The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-29
STARTLING SIGHT.
An Aged Man With Flowing
White Locks
Walks to the Altar Rail at the
First Methodist Church
AT SUNDAY SERVICES.
Announces In Loud Voice That
He Is Jesus Christ.
AT SUNDAY SERVICES.
Created a Genuine Sensation In
the Crowded Church.

There was a sensational scene at the
First Methodist church yesterday morn
ing at the regular service when an aged
man with flowing white hair and beard
walked forward from the congregation
just as the Rev. A. S. Embree, the pas
tor. was finishing his sermon, shook
hands with the minister and turning to
the congregation, announced that he
was Jesus Christ.
There was a murmur from the audi
ence as the man continued his wild
talk.
Yesterday morning the First Netho-
dist church was filled with people, The
beautiful day brought out a large con-
gregation. Rev. A. S. Embree began
his sermon upon the subject of the ex-
penSes of government He delivered a
strong, forcibIe, discourse, making sew
eral strong points of local nature He
spoke of the immense expenses of main
tanning government. He also mentioned
the expenses of other things, including
the drink habit, and compared the cost
of maintaining schools, churches, etc,
with the cost of drink. He spoke of the
cost of jails and penitentiaries, and add
ed that 80 per cent of the inmates were
there through the Influences of drink
Then he touched on the eXtravag gances
of club life in the cities, where men
spent their money extraVag2nt1y- Some
what of a sensation was caused when
he announced. pointing toward the cor
ner on which the Topeka club IS To-
CalSQ- Anu IUdI one over on the OInSE
corner belongs to the number"
The Rev. Mr.. Embree closed his SER
mon and offered a short prayer He was
still standing when the old gentleman,
a man of 10 years, walked rapidly for
ward. He stepped inside the altar rail
and eagerly extended his hand to Mr.
Embree. The latter arose and grasped
the hand of the strange visitor. The
man mumbled something to the min
lister which he failed to hear clearly. and
then turning toward the congregation.
waved his arms impressively and de-
clared that he was the Savior.
II am Jesus Christ" said he. 'I was
crucified. and I am here today, resur-
rected from the dead. [ will prove that
to you, in three ways l will mix water
and oil, and then 1 will dissolve oil in
wine and then 1 will dissolve wine in
mercury. The Bible says that we should
not cast pearls before swine, and
wouldn't want to think that you were
swine, but you don't understand me-
You are swine, anyway.
The Rev. Mr.. Embree was greatly
surprised at the mans manner and his
words but instantly realized that he
was insane.
The old man left the altar and walked
to his seat. The congregation almost
rose en- masse and gazed al him as he
took his seat
Mr.. F.fnbree gave out a hymn, and the
| great organ soon drowned the whisper
ings and rnurmurings in the congrega-
ton.
The benediction was pronounced and
the church people arose to- leave the
building The crazy man advanced to
the front of the church and began i
rambling talk about religion. Church
officials who were near prevailed upon
him to cease talking and leave the
church
He is a man probably 70 years of age
and is undoubtedly deraEged. 1t was
found that his name is Taggart- Many
times he has stood upon the corner of
Sixth and Kansas avenue and talked to
the loafers upon his pet hobbies about
religion. He is a familiar figure upon
the streets, and he always has with him
a small hand satchel in which he carries
religious tracts which he sells Little
more than this is known of him
Nothing was done by anyone to have
Taggart taken care of. The police were
notified. He is probably harmless.