Country Church, Winter Evening

1895

[Congregation, with the Old Hundredth ready for the parson to give out some dismissal words.)

Good Old Parson (not at all meaning rhyme) — The light has grown so very dim I scarce can see to read the hymn.

Congregation, taking it up, to the first half of the "Old Hundredth:"

The light has grown so very dim
I scarce can see to read the hymn.

Pause, as usual. Parson (mildly impatient) — I did not mean to read a hymn. I only meant my eyes were dim.

Congregation, to second part of "Old Hundredth:"

I did not mean to read a hymn.
I only meant my eyes were dim.

Parson (out of patience, etc.):

I didn't mean a hymn at all.
I think the devil's in you all.

—E. FitzGerald's Letter to Fanny Kemble in Temple Bar.

The News of Richmond Hill

New York, 1895

A musical and lecture for the benefit of the parish fund of the Church of the Resurrection was given in the rectory Tuesday evening and netted $25.

St Andrew's Brotherhood of the Church of the Resurrection are making a great success of their Sunday evening services. Large congregations attend and the financial support is liberal.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1895, p. 12.

Holds Church Over 'Phone

1920

Dakota Preacher Sends Gospel Twelve Miles Away.

DEVILS LAKE, North Dakota. — The Rev. P. H. Case of the Presbyterian Church here has perfected his "preach by phone" system, until any one on the circuit within a radius of twelve miles can take down the receiver and find himself at church.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 2.

Mad Dog in Church

1920

DUNBAR, Pennsylvania. — When a mad dog ran into the First Presbyterian Church here during an entertainment women, men and children were thrown into a panic. The worst bitten by the canine was Earl, a small son of Howard Anderson. A load of buckshot ended the career of the dog. A number of persons were bitten by the dog during the several days that it was running wild.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 2.

Too Much Ragtime In Church

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.

The Church Too Conventional

1900

Rev. Dr. John Balcom Shaw considering the conditions of a revival and its power in the Homiletic Review, adds these suggestive words: "The curse of the church today, particularly in this city, is respectability and exclusiveness. We are dying of dignity. Conventionality is crushing out our very life. How the free, glad, uplifting influence of Him who 'worketh when, and where, and how he will,' would change all this! It would take all the ministers of our churches, if working unitedly, a century to overtake this tendency and another century to overcome it. The Holy Ghost could do it in a week."

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 17

Christians Sound Asleep

1900

Dr. A. C. Dixon says: "Prove to me that the atmosphere of the theatre, and the ball room and the club is as good as a prayer meeting; that first-class people go to these places; the fact remains that these good people are, as Christians, sound asleep. They are not awake to winning souls, converting the heathen, building up the church. A church full of such excellent people would be a dormitory, and, for all practical purposes, is about as good as a cemetery."

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 17

The First Church

1900

The People's Forum

Where was the first church set up? By whom, and when? — T. J. W., Glouster, O.

There seems more or less confusion on this subject. Christians in those troublous times met in small bands from house to house, and while collectively they might be called the Church of Jerusalem, or of Antioch, or the Seven Churches in Asia, it is doubtful if it is possible to give any exact information as to priority. It is clearly stated that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. On the other hand, if our subscriber will read St. John, the fourth chapter, he will receive some valuable information on this subject in Christ's own words to the woman of Samaria. She says: "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Christ replied: "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him." This would seem to answer our correspondent. It was here at Jacob's well that Christ set up a universal church, not bounded by brick and mortar, but united by those unbreakable ties of spiritual communion with the Father of all. The members of this church were called "worshippers." Its creed was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." It was founded on Christ and Christ alone. Its gospel was the gospel proclaimed by Christ. Nineteen hundred years have passed away and with all the progress which has been made the words of Christ to the woman of Samaria are hardly yet comprehended.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.

The Funeral of a Saloonkeeper

1900

The People's Forum

How can a minister of the Gospel best perform his duty when asked to conduct the funeral of a saloonkeeper? — (Rev.) DAVID JONES, Wash.

As we answer this question there lies before us a ten-page letter from another minister who has just preached such a sermon, and he is bewailing the fact that it has brought about dissensions in his church which cut his financial support by half. His wife and children are in danger of going without proper food and clothes, and he is threatened with tar and feathers. "What did he say?" you ask. Well, here is a selection from his sermon, which will give you an idea of its general tenor:

"Good people, you have come here today, not only in honor of your dead, but in honor of our social, civil and religious institutions. You have asked the church and clergy for burial services, and while it is against the laws and constitutions of some churches to give burial services to those outside of their membership, I want to say for the benefit of our own members, who have objected to using the church on this occasion, on account of the business of the deceased, that it is not for us to deny funeral or burial services to any, but we are to serve all willingly, reserving the right to make them an occasion of benefit to the congregation and comfort to the mourners.

