. Lyon was at his best, as he always seems to be when facing an audience of men, and his message on "Profit and Loss" was a clear-cut definition of the principles that make the gospel of Jesus Christ one that cannot be rejected by the man who is able and willing to exert one iota of common sense in the affairs of his life.
The audience was swelled by the attendance of a delegation from the trades unions of the city, nearly 200 men responding to the call issued by council for the observance of "Anti-Tuberculosis Sunday." This delegation was accorded a reserved section in the center of the tabernacle, with the local Typographical Union's representation, by reason of their especial activity in the fighting of "the great white plague," occupying the front seats. Dr. Lyon's remarks regarding this great campaign was an excellent exemplification of his belief in Christian socialism and the power of the unions to bring about lasting benefits if their efforts are properly directed.
The service opened with the singing of "America," "All Hail the Power" and "Revive Us Again," after which the visiting delegation sang "Throw Out the Life Line" with a vim and vigor that showed that their interest in the revival movement has been substantially quickened during the past few weeks. Of course the men called for "The Little Church in the Wildwood,"' and the male chorus sang this attractive number in a splendid manner. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Hawk, pastor of the Methodist church at Granville, one of the pastors who has the happy faculty of successfully appealing to young men. The feature of the introductory service that was probably most interesting, with the possible exception of Prof. Mitchell's solo "The Man of Galilee," was the singing of "Steady, Brother, Steady" by a double sextet of Newark men. This demanded the continued applause of the audience, which, subsided as the congregation was greeted by Dr. Lyon. who launched immediately into his remarks anent the great "anti-tuberculosis campaign."
Tells of the "White Plague."
In part, the evangelist said: "Upon this day that is set apart all over the nation called 'anti-tuberculosis day,' I feel it is in accordance with our work to say something about what is being done for the prevention and cure of the white plague. I say it is proper because when our Lord Jesus was on this earth he spent much time in the healing of the body. A diseased body depreciates the value of the work of the individual in the intellectual and spiritual realm just as an impaired machine would depreciate the value of the labor of a workingman. There are 200,000 deaths in this country each year from tuberculosis. More deaths are cause from this than from any other cause. From one-seventh to one-tenth of the people that die, die from this disease, and one-third of all those who die between the ages of 15 and 45 years die of tuberculosis.
Dr Lyon then told of the discovery of the vegetable bacillus which causes the disease, the fact that it is transmitted from the sputum that is coughed up from the lungs of a tubercular victim, and pointed out that the real cure for the disease is to be considered as curable. "It is especially appropriate that you men are here at this time, because you have done something to shorten the working hours of the people throughout this country," said the speaker. "I want you to know I am in favor of trades unions, as well as for Christian socialism. I do not stand in favor of ungodly, infidel socialism, that denies Christ, for the basis of brotherhood — I do not care whether you call it a club or lodge, a brotherhood or what not — must be in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You trade union men have done very much to promote the work of the prevention of disease in shortening excessive hours of toil.
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1912, p. 7.
Note: Evangelist Milford H. Lyon. He seems to have been very famous at the time, but I hadn't heard of him before, so not very famous now. In the particular excerpt above he seems to have a moderate, almost socially-progressive manner. But other articles show him in the Billy Sunday mold of evangelists, provocative statements, taking on sin by ridicule, calling sinners cowards, dramatically taking on the devil nose to nose, etc. I saw a headline with the word "pin-head" in it! So he had a popular, over-the-top style that got him crowds and publicity, but he also apparently took part, at least in conservative ways, in social issues. Just going by a couple articles.
By the time of this article, Dr. Lyon was at the close of the fifth week of a campaign that was front page news. Nearly two hundred men and women had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Page 1 of the Oct. 28 paper, above, said there was every evidence that the total number of conversions in the coming week would reach at least 3,000, with some optimistic forecasts of nearly 3,500 souls! Seven more days remained for the meetings.
"Tonight" there was to be a "great religions" parade, with several thousand people participating, two bands, and delegations from the city's Protestant churches and other organizations. And for tonight, this interesting sentence: "Dr. Lyon's sermon, said to be the strongest in his repertoire, will be especially attractive to workingmen, and delegations from many of the labor unions will attend in a body." Oct. 28 was a Monday. Tuesday will be another "big night" at the tabernacle, the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors, the Forester's Drill Team in uniform to be in attendance. The attendance was so great, over 5,000 gathering at the tabernacle early, that hundreds had to be turned away because of not enough seating. There were over 300 in the choir. It sounds like a massive thing.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
In Memory of One Who Passed Away – "Sleeping in Jesus"
1878
IN MEMORY OF C. D. DOMBAUGH.
On Jan. 17th, C. D. Domhaugh, who from boyhood has been loved, was laid to rest in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends. On Tuesday afternoon a bright winged angel visited his chamber and whispered "Gentle spirit, come away." Like one falling into a gentle sleep he passed away from earth, at an age when life's hopes are brightest and its promises seem on the verge of fulfillment, the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was broken. He sleeps in Jesus.
