New York, 1895
Prayer Meetings on Oyster Boats and in Sail Lofts.
A religious wave is sweeping Patchogue from centre to circumference. The saloon trade has fallen off over half in a week, and prayer meetings are being held in oyster packing houses, shipping houses, sail lofts, ship yards and aboard oyster boats. On Friday night forty sinners fell upon their knees before the altar of the Methodist church and proclaimed their conversion. Saturday night a big revival meeting was held in what was formerly the toughest barroom in the place. Until two weeks ago Edward McNulty was breaking the law continually, but the Rev. Mr. Ferguson brought about his conversion, and McNulty removed all his liquors and fixtures on Saturday night, the minister helping in the moving.
Meetings were held in the big sail loft of George H. Miller several times last week, as well as in other lofts and oyster houses, and big bronzed bay men fell upon their knees and begged forgiveness for past transgressions.
The Gordon family, which is a large one, has been converted from the grandmother down to the youngest child.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 1, 1895, p. 2.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thanksgiving Day – The Religious National Holiday
1900
Thanksgiving day is unique in one respect at least in that it is our only National holiday to which a distinctly religious character is given by official utterance. Christmas day, because it recalls the birth of Christ might be supposed to be the more religious occasion of the two, but Christmas long since has lost much of its religious significance as also indeed has Thanksgiving, but it is still true of the later that its celebration is ordered by official proclamation.
This at first thought may not mean a great deal, for we know in what terms of stale conventionality these annual proclamations are issued and that they come sometimes from executives to whom the name of God has no sacred import. But it is very significant that there has never yet been a Governor or President, however much of an unbeliever he might be, who was willing to offend the religious sense of the nation by failing to appoint a day of prayer and Thanksgiving.
It has often been observed that the name of God does not appear in our federal Constitution, but what matters it so long as year by year our chief magistrate and the magistrates of our nearly half a hundred mighty commonwealths call upon the people to remember God on this day of prayer. It matters little and especially so if the people themselves will but preserve this day and observe it in a manner consistent with its traditions. It need not be altogether spent in prayer and fasting; praise and feasting are quite as much in place.
Above all it should be a day when family ties are strengthened, when family hearths are ablaze and when father and mother, son and daughter should bow together before our Father's God, acknowledging all his blessings, and seeking his forgiveness for our sins. They who dedicate Thanksgiving day to mere sport and dining betray a sacred institution, and dishonor a noble ancestry who held God in faithful remembrance.
—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 6.
Thanksgiving day is unique in one respect at least in that it is our only National holiday to which a distinctly religious character is given by official utterance. Christmas day, because it recalls the birth of Christ might be supposed to be the more religious occasion of the two, but Christmas long since has lost much of its religious significance as also indeed has Thanksgiving, but it is still true of the later that its celebration is ordered by official proclamation.
This at first thought may not mean a great deal, for we know in what terms of stale conventionality these annual proclamations are issued and that they come sometimes from executives to whom the name of God has no sacred import. But it is very significant that there has never yet been a Governor or President, however much of an unbeliever he might be, who was willing to offend the religious sense of the nation by failing to appoint a day of prayer and Thanksgiving.
It has often been observed that the name of God does not appear in our federal Constitution, but what matters it so long as year by year our chief magistrate and the magistrates of our nearly half a hundred mighty commonwealths call upon the people to remember God on this day of prayer. It matters little and especially so if the people themselves will but preserve this day and observe it in a manner consistent with its traditions. It need not be altogether spent in prayer and fasting; praise and feasting are quite as much in place.
Above all it should be a day when family ties are strengthened, when family hearths are ablaze and when father and mother, son and daughter should bow together before our Father's God, acknowledging all his blessings, and seeking his forgiveness for our sins. They who dedicate Thanksgiving day to mere sport and dining betray a sacred institution, and dishonor a noble ancestry who held God in faithful remembrance.
—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 6.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Rev. P. Marion Simms Has New Ten Commandments
Iowa, 1912
Vinton, Iowa, March 18 — Rev. P. Marion Simms, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Vinton, in his sermons the last two Sundays, gave the husbands and wives each a talk direct from the shoulder and without mincing of words. The sermons have caused no little comment throughout the town and like all "plain talks" have caused no little argument. On one Sunday he included the "Ten Commandments for Husbands" and on the other "Ten Commandments for Women," both of which are original and wholly representative of the two sermons.
Ten Commandments for Husbands
1. Thou shalt have no woman but thy wife and thou shalt not arrange for thy second marriage before the death of thy first wife.
2. Thou shalt not be a Sir Roger de Coverly to other men's wives and then conclude that because thou hast broken bronchos or excelled on the athletic field or in the gymnasium that thou canst manage thy wife in the same way.
3. Thou shalt not make of thy wife a household drudge, enslaved to the cook stove, mending bag, the vacuum cleaner and the babies sixteen hours a day while thou dost work but eight.
4. Thou shalt not smoke ten cent cigars and wear silk socks while thy wife wears her last year's hat with the wing moved to the other side and while thy sons wear hand-me-down-pants. And thou shalt not support the saloon-keepers's wife and children at the expense of thine own and compel thy wife to use an anesthetic to extract every penny she gets. And thou shalt not require thy wife to render an account for every penny thou dost grudgingly give to her, unless thou dost give her an account of thine own expenditures sworn to before at least two notary publics.
