New York, 1895
To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:
I seldom write for publication unless to champion a wrong or assail an evil. Such an occasion presents in a recent account of the attack on certain Salvation army women in this village. It is stated that "There are others here who are opposed to the salvationists aside from the roughs. They are good Christians and openly criticise Mr. Remsen for renting the place to the army." I hope that so grave and serious a charge against the religious good people of Jamaica is untrue. The days of religious intolerance are over even among those professing different faiths and it is hard to believe that any followers of the Great Altruist who loved all men better than his own life, should oppose these earnest, honest, self-sacrificing Christian women. It is harder to believe that any good citizen should object to their labor of love where the local clergy seem to have been unsuccessful; and it is hardest to believe that any feeling of jealousy or even of superiority could possibly animate the bosom of any really good Christian who walks the path of love and humility trodden out for him by the gentle Nazarene. That would be the work of a Pharisee and I trust there are no such in Jamaica.
The statement goes on to say that the Salvationists are making a good impression and are gaining many supporters. Now I have observed the Salvation army people for some years and have noticed that they invariably make a good impression and gain supporters. I have no hesitation in asserting that this is due to the fidelity with which they obey the teachings of their Master, the blessed Jesus, whose boundless love and charity knew no pride of station. They come into a community despised and ridiculed by the ignorant and shunned by the elect. They practice methods which offended the refinement of gilt edged piety and they are sometimes loud and occasionally ungrammatical. But they invariably conquer the respect of all who meet them face to face. This is because they work faithfully, fearlessly and lovingly to save their fellow sinners. They work without pay and without hope of reward except that which awaits every unselfish act or thought. They are true and "good Christians" in the highest sense and are entitled to the consideration and respect of every person be he unregenerate or elect. H. A. FREEMAN, Jamaica, January 21st.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 1.
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
St. Monica's Church Finances Get Another Airing
New York, 1895
To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:
The attempt of your last week's newspaper to smooth over the financial muddle of St. Monica's church was very adroit, but it will not go down if you are man enough to give me another hearing on the subject. I never imputed dishonesty to either Mr. Higgins or Mr. Rudden. They are good men. I never questioned Father Dennison's honesty, and I don't do it now, but he is bound to render an intelligent report, and that he has not done except in one instance. I contribute to his church, and I have a right to know about where the money goes. He said on Sunday, week before last, that my call on him to account for the 1893 balance was contemptible. When he referred to the thing at all I expected he was going to give the congregation an explanation, and tell them what he had done with over $800 of a balance. But he didn't tell them a word about it. Has he the money in the bank, or out at interest, or has he spent it, or what? It is easy for him to answer, and there are some who will carry the case to the Bishop if he doesn't.
If you will let me I will go deeper into the business. Father Dennison's first report, year 1892, showed that he had a balance of $1,817.17. In 1893 he gave his flock no account of what he did with that balance. In 1893 he had a balance of $551.68. In 1894 he kept to himself what he did with that money. In 1894 he had a balance of $872.82. In 1895 he suppresses all knowledge about this. In 1895 he had a balance of $481.83. He should have on hand at the date of the 1895 report, January 1st, as follows:
Balance January 19th, 1891, to February 8th, 1892, $1,817.17
Balance February 8th, 1892, to February 1st, 1893, 551.68
Balance January 1st, 1893, to January 1st, 1894, 872.82
Balance January 1st, 1894, to January 1st, 1895, 481.83
[Total,] $3,723.50
Father Dennison must know what has become of this money, and the congregation wants to know, and if they are not told there will be a lessening of contributions, for I know several liberal givers who will shut their pockets.
I for one would like to know how it happened that the church debt increased while so much money is shown in the balances. According to the report from January 19th, to February 8th, 1892, the debt on the church property was $14,000. In the 1892 to 1893 report it was stated at $13,000. In the 1893 to 1894 report it was not set forth at all. In the 1894 to 1895 report, the debt on the church property rose to $14,500. Why should it be so if the money shown by the balances was on hand to meet expenses?
Now it comes right down to this: Is the money shown in the balances in bank, or invested, or spent? Father Dennison knows and must tell. Mr. Higgins and Mr. Rudden don't know a thing about it.
EXAMINER.
[Mr. Higgins showed the editor of THE FARMER the financial report for the fiscal year 1894. That report is right as far as it goes. It pretends to do no more than state the income and the expenditures. As to the yearly balances, any statement respecting them must issue from the treasurer, who is their custodian, and not from Messrs. Higgins and Rudden. If there is a desire on the part of the congregation for information as to the disposition of the balances, the Rev. Mr. Dennison should respond to that desire, for in that matter he is but the servant of the congregation. The suppression of such information but leads to gossip and begets suspicion. The sum of $3,723.50 is so important a matter that a congregation would naturally feel a deep interest in knowing what has been done with it. — ED.]
