The weekly examiner., 1901-08-24
HERE IS A REAL PREACHER.
HE GETS NO SALARY AND
 PASSES NO PLATE.
Has Preached Free Sermons for Thirty Years in a Church BuiltNAlmost by Himself.
SKETCH OF LYMAN H. JOHN
 SON OF TOLEDO.
The Man Who Is to Be Expelled From the Local Pastors Union.
 Story of His Struggles.

Story of His Struggles.
 Lynan H. Johnson, whose unclerical methods of teaching the gospel have brought him into considerable prom thence recently through his conflict with the Preachers union, is a mo- table character, and one whose whole career has been consistent with the beliefs he so consistently and per- .sistently breaches His home and horne-life are the best testimonials to the thorough earnestness and whole ssouled honesty of the man.
 Unlike the children of many preach ers, his follow loyalty and faithfully in the fathers footsteps. His wife, a 1ady of refinement, intelligence and culture. is with him heart and soul in the cause for which, wisely or other wise, her husband has sacrificed about everytning that man holds dear in this world.
 His whole life has been one long sacrifice, and the Great Master, in whose steps he professes to tread, has in Lyulan Johnson a disciple as un- selfish and self sacrificing as any whose narnEs asiorn the calendar of saints.
 Crank? Well was not Christ. in the eyes of his prosecutors, crank and an anarchist?
 Mark Twain put it aptly when he said: .'To be virtuous is to be eccen- tric;' and Lyman Johnson dares to be Virtuous.
 lengthy Introduction of the learned and ostracised divine. Tine story of his life will be more interesting and Christian like than many of the sermons that will be preached in many of the churches of Toledo.
 The rarity of the character is in it. self a sufficient excuse, and besides the preacher who has preached the gospel free for upwards of thirty years is worthy of a free notice.
 Mr Johnson lives on Tenth St. near Adams in comfortable house which he built about eight years e5o doing most of the carpenter work himself. It is an odd-looking structure. High, mar row steps lead to the entrance. In the basement MT. Johnsons paper "The Stumbling Stone,'' is printed. The front room of the floor above serves as a chapel where he holds his meet ings. Benches are used for seats and an unpretentious pulpit occupies the center of one side of the room. There are also shelves on which are kept back numbers of his paper, dat ing from 1868 to the present time.
 MT Johnson has a wife and six chii- dren, who are with hi.-1 :n the faith. One son resides in California. Three live in Toledo and are contractors known as Johnson Bros. Three are residents of Auburnda1e. One of the three is 8, preacher, but on account of poor health does not follow his voca- ton. Two daughters are married and live in Toledo One son lives at home with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. All are spoken of in the highest terms.
 Mr. and Mrs. Johnson nave lived in the vicinity of Toledo for twenty years. Forty-tWO years ago they were mar ried in Wisconsin
 Mrs. Johnson is a native of Massa- chusetts. MT. Johnson gets no salary and has preached the Gospel free for HWenty-nine years, and does not charge Tor his paper, sending it out free to those who may wish it. Neither does he take up collections at his services. Those who so desire contribute to his support privately. Several times be- quests have been left him. He is ra- aher a short man and stoops some what. His face is full of character and strong, indicating that nothing would sWerve him from a principle which he deemed right.
 Following is a brief history of MT. johnson'S career given by himself:
 Mr. Johnson's Story.
 To the Editor At the request of your representative I will make some state ments in regard to my personal his- tory and work, and the origin and na- fure of the mission at the Free Chapel In Toledo.
 I was born in Marion, Wayne coun- fy, ". r., Jan. 1, 1s2s' ana was chiefly Indebted for my early religious train lng to my Godly grandmother, who was a. Puritan, native of Massachu- sefts
 Being poor, obtained education un- der difficulties. learning Greek ana