Stevens Point, Wisconsin, May 22, 1907
Information has been received by local friends from Rev. L. J. Pescinski that he sailed from Europe on May 11. He intends to stop at some of the larger cities enroute from the east and is expected here the last of May.
The ladies of the Presbyterian church will give a baby show on Tuesday, June 4, in Mr. Andrae's vacant store in the Opera House block. All babies entered must be under four years of age.
The vestrymen of the Episcopal church have extended a call to Rev. E. M. Thompson to take charge of the Church of the Intercession, but no formal acceptance has as yet been received. The reverend gentleman is now located at Wausau.
The Epworth League will give a "Rubber Social," Friday evening. May 21th, at the M. E. church. Everybody cordially invited. A program will be given. Admission fee: bring old rubbers. Refreshments, 10 cents.
—The Gazette, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, May 22, 1907.
Monday, April 23, 2007
In The Churches Tomorrow - "Building a Skyscraper"
Warren, Pennsylvania, 1928
GOSPEL TENT MEETING
Franklin St. Ext. and Conewango Ave. First service of the Sabbath Day will be at 3:00 P. M. Robert S. Conley will conduct the singing and give special selections. At this service Evangelist A. L. White will preach a special message on "Building a Skyscraper." Prayer and Praise service at 7:15 P. M. Regular preaching service at 7:45 P. M.
SWEDISH CONGREGATIONAL
Market Street Near Third, J. H. Lundgren, pastor. Sunday school 10 A. M. Main school theme: "Joseph's Humiliation and Elevation." Chas. Waterbrant, superintendent.
Morning worship, 11 a. m., and evening service, 7:30 o'clock. After the morning service the Lord's supper will be observed. Rev. A. G. Nelson from Sugar Grove, will occupy the pulpit at both morning and evening services. The choir will sing.
Wednesday evening, 7:30, prayer service.
Thursday afternoon, the Ladies Aid will meet in the church parlors at 2:30 o'clock. Mrs. Chas. Waterbrant will entertain.
All are very welcome to our different services and meetings.
NORTH WARREN PRESBYTERIAN
J. C. Howenstein, pastor. "The Great I Am," will be the subject of the sermon at the morning worship service at 11 A. M. The choir will render an anthem.
Sunday school precedes this service at 10 A. M. This is the best place for the entire family on Sunday mornings.
A series of sermons begins this Sunday evening at 7:30, on the general theme, "What Protestants and Roman Catholics are saying about each other."
The subject on this Sunday evening is "How Many Sacraments Are There—Seven, Two or None?" On subsequent evenings the topics will be "Material Objects as Aids in Worship," "The Question of Infallibility," "The Church and Government Control," "The Church and the Political Situation."
The regular meeting of Presbytery occurs on Monday and Tuesday at Erie in the Sarah Hearn Memorial church and the pastor is to attend.
Wednesday evening meeting of prayer and conference at 7:30.
The church makes no apology for its existence; will you be a worshipper Sunday?
—The Warren Tribune, Warren, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1928, page 9.
GOSPEL TENT MEETING
Franklin St. Ext. and Conewango Ave. First service of the Sabbath Day will be at 3:00 P. M. Robert S. Conley will conduct the singing and give special selections. At this service Evangelist A. L. White will preach a special message on "Building a Skyscraper." Prayer and Praise service at 7:15 P. M. Regular preaching service at 7:45 P. M.
SWEDISH CONGREGATIONAL
Market Street Near Third, J. H. Lundgren, pastor. Sunday school 10 A. M. Main school theme: "Joseph's Humiliation and Elevation." Chas. Waterbrant, superintendent.
Morning worship, 11 a. m., and evening service, 7:30 o'clock. After the morning service the Lord's supper will be observed. Rev. A. G. Nelson from Sugar Grove, will occupy the pulpit at both morning and evening services. The choir will sing.
Wednesday evening, 7:30, prayer service.
Thursday afternoon, the Ladies Aid will meet in the church parlors at 2:30 o'clock. Mrs. Chas. Waterbrant will entertain.
All are very welcome to our different services and meetings.
NORTH WARREN PRESBYTERIAN
J. C. Howenstein, pastor. "The Great I Am," will be the subject of the sermon at the morning worship service at 11 A. M. The choir will render an anthem.
Sunday school precedes this service at 10 A. M. This is the best place for the entire family on Sunday mornings.
A series of sermons begins this Sunday evening at 7:30, on the general theme, "What Protestants and Roman Catholics are saying about each other."
The subject on this Sunday evening is "How Many Sacraments Are There—Seven, Two or None?" On subsequent evenings the topics will be "Material Objects as Aids in Worship," "The Question of Infallibility," "The Church and Government Control," "The Church and the Political Situation."
The regular meeting of Presbytery occurs on Monday and Tuesday at Erie in the Sarah Hearn Memorial church and the pastor is to attend.
Wednesday evening meeting of prayer and conference at 7:30.
The church makes no apology for its existence; will you be a worshipper Sunday?
—The Warren Tribune, Warren, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1928, page 9.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Epitaph on One Busy Pastor's Tombstone
1915
Pastor's Busy Life
The epitaph on the tombstone of the late Dr. Rees Bronant, in Cardiganshire, sets out the following facts in Welsh: He christened 1,496 children, he buried 1,792 persons, he preached 8,000 sermons, he spoke 271 times on total abstinence, he paid hundreds of pounds of chapel debts by lectures.
Power of Ideal
No one can cherish an ideal, and devote himself to its realization from year to year, and strive and struggle and make sacrifices for its attainment, without undergoing a certain gracious transformation, of which the highest powers must be aware and men can hardly miss. — John White Chadwick.
