Wisconsin, 1918
Rev. Robert Moyer, evangelist, will speak at Bethel Baptist church tomorrow night on the subject, "Hell." The sermon last night was on "The Second Coming of Christ."
—Eau Claire Leader, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jan. 26, 1918, p. 8.
Showing posts with label hell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hell. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
"Hell," Evangelist's Subject
Wisconsin, 1918
Rev. Robert Moyer, evangelist, will speak at Bethel Baptist church tomorrow night on the subject, "Hell." The sermon last night was on "The Second Coming of Christ."
—Eau Claire Leader, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jan. 26, 1918, p. 8.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
No Doubt About the Place
1910
The newcomer had just encountered a glaring billboard: "Classic drama at the Plutonian to-night. William Shakespeare in his great creation of Hamlet. Booth and Barrett as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Wagner and Mozart orchestra. Seats free. Everybody welcome."
"Surely this can't be hades, with this great dramatic feast free to all?" he suggested hopefully to a bystander.
"Oh, it's hell, all right," groaned the bystander. "You see, they use a drop curtain depicting sunrise in the Alps surrounded by the names of 14 kinds of whisky and 16 varieties of chewing gum; the local smart set enters during the progress of the second act; the performance is preceded by moving pictures showing a chase after criminals in automobiles; the man behind you has already witnessed the show four times; the ushers sell the complete words and music of the production at ten cents a copy, and the audience invariably demands 'Casey at the Bat.' " — Puck.
Life's Injustice
"What do you think? Mrs. Zizzel, who never goes to church, has won, the first prize in the church lottery?"
The newcomer had just encountered a glaring billboard: "Classic drama at the Plutonian to-night. William Shakespeare in his great creation of Hamlet. Booth and Barrett as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Wagner and Mozart orchestra. Seats free. Everybody welcome."
"Surely this can't be hades, with this great dramatic feast free to all?" he suggested hopefully to a bystander.
"Oh, it's hell, all right," groaned the bystander. "You see, they use a drop curtain depicting sunrise in the Alps surrounded by the names of 14 kinds of whisky and 16 varieties of chewing gum; the local smart set enters during the progress of the second act; the performance is preceded by moving pictures showing a chase after criminals in automobiles; the man behind you has already witnessed the show four times; the ushers sell the complete words and music of the production at ten cents a copy, and the audience invariably demands 'Casey at the Bat.' " — Puck.
Life's Injustice
"What do you think? Mrs. Zizzel, who never goes to church, has won, the first prize in the church lottery?"
Thursday, July 12, 2007
"Burning Bush" Sect
1905
Why Indiana Followers of New Religion Insist on Going to Jail
The "Burning Bush" is the title of a new religion which has reached Muncie, Ind., and since it appeals to the fanatics it seems to be spreading at an alarming rate, says a Muncie correspondent of the Chicago Chronicle. Men, women and girls have been arrested and fined for disturbing the progress of other religious meetings and they insist upon going to jail, claiming that God ordered them to do so.
The efforts of the followers to break up meetings of other denominations have resulted disastrously in several places. In Randolph county the operations of the "Burning Bush" followers have become so bold that they attempted upon various occasions to stop meetings of the Methodist churches. They believe that they are the elect and that all disbelievers will go to eternal punishment.
Miss Bessie Ford, a pretty young woman, is one of the leaders, and she was recently convicted, having been charged with disturbing religious meetings. She, together with Mrs. Mary Painter and a man named Hamilton Pursley, who have been introducing the faith in Randolph county, is being held at Winchester for her actions in various churches where regular services were being held. They all claim that they will go to prison and suffer punishment, since it has been the will of the Lord.
The work of the new religious sect has wrought up many localities, and the promoters have many followers. Not until now have they invaded the churches of the towns, and every effort is being made to confine their work to the rural districts, but this, it seems, is impossible.
Why Indiana Followers of New Religion Insist on Going to Jail
The "Burning Bush" is the title of a new religion which has reached Muncie, Ind., and since it appeals to the fanatics it seems to be spreading at an alarming rate, says a Muncie correspondent of the Chicago Chronicle. Men, women and girls have been arrested and fined for disturbing the progress of other religious meetings and they insist upon going to jail, claiming that God ordered them to do so.
The efforts of the followers to break up meetings of other denominations have resulted disastrously in several places. In Randolph county the operations of the "Burning Bush" followers have become so bold that they attempted upon various occasions to stop meetings of the Methodist churches. They believe that they are the elect and that all disbelievers will go to eternal punishment.
Miss Bessie Ford, a pretty young woman, is one of the leaders, and she was recently convicted, having been charged with disturbing religious meetings. She, together with Mrs. Mary Painter and a man named Hamilton Pursley, who have been introducing the faith in Randolph county, is being held at Winchester for her actions in various churches where regular services were being held. They all claim that they will go to prison and suffer punishment, since it has been the will of the Lord.
The work of the new religious sect has wrought up many localities, and the promoters have many followers. Not until now have they invaded the churches of the towns, and every effort is being made to confine their work to the rural districts, but this, it seems, is impossible.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Says He Prefers Hell to Future in Heaven
1915
Infidel Writes Own Funeral Oration — Wants His Ashes Cast on Graves of Friends
SHENANDOAH, Iowa, Dec. 16. — Cremated and half his ashes cast on the waters of the Mississippi in honor of those who have gone down to their death in the deep, and the other half scattered on the graves of ten of his friends, is what Jerry Brown, a famous Shenandoah character who professes to be an infidel, states in his funeral oration, which he has already written, he wishes done with his body.
"But should the Christian story of Heaven and hell be true, and such men as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, David and Solomon be in Heaven, I wish my friends to check my baggage to the other station," says Brown in his funeral document. "Heaven may have a little advantage in climate, but hell certainly has the best society."
The ten friends who this second oldest Shenandoah citizen wishes to honor with his ashes are, Joe Van Buskirk, A. B. West, D. C. Wills, H. S. Holcome, D. S. Campbell, Charles Keenan. Dr. Cheschier, Henry Nesmith, Mrs. David Wingert and D. B. Brubaker.
Infidel Writes Own Funeral Oration — Wants His Ashes Cast on Graves of Friends
SHENANDOAH, Iowa, Dec. 16. — Cremated and half his ashes cast on the waters of the Mississippi in honor of those who have gone down to their death in the deep, and the other half scattered on the graves of ten of his friends, is what Jerry Brown, a famous Shenandoah character who professes to be an infidel, states in his funeral oration, which he has already written, he wishes done with his body.
"But should the Christian story of Heaven and hell be true, and such men as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, David and Solomon be in Heaven, I wish my friends to check my baggage to the other station," says Brown in his funeral document. "Heaven may have a little advantage in climate, but hell certainly has the best society."
The ten friends who this second oldest Shenandoah citizen wishes to honor with his ashes are, Joe Van Buskirk, A. B. West, D. C. Wills, H. S. Holcome, D. S. Campbell, Charles Keenan. Dr. Cheschier, Henry Nesmith, Mrs. David Wingert and D. B. Brubaker.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Great Crowd Hears Sermon on Retribution
California, 1907Powerful Discourse in Mammoth Tent
Probably 2000 people attended the meeting at the big tent at Twelfth and Harrison streets last evening. Dr. Bulgin has demonstrated since coming to Oakland that he is glad to take up and discuss frankly the questions that are puzzling thinking men. His topic last evening was "Hell." The speaker based his argument on the authority of the Bible, and on that authority declared that there is a hell, which is as real as is heaven, and that it is just as essential to the great plan of God as is heaven.
The text of the sermon was "Judas by transgression fell that he might go to his own place."
