The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-06-11

SAM JONES'S WORK.
a Striking Tribute from Hebrew Jour.
na1ist.

Rev. Sam Jones's recent work in Chat.
tanooga has won golden opinions from
all classes. Mr.. George W. Ochs, q pro.
gressive Hebrew Journalist, and proprie-
tor of the Chattanooga Times, pays him
the following earnest tribute in the
columns of this paper
I am not disposed to engage in polem.
ical controversy, to question the truth
or falsity of MIR. Jones's doctrines, or to
endorse any or all of Mr.. Jones's views.
My own faith is shorn of all doctrinal
limitations-an abiding belief in an all
wise, all merciful, omnipotent, indiVisi-
bic God-and is broad enough to respect
the tenets Of all my fellowmen, for sub.
scribe most heartily to the words,
"For forms of faith let graceless Jealous fight.
His can't be wrong whose life is In the right.'
The unique character and peculiar
methods of this reviValist have become
subject of comment all over this broad
land and the very divergent views re-
specting him, which have been given
publicity at Chattanooga, we're expressed
wherever he has conducted services.
have attended his services frequently
and have been an attentive listener. My
own religious views being totally differ
ent from his doctrinal teachings and
dogmas, enabled me to dispaasionately
analyze his utterances and to critically
study their effects. I was never swayed
by his passionate appeals, nor have been
terrified by his lurid pictures of impend-
ing eternal punishment, nor do l endorse
his opinions of dancing. the kirmess and
society, yet I have been touched by his
pathos, stirred by his eloquence and fas.
cinated by his marvellous magnetism.
What of his work? He never preach.
es 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 man pos
sessed of his eloquence and his magnet.
ism, who always urges moral uprightness
and rectitude, can do aught but good?
Isaw him sway an audience of 1000 men
by his remarkable powers. l sa1 men
who came to scof remain to pray. l
saw him on the pulpit in his shirt sleeves
pouring forth a stream of eloquence,
which gushed from his lips like from one
inspired, enthrall multitude of men
until thousands.were in tears, every fiber
of their being wrought to tense emotion,
and every utterance he made, every
argument he used, was an earnest plea
for morality, temperance and charity:
And when he ceased saw hardened
criminal, one whom I had seen With ball
and chain, pass up the aisle, tears stream
ing from his eyes, his whole nature soft
ened as it had never been before; / saw
him grasp the hand of the evangelist and
heard him say between his sobs: "AB
God is my judge I will lead better life"
[ saw sporting man, one who makes his
livelihood at the gambling table, who
never before, perhaps, had serious re-
Election, wipe his eyes as he took the
evaDgelist's hands and promise to lead
an honest life. / saw confirmed drunk.
ards step forward and promise to quit
these habits. saw 1000 men, three
fourths of whom had, perhaps, never
before given a thought to any moral
p.ecept, one. half of whom were STEPPED
in vice, crowd around the evangelist with
fearful eyes and solemnly 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
accordance with common usage, his
results condone every fault in language.
One need not commend his aippant
replies to his critics, and, it must be con.
fegsed that his treatment of recent
review upon his methods-which was
dignifed, 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 q large proportion of bis con.
verts relapse into their former manner of
life? Some will prove faithful, and in
all seed has been planted where hereto.
fore there was sterile soil. Everyone on
inquiry can learn of the good work he is
doing, of the reforms he has accomplish
ed, of the broken spirits he has revived,
of the weak natures be has strengthed. of
the ray of sunshine he has cast into here
tofore darkened lives, of his charity, his
earaestness and of his sincerity.
have little patience with his detrac-
tors they rail at his mode of expression;
had they better not turn their batteries
on frail human nature, because they
know the multitude is attracted and is
moved by him? Ifanyone is at fault it
is the people, not Sam Jones. He per-
ceives the method that must be pursued,
and With marvellous aptitude he employs
it, and behold 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