The Fiery Cross
The fiery cross was an ancient summons to arms used in the Scottish Highlands, and was sent by swift messengers from place to place. It was a small cross of light wood, the extremities of which were set on fire, and then dipped in the blood of a goat. This custom is said to have also been in use among the Goths.
Daily Thought
Every man stamps his value on himself; the price we challenge for ourselves is given us. — Schiller.
Pastor's Busy Life
The epitaph on the tombstone of the late Dr. Rees Bronant, in Cardiganshire, sets out the following facts in Welsh: He christened 1,496 children, he buried 1,792 persons, he preached 8,000 sermons, he spoke 271 times on total abstinence, he paid hundreds of pounds of chapel debts by lectures.
Power of Ideal
No one can cherish an ideal, and devote himself to its realization from year to year, and strive and struggle and make sacrifices for its attainment, without undergoing a certain gracious transformation, of which the highest powers must be aware and men can hardly miss. — John White Chadwick.
The Fiery Cross
The fiery cross was an ancient summons to arms used in the Scottish Highlands, and was sent by swift messengers from place to place. It was a small cross of light wood, the extremities of which were set on fire, and then dipped in the blood of a goat. This custom is said to have also been in use among the Goths.
Daily Thought
Every man stamps his value on himself; the price we challenge for ourselves is given us. — Schiller.
The Prophesied Completeness
1915
We rejoice in life because it seems to be carrying us somewhere; because its darkness seems to be rolling on toward light, and even its pain to be moving onward to a hidden joy. We bear with incompleteness because of the completion which is prophesied and hoped for. — Phillips Brooks.
Merit In Overcoming Obstacles
To seek to do only the easy things of life a foolish and suicidal choice, for anybody, even a nonentity, can do these things. Let us care, rather, to do things, the overcoming of which will bring to us moral strength, a tested fortitude, and a wider experience of the deeper meanings of human life. — Christian Register.
Daily Thoughts
People who are nobly happy constitute the power, the beauty and the foundation of the state. — Jean Finot.
To travel hopefully is a better than to arrive. — Robert Louis Stevenson.
The one enemy we have in this universe is stupidity, darkness of mind, of which darkness there are many sources, every sin a source and probably self-conceit the chief source. — Carlyle.
Our Faults
Our worst fault, says a great writer, is not seeing that we have any. There can be no repentance over wrongs and ill condition when we are sure that the blame rests entirely with some one else, and the spirit that is satisfied with its own goodness and attainments ceases to grow. The struggle to overcome faults and weaknesses is hard, but to feel no need for such struggle is death.
Giant Mummy In Japan
One of the most interesting exhibits at the aisho exposition held at Tokyo was a giant mummy enclosed in a large, square coffin. The figure measured about eight feet in height. This relic was obtained by a Japanese explorer at a Buddhist temple in the province of Kiangsi. Experts support the claim that the mummy is that of a famous monk who lived at the beginning of the Christian era.
We rejoice in life because it seems to be carrying us somewhere; because its darkness seems to be rolling on toward light, and even its pain to be moving onward to a hidden joy. We bear with incompleteness because of the completion which is prophesied and hoped for. — Phillips Brooks.
Merit In Overcoming Obstacles
To seek to do only the easy things of life a foolish and suicidal choice, for anybody, even a nonentity, can do these things. Let us care, rather, to do things, the overcoming of which will bring to us moral strength, a tested fortitude, and a wider experience of the deeper meanings of human life. — Christian Register.
Daily Thoughts
People who are nobly happy constitute the power, the beauty and the foundation of the state. — Jean Finot.
To travel hopefully is a better than to arrive. — Robert Louis Stevenson.
The one enemy we have in this universe is stupidity, darkness of mind, of which darkness there are many sources, every sin a source and probably self-conceit the chief source. — Carlyle.
Our Faults
Our worst fault, says a great writer, is not seeing that we have any. There can be no repentance over wrongs and ill condition when we are sure that the blame rests entirely with some one else, and the spirit that is satisfied with its own goodness and attainments ceases to grow. The struggle to overcome faults and weaknesses is hard, but to feel no need for such struggle is death.
Giant Mummy In Japan
One of the most interesting exhibits at the aisho exposition held at Tokyo was a giant mummy enclosed in a large, square coffin. The figure measured about eight feet in height. This relic was obtained by a Japanese explorer at a Buddhist temple in the province of Kiangsi. Experts support the claim that the mummy is that of a famous monk who lived at the beginning of the Christian era.
The Rural Church
1915
The Farmers The Custodians of the Nation's Morality
Co-operation of Church, School and Press Essential to Community Building
By Peter Radford
Lecturer National Farmers' Union
The church, the press and the school form a triple alliance of progress that guides the destiny of every community, state and nation. Without them civilization would wither and die and through them life may attain its greatest blessing, power and knowledge. The farmers of this nation are greatly indebted to this social triumvirate for their uplifting influence, and on behalf of the American plowmen I want to thank those engaged in these high callings for their able and efficient service, and I shall offer to the press a series of articles on co-operation between these important influences and the farmers in the hope of increasing the efficiency of all by mutual understanding and organized effort. We will take up, first, the rural church.
The Farmers Are Great Church Builders.
The American farmer is the greatest church builder the world has ever known. He is the custodian of the nation's morality; upon his shoulders rests the "ark of the covenant" and he is more responsive to religious influences than any other class of citizenship.
The farmers of this nation have built 120,000 churches at a cost of $750,000,000, and the annual contribution of the nation toward all church institutions approximates $200,000,000 per annum. The farmers of the United States build 22 churches per day. There are 20,000,000 rural church communicants on the farm, and 54 per cent of the total membership of all churches reside in the country.
The farm is the power-house of all progress and the birthplace of all that is noble. The Garden of Eden was in the country and the man who would get close to God must first get close to nature.