"The Bible teaches that there is a hell as much as there is a heaven. If there is no hell, there is no heaven. If there is no eternal punishment, there is no eternal happiness.
"The God we worship is not a man-created being. He is the great law. What is God? A spirit, infinite, eternal and unchanging, a being of wisdom, power, holiness, justice, truth. Rob Him of these attributes and you have no God.
"The holiness of God demands a hell. We are not holy. If we refuse to become so, then we must take our place with those who are not holy.
"I believe in hell because I believe in God's word. The background of God's love is His justice. God doesn't damn you to hell; you damn yourself. He has chosen that you go to heaven.
Sinners Prefer Hell
"Hell is the sinner's own place by preference. No man deliberately chooses hell, but he shows his preference for it by not choosing the alternative. Every man in Oakland has Jesus Christ on his hands, and the question is 'What will you do with Him?' Not to choose Jesus is to choose hell.
"Hell is the sinner's own place by the eternal fitness of things; men enter the places they are fitted for. The pure and the impure cannot live together in harmony. How can holiness and unholiness live together in heaven? What kind of a place is heaven if there is no hell?
"Hell is the sinner's own place by wages. It is the wages of a sinful life, and he ought to have it. To get hell you must earn it in the slavery of sin." Here Dr. Bulgin pointed out to the young people the awful cost of a sinful life.
When Dr Bulgin has argued that hell is the sinner's place by birthright, he pointed out that God's word says explicitly that a man may be born again and thus stay out of hell.
Tomorrow afternoon Dr. Bulgin will address men only and in the evening will preach on "Sociology."
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, June 1, 1907, p. 13.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Among Sermons: "Hell and Where It Is"
Chicago area, Jan. 1908
At Sangamon St. M. E. church, 64th and Sangamon Sts., a revival is being held during January. Services are held every evening, bright singing, interesting subjects, The subject of the pastor's sermon next Sunday will be "Hell and Where It Is."
Rev. James W. Frid, the popular pastor of Thoburn M. E. church, is delivering a series of very interesting sermons during January on Sunday evenings. Two have been delivered. The one for next Sunday will be "Sky Pilot" or "Christ among the cowboys of the west."
Rev. R. A. White will preach next Sunday morning at the People's Liberal church on "The Ideal and Practical in Education" and in the evening will deliver his last illustrated lecture on "Athens."
The pastor of the Seventh Presbyterian church will preach next Sunday morning on "Samuel, the Jurist and Prophet" and in the evening on the question "Is there divinity in man?"
The revival meetings at the First Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, 6417 Eggleston avenue, under the leadership of that remarkable preacher the Rev. "Bud" Robinson, are eminently successful. At the close of the first four days sixty-six persons had been at the altar of prayer seeking salvation. Sunday was a wonderful day despite the inclement weather. These meetings continue until January 26. Thursday of each week is devoted to prayer and fasting from 10:30 a. m. throughout the day. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday a Bible reading at 2:30. The citizens of Englewood should hear this great preacher unlike any other in the world.
Revival services are in progress at the Garfield Boulevard M. E. church, 55th and Emerald Ave. Over thirty persons have been at the altar thus far to accept Christ and lead better lives. Revival sermon next Sunday, 10:30 a. m., subject "A Mighty Force Among the Forces of God." 7:30 p. m., topic "The Need of Rome the Need of Chicago." Sunday school night this Friday evening. A large attendance expected.
—Suburbanite Economist, Chicago, Jan. 17, 1908.
At Sangamon St. M. E. church, 64th and Sangamon Sts., a revival is being held during January. Services are held every evening, bright singing, interesting subjects, The subject of the pastor's sermon next Sunday will be "Hell and Where It Is."
Rev. James W. Frid, the popular pastor of Thoburn M. E. church, is delivering a series of very interesting sermons during January on Sunday evenings. Two have been delivered. The one for next Sunday will be "Sky Pilot" or "Christ among the cowboys of the west."
Rev. R. A. White will preach next Sunday morning at the People's Liberal church on "The Ideal and Practical in Education" and in the evening will deliver his last illustrated lecture on "Athens."
The pastor of the Seventh Presbyterian church will preach next Sunday morning on "Samuel, the Jurist and Prophet" and in the evening on the question "Is there divinity in man?"
The revival meetings at the First Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, 6417 Eggleston avenue, under the leadership of that remarkable preacher the Rev. "Bud" Robinson, are eminently successful. At the close of the first four days sixty-six persons had been at the altar of prayer seeking salvation. Sunday was a wonderful day despite the inclement weather. These meetings continue until January 26. Thursday of each week is devoted to prayer and fasting from 10:30 a. m. throughout the day. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday a Bible reading at 2:30. The citizens of Englewood should hear this great preacher unlike any other in the world.
Revival services are in progress at the Garfield Boulevard M. E. church, 55th and Emerald Ave. Over thirty persons have been at the altar thus far to accept Christ and lead better lives. Revival sermon next Sunday, 10:30 a. m., subject "A Mighty Force Among the Forces of God." 7:30 p. m., topic "The Need of Rome the Need of Chicago." Sunday school night this Friday evening. A large attendance expected.
—Suburbanite Economist, Chicago, Jan. 17, 1908.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
How The World Has Moved
1910
Less Than a Century Ago Railroads and the Telegraph Were Deemed Impossibilities
Alexander Wells, an old citizen of Wellsville, Ohio, has a copy of an interesting and novel document issued by the school board of the town of Lancaster, Ohio, in 1828. The question of steam railroads was in its incipient stage and a club of young men had been formed for the purpose of discussing the points at issue. They desired the use of the schoolhouse for purposes of debate. This was looked upon by the members of the board an innovation bordering upon sacrilege as indicated, which is the document in the possession of Mr. Wells. It reads as follows:
"You are welcome to the use of the schoolhouse to debate all proper questions in, but such things as railroads and telegraphs are impossibilities and rank infidelity. There is nothing in the Word of God about them. If God had designed that his intelligent creatures should travel at the frightful speed of 15 miles an hour, by steam, he would clearly have foretold it through his holy prophets. It is a device of Satan to lead immortal souls down to hell."
Such sentiments possibly reflected the feeling, to some extent, in the days of 65 years ago, but they sound strange at the present time, when the "device of Satan" is daily carrying people over the land at the rate of 60 or 70 miles an hour. The world has progressed somewhat since 1828.
Less Than a Century Ago Railroads and the Telegraph Were Deemed Impossibilities
Alexander Wells, an old citizen of Wellsville, Ohio, has a copy of an interesting and novel document issued by the school board of the town of Lancaster, Ohio, in 1828. The question of steam railroads was in its incipient stage and a club of young men had been formed for the purpose of discussing the points at issue. They desired the use of the schoolhouse for purposes of debate. This was looked upon by the members of the board an innovation bordering upon sacrilege as indicated, which is the document in the possession of Mr. Wells. It reads as follows:
"You are welcome to the use of the schoolhouse to debate all proper questions in, but such things as railroads and telegraphs are impossibilities and rank infidelity. There is nothing in the Word of God about them. If God had designed that his intelligent creatures should travel at the frightful speed of 15 miles an hour, by steam, he would clearly have foretold it through his holy prophets. It is a device of Satan to lead immortal souls down to hell."
Such sentiments possibly reflected the feeling, to some extent, in the days of 65 years ago, but they sound strange at the present time, when the "device of Satan" is daily carrying people over the land at the rate of 60 or 70 miles an hour. The world has progressed somewhat since 1828.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Odd Tibetan Devils in Lamaism
1915
Lamas Draw Frightful Pictures of the Fiends
F. N. Nicholas, reporting to the Geographical society on lamasery life in Tibet, says:
Fantastic and absurd as lamaism is, there is, with one exception, nothing in Cho that is immoral or repugnant to western ethics. That one exception is the belief in the "Dre" or devils. Somewhere in the lowest hell, Sangee has chained the chief devil, whose name is Sa-nin-ize or Sa-tin-tze (not very far from Satan). Pictures of this fiend are in every temple. They are made as horrible and revolting as Tibetan ingenuity will permit. Although Sa-tin-tze is a prisoner, he has under his control legions of lesser devils whose business it is to harass humanity.
