1914
The story of the resurrection of Christ, as recorded by the Disciples, was the product of Peter's imagination and zealous faith, according to Lucius Hopkins Miller, professor of Biblical instruction at Princeton University, in an article in the Biblical World just released by the University of Chicago Press.
The article is entitled "Life of Jesus in the Light of Modern Criticism."
Prof. Miller maintains that Jesus rose merely in the spirit and not in the body, and the story of the empty grave is a myth. He describes the impressions produced on the minds of the Apostles following Christ's crucifixion as a "series of visions."
—Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, Feb. 20, 1914.
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Science Seeks Name to Give Mystic Energy
1921
Theosophical Lecturer Tells of Scramble to Identify Mysterious Force
Eugene W. Munson, of the National Theosophical Society, lectured on theosophy in the auditorium of the City Library Monday night. Weather conditions prevented a very large attendance.
Mr. Munson spoke on "The Hidden Side of Things." For several years he has been traveling in the United States. His lecture tonight will be illustrated with slides.
"The search today for that mysterious energy back of living forms is a scramble. Practically all schools of modern science and philosophy are in the hunt. And these schools have given the thing for which they are searching a name. Science calls it energy. New Thought calls it Mind, Spiritualists say it is the spirit, psychologists call in the subconscious mind, and Christian Scientists call it Divine Mind. Theosophists agree with all of them. We see a grand scheme of evolution in which Divine Life, manifesting as the sons of God, wells up through myriads of forms with its outward going energy. This intangible potency, eternal mystery, or indwelling life is the thing for which men search."
Mr. Munson said that the method by which this "Spirit" contracted matter was complex and worthy of considerable study. He told and illustrated how vibrations tended to run up and down the scale, reflecting into the higher as well as the lower forms.
—The Capital Times, Madison, Wisconsin, Oct. 11, 1921, p. 3.
Theosophical Lecturer Tells of Scramble to Identify Mysterious Force
Eugene W. Munson, of the National Theosophical Society, lectured on theosophy in the auditorium of the City Library Monday night. Weather conditions prevented a very large attendance.
Mr. Munson spoke on "The Hidden Side of Things." For several years he has been traveling in the United States. His lecture tonight will be illustrated with slides.
"The search today for that mysterious energy back of living forms is a scramble. Practically all schools of modern science and philosophy are in the hunt. And these schools have given the thing for which they are searching a name. Science calls it energy. New Thought calls it Mind, Spiritualists say it is the spirit, psychologists call in the subconscious mind, and Christian Scientists call it Divine Mind. Theosophists agree with all of them. We see a grand scheme of evolution in which Divine Life, manifesting as the sons of God, wells up through myriads of forms with its outward going energy. This intangible potency, eternal mystery, or indwelling life is the thing for which men search."
Mr. Munson said that the method by which this "Spirit" contracted matter was complex and worthy of considerable study. He told and illustrated how vibrations tended to run up and down the scale, reflecting into the higher as well as the lower forms.
—The Capital Times, Madison, Wisconsin, Oct. 11, 1921, p. 3.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Cult Has Christ in Rockford with Holy Ghost Children
Rockford, Illinois, 1889
Note: The first article mentions Rock Island but the actual place should have been Rockford. And the minister said to be the Son of God's name is missing an "i" that should be there, making it Schweinfurth. And I left the capitalization on "holy ghost" as published.
Something New for Rock Island
Of all the cranks that ever lived on the face of the earth Minneapolis has the worst, according to dispatches from there. His name is C. C. Whitney and he has a crazy idea in his head that Christ is on earth again in the flesh. He says that he lives in Rock Island and is a minister there by the name of Rev. G. J. Schwenfurth. Now we do not know whether there is such a man in Rock Island or not nor do we know anything further for or against him but Rock Island seems to be a queer place to select for the residence of the Christ. It is said that this man Whitney has succeeded in converting a number of people to his way of thinking.
—Davenport Morning Tribune, Davenport, IA, Feb. 16, 1889, p. 3.
MISS WELDON'S "HOLY CHILD"
Apostle Whitney Talks About the Latest Addition to Schweinfurth's Family
C. C. Whitney, the Minneapolis apostle of George J. Schweinfurth, has been seen and asked to explain the recent occurrence in Schweinfurth's household in Rockford, "the child born to Mary Weldon."
In reply Mr. Whitney said, "It was conceived by the holy ghost and born without sin. Miss Weldon is one of the redeemed."
"But did the holy ghost act through Mr. Schweinfurth?"
