The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-04-02


Evangelical Lutheran Church at
Warren, Ohio.
"The errors of Russellismp were dis
cussed and the following statements
made by Rev. Geo. Johannes, Martins
Ferry, Ohio.
81 don't want to have the expert
ence of Bishop Cox, who preached a
sermon against Unitarianism, and he
quoted so freely from their literature
that at the close Of the sermon, man
in the audience told him that he had
never believed in Unitarianism before,
but this sermon convinced him that
it was all right, RusselPs literature
is being spread broadcast over the
world. The editors of the Lutheran"
carry the idea that Russell's looks are
repulsive, but the editor is certainly
mistaken, for there is picture (hold-
ing up tract with Russell's picture
on it) and it is a good, kind face to
look upon"
Russell has an amazing knowledge
Of the Scriptures and knows how to
apply them. All his followers can
quote Scripture by the page
Rev. Prischorn then took up the
discussion. 81 want to tell you THIS,
that there is no man that does such
thorough advertising as does this man
Russell You will see his picture on
bill with show actors, and
prize-f fighters. For thoroughness in
advertising for meetings he certainly
has the credit, and is cunning enough
to draw the crowds. He has intense
business ability in publishing and ad-
vertising his literature. believe he
could demand $4,000 month with
his business ability. He has an eX-
ceptionally keen, bright intellect.
Russell has different binding for his
books to fool the people, some are
green and some are red. There are
few who have as much zeal for dis
tributing religious literature as Rus
sells followers. We can learn some
lessons from this man, to train our
selves in the knowledge of the Scrip
lures and to have more zeal. Russell
has thoroughly trained himself and
his fifty-eight preachers in the Scrip
lures, and they are experts. When
we talk with them we are out of the
argument because we cannot meet
them without the Scriptures. All
this is dangerous and Russell knows
it."
Rev. Johannes responds: GAS was
sitting here / was wondering where
all this MONEY came from. They
go over the country hiring the finest
halls in the largest cities, advertise
their meetings extensively, seats free,
no collection. The books are cheaper
than any other books, cheaper than
we sell our books, and where does all
this money come from? By preach
ing No He'll" .s-
Another minister, whose name was
not caught by the 'stenographer, said:
"What is Russell's secret of success?
1t lays in the good simple Bible truths
that people can understand, and what
the people want is to study the Bible.
Russell's followers are (some of
them) spiritual, pious people, some
are really good people, though de-
ceived, of course. Russell's books are
plain, our books are too stiff and dog
matte. He is teaching error, but why
don't we write some good, plain books
and sell them cheap? One-half of
our congregation is uneducated, ig-
norant people; while our books and
papers are plain to us ministers, they
(the common people, can't understand
them. People don't understand the
errors of Russellism, ad there is on
ly one way to counterfeit it, that is by
preaching the Bible truth. People
like these Bible stories made plain and
our literature is too dogmatic. When
we have a good pious member in our
denomination Russell agen comes
along and sells him a set of books,
and the first thing we know he has left
the church"
Rev. Miller replied: 81 cannot I'M
derstand why there is anything wrong
with our literature. | can't imagine
anyone wanting anything better to
read. All we need is to praise our
literature up more and put it before
the people. 1t is the way the Russell
agents have of presenting their wine
colored books, and | only wish we Luz
therans had some Of their zeal. They
go into the homes, tell the people that
they need and want these books, and
make them believe that they really
ought to have them. We Lutherans
want to giev the people what they
NEED"
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