Lamaist devils do not tempt men as the Christian devil does. Temptation according to the lamas, is merely the result of a man turning his back on Sangee. The devils of Tibet injure, molest and destroy mankind. All the misfortunes of life are the work of the "Dre" sickness. Business, misfortune and calamities, both individual and national, are caused by devils. They are not only "personal," but also rampant and omnipresent. Almost every lama has seen a devil and has had a personal encounter with him. Devils hate lamas because of their piety, and take especial delight in attacking them. Devils are greatly afraid of guns. During the devotional exercises a Tibetan rifle was fired three times every day to scare the devils. They may be fought and killed with swords. More than one lama has told me how he has slain a devil. My only unpleasant experiences in the lamasery have resulted from the belief in devils.
Sudenye suddenly ran amuck one afternoon. He stripped himself to the waist, drew his sword and shouted that devils were fighting against Cho. The Kenpo and I were compelled to sit on Sudenye's chest for nearly an hour before he returned to a normal state. I promptly discharged him and sent him to Ta Chien Lo. The direct cause of the outbreak was his secret smoking of opium in celebrating New Year's day, but his hallucinations and his peculiar manner are traceable, I believe, to the morbid talk of the lamas about devils and incarnations and ma-na-ga, and all the rest of it.
My other servant, Yichi, walked in his sleep one night and fell down stairs. On the following evening, when Kenpo dropped in for a little chat around the hopen, Yichi turned to him as to a father confessor and told him how a devil had gripped him by the throat and then had hurled him downstairs. The Kenpo looked worried and said that the Dre were evidently at their old tricks again and were hovering about the lamasery. He advised me to fire my rifle three times. I did so, and this greatly reassured the Kenpo and Yichi.
Later Yichi described to me the devil's appearance. It was precisely the same as the horrid picture of the Sa-tin-tze that is pasted on the wall of the residence of the Living Buddha. Yichi had looked and shuddered at the picture so often that it had at last developed into a nightmare. Lamasery life is almost certain to get on the nerves of any man who takes it too seriously. If the average American believed as lamas do and lived their sort of life, he would be a candidate for a lunatic asylum within six months.
Lamas Draw Frightful Pictures of the Fiends
F. N. Nicholas, reporting to the Geographical society on lamasery life in Tibet, says:
Fantastic and absurd as lamaism is, there is, with one exception, nothing in Cho that is immoral or repugnant to western ethics. That one exception is the belief in the "Dre" or devils. Somewhere in the lowest hell, Sangee has chained the chief devil, whose name is Sa-nin-ize or Sa-tin-tze (not very far from Satan). Pictures of this fiend are in every temple. They are made as horrible and revolting as Tibetan ingenuity will permit. Although Sa-tin-tze is a prisoner, he has under his control legions of lesser devils whose business it is to harass humanity.
Lamaist devils do not tempt men as the Christian devil does. Temptation according to the lamas, is merely the result of a man turning his back on Sangee. The devils of Tibet injure, molest and destroy mankind. All the misfortunes of life are the work of the "Dre" sickness. Business, misfortune and calamities, both individual and national, are caused by devils. They are not only "personal," but also rampant and omnipresent. Almost every lama has seen a devil and has had a personal encounter with him. Devils hate lamas because of their piety, and take especial delight in attacking them. Devils are greatly afraid of guns. During the devotional exercises a Tibetan rifle was fired three times every day to scare the devils. They may be fought and killed with swords. More than one lama has told me how he has slain a devil. My only unpleasant experiences in the lamasery have resulted from the belief in devils.
Sudenye suddenly ran amuck one afternoon. He stripped himself to the waist, drew his sword and shouted that devils were fighting against Cho. The Kenpo and I were compelled to sit on Sudenye's chest for nearly an hour before he returned to a normal state. I promptly discharged him and sent him to Ta Chien Lo. The direct cause of the outbreak was his secret smoking of opium in celebrating New Year's day, but his hallucinations and his peculiar manner are traceable, I believe, to the morbid talk of the lamas about devils and incarnations and ma-na-ga, and all the rest of it.
My other servant, Yichi, walked in his sleep one night and fell down stairs. On the following evening, when Kenpo dropped in for a little chat around the hopen, Yichi turned to him as to a father confessor and told him how a devil had gripped him by the throat and then had hurled him downstairs. The Kenpo looked worried and said that the Dre were evidently at their old tricks again and were hovering about the lamasery. He advised me to fire my rifle three times. I did so, and this greatly reassured the Kenpo and Yichi.
Later Yichi described to me the devil's appearance. It was precisely the same as the horrid picture of the Sa-tin-tze that is pasted on the wall of the residence of the Living Buddha. Yichi had looked and shuddered at the picture so often that it had at last developed into a nightmare. Lamasery life is almost certain to get on the nerves of any man who takes it too seriously. If the average American believed as lamas do and lived their sort of life, he would be a candidate for a lunatic asylum within six months.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Full Attendance for Rev. Baker's Forceful Sermon
Pennsylvania, 1915
Song Service Preceding Address Was Again A Feature of Evening
The evangelistic service in St. James church last evening was largely attended and was expressive of the interest being shown in the meetings conducted by Rev. J. B. Baker, pastor.
The usual fifteen minutes of song service preceding the special musical features were a solo by Mrs. Zinn, entitled "The Light of the World is Jesus," and a duet by Pauline and Jacob Rudisill, "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago". The Scripture lesson was taken from the story of blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10. The text was taken from the Scripture lesson "Arise, he calleth thee."
Fragments of the sermon were:
"The blind man can read by means of raised type and is often not as blind as many of us. When the blind man cried out, Jesus stopped. Jesus always hears when we call. Do you believe God answers prayers? The blind man was heard because of his faith. No matter how low your boy may be or what he is doing, his prospects are as bright as God's promises. Jesus knew what the man needed but he asked him what he wanted him to do for him. He said he wanted his sight and Jesus said, 'Thy faith has made thee whole.' The man then went his way which was Jesus' way. 'Arise, he calleth thee.' Just as many voices called the man to come to Jesus, so many voices have called you.
"Your childhood has called you. Do you grow in your Christian life as you did when you were a child? You are not growing if you are hanging around some two-story hell-hole drinking beer and whiskey. Your own children call you. The cry of the small child at night suggests how we should cry to God in sorrow and trouble. The child trusts his father, absolutely, and so should you. Nothing appeals to a father like the outstretched hand of a child. So also God has compassion and love toward those coming to him.
"The prayers of your wives call you. Billy Sunday said, 'If the women were as bad as men, God would throw the whole human race into hell.' Women have often asked me to pray for their husbands but husbands have never asked me to pray for their wives, only in times of sickness. When she pleads for your soul, the immortal speaks. These songs call you. Do you have such songs out in the world? You are purer and happier and better for having heard them. Your past calls you. Some people say that it is no one's business what I do but it is God's business. He bought you with an infinite price.
"The Bible calls you. It is an art gallery, a beautiful arbor, a wonderful well. It is to deliver a message but you turned it aside. Your lives are like American coins in Europe — they will not pass in another world. Finally, Jesus' life and death call you. Come and heed all these influences calling you tonight."
Tonight is C. E. night when all the Christian Endeavorers will march in before the beginning of the service and take places reserved for them.