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 1.
To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:
The attempt of your last week's newspaper to smooth over the financial muddle of St. Monica's church was very adroit, but it will not go down if you are man enough to give me another hearing on the subject. I never imputed dishonesty to either Mr. Higgins or Mr. Rudden. They are good men. I never questioned Father Dennison's honesty, and I don't do it now, but he is bound to render an intelligent report, and that he has not done except in one instance. I contribute to his church, and I have a right to know about where the money goes. He said on Sunday, week before last, that my call on him to account for the 1893 balance was contemptible. When he referred to the thing at all I expected he was going to give the congregation an explanation, and tell them what he had done with over $800 of a balance. But he didn't tell them a word about it. Has he the money in the bank, or out at interest, or has he spent it, or what? It is easy for him to answer, and there are some who will carry the case to the Bishop if he doesn't.
If you will let me I will go deeper into the business. Father Dennison's first report, year 1892, showed that he had a balance of $1,817.17. In 1893 he gave his flock no account of what he did with that balance. In 1893 he had a balance of $551.68. In 1894 he kept to himself what he did with that money. In 1894 he had a balance of $872.82. In 1895 he suppresses all knowledge about this. In 1895 he had a balance of $481.83. He should have on hand at the date of the 1895 report, January 1st, as follows:
Balance January 19th, 1891, to February 8th, 1892, $1,817.17
Balance February 8th, 1892, to February 1st, 1893, 551.68
Balance January 1st, 1893, to January 1st, 1894, 872.82
Balance January 1st, 1894, to January 1st, 1895, 481.83
[Total,] $3,723.50
Father Dennison must know what has become of this money, and the congregation wants to know, and if they are not told there will be a lessening of contributions, for I know several liberal givers who will shut their pockets.
I for one would like to know how it happened that the church debt increased while so much money is shown in the balances. According to the report from January 19th, to February 8th, 1892, the debt on the church property was $14,000. In the 1892 to 1893 report it was stated at $13,000. In the 1893 to 1894 report it was not set forth at all. In the 1894 to 1895 report, the debt on the church property rose to $14,500. Why should it be so if the money shown by the balances was on hand to meet expenses?
Now it comes right down to this: Is the money shown in the balances in bank, or invested, or spent? Father Dennison knows and must tell. Mr. Higgins and Mr. Rudden don't know a thing about it.
EXAMINER.
[Mr. Higgins showed the editor of THE FARMER the financial report for the fiscal year 1894. That report is right as far as it goes. It pretends to do no more than state the income and the expenditures. As to the yearly balances, any statement respecting them must issue from the treasurer, who is their custodian, and not from Messrs. Higgins and Rudden. If there is a desire on the part of the congregation for information as to the disposition of the balances, the Rev. Mr. Dennison should respond to that desire, for in that matter he is but the servant of the congregation. The suppression of such information but leads to gossip and begets suspicion. The sum of $3,723.50 is so important a matter that a congregation would naturally feel a deep interest in knowing what has been done with it. — ED.]
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 1.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Universal Rejoicing
1900
AN AVALANCHE OF PRAISE FOR THE DOWIE EXPOSURE
LETTERS FROM RAM'S HORN SUBSCRIBERS
First Presbyterian Church,
Forest, Ohio, March 2, 1900.
Editor Ram's Horn:
Allow me to congratulate you on your most excellent paper for March 3. I honestly believe that no better or higher service to the kingdom of Christ may be rendered just now than by the course you are taking. Please find inclosed $3.00 for 100 copies to be sent to my address. Very truly yours,
G. JAMES JONES.
1540 Lehigh Ave.,
Philadelphia, Pa., March 1, 1900.
Editor The Ram's Horn:
There has been a copy of The Ram's Horn handed me exposing Dowieism. I was so highly pleased with this work, and knowing Dowie as I do, and knowing that he is an abominable liar and impostor, with my personal experience with him, I think you are doing humanity a great service by exposing him. I therefore enclose $5.00, for the following purposes: $1.50 for one year's subscription in advance, and $3.00 for the following purposes: 30 copies of March 3 issue (mail them to my address), and the balance, or 60 copies, I will order at some other time. I hope indeed you will not unfurl the flag, but that you will make one assault after another, as I believe you are doing a great amount of good in warning the unwary and susceptible from being duped by this great religious pretender. Yours truly,
CHARLES J. HECKLER.
Fourth Baptist Church,
Chicago, March 2, 1900.