6. Thou shalt not forget that thy home ought to be the happiest spot on earth for thee; that thy truest friends are there; that they miss thee when thou art away, therefore, thou shalt not neglect thy home for the club, lodge, pool room or saloon or any other place of meeting whatsoever.
6. Thou shalt not have all thy religion in thy wife's name.
7. Thou shalt not farm out the religious training of thy children to the minister, the Sunday school teacher, or to anybody else, not even to thy wife. But thou shalt bear thine own burden in the matter and thou shalt live before them in such a way that they can follow safely. And thou shalt not relieve a fit of indigestion by kicking the cat or whipping the children.
8. Thou shalt not talk of thy family and domestic troubles to thy neighbor, to thy friend or partner, or to anybody's wife or to thy stenographer, to any member of thy club or lodge or to anybody else. Fight it out with thy wife alone, even if it takes all summer.
9. Thou shalt not have the jim-jams or even a headache every time thy wife asks thee to take her to a musical, to a concert, or to see some friends; for verily, verily, I say unto you that it is hard to be a grass widow all the time and with a husband in the house.
10. Thou shalt not forget that thy wife is not yet an angel and that thou wouldst be very lonely if she were; therefore, thou shalt make due allowance for the frailties of human nature. And thou shalt remember that she has as many rights as thou thyself.
Ten Commandments for Wives
1. Thou shalt have no other man but thy husband and when another would make love to thee remember that he is a fool or a knave.
2. Thou shalt not forget that the same winsome ways that made thy husband prefer thee to all other women are necessary to hold him. Verily, verily, I say unto you that rats are as valuable in married life as in courtship.
3. Thou shalt not expect thy husband in the beginning of his life to support thee on the same plane that thy father was able to reach after a long life of hard work and rigid economy. Therefore, thou shalt not fret thyself because thy neighbor's house is finer than thy own; neither shalt thou burden thy husband to enable thee to pose as a merchant's and milliner's model. Thou shalt be a help-meet and not simply a help-eat; for verily, verily, I say unto you that it is wicked to keep thy husband only about two steps ahead of the bill collector. Neither shalt thou wear abbreviated garments that make women look too short and men too long.
4. Thou shall not place any social circle, club, pleasurable organization or even the missionary society before thy home and thou shalt not conclude that an ideal family is a husband, a bull pup and a canary.
5. Thou shalt seek first to be a good homemaker, house-keeper and cook and then thou mayest add other accomplishments that do not interfere with thy chief business in life. Thou must not forget that an uncooked apple drove the first husband from paradise; that a poor mess of pottage differentiated a nation; that a fit of indigestion lost the battle of Leipsic; and that tea, mixed with improper ingredients cost England the American colonies and led to the founding of the American republic. And thou shalt not waste $5 worth of time hunting for a $10 dress at $9.78 on bargain day and compel thy husband to lunch down town on buttermilk and sinkers. Verily, verily, I say unto you that it is better to be a good cook than to be able to play chords on the piano, to serve pink teas, preside at whist orgies or to be queen of bargain finders.
6. Thou shall not gossip in the family or out of it about the neighborhood scandal; neither shalt thou allow the petty vexations of the family to disrupt the family harmony.
7. Thou shalt not complain that thou art "tied down" to thy home and to thy babies; for verily, verily, I say unto you that a woman who is unwilling to be "tied down" to such is not worthy to be married to any man. Thou shalt remember that no woman is "tied down" more to her chief business in life than is her husband. Thou shouldst also remember that even the Lord did not intend that a woman's married life should be one prolonged pleasure excursion in a rubber tired automobile on an asphalt road with magnolias blooming on either side.
8. Thou shalt not aspire to be a man to run the politics of the country to reform the world, to boss thy husband and then expect the courtesy, the love and devotion that is due an uncrowned queen. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that men admire most the woman of the clinging vine variety.
9. Thou shalt not serve punch to thy guests, nor put up prizes at whist parties, nor win them at thy neighbors, and then lecture thy husband and son on the evils of gambling.
10. Thou shalt not allow dust to gather on thy Bible nor shall thy attendance at the services of thy church depend on the emotions of a passing hour, the state of the weather or any other unimportant matter.
—Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, March 18, 1912, p. 12.
Note: Commandment 2 for women has "rats" as being valuable in married life as in courtship. I don't know what "rats" are in this context but that is what the article says.
Vinton, Iowa, March 18 — Rev. P. Marion Simms, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Vinton, in his sermons the last two Sundays, gave the husbands and wives each a talk direct from the shoulder and without mincing of words. The sermons have caused no little comment throughout the town and like all "plain talks" have caused no little argument. On one Sunday he included the "Ten Commandments for Husbands" and on the other "Ten Commandments for Women," both of which are original and wholly representative of the two sermons.
Ten Commandments for Husbands
1. Thou shalt have no woman but thy wife and thou shalt not arrange for thy second marriage before the death of thy first wife.
2. Thou shalt not be a Sir Roger de Coverly to other men's wives and then conclude that because thou hast broken bronchos or excelled on the athletic field or in the gymnasium that thou canst manage thy wife in the same way.
3. Thou shalt not make of thy wife a household drudge, enslaved to the cook stove, mending bag, the vacuum cleaner and the babies sixteen hours a day while thou dost work but eight.