Cottage prayer meetings will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at homes of C. S. Reaser II, Milton Roth, Geo. W. Spangler, Huber B. Miller.
—The Star and Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA, Jan. 15, 1915, p. 2.
Song Service Preceding Address Was Again A Feature of Evening
The evangelistic service in St. James church last evening was largely attended and was expressive of the interest being shown in the meetings conducted by Rev. J. B. Baker, pastor.
The usual fifteen minutes of song service preceding the special musical features were a solo by Mrs. Zinn, entitled "The Light of the World is Jesus," and a duet by Pauline and Jacob Rudisill, "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago". The Scripture lesson was taken from the story of blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10. The text was taken from the Scripture lesson "Arise, he calleth thee."
Fragments of the sermon were:
"The blind man can read by means of raised type and is often not as blind as many of us. When the blind man cried out, Jesus stopped. Jesus always hears when we call. Do you believe God answers prayers? The blind man was heard because of his faith. No matter how low your boy may be or what he is doing, his prospects are as bright as God's promises. Jesus knew what the man needed but he asked him what he wanted him to do for him. He said he wanted his sight and Jesus said, 'Thy faith has made thee whole.' The man then went his way which was Jesus' way. 'Arise, he calleth thee.' Just as many voices called the man to come to Jesus, so many voices have called you.
"Your childhood has called you. Do you grow in your Christian life as you did when you were a child? You are not growing if you are hanging around some two-story hell-hole drinking beer and whiskey. Your own children call you. The cry of the small child at night suggests how we should cry to God in sorrow and trouble. The child trusts his father, absolutely, and so should you. Nothing appeals to a father like the outstretched hand of a child. So also God has compassion and love toward those coming to him.
"The prayers of your wives call you. Billy Sunday said, 'If the women were as bad as men, God would throw the whole human race into hell.' Women have often asked me to pray for their husbands but husbands have never asked me to pray for their wives, only in times of sickness. When she pleads for your soul, the immortal speaks. These songs call you. Do you have such songs out in the world? You are purer and happier and better for having heard them. Your past calls you. Some people say that it is no one's business what I do but it is God's business. He bought you with an infinite price.
"The Bible calls you. It is an art gallery, a beautiful arbor, a wonderful well. It is to deliver a message but you turned it aside. Your lives are like American coins in Europe — they will not pass in another world. Finally, Jesus' life and death call you. Come and heed all these influences calling you tonight."
Tonight is C. E. night when all the Christian Endeavorers will march in before the beginning of the service and take places reserved for them.
Cottage prayer meetings will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at homes of C. S. Reaser II, Milton Roth, Geo. W. Spangler, Huber B. Miller.
—The Star and Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA, Jan. 15, 1915, p. 2.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thomas Edison Attacked by Pastors, Denies Atheism
1910
GOOD CHANCE AS PASTORS FOR HEAVEN
Inventor Edison Denies Charge of Atheism and Says Preachers are Out for the Money
WEST ORANGE, N. J., Nov. 29. — That he is not an atheist, but that, on the other hand, he has as good a chance of going to heaven as any minister of the gospel, was the declaration of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor about whose white head the war of religions is raging.
Edison declared some time ago that he did not believe in a hereafter in which crowns and harps and golden slippers would figure. Since then he has been attacked and defended. One of his notable assailants was Rev. Charles P. Aked, of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church — the Rockefeller church.
"I'm not an atheist — never have been — never said I was," said Edison today, "and those people who have called me one have not read what said. I believe in a supreme intelligence, but I have grave doubts as to whether the good folk of this earth are going to be roused from their graves to go to some beautiful, shining place up aloft. Don't see it, can't understand it, and neither can these ministers of fashionable churches. They don't even say what they think. Often they don't even think. It's all business with them. They tell me I am heading straight for hell. May be I am, but I'll take my chances with the fashionable minister and if there is such a spot as heaven I'll bet I get there first — yes, even before Dr. Aked.
"Here's what 'those' will do. A poor reporter, who had a leg shot off in the war when he was a correspondent for his paper, came to me for an interview. He writes a splendid story and I gave him the interview, because I wanted to help him. A certain clergyman read what I said and made some kind of a comment. The reporter went to him for an interview. Now what do you suppose that man of God answered? He said: 'Yes I will give you the interview — for $200.'"
—Lincoln Evening News, Lincoln, NE, Nov. 29, 1910, p. 3.
GOOD CHANCE AS PASTORS FOR HEAVEN
Inventor Edison Denies Charge of Atheism and Says Preachers are Out for the Money
WEST ORANGE, N. J., Nov. 29. — That he is not an atheist, but that, on the other hand, he has as good a chance of going to heaven as any minister of the gospel, was the declaration of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor about whose white head the war of religions is raging.
Edison declared some time ago that he did not believe in a hereafter in which crowns and harps and golden slippers would figure. Since then he has been attacked and defended. One of his notable assailants was Rev. Charles P. Aked, of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church — the Rockefeller church.
"I'm not an atheist — never have been — never said I was," said Edison today, "and those people who have called me one have not read what said. I believe in a supreme intelligence, but I have grave doubts as to whether the good folk of this earth are going to be roused from their graves to go to some beautiful, shining place up aloft. Don't see it, can't understand it, and neither can these ministers of fashionable churches. They don't even say what they think. Often they don't even think. It's all business with them. They tell me I am heading straight for hell. May be I am, but I'll take my chances with the fashionable minister and if there is such a spot as heaven I'll bet I get there first — yes, even before Dr. Aked.
"Here's what 'those' will do. A poor reporter, who had a leg shot off in the war when he was a correspondent for his paper, came to me for an interview. He writes a splendid story and I gave him the interview, because I wanted to help him. A certain clergyman read what I said and made some kind of a comment. The reporter went to him for an interview. Now what do you suppose that man of God answered? He said: 'Yes I will give you the interview — for $200.'"
—Lincoln Evening News, Lincoln, NE, Nov. 29, 1910, p. 3.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Letter to the Editor — Russellism's Afterlife Good for Criminals
Ohio, 1918
Editor — Mr. Spring's statement under communicated in June 10 edition, was a most plausible one; to one that is familiar with the tenets of the late "Pastor" Russell, German propagandism would be the least pernicious of his misleading, soul-destroying teachings. No better way to encourage the elements of crime in human nature could be found than by circulating the books and preaching the doctrine of Russellism.
"Russellism is the message that brings glad tidings of great joy to every criminal; to every robber; every murderer. It takes away the fear of the hangman's rope and the dread of the electric chair. The criminal can afford to laugh at them. Even if he should suffer death by either of these means he would not suffer afterward. To him there will be the peace of non-existence till brought to life again; and if then, he is tired of sinning he may turn over a new leaf and live forever in that age of ages where he shall have nothing to do but eat to live and live to eat. Here is a religion that offers a premium on every crime in the calendar; guarantees eternal life and felicity to every wicked man who ever lived, and assures the wicked of today that his very wickedness will be a great advantage — a "valuable asset" — to help him live a life of joy and peace forever, and all of this offered in the name of our Holy Bible, and in the sacred name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Mothers, do you wonder that our president forbids the dissemination of this literature throughout our cantonments? Would you have your sons' souls salvation imperiled by a religion that teaches they will have a "second chance" to accept Christ as their Saviour beyond the grave? Instead of casting aspersions on the mayor of our city he should be given a vote of thanks by every right-minded, thoughtful citizen. There is one statement of "Pastor" Russell's that I would respectfully call the attention of your readers to: "The professing Christian church was rejected of God in 1878."
Without our churches we would soon revert to such doctrines as Russellism foists upon a portion of the unthinking public; the strongest motive for opposing this false teaching is a prayerful desire to save souls from the deadly thought of a false security, when there is for them only the sure judgment that will fall upon all who do not accept Christ. "He the believeth not is condemned already." — A Subscriber.