"That I am not prepared to say. The ways of God are inscrutable, but what I do say is we are no freelovers. We believe that absolute chastity should be the attribute of both sexes. We live perfectly pure, chaste lives."
"But how about man and wife, don't the members of your church who are married live together and raise children?"
"No, they do not. Any married couple bringing forth children would be considered guilty of adultery."
"But how about Miss Weldon?"
"That is different. She is one of the redeemed. The 'sanctified,' as St. Paul put it. None but the redeemed can bear children. These children are pure because they are conceived by the holy ghost, just as Jesus Christ was nearly 1,900 years ago."
"But how do you know Miss Weldon is redeemed or sanctified?"
"Because the spirit has announced that fact. It told her so three years ago when Mr. Schweinfurth was in Alpena, Mich."
"How many members of your church are redeemed?"
"I could not state positively, perhaps twelve or fifteen."
"Are any of them men?"
"None except Mr. Schweinfurth. Of course he is, as he is the son of God. The same spirit dwells in him that dwelt in Jesus Christ."
"Then do you claim that Mary Weldon was not approached by Mr. Schweinfurth and that he is not the physical father of her child?"
"I don't claim anything about which I don't know, but I know that child was conceived by the holy ghost."
"Do you think Miss Weldon would have borne that child if she had not seen a man for a year or two previous?"
"I do. I believe Miss Weldon to be, as she says she is, perfectly chaste."
"How, then, will the race be perpetuated?"
"By the holy ghost."
"The holy ghost will beget all the children when everybody is redeemed?"
"Yes, most certainly."
"What will man's function be? Wouldn't such an arrangement be considered rather partial?"
"I can't say as to that. All this is very mysterious. We can't divine God's purpose."
—Sioux Valley News, Correctionville, Iowa, Aug. 28, 1890, p. 1.
Note: In this article online, the writer says there was a cultish commune known as "Heaven," headed by George Jacob Schweinfurth, in Rockford. Some other interesting details are given there, including the cult eventually fading away and Schweinfurth moving to Chicago to sell real estate.
Note: The first article mentions Rock Island but the actual place should have been Rockford. And the minister said to be the Son of God's name is missing an "i" that should be there, making it Schweinfurth. And I left the capitalization on "holy ghost" as published.
Something New for Rock Island
Of all the cranks that ever lived on the face of the earth Minneapolis has the worst, according to dispatches from there. His name is C. C. Whitney and he has a crazy idea in his head that Christ is on earth again in the flesh. He says that he lives in Rock Island and is a minister there by the name of Rev. G. J. Schwenfurth. Now we do not know whether there is such a man in Rock Island or not nor do we know anything further for or against him but Rock Island seems to be a queer place to select for the residence of the Christ. It is said that this man Whitney has succeeded in converting a number of people to his way of thinking.
—Davenport Morning Tribune, Davenport, IA, Feb. 16, 1889, p. 3.
MISS WELDON'S "HOLY CHILD"
Apostle Whitney Talks About the Latest Addition to Schweinfurth's Family
C. C. Whitney, the Minneapolis apostle of George J. Schweinfurth, has been seen and asked to explain the recent occurrence in Schweinfurth's household in Rockford, "the child born to Mary Weldon."
In reply Mr. Whitney said, "It was conceived by the holy ghost and born without sin. Miss Weldon is one of the redeemed."
"But did the holy ghost act through Mr. Schweinfurth?"
"That I am not prepared to say. The ways of God are inscrutable, but what I do say is we are no freelovers. We believe that absolute chastity should be the attribute of both sexes. We live perfectly pure, chaste lives."
"But how about man and wife, don't the members of your church who are married live together and raise children?"
"No, they do not. Any married couple bringing forth children would be considered guilty of adultery."
"But how about Miss Weldon?"
"That is different. She is one of the redeemed. The 'sanctified,' as St. Paul put it. None but the redeemed can bear children. These children are pure because they are conceived by the holy ghost, just as Jesus Christ was nearly 1,900 years ago."
"But how do you know Miss Weldon is redeemed or sanctified?"
"Because the spirit has announced that fact. It told her so three years ago when Mr. Schweinfurth was in Alpena, Mich."
"How many members of your church are redeemed?"
"I could not state positively, perhaps twelve or fifteen."
"Are any of them men?"
"None except Mr. Schweinfurth. Of course he is, as he is the son of God. The same spirit dwells in him that dwelt in Jesus Christ."
"Then do you claim that Mary Weldon was not approached by Mr. Schweinfurth and that he is not the physical father of her child?"