"If you think the business of this man is wrong, I want to show you that he had the highest authority within the gift of this country to justify and defend him in the prosecution thereof. He had the silent if not the open consent and endorsement of nearly every business, professional and official man in the city, besides a large lucrative patronage among the common people of the community. Therefore if he was wrong then you are wrong also, and if you think he alone will perish for the wrong, in the language of the text, I tell you nay; but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish."

The minister who speaks plainly at a funeral will always be criticized. There are many, therefore, who would refuse to conduct such a funeral service, especially over a man who has lived a notoriously sinful life. They would reserve the lessons which might be drawn for a more appropriate occasion. There is no fixed law of propriety in such matters. Circumstances must always be taken into consideration. A minister should be guided by the best religious sentiment in his church and by his heartfelt convictions after earnest prayer for guidance.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.

Obstacles of the Church

1901

Obstructions to Progress of Religion Set Forth In Alphabetical Order.

At last ministers spiritual have discovered after long investigation the causes obstructing the progress of the church. They were presented the other day to the annual meeting of the Chicago presbytery by the Rev. H. A. Percival, says the New York World. Here they are:

(a) Ambition to be on equal footing with others, in style of living and dress and, if possible, to outstrip them; apathy after giving energies to outside organizations.
(b) Blaming the church for coldness.
(c) Covetousness; card playing; craze for pulpit novelties.
(d) Debt; divisions among Christians; dancing; dyspepsia of spirit, so that neither the milk nor the meat of the word can by assimilated.
(e) Erroneous views of God's word.
(f) Frivolity; formality; false teaching.
(g) Gambling; gossip.
(h) Haste to be rich and scarcity of homes.
(i) Intemperance; indifference and inconsistency.
(j) Jealousy in the ranks.
(k) Knee drill neglected.
(l) Love of gain; low moral tone of politics.
(m) Mistaking means of grace for grace.
(n) Neglect of family religion.
(o) Ordinances irregularly attended.
(p) Pleasure seeking; political corruption; poverty.
(q) Quack evangelists.
(r) Rivalry between denominations.
(s) Sabbath desecration; skepticism; slander.
(t) Trinity of the world, the flesh and the devil; theater.
(u) Uncharitableness; universalism.
(v) Vanity in individuals and churches.
(w) Worldliness.
(x) Extravagance. Exodus of good families.
(y) Young and old dominated by the principle, "Enjoy yourself and don't get hurt."
(z) Zeal wanting for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

The Rev. Mr. Percival sent out hundreds of cards with the question, "What is the chief end of man?"

The first answer he received said, "The chief end of man is to have good time."

Hymns Up to Date

1901

An old gentleman of 82 whose occasionally cynical speeches are always tinged with good humor was asked his opinion of modern church music.

"It's all very fine," he said dryly, "and I like to hear it, but there's one thing I've noticed. It may be just chance, but I've noticed it a good many times.

"When I was a boy, the people went to two services a day and sometimes three, and they sat on hard seats and sang with all their hearts:

"My God, the spring of all my joys.

"Now the congregation lean comfortably back in softly cushioned pews and listen to the choir singing:

"Art thou weary, art thou languid?

"I may be mistaken, but it comes home to me every now and then that hymnology is changing to suit the times." — Youth's Companion.

The Story of a Race Track Gambler Brought to Christ

1900

Notable Conversions

In a little mission in San Jose, California, a number of earnest Christian workers were holding an enthusiastic meeting, when in strolled a young man twenty-three years of age, uncultured, somewhat ignorant, but well versed in the art of horse training. William Mullen had lived many years with the associates of the race track and had adopted all their habits, and had also received the root of all evil, the desire for money. While he sat listening to many give their experience and tell how God had redeemed them, and others telling how God had kept them and prevented them from a life of shame, in the midst of the testimonial meeting the young man stood up, saying, "You people testify for Jesus Christ, I want to give testimony for the devil — I have served him all my life." What they thought of this is not known save to themselves. But he did not care, for he continued on saying; "I am bad, I have tried to be good, but I can't be good, there is no good in me. You say that Jesus Christ will save me, unless he does I will never be good. For every time I have tried to be good I have failed and I can't be good, but I am going to be good if God will make me good, and I am not going to leave this building until Christ does save me."