The Functions of a Rural Church.
If the rural churches today are going to render a service which this age demands, there must be co-operation between the religious, social and economic life of the community.
The church to attain its fullest measure of success must enrich the lives of the people in the community it serves; it must build character; develop thought and increase the efficiency of human life, it must serve the social, business and intellectual, as well as the spiritual and moral side of life. If religion does not make a man more capable, more useful and more just, what good is it? We want a practical religion, one we can live by and farm by, as well as die by.
Fewer and Better Churches.
Blessed is that rural community which has but one place of worship. While competition is the life of trade, it is death to the rural church and moral starvation to the community. Petty sectarianism is a scourge that blights the life, and the church prejudice saps the vitality, of many communities. An over-churched community is a crime against religion, a serious handicap to society and a useless tax upon agriculture.
While denominations are essential and church pride commendable, the high teaching of universal Christianity must prevail if the rural church is to fulfill its mission to agriculture.
We frequently have three or four churches in a community which is not able to adequately support one. Small congregations attend services once a month and all fail to perform the religious functions of the community. The division of religious forces and the breaking into fragments of moral efforts is ofttimes little less than a calamity and defeats the very purpose they seek to promote.
The evils of too many churches can be minimized by cooperation. The social and economic life of a rural community are respective units and cannot be successfully divided by denominational lines, and the churches can only occupy this important field by co-operation and co-ordination.
The efficient country church will definitely serve its community by leading in all worthy efforts at community building, in uniting the people in all co-operative endeavors for the general welfare of the community and in arousing a real love for country life and loyalty to the country home and these results can only be successfully accomplished by the united effort of the press, the school, the church and farmers.
The Farmers The Custodians of the Nation's Morality
Co-operation of Church, School and Press Essential to Community Building
By Peter Radford
Lecturer National Farmers' Union
The church, the press and the school form a triple alliance of progress that guides the destiny of every community, state and nation. Without them civilization would wither and die and through them life may attain its greatest blessing, power and knowledge. The farmers of this nation are greatly indebted to this social triumvirate for their uplifting influence, and on behalf of the American plowmen I want to thank those engaged in these high callings for their able and efficient service, and I shall offer to the press a series of articles on co-operation between these important influences and the farmers in the hope of increasing the efficiency of all by mutual understanding and organized effort. We will take up, first, the rural church.
The Farmers Are Great Church Builders.
The American farmer is the greatest church builder the world has ever known. He is the custodian of the nation's morality; upon his shoulders rests the "ark of the covenant" and he is more responsive to religious influences than any other class of citizenship.
The farmers of this nation have built 120,000 churches at a cost of $750,000,000, and the annual contribution of the nation toward all church institutions approximates $200,000,000 per annum. The farmers of the United States build 22 churches per day. There are 20,000,000 rural church communicants on the farm, and 54 per cent of the total membership of all churches reside in the country.
The farm is the power-house of all progress and the birthplace of all that is noble. The Garden of Eden was in the country and the man who would get close to God must first get close to nature.
The Functions of a Rural Church.
If the rural churches today are going to render a service which this age demands, there must be co-operation between the religious, social and economic life of the community.
The church to attain its fullest measure of success must enrich the lives of the people in the community it serves; it must build character; develop thought and increase the efficiency of human life, it must serve the social, business and intellectual, as well as the spiritual and moral side of life. If religion does not make a man more capable, more useful and more just, what good is it? We want a practical religion, one we can live by and farm by, as well as die by.
Fewer and Better Churches.
Blessed is that rural community which has but one place of worship. While competition is the life of trade, it is death to the rural church and moral starvation to the community. Petty sectarianism is a scourge that blights the life, and the church prejudice saps the vitality, of many communities. An over-churched community is a crime against religion, a serious handicap to society and a useless tax upon agriculture.
While denominations are essential and church pride commendable, the high teaching of universal Christianity must prevail if the rural church is to fulfill its mission to agriculture.
We frequently have three or four churches in a community which is not able to adequately support one. Small congregations attend services once a month and all fail to perform the religious functions of the community. The division of religious forces and the breaking into fragments of moral efforts is ofttimes little less than a calamity and defeats the very purpose they seek to promote.
The evils of too many churches can be minimized by cooperation. The social and economic life of a rural community are respective units and cannot be successfully divided by denominational lines, and the churches can only occupy this important field by co-operation and co-ordination.
The efficient country church will definitely serve its community by leading in all worthy efforts at community building, in uniting the people in all co-operative endeavors for the general welfare of the community and in arousing a real love for country life and loyalty to the country home and these results can only be successfully accomplished by the united effort of the press, the school, the church and farmers.
Proctor Tells Negroes of Life's Best Things
Atlanta, 1915
"Some Things Better Than Money," was the subject of Rev. H. H. Proctor at the First Congregational church, colored, last night.
Among other things, he said:
"Money is such a good thing and so hard to get on without that it is hard to convince a man out of a job, for instance, that there is anything better. And yet, we need not disparage this material thing to show that in the spiritual realm there are things much better. To have good health, good sense, a good name, a good conscience and a good character is better than all the money in this world. And yet, these do not exclude money. Rather they are the foundation stones on which we shall surely get all the money we need. These things are measurably in reach of all, even the humblest. They are the heritage of every human being. The Master of men commands us to seek them with all our heart, and, finding them, to use them for the service of our fellow men. That is the finest thing life has to offer any man."
Rev. Frank T. Lee, of Chicago, will begin a course of lectures tonight on "A Bird's-eye View of Old Testament History."
—The Atlantic Constitution, January 11, 1915, page 7.
"Some Things Better Than Money," was the subject of Rev. H. H. Proctor at the First Congregational church, colored, last night.