He has gone to the mansions above
To join with the glorified there;
His spirit is bathing in oceans of love,
Now free from all sorrow and care.
He's sleeping in Jesus, he rests with the blest,
His home is beyond the blue sky
Where saints of all ages will ever find rest,
And heart treasures never will die.
Brief was his stay with his friends here below,
Ere the spirit wing spread for the flight,
And the love kindled flame in his heart shed a glow
On the tomb and its shivering night.
He has gone from earth's toil, gone from its cares,
Where angels their melodies raise;
Gone to that land where the saints' fervent prayers,
Shall turn into rapturous praise.
—Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1878, p. 1.
IN MEMORY OF C. D. DOMBAUGH.
On Jan. 17th, C. D. Domhaugh, who from boyhood has been loved, was laid to rest in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends. On Tuesday afternoon a bright winged angel visited his chamber and whispered "Gentle spirit, come away." Like one falling into a gentle sleep he passed away from earth, at an age when life's hopes are brightest and its promises seem on the verge of fulfillment, the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was broken. He sleeps in Jesus.
He has gone to the mansions above
To join with the glorified there;
His spirit is bathing in oceans of love,
Now free from all sorrow and care.
He's sleeping in Jesus, he rests with the blest,
His home is beyond the blue sky
Where saints of all ages will ever find rest,
And heart treasures never will die.
Brief was his stay with his friends here below,
Ere the spirit wing spread for the flight,
And the love kindled flame in his heart shed a glow
On the tomb and its shivering night.
He has gone from earth's toil, gone from its cares,
Where angels their melodies raise;
Gone to that land where the saints' fervent prayers,
Shall turn into rapturous praise.
—Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1878, p. 1.
Sunday Sermons — "The Songless Soul" at Grace M.E. Church
Lima, Ohio, 1922
First Reformed Church — Sermon topic, "Opening and Loosening."
First Church of Christ, Scientist — Subject, "Christ Jesus."
Trinity M. E. — Walter D. Cole, pastor, J. M. Mills, associate pastor. Morning sermon, "Transfigured Before Them."
St. Paul's Lutheran Mission — C. H. Eckhardt, pastor. Sermon, "The Follow of Raging Against the King."
Bethany Lutheran — Webster C. Spayde, pastor. Morning, "The Old Gospel as Proclaimed by Paul."
Grace M. E. — D. N. Kelly, pastor. Morning, "Waiting At the Tent Door." Evening, "The Songless Soul."
Olivet Presbyterian — Otis Harter, minister. Morning, "Who is it At the Door?" Evening, "The Cleansing Blood."
Calvary Reformed — E. Bruce Jacobs, minister. Sermon, "No More Thirst."
First United Brethren — J. H. Howard, pastor. Morning, "Giving Christ the Glory." Evening, "The Godly Man's Dealing and Defense."
First Baptist — Warren L. Steeves, pastor. Morning, "When the Depths are Broken Up." Evening, "The Man You Like Because He is Like You." This begins a series of sermons on a well known Bible character. The first subject begins August 27th. "He threw his hat in the ring."
First Christian — E. A. Watkins, minister. Subject, "Building the Church."
Church of the Brethren — O. P. Haines, pastor. Evening sermon by C. W. Muting, subject, "The Mysteries of Life."
—The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1922, p. 4.
First Reformed Church — Sermon topic, "Opening and Loosening."
First Church of Christ, Scientist — Subject, "Christ Jesus."
Trinity M. E. — Walter D. Cole, pastor, J. M. Mills, associate pastor. Morning sermon, "Transfigured Before Them."
St. Paul's Lutheran Mission — C. H. Eckhardt, pastor. Sermon, "The Follow of Raging Against the King."
Bethany Lutheran — Webster C. Spayde, pastor. Morning, "The Old Gospel as Proclaimed by Paul."
Grace M. E. — D. N. Kelly, pastor. Morning, "Waiting At the Tent Door." Evening, "The Songless Soul."
Olivet Presbyterian — Otis Harter, minister. Morning, "Who is it At the Door?" Evening, "The Cleansing Blood."
Calvary Reformed — E. Bruce Jacobs, minister. Sermon, "No More Thirst."
First United Brethren — J. H. Howard, pastor. Morning, "Giving Christ the Glory." Evening, "The Godly Man's Dealing and Defense."
First Baptist — Warren L. Steeves, pastor. Morning, "When the Depths are Broken Up." Evening, "The Man You Like Because He is Like You." This begins a series of sermons on a well known Bible character. The first subject begins August 27th. "He threw his hat in the ring."
First Christian — E. A. Watkins, minister. Subject, "Building the Church."
Church of the Brethren — O. P. Haines, pastor. Evening sermon by C. W. Muting, subject, "The Mysteries of Life."