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, June 11, 1918, p. 6.
Editor — Mr. Spring's statement under communicated in June 10 edition, was a most plausible one; to one that is familiar with the tenets of the late "Pastor" Russell, German propagandism would be the least pernicious of his misleading, soul-destroying teachings. No better way to encourage the elements of crime in human nature could be found than by circulating the books and preaching the doctrine of Russellism.
"Russellism is the message that brings glad tidings of great joy to every criminal; to every robber; every murderer. It takes away the fear of the hangman's rope and the dread of the electric chair. The criminal can afford to laugh at them. Even if he should suffer death by either of these means he would not suffer afterward. To him there will be the peace of non-existence till brought to life again; and if then, he is tired of sinning he may turn over a new leaf and live forever in that age of ages where he shall have nothing to do but eat to live and live to eat. Here is a religion that offers a premium on every crime in the calendar; guarantees eternal life and felicity to every wicked man who ever lived, and assures the wicked of today that his very wickedness will be a great advantage — a "valuable asset" — to help him live a life of joy and peace forever, and all of this offered in the name of our Holy Bible, and in the sacred name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Mothers, do you wonder that our president forbids the dissemination of this literature throughout our cantonments? Would you have your sons' souls salvation imperiled by a religion that teaches they will have a "second chance" to accept Christ as their Saviour beyond the grave? Instead of casting aspersions on the mayor of our city he should be given a vote of thanks by every right-minded, thoughtful citizen. There is one statement of "Pastor" Russell's that I would respectfully call the attention of your readers to: "The professing Christian church was rejected of God in 1878."
Without our churches we would soon revert to such doctrines as Russellism foists upon a portion of the unthinking public; the strongest motive for opposing this false teaching is a prayerful desire to save souls from the deadly thought of a false security, when there is for them only the sure judgment that will fall upon all who do not accept Christ. "He the believeth not is condemned already." — A Subscriber.
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, June 11, 1918, p. 6.
Friday, May 11, 2007
From the Pew — You Make Your Own Heaven or Hell Right Here
1911
By William L. Brownell
The preacher drew largely upon his fertile imagination as he described to his flock the Celestial City, with its streets paved with gold and its alleys even bordered with precious stones. As he expatiated on the richness and splendor of the place he called Heaven, Mr. and Mrs. Bondholder, down in the pew, were pleased, highly pleased, and they said to themselves, "He is a great preacher," we must not lose him. We must raise his salary; his sermons are so sensible, so uplifting, he gives us something pleasant to think about; he is not always talking about the poor and their suffering, our duty and what will happen to us of we do not perform it."
Then the preacher forgot himself for a moment and was transformed into a mere man, a man among men, and he said: "My friends, for many years I have preached to you about a Heaven that was away off somewhere beyond the stars; a place where, no matter how you had lived here, no matter how unfair, how unjust you had been to your fellow men, you would, if at the last moment you repented, enjoy through an endless eternity."
The old preacher paused, leaned heavily on the pulpit for a moment and then continued: "I feel that I shall not preach to you many more sermons and now I want to say to you something which I draw from my heart and not from my creed, with reference to Heaven and your relation to it. I believe that the poor man is not more liable to reach this place, or condition than is the rich man; that every man is making his own Heaven or hell right here and now, a Heaven or hell which he will carry with him across the border; a Heaven or hell created by his own thoughts and his own deeds, and that just as many poor men as rich men are manufacturing hell records which their future life phonographs will grind out and compel them to listen to. If," he said, "any of you people want to enjoy a Heaven in the hereafter, my advice to you is to start one here, otherwise you will be a long, long time in working it up over there.
—Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, NY, Aug. 5, 1911, p. 4.
By William L. Brownell
The preacher drew largely upon his fertile imagination as he described to his flock the Celestial City, with its streets paved with gold and its alleys even bordered with precious stones. As he expatiated on the richness and splendor of the place he called Heaven, Mr. and Mrs. Bondholder, down in the pew, were pleased, highly pleased, and they said to themselves, "He is a great preacher," we must not lose him. We must raise his salary; his sermons are so sensible, so uplifting, he gives us something pleasant to think about; he is not always talking about the poor and their suffering, our duty and what will happen to us of we do not perform it."
Then the preacher forgot himself for a moment and was transformed into a mere man, a man among men, and he said: "My friends, for many years I have preached to you about a Heaven that was away off somewhere beyond the stars; a place where, no matter how you had lived here, no matter how unfair, how unjust you had been to your fellow men, you would, if at the last moment you repented, enjoy through an endless eternity."
The old preacher paused, leaned heavily on the pulpit for a moment and then continued: "I feel that I shall not preach to you many more sermons and now I want to say to you something which I draw from my heart and not from my creed, with reference to Heaven and your relation to it. I believe that the poor man is not more liable to reach this place, or condition than is the rich man; that every man is making his own Heaven or hell right here and now, a Heaven or hell which he will carry with him across the border; a Heaven or hell created by his own thoughts and his own deeds, and that just as many poor men as rich men are manufacturing hell records which their future life phonographs will grind out and compel them to listen to. If," he said, "any of you people want to enjoy a Heaven in the hereafter, my advice to you is to start one here, otherwise you will be a long, long time in working it up over there.
—Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, NY, Aug. 5, 1911, p. 4.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
He Died as He Lived
1915
"Begone!" cried a young skeptic to a clergyman; "I want none of your cant," when he showed him the great need of repentance. "I am not going to die, and, if I were, I would die as I have lived."
The physician came, to whom he said, "O tell me I'm not dying; I will not die!" "My poor friend, I cannot speak falsely to you; your soul will, ere long, be with your God." "My God!" he said. "I have no God save the world; I have stifled conviction, I have fought against God. I have resisted my mother's pleadings; and now you tell me that I must die. Do you know," he added in an awful whisper, "all that means? If I die today I shall go to hell! Take it back; tell me I'm not going to die. Father," he said," 'twas you who taught me this, you who led me on in this way; and now you say I'm going to die Stand back!" he shrieked; "I will not die!"
And a torrent of invective issued from his fever-parched lips, so terrible in their madness that it seemed like a wail from the sea of woe. No wonder the poor mother was borne, fainting from the room, and the father's brow was corrugated, while great drops of agony rested there. Oh, that infidel father! How must his heart have bled in that dreadful hour, when, in the midst of dire cursings, his gifted son fell back a corpse!
"Begone!" cried a young skeptic to a clergyman; "I want none of your cant," when he showed him the great need of repentance. "I am not going to die, and, if I were, I would die as I have lived."
The physician came, to whom he said, "O tell me I'm not dying; I will not die!" "My poor friend, I cannot speak falsely to you; your soul will, ere long, be with your God." "My God!" he said. "I have no God save the world; I have stifled conviction, I have fought against God. I have resisted my mother's pleadings; and now you tell me that I must die. Do you know," he added in an awful whisper, "all that means? If I die today I shall go to hell! Take it back; tell me I'm not going to die. Father," he said," 'twas you who taught me this, you who led me on in this way; and now you say I'm going to die Stand back!" he shrieked; "I will not die!"
And a torrent of invective issued from his fever-parched lips, so terrible in their madness that it seemed like a wail from the sea of woe. No wonder the poor mother was borne, fainting from the room, and the father's brow was corrugated, while great drops of agony rested there. Oh, that infidel father! How must his heart have bled in that dreadful hour, when, in the midst of dire cursings, his gifted son fell back a corpse!