Among other things, he said:
"Money is such a good thing and so hard to get on without that it is hard to convince a man out of a job, for instance, that there is anything better. And yet, we need not disparage this material thing to show that in the spiritual realm there are things much better. To have good health, good sense, a good name, a good conscience and a good character is better than all the money in this world. And yet, these do not exclude money. Rather they are the foundation stones on which we shall surely get all the money we need. These things are measurably in reach of all, even the humblest. They are the heritage of every human being. The Master of men commands us to seek them with all our heart, and, finding them, to use them for the service of our fellow men. That is the finest thing life has to offer any man."
Rev. Frank T. Lee, of Chicago, will begin a course of lectures tonight on "A Bird's-eye View of Old Testament History."
—The Atlantic Constitution, January 11, 1915, page 7.
Death and the Hereafter
Butte, Montana, 1906
THE MEANING OF DEATH AND THE FUTURE LIFE
FACTS ABOUT EXISTENCE BEYOND THE GRAVE
ARE DEFINITELY KNOWN
Claim that it is possible to obtain information at first hand about these most perplexing problems of humanity
That very many people in Butte have become interested in the theosophical and scientific lectures being given by Henry Hotchner, under the auspices of the Butte Theosophical society, was again evidenced last evening by the big audience that filled Orton hall to hear Mr. Hotchner speak on the subject of "Death and the Hereafter." Mr. Hotchner claims that it has been demonstrated that life on the other side of death is just as real and active as life in the physical world, and that the "dead" are as much alive as they ever were.
Meaning of Death
"Though the public as a whole is not yet aware of the fact, the meaning of death and the character of man's existence thereafter are as definitely known and understood as the other truths in nature," said Mr. Hotchner. "This vitally important information, illuminating as it does one of the most perplexing problems of life, is the result of a most thorough investigation conducted by trained observers for a period of many years, and all the facts are now classified and arranged in a scientific manner.
Evidence on Subject
"For a long time evidence has been accumulating as to the certainty of existence after death and as to the nature of that existence. In the literature of almost every nation we have repeated assertions made of the return of the dead as apparitions. W. R. Stead's 'Real Ghost Stories' is an important contribution to that literature, and many well-attested tales can be found in it. Genuine phenomena of spiritualism, involving, as they sometimes do, actual return of the dead in materializations so that they can be seen, touched and spoken to, also furnish valuable evidence on the subject.
Beyond the Grave
"But far more important and reliable than these methods is the scientific examination of after-death conditions that has been made by trained theosophical investigators. These students, by right living and right education, have developed higher faculties and powers that enable them to penetrate the world of the dead and to report the facts as they are. A number of these have been working together for many years, verifying each other's observations and carefully tabulating and classifying the phenomena, and in C. W. Leadbeater's 'Astral Plane' and 'The Other Side of Death' the results of that work are to be found. It is indeed gratifying to know that the world beyond the grave is governed by law, as is this world; that the laws are analogous to those here; that the future experience conforms to reason and common sense, and that every person can verify all these facts for himself by fitting himself to do so.
True Man a Soul
"As a consequence of these researches it is established that the true man is a soul and not a physical body, and that the soul is immortal. Death, therefore, is not at all the end of the man's existence, but merely a stage in his progress, and the body is discarded because it has served its necessary purpose of providing experience and knowledge for the soul's growth.
Living After Death
"The man does not, after the death of his body, go to some far distant planet, but he usually remains in the same room and surroundings for quite some time. He is then living in a finer kind of matter than the physical; finer, in fact, than the ether of science. That is called astral matter. It interpenetrates all physical particles and is so rare and tenuous that it cannot be seen by the human eye. The dead man inhabits this realm or plane and is clothed in a body composed of this finer matter. Though he cannot be seen by the average man, he can be very readily perceived and communicated with by the spiritual man who has developed the inner senses and faculties which permit him to see the inhabitants and activities of the astral plane.
Except Without Physical Body
"The dead man is found not to be dead at all, but usually fully alive and conscious of his surroundings. He is not changed at all, in fact he is exactly the same man as before in habits, desires, emotions and aspirations, excepting that he is without the physical body. The life he will lead after his death depends entirely upon himself. The loving father and mother will remain hovering over their children, like guardian angels, pouring love and sympathy and tenderness upon them; doing their best to cheer their sorrowing ones and to assure them that they are alive and not dead. So it is a joyous fact that we are not separated from our loved ones who have died, and that every kind and helpful thought of them reaches them and makes their lives happier.
Now the Time to Decide
"The astral plane life after death is the first stage of the hereafter. It is very much like a purgatory, for its purpose is to cleanse the man of all his lower earthly desires and passions. If these desires were of a low type and had a strong hold on the man during his physical life, they will make him very uncomfortable and unhappy after death, because then he will not have the means wherewith to gratify them. But if they were of a high type, if the man tried to live up to the ideal of a good and useful and unselfish citizen, then his astral plane existence will be a glorious one and he will be able to do much good. By his life here and now man decides what his life will be after death, for the law of cause and effect puts his future into his own hands, and he will assuredly reap as he has sown.
Into the Heaven World
"When the man's stay in the astral plane is over, he passes into the heaven world, which is a realm of matter even finer than the astral. He is the same man as before, excepting that he is purged of lower desires, and he is now to enjoy the fruits of his nobler efforts during life. In this case also the man determines for himself the kind and length of his stay. If on earth he was thoughtful, kind and unselfish, he will have a long stay in the heaven world and will advance much in character and ability. If he had not much of such activities in earth life, his stay will be short. But, in any event, the heaven life is one of the most intense bliss, and its purpose is to enable the man to work into his character the results of his experiences during physical life.
