Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-08-26
WILL RETURN SOON
TO "WAR ZONE" IN
FLINTSTONE VICINITY
Dynamite And Fire Doesn't
Daunt Rev. Mr.. Iona.

Although one church was recent
ly dynamited at Chaneysville, Pa,
other destroyed at Gilpin, Nd, by
inccndiaries and an attempt made
to blow up the home OF the pastor,
Rev. Walter Long, at Flintstone,
Md, the undaunted and unterri1ed
young minister of the Pentacostal
Assembly, popularity styled "the
Holy Rollers sticks to his task.
Rev. Mr.. Long, who has been
conducting a series of meetings for
the local Pentacostal church in n
tent at the corner of Kentucky ave-
nue. and West John street, will
clbse the services this week and
return to his circuit, which en-
braces the three charges mention
ed. He is not indicative nor re-
that his duty lies in the field men
toned, and has refused hattering
calls elsewhere. He believes event
ually he can overcome the antip-
athy Of the lawless element that re-
sents the introduction Of the house
Of God in their localities, and says
there Is a majority Of good, God
fearing residents VINO are anxious
to worship according to the die
tates Of their conscience.
At Chaneysville, where tho van
dals deliberately destroyed the
modest little church edifice, the
congregation now worships In
tent and the attendance has great
ly increased despite the pcrsecu-
ton. Not many ministers of tho COS
pei would remain in so menacing
locality, only men of the type Of
missionaries to the ignorant and
untutored savages;yct the savage,
If he wished to Gust missionary
and his church, would do SO open
ly not with the stealth Of the be-
nighted white man who objects to
anything resembling law and order
and religion.
Rev. Mr. Long says he has been
preaching when a hoodlum would
send stone crashing through the
window; harness has been cut
from horses, the poor animals them
selves slashed with knives, bould-
ers rolled into the roadway, and in
countless other ways efforts made
to obstruct his work. other chur-
ches do not escape. An attempt
was made to blow UP a Dunkard
Two youths from the fam
ed Smoke Hole" section Of West
Virginia and were beaten by their
father, who swore vengeance aga
inst Long and his church. Another
time, a woman who had been living
on poor terms with her husband,
she occupying one part Of the house
and he another, was baptized and
the husband, set up a cry OF the
Holy Rollers" separating man and
wife
Rev. Mr.. Long has the faculty Of
looking on the humorous side Of
things and 1t Is very interesting to
hear him tell Of his experiences in
he mountains sixteen miles from
and as far from a police
station. He laughs at the idea Of
minister Of the Pentacostal Assem-
bly, fTaternizing with snakcs, as in
7erred from southern news item
stating holy Roller" died from
while handling the rat
Tiers. They might be Holy Rollers
all right, put not members of the
Assembly. No snakes
or him and he does not believe
any man can preach the gospel ana
handle snakes, or indulge in any
other spectacular display like the
Jungle African. 1t is not religion,
)ut fanaticism, says the young
preacher, who believes the human
soul should be happy with God, es-
1ecially when converted.