Editor The Ram's Horn:
The churches and the city should rise up and bless you for this noble work in showing the people John A. Dowie as he really is. Please send sample copies to every pastor in the city and in some way get this Dowie issue into the hands of the Christian people and the public. If you can in some way rid us from this bold-faced impostor and blackguard you will have done a life work for your fellow citizens.
Yours sincerely,
KITTREDGE WHEELER.
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 27, 1900
Editor The Ram's Horn:
I just want to thank you and commend your action in devoting issue just received to the exposure of the "Dowie" movement. I received some weeks ago a copy of his paper, and I saw, I thought, through the movement from that issue. If this letter encourages you to further tell the truth it will serve the purpose of a ten-year subscriber. Truly,
E. W. WEEDON.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 5.
AN AVALANCHE OF PRAISE FOR THE DOWIE EXPOSURE
LETTERS FROM RAM'S HORN SUBSCRIBERS
First Presbyterian Church,
Forest, Ohio, March 2, 1900.
Editor Ram's Horn:
Allow me to congratulate you on your most excellent paper for March 3. I honestly believe that no better or higher service to the kingdom of Christ may be rendered just now than by the course you are taking. Please find inclosed $3.00 for 100 copies to be sent to my address. Very truly yours,
G. JAMES JONES.
1540 Lehigh Ave.,
Philadelphia, Pa., March 1, 1900.
Editor The Ram's Horn:
There has been a copy of The Ram's Horn handed me exposing Dowieism. I was so highly pleased with this work, and knowing Dowie as I do, and knowing that he is an abominable liar and impostor, with my personal experience with him, I think you are doing humanity a great service by exposing him. I therefore enclose $5.00, for the following purposes: $1.50 for one year's subscription in advance, and $3.00 for the following purposes: 30 copies of March 3 issue (mail them to my address), and the balance, or 60 copies, I will order at some other time. I hope indeed you will not unfurl the flag, but that you will make one assault after another, as I believe you are doing a great amount of good in warning the unwary and susceptible from being duped by this great religious pretender. Yours truly,
CHARLES J. HECKLER.
Fourth Baptist Church,
Chicago, March 2, 1900.
Editor The Ram's Horn:
The churches and the city should rise up and bless you for this noble work in showing the people John A. Dowie as he really is. Please send sample copies to every pastor in the city and in some way get this Dowie issue into the hands of the Christian people and the public. If you can in some way rid us from this bold-faced impostor and blackguard you will have done a life work for your fellow citizens.
Yours sincerely,
KITTREDGE WHEELER.
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 27, 1900
Editor The Ram's Horn:
I just want to thank you and commend your action in devoting issue just received to the exposure of the "Dowie" movement. I received some weeks ago a copy of his paper, and I saw, I thought, through the movement from that issue. If this letter encourages you to further tell the truth it will serve the purpose of a ten-year subscriber. Truly,
E. W. WEEDON.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 5.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
"Flying Parson" Goes Back to the Pulpit
1919
Takes Old Man's Advice and Quits "Being a Fool."
NEW YORK, N. Y. — Lieut. Belvin W. Maynard, "the flying parson," winner of the recent Army transcontinental air race, announced here that he had resigned from the Army Air Service and will resume his work as a clergyman. He said he expected to be out of the service early in the new year.
"I am going to take the advice I received in an anonymous letter the other day and go back to my preaching," Lieutenant Maynard said. "In substance it said: 'I am over 80, but when I was a young man an old man told me not to be a fool. Now I am old and you are young, so I want to give you some advice. Don't be a fool. Go back to your pulpit and give up your flying and newspaper fame.'"
—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 11.
Takes Old Man's Advice and Quits "Being a Fool."
NEW YORK, N. Y. — Lieut. Belvin W. Maynard, "the flying parson," winner of the recent Army transcontinental air race, announced here that he had resigned from the Army Air Service and will resume his work as a clergyman. He said he expected to be out of the service early in the new year.
"I am going to take the advice I received in an anonymous letter the other day and go back to my preaching," Lieutenant Maynard said. "In substance it said: 'I am over 80, but when I was a young man an old man told me not to be a fool. Now I am old and you are young, so I want to give you some advice. Don't be a fool. Go back to your pulpit and give up your flying and newspaper fame.'"
