The Portland daily press., 1897-06-30
CHILD A PREACHER.
A Precocious Nebraska Boy-Rev. John e.
de Merritt of Newport Licensed in the
Baptist Ministry When 10 Years Old,
Chicago Record. J

ual condition of excitement exists in this
section of the state. 1t is due to the
preaching of a child, frail youth of Is
years, who really looks to be no older
than 9. Crowds are focking weekly to
Newport from all adjoining counties to
participate in the revival that has been
developed by the child.
The Rev. John E. de Merritt is the
youngest ordained minister in the world.
He lives here with his parents who are
in very reduced circumstances. Though
he has been attracting attention for some
time as a most precocious child, the most
extraordinary ability of the youth as
pulpit orator was not suspected until re-
Gently, when he. commenced to participate
exte nsively in revival work.
+ The writer visited the Rev John de
Merritt at his home a few days ago.
When he knocked a bright faced boy in
knee breeches came to the door.
Yes replied the little fellow, "that's
my name; am DR.. de Merritt, or, at
lea st, / am Johnny de Merritt and they
call me DOCTOR
When urged for brief history Of his
life the child was rather surprised. He
was not EN- barrasSed-on, the contrary,
appearing to be wholly at his ease.
II don't see who wants to know any
thing about me-" remarked the boy; but
think it would be real nice to see my
tinued in a burst of confidence, 81 never
had my picture taken but once That
was the other day, when was preaching
over at Broken Bow at the revival SER
vice. They gave me one of the photo
graphs. 1t was made while / was stand
ing in the pulpit, with the Bible in my
hand"
After some preliminary remarks Dr.. de
Merritt gave this sketch of his career i'll a
like simplicity that was almost amusing.
Il was born in a dugout near Broken
Bow, Neb., Oct. 4, 1882. / attended the
Sunday school at Broken Bow, and be-
ing called of God to do his service I began
my religious life in the early part Of my
10th year. 1t was first by talking to
some children in cellar under q store in
Broken Bow. I began preaching to the
older people in the Baptist church of that
place the same year. went to Fort
Scott, KAN, with my parents in July,
1894. After my arrival there was busily
engaged in revival work among all de-
nominations, in which many souls were
converted. At Joplin, New, and numer
GUS other places in Kansas and Missouri I
large crowds. 1 was licensed to preach
the gospel by the Baptist church at Fort
Scott in March, 1896 My parents re-
moved to Nebraska in September, 1896,
and remained in Kansas to attend
school, preaching when called upon until
May, 1897. when 1 followed my parents to
Rock county, Nebraska. Since my ar
rival here have had more calls than J.
can fill. / am member of the Baptist
church, but perform Gods work among
all denominations. At present I am
striving to obtain money to enter college
that I may better prepare myself for
Gods service.
The little fellow during the converse
ton sat playing with cat and had the
air of a child in everything he did and
said. His manner was at all times devoid
of anything that might suggest that he
was considered one of the most eloquent
speakers in the section.
At Broken Bowl Newport and other
points through Rock county this little
advocate of Gods ministry on earth has
spokenssto crowds sometimes averaging
5000 people. When it Is announced that
young De Merritt is to lead certain
meeting it is the signal for people Of all
denominations for fifty miles around to
assemble at the point indicated Many
open air meetings, commonly called
camp" meetings, are held by the young
SJer ana ne arOuSeS the most INTENSE en-
thusiasm. His manner is SO simple and
withal SO sincere that all within hearing
of his voice are drawn toward him. He
will preach in any denomination from
the Salvation Army to the Episcopal
church and seems equally at home on all
occasions.
The boys father is merchant in a
small way and not able to educate the
child as the little fellows wonderful
talent warrants. The parents appreciate
thoroughly what might be accomplished
by the infant preacher if he were given
the opportunity to secure higher educa-
ton. The boy is very economical, saves
every cent given him for his services and
purchases books. He is close student
and occupies all his time when not en-
gagged in his fathers store or working
around the house in application to his
books. He has read the Bible through no
less than three times and is very well ac-
quainted with all passages of Importance
Some one gave him few volumes Of
Biblical Commentator Clark's works, and
with these he studies out all doubtful
clauses in the Bible and prepares his SER
mons. He never speaks from notes and
his whole delivery is of an extemporane-
GUS nature. A number Of old ministers
who have seen the boy and heard him
preach declare that he is genius in
every sense of the word.