—The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1922, p. 4.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Evangelist: Can't Be 50-50, Christ or Devil, Mark of the Beast
Ohio, 1921
Methodist Meetings
Evangelist Changes Style in Handling of Sermon Subject — Splendid Attendance
Evangelist Birney has changed his style somewhat at the revival meetings at the First M. E. Church. Always earnest and persuasive, he has taken on new energy of expression and new earnestness of appeal as he approaches the end of his engagement here. Last night he based his sermon on several passages in the book of Revelation, which speak of the marks of the beast upon the hand and the forehead. It was an earnest appeal for an out and out immediate decision for Christ.
He said in part: "Those who received the mark of the beast in these highly figurative passages were marked for destruction. They bore the marks of hell upon their hand and upon their forehead. Those who did not bear the marks of the beast were those who had chosen Christ and would be saved in the day of wrath. They were all marked for salvation or for destruction — for heaven or hell. So it is to-night. There is no such thing as a third class. All are either marked with the mark of the beast or of the Lamb. There is no neutrality, no neutral class. There is no such thing as a fifty-fifty Christian. Just as there was no such thing as a fifty-fifty American during the war so there is no such thing as a fifty-fifty Christian as long as the war against sin is on. You are for Christ or the beast.
"You cannot sidestep and play fast and loose with the devil. You may say 'Good God, good devil,' but it deceives no one but yourself. 'Choose you this day whom you will serve,' — but don't imagine you can serve both God and the devil at the same time. Everyone in the congregation is either on the road to heaven or on the road to hell and it is up to you to decide which it will be. O, why do you take any chance, my brother? You may leave this building undecided and never have another chance to throw off the mark of the beast. Which side are you on? Whose mark is on you? God help every one here to choose heaven and to avoid hell. Why not decide now? Choose ye, choose ye. Don't try to be a fifty-fifty Christian, but come out on the Lord's side without delay."
Dr. Birney's subject to-night is "The Tragedy of Neglect." Friday afternoon his subject is "The Lord's Prayer." Friday night is Young People's night. The subject is "In the Garden of God."
—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, March 3, 1921, p. 2.
Methodist Meetings
Evangelist Changes Style in Handling of Sermon Subject — Splendid Attendance
Evangelist Birney has changed his style somewhat at the revival meetings at the First M. E. Church. Always earnest and persuasive, he has taken on new energy of expression and new earnestness of appeal as he approaches the end of his engagement here. Last night he based his sermon on several passages in the book of Revelation, which speak of the marks of the beast upon the hand and the forehead. It was an earnest appeal for an out and out immediate decision for Christ.
He said in part: "Those who received the mark of the beast in these highly figurative passages were marked for destruction. They bore the marks of hell upon their hand and upon their forehead. Those who did not bear the marks of the beast were those who had chosen Christ and would be saved in the day of wrath. They were all marked for salvation or for destruction — for heaven or hell. So it is to-night. There is no such thing as a third class. All are either marked with the mark of the beast or of the Lamb. There is no neutrality, no neutral class. There is no such thing as a fifty-fifty Christian. Just as there was no such thing as a fifty-fifty American during the war so there is no such thing as a fifty-fifty Christian as long as the war against sin is on. You are for Christ or the beast.
"You cannot sidestep and play fast and loose with the devil. You may say 'Good God, good devil,' but it deceives no one but yourself. 'Choose you this day whom you will serve,' — but don't imagine you can serve both God and the devil at the same time. Everyone in the congregation is either on the road to heaven or on the road to hell and it is up to you to decide which it will be. O, why do you take any chance, my brother? You may leave this building undecided and never have another chance to throw off the mark of the beast. Which side are you on? Whose mark is on you? God help every one here to choose heaven and to avoid hell. Why not decide now? Choose ye, choose ye. Don't try to be a fifty-fifty Christian, but come out on the Lord's side without delay."
Dr. Birney's subject to-night is "The Tragedy of Neglect." Friday afternoon his subject is "The Lord's Prayer." Friday night is Young People's night. The subject is "In the Garden of God."
—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, March 3, 1921, p. 2.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
The Christian Courage of a Reverend Father
1877
Samuel Maxwell, of the Third Ward, died yesterday morning, at 8 o'clock, of small-pox.
Shortly before his death, we understand that he, being a Protestant, sent for a Protestant minister to give him some spiritual advice, but the minister refused to go.
He sent for Father Eppink, who acceded to the request, and after giving to the dying man spiritual consolation, baptized him into the Catholic Church.
The Rev. Father is entitled to much praise for the Christian courage he has shown in visiting small-pox cases. He has gone, not only with the word of God in his mouth, but the spade and mattock in his hand, and while with one he prepared the soul for eternity, he dug the grave for the body.
Such devotion to God and humanity as he is showing is rare in human character. — Zanesville (Ohio] Times, January 15.
Samuel Maxwell, of the Third Ward, died yesterday morning, at 8 o'clock, of small-pox.
Shortly before his death, we understand that he, being a Protestant, sent for a Protestant minister to give him some spiritual advice, but the minister refused to go.