—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 11.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Letter To Besieged Missionaries in China
1900
As an item of record and for the benefit of those clamorous bigots who a few months ago were holding the Christian missionary responsible for all the ruin wrought to "trade and human life" in China, we print herewith the text of a letter addressed to this noble band of Christians by Mr. Conger, minister plenipotentiary of the United States in China:
"Pekin, Aug. 18 — To the Besieged American Missionaries: To one and all of you so providentially saved from the threatened massacre, I beg in this hour of our deliverance to express what I know to be the universal sentiment of the diplomatic corps — a sincere appreciation of and profound gratitude for the inestimable help which you and the native Christians under your charge have rendered toward our preservation. But for your intelligent and successful planning and the uncomplaining assistance of the Chinese I believe our salvation would have been impossible. By your courteous consideration of me and your continued patience in most trying occasions I have been deeply touched, and for it I thank you most heartily. I hope and believe that somehow in God's unerring plan your sacrifices and dangers will bear rich fruit in the material and spiritual welfare of the people to whom you have so nobly devoted your lives and work. Assuring you of my personal respect and gratitude, believe me very sincerely yours, E. H. CONGER."
—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 6.
As an item of record and for the benefit of those clamorous bigots who a few months ago were holding the Christian missionary responsible for all the ruin wrought to "trade and human life" in China, we print herewith the text of a letter addressed to this noble band of Christians by Mr. Conger, minister plenipotentiary of the United States in China:
"Pekin, Aug. 18 — To the Besieged American Missionaries: To one and all of you so providentially saved from the threatened massacre, I beg in this hour of our deliverance to express what I know to be the universal sentiment of the diplomatic corps — a sincere appreciation of and profound gratitude for the inestimable help which you and the native Christians under your charge have rendered toward our preservation. But for your intelligent and successful planning and the uncomplaining assistance of the Chinese I believe our salvation would have been impossible. By your courteous consideration of me and your continued patience in most trying occasions I have been deeply touched, and for it I thank you most heartily. I hope and believe that somehow in God's unerring plan your sacrifices and dangers will bear rich fruit in the material and spiritual welfare of the people to whom you have so nobly devoted your lives and work. Assuring you of my personal respect and gratitude, believe me very sincerely yours, E. H. CONGER."
—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 6.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Worry Causes Death
Illinois, 1916
Mrs. Marie C. Mueller, 43, wife or the Rev. E. L. Mueller, pastor of the German Evangelical church at Eight and Henry street, Alton, died of apoplexy yesterday at St. Joseph's hospital, in Alton. She had been suffering from a nervous breakdown which physicians thought was brought on by overwork in the church and by worry over the opposition of the members to her husband as pastor.
Three years ago, after her husband had been pastor of the church about five years, she received an anonymous letter telling her she was the cause of the members not liking the pastor. She is said to have worried constantly over that. Ten days ago the opposition to the pastor crystallized in a petition of thirteen members requesting his resignation. Before this petition was presented to the church the pastor handed in his resignation and it was voted on, the vote being 80 to 20 in favor of the pastor remaining.
—Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 14, 1916, p. 2.
Mrs. Marie C. Mueller, 43, wife or the Rev. E. L. Mueller, pastor of the German Evangelical church at Eight and Henry street, Alton, died of apoplexy yesterday at St. Joseph's hospital, in Alton. She had been suffering from a nervous breakdown which physicians thought was brought on by overwork in the church and by worry over the opposition of the members to her husband as pastor.
Three years ago, after her husband had been pastor of the church about five years, she received an anonymous letter telling her she was the cause of the members not liking the pastor. She is said to have worried constantly over that. Ten days ago the opposition to the pastor crystallized in a petition of thirteen members requesting his resignation. Before this petition was presented to the church the pastor handed in his resignation and it was voted on, the vote being 80 to 20 in favor of the pastor remaining.
—Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 14, 1916, p. 2.
Monday, May 28, 2007
The World's End Coming Soon, According to Lima Man
Ohio, 1905
Whittredge Advises People to Sell Everything in Order to be "Clean" on Judgment Day
Lima, O., Feb. 22. — Wm. Whittredge, who was put in jail here for refusing to send his nine-year-old daughter to school because the world was coming to an end in March, is now issuing daily bulletins beseeching the people to watch and pray, claiming that he, like of Noah of old, has been delegated as the Lord's apostle and prophet.
Whittredge has formulated a new cult known as "The Church of the Israelites," which has for its teachings preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He has a number of converts in this and adjacent counties, and among his divine orders Whittredge instills the decree that followers must sell their worldly goods and be ready and "clean" to make their peace.
Yesterday Whittredge received in his mail, which has grown quite heavy, a letter from S. J. Hickey, dated East Orange, N. J., in which the writer asks for blessings, and follows with the statement: "Perhaps we can help each other in this situation through Christ, for I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you."
In his latest reiteration of the coming of the end in March, Whittredge proclaims through the press: "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of Man now be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else now knows. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, and it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch and pray."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1905, p. 6.