4. Thou shalt not smoke ten cent cigars and wear silk socks while thy wife wears her last year's hat with the wing moved to the other side and while thy sons wear hand-me-down-pants. And thou shalt not support the saloon-keepers's wife and children at the expense of thine own and compel thy wife to use an anesthetic to extract every penny she gets. And thou shalt not require thy wife to render an account for every penny thou dost grudgingly give to her, unless thou dost give her an account of thine own expenditures sworn to before at least two notary publics.
6. Thou shalt not forget that thy home ought to be the happiest spot on earth for thee; that thy truest friends are there; that they miss thee when thou art away, therefore, thou shalt not neglect thy home for the club, lodge, pool room or saloon or any other place of meeting whatsoever.
6. Thou shalt not have all thy religion in thy wife's name.
7. Thou shalt not farm out the religious training of thy children to the minister, the Sunday school teacher, or to anybody else, not even to thy wife. But thou shalt bear thine own burden in the matter and thou shalt live before them in such a way that they can follow safely. And thou shalt not relieve a fit of indigestion by kicking the cat or whipping the children.
8. Thou shalt not talk of thy family and domestic troubles to thy neighbor, to thy friend or partner, or to anybody's wife or to thy stenographer, to any member of thy club or lodge or to anybody else. Fight it out with thy wife alone, even if it takes all summer.
9. Thou shalt not have the jim-jams or even a headache every time thy wife asks thee to take her to a musical, to a concert, or to see some friends; for verily, verily, I say unto you that it is hard to be a grass widow all the time and with a husband in the house.
10. Thou shalt not forget that thy wife is not yet an angel and that thou wouldst be very lonely if she were; therefore, thou shalt make due allowance for the frailties of human nature. And thou shalt remember that she has as many rights as thou thyself.
Ten Commandments for Wives
1. Thou shalt have no other man but thy husband and when another would make love to thee remember that he is a fool or a knave.
2. Thou shalt not forget that the same winsome ways that made thy husband prefer thee to all other women are necessary to hold him. Verily, verily, I say unto you that rats are as valuable in married life as in courtship.
3. Thou shalt not expect thy husband in the beginning of his life to support thee on the same plane that thy father was able to reach after a long life of hard work and rigid economy. Therefore, thou shalt not fret thyself because thy neighbor's house is finer than thy own; neither shalt thou burden thy husband to enable thee to pose as a merchant's and milliner's model. Thou shalt be a help-meet and not simply a help-eat; for verily, verily, I say unto you that it is wicked to keep thy husband only about two steps ahead of the bill collector. Neither shalt thou wear abbreviated garments that make women look too short and men too long.
4. Thou shall not place any social circle, club, pleasurable organization or even the missionary society before thy home and thou shalt not conclude that an ideal family is a husband, a bull pup and a canary.
5. Thou shalt seek first to be a good homemaker, house-keeper and cook and then thou mayest add other accomplishments that do not interfere with thy chief business in life. Thou must not forget that an uncooked apple drove the first husband from paradise; that a poor mess of pottage differentiated a nation; that a fit of indigestion lost the battle of Leipsic; and that tea, mixed with improper ingredients cost England the American colonies and led to the founding of the American republic. And thou shalt not waste $5 worth of time hunting for a $10 dress at $9.78 on bargain day and compel thy husband to lunch down town on buttermilk and sinkers. Verily, verily, I say unto you that it is better to be a good cook than to be able to play chords on the piano, to serve pink teas, preside at whist orgies or to be queen of bargain finders.
6. Thou shall not gossip in the family or out of it about the neighborhood scandal; neither shalt thou allow the petty vexations of the family to disrupt the family harmony.
7. Thou shalt not complain that thou art "tied down" to thy home and to thy babies; for verily, verily, I say unto you that a woman who is unwilling to be "tied down" to such is not worthy to be married to any man. Thou shalt remember that no woman is "tied down" more to her chief business in life than is her husband. Thou shouldst also remember that even the Lord did not intend that a woman's married life should be one prolonged pleasure excursion in a rubber tired automobile on an asphalt road with magnolias blooming on either side.
8. Thou shalt not aspire to be a man to run the politics of the country to reform the world, to boss thy husband and then expect the courtesy, the love and devotion that is due an uncrowned queen. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that men admire most the woman of the clinging vine variety.
9. Thou shalt not serve punch to thy guests, nor put up prizes at whist parties, nor win them at thy neighbors, and then lecture thy husband and son on the evils of gambling.
10. Thou shalt not allow dust to gather on thy Bible nor shall thy attendance at the services of thy church depend on the emotions of a passing hour, the state of the weather or any other unimportant matter.
—Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, March 18, 1912, p. 12.
Note: Commandment 2 for women has "rats" as being valuable in married life as in courtship. I don't know what "rats" are in this context but that is what the article says.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Patriotism and Religion
1917
Draw a little circle around your personality and it will include your family; draw a larger circle and it will include your friends; a still larger circle takes in your fellow countrymen; the last and largest circle of all embraces all humanity.
As the circle enlarges the objects of our love increase in number and the intensity of our love naturally diminishes. We are not bound to all mankind as strongly or as tenderly as we are to our fellow countrymen. We are not bound to do for all our countrymen as much as we are bound to do for our neighbors next door or on the nest street or in the next township. Our highest human obligation is to those of our own household.