He sent for Father Eppink, who acceded to the request, and after giving to the dying man spiritual consolation, baptized him into the Catholic Church.
The Rev. Father is entitled to much praise for the Christian courage he has shown in visiting small-pox cases. He has gone, not only with the word of God in his mouth, but the spade and mattock in his hand, and while with one he prepared the soul for eternity, he dug the grave for the body.
Such devotion to God and humanity as he is showing is rare in human character. — Zanesville (Ohio] Times, January 15.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Scandal Hits Two Ohio Churches: Pastor Gone, Another Pastor's Wife, Too
Note: There are picky little details that are inconsistent in these articles, minor stuff like the guy's name. I have a note at the bottom that spells it out. I have made everything more or less consistent, which may be more or less wrong. But if you happen to know of this case, and know what is correct, please leave a comment. If you have any other juicy details, such as where the people are buried, what ever became of them all, etc., please leave a comment.
Ohio, 1922
Preacher and Wife of His Friend Gone
Members of Two Marion Ministers' Families Mysteriously Disappear
MARION. — Two church communities near here were agog with gossip Saturday night, following the mysterious disappearance of Rev. W. W. Crabtree and information that Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of Rev. Rough, was also missing.
Mrs. Crabtree came forth with a statement accusing her husband of an infatuation with Rev. Rough's wife, which she alleged extended over a year.
BEGINNING OF AFFAIR
The alleged affair began a year ago when the two ministers conducted a joint revival at Mount Gilead, the statement said, and since that time Mrs. Rough has frequently visited Rev. Crabtree's home.
Investigators, seeking a trace of the missing minister, were advised he had been seen near Chillicothe, but his trail was lost there. The disappearance followed Dr. Crabtree's resignation last Sunday. Later, he reconsidered and asked for leave of absence instead, which was granted. Immediately afterward, he left his home here, advising Mrs. Crabtree he was going to Louisiana.
WOMAN DISAPPEARS
The simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Rough was learned Saturday, following the statement by the missing pastor's wife.
"I have the matter under prayerful consideration," was all Rev. Rough would say Saturday night. "God's will be done."
He refused to be disturbed by his wife's disappearance and insisted he would appear as usual before his little congregation Sunday.
—Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 15, 1922, p. 9.
PASTOR RUNS OFF WITH ANOTHER PASTOR'S WIFE
Scandal Hits Two Church Flocks in Ohio Towns.
Marion, OH, Jan. 16. — Green Camp, a village of 700 or 800 inhabitants six miles southwest of Marion, is convulsed over the elopement of the Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Free Baptist church, with the 36-year-old wife of Rev. H. A. Rough of Morrow county, pastor of Bryn Zion church.
Crabtree's pulpit was declared vacant today and charges of moral turpitude were filed with the Rev. Roberts Hughes of Bucyrus, district superintendent. The latter occupied the Green Camp pulpit this morning, and the revival services conducted by Arthur Arnet, Moody Bible institute student, were declared closed.
Mrs. Crabtree made public the charges against her husband three days after he disappeared and trustees of the church established the fact that he and Mrs. Rough left in Crabtree's automobile. Crabtree is said to have told his wife in a note that he was going to Louisiana.
Neither Mrs. Crabtree nor the Rev. Mr. Rough will prosecute, but an uncle of Mrs. Rough has engaged attorneys to prosecute the couple. Action looking to the unfrocking of Crabtree will be brought at once, members of his Green Camp church pulpit committee said today.
Crabtree is 46 years old. He came to Green Camp two years ago from Plain City with his wife, and two children, one of whom is a boy 23 years old. The Rev. Mr. Rough, aged 50, has been pastor of Bryn Zion church a number of years. A year ago Crabtree assisted him in conducting a revival at Bryn Zion.
"Let God be their judge," was the only comment of Mr. Rough, when he came here to investigate facts relating to the elopement.
—The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, IA, Jan. 16, 1922, p. 3.
PASTOR LOCATES HIS LOST WIFE, HE SAYS
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 18.—"Although I do not wish to make a statement at this time, I will assure you that I have heard from Mrs. Rough and believe I know where she and the Rev. W. W. Crabtree are located," said the Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Zion Baptist church of Mount Gilead, whose wife and Rev. Crabtree have both disappeared from their homes near Marion. The simultaneous disappearance created a sensation in Marion Co.
In the conversation Rev. Rough said that such sensational reports had been started concerning the disappearance of Mrs. Rough and Rev. Crabtree that he did not feel justified in making any statement about the affair.
However he hastened to add, Mrs. Rough had written him and had explained the matter.
Rev. Rough said that at the conclusion of series of meetings which he is holding at Duncan Falls, ten miles from here, he would have a statement for the newspapers which would thoroughly explain the affair.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Jan. 18, 1922, p. 1.
MT. GILEAD PASTOR'S WIFE SENDS PARTING NOTE; SAYS FAREWELL
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 20.—Deserted by his erring but as yet unrepentant wife, Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Bryn Zion Baptist church, near Mount Gilead, who is now conducting evangelistic services at Duncan Falls, makes public the following letter received from Mrs. Rough since her disappearance 10 days ago, presumably in company with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, a friend and neighbor of the Roughs and until the elopement, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church near Mt. Gilead.
