The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-06-19
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
Brother Duncan Discusses sam Jones
and Things Generally.

Brother Duncan Discusses sam Jones
and Things Generally.
To THE HERALD:-The tidal wave re-
ported in your columns, under the
ministry of Rev. Sam p. Jones, is truly
refreshing. Many years ago while
stationed in Columbia, I attended his
tent meetings in Nashville 1t was
about the time that his fall was wicked
ly predicted. ! was then the Columbia
correspondent of the Nashville Banner.
l remember to have written freely and
truthfully of brother Jones, and have
never for one moment doubted the
entirety of his christian character, or
stability of his faith. He is sal generjS
to be sure He says things. He repeats
them. He wrings the changes on them,
but they are forever sharpened with
the spirit of God, and they move men.
He has made money. People have been
moved to "throw in" under the inspira-
ton of his matChless magnetism as
they never have before. Hearts
clinched upon gold with greed born of
averice have been opened by his gospel
slung-shot never to be clinched again.
"Oh, it is so wicked in him to take so
much money for free gospel"
! Well, let us see. Where does it go2
His unparalleled benevolences would, in
|
make some so-called liberal men high
up in the flour hundred" and syna-
gogue heartily ashamed of themselves.
have never yet heard of his having
been charged with fragrant use of the
money contributed under his ministry
That he has made his family comfort
able is the most natural thing in the
world. 1t is nothing more or less than
most Methodists have professed pur-
pose to do, especially when appealed to
for benevolent con tri buttons.
| am puzzled at the disparity be-
tween the reported number of converts,
and accessions to the churches. Ger
tainly out of 500 conversions there will
he more than AZ accessions to the vari-
Gus churches. There have been many
additions to the country churches. The
number we reported was for the city
churches alone, and for only one Sun
day.-Ed.l
1 am opposed to the creation of the
Office Of evangelist in the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. l do not be-
lieve that the best interests of our com
munion or the Redeemer's kingdom
would be advanced by it, I believe
that the church should retain and wise
ly direct the evangelical power of its
ministry. Nor do | believe that the
phenomenal and continued success of
brother Jones is any argument against
my position. The church might create
the office, but in the exercise of that
Office they would not produce another
sam Jones in 100 years. Evangellsts
like poets, are born, not made. am by
brother Jones as Jno. w. Hammer was
by Mrs. Frame after she had assisted
, him in a meeting at Lebanon. "You
ask me if believe that women ought
to preach? l answer that Mrs. Frame
ought" am especially glad that he
moved Columbia, because | was once
instrumental in bringing him to Column
bia during the Prohibition campaign
in 80. He was tired. He did not get
off very well, except when he loored
me on my good looks ~ The young
blood did not like some things he said
that day. Now they have heard him
| long enough to know that behind any
and everything he says there beats 3
true, warm and loving heart, yearnine
for the glory of God in the uplifting o.
humanity. Sam keeps in the middle o.
the road. Runs after no new theory Of
craze. If he ever eXcites the jealousy
of the angels it will never be by {
o blatant profession of tlawless perfec
ton. Sam Jones is sinner saved by
grace. He is child of God, an heir o
God, and joint heir with the Lore
Jesus Christ. 1t makes him great l
makes any man great; and he becomes
$ at once "the least of all saints"
5 Writing from Long Beach, my sum
! mer home, am reminded that the nov
famous San Pedro lies in sight to m,
right, three miles from this place
0 Santa Monica is but a few miles away
, | have no idea whether the Presiden
i did right or wrong in vetoing the Rive
:, and Harbor bill, but my! what an un
; savory mess of local politics the ques
ton has created herea bouts. That tn
appropriation and deep sea harbo
d established by it will greatly benefi
n Los Angeles City and county, is beyOnt
:, all question. But there is a deep seate
u prejudice here against C. p. Hunting
: ton, growing out of the ruinOus rate
fixed upon transportation across tn
: continent by the Southern Pacific Raj
~ way. The wealth of Southern CalifOr
p mia is not in its bay and climate, thong
# it is becoming famous the world over
: 1t is not in its perennial growth, fra
: grant flowers and lovely foliage
IL though | have never seen anything lik
Il it. But its real wealth lies in the powe
of its soil to produce semi-tropica
fruits, citrus and decideOus. Had W
a at reasonable. rates access to Easter
o markets the increase of wealth in thi
q country would be marvellous, an
Eastern consumers would be favore
;, with cheaper fruits as well.
e The rainfall here during the past ses
l. son has been unusually light. Th
, result has been that the barley, oat an
l. wheat crops have been cut short. Th
is quality of the barley is much better
"a however, and it brings good pric,
The prospect for heavy fruit crop
L good.
D. Los Angeles knows no such word 2
0, fail. 1t goes on its way improving Xix
~ a young Chicago Where it will end
i cannot foresee.
}; | am on tip-toe for the year ~
IS come. Whether the Centennial is to
n a bowling success, or raised out on al
y" extended scale is not the question wit
IS me. am in for an old-fashioned hanC
shaking. And 1 trust Mr.. Editor thf
I'll get hold of yours and make up fC
&c the well nigh four years of absenC
n from your sanctum. With heart flu
re of love for the friends l left behind M
,, 7. J. DUNCAN.
y Long Beach, Cal.