Purpose of Existence
In due course the man will have utilized to the full every good energy and thought of his physical life, and then there will be nothing more to keep him in the heaven world. But that is not the end of things. The purpose of man's existence here is that he shall become perfect in wisdom, power and love, and in order to be that he must have many more experiences on earth. So he returns in this physical world, takes birth in a baby body and is ready for another day in the school of life.
"Thus it is seen that law and order rule in all departments of existence; that there is a reasonable and coherent plan in the world, and that man is to evolve slowly but surely to the perfection of divinity."
Tomorrow night Mr. Hotcher will speak in Anaconda, and next Wednesday evening he will deliver another public lecture at Orton hall in Butte. His subject will be "The Future of Mankind."
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 8, 1906, page 7.
THE MEANING OF DEATH AND THE FUTURE LIFE
FACTS ABOUT EXISTENCE BEYOND THE GRAVE
ARE DEFINITELY KNOWN
Claim that it is possible to obtain information at first hand about these most perplexing problems of humanity
That very many people in Butte have become interested in the theosophical and scientific lectures being given by Henry Hotchner, under the auspices of the Butte Theosophical society, was again evidenced last evening by the big audience that filled Orton hall to hear Mr. Hotchner speak on the subject of "Death and the Hereafter." Mr. Hotchner claims that it has been demonstrated that life on the other side of death is just as real and active as life in the physical world, and that the "dead" are as much alive as they ever were.
Meaning of Death
"Though the public as a whole is not yet aware of the fact, the meaning of death and the character of man's existence thereafter are as definitely known and understood as the other truths in nature," said Mr. Hotchner. "This vitally important information, illuminating as it does one of the most perplexing problems of life, is the result of a most thorough investigation conducted by trained observers for a period of many years, and all the facts are now classified and arranged in a scientific manner.
Evidence on Subject
"For a long time evidence has been accumulating as to the certainty of existence after death and as to the nature of that existence. In the literature of almost every nation we have repeated assertions made of the return of the dead as apparitions. W. R. Stead's 'Real Ghost Stories' is an important contribution to that literature, and many well-attested tales can be found in it. Genuine phenomena of spiritualism, involving, as they sometimes do, actual return of the dead in materializations so that they can be seen, touched and spoken to, also furnish valuable evidence on the subject.
Beyond the Grave
"But far more important and reliable than these methods is the scientific examination of after-death conditions that has been made by trained theosophical investigators. These students, by right living and right education, have developed higher faculties and powers that enable them to penetrate the world of the dead and to report the facts as they are. A number of these have been working together for many years, verifying each other's observations and carefully tabulating and classifying the phenomena, and in C. W. Leadbeater's 'Astral Plane' and 'The Other Side of Death' the results of that work are to be found. It is indeed gratifying to know that the world beyond the grave is governed by law, as is this world; that the laws are analogous to those here; that the future experience conforms to reason and common sense, and that every person can verify all these facts for himself by fitting himself to do so.
True Man a Soul
"As a consequence of these researches it is established that the true man is a soul and not a physical body, and that the soul is immortal. Death, therefore, is not at all the end of the man's existence, but merely a stage in his progress, and the body is discarded because it has served its necessary purpose of providing experience and knowledge for the soul's growth.
Living After Death
"The man does not, after the death of his body, go to some far distant planet, but he usually remains in the same room and surroundings for quite some time. He is then living in a finer kind of matter than the physical; finer, in fact, than the ether of science. That is called astral matter. It interpenetrates all physical particles and is so rare and tenuous that it cannot be seen by the human eye. The dead man inhabits this realm or plane and is clothed in a body composed of this finer matter. Though he cannot be seen by the average man, he can be very readily perceived and communicated with by the spiritual man who has developed the inner senses and faculties which permit him to see the inhabitants and activities of the astral plane.
Except Without Physical Body
"The dead man is found not to be dead at all, but usually fully alive and conscious of his surroundings. He is not changed at all, in fact he is exactly the same man as before in habits, desires, emotions and aspirations, excepting that he is without the physical body. The life he will lead after his death depends entirely upon himself. The loving father and mother will remain hovering over their children, like guardian angels, pouring love and sympathy and tenderness upon them; doing their best to cheer their sorrowing ones and to assure them that they are alive and not dead. So it is a joyous fact that we are not separated from our loved ones who have died, and that every kind and helpful thought of them reaches them and makes their lives happier.
Now the Time to Decide
"The astral plane life after death is the first stage of the hereafter. It is very much like a purgatory, for its purpose is to cleanse the man of all his lower earthly desires and passions. If these desires were of a low type and had a strong hold on the man during his physical life, they will make him very uncomfortable and unhappy after death, because then he will not have the means wherewith to gratify them. But if they were of a high type, if the man tried to live up to the ideal of a good and useful and unselfish citizen, then his astral plane existence will be a glorious one and he will be able to do much good. By his life here and now man decides what his life will be after death, for the law of cause and effect puts his future into his own hands, and he will assuredly reap as he has sown.
Into the Heaven World
"When the man's stay in the astral plane is over, he passes into the heaven world, which is a realm of matter even finer than the astral. He is the same man as before, excepting that he is purged of lower desires, and he is now to enjoy the fruits of his nobler efforts during life. In this case also the man determines for himself the kind and length of his stay. If on earth he was thoughtful, kind and unselfish, he will have a long stay in the heaven world and will advance much in character and ability. If he had not much of such activities in earth life, his stay will be short. But, in any event, the heaven life is one of the most intense bliss, and its purpose is to enable the man to work into his character the results of his experiences during physical life.
Purpose of Existence
In due course the man will have utilized to the full every good energy and thought of his physical life, and then there will be nothing more to keep him in the heaven world. But that is not the end of things. The purpose of man's existence here is that he shall become perfect in wisdom, power and love, and in order to be that he must have many more experiences on earth. So he returns in this physical world, takes birth in a baby body and is ready for another day in the school of life.