He sat down, and at the close of the meeting an old lady invited him to the front to kneel, and while waiting on God for some miraculous power to work upon him, the good old lady by his side kept saying, "Brother are you saved; do you feel you are saved?" Little did she think that she was acting in the person of Satan tempting the young man, for he desired not any such talk. It was an opportunity he wanted to be with the stranger whom he had met, God himself. He wanted God to reveal the light and he desired to be but alone. Getting up he testified that he believed that God would save him, but he was not quite sure.

He knew little of the Scripture, excepting a few passages that were taught him by a gentleman in Washington, D.C., many years ago, when he was an orphan boy with nowhere to go, sleeping under hay stacks, back of boilers, in coal sheds or other places that the boys of the street provided for him. Yet, a few of those verses had sunk deep into his heart. He remembered the kindly words and he remembered the good Sunday School teacher Mr. Clayton, who told him that some day Jesus Christ would save him and make a man of him. Mr. Clayton had met him on 14th Street in Washington, and stopped him, saying, "Little boy, what Sunday School do you go to?" for Mr. Clayton thought he was a good subject for the Sunday School. He looked up into Mr. Clayton's face, and said:

"I dinna gan' to Sunday School."

"Won't you come to my Sunday School?" said Mr. Clayton.

"Naw, I dinna' want to gan' to your Sunday School."

Mr. Clayton coaxed, but his coaxing apparently was all in vain. Finally, looking at the boy he said: "Do you want to go to jail?" Tears now came to the boy's eyes and he looked up into his face and said, "Mister, if you winnit put me in jail, gan' to your Sunday School," thinking that the Sunday School might not be quite as bad as a jail, for he remembered in his early childhood days the big stone wall that surrounded the institution of charity in which he was imprisoned for no greater crime than being an orphan.

And so the next Sunday at the door of old Mt. Zion Sunday School in Washington, D.C., there came a rap. A gentleman invited the stranger who was knocking inside of the church or Sunday School: "Won't you come in little boy?"

"Naw, but if you will, please tell Mr. Clayton I'd oot here."

The gentleman smiled, walked inside and called for the Sunday School teacher, Mr. Clayton, telling him there was a boy at the door.

The good teacher asked the whole Sunday School to promise, and got their promise, that they would not laugh at the strange little boy that was coming in. As Mr. Clayton went to the door he kindly took him by the hand. He looked upon the new scholar dressed up in a coat many times too large for him, covered with ham fat, a large man's pair of pants with the waist pinned around to one side, (possibly it was a horse shoe nail that acted for a button, as such was used commonly by him), but he had his hair combed at least, and it was so uncommon that the good Sunday School teacher who had noticed him many times made a note of the fact as he brought the boy down the aisle, to the sound of the clitter-clatter, clitter-clatter of the shoes that were too large for him.

The Sunday School scholars were compelled to put their handkerchiefs in their mouths to keep from laughing.

The good teacher, who had learned to act in the name of Jesus his Master,. went further than this, and at the close of the Sunday School he said, "William, you must come home with me now and have dinner; Mrs. Clayton wants you to come." All things were prepared for him on that table where he sat down to a nice white table cloth, silver knives and forks, plenty of dishes and good things heaped up purposely for him. It was the first time in his life that he was a guest, and a guest in the name of Jesus Christ.

Many years went by and as some one would say to him while carousing, "All Christians are hypocrites," tears would come to his eyes and he would say, "No, boys, I know better than that, there is one man on earth who is a Christian," and off would go his coat ready to fight as he would repeat, "I know that there was nothing on earth that would cause a man to take me in when I was a boy like Mr. Clayton did, if he was not a Christian." And so a tender spot was gained in his heart, and when the time came that God pressed him and showed him his utter inability to lead a good life without him, he accepted Jesus Christ.

To return to the little mission meeting in California, the young man, having given his testimony, as stated, promised he would return the next night. The next night they asked him to testify for Jesus Christ. Rising, he said, "I am saved, I know that I am saved, for I have not wanted tobacco all day." This was the test that he put God to. He said that if God would save him from the habit that he had followed from his childhood, that he would believe that God had saved him from his sins.