"I don't claim anything about which I don't know, but I know that child was conceived by the holy ghost."
"Do you think Miss Weldon would have borne that child if she had not seen a man for a year or two previous?"
"I do. I believe Miss Weldon to be, as she says she is, perfectly chaste."
"How, then, will the race be perpetuated?"
"By the holy ghost."
"The holy ghost will beget all the children when everybody is redeemed?"
"Yes, most certainly."
"What will man's function be? Wouldn't such an arrangement be considered rather partial?"
"I can't say as to that. All this is very mysterious. We can't divine God's purpose."
—Sioux Valley News, Correctionville, Iowa, Aug. 28, 1890, p. 1.
Note: In this article online, the writer says there was a cultish commune known as "Heaven," headed by George Jacob Schweinfurth, in Rockford. Some other interesting details are given there, including the cult eventually fading away and Schweinfurth moving to Chicago to sell real estate.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Tricks of the Medicine Men
1910
Secrets Are Revealed to Them In Dreams
A young Indian, who is ambitious to become a doctor, and finally a prophet, learns from his father or other members of his tribe, the name and medicinal properties of some herb, says a writer in the Denver Field and Farm. He can also, by presenting a sufficient number of ponies to a medicine man, prevail upon the doctor to impart the secret of the herbs to him. Frequently Indians allege that the secret is revealed to them in a dream, or by a bird or an animal. After procuring it, the novice is prepared to begin the practice of medicine. Success in their opinion is only possible with the aid of the Great Spirit, and in order to invoke the help of the supernatural they resort to various sacrifices.
For instance, there is the practice of ascending a butte or other elevation and lying with the face to the ground for several days without food or until they are completely exhausted. During this period they profess to have been taught some song or the Great Spirit conversed with them through a bird, wild animal or reptile. They frequently allege that wolves come to them and howl and that they understand what the animals say. While treating a patient they place tobacco in little pouches which they tie with sinew. These are painted brilliant colors and fastened to willow sticks about the size of the shaft of an arrow, but somewhat longer.
The Earliest Religion
Religion was at first purely dogmatic, an affair of the family, pure and simple. The gods were the dead ancestors, and the worship consisted of the perpetual care of the hearth fire and the graves of the departed relatives. It was the ancient belief (the most ancient, so far as we know) that the departed ancestors continued to live in or about the tomb, and that their peace and happiness depended absolutely upon the care with which their posterity looked after their worship. If the hearth fire was allowed to die down, or the tomb was neglected, or the food and drink were not faithfully taken to the tomb, their existence became a wretched one; whereas, if these things were carefully attended to, all was serene with them. There is much to show that this domestic belief obtained for a long time before the belief in God and a future life came in. — Chicago American.
Secrets Are Revealed to Them In Dreams
A young Indian, who is ambitious to become a doctor, and finally a prophet, learns from his father or other members of his tribe, the name and medicinal properties of some herb, says a writer in the Denver Field and Farm. He can also, by presenting a sufficient number of ponies to a medicine man, prevail upon the doctor to impart the secret of the herbs to him. Frequently Indians allege that the secret is revealed to them in a dream, or by a bird or an animal. After procuring it, the novice is prepared to begin the practice of medicine. Success in their opinion is only possible with the aid of the Great Spirit, and in order to invoke the help of the supernatural they resort to various sacrifices.
For instance, there is the practice of ascending a butte or other elevation and lying with the face to the ground for several days without food or until they are completely exhausted. During this period they profess to have been taught some song or the Great Spirit conversed with them through a bird, wild animal or reptile. They frequently allege that wolves come to them and howl and that they understand what the animals say. While treating a patient they place tobacco in little pouches which they tie with sinew. These are painted brilliant colors and fastened to willow sticks about the size of the shaft of an arrow, but somewhat longer.
The Earliest Religion
Religion was at first purely dogmatic, an affair of the family, pure and simple. The gods were the dead ancestors, and the worship consisted of the perpetual care of the hearth fire and the graves of the departed relatives. It was the ancient belief (the most ancient, so far as we know) that the departed ancestors continued to live in or about the tomb, and that their peace and happiness depended absolutely upon the care with which their posterity looked after their worship. If the hearth fire was allowed to die down, or the tomb was neglected, or the food and drink were not faithfully taken to the tomb, their existence became a wretched one; whereas, if these things were carefully attended to, all was serene with them. There is much to show that this domestic belief obtained for a long time before the belief in God and a future life came in. — Chicago American.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Religious Thought — Gems Gathered From Denominations
1909
Conscience
A guilty conscience makes cowards of us all, but a clean conscience makes heroes of men. — W. P. Hines, Baptist, Lexington, Ky.
