The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-05-16
Religious Imposters.
From the MurfreesbOrO News.

FROM the MuIlfeccDOrO NcMes
The Columbia correspondent of
the Nashville American gives an ac-
count of the way the people of CO.
lumbia were deceived by man call
ing himself Rev. 5. j. West, and
claiming to be Baptist preacher
from Canada. He was Hospitality
received, and soon started a revival
meeting, during which one hundred
persons were converted, some of
whom the stranger preacher bap
tised. He went from Columbia fol
lowed by the blessings of grateful
people to Chattanooga, where he as
sisted Rev. j. NJ. Phillips in con-
Quoting a revival meeting there.
While in Chattanooga he was dis
covered to be fraud of the first
water, guilty of bigamy and other
crimes, and who had been known in
various parts of the country by nu-
merous aliases. The good work
this rascal performed in Columbia
raises several very curious ques
tions. His remarkable success as
a revivalist, according to commonly
accepted notions, is hardly compati-
BILE with his career as criminal.
That Providence overruled the I'M
coDsecrated labors of this man TO
accomplish good, and used this
wicked and unregenerate tool TO adj
vance his church may be likely,
but there is an Incongruity and un-
seeinliness about the affair that is
suggestive of some very serious and
uncomfortable questions, and which
may raise very natural doubts as TO
the genuineness of their conversion
in the minds of the new converts un
der the mlnistration of this impos-
tor. Theologians have from time
to time very ably and possibly, ex-
haustively discussed this sub
ject, and have, we think, very gen
orally agreed upon a solution of it,
but the most plausible theories we
must admit do not relieve it entire
ly of its difficulties, nor fully satisfy
the thinking mind. In whatever
way these seeming Inconsistencies
may be harmonized, we may with
out discussing them further, at
least learn a practical lesson from
the instance we haze recorded.
Religious people like other people
are readily attracted by what is new
or novel. The hard working and
earnest home minister may preach
Sunday after Sunday 10 half filed
benches, but the stranger who
comes, though he may have little
reputation above his brothers,
breaches to full congregation. If
he has a reputation as a rcvivalist,
he is frequently welcomed with open
arms, and cordially sustained by
the religious community, without
an inquiry as to his antecedents.
Instead of holding up the hands OF
the home minister and actively and
zealously aiding him in his labors,
they seem to prefer To wait for the
advent of some revivalist, and give
him the full benefit of their intiu
ence and their pent up energies.
Is it not wonderful then that
communities are so frequently
gulled by pulpit mountebanks who
travel over the country making
money on the pretense of saving
human souls. Religious people are
too prone to rely upon outside in
6uences and outside preachers for
the church's advancement. If one
half the energy was displayed by
them in encouraging their pastors,
and one tenth OF the active support
and Jealous CO operation given TO
their home ministry that is 30 freely
accorded TO the distinguished re-
vivallst who makes his sudden ap-
pearance, a great deal Of more per-
manent good would be effected. II
christians would aid and encourage
hard laboring and earnest resident
preachers who by their piety and
daily walk exemplify the truths Of
christianity, and who deserve the
heartiest christian encouragement,
there would be little demand for
Canada revivalists, and many a
community would be spared the hu-
initiation Of such a deception as has
recently been practiced upon the
good people of Columbia.
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