"Harvey: "Now before you read this letter, pray for strength, for the last few years I have not been satisfied but I have stayed with you and kept your house and tried to make it happy for your sake and the respect I have for you. And I didn't want to do anything to hurt your work. I have tried to get you to sell out different times as I wanted to get you out of the ministry, but have failed in all my attempts.
"I have not been true to you, I was down to Columbus when you were away in your other meetings, and down again last week, so I couldn't stay with you any longer. I left Monday morning and it is for good.
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back. I know you wouldn't want me back. I have left you everything, so if you break up, tell my mother so she can come up and get things ready. I am going to write her a few lines today. Now, above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends. They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had.
"One thing more, and the last thing I will ever ask of you is, that you forgive me for the wrong I am doing you; and pray for me that some day I may accept God and be ready to meet Him at the judgment.
"I feel that you will forgive me, as you have that spirit of Christ in you. Now forget me only as you pray for me, for I never will live with you again. I hope I may never have to face you. Goodby, now for the last time. (Signed) EMMA."
—The Coshocton Tribune, Jan. 20, 1922, p. 3.
DENIES LEAVING WITH PASTOR
Wife Writes Zanesville Minister Farewell, However
ZANESVILLE — (By Associated Press) — A new chapter was written here today in the dual mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of the pastor of Zion Baptist church near Mt. Gilead, and Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of Green Camp Baptist church, near Marion.
Rev. H. A. Rough, who is conducting a revival at Duncan Falls, near here, made public a letter he said he had received from his wife in which she intimates that she and Crabtree did not leave together.
"Above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends," a passage in Mrs. Rough's alleged letter reads. "They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had."
These statements follow other paragraphs in which Mrs. Rough stated that having failed in her attempts to get Rev. Rough to give up the ministry she "couldn't stay with you any longer."
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back," the letter said. "I hope I may never have to face you. Goodbye now, for last time."
—The Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 19, 1922, p. 1.
Other details:
Green Camp M.E. church
Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati to take up the matter of unfrocking Crabtree.
Mrs. Rough is childless.
—The Mansfield News, Mansfield, OH, Jan. 14, 1922, p. 1.
Additional
Feb. 24 Rough brought suit for divorce against Mrs. Rough. "The petition recites that Rev. Mr. Crabtree at the time was holding revival services in Muskingum county and that Mrs. Rough left her home and went to Marion, from which place she joined Rev. Mr. Crabtree."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH, Feb. 24, 1922, p. 8.
Second Divorce Grows Out Of Big Scandal
MARION, O., Feb. 25. — Rev. H. A. Rough, former Bryn Zion Baptist church pastor in Morrow county, today filed suit at Mt. Gilead for divorce from Emma Rough, charging that on January 10 last she eloped with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church.
A few weeks ago Mrs. W. W. Crabtree instituted divorce proceedings, but did not name Mrs. Rough as co-respondent.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Feb. 25, 1922, p. 6.
Notes: Sometimes "Rough" is referred to as "Hough." Sometimes he's "H. U." and "H. W." instead of "H. A." I changed all the references to "Rough" and made his initials "H. A." throughout. Basically, I don't know which is correct.
As for my personal opinions, based on nothing more than the information in these articles, Rev. Rough doesn't sound overly broken-up about any of this. He was able to continue his revivals, and he would be in church Sunday as normal. Releasing the letter to the press, and what I would call blithe comments about "God's will be done" make it sound like his emotional attachment is limited. Maybe that's the kind of guy he was to live with, too!
As for Mrs. Rough's letter. This must be the note that was originally referred to in one of the earlier articles, that explained everything. The fact that she doesn't want him to tell the Crabtrees could indicate that she'd written it before any kind of running away with Crabtree was definite or even planned. She says she'd been to Cincinnati a couple times, implying some hanky panky took place there. And that she's going back there. She may have left the note, somehow made contact with Crabtree days later, and the two of them hatched out a plan to run off together. The news story that sees this as a denial that they ran off together doesn't consider the timing of the note and what could've taken place after it was written. Although factor this in, that Crabtree had resigned a week earlier, then asked for a leave of absence, etc. They may have discussed it, but then the reference to not telling the Crabtrees wouldn't make much sense.
OK, with that I must bid a fond farewell to the lot of them myself. If you have any additional details, please leave them in the comments.
Ohio, 1922
Preacher and Wife of His Friend Gone
Members of Two Marion Ministers' Families Mysteriously Disappear
MARION. — Two church communities near here were agog with gossip Saturday night, following the mysterious disappearance of Rev. W. W. Crabtree and information that Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of Rev. Rough, was also missing.
Mrs. Crabtree came forth with a statement accusing her husband of an infatuation with Rev. Rough's wife, which she alleged extended over a year.