Woman's Purity
Like a calla lily so is the purity radiating from the character and life of a good woman, changing the atmosphere about her and making the world better for her having lived in it — Rev. W. M. Vines, Baptist, Brooklyn.
Revealer of Man.
The house is the revealer and developer of man. Beasts have dens, birds have nests, and men have homes. A man shows what he is by the kind of house he builds around himself. — Rev. Dr. Radcliffe, Presbyterian, Washington.
Fault Mending Time
Now is the time to fill up the valleys of carelessness by mending numerous little faults; also it is the fitting time to level the mountains of pride and practice the virtue of humility at all times. — Archbishop Keane, Roman Catholic, Dubuque, Ia.
Spirit of Wisdom
By the term "spirit of wisdom" is meant not merely a wise-spirit, though so much is, of course, implied, but a spirit which is essentially wise even in its temper and action. — Rev. C. W. McCormick, Methodist Episcopal, Brooklyn.
Soul Perfection
Virtue can never be accumulated by self seeking. No soul can come far on its way toward perfection until it shall devote its enthusiasm to the unselfish service of humanity, until it shall learn that its task is to reach every man. — Rev. Ira J. Houston, Congregationalist, Cleveland, O.
Church Valor Theories
We all need to be told now and then to get the cobwebs out of our brains. There are cobweb theories of life, false and foolish philosophies of life, possible only to those who have prostrated themselves before an idol of the theater. There is nothing virtuous in suffering for its own sake. God does not envy you your happiness. Pains which must be borne should be borne heroically. Don't be afraid to be happy. — Rev. Charles F. Aked, Baptist, New York.
Conscience
A guilty conscience makes cowards of us all, but a clean conscience makes heroes of men. — W. P. Hines, Baptist, Lexington, Ky.
Woman's Purity
Like a calla lily so is the purity radiating from the character and life of a good woman, changing the atmosphere about her and making the world better for her having lived in it — Rev. W. M. Vines, Baptist, Brooklyn.
Revealer of Man.
The house is the revealer and developer of man. Beasts have dens, birds have nests, and men have homes. A man shows what he is by the kind of house he builds around himself. — Rev. Dr. Radcliffe, Presbyterian, Washington.
Fault Mending Time
Now is the time to fill up the valleys of carelessness by mending numerous little faults; also it is the fitting time to level the mountains of pride and practice the virtue of humility at all times. — Archbishop Keane, Roman Catholic, Dubuque, Ia.
Spirit of Wisdom
By the term "spirit of wisdom" is meant not merely a wise-spirit, though so much is, of course, implied, but a spirit which is essentially wise even in its temper and action. — Rev. C. W. McCormick, Methodist Episcopal, Brooklyn.
Soul Perfection
Virtue can never be accumulated by self seeking. No soul can come far on its way toward perfection until it shall devote its enthusiasm to the unselfish service of humanity, until it shall learn that its task is to reach every man. — Rev. Ira J. Houston, Congregationalist, Cleveland, O.
Church Valor Theories
We all need to be told now and then to get the cobwebs out of our brains. There are cobweb theories of life, false and foolish philosophies of life, possible only to those who have prostrated themselves before an idol of the theater. There is nothing virtuous in suffering for its own sake. God does not envy you your happiness. Pains which must be borne should be borne heroically. Don't be afraid to be happy. — Rev. Charles F. Aked, Baptist, New York.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Blasts From Ram's Horn: Misfortunes Are God's Call
1903
Misfortunes are God's call to new ministries.
The broad mind will not have the big head.
What we gain in form we may lose in force.
The indulgence of the flesh dwarfs the spirit.
The man who never begins never has to break off.
Stolen fruits are sweet only to a deranged appetite.
External forms of religion often mark its extinct fires.
To pander to the lower faculties is to paralyze the higher.
Some people are planning already to move for a change of administration when they get to heaven.
Misfortunes are God's call to new ministries.
The broad mind will not have the big head.
What we gain in form we may lose in force.
The indulgence of the flesh dwarfs the spirit.
The man who never begins never has to break off.
Stolen fruits are sweet only to a deranged appetite.
External forms of religion often mark its extinct fires.
To pander to the lower faculties is to paralyze the higher.
Some people are planning already to move for a change of administration when they get to heaven.
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