The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-09
They CANE BACK
E. e. Mercer and H. H. HadIey
in Evangelistic Work.
Holding Series of Meetings at
Grace Cathedral.

From a home OF culture and wealth
with a brilliant education, to the
slums New York, penniless and
facing a penitentiary term; from edu-
cation and social position to the
standing of a ragged tramp, is the
Journey which E. c. Mercer, Of Vir-
gina took. Mercer came back" and
for the past seventeen years he has
been telling how his transformation
was accomplished in Episcopal mis-
sions thruout the eastern United
States.
Mercer and H. H. Hadley, both of
them reclaimed from the depths at
the Jerry McAuley mission in New
York City. are in Topeka. and will
speak each evening during this week
at Grace cathedral Mercer, on Sun
the cathedral the melodramatic story
of his own life.
He Had Plenty of Money.
at was rich-had plenty of money
IN my pockets and in the bank. I was
social leader. 1 have graduated
from two universities, and am de-
scended from a long line of Episco-
palians. My great grandfather was an
intimate friend Of George Washington
and a general on his staff. 1 am a
nephew of a president Of the United
States" Mercer said.
And in 1904 I was an outcast. Ny
father had struck my name out of his
Wfil and had declared that he never
wanted to see my face again. He had
disowned me. I was a drunkard,
ragged, penniless, and I faced the pen
ltentiary on a forgery charge inVolv
ing 100000 had run thru a for
tune of 100000"
Mercer told of visiting the Jerry
McAuley mission, and finding there
mot a historical Christ, but a risen,
living, loving Lord" by whose power
he was returned to decency and right
living.
He laid great stress on the fact of
Christ's having risen from the dead
and become a living reality. The text
from which Mercer spoke was the
words of Doubling Thomas" who de
manded that he be allowed to place
his fingers in the prints of the nails,
and thrust his hand into the wounded
side of the crucified Christ, before he
would believe.
Many Professional Christians.
There are thousands of profession
al Christians, twentieth century Phar-
lsees, who do not believe in the risen
Christ" Mercer declared. IF you do
not believe in the living Christ, YOU
may as well make money your God
and abandon the outer form of Chris
tianity"
1T took me years of time, 5000, 900
IN money, and almose a penitentiary
sentence to discover this living
Christ" Mercer said.
For seventeen years he has been en-
gagged in evangelistic, religious work
of some sort. Much of his work was
with John r. Mott, founder Of the
y NJ c. A, among the colleges and
preparatory schools of the country.
He has also done much work in the
prisons
The meetings are to be held each
evening at Grace Cathedral, with A
different pastor in charge of the de-
Notional exercises each evening. To-
night DR. S. S. Estey, of the First
PreSbyterian>( church, is to be in
charge; on Thursday evening Dr.. E. J.
kulp, of the First Methodist church:
on Wednesday evening. the Reverend
X. A. Scheu, of the First Christian
church; on Thursday evening, the
Reverend A. E. Gregory, of the First
Congregational church; on Friday
evening. Bishop James Wise, and on
saturday evening, Dean J. p. Deb.
Kaye. of Grace Cathedral
Mercer is to speak to the Kiwanis
club at its regular meeting tonight.
ana to the Rotary club at noon
Thursday.