The supreme duty we owe to One, and One alone, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God." — Christian Herald.
Draw a little circle around your personality and it will include your family; draw a larger circle and it will include your friends; a still larger circle takes in your fellow countrymen; the last and largest circle of all embraces all humanity.
As the circle enlarges the objects of our love increase in number and the intensity of our love naturally diminishes. We are not bound to all mankind as strongly or as tenderly as we are to our fellow countrymen. We are not bound to do for all our countrymen as much as we are bound to do for our neighbors next door or on the nest street or in the next township. Our highest human obligation is to those of our own household.
The supreme duty we owe to One, and One alone, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God." — Christian Herald.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Lectures on Chastity and Social Purity
Kansas, 1911
Men's Meeting Held
There was quite an interesting event last Sunday afternoon at the Opera House under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A.
The secretary, Britt Harris, had issued tickets to men only and boys over sixteen years of age to a lecture delivered by Dr. Wayne K. Stalnaker of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, who gave his lecture on the subject "Chastity and Social Purity."
The Doctor held his audience for nearly an hour. It was evident that the audience was with him from start to finish, and at the close, each man pledged himself to stand for the motherhood, wifehood, and daughterhood of the city of Ellis.
The song service was in charge of Prof. F. F. Gearhardt who is conducting the chorus at the Methodist Revival. It was a source of inspiration to hear 90 men singing the songs of Zion like camp-meeting folk. Mr. Harris seems to be adept at getting men together and in touch with each other.
—The Ellis Review-Headlight, Ellis, Kansas, 1911.
1910
Families Should Have Dogs
An Edinburgh clergyman says: "Every family should have a dog. It is like a perpetual baby; it betrays no secrets, never sulks, asks no troublesome questions, never gets into debt, never comes down late to breakfast, and is always ready for a bit of fun."
Men's Meeting Held
There was quite an interesting event last Sunday afternoon at the Opera House under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A.
The secretary, Britt Harris, had issued tickets to men only and boys over sixteen years of age to a lecture delivered by Dr. Wayne K. Stalnaker of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, who gave his lecture on the subject "Chastity and Social Purity."
The Doctor held his audience for nearly an hour. It was evident that the audience was with him from start to finish, and at the close, each man pledged himself to stand for the motherhood, wifehood, and daughterhood of the city of Ellis.
The song service was in charge of Prof. F. F. Gearhardt who is conducting the chorus at the Methodist Revival. It was a source of inspiration to hear 90 men singing the songs of Zion like camp-meeting folk. Mr. Harris seems to be adept at getting men together and in touch with each other.
—The Ellis Review-Headlight, Ellis, Kansas, 1911.
1910
Families Should Have Dogs
An Edinburgh clergyman says: "Every family should have a dog. It is like a perpetual baby; it betrays no secrets, never sulks, asks no troublesome questions, never gets into debt, never comes down late to breakfast, and is always ready for a bit of fun."
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Amen Corner
1920
The phrase "amen corner," is said to have originated in London, where, at the end of Paternoster row, the monks at one time finished their recitation of the "Pater Noster" as they went in procession on Corpus Christi day to St. Paul's cathedral. They began in Paternoster room with the Lord's prayer in Latin, continuing it to the end of the street, and then said "amen" at the corner of the row. As used in this country the phrase describes the corner of a church where the elderly members sit and pronounce the word "amen" at intervals.
Interesting Old Bible
One of the original owners of the Treacle Bible, living in the eighteenth century, had made notations on the fly leaf concerning "John, who was born on Friday the 10th of February, 1769, at a quarter after eight at night, was baptized at Crossgate church on March 16 following, by the Reverend Mr. Wheeler, who died of smallpox, 12th Aprile, 1769, and was buried the next day at Crossgate church, aged eight weeks and five days." Other deaths, marriages and births were dated as far back as 1701-1702.
The phrase "amen corner," is said to have originated in London, where, at the end of Paternoster row, the monks at one time finished their recitation of the "Pater Noster" as they went in procession on Corpus Christi day to St. Paul's cathedral. They began in Paternoster room with the Lord's prayer in Latin, continuing it to the end of the street, and then said "amen" at the corner of the row. As used in this country the phrase describes the corner of a church where the elderly members sit and pronounce the word "amen" at intervals.
Interesting Old Bible
One of the original owners of the Treacle Bible, living in the eighteenth century, had made notations on the fly leaf concerning "John, who was born on Friday the 10th of February, 1769, at a quarter after eight at night, was baptized at Crossgate church on March 16 following, by the Reverend Mr. Wheeler, who died of smallpox, 12th Aprile, 1769, and was buried the next day at Crossgate church, aged eight weeks and five days." Other deaths, marriages and births were dated as far back as 1701-1702.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Pastor Talks on Family Life
California, 1922
Need of God in the family life was emphasized in a sermon by Rev. Arthur E. Paterson, pastor of Pilgrim Congregational church, yesterday morning. The more family life is cherished and built around the abiding presence of God, the more it will minister to the development of the individual and the betterment of the community, according to Rev. Paterson.
"The tactful guidance of a wise father and a discerning mother goes far in forming the habit of making right choices in life," Rev. Paterson said. "Where possible home instruction of the child is excellent for both parent and child. Throughout the many years of school and college the interest and co-operation of parents in studies and hobbies mean a great deal.