The very next day William Mullen was called to preach. As before said he knew little of the Scriptures, but in the corral, where the horsemen were gathered, he would tell them the wonderful works that God had done for him. He could not declare unto them the Gospel as put forth in the Scriptures, but he would say, "Oh, I know that I am saved, I know that God has saved me for I have not uttered an oath and I could not help swearing before, I have not used any tobacco and I always loved it before, but now I do not care for it. I know that God has saved me, for he has made a new man of me, for the things that I used to love I do not care for any more now, and the things that I did not love I like now. I know and I have heard others say that he has done the same for them, and he will not turn anybody away, for I see that everybody that comes to him gets saved. I know that he will save you because he saved me, and if he could save me he could save anybody on earth."

Many have listened to the glad story, some have accepted it, some now are already in the field repeating the story, some have gone as missionaries, some are ordained ministers of the Gospel, while he goes on his simple way telling that Jesus Christ has died for sinful men.

—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 11.

God Redeems Israel

1900

The New York Observer says: "The need of individual Christians and of the church and nation today is the trust, not simply the variable hope, that God will redeem Israel. There is no doubt that Israel needs to be redeemed. There is enough that is wrong with Israel as it is. Israel cannot have the kingdom unless it be made right with God. And the Israel that needs to be redeemed is not simply the visible church, but the whole range and area of human interests, whether private or public, whether secular or religious."

—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 21.

Uses of The Church

1935

The Church is not a refrigerator for preserving perishable piety. It is a dynamo for charging human wills with power. The object of the church is not to tell men how to dodge difficulties, but to furnish strength and courage to meet them. The business of the church is not to furnish hammocks for the lazy; it is rather to offer well-fitting yokes for drawing life's loads. The man who does not attend any church practically votes to do away with all churches.

Why not accept the invitation and COME TO CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY?

—D. CARL YODER

Church-Going Dog Dies

Connecticut, 1905

"Gip" Williams, a church-going dog, died in Nontville, a Berkshire village, and his funeral was held, says a Winsted (Conn.) dispatch to the New York World. Many children followed the dog to its burial place.

Gip, who was owned by a family named Williams, for years had attended prayer meetings and all the entertainments in the village church.

After the family had gone to prayer meeting recently Charles Richardson, who lives with the Williamses, said to the dog, "Gip, you can't go to church to-night." The dog walked into the next room and went through the window, sash and all.

Arriving at the church, Gip pushed the swinging door open and took his accustomed seat with the congregation.


Leaves High Station to Help Poor

Monsignoro the Count Vay De Vaya, a Hungarian priest of noble birth, has come to the United States to look after the spiritual needs of his immigrant countrymen.

Reared amid the luxurious surroundings of the Austrian court and destined by his father, the lord chamberlain, for a diplomatic career, the count put aside secular ambition and determined to devote himself to work among the poor.

Though only in his thirty-sixth year, he has lived in almost every country in Asia and Africa and has visited Australia and all the greater islands of the Pacific, studying the needs of missionary work.

Free Lunch Goes With Religion

Illinois, 1905

Inducements to Be Offered Bloomington Men to Attend Church

Bloomington, Illinois, March 7 — To draw the men to the prayer meeting has been a problem before the congregation of the First Methodist church of this city for a long time. This week a new attraction will be introduced. A free lunch will be served between the hours of 6:30 and 7:15 o'clock for all business men and mechanics. It is believed that the merchants, clerks, and men in the shops will go from their work at 6 o'clock to the church and after eating remain to the 7:30 o'clock prayer meeting.

—The Daily Review, Decatur, Illinois, March 7, 1905.



Mormons Can Elder Cannon

His Conduct Is Declared to Have Been Unchristian

Salt Lake City, March 7 — Former United States Senator Frank J. Cannon has been disfellowshiped from the Mormon church for "unchristianlike conduct and apostasy."

This action of the church authorities followed a hearing in the city of Ogden before the local bishopric with whom charges had been preferred against Elder Cannon who is editor of the Salt Lake Tribune. The charges were based on editorial utterances of the Tribune including "an address to the earthly king of the kingdom of God." Mr. Cannon admitted the authorship.

Gum-Chewing Girl Makes Faces at Minister

March 1896

Two girls in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, have been heavily fined for disturbing public worship by chewing gum. The minister testified that when he remonstrated with one of the girls she made faces at him.

The Congregational Church of Sedalia, Missouri, is going to make a grand effort to bring the old sinners into the fold this year. Young women are to act as ushers in place of the young men hitherto acting in that capacity.

Mrs. Cleveland rarely fails to attend the regular church services, and is scrupulously exact in being present on all special days.

Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein who is Queen Victoria's daughter Helena, and her daughter Princess Victoria, are to sing solo parts in the "Messiah" at a church concert at Slough.