BEGINNING OF AFFAIR
The alleged affair began a year ago when the two ministers conducted a joint revival at Mount Gilead, the statement said, and since that time Mrs. Rough has frequently visited Rev. Crabtree's home.
Investigators, seeking a trace of the missing minister, were advised he had been seen near Chillicothe, but his trail was lost there. The disappearance followed Dr. Crabtree's resignation last Sunday. Later, he reconsidered and asked for leave of absence instead, which was granted. Immediately afterward, he left his home here, advising Mrs. Crabtree he was going to Louisiana.
WOMAN DISAPPEARS
The simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Rough was learned Saturday, following the statement by the missing pastor's wife.
"I have the matter under prayerful consideration," was all Rev. Rough would say Saturday night. "God's will be done."
He refused to be disturbed by his wife's disappearance and insisted he would appear as usual before his little congregation Sunday.
—Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 15, 1922, p. 9.
PASTOR RUNS OFF WITH ANOTHER PASTOR'S WIFE
Scandal Hits Two Church Flocks in Ohio Towns.
Marion, OH, Jan. 16. — Green Camp, a village of 700 or 800 inhabitants six miles southwest of Marion, is convulsed over the elopement of the Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Free Baptist church, with the 36-year-old wife of Rev. H. A. Rough of Morrow county, pastor of Bryn Zion church.
Crabtree's pulpit was declared vacant today and charges of moral turpitude were filed with the Rev. Roberts Hughes of Bucyrus, district superintendent. The latter occupied the Green Camp pulpit this morning, and the revival services conducted by Arthur Arnet, Moody Bible institute student, were declared closed.
Mrs. Crabtree made public the charges against her husband three days after he disappeared and trustees of the church established the fact that he and Mrs. Rough left in Crabtree's automobile. Crabtree is said to have told his wife in a note that he was going to Louisiana.
Neither Mrs. Crabtree nor the Rev. Mr. Rough will prosecute, but an uncle of Mrs. Rough has engaged attorneys to prosecute the couple. Action looking to the unfrocking of Crabtree will be brought at once, members of his Green Camp church pulpit committee said today.
Crabtree is 46 years old. He came to Green Camp two years ago from Plain City with his wife, and two children, one of whom is a boy 23 years old. The Rev. Mr. Rough, aged 50, has been pastor of Bryn Zion church a number of years. A year ago Crabtree assisted him in conducting a revival at Bryn Zion.
"Let God be their judge," was the only comment of Mr. Rough, when he came here to investigate facts relating to the elopement.
—The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, IA, Jan. 16, 1922, p. 3.
PASTOR LOCATES HIS LOST WIFE, HE SAYS
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 18.—"Although I do not wish to make a statement at this time, I will assure you that I have heard from Mrs. Rough and believe I know where she and the Rev. W. W. Crabtree are located," said the Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Zion Baptist church of Mount Gilead, whose wife and Rev. Crabtree have both disappeared from their homes near Marion. The simultaneous disappearance created a sensation in Marion Co.
In the conversation Rev. Rough said that such sensational reports had been started concerning the disappearance of Mrs. Rough and Rev. Crabtree that he did not feel justified in making any statement about the affair.
However he hastened to add, Mrs. Rough had written him and had explained the matter.
Rev. Rough said that at the conclusion of series of meetings which he is holding at Duncan Falls, ten miles from here, he would have a statement for the newspapers which would thoroughly explain the affair.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Jan. 18, 1922, p. 1.
MT. GILEAD PASTOR'S WIFE SENDS PARTING NOTE; SAYS FAREWELL
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 20.—Deserted by his erring but as yet unrepentant wife, Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Bryn Zion Baptist church, near Mount Gilead, who is now conducting evangelistic services at Duncan Falls, makes public the following letter received from Mrs. Rough since her disappearance 10 days ago, presumably in company with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, a friend and neighbor of the Roughs and until the elopement, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church near Mt. Gilead.
"Harvey: "Now before you read this letter, pray for strength, for the last few years I have not been satisfied but I have stayed with you and kept your house and tried to make it happy for your sake and the respect I have for you. And I didn't want to do anything to hurt your work. I have tried to get you to sell out different times as I wanted to get you out of the ministry, but have failed in all my attempts.
"I have not been true to you, I was down to Columbus when you were away in your other meetings, and down again last week, so I couldn't stay with you any longer. I left Monday morning and it is for good.
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back. I know you wouldn't want me back. I have left you everything, so if you break up, tell my mother so she can come up and get things ready. I am going to write her a few lines today. Now, above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends. They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had.
"One thing more, and the last thing I will ever ask of you is, that you forgive me for the wrong I am doing you; and pray for me that some day I may accept God and be ready to meet Him at the judgment.
"I feel that you will forgive me, as you have that spirit of Christ in you. Now forget me only as you pray for me, for I never will live with you again. I hope I may never have to face you. Goodby, now for the last time. (Signed) EMMA."
—The Coshocton Tribune, Jan. 20, 1922, p. 3.