"The family life should be a help to the social enjoyments of life rather than a hindrance. Fortunate is the young person when newly-made friends can be brought into the home circle and welcomed there.
"The modern family does not live unto itself. It can make its influence felt throughout the community. Only as the family life of our country becomes less self-centered and more God-filled can our loved America play her destined part in the world life of the great family of God's children."
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, Aug. 21, 1922, p. 8.
Need of God in the family life was emphasized in a sermon by Rev. Arthur E. Paterson, pastor of Pilgrim Congregational church, yesterday morning. The more family life is cherished and built around the abiding presence of God, the more it will minister to the development of the individual and the betterment of the community, according to Rev. Paterson.
"The tactful guidance of a wise father and a discerning mother goes far in forming the habit of making right choices in life," Rev. Paterson said. "Where possible home instruction of the child is excellent for both parent and child. Throughout the many years of school and college the interest and co-operation of parents in studies and hobbies mean a great deal.
"The family life should be a help to the social enjoyments of life rather than a hindrance. Fortunate is the young person when newly-made friends can be brought into the home circle and welcomed there.
"The modern family does not live unto itself. It can make its influence felt throughout the community. Only as the family life of our country becomes less self-centered and more God-filled can our loved America play her destined part in the world life of the great family of God's children."
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, Aug. 21, 1922, p. 8.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Punches By Priest Break Four Ribs
1914
Thrashes Man Who Turned Family Out of House
Wilmington, Del., Jan. 19. — John Cavanaugh, who was given a severe beating when he attempted to attack Rev. John Lynch at his home on Lancaster pike, will not be able "to get around" for three or four weeks, according to his physician, Dr. J. Harvey Spruance. Rev. Mr. Lynch said Cavanaugh tried to use a knife.
The priest, who is assistant pastor of Thomas' Catholic church, after wrenching the knife from his assailant, proceeded to give him a whipping the like of which Cavanaugh had never experienced in his life before.
Among other injuries Cavanaugh received four fractured ribs and a wound over the left eye. He told his physician that he thought he had been struck by a trolley, so painful were his injuries.
The clerical exponent of muscular Christianity had hurried to Cavanaugh's home on learning that the man had driven his wife and four children out into the cold. The priest had no more than entered the house when the man, it is alleged, made a lunge at him with the knife.
Thrashes Man Who Turned Family Out of House
Wilmington, Del., Jan. 19. — John Cavanaugh, who was given a severe beating when he attempted to attack Rev. John Lynch at his home on Lancaster pike, will not be able "to get around" for three or four weeks, according to his physician, Dr. J. Harvey Spruance. Rev. Mr. Lynch said Cavanaugh tried to use a knife.
The priest, who is assistant pastor of Thomas' Catholic church, after wrenching the knife from his assailant, proceeded to give him a whipping the like of which Cavanaugh had never experienced in his life before.
Among other injuries Cavanaugh received four fractured ribs and a wound over the left eye. He told his physician that he thought he had been struck by a trolley, so painful were his injuries.
The clerical exponent of muscular Christianity had hurried to Cavanaugh's home on learning that the man had driven his wife and four children out into the cold. The priest had no more than entered the house when the man, it is alleged, made a lunge at him with the knife.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Rev. Little to Tell Why He's Presbyterian
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1917
Famous Wabash Divine to Speak at First Church Here Sunday
Rev. Charles Little, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Wabash for over forty-two years, and one of the leading and best known ministers of his denomination, will speak Sunday evening at the First Presbyterian church in this city on "Why I Am a Presbyterian." The address is one of the series being conducted at this church.
Dr. Little is one of the really big men of the Presbyterian church. He comes from a family of Presbyterian preachers, most of his brothers. His son, Robert, is pastor of the leading Presbyterian church in Scranton, Pa., at the present time.
Dr. Little is a splendid pulpit orator with a fine wit and sense of humor that always pleases. He is an ex-moderator of the Presbyterian church of the United States, an honor that is seldom conferred upon a man coming from a town no larger than Wabash.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, May 5, 1917, p. 5.
Famous Wabash Divine to Speak at First Church Here Sunday
Rev. Charles Little, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Wabash for over forty-two years, and one of the leading and best known ministers of his denomination, will speak Sunday evening at the First Presbyterian church in this city on "Why I Am a Presbyterian." The address is one of the series being conducted at this church.
Dr. Little is one of the really big men of the Presbyterian church. He comes from a family of Presbyterian preachers, most of his brothers. His son, Robert, is pastor of the leading Presbyterian church in Scranton, Pa., at the present time.
Dr. Little is a splendid pulpit orator with a fine wit and sense of humor that always pleases. He is an ex-moderator of the Presbyterian church of the United States, an honor that is seldom conferred upon a man coming from a town no larger than Wabash.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, May 5, 1917, p. 5.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Children Seen in New Light with Coming of Christ
1908
Jesus the Light of Childhood. He, the only begotten Son of his Father, who had been in heaven since before the world was made; he who had shared in the making of this world, for we are told that "without him was not anything made," even he left his high estate, and so humbled himself that he came down to earth to live among men, being born of a woman.
Mary was that mother mild
And Jesus Christ that little child.
