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REPRESENTING THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF 2X2 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET
February 23, 1907 - Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
May 18, 1907, p8 - The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
June 5, 1907 - The Colonist,
Nelson NZ (defunct)
July, 1907, pp. 102-103 - New Zealand Treasury- Letter to the Editor
August 31, 1908 - p2 - Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
October 26, 1909 –
The Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Otautau, NZ (defunct)
September 28, 1910 - p 8 -
The Poverty Bay Herald, Gisbourne, NZ (now the Gisbourne Herald),
April 8, 1914 - p 4 -
Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
January 20, 1917 - p 7 -
The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
August 4, 1917 –
The Grey River Argus (defunct), Greymouth NZ
October 27, 1917 - p 7 -
The Poverty Bay Herald, Gisbourne, NZ (now the Gisbourne Herald),
July 18, 1925 - p 12 - The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
Heading: News and Notes
“There is no boon that may not be abused and the penalty for religious liberty is the occasional appearance of noxious and half-insane fanatics who seduce the credulous from their social or family duties and cause dire misery. A farmer named Wilson near Ipswich was lately fined L1 and costs for damage inflicted on a “mission hall” with an iron bar; but he had the sympathy of his neighbours. A party known as “tramp preachers” whose tenets somewhat resemble those of the Mormons have lately been ravaging East Anglia seducing converts not only from the churches but from their homes. Proselytes were rebaptised by immersion, and were in some cases sent abroad on mission-work without funds being required to make the mission pay its own expenses. The “fellowship” has been nine years in existence and is said to number 350 members. Wilson had been particularly unfortunate, and was driven to desperation. Two sons and three daughters had joined the “tramps,” and the eldest girl, conceiving that she had a “call” for mission work, had left her home and refused to return.
May 18, 1907 - Page 8
The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
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A NEW RELIGION, OPERATING IN AUSTRALIA,
Missionaries in Melbourne,
The "Go-Preachers" or " Dippers "
—The "No-Sect Sect"—A Campaign of Cadging—Homes Broken Up—Australians Beware
Of the making of new religious sects there is no end. And as if Australia had not already an ample variety of religiosity, a new one has come here. Officially, they bear no name, but, for reasons hereafter explained, they are variously known as "The Go-Preachers," "The Cooneyites," "The Irvineites," "The No-Sect Sect," and sometimes as "The Dippers." Ostensibly, they have no responsible organisation, no headquarters, no offices; but, behind it all, there are, as usual, clever hands and cunning brains. Four representatives of the sect are already operating in Melbourne, while two are said to be at work in Sydney. It would appear that the sect was started in Great Britain in 1898. Six years previously one William Irvine, a colliery manager at Kilsyth, Scotland, attended a mission service held by the "Rev." John McNeil, an Evangelist. Eight months later he resigned his position and went to the Bible Training Institute at Glasgow, and until 1898 he was attached to the "Faith Mission," which sent out preachers all over the United Kingdom. But while working in the South of Ireland Irvine came to the conclusion that his position was "inconsistent with the example of Christ," and he left the mission to preach alone. "Had I chosen the ordinary path that leads to the ministry, with its churches, chapels, congregations, and stipends, all would have been well," says Irvine. So he inaugurated the "Go-Preachers," who sometimes vary the name by calling themselves the "TRAMP PREACHERS."
Their "Charter," as they call it, is the 10th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, and they are told to follow the Apostolic injunction: "And as ye go, preach, saying the Kingdom of heaven is at hand," and "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats ... for the workman is worthy of his hire." Upon this foundation the Irvineites have built up an extensive system of fraud, imposition, cadging and credulity. In 1891 Irvine was joined by, amongst others, Edward Cooney, the son of an Enniskillen draper, who became a member of the sect with Annie Smith, one of his father's assistants. Later on Irvine and Cooney were joined by one Wilson McClung, and hence in certain parts of England the "preachers" are known as "McClungites."
Now what are the tenets of this sect? In the first place they cadge and loaf upon other people. Irvine himself says: "In exchange for bread and butter we give those who are In fellowship with us bread from Heaven—a real hearty, exchange. ... Whenever I have visited the home of a brother I have always found hospitality in exchange for that, which, as a preacher of the truth, I bring into it. ... As for those phases of the work which cannot be carried on without money, all I know is that the money has always been available." But at the back of all this bunkum there is the undeniable fact that Irvine's converts" and "disciples" have supplied him with any amount of money. It has been ascertained that the income of Irvine and Cooney totals at least £2,000 a year, apart from the cost of sending "preachers" to the colonies and other expenses, such as bicycles, clothes, railway and boat fares, to say nothing of the cost where it must be incurred, of accommodation. But, primarily, the "Go-Preachers" or "The Dippers" are loafers.
