The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-20
WAS THE LORDS WORK
Jake stitt Convinced That the AL
mighty Heard His Prayer.
MOVED JOHN FIREY'S HEART

ana NOW the GnuECA Oh UONA A~AS -
Brand New Tent to Worship In.
Rev. Jake Stitt is firm believer in the
efficacy of prayer. He had a practical
demonstration of it few days ago, and
if anything were needed to strengthen
his faith, it is no longer necessary.
Jake Stitt, as he is commonly known,
is a convert of Mrs. Woodwork and is
now a preacher in the sect known as the
Church of God. MIR. Stitt wanted q
tent. The one he had been using for
purposes of divine worship had been
taken away from him because he could
not meet the installments on it. Now he
has a new tent and he attributes it to
prayer. The story is told by Mr.. Stitt:
81 needed the tent bad and
didn't know how to get it or any one to
go to for assistance. l thought about
it nearly all of one night. Pretty soon
happened to think of old John frey. l
knew John was rich, but never gave
much to help along a good cause, so
prayed for him. ! said ooh Lord, loosen
John frey up. Make him buy me a
tent l felt sure the Lord would do this,
and went to sleep.
"The next day walked down Kansas
avenue and who should l meet but John
frey. I spoke to him and he said, Say.
Stitt, what have you been doing? l feel
as though you had a strange influence
over me. Have you been praying for
me?' I told frey that I had been pray
ing for him and told him how much
needed tent to hold services in. Mr..
frey without waiting to eat breakfast,
made me out deed to a
lot in Firey's addition to North
Topeka that is easily worth
| $3.50. I sold the lot for enough to buy
me a good tent" Mr.. Stitt, while giving
Mr. frey credit for his part of the trans
action, considers the gift as coming di-
rectly from the Lord
A JOURNAL reporter asked Mr.. frey
about the case. He said:
81 don't know as you ought to write
anything about it."
'Why motif"
| 81 don't like to have my name used
! in connection with such things"
"But no one will suspect you for a min
ute of seeking notoriety."
That's true That's true. Well, don't
know but it will be all right. Just say
that John frey donated a tent TO Jake
Stitt. How are you going to word itT'
sit will be fixed up all right"
"All right; and say, you can say if you
want to that don't like it because the
council refused to give stitt permission
to hold. meetings in the City park It's
an outrage. I'll never give any of those
councilmen another vote of mine"
It is not often that John frey is "loos
ened up,'' to use Mr.. Stitt's expression
He is known as one of the nearest
men in town, both in a business way and
personally. He is said to own nearly al
much real estate as any man in Topeka
but Notwithstanding his large wealth he
lives alone and dresses none too well
He is a bachelor. It is said of him tina
he buys the longest cigar he can find OIL
the maFAeE for cents, cuts it in tw
and saves the other half until the mex
day. Russell Sage couldn't do better.
Mr. Stitt is good deal of a characte
too, in his way. He was converted b,
Mrs Woodwork just four years ago, an
since then he has been different ma
and his whole life is devoted TO the SCI
vice of the Lord His work is not with
out its fruit as his large and growing fo
lowing testify. There are more learne
and eloquent divines in town but non
more sincere and earnest than Rev. ak
Stitt