Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-15

has fearlessly attacked all sin and
unrighteousness wherever found with.
in the church or without it, He has
never set price upon his prodigious
labors, the equal of which we have
never seen on the platform. He did
not ask the churches of Ottumwa or
any other organization for the priv
ilege of leading a campaign in our
city, but Oh the other hand, the united
churches of Ottumwa. through their
representatives, besought Mr. Sunday
for the space of nearly three years to
come and help us in this great cam
paign for God and home and native
land. In order to comply with our
request. he turned down similar re.
quests from more than 1875 cities. He
came TO us, trusting God and the fol
lowers Of Christ in Ottumwa and did
not ask us to guarantee him a penny
either for his expenses or for thank
Offering. The last Sunday alone OF
this campaign has been reserved that
the friends of the great work might
give a thank offering 10 God for his
noble servant who he's so gallantly
led the forces for righteousness on TO
glorious victory. To this explanation
we would append the following point
ed statements:
First-It is nobody's business how
Mr.. Sunday spends his own money.
We are fully convinced that he will
spend all OF his money for the honor
and glory of the Christ for whom he
is spending his life. What reception
would church committee receive
from any one of these men whose
names are attached to the letter in
last nights Courier, should they go
| to them and say: Nov we will guar
antec you your living expenses if you
will give the bulk of your income to the
poor?" 1t is well known to the peo-
| pie of this city that these men are not
conspicuous upon the charity lists of
! Ottumwa.
| Second--Several men who signed
| that letter in the Courier are connect
ed with the liquor business. In the
name Of God what is making people
/, poor faster and more fatally than the
i cursed liquor traffic?
Third-The business men of this
I city are annually asked to put up a
|
4 Ottumwa on the claim that il "helps
business The signers to the Courier
| letter do not agitate people about the
great sums Of money carried away by
these miserable shows which help to
blight the community and leave moth
ing good behind them. But when a
clean high-minded Gospel preacher
like Mr.. Sunday works to the point OF
exhaustion every day and night fo1
4 five weeks that he may serve God in
cleansing the outcast and rescuing the
drunkard, that he may close the gin
4 mill and extinguish the red light and
help the whole city Godward, then a
set of men presume to dictate how
he shall use his own money.
Fourth--We confess ourselves sur
prised at these words in Mayor Phil
I lips letter. IF he (Mr. Sunday will
proclaim his willingness TO join il
this plan, will do all in my power
, 10 make the collection, etc. be
lieve that | can induce hundreds O
men classed outside the church I,
!. join us OH that day and raise rous
ing big fund for the poor and needy o
this city" We frankly say as die
Peter OF old. THY money perish will
thee forsI preceive thou hast neitbe
part nor lot in this matter We viii
by no means hinder these numerous
citizens" if they should wish to NEE
! in the opera house and raise thei
rousing fund for the poor and need.
of this city. None will rejoice NOR,
than the church because of such
: good work. but next Sunday we ar
going to honor God by honoring hi
5 loyal servant, Mr.. Sunday, with
: worthy gift.
> Thomas d. Foster.
T. P. Spilman.
S. H. Harper.
! John Peach.
) DR.. e. I .Edgerly,
' Ben P. Elliott.
5 George Haw.
, p r. Holloway.
!, A. T. Gardner.
: DR.. Joshua Miller.
! Chris Haw.
3 DR.. E. A. Sheafe.
G, G. Thomas.
George Haw, Jr.
J.. G. Hutchison.
Samuel Mahon
C. w. Comegys.
D. G. Brockman.
F. F. Bridgeman.