The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-11
SAM JONES'S WORK.
Striking Tribute from Hebrew Jour
nalist.

Chattanooga has won golden opinions
from all classes. Mr.. George w. Ochs,
a progressive Hebrew journalist, and
proprietor of the Chattanooga Times,
pays him the following earnest tribute
in the columns of his paper:
I am not disposed to engage in po-
lemical controversy to question the
truth or fslsity Of Mr.. Jones's doctrines,
or to endorse any or all of Mr.. Jones's
views. My own faith is shorn of doc
trinal linitations-an abiding belief in
all wise, all merciful, omnipotent, in
divisible God-and is broad enough to
respect the tenets of all my fellowmen
for I subscribe most heartily to the
words,
"For forms of faith let graceless zealots
fight,
His can't be wrong whose life is in the
right"
The unique character and peculiar
methods Of this revivalist have become
q subject of comment all over this
broad laad and the very divergent
views respecting him, which have been
given publicity at Chattanooga; %e=e
expressed. wherever he has conducted
services.
I have attended his services fre-
quently and have been an attentive
listener. My own religious views be-
ing totally different from his doctrinal
teachings and dogmas, enabled me to
dispassionately analyze his utterances
and to critically study their effects. I
was never swayed by his passionate
appeals, nor have I been terrified by
his lurid pictures ol impending eternal
punishment, nor do I endorse his
opinions of dancing, the kirmess and
society, yet I nave been touched by his
pathos, stirred by his eioquence and
fascinated by his marvellous magne-
tism. 4
What cf his work He never breaches
anything but morality. His sermons
are simply the ten commandments.
His exhortations are most eloquent
against moral vices and social sins.
How can any one consistently say that
a man possessed of his eloquence and
his magnetism, who always urges
moral uprightness and rectitude, can
do aught but good? saw him sway
an audience of 5000 men by his re-
markable powers. I saw men who
came to scof remain to pray. I saw
him on the pulpit in his shirt sleeves
pouring forth a. stream of eloquence,
which g,Ished from his lips like from
one INSPIRED, enthrall multitude of
men until thousands were in tears,
every foer of their being wrought to
tense emotion, and every utterance he
made, every argument be used, was an
earnest plea for morality, temperance
and charity. And when he ceased I
saw a hardened criminal, one whom I
had seen with ball and chain, pass up
the aisle, tears streaming from his
eyes, his whole nature softenei as it
had never been before; saw him grasp
tho hand of the evangelist and I heard
HIM say between his sobs: GAS God
is my judge I will lead better life," l
saw a sporting man, one who makes
his livelihood at the gaming table, who
never before, perhaps, had a serious
reflection, wipe his eyes as he took the
evangelist's hands and promise to lead
an honest life. saw confirmed
drunkards step forward-and promise
to quit these habits. 7 saw 1000 men,
of whom had, perhaps,
never before given a thought to any
moral precept, one-half Of whom Were
stepped in vice, crowd around the
evangelist with fearful eyes anc SOL
emnly pledge their word to reform.
Dare any one say that this is of no
avail? BY his works judge him.
What if his methods are not in accord
anc with common usage, his results
condone every fault in language. One
need not commend his flippant replies
to his critics, and, it must be confessed
that his treatment of recent review
upon bis methods--which was digni-
fed, courteous and conservative-was
not creditable to Mr.. Jones. Still this
pertains to his personality: and does
not affect the result of his labors.
What if a large proportion. Of his
converts relapse into their former man
ner of life? Some will prove faithful,
and in all a seed has been planted
wheretofore there was sterile soil.
Everyone on inquiry can learn of the
good work he is doing, of the reforms
he has accomplished, of the broken
spirits he has revived, Of the weak
natures he has strengthened, of the ray
of sunshine he has cast into heretofore
lives, of his charity, his earn
estness and of his sincerity.
I have little patience with his de-
tractors; they rail at his mode Of ex-
preston had they better not turn
their batteries on frail human nature,
because Ghey know the multitude is
attracted and is moved by him? II
anyone is at fault 1t is the people, not
Sam Jones. He perceives the method
that must be pursued, and with mar
velous aptitude he employs it, and DE-
hold the fruits of his labor He leaves
the community better, more elevated,
and purer, and every seed he sows is
seed of morality, of temperance, Of
chastity and of charity, and not one Of
evil drops from his hand.