The Divine became a child, that a child might become almost divine. His birth in Bethlehem wrought a great change in the estimate of the child. Hitherto the elder or the Pharisee had been the ideal, but Jesus set a child in the midst, saying, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." And from that hour the whole fabric of childhood was changed.
Roman parents, perhaps the most cultured parents in the world, were guilty of the grossest cruelty to their new-born children, even abandoning them by carrying them to the Velabrum, a district in Rome, near Mount Aventine, where they were left to die or to be gathered up by ill-disposed people, who maimed them by curving their backs or shortening their limbs, in order to use them as beggars. "That workshop of human misfortunes, those shambles of infants," that was what the Velabrum was.
When the influence of Christ was felt, and Christianity began to hold sway, this crime against innocents was abated. Constantine, the first Christian emperor, put forth a proclamation to turn parents from using a murderous hand on their new-born children, and to dispose their hearts to the best sentiments. And the "abandoned" children were gathered from the Velabrum to be brought up honestly; foundling hospitals were established later, houses of mercy for children were founded by Justinian, and gradually all sorts of charities for the welfare of children have been developed, such as aid societies, creches, kindergartens, hospitals for children, schools for defective children, reformatory institutions, etc. It is the far-reaching influence of the fact that Christ was born in Bethlehem. — Christian Herald.
Jesus the Light of Childhood. He, the only begotten Son of his Father, who had been in heaven since before the world was made; he who had shared in the making of this world, for we are told that "without him was not anything made," even he left his high estate, and so humbled himself that he came down to earth to live among men, being born of a woman.
Mary was that mother mild
And Jesus Christ that little child.
The Divine became a child, that a child might become almost divine. His birth in Bethlehem wrought a great change in the estimate of the child. Hitherto the elder or the Pharisee had been the ideal, but Jesus set a child in the midst, saying, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." And from that hour the whole fabric of childhood was changed.
Roman parents, perhaps the most cultured parents in the world, were guilty of the grossest cruelty to their new-born children, even abandoning them by carrying them to the Velabrum, a district in Rome, near Mount Aventine, where they were left to die or to be gathered up by ill-disposed people, who maimed them by curving their backs or shortening their limbs, in order to use them as beggars. "That workshop of human misfortunes, those shambles of infants," that was what the Velabrum was.
When the influence of Christ was felt, and Christianity began to hold sway, this crime against innocents was abated. Constantine, the first Christian emperor, put forth a proclamation to turn parents from using a murderous hand on their new-born children, and to dispose their hearts to the best sentiments. And the "abandoned" children were gathered from the Velabrum to be brought up honestly; foundling hospitals were established later, houses of mercy for children were founded by Justinian, and gradually all sorts of charities for the welfare of children have been developed, such as aid societies, creches, kindergartens, hospitals for children, schools for defective children, reformatory institutions, etc. It is the far-reaching influence of the fact that Christ was born in Bethlehem. — Christian Herald.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Little Girl's Prayer
1915
This is a true story of a little girl named Alice, who had been surrounded with plenty and had known no care until she was about eight years old. Then her father decided to go west and try a new country. Everything was sold except a good wagon and a fine team of horses. With these the father decided to travel through the country to the place he wanted to go with his wife and five children.
After a long, tiresome journey they reached their destination. The country, of course, being new, was very thinly settled. As only a few people lived there, few crops had been raised. Soon the money of the newcomers was gone, one of the horses died, and one adversity followed another. The first year there was a drought. The next spring the father planted his crop, but it seemed as if there would be another drought.
When the father came in one evening he said, "If it doesn't rain soon, we won't raise anything this year, and we will all starve."
Oh, how this touched the heart of Alice, who was next to the oldest of the children! By this time there was another baby brother. How could she see these brothers and sisters whom she loved so dearly starve to death?
She went into a dark corner of the room and cried and prayed. Her mother had taught the children to pray that little prayer which begins, "Now I lay me down to sleep," but this time Alice prayed more than that.
When supper was ready the mother wanted to know where Alice was. She finally found her and asked what was the matter, but Alice would not tell. Nor would she eat any supper. Anxiously she waited for them to go to sleep. All the family slept in one room. When all was quiet she slipped out of bed.
She knelt by the side of the bed and began to pray. She asked God to let it rain so the children would not starve. While she prayed, a beautiful light brighter than diamonds came from heaven down to her bedside. It was like a shining path (lightning). Oh! how happy she was! She had asked the Lord for rain, and He was going to let it rain. She was so happy that she could scarcely keep still. She feared to make a noise that would awaken her father, for he was a very stern man and she was afraid of him.
She got in bed and listened for the raindrops. She knew it was going to rain. In a few moments raindrops pattered on the roof. She was so happy she could scarcely contain herself. Finally, she went to sleep.
Next morning there was a surprise for her father. He wondered why it had rained when there was no sign of it the evening before. Now there would be a crop and all would be well.
This is a true story of a little girl named Alice, who had been surrounded with plenty and had known no care until she was about eight years old. Then her father decided to go west and try a new country. Everything was sold except a good wagon and a fine team of horses. With these the father decided to travel through the country to the place he wanted to go with his wife and five children.
After a long, tiresome journey they reached their destination. The country, of course, being new, was very thinly settled. As only a few people lived there, few crops had been raised. Soon the money of the newcomers was gone, one of the horses died, and one adversity followed another. The first year there was a drought. The next spring the father planted his crop, but it seemed as if there would be another drought.