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
Views of Universalists on the "New Hell"
1904
This forceful and original designation is taken from The Boston Transcript. Certain of these eastern papers have a "religious editor," usually a retired clergyman of some sort, who prepared the short articles which appear now and then on ecclesiastical themes. What they say is worth reading. Not that the reader will always agree with it. He may dissent with vehemence, but then he may agree with fervor and be taken with the clear, clean cut way in which the truth is told. Some of the best elucidations of the drift of modern thought in religion are found in such papers as The Boston Transcript and The New York Sun. To one of them I call attention.
The editorial has the above words for its caption. It begins by referring to an article in The North American Review by Professor Knight, of Tufts college, a Universalist institution. The Transcript goes on to say, "The significance of the article is that the Universalist teaching of theology takes to task the liberal orthodox for the flaccidity of their preachments concerning the future life. He believes that in the church at large there are many excellent spirits who have so vigorously reacted against the excesses of past theology as to lose sight of the truth there was in it. When, therefore, with a holy zeal derived from their spiritual ancestry they preach a new dominating principle of love towards sinners even in hell they weaken their cause by understanding or even quite overlooking the fact of the severity of God as manifested in what we know from experience of his moral government."
The "new hell" of the orthodox as designated by the editor and depicted by Professor Knight is apparent. We, too, alas, are familiar with that kind of "preachment" also, there is an abundance of it all around: Love, love, love everlasting, irreversible and resistless love, is the supreme element in the divine character according to a deal of modern preaching. Holiness takes a secondary place, notwithstanding the lesson taught us by the ascription of the angels. Because of this supposed everlasting, irreversible and resistless love God will keep at it. He makes one failure in this world, but He will try again in the next world, and again and again — probation after probation — until He gets them all in, or is obliged to give up a few incorrigible ones in despair. But that is not all of the "new hell" that one can hear about in Boston in "orthodox pulpits." Hell is only a condition — a state of mind. Quoting from Dr. Dale, "the eminent English congregationalist," the editor says, "the supreme penalty of sin is the loss of our original and ideal relation to God." Then again, there is no infliction in hell — sin merely punishes itself. There is merely a relation of cause and effect, nothing more, and this, too, in the face of such events as the flood and the fire from heaven on Sodom.
We are quite prepared now for the sarcastic utterance of Professor Knight and the editor of The Transcript. Again I quote "The consequence of not a little of liberal orthodox preaching with respect to those who have transgressed in this life, Professor Knight thinks, has been to make sin even more attractive to the sinner, thus, if it be held as it was by Dr. Dale, the eminent congregationalist, that the supreme penalty of sin is the loss of our original and ideal relation to God, that, says Professor Knight is what sinners would like most of all. They prefer to be left alone by God. They find the new hell so pleasant that they choose it as a place of residence. As described by many spiritual guides now, emigrations will surely set that way whenever the character of the church shall become generally known. This incident compounded of exhortations and reproof is one significant of that reaction from liberalism to conservatism which always comes. From being a radical Professor Knight is now a conservative, preaching to men, who, in turn, are liberals reacting from conservatives." So much for what the editor says.
Is not this a startling disclosure? Universalism and orthodoxy changing places! The orthodox wandering from their way until they out-liberalize the liberals and are being rebuked by the latter for their laxity and flaccidity. Is it any wonder that the doctrine of divine retribution is ceasing to be operative as a restraining force, and that there is such general complaint of increasing lawlessness in the land? As the editor again remarks, "It is one thing to hope for or be sure of ultimate salvation for all men, and quite another to preach a soft-gospel calculated to make men indifferent to sin here and now."
The Transcript concludes with the mention of what Lowell said in a letter to Leslie Stephens. A Universalist who did not believe in future punishment changed his mind during the war, and gave as a reason that from what he saw in camp and on the battle field, "Hell was a military necessity." It is not a minister now who is saying anything like that, but an old Boston editor, a man noted for his erudition, his acumen and his hard horse sense. His opinions are negotiable here about.
Taken altogether and taken with what another, a prominent Unitarian minister, asked in a public address not long ago, "Is conviction passing?" referring to that same feebleness of doctrinal assertiveness, our own ministers ought to see in it a mighty call to preach the old truth about sin and God's anger at sin. The land is suffering for lack of it.
—The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Aug. 7, 1904, p. 8, back section.
This forceful and original designation is taken from The Boston Transcript. Certain of these eastern papers have a "religious editor," usually a retired clergyman of some sort, who prepared the short articles which appear now and then on ecclesiastical themes. What they say is worth reading. Not that the reader will always agree with it. He may dissent with vehemence, but then he may agree with fervor and be taken with the clear, clean cut way in which the truth is told. Some of the best elucidations of the drift of modern thought in religion are found in such papers as The Boston Transcript and The New York Sun. To one of them I call attention.
The editorial has the above words for its caption. It begins by referring to an article in The North American Review by Professor Knight, of Tufts college, a Universalist institution. The Transcript goes on to say, "The significance of the article is that the Universalist teaching of theology takes to task the liberal orthodox for the flaccidity of their preachments concerning the future life. He believes that in the church at large there are many excellent spirits who have so vigorously reacted against the excesses of past theology as to lose sight of the truth there was in it. When, therefore, with a holy zeal derived from their spiritual ancestry they preach a new dominating principle of love towards sinners even in hell they weaken their cause by understanding or even quite overlooking the fact of the severity of God as manifested in what we know from experience of his moral government."
The "new hell" of the orthodox as designated by the editor and depicted by Professor Knight is apparent. We, too, alas, are familiar with that kind of "preachment" also, there is an abundance of it all around: Love, love, love everlasting, irreversible and resistless love, is the supreme element in the divine character according to a deal of modern preaching. Holiness takes a secondary place, notwithstanding the lesson taught us by the ascription of the angels. Because of this supposed everlasting, irreversible and resistless love God will keep at it. He makes one failure in this world, but He will try again in the next world, and again and again — probation after probation — until He gets them all in, or is obliged to give up a few incorrigible ones in despair. But that is not all of the "new hell" that one can hear about in Boston in "orthodox pulpits." Hell is only a condition — a state of mind. Quoting from Dr. Dale, "the eminent English congregationalist," the editor says, "the supreme penalty of sin is the loss of our original and ideal relation to God." Then again, there is no infliction in hell — sin merely punishes itself. There is merely a relation of cause and effect, nothing more, and this, too, in the face of such events as the flood and the fire from heaven on Sodom.
We are quite prepared now for the sarcastic utterance of Professor Knight and the editor of The Transcript. Again I quote "The consequence of not a little of liberal orthodox preaching with respect to those who have transgressed in this life, Professor Knight thinks, has been to make sin even more attractive to the sinner, thus, if it be held as it was by Dr. Dale, the eminent congregationalist, that the supreme penalty of sin is the loss of our original and ideal relation to God, that, says Professor Knight is what sinners would like most of all. They prefer to be left alone by God. They find the new hell so pleasant that they choose it as a place of residence. As described by many spiritual guides now, emigrations will surely set that way whenever the character of the church shall become generally known. This incident compounded of exhortations and reproof is one significant of that reaction from liberalism to conservatism which always comes. From being a radical Professor Knight is now a conservative, preaching to men, who, in turn, are liberals reacting from conservatives." So much for what the editor says.
Is not this a startling disclosure? Universalism and orthodoxy changing places! The orthodox wandering from their way until they out-liberalize the liberals and are being rebuked by the latter for their laxity and flaccidity. Is it any wonder that the doctrine of divine retribution is ceasing to be operative as a restraining force, and that there is such general complaint of increasing lawlessness in the land? As the editor again remarks, "It is one thing to hope for or be sure of ultimate salvation for all men, and quite another to preach a soft-gospel calculated to make men indifferent to sin here and now."