DENIES LEAVING WITH PASTOR
Wife Writes Zanesville Minister Farewell, However
ZANESVILLE — (By Associated Press) — A new chapter was written here today in the dual mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of the pastor of Zion Baptist church near Mt. Gilead, and Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of Green Camp Baptist church, near Marion.
Rev. H. A. Rough, who is conducting a revival at Duncan Falls, near here, made public a letter he said he had received from his wife in which she intimates that she and Crabtree did not leave together.
"Above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends," a passage in Mrs. Rough's alleged letter reads. "They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had."
These statements follow other paragraphs in which Mrs. Rough stated that having failed in her attempts to get Rev. Rough to give up the ministry she "couldn't stay with you any longer."
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back," the letter said. "I hope I may never have to face you. Goodbye now, for last time."
—The Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 19, 1922, p. 1.
Other details:
Green Camp M.E. church
Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati to take up the matter of unfrocking Crabtree.
Mrs. Rough is childless.
—The Mansfield News, Mansfield, OH, Jan. 14, 1922, p. 1.
Additional
Feb. 24 Rough brought suit for divorce against Mrs. Rough. "The petition recites that Rev. Mr. Crabtree at the time was holding revival services in Muskingum county and that Mrs. Rough left her home and went to Marion, from which place she joined Rev. Mr. Crabtree."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH, Feb. 24, 1922, p. 8.
Second Divorce Grows Out Of Big Scandal
MARION, O., Feb. 25. — Rev. H. A. Rough, former Bryn Zion Baptist church pastor in Morrow county, today filed suit at Mt. Gilead for divorce from Emma Rough, charging that on January 10 last she eloped with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church.
A few weeks ago Mrs. W. W. Crabtree instituted divorce proceedings, but did not name Mrs. Rough as co-respondent.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Feb. 25, 1922, p. 6.
Notes: Sometimes "Rough" is referred to as "Hough." Sometimes he's "H. U." and "H. W." instead of "H. A." I changed all the references to "Rough" and made his initials "H. A." throughout. Basically, I don't know which is correct.
As for my personal opinions, based on nothing more than the information in these articles, Rev. Rough doesn't sound overly broken-up about any of this. He was able to continue his revivals, and he would be in church Sunday as normal. Releasing the letter to the press, and what I would call blithe comments about "God's will be done" make it sound like his emotional attachment is limited. Maybe that's the kind of guy he was to live with, too!
As for Mrs. Rough's letter. This must be the note that was originally referred to in one of the earlier articles, that explained everything. The fact that she doesn't want him to tell the Crabtrees could indicate that she'd written it before any kind of running away with Crabtree was definite or even planned. She says she'd been to Cincinnati a couple times, implying some hanky panky took place there. And that she's going back there. She may have left the note, somehow made contact with Crabtree days later, and the two of them hatched out a plan to run off together. The news story that sees this as a denial that they ran off together doesn't consider the timing of the note and what could've taken place after it was written. Although factor this in, that Crabtree had resigned a week earlier, then asked for a leave of absence, etc. They may have discussed it, but then the reference to not telling the Crabtrees wouldn't make much sense.
OK, with that I must bid a fond farewell to the lot of them myself. If you have any additional details, please leave them in the comments.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The World Is Nearing An End (1899)
Ohio, 1899
THE WORLD
Is Nearing an End the Rev. Mr. Boardman Says.
Annual Meeting of Seventh Day Adventists Near Akron — R. R. Kennedy, of Wheelersburg, Is President.
The Seventh Day Adventists of Ohio are in session at Randolph park, near Akron. The service will continue for ten days. About one thousand members are present. A telegram from there states that Rev. R. A. Boardman, of Mt. Vernon, who several years ago held forth here in a tent at Chillicothe and Eighth streets, in a sermon said the end of the world was near at hand.
"We believe in the near coming of Christ," he said. "The signs indicate that the destruction of the world will come soon. I'll not set a date, but the signs are very strong that the end is near, very near. Noah was many years in building the ark. He was scoffed at when he preached about the destruction of the world by a flood. We are sometimes scoffed at, yet we are faithful in our belief, and have just as good assurance that Christ will come soon as did Noah that the earth would be destroyed by a flood.
"The twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew contains in it a reference to many of the signs indicative that the world is near the end. The twenty-ninth verse of that chapter reads: 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.' Now, really that on the 13th day of November, 1833, it was dark throughput the entire world, no moon shone the night following, and the stars fell in showers.
The twelfth verse of the sixth chapter of Revelations also refers in prophecy to the dark day, reading: 'And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.' I might cite many other instances which give us good reason for believing that the world is near the end."
R. R. Kennedy, of Wheelersburg, who is president and state organizer of the Adventists, is present at the annual session mentioned above.
—The Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, OH, Aug. 2, 1899, page 6.
THE WORLD
Is Nearing an End the Rev. Mr. Boardman Says.
Annual Meeting of Seventh Day Adventists Near Akron — R. R. Kennedy, of Wheelersburg, Is President.