When the father came in one evening he said, "If it doesn't rain soon, we won't raise anything this year, and we will all starve."
Oh, how this touched the heart of Alice, who was next to the oldest of the children! By this time there was another baby brother. How could she see these brothers and sisters whom she loved so dearly starve to death?
She went into a dark corner of the room and cried and prayed. Her mother had taught the children to pray that little prayer which begins, "Now I lay me down to sleep," but this time Alice prayed more than that.
When supper was ready the mother wanted to know where Alice was. She finally found her and asked what was the matter, but Alice would not tell. Nor would she eat any supper. Anxiously she waited for them to go to sleep. All the family slept in one room. When all was quiet she slipped out of bed.
She knelt by the side of the bed and began to pray. She asked God to let it rain so the children would not starve. While she prayed, a beautiful light brighter than diamonds came from heaven down to her bedside. It was like a shining path (lightning). Oh! how happy she was! She had asked the Lord for rain, and He was going to let it rain. She was so happy that she could scarcely keep still. She feared to make a noise that would awaken her father, for he was a very stern man and she was afraid of him.
She got in bed and listened for the raindrops. She knew it was going to rain. In a few moments raindrops pattered on the roof. She was so happy she could scarcely contain herself. Finally, she went to sleep.
Next morning there was a surprise for her father. He wondered why it had rained when there was no sign of it the evening before. Now there would be a crop and all would be well.
The Value of The Church for Progressive Towns, Citizens
1915
THE VALUE OF THE CHURCH
Above Theme Taken by Dr. Coburn, Preaches Tonight on Jesus of Nazareth.
The Confederate Veterans are to be the guests of the meeting on Wednesday at 2 p. m. of next week. The Daughters of the Confederacy have been also invited to attend in a body. It was found necessary to change the day from Saturday to Wednesday in order to make it possible for all who desired to do so to show their regard for the Veterans who still live and their regard for the memory of those gone before. Dr. Coburn tells us that this is always one of the great days of his meetings and that he is always glad to speak a good word for the old soldier and feels honored when these men attend and help him in his meetings. When patriotism goes out of a the heart of a people it has lost one of the best and most sacred things of life. The Hippodrome has been secured for this special service and Dr. Coburn will deliver the address. Subject: "Lest we forget."
Today is "Peace and Good-will Day," and everyone is expected to wear the smile that won't come off and to forgive everyone, lay aside every grouch and seek to be on good terms with every man, woman and child on earth. If any man's friendship is a little off color it is hoped that he will shake hands, treat his neighbor to a glass of soda or a cigar or a straw hat and be good friends and neighbors again.
As last night was prayer meeting night in all the churches, at the request of many Dr. Coburn will deliver his address on "Jesus of Nazareth" tonight. This address has called forth a great deal of discussion in other cities. A prominent lawyer of New York recently said, "I listened to Coburn as a lawyer who was not a Christian man. I tried to meet his argument and appeals. I found them like a coat of mail. There was no vulnerable point in them. His appeals to the reason and the conscience are simply irresistible. He must be heard to be appreciated and to understand the results of his great meetings and his power to sway and influence men."
At two o'clock today he spoke on the public square on the value of the church and the reason why it is so great a factor in making a town progressive and great. No intelligent man would for a moment think of living in a town where there was no church or seeking such a town for a home and a place to educate and bring up his children. If somebody writes to you about Commerce and you think he will make a good citizen and a valuable addition to the community you will sit down and write him about your church and school privileges and tell him you have a community that is law abiding and that the citizens of Commerce honor the laws of God and of the state. If you want him to go to some other city, you write him that your churches are not supported and are poorly attended and your family altars are fallen down and there is hardly a family that has grace at the table and that the Lord's Day is desecrated and your places of business and pleasure and your soda fountains and ice cream parlors take in more money that day than any other. If you doubt the truth of this ask the first good citizen you meet about it.
In my humble opinion Woodrow Wilson is the greatest American on earth at the present time. He would make the best citizen in any community. Any city would be honored if he saw fit to make his home there, and this great son of the South is a Christian man. A true Christian man stands by the Bible and the school and the church. The man who is not a Christian does not. He cannot. The founder of Christianity said, "He that is not with me scattereth abroad and is against me." If he had sufficient influence to persuade every man to live like him and to follow his example he would blot out every church, for the church would have no members. The Bible would be a book unread and might as well never be printed.
Oh, citizens of Commerce, I appeal to you. Let us not follow some will-of-the-wisp in seeking, as every man should, to make his town one of the best and to be a desirable citizen. Let us follow Jesus Christ. Let us build up our lives and our town about the Bible, the church and the school as did the fathers. Let us get into the church and live for God and for heaven and let us point our children to the skies and in unbroken families for generations grand-pa, father, mother, son, daughter and our children's children to the remotest generation gather never to part in the world where is no tears, no sickness, no death, no sin.
—The Commerce Journal, Commerce, Texas, May 7, 1915, p. 1.
THE VALUE OF THE CHURCH
Above Theme Taken by Dr. Coburn, Preaches Tonight on Jesus of Nazareth.
