The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-10
COSMIC REFORMATION.
Richard B. Godfrey's Gospel
Wagon Starts for New York
WHICH BE MEANS TO EVANGELIzE.

uAlIH Hh MbAND III hAhNNHHAHu'
set Right with GOD 10 His Battle
Cry-GrOdfrey win Preach and His
Son VIII Play the Organ.
The Reverend Richard B. Godfrey is
plain old man of perhaps sixty-five years
He lives on Dillon street in the suburbs
of Topeka and works very hard. And
we'll tits that he does work hard; for he
has undertaken a tremendous task. he
ia going to convert New York state to
the faith of the Cosmic Reformation.
The readers of the STATE JOURNAL may
he pleased to know that the CosmIc he
formation is new brand of religion
which the reverend gentleman has aug
cut of the gospel truths by MS own
efforts.
Dir. Godfrey has a long beard and
piercing eyes. He speaks very slowly
but with much emphasis
In the front room of or. GodfFeys
home is small table at which ne slts
and writes, and in one corner IS a COT
his bed.
The old man is very queer; IN fact,
some of the people have even been 50
uncharitable as to say that he was crazy
But he is very much absorbed In his re-
Iigious work aud pays little attention 10
the gOssippers.
The Cosmic Reformation is the name
which Dir. Godfrey gave to ms new re-
ligion. In speaking about 1t to STATE
JOURNAL reporter, he said: "Ihe Cos
mic Reformation came to me IN the
spring of 1861, and l have been given
over to that ever since. After much
stndv I found that the denominations
are at variance with each other Now,
nv Cosmic ReformAtio will overcome
that"
What denomination do you favorf"
asked she STATE JOURNAL man.
81 don't tell that" said he, "for If
did. then all the other denominations
would fight me-"
1t is supposed by those who know him
best thai he leans toward the Baptists,
though he never in:imates as much.
The Reverend Mr. Godfrey Is also an
author. lie mas caused to be published
three books which are along the line OF
his Ccsmic Reformation. They are en-
titled respectively: The COsmic Re
formation; d work devoted to the Moral,
Mental and Physical Reform" Demon
oIogy, or the Devil and his Angels and
81 he Worlds Spiritual Conquest"
At present he is working On the copy
for new book which will be published
under The title: THE Educational Refor-
nation . an Antidote and Cure for both
Gross and Refined Heathenism."
Mr. Godfrey will not convert the PEG
pie of New 1ork state through the aid
of the clergy, nor through the churches,
but from he platform of gospel
wagon" This vehicle attracts good
deal Of attention, on account of the queer
inscriptions on lis sides.
It is q spring wagon with an extra
long bed, canopy cover and seats along
the sides Il is painted black. and there
are three signs on either side which read:
Gospel Wagon" "Cosmic Reformation
and Ct Right With God" This last
expression is one that he has taken up
and he uses it on all occasions. He even
wears it on the front and back of his big
straw hat why do you wear that
motto on your hat, Mr.. Godfrey" asked
the reporter.
Il wear it so that the people may have
that motto ever before Them" said the
old man, seriously.
He has a son named David, in whom
he feels much pride. The son has start
ed east with the gospel wagon" When
he gets back to New York state, his.
formation-will join him, and they TO-
gether will undertake the big task of
converting the Empire state.
From a small stand in the rear of the
wagon the Rev. Richard B. Godfrey will
expound the truths of the Cosmic Refor-
nation, while David will play on the lit
tie cabinet organ on the front of the
wagon and sing the gospel hymns