The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-28
HE'S A PROPHET.
At Least Evangelist Nelson
Thinks He Is.
Policeman Called to Prevent
Him From Talking.
HE is AN ADVENTIST.
HE is AN ADVENTIST.
Haunts Meetings Preaching Re-
form of the Sect.
Told Policeman Who Elected
Him He Had No Fear.


"A Swedish evangelist named Nelson
made things interesting for the
Seventh Day Adventists during
their ten days meeting just
completed. He claimed to be
prophet ordained by God, and he wanted
TO talk all the time. Finally, at the meet
ing held on Saturday at the Seventh
Day Adventist church at Fifth ana
Western avenue. Nelson made 50 much
trouble that Special officer Nels McCon-
nell was called, and stopped by tofee q
speech which Nelson was trying 10
make.
Nelson is a Seventh Day Adventist,
but he thinks that the sect as 1t now
exists needs reforming. He claims that
the presiding elder Of the conference IS
a hypocrite, and that the Whole sect
should be rejuvenated.
For years Nelson has pursued the
Seventh Day conventions ike an aNehg
ing angel. At Chicago, at Battle creek,
at Des MONIES, and at many other sew
enth Day Adventist stronghOlds he has
attended the conferences and conVen-
tiCns, and has insisted on being heard
At Des A1oines he was taken back 10
Chicago by force, and tried for his san
ity. He was declared to be all right in
his mind
Last Saturday was the Adventists'
Sunday, and religious services were an
nOunced for the Adventist church Nel-
son was on hand Before Sunday school
was over he got uD on the platform ana
commenced TO talk, and eXpound MS
theories Some Of the brethren attempt
ed to stOp him, but he could not be
stoned. He talked right through sew
eral hymns, and drowned out everything
the meeting attempted to do. Flnaliy'
some of the members of the church Lele-
DhOned to Nels Mcconnell, the special
officer in charge of the auditorium where
the meetings have been in progress, ana
asked him to come out and stop Nelson.
Mcconnell hurried to the church. step
ned up to the platform, and asked Mr.
Nelson to stop Nelson refused Then
Mcconnell took him by the arm and
elected him from the building
You can do one Of two things, said
Mcconnell, either 90 back in there and
sit down peaceably, and quit talking, or
III take you to the station, and have
you locked ND.
What do I care for prisons?,' asked
Nelson. 4 am a prophet OF Cod ana
have a message for these misguided
Evidently they don't want to hear
it, said Mcconnell. (which viii it be?
Shall I take you to the station?"
What charge can you place against
me2" asked Nelson.
Disturbing a religious meeting, and
the penalty is heavy for that, 1 can tell
you"
declared Nelson. Il have been in
prison nine times as a martyr to the
cause.
However, Mr.. Nelson decided to go
way back and sit down" in the church,
Nelson is still in Topeka. and is
working at stOnemasOnry on a build
ing between Third and Fourth streets
on Kansas avenue. He is trying to
earn money enough to get back to Chi
cagO- Nelson is a good workman, and
appears TO be a bright and skillfui
preacher. He has a great gift of elo-
cutiOn his only trouble being that
when he once gets started on his hobby
there is no stopping him. He tried to
break in at the meetings in the Audi
forum several times, and once or
twice did actually get possession of the
platform, but was induced to refrain
from speaking.
Saturday afternoon the Adventists
gave Nelson permission to speak at
their church. beginning at 4 o'clock.
Only a few people were present Mel
son talked to them till o'clock, and
only quit when everybody had gone to
supper.
one of the Adventists states that he
thinks the present conference got off
easily from Nelson's persistent at
tempts to speak. Sometimes Nelson
has made so much trouble that the con-
ferences have been seriously interfered
with, it is claimed. The Adventists do
not want Nelson arrested, because they
dislike the publicity which such a move