The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
EVANGELIST PENN.
His TribnIatiOns at WeatherfOrd.
War with the Methodist
Preacher.
CWaco EXaminer.]

evangelist, is so well known in Waco
having snatched a hundred or
more pyramids from the burning"
here in 1876-that we feel sure the
following stirring episodes of his
meet now going on at Weatherford
will be read with lively interest by
all Wacoites who know him. Tie
article is from the last issue of the
Weatherford Times. The Mr.. Price
spoken of is a Methodist preacher at
Weatherford. The matter fills an
entire page of the Times, but we
give only the raciest portions. The
Times says: On Friday evening of
last week, Rev. "MajOr" PENIS gos-
pei text services began. AS usual
there was considerable interest man
Tested in the matter, which was
intensified, somewhat, through the
attendance of the North Tex
as Baptist missionary conven-
ton, and the families of some of
them, and greatly SO by the appear
ance of the following challenge"
through the columns of the daily
in the afternoon. The matter of
challenging the evangelist Penn by
Rev. DR.. w. Price, led many to sup
pose that the matter would natural
ly be referred to during the evening
by the challenger, especially as it
was stated on the streets that "Price
was going to the tent tonight to
hear what Penn has to say about the
challenger True to the spirit of
curiosity, as well as pure, religious
zeal and an anxiety to see and hear
the evangelist, there was consider
able of a crowd out to hear the SER
vice. By actual computation, the
throng numbered upwards of 1900
pointment, for the concluding
exercises were the most re-
markable we have ever wit
messed. The early portion of
the service was given up to the
convention proceedings. 1t was the
occasion of Rev. | B. Kimbrough's
Introductory sermon TO the assem-
bled body. He spoke about forty
minutes from the text in Luke, "Oc-
cupy till L come" That having cen
Guided, Major Penn said, "My atten-
tention has been called to the fol-
lowing article in the Daily Com
merciaI of this place." aud read:
A CHALLENGE.
Elder Penn, the notorious Baptist evan
gelist, with his circus style tent, has
reached our city again, and is about ready
to commence making Baptlsts. Believ-
ing that his doctrine and principles are
false, we challenge HIM to meet us In de-
bat hafr fol frnfn nfA
ence, between the Method st and Baptist
churches. VIII the gentleman respond?
w. PRICE.
After reading the challenge, Major
Penn took up his Bible and read as
follows: "Being filled with all UNI
righteousness, fornlcation, wicked
ness, covetousness, righteousness I;
full of envy, murder, debate"
A member of the congregation
"Brother Penn. what book are you
reading tromw
Major Penn (holding up the BIZ
ble)-"From the Bible, SIR"
Tho member-"Brother Penn
why, is that in the Bible ?"
Major Penn-"Why, every word of
it, sir and here is some more" He
read the entire chapter.l II am
told, l don't vouch for the truth of
1t, that this man Price is a presiding
elder in the Methodist church. L
don't believe majority of the men,
bers of that church will endorse this
document, for l know there are
good people in the Methodist
church, as well as in other churches,
Whether he is or not, l give it as my
candid judgment that he is sinner
"a stranger to God and grace; for
no one having the spirit of Christ
could have written and published
such a document as the one / have
read. This man must be under
fearful delusiOn, and nothing out
the goodness and mercy of God can
save him from that awful sentence:
{ never knew you-depart from me
we that work iniquity.' To save
him from this impending wreck and
ruin of his immortal soul, l ask
every Christian in this large audi
ence to bow and unite with me in a
prayer to God 10 save his poor, lost
soul. Let us pray"
Nearly all of the large congrega-
ton either knelt or bowed the head
in the attitude of prayer, when
Major Penn offered the following
prayer: [LIere followed a lengthy
prayer, depicting Bro. Price as con-
siderable of a sinner, stand ng sadly
in need of divine mercy.l A, soon
as Major Penn had pronoI NO I'd the
"Amen," Rev. DR.. Price, '. 40 was
sitting on the north side of the tent,
arose and said, [" am the man that
has been unchristianized here, to-
night. Can reply 2"
Major Penn--"There is no necessity
for your replying, sir"
DR.. Price-"But 1 demand a hear
ing. You have publicly unchris-
tianized me. sir"
Major Penn-"You utter another
word. sir, and I'll have you arrested
under the laws of the state of Texas
for disturbing religious worship.
DR.. Price-T would like to have