The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-26

to enighten them he has issued a book
telling all about himself in his own
peculiar style of narration.
After reading the book one cannot
fail to regard him as a very odd char
aCter. His name is Rev. John CaVan-
augh pastor in the New York confer
ence of the Free Methodist church ana
in charge of this sects interests in
Scranton and Wavcrly. He was born
in Richmond, Va, and served in the
Confederate army as a bugler, which
latter fact is attested by b. Fl. Robert
son, late Brisadier General, c. S. A."
who in an open letter made a part of
the book announces that the said John
Cavanaugh served honestly and faith
fully in his command. The same bugle
he formerly sounded the call for men to
CCme up and get killed, he says, he now
uses to summon them to be saved.
CONVERTED IN 1872.
He was converted in 1872 and in three
weeks was entirely SanCtilied. Imme-
diately he began work as a street
preacher and travelling evangelist. GO
ing hither and thither preaching ser
mons. distributing Ted-hOt tracts and
painting tUrrid texts in glowing letters
on fences and rocks throughout the
country. He spent ten years in Wash
ingtOn. ID. c., and then came north
circulating through New York, Penn
sylvania and New Jersey, holding pas
tCrates at times but generally being Il
Wanderer Last fall he was sent here
by the New York conference and eX
poets to remain with us for some time.
This is how he treats of us in the chap
ter describing his work at Scranton:
Il came here last fail. sent by con-
ference 1896. This is q coal mining
| country and many thought this place
would finish me: but ! guess they
made mistake, for l never found any
where any more noble hearted people.
My street meetings are wonderful
great crowds stand for hours at the
! time. and are hungry for the truth;
this place has over 100, 600 inhabitants;
there are lots of churches here; also
| the Salvation Army and the Volunteers.
/ | am not going to pass Judgment on
/ them the bible will do that if they do
| not come up to it,"
AN ORIGINAL STYLE.
one thing in the book that is peculiar
1 ly original is the authors unhCsitating
style of letting the public into the secret
| that he is doing about the only real
religious work that is being done here
/ aDouts or in fact in any other place,
/ Preachers who receive salaries--Well ne
refrains from saying exactly what he
thinks about them but hopes that the
good Lord will open their eyes TO the
truth. A church that will hold fairs
| and grab-bag festivals and suppers and
/ such like might as WCll throw up its
| hands. according to Brother CaVan-
/ augh'S way Of thinking. Ministers who
are given to what he calls bread and
butter" preaching have his sympathy.
He terms his own style of eXhorting
boarding house hash" preaching. be-
| cause his sermons have little OF
everything in them, And this those
who have l.eard him will as a rule gen
erously concede. He excuses his sever
ity in attacking the Weaknesses of this
degenerate race by asking Would YOU
| have taken a tack hammer to drive u
railroad spike?"
1T IS INTERESTING.
Tho book withal is interesting and
in parts amusing. Some of his expert
encos are quite novel ami he tells them
III an entertaining kind of way. FOI
, instance up in Liberty Falls, n. y, he
| PAINTED on 4 huge rock by the way
side THE Lord Hates Pride"
Later he learned much 10 his Griei
and peace of mind that the rock in
question frunted the residence of = not
overly even tempered gentleman named
Pride. Many other quite as interesting
. 2nacdltes are related and all in all
the book is worth reading.