The Transcript concludes with the mention of what Lowell said in a letter to Leslie Stephens. A Universalist who did not believe in future punishment changed his mind during the war, and gave as a reason that from what he saw in camp and on the battle field, "Hell was a military necessity." It is not a minister now who is saying anything like that, but an old Boston editor, a man noted for his erudition, his acumen and his hard horse sense. His opinions are negotiable here about.
Taken altogether and taken with what another, a prominent Unitarian minister, asked in a public address not long ago, "Is conviction passing?" referring to that same feebleness of doctrinal assertiveness, our own ministers ought to see in it a mighty call to preach the old truth about sin and God's anger at sin. The land is suffering for lack of it.
—The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Aug. 7, 1904, p. 8, back section.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Roller Skating Immoral – "Hell on Wheels"
1914
HELL ON WHEELS
The skating rink has long been considered a menace to public morals. Its history has been one of degradation. Many happy homes have been broken up as a direct cause of its evil influence.
Like a great many other evils, it apparently is harmless, but beneath the surface is an immoral tide which drags young helpless girls into the ocean of destruction, never to return to their fond parents, whose lives have been blighted and many of whom now occupy untimely graves.
That any professing Christian should allow himself to be connected with such an institution, either financially or otherwise, is beyond comprehension. Clean, healthy sport should be encouraged, but the skating rink cannot be placed in that class.
—Daily Independent, Monessen, Pennsylvania, Nov. 23, 1914, p. 4.
HELL ON WHEELS
The skating rink has long been considered a menace to public morals. Its history has been one of degradation. Many happy homes have been broken up as a direct cause of its evil influence.
Like a great many other evils, it apparently is harmless, but beneath the surface is an immoral tide which drags young helpless girls into the ocean of destruction, never to return to their fond parents, whose lives have been blighted and many of whom now occupy untimely graves.
That any professing Christian should allow himself to be connected with such an institution, either financially or otherwise, is beyond comprehension. Clean, healthy sport should be encouraged, but the skating rink cannot be placed in that class.
—Daily Independent, Monessen, Pennsylvania, Nov. 23, 1914, p. 4.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Evangelist Makes The Air Tingle: Takes On Sin, Churches, Pastors, Newspaper
Van Wert, Ohio, 1912
STIGMATIZING SHAFTS
Promise of Fur Laden Atmosphere Fully Realized Upon by Large Audience.
Evangelist Makes the Air Tingle — Critics Held Up to Shame for Adverse Comment.
By CAPLES FOSTER
The official promise issued from the platform of The Tabernacle, carrying notice that a fur-laden atmosphere would prevail at the service of last night, breaking the complacency which existed on the preceding days of the week, brought out an increased attendance and was realized upon to the fullest, the utterances of The Evangelist extending in their scope to that carnivore of the weasel family whom the experienced and informed always flee in mad haste.
Oliver spoke from the text "Turn Ye to the Stronghold," found in the book of Zechariah, in reference to protection found only in The Jehovah or in The Savior. He dealt with the subject in three divisions — The Absence of Hope, embracing the people who have no expectation of the Heavenly reward in the great hereafter, persons whose physical being is completely burned out by the disease and plague of sin and exist merely because God, in His mercy, has not struck them down; people who are confined in the prison house of condemnation, upon whom the sentence of death has already passed because they believeth not; people who are caught in the tremendous speed of the age and are rushing with the currents, unmindful of their soul's salvation because they can not extract themselves from the every day affairs of this despicable age, this shallow age, this superficial age, this age merely living on the surface; this age in which the weightier matters of the law of God and the law of home are lost sight of; this age where the dizzy rush makes life take on the appearance of a dish of succotash for the posers of piety in the church who attempt to mix religion and amusements.
Branching out into the text, Dr. Oliver spoke at length upon three phases of his subject, setting forth that certain highways lead unerringly to that blessed stronghold — The City of God. First, the Highway of Bible Study. There are too many Bibles in Van Wert considering the number that are reverently and daily read. It would be better that many never heard of the Bible than to sell the soul as Faust of old. Gen. Lew Wallace walked down the highway of Bible Study when he wrote that masterpiece Ben Hur. The highway of Bible Study is the highway to repentance, the highway of hope; it establishes the standard for living by all classes both the old and the young.
Second, the Highway of Confession. Confess your faults one to another, your sins, your transgressions. There are some who would rather go to hell than to expose their wickedness of the past; some who would rather go to Hell than tell their wives of the sins of the years gone by; some who would rather go to hell than confess that they Have lied about meetings like this; some who would rather go to hell than to have the manhood of confessing that they have lied about the ministers of the gospel. You don't have to leave Van Wert to find a great bunch of that kind. At this juncture The Evangelist gave vent to his deepest feelings and broke into the most thunderous burst of oratory ever heard in a Van Wert pulpit, in which he took recognition of contributed articles printed in The Van Wert Daily Times, under the head of "The Forum," accompanied by the explanation that the matter is the personal opinions of its readers whose names are affixed to the article. In this connection Dr. Oliver said in part:
Do you know why some men hate me in this town? Do you know why they write polecat letters for one of your newspapers in this town, which doesn't have character enough to come out boldly and attack these meetings and openly express its own opinions? It is because I have advocated that these men should clean up and confess their dirty sins, their dirty lives before God and before men. I have not read the letters to which I refer. I am a gentleman. But my attention has been called to them by prominent citizens who are sick and tired of the whole matter. I have less respect for any editor who will print such dirty stuff in his paper than I have for the polecat who will write it. There are people in this town who can never enjoy the respect of the community until they clean up in regard to moral rottenness. The pure men and the pure women are with us.
Dr. Oliver continued his remarks with a special address to husbands and wives in which it was declared with emphasis that any and all who live in adultery or are guilty of adulterous acts can not enter the Kingdom of God until they confess their sins. This section of the sermon was illustrated with a number of pointed stories touching upon disregard of the binding vows of the marriage ceremony and with the further declaration that "I have no desire to bear the story of your sins, the ministers don't want to hear these stories of your sins, but public confession of Christ is commanded by the Creator Himself.
There are people who put off decisions in this campaign in the expectation that they will slip into church after the fight is over, flip into church where a backbonelesss puppet occupies the pulpit. The man or the woman who is staying away from this meeting and fails to clean up does so because they expect to get into church on a compromise. The real soldier does not enlist after the war is over. The real soldier stands for and comes out foursquare for God and purity, for public decency, for civic righteousness and all kinds of decency. This thing of slinking around with a lot of dirty, drunken reprobates should be made a thing of the past; the floors of decent homes should be closed against the dirty bums who fight religion. The fight is on. Do you want to get on God's side or do you want to go to hell? You can draw your own conclusions about the fellows who haven't the character to come out when the fight it on.
Third, the Highway of the Church of The Lord, of Jesus Christ. It getting hard enough to find Christians within the church. There are too many who proclaim "I go to all of them." They constitute a sort of religious hobo. They go to all of them get a hand-out without paying any them. The church is the only organization on the face of the earth which is authorized to administer the sacred rights of baptism. The Bible mentions it specifically. The sweetest time the child of God has this side of Heaven is there where be has before him the emblems of the suffering of the Savior. We need the church and we need active, consecrated members. Convert, join the church and live up to, the rules. If the preacher doesn't preach to suit you tell him to shoot bigger shells. If it hurts you, go the preacher and thank him for having the backbone to preach the truth.
In closing Dr. Oliver related the story of the heart-broken soldier of the Civil War who sought an audience with the President in order that he might procure leave to go to the bedside of his dying wife, but was denied admission to the White House by the sentry, but, later, through the kind-hearted little Tad Lincoln was led into the executive mansion and was handed the much-sought for furlough, accompanied with the blessing of that great man of God, the greatest of our presidents. You can search in vain for a more beautiful story of intercession on earth without avail, until you turn to nineteen hundred years ago when one walked out, following sin-burdened, weeping humanity and said: I am the way, the salvation.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, OH, April 5, 1912, p. 2.