OTHERS
Who Agree With Wm. Whittredge
That the World is Coming to an End Next Month
East Orange, N.J., 76 Midland Ave.
Mr. Wm. Whitredge,
Lima, O., Feb. 14, 1905.
Dear Brother —
A recent press dispatch informs us that you have been jailed for refusing to send your daughter to school, your reason being that you believed the end to be so near as to make it not worth the while. I am also of the opinion that the destruction of the cosmos by fire, as predicted by the Apostle Peter, is very near at hand and extend you my sympathy. Will you kindly tell me what has convinced you of the truth concerning these last things, perhaps we can help each other in the situation through Christ. I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you.
Your brother in Christ Jesus. S. J. HICKEY.
The Lord is come with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainer walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advance. Jude 14-15-16. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign will be given but the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else will know. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth His secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch and pray. MRS. WM. WHITTREDGE
—The Lima Times Democrat, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1905.
WAIT FOR WORLD TO END
Decatur, Ind., March 9. — Waiting for the world to come to an end and advocating the creed of their sect, several families, under the leadership of William Whittredge, formerly of Elgin, Ohio, are preparing for the millennium, which they say will be here in April. The little band has no name, but its members apparently are sincere in their belief. When Whittredge and his followers came here quietly several weeks ago they attracted little attention, but it was noticed that the entire band of three families was housed in one dwelling. Then the people of the neighborhood began to wonder. It was made known yesterday that the strangers were simply waiting for the world to come to an end and tracts were scattered over the city warning residents that the end is expected in April. The followers of Whittredge in preaching their doctrine point to revelations, and on the tracts they distribute are printed quotations from the bible. The members of the band are all intelligent and well informed.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, March 9, 1905, p. 9.
Whittredge Advises People to Sell Everything in Order to be "Clean" on Judgment Day
Lima, O., Feb. 22. — Wm. Whittredge, who was put in jail here for refusing to send his nine-year-old daughter to school because the world was coming to an end in March, is now issuing daily bulletins beseeching the people to watch and pray, claiming that he, like of Noah of old, has been delegated as the Lord's apostle and prophet.
Whittredge has formulated a new cult known as "The Church of the Israelites," which has for its teachings preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He has a number of converts in this and adjacent counties, and among his divine orders Whittredge instills the decree that followers must sell their worldly goods and be ready and "clean" to make their peace.
Yesterday Whittredge received in his mail, which has grown quite heavy, a letter from S. J. Hickey, dated East Orange, N. J., in which the writer asks for blessings, and follows with the statement: "Perhaps we can help each other in this situation through Christ, for I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you."
In his latest reiteration of the coming of the end in March, Whittredge proclaims through the press: "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of Man now be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else now knows. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, and it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch and pray."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1905, p. 6.
OTHERS
Who Agree With Wm. Whittredge
That the World is Coming to an End Next Month
East Orange, N.J., 76 Midland Ave.
Mr. Wm. Whitredge,
Lima, O., Feb. 14, 1905.
Dear Brother —
A recent press dispatch informs us that you have been jailed for refusing to send your daughter to school, your reason being that you believed the end to be so near as to make it not worth the while. I am also of the opinion that the destruction of the cosmos by fire, as predicted by the Apostle Peter, is very near at hand and extend you my sympathy. Will you kindly tell me what has convinced you of the truth concerning these last things, perhaps we can help each other in the situation through Christ. I, too, have been jailed by the powers that be, and can heartily sympathize with you.
Your brother in Christ Jesus. S. J. HICKEY.
The Lord is come with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainer walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advance. Jude 14-15-16. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign will be given but the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Noah knew and warned the people; remember some one else will know. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth His secrets to His servants, the prophets. Whereby, when ye regard, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch and pray. MRS. WM. WHITTREDGE
—The Lima Times Democrat, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1905.
WAIT FOR WORLD TO END
Decatur, Ind., March 9. — Waiting for the world to come to an end and advocating the creed of their sect, several families, under the leadership of William Whittredge, formerly of Elgin, Ohio, are preparing for the millennium, which they say will be here in April. The little band has no name, but its members apparently are sincere in their belief. When Whittredge and his followers came here quietly several weeks ago they attracted little attention, but it was noticed that the entire band of three families was housed in one dwelling. Then the people of the neighborhood began to wonder. It was made known yesterday that the strangers were simply waiting for the world to come to an end and tracts were scattered over the city warning residents that the end is expected in April. The followers of Whittredge in preaching their doctrine point to revelations, and on the tracts they distribute are printed quotations from the bible. The members of the band are all intelligent and well informed.
—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, March 9, 1905, p. 9.
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.
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