The Seventh Day Adventists of Ohio are in session at Randolph park, near Akron. The service will continue for ten days. About one thousand members are present. A telegram from there states that Rev. R. A. Boardman, of Mt. Vernon, who several years ago held forth here in a tent at Chillicothe and Eighth streets, in a sermon said the end of the world was near at hand.
"We believe in the near coming of Christ," he said. "The signs indicate that the destruction of the world will come soon. I'll not set a date, but the signs are very strong that the end is near, very near. Noah was many years in building the ark. He was scoffed at when he preached about the destruction of the world by a flood. We are sometimes scoffed at, yet we are faithful in our belief, and have just as good assurance that Christ will come soon as did Noah that the earth would be destroyed by a flood.
"The twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew contains in it a reference to many of the signs indicative that the world is near the end. The twenty-ninth verse of that chapter reads: 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.' Now, really that on the 13th day of November, 1833, it was dark throughput the entire world, no moon shone the night following, and the stars fell in showers.
The twelfth verse of the sixth chapter of Revelations also refers in prophecy to the dark day, reading: 'And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.' I might cite many other instances which give us good reason for believing that the world is near the end."
R. R. Kennedy, of Wheelersburg, who is president and state organizer of the Adventists, is present at the annual session mentioned above.
—The Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, OH, Aug. 2, 1899, page 6.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Prelude — "Liquid Air As I Saw It Demonstrated"
Delphos, OH, 1901
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Divine service at 11 a. m , subject of discourse, "Knowledge is Power." 8 p. m., prelude, "Liquid Air as I Saw it Demonstrated." Subject of sermon, "Men and Times." The evening service will not exceed one hour of time. Sabbath school at 9:45 a. m. Y.P.S.C.E. 7 p. m. The public is cordially invited to worship with us. A. O. Raber, pastor.
M. E. CHURCH.
Sunday services at the M. E. church. Sunday school 9:30 a. m. Class meeting 10:30. Preaching 11 a. m. Subject of morning discourse, "The Seventh Sense." Epworth League 7 p. m. Preaching 8 p. m. Subject of evening, "The Choosing of the Twelve." At the morning services the probationers will be received into full membership. All are cordially invited. E. A. Strother, pastor.
—The Daily Herald, Delphos, Ohio, July 6, 1901, page 4.
1901
Dr. Edward Everett Hale tells how a curious error crept into the translation of the Lord's Prayer into the Delaware Indian tongue. The English translator had as an assistant an Indian who knew English. "What is 'hallow' in Delaware?" asked the translator. The Indian thought he said "halloo," and gave him the equivalent. Therefore the Delaware version of the Lord's Prayer reads to this day: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hollooed be thy name!"
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Divine service at 11 a. m , subject of discourse, "Knowledge is Power." 8 p. m., prelude, "Liquid Air as I Saw it Demonstrated." Subject of sermon, "Men and Times." The evening service will not exceed one hour of time. Sabbath school at 9:45 a. m. Y.P.S.C.E. 7 p. m. The public is cordially invited to worship with us. A. O. Raber, pastor.
M. E. CHURCH.
Sunday services at the M. E. church. Sunday school 9:30 a. m. Class meeting 10:30. Preaching 11 a. m. Subject of morning discourse, "The Seventh Sense." Epworth League 7 p. m. Preaching 8 p. m. Subject of evening, "The Choosing of the Twelve." At the morning services the probationers will be received into full membership. All are cordially invited. E. A. Strother, pastor.
—The Daily Herald, Delphos, Ohio, July 6, 1901, page 4.
1901
Dr. Edward Everett Hale tells how a curious error crept into the translation of the Lord's Prayer into the Delaware Indian tongue. The English translator had as an assistant an Indian who knew English. "What is 'hallow' in Delaware?" asked the translator. The Indian thought he said "halloo," and gave him the equivalent. Therefore the Delaware version of the Lord's Prayer reads to this day: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hollooed be thy name!"
Treasurer Kept Church Funds in Barrel, Now Missing
Ohio, 1901
Church Money Lost
Wooster, O., Jan. 30.—Hugh Howey, a farmer in Congress township, treasurer of his church, kept the church funds and some of his own in a pocketbook concealed in an ash barrel for safekeeping. Tuesday an installment of the minister's salary was due and Howey went to get the funds. Of the pocketbook only a metal clasp was left and of $122 only small amount of coin. Some one had put ashes in the barrel without pouring water on them.
—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, January 30, 1901, page 1.
Church Money Lost
Wooster, O., Jan. 30.—Hugh Howey, a farmer in Congress township, treasurer of his church, kept the church funds and some of his own in a pocketbook concealed in an ash barrel for safekeeping. Tuesday an installment of the minister's salary was due and Howey went to get the funds. Of the pocketbook only a metal clasp was left and of $122 only small amount of coin. Some one had put ashes in the barrel without pouring water on them.
—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, January 30, 1901, page 1.
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