"Thus it is seen that law and order rule in all departments of existence; that there is a reasonable and coherent plan in the world, and that man is to evolve slowly but surely to the perfection of divinity."
Tomorrow night Mr. Hotcher will speak in Anaconda, and next Wednesday evening he will deliver another public lecture at Orton hall in Butte. His subject will be "The Future of Mankind."
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 8, 1906, page 7.
Theosophy Satisfies The Religious Instinct
Butte, Montana, 1906
IT WHOLLY SATISFIES THE YEARNING TO KNOW
THEOSOPHY SUPPLIES WHAT OTHER TEACHINGS LACK
THE RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
Longing to know about God and the world and its people an inherent part of human nature — A motive for right living and acting
Henry Hotchner yesterday afternoon gave another public lecture before a very large audience, using for his subject the query, "Does Theosophy Satisfy the Religious Instinct?" Many who heard the lecture pronounced it the most interesting yet delivered by Mr. Hotchner to the public in Butte. Briefly, he said:
"Theosophy certainly does satisfy the religious instinct and satisfy it wholly and rationally. The religious instinct, which is an inherent part of human nature, is the yearning to know about God, about ourselves, about the world in which we live, and about how we must live in order to be happy and useful now and hereafter. Theosophy satisfies this instinct because it provides this information and thus furnishes the motive for right living and acting.
The Great Teachers
"To give such information, to proclaim these facts, is the reason for the coming of the great spiritual teachers, Moses, Christ, Buddha, and others. Each one emphasized such truths as would help certain grades of souls, as would satisfy the religious instinct of the people they wished especially to help. Each one of the 300 or 400 religions in the world is helping certain kinds of people; no one religion could help all.
"The religious instinct based on the needs of the character must necessarily change as the character evolves. The religious instinct of the primitive man is satisfied with far less information than is necessary to satisfy the yearning and demands of the civilized man. The information given to men 2,000 years ago, or 200 years ago, and the manner in which it was given, cannot be completely satisfying now. The grown man cannot be satisfied with the food given to the infant. The religious instinct of the more advanced soul can be satisfied only by more information, greater light, stronger stimulus to right living.
The Modern Thinker
"In order to satisfy the modern thinker, the facts about religion must be presented in exactly the same way as are facts about any other department of knowledge. They must conform to reason, to common sense; they must be harmonious with other laws in nature, and they must explain things and satisfy them. It is because many religions fail to do this, because they insist upon proclaiming statements which are obviously unjust and irrational, that they are not satisfying the religious instinct of many very good people.
"Theosophy is not at all antagonistic to religions. On the contrary, it recognizes that they are helping many people. Theosophy suggests that people search into their own religion for the truths which they seek, even though they might well accept truth from other sources also.
Satisfies Religious Instinct
"Theosophy satisfies the religious instinct wholly because it gives the information which people want. It tells them definitely and accurately why we are here, the nature of the universe, its principal laws, how we should conform to these, what it is necessary to do so as to be happy and useful, what is the future that lies before us, and all other essential truths. It enlarges our previous conceptions of honor, of truth, of duty; it removes our fear of death, it relieves our worries, it lightens our burdens; it stimulates us to greater usefulness and greater happiness."
Tonight Mr. Hotchner will speak at Orton hall on "Death and the Hereafter," the lecture to begin punctually at 8 o'clock. His subject is one that will probably draw even a larger audience than usual, because it is the one subject humanity is mostly interested in and about which it knows least.
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 7, 1906, page 9.
IT WHOLLY SATISFIES THE YEARNING TO KNOW
THEOSOPHY SUPPLIES WHAT OTHER TEACHINGS LACK
THE RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
Longing to know about God and the world and its people an inherent part of human nature — A motive for right living and acting
Henry Hotchner yesterday afternoon gave another public lecture before a very large audience, using for his subject the query, "Does Theosophy Satisfy the Religious Instinct?" Many who heard the lecture pronounced it the most interesting yet delivered by Mr. Hotchner to the public in Butte. Briefly, he said:
"Theosophy certainly does satisfy the religious instinct and satisfy it wholly and rationally. The religious instinct, which is an inherent part of human nature, is the yearning to know about God, about ourselves, about the world in which we live, and about how we must live in order to be happy and useful now and hereafter. Theosophy satisfies this instinct because it provides this information and thus furnishes the motive for right living and acting.
The Great Teachers
"To give such information, to proclaim these facts, is the reason for the coming of the great spiritual teachers, Moses, Christ, Buddha, and others. Each one emphasized such truths as would help certain grades of souls, as would satisfy the religious instinct of the people they wished especially to help. Each one of the 300 or 400 religions in the world is helping certain kinds of people; no one religion could help all.
"The religious instinct based on the needs of the character must necessarily change as the character evolves. The religious instinct of the primitive man is satisfied with far less information than is necessary to satisfy the yearning and demands of the civilized man. The information given to men 2,000 years ago, or 200 years ago, and the manner in which it was given, cannot be completely satisfying now. The grown man cannot be satisfied with the food given to the infant. The religious instinct of the more advanced soul can be satisfied only by more information, greater light, stronger stimulus to right living.
The Modern Thinker
"In order to satisfy the modern thinker, the facts about religion must be presented in exactly the same way as are facts about any other department of knowledge. They must conform to reason, to common sense; they must be harmonious with other laws in nature, and they must explain things and satisfy them. It is because many religions fail to do this, because they insist upon proclaiming statements which are obviously unjust and irrational, that they are not satisfying the religious instinct of many very good people.
