The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-22
MINISTERS ON MIRACLE.
RENFRO'S BEING STRICKEN DUMB
FOR BLASPHEMY DISCUSSED.
Nearly All Doubt the StOry-AII Ad-
nit the Possibility of Its Being
True and Supernatural, but Most
of Them Are SkepticaI.
From the Baltimore Sur

of Them Are SkepticaI.
From the Baltimore Sun.
Chicago, June 19.-The case of St.
made deaf and dumb when he protest
ed that he should remain an agnostic
until he received such a sign from
Heaven as would lead him to believe
that there was a God in Heaven" is
creating much interest among the pas
tors of the city.
Physicians say that it is due to hys-
terra, but many ministers think that
it was direct judgment from God.
Rev. DR.. Jacoby of Moody's Church,
firmly believes that Renfro was pun
ished by the Lord. He said;
while there are no modern mira
cles that we know of, 1 believe this
was one as fully as I believe in the
blindness that overlook Paul before
his conversion. Before Renfro left he
repented and believed
Rev. w. B. Leech said:
Il believe that such a thing could
and ough to happen. 1 think that
the man IS diseased in his mind and
that he should be examined by the
medical men before too much stock is
put in his doings 1 do not believe
God does business in this way at the
present day, for if He punished all
disbelievers and blasphemers, He would
have to strike many. In that this
man Renfro Immediately stated that he
was going to be a preacher, l am in
clined to think he is playing a des-
penate game to get before the public
quickly. l do not know anything about
the case personally. except what
have read in the papers, so would not
want to say that he is a fraud"
Rev. w. R. hoffman, in speaking of
the case. said:
While it is quite possible to have
such a thing occur I do not think that
God works in this way at this age and
day. l think that this case will bear a
good deal of investigation. do not
know anything about the case except
what | have read in the newspapers.
but it looks to me as if Renfro was get
ting a good deal of cheap advertising.
think that it is case where the doc
tors should investigate carefully to as
certain if there is not something the
matter with the mans mind"
Rev. j. A. Milburn, pastor of the Plv-
mouth Congregational Church, said:
do not know If this was a miracle
sent as a judgment upon the man by
God or If ii was a simple reaction Of
the nervous system. should not want
to give any opinion on the matter as
such thing would be given in the
dark. do not think that God acts in
that way at the present day. Yes, such
a thing is possible, but not probable
Rev. Dr. H. Jacoby, of Elgin. III
said: iii''
think this was peculiar coinci-
oence, but l do not think it is anv
nooern miracle. l do not believe that
God would do such thing in this day.
Tor 1t is directly contrary to His love,
toward mankind to act in this terrible
manner When | read the story in the
newspapers did not think it was true
put seeing that it really did occur. /
t li5 that IL is simply a peculiar coin
cldence, possibly brought about NV
some diseased condition of his mind >,
Rev. c. B. McAfee said:
whether this case was a noiracle ~,
not is matter of evidence II tba
evidence is clear and strong there is
no reason why we should not halieya
mat this was a direct revelation Of
Goa TO this man. All things which
we peneve are presented to us tihroucb
the Slrehgtn or evidence and upon this
we base our belief If the proof oe
this matter is clear there lis no reaso,,
that | can see why people. Cshristts -
or otherwise, should not believe n
hrinly believe that God could do thasa
things as well to-day as in the tins
OF Paul, but, of course, He docs not
OFTEN take this method of REVEALING
himself to His people. / do not know,
anything about the case more thar
have read. but it looks like a stro,, :.
case. But II those who are in a nosie
ton TO secure the proof do SO ana -
as forthcoming l do not See whv we
should not believe i'm II /"
Rev. Myron w. Haynes said.
Il think that II these things AVA
could happen they could do 40 IN 49,
present day, for the Lord can oer,s s,,,9
~ do these things as well to-dav a.
In the time OF Paul. Whether the "a
has changed His methods and 49,
Of revealing Himself 20 the peonle si,sl,s
that time Is something that we can,,,',
answer. think that the world ~
become 50 wicked that the Lord VII
have 10 take some drastic nneans
make the people realize their conai
ton" "'ial-
Bishop Charles r. Cheney said.
! % not know anything about ,bt.
aase further than what ! have reas