Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-20

The Westerly Memorial Library as- sociation has arranged with the sons of Johannes A. Oertel, the artist, for an exhibition of a large number. of the paintings of this noted artist. Four large cases of the pictures have ar rived and arh to be exhibited in the art room as soon as they can be prop erly placed. Johannes A. Oertel was born in Nuremberg, Bavaria, in 1923, and he died in 1909- It was about forty-eight years ago he originated and painted the Rock of Ages. the well kpSRWn symbolic picture, repre- aenting frail human nature clinging to the cross set in the turbulent sea of life. and which is to be found in many Christian homes in every quar- ter of the earth. It is conceded that the presentation is the most direct and simple illustration of Gods plan of salvation that has ever been given the public, and it's meaning and spirit appeal as potently to the leftiest inn agination and most cultured mind as thoSe most limited
 This best known of the worlds paintings was executed by MT. Oertel in his studio at Westerly. where the artist and his family resided at the time. The Rock of Ages Is among the pictures to be exhibited This painting in size is two feet in width , and three feet six inches in height. 1t is . comparatively small canvas and by no means was his masterpiece in the creators estimation, but it hap pened to strike the popular fancy. The picture created a sensation and a shrewd dealer realized it's possibilities in popular reproduction. Fair prom ises of rich royalties were made to the artist and he permitted it's use. but 1t was shown that artistic genius and business acumen were not com parison qualities. The artist did not properly secure his rights and the re- suit was that thousands of copies of the Rock of Ages went forth and heaped up a fortune for an unscrupu- lous art publisher. while 1t struck the death knell of the artists financial success
 The work of Mir. oertel Is of dis tinct type, It is religious in nature, symbolic in character and its mission is to teach. The artists object was to bring before mankind by his inspired brush the inner meanings of the scrip lures. MT. Oertel was an ordained min tster of the Methodist Episcopal church.
 The Coast Artillery corps companies of tho Rhode island National Guard, Westerly, will spend one week on an nual tour of duty, while like troops in Connecticut. are at the present time on a tour of duty for ten days at the island forts Of the New London ar tillery district. The officers of the Rhode Island corps. excepting the at tached medical officers and chaplains, will proceed to Fort Creole on July for preliminary instruction until the arrival of tho main body of troops on July 12
 The commanding officer of the Sec ond district, with field and staff and band, and the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Eff teenth and Sixteenth companies, will go to Fort Creole, Sunday. July 12 The Eleventh and Sixteenth companies will be assigned to Battery Mitchell and the Twelfth Thirteenth, Four teenth and Fifteenth to Battery Hale and the Ninth and Tenth to Battery Sedgwfck.
 The commanding ofi7cer of the First district, with field and staff and band and the First, Second, Third, Fourth Fifth. Sixth, Seventh. Eighth and Seventeenth companies will go to Fort Creole on Sunday. July 1S. The First and Second companies will be assign ed to Battery Sedgwick, the Fifth and Seventh to Battery Mitchell, the Third Fourth. Sixth, Eighth and Seventh to Battery Hale.
 A remarkable and beautiful freak