"Theosophy is not at all antagonistic to religions. On the contrary, it recognizes that they are helping many people. Theosophy suggests that people search into their own religion for the truths which they seek, even though they might well accept truth from other sources also.
Satisfies Religious Instinct
"Theosophy satisfies the religious instinct wholly because it gives the information which people want. It tells them definitely and accurately why we are here, the nature of the universe, its principal laws, how we should conform to these, what it is necessary to do so as to be happy and useful, what is the future that lies before us, and all other essential truths. It enlarges our previous conceptions of honor, of truth, of duty; it removes our fear of death, it relieves our worries, it lightens our burdens; it stimulates us to greater usefulness and greater happiness."
Tonight Mr. Hotchner will speak at Orton hall on "Death and the Hereafter," the lecture to begin punctually at 8 o'clock. His subject is one that will probably draw even a larger audience than usual, because it is the one subject humanity is mostly interested in and about which it knows least.
—The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, January 7, 1906, page 9.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Denominations Coming Together Not All Good
1903
Not The Common View
One often hears it remarked that the church denominations are feeling much more kindly toward each other than formerly, and that the spirit of sectarianism is evidently on the wane. Most people are inclined to regard the change as for the better. The editor of St. Paul's Lutheran Messenger, of this city does not approve this view of the matter. In the last number of that excellent publication, he has the following to say on the subject:
"There is at present a very pronounced tendency for the various branches of the Christian church to come closer together. The exchange of pulpits, and the passing of members from one church to another, or the passing of preachers from the pulpit of one denomination to another, are quite frequently hailed as signs of a wonderful unity and harmony of God's people. People who can thus perform these spiritual acrobatic movements without any compunction of conscience are lauded as very liberal and advanced thinkers. There are no doubt very many things upon which we can agree; many enterprises where we can work side by side for the blessing of humanity; where Christian and Jew can look each other in the face as men, sometimes of noble pattern, and exchange thoughts and edify one the other. But I suspect that very much of this lauded liberalism is but a shallow concealment of the ignorance concerning the deep things of Jesus Christ. The ignoring of the fundamentals of the gospel may make a man very acceptable to people who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, provided he has the ear tickling faculty. The reason why so many seemingly well meaning people, members of Christian churches, can so readily pass from one to another is no doubt largely due to the want of knowledge of those people concerning the doctrinal foundation of the church. It is no doubt true that some denominations are losing power and prestige, because they were not built on the eternal rock. But it is just there, where the fallacy lies in the statement that one church is as good as another.
"That church is best, that holds closest to the great fundamental of faith in Jesus Christ. There is however ever one consolation in this whole movement and that is this: the man or the church that preaches the great fundamentals of the gospel persistently and positively will ultimately shape the faith and practice of the entire church. Negations never amounted to anything anyway. For a while these great, liberal spirits scorn to make a stir, but when the mists have rolled away after the storm, there will be nothing left but a remembrance of a mighty hubbub. Only what is built on the one sure foundation will outlast the test of the tempest shock."
Not The Common View
One often hears it remarked that the church denominations are feeling much more kindly toward each other than formerly, and that the spirit of sectarianism is evidently on the wane. Most people are inclined to regard the change as for the better. The editor of St. Paul's Lutheran Messenger, of this city does not approve this view of the matter. In the last number of that excellent publication, he has the following to say on the subject:
"There is at present a very pronounced tendency for the various branches of the Christian church to come closer together. The exchange of pulpits, and the passing of members from one church to another, or the passing of preachers from the pulpit of one denomination to another, are quite frequently hailed as signs of a wonderful unity and harmony of God's people. People who can thus perform these spiritual acrobatic movements without any compunction of conscience are lauded as very liberal and advanced thinkers. There are no doubt very many things upon which we can agree; many enterprises where we can work side by side for the blessing of humanity; where Christian and Jew can look each other in the face as men, sometimes of noble pattern, and exchange thoughts and edify one the other. But I suspect that very much of this lauded liberalism is but a shallow concealment of the ignorance concerning the deep things of Jesus Christ. The ignoring of the fundamentals of the gospel may make a man very acceptable to people who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, provided he has the ear tickling faculty. The reason why so many seemingly well meaning people, members of Christian churches, can so readily pass from one to another is no doubt largely due to the want of knowledge of those people concerning the doctrinal foundation of the church. It is no doubt true that some denominations are losing power and prestige, because they were not built on the eternal rock. But it is just there, where the fallacy lies in the statement that one church is as good as another.
"That church is best, that holds closest to the great fundamental of faith in Jesus Christ. There is however ever one consolation in this whole movement and that is this: the man or the church that preaches the great fundamentals of the gospel persistently and positively will ultimately shape the faith and practice of the entire church. Negations never amounted to anything anyway. For a while these great, liberal spirits scorn to make a stir, but when the mists have rolled away after the storm, there will be nothing left but a remembrance of a mighty hubbub. Only what is built on the one sure foundation will outlast the test of the tempest shock."
Go See Mrs. A. Brockway, High Priestess of Mediums
Iowa, 1903Click image for larger.
Mrs. A. Brockway advertises herself as one "who is acknowledged as the high priestess of all mediums." Anyone with that kind of reputation would, of course, have to be good. And according to her advertisement, she is. "She has given many years of study in occult science, which is the coming science of the age," plus her methods are clean and honest.
"A private reading will establish the fact in your mind that she is the peer of all mediums."
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 15, 1903, page 4.
Clairvoyant Life Reader (1903 Advertisement)
Moline, Illinois, 1903
CLAIRVOYANT — Tells just the thing that worries, annoys and perplexes you at this moment, and what to do to gain your point; also gives names, all without you saying one word, or your money back. Ladies, 50c. Read the record of magnetic power. Can marry your mate in 170 days; can get your wish in 170 days; can be united with ones separated in 152 days, or no cost. Open daily until 9 p. m. Private entrance. 1719 Second avenue, Moline. Benson, the Spiritualist.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 15, 1903, page 2.