STIGMATIZING SHAFTS
Promise of Fur Laden Atmosphere Fully Realized Upon by Large Audience.
Evangelist Makes the Air Tingle — Critics Held Up to Shame for Adverse Comment.
By CAPLES FOSTER
The official promise issued from the platform of The Tabernacle, carrying notice that a fur-laden atmosphere would prevail at the service of last night, breaking the complacency which existed on the preceding days of the week, brought out an increased attendance and was realized upon to the fullest, the utterances of The Evangelist extending in their scope to that carnivore of the weasel family whom the experienced and informed always flee in mad haste.
Oliver spoke from the text "Turn Ye to the Stronghold," found in the book of Zechariah, in reference to protection found only in The Jehovah or in The Savior. He dealt with the subject in three divisions — The Absence of Hope, embracing the people who have no expectation of the Heavenly reward in the great hereafter, persons whose physical being is completely burned out by the disease and plague of sin and exist merely because God, in His mercy, has not struck them down; people who are confined in the prison house of condemnation, upon whom the sentence of death has already passed because they believeth not; people who are caught in the tremendous speed of the age and are rushing with the currents, unmindful of their soul's salvation because they can not extract themselves from the every day affairs of this despicable age, this shallow age, this superficial age, this age merely living on the surface; this age in which the weightier matters of the law of God and the law of home are lost sight of; this age where the dizzy rush makes life take on the appearance of a dish of succotash for the posers of piety in the church who attempt to mix religion and amusements.
Branching out into the text, Dr. Oliver spoke at length upon three phases of his subject, setting forth that certain highways lead unerringly to that blessed stronghold — The City of God. First, the Highway of Bible Study. There are too many Bibles in Van Wert considering the number that are reverently and daily read. It would be better that many never heard of the Bible than to sell the soul as Faust of old. Gen. Lew Wallace walked down the highway of Bible Study when he wrote that masterpiece Ben Hur. The highway of Bible Study is the highway to repentance, the highway of hope; it establishes the standard for living by all classes both the old and the young.
Second, the Highway of Confession. Confess your faults one to another, your sins, your transgressions. There are some who would rather go to hell than to expose their wickedness of the past; some who would rather go to Hell than tell their wives of the sins of the years gone by; some who would rather go to hell than confess that they Have lied about meetings like this; some who would rather go to hell than to have the manhood of confessing that they have lied about the ministers of the gospel. You don't have to leave Van Wert to find a great bunch of that kind. At this juncture The Evangelist gave vent to his deepest feelings and broke into the most thunderous burst of oratory ever heard in a Van Wert pulpit, in which he took recognition of contributed articles printed in The Van Wert Daily Times, under the head of "The Forum," accompanied by the explanation that the matter is the personal opinions of its readers whose names are affixed to the article. In this connection Dr. Oliver said in part:
Do you know why some men hate me in this town? Do you know why they write polecat letters for one of your newspapers in this town, which doesn't have character enough to come out boldly and attack these meetings and openly express its own opinions? It is because I have advocated that these men should clean up and confess their dirty sins, their dirty lives before God and before men. I have not read the letters to which I refer. I am a gentleman. But my attention has been called to them by prominent citizens who are sick and tired of the whole matter. I have less respect for any editor who will print such dirty stuff in his paper than I have for the polecat who will write it. There are people in this town who can never enjoy the respect of the community until they clean up in regard to moral rottenness. The pure men and the pure women are with us.
Dr. Oliver continued his remarks with a special address to husbands and wives in which it was declared with emphasis that any and all who live in adultery or are guilty of adulterous acts can not enter the Kingdom of God until they confess their sins. This section of the sermon was illustrated with a number of pointed stories touching upon disregard of the binding vows of the marriage ceremony and with the further declaration that "I have no desire to bear the story of your sins, the ministers don't want to hear these stories of your sins, but public confession of Christ is commanded by the Creator Himself.
There are people who put off decisions in this campaign in the expectation that they will slip into church after the fight is over, flip into church where a backbonelesss puppet occupies the pulpit. The man or the woman who is staying away from this meeting and fails to clean up does so because they expect to get into church on a compromise. The real soldier does not enlist after the war is over. The real soldier stands for and comes out foursquare for God and purity, for public decency, for civic righteousness and all kinds of decency. This thing of slinking around with a lot of dirty, drunken reprobates should be made a thing of the past; the floors of decent homes should be closed against the dirty bums who fight religion. The fight is on. Do you want to get on God's side or do you want to go to hell? You can draw your own conclusions about the fellows who haven't the character to come out when the fight it on.
Third, the Highway of the Church of The Lord, of Jesus Christ. It getting hard enough to find Christians within the church. There are too many who proclaim "I go to all of them." They constitute a sort of religious hobo. They go to all of them get a hand-out without paying any them. The church is the only organization on the face of the earth which is authorized to administer the sacred rights of baptism. The Bible mentions it specifically. The sweetest time the child of God has this side of Heaven is there where be has before him the emblems of the suffering of the Savior. We need the church and we need active, consecrated members. Convert, join the church and live up to, the rules. If the preacher doesn't preach to suit you tell him to shoot bigger shells. If it hurts you, go the preacher and thank him for having the backbone to preach the truth.
In closing Dr. Oliver related the story of the heart-broken soldier of the Civil War who sought an audience with the President in order that he might procure leave to go to the bedside of his dying wife, but was denied admission to the White House by the sentry, but, later, through the kind-hearted little Tad Lincoln was led into the executive mansion and was handed the much-sought for furlough, accompanied with the blessing of that great man of God, the greatest of our presidents. You can search in vain for a more beautiful story of intercession on earth without avail, until you turn to nineteen hundred years ago when one walked out, following sin-burdened, weeping humanity and said: I am the way, the salvation.
—The Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, OH, April 5, 1912, p. 2.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
1930 Revival Draws Large Crowds
Danville, Virginia, 1930
Rev. Roy T. Jarrett, of the Trinity M. E. church, Lynchburg, continued his revival services when he delivered a powerful message to a large congregation last night at the Third Avenue Christian church. Rev. Jarrett took as his subject "Witnessing for Christ," his text being from John 1:41-42: "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, and he brought him to Jesus."
Mr. Jarrett pictured vividly the characteristics of Andrew, brother of Simon Peter as a witness and soul winner for his Lord, and showed plainly the necessary qualifications for witnesses and soul winners.
The subject for tonight will be "The personality of the Devil," and on Thursday night "Hell."
The song service rendered each evening is proving very popular and are under the direction of J. W. Dixon, choir leader of the church. These services will continue through Sunday, May 18.
—The Bee, Danville, Virginia, May 7, 1930, page 10.
Rev. Roy T. Jarrett, of the Trinity M. E. church, Lynchburg, continued his revival services when he delivered a powerful message to a large congregation last night at the Third Avenue Christian church. Rev. Jarrett took as his subject "Witnessing for Christ," his text being from John 1:41-42: "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, and he brought him to Jesus."
Mr. Jarrett pictured vividly the characteristics of Andrew, brother of Simon Peter as a witness and soul winner for his Lord, and showed plainly the necessary qualifications for witnesses and soul winners.
The subject for tonight will be "The personality of the Devil," and on Thursday night "Hell."
The song service rendered each evening is proving very popular and are under the direction of J. W. Dixon, choir leader of the church. These services will continue through Sunday, May 18.
—The Bee, Danville, Virginia, May 7, 1930, page 10.
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