Strike-the-Kettle Helps Missionary

1900

Strike-the-Kettle is not a romantic name, but the old Indian who bore that appellation was a leader and a Christian king among his people. For many years Strike-the-Kettle was a scout, protecting the United States mail from hostile Indians. While on this duty he was wounded in a fight with his own people.

A few years ago, when the Dakota prairies were on fire, the Indians of the Standing Rock Agency fought the flames for days. When at last it was feared the whole village would be swept away, a devoted missionary stood watching, with wagon packed, ready to flee at the last moment. In the darkness she saw some one standing by her gate. It was Strike-the-Kettle.

"I can no longer fight the fire," said the wounded old scout, "but I will stay here, Winona. Go to sleep, and I will rouse you in time." When the exhausted woman finally woke, all danger was over, but Strike-the-Kettle was still on guard. Is it strange that on Memorial days Winona lays a wreath on the grave of Strike-the-Kettle?


A One Woman Revival

The enlargement of a church in Quincy, Michigan, and its recent rededication testify anew to the power one person may exert in a community.

Thirty years ago Quincy was but a hamlet, and the Presbyterian Church being reduced to a single member, the presbytery dissolved the church and sent a committee to get the minutes. Mrs. Patter refused either to give up the minutes or to be "dissolved."

"What the presbytery should do," was her plucky answer, "is to send us a minister." Her advice was taken, and to-day the church is happy, hopeful and flourishing. It lived simply because one earnest Christian woman would not let it die.

—Youth's Companion.

Hardly Musical

1899

"What man has done, man can do," is a good motto, but it needs to be interpreted in the light of common sense. Every now and then we hear of a man who takes it to mean that a little perseverance will make a Newton or a Beethoven out of the stupidest of us.

Here is a story connected with Liddell, the somewhat over-positive Dean of Christ Church, borrowed from "The Spectator."

Doctor Corfe, the organist of Christ Church, was at this time sorely plagued by one of the choirmen, whose "alto" singing was miserably bad. He came to the dean.

"Mr. Dean, I really cannot have that man singing any longer. He spoils the whole choir. If only he sang 'bass,' it would not so much matter, but such an 'alto' is intolerable."

"Very well, Doctor Corfe," said the dean, "I will deal with the matter."

So the choirman was sent for.

"Doctor Corfe complains of your singing, and says he cannot have you singing 'alto' any longer; but that it would not be so bad if you sang 'bass.' For the future, therefore, be good enough to sing `bass."

"But, Mr. Dean, I cannot sing 'bass,'" rejoined the man.

"Well," answered Liddell, "I am no musician, but sing 'bass' you must! Good morning."

And for many a year afterward, as can be but too well remembered, the man sang "bass" till he was finally shelved. — Youth's Companion.

Trumpet Calls — Sentence Sermons

1896

Ram's Horn Sounds Warning Note to Unredeemed

Wine opens the damper to let all the fires of evil in a man burn.

God sends danger only where he has first sent courage.

To love an enemy is a sure way to please Christ.

A brewer's horse fares better than a drunkard's child.

Bridget starts her fire with coal oil. The devil uses alcohol.

The man who does not look ahead will soon have to fall back.

There is no sign that a man inflamed with drink may not commit.

Every moderate drinker is leading an army of boys toward the pit.

If we not hear God to-day, he may refuse to hear us to-morrow.

Appetite for drink is the devil's iron chain on the drunkard's neck.

The easiest time to let drink alone is before the first drink is taken.

It is when we are most helpless that Christ is most willing to help us.

The sparkle in the wine is made by one of the devil's sharpest teeth.

It is a long step toward heaven to be born in a home where Christ is loved.

One of the hardest things for some men to forgive is a difference in creed.

The man who serves the devil has to begin his day's work before breakfast.

Many a man puts his family in the dark to help the saloon pay its gas bill.

Many a man has started out to reform the world, and stopped at the first house.

The devil has gained his point when he convinces us that little sins work no ill.

The man who begins by drinking some time may end by having to drink all the time.

No man can grind down another without first placing his own soul under the millstone.

The Christian should never complain of his hard fortune while he knows that Christ is his friend.

If you would teach children to hate drink, give them the first lesson before they leave the cradle.

The man who has not decided that he will never drink, has more than half decided that he will drink.

When a man gets up early in the morning to drink, he is apt to spend the day in doing nothing else.

Our money is not doing us the good God would have it do us, if it is not doing anybody else any good.

If you are in the habit of going to sleep in church, you do not help the preacher any by occupying a front seat. — Ram's Horn.