The Confederate Veterans are to be the guests of the meeting on Wednesday at 2 p. m. of next week. The Daughters of the Confederacy have been also invited to attend in a body. It was found necessary to change the day from Saturday to Wednesday in order to make it possible for all who desired to do so to show their regard for the Veterans who still live and their regard for the memory of those gone before. Dr. Coburn tells us that this is always one of the great days of his meetings and that he is always glad to speak a good word for the old soldier and feels honored when these men attend and help him in his meetings. When patriotism goes out of a the heart of a people it has lost one of the best and most sacred things of life. The Hippodrome has been secured for this special service and Dr. Coburn will deliver the address. Subject: "Lest we forget."
Today is "Peace and Good-will Day," and everyone is expected to wear the smile that won't come off and to forgive everyone, lay aside every grouch and seek to be on good terms with every man, woman and child on earth. If any man's friendship is a little off color it is hoped that he will shake hands, treat his neighbor to a glass of soda or a cigar or a straw hat and be good friends and neighbors again.
As last night was prayer meeting night in all the churches, at the request of many Dr. Coburn will deliver his address on "Jesus of Nazareth" tonight. This address has called forth a great deal of discussion in other cities. A prominent lawyer of New York recently said, "I listened to Coburn as a lawyer who was not a Christian man. I tried to meet his argument and appeals. I found them like a coat of mail. There was no vulnerable point in them. His appeals to the reason and the conscience are simply irresistible. He must be heard to be appreciated and to understand the results of his great meetings and his power to sway and influence men."
At two o'clock today he spoke on the public square on the value of the church and the reason why it is so great a factor in making a town progressive and great. No intelligent man would for a moment think of living in a town where there was no church or seeking such a town for a home and a place to educate and bring up his children. If somebody writes to you about Commerce and you think he will make a good citizen and a valuable addition to the community you will sit down and write him about your church and school privileges and tell him you have a community that is law abiding and that the citizens of Commerce honor the laws of God and of the state. If you want him to go to some other city, you write him that your churches are not supported and are poorly attended and your family altars are fallen down and there is hardly a family that has grace at the table and that the Lord's Day is desecrated and your places of business and pleasure and your soda fountains and ice cream parlors take in more money that day than any other. If you doubt the truth of this ask the first good citizen you meet about it.
In my humble opinion Woodrow Wilson is the greatest American on earth at the present time. He would make the best citizen in any community. Any city would be honored if he saw fit to make his home there, and this great son of the South is a Christian man. A true Christian man stands by the Bible and the school and the church. The man who is not a Christian does not. He cannot. The founder of Christianity said, "He that is not with me scattereth abroad and is against me." If he had sufficient influence to persuade every man to live like him and to follow his example he would blot out every church, for the church would have no members. The Bible would be a book unread and might as well never be printed.
Oh, citizens of Commerce, I appeal to you. Let us not follow some will-of-the-wisp in seeking, as every man should, to make his town one of the best and to be a desirable citizen. Let us follow Jesus Christ. Let us build up our lives and our town about the Bible, the church and the school as did the fathers. Let us get into the church and live for God and for heaven and let us point our children to the skies and in unbroken families for generations grand-pa, father, mother, son, daughter and our children's children to the remotest generation gather never to part in the world where is no tears, no sickness, no death, no sin.
—The Commerce Journal, Commerce, Texas, May 7, 1915, p. 1.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Derelicts
1895
"These are the wrecks of abandoned vessels turned loose to be carried hither and thither by winds and tide. They form one of the serious dangers to ocean navigation. In spite of all efforts to rid the sea of them, many of these unguided prowlers still drift and toss up and down the deep, threatening every passing ship with wreck. May we not find in this a parable? Derelicts — social, moral, religious — are the chief danger to safe sailing on the ocean of life. And such are found drifting everywhere. Your son and daughter and yourself would be safer if it were not for these wrecks of humanity lost to conscience and morality and to God. Every ruined soul threatens others with ruin. One misguided or neglected youth may, in the course of a lifetime of drifting and sinning, wreck a hundred others. It is a peril, as well as a crying sin, to let any boy or girl be turned adrift without moral restraint or guidance, or to allow those already lost to continue drifting while we put forth no effort to arrest or save them. Prevention is better than cure. Parents should see that the hearts of the children are so anchored to Christ, and their lives so trained for Him and ruled by His love, that no derelicts shall go forth from their homes." — Cumberland Presbyterian.
"These are the wrecks of abandoned vessels turned loose to be carried hither and thither by winds and tide. They form one of the serious dangers to ocean navigation. In spite of all efforts to rid the sea of them, many of these unguided prowlers still drift and toss up and down the deep, threatening every passing ship with wreck. May we not find in this a parable? Derelicts — social, moral, religious — are the chief danger to safe sailing on the ocean of life. And such are found drifting everywhere. Your son and daughter and yourself would be safer if it were not for these wrecks of humanity lost to conscience and morality and to God. Every ruined soul threatens others with ruin. One misguided or neglected youth may, in the course of a lifetime of drifting and sinning, wreck a hundred others. It is a peril, as well as a crying sin, to let any boy or girl be turned adrift without moral restraint or guidance, or to allow those already lost to continue drifting while we put forth no effort to arrest or save them. Prevention is better than cure. Parents should see that the hearts of the children are so anchored to Christ, and their lives so trained for Him and ruled by His love, that no derelicts shall go forth from their homes." — Cumberland Presbyterian.
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