CLAIRVOYANT — Tells just the thing that worries, annoys and perplexes you at this moment, and what to do to gain your point; also gives names, all without you saying one word, or your money back. Ladies, 50c. Read the record of magnetic power. Can marry your mate in 170 days; can get your wish in 170 days; can be united with ones separated in 152 days, or no cost. Open daily until 9 p. m. Private entrance. 1719 Second avenue, Moline. Benson, the Spiritualist.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 15, 1903, page 2.
Why Young Men Do Not Wed
New York, 1903
Due to Their Own Extravagance and Young Women's Love of Luxury
Dr. Louis Albert Banks spoke by way of prelude before his sermon in Grace Methodist Episcopal church, West One Hundred and Fourth street, on "Some Reasons Why Young Men Dodge Matrimony." He said in part, according to the New York World:
"My observation as a minister in large cities for many years convinces me that there are two reasons more powerful than others which lead young men to shun marriage. The first is extravagant habits of living on the part of young men. They live up to their income, whether it be small or great. The majority of young men with whom I have been acquainted in the last 20 years were living so extravagantly that they dared not contemplate marriage.
"A second reason is that the young women of today in towns and cities, many of them, fail to fit themselves to be fit cooks and dainty housekeepers. Furthermore, if they marry, they are anxious to marry so that they may have hired help and begin about where their parents have reached after a generation of economy and hard work.
"A young woman would rather go into a store from a good home and earn money enough to secure the luxuries in dress she desires than to marry and have the burden of home life upon her shoulders."
Due to Their Own Extravagance and Young Women's Love of Luxury
Dr. Louis Albert Banks spoke by way of prelude before his sermon in Grace Methodist Episcopal church, West One Hundred and Fourth street, on "Some Reasons Why Young Men Dodge Matrimony." He said in part, according to the New York World:
"My observation as a minister in large cities for many years convinces me that there are two reasons more powerful than others which lead young men to shun marriage. The first is extravagant habits of living on the part of young men. They live up to their income, whether it be small or great. The majority of young men with whom I have been acquainted in the last 20 years were living so extravagantly that they dared not contemplate marriage.
"A second reason is that the young women of today in towns and cities, many of them, fail to fit themselves to be fit cooks and dainty housekeepers. Furthermore, if they marry, they are anxious to marry so that they may have hired help and begin about where their parents have reached after a generation of economy and hard work.
"A young woman would rather go into a store from a good home and earn money enough to secure the luxuries in dress she desires than to marry and have the burden of home life upon her shoulders."
Missionary Minnehaha Finney Shows Egyptian Curios
Iowa, 1903
Egyptian Social Is Unique
Atlantic, March 12. — Miss Minnehaha Finney, an Egyptian missionary, who is home for a year's vacation from her labors, assisted the numbers of the Y. P. C. U. of the United Presbyterian church in giving an Egyptian social, which was a very unique affair.
Miss Finney conducted the visitors on a tour through Egypt, being assisted by many pictures representing the country, cities, and the employment, customs and habits of the people. A native bride, a peasant girl and a boy, also one wearing the usual street costume, were present and assisted.,
Another attraction was the table of curios containing specimens of dress, literature and articles used in their superstitious customs.
Egyptian Social Is Unique
Atlantic, March 12. — Miss Minnehaha Finney, an Egyptian missionary, who is home for a year's vacation from her labors, assisted the numbers of the Y. P. C. U. of the United Presbyterian church in giving an Egyptian social, which was a very unique affair.
Miss Finney conducted the visitors on a tour through Egypt, being assisted by many pictures representing the country, cities, and the employment, customs and habits of the people. A native bride, a peasant girl and a boy, also one wearing the usual street costume, were present and assisted.,
Another attraction was the table of curios containing specimens of dress, literature and articles used in their superstitious customs.
Christian Scientist Confident of Cure, Dies
March 11, 1903
Was a Christian Scientist
New York Young Woman Was Confident That It Would Cure Her, and Died
New York, March 11. — Coroner Williams of Brooklyn is investigating the case of Miss Lillian DeForest Chase, daughter of John H. Chase, an importer, who died of hasty consumption on her 21st birthday at the home at 1373 Pacific street.
Three years ago, while a student of Adelphi college, Miss Chase became a convert to Christian Science, and attended the Second Church of Christian Science, near her home.
Some months ago she suffered a severe attack of pneumonia, and it was only with difficulty that her parents got her to take medicine. When she recovered she declared that it was her belief in Christian Science and not medicine which had effected her cure. Her last illness extended over nearly a month. She refused to see a doctor, declaring her confidence that Christian Science would again restore her to health.
While her relatives were congratulating her on her birthday, she became suddenly faint and died.
Was a Christian Scientist
New York Young Woman Was Confident That It Would Cure Her, and Died
New York, March 11. — Coroner Williams of Brooklyn is investigating the case of Miss Lillian DeForest Chase, daughter of John H. Chase, an importer, who died of hasty consumption on her 21st birthday at the home at 1373 Pacific street.
Three years ago, while a student of Adelphi college, Miss Chase became a convert to Christian Science, and attended the Second Church of Christian Science, near her home.
Some months ago she suffered a severe attack of pneumonia, and it was only with difficulty that her parents got her to take medicine. When she recovered she declared that it was her belief in Christian Science and not medicine which had effected her cure. Her last illness extended over nearly a month. She refused to see a doctor, declaring her confidence that Christian Science would again restore her to health.
While her relatives were congratulating her on her birthday, she became suddenly faint and died.
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