Secondly, the "Go-Preachers" (according to the English papers which have investigated their proceedings) are breakers of homes, breeders of STRIFE AND DOMESTIC DISSENSION. Up to the commencement of the present year Irvine, had despatched 114 "preachers" to Canada and the United States, some score to South Africa, and half a dozen or so to Australia and New Zealand. These "preachers" are mostly girls, and it is evident, from published correspondence, that their movements are directed by Irvine and Cooney. Irvine says: "The preachers always go about in pairs—two men and two women. A sister always has her companion to whom she can appeal. If she thinks it advisable she may go to one of the brothers, who are always at hand, prepared to exercise nothing more than a brotherly control, which is the only kind of control we have. We don't recognise that sisters do more than help. They couldn't baptise." Scores of young men and women have turned their backs upon home and relatives and gone into the world as converts of the new religion. In many cases (inqired into by English journalists) four sisters named Wilson, the daughters of a farmer near Ipswich, were each entitled to £500 under their grandfather's will, and all this money went to Irvine. Numerous instances have been published of girls leaving home, and, under the influence of the new religion, going to America, Africa or Australia; and an authenticated case (in Lancashire) is given to prove that a young woman lost her reason through THIS RELIGIOUS MANIA and had to be placed in confinement. "God provides," said the "preachers," but the £2,000 of the Wilson children should be borne in mind. A typical illustration of the practices of the "Go-Preachers" is that one of them who "lived" on a poor woman in Falkirk, Scotland, until she was compelled to put him out." Their "preachers" in Australia are carrying on the same game.
As to their assertion that they have neither organisation nor method; it is conclusively shown that, as a body, they are controlled by individuals; that there exists a perfectly understood system encouraging likely "preachers"; that, so far from their movements depending upon Divine guidance, they are mainly prearranged; that they are maintained and housed by an elaborate system liable to abuse; and that the strength of the preaching is modified to suit the occasion. If they can, they loaf; but sometimes "payment is necessary where there is no saints or no accommodation." All requests to Irvine or Gooney. From fathers or mothers for information, as to the WHEREABOUTS OF THEIR CHILDREN and the conditions under which they are living are refused. At the annual convention held in Belfast brothers and sisters (according to Irvine) "volunteer for the work in the colonies," but there is ample evidence that they are '''sent," and have no choice but to go. Regarding "Go-Preachers" who are already operating in Australia, "Truth" has been able to ascertain that four are in Melbourne. Two of this quartette are Willie and Aggie Hughes (apparently brother and sister), who came here on the Oswestry Grange. Subsequently Aggie wrote: "We got into a Baptist hall, but only got staying a week. Were put out at the end of it, although we did try to go softly" (i.e., in preaching). The names of the others are at present unascertainable; and it is signiflcent that the Melbourne Baptists, with which denomination the "Dippers" are stated to be allied, deny all knowledge of the sect. "Truth's" representative, who inquired into the matter, however, has reason to believe that the "Baptist hall" mentioned in the letter was ONE IN FITZROY.
But the fact that there are representatives of the "Go-Preachers" in Melbourne and Sydney is fully established, and also that they are at work endeavoring to proselytise and "convert," and also to loaf, and cadge, according to their creed, upon those, who have provided themselves with a modicum of the good things of this world. It is worthy of note that the "Irvineites" are divided into two sections—the "preachers" and the "saints." The "preachers" are those who abandon the things of the world in order to devote their lives to preaching. The "saints" are those who remain at home "in fellowship" under the supervision of the. "bishops," among the latter being Irvine and Cooney. And it is an understood thing that the "preachers" in the colonies are expected to remit to the "saints" at home any monetary collections they may, make.
— Melbourne Truth
June 5, 1907 (no page number).
The Colonist (defunct) -
Nelson NZ
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Heading: BREVITIES
Ten men and women were publicly baptised by the “Go Preachers” in the Ouse at Kempston, near Bedford the other day. A hostile crowd of 1500 hooted and threw tufts of grass during the immersion.”
July, 1907, pp. 102-103
New Zealand Treasury
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Brother Ferguson,
— I would like through the "Treasury" to call attention to what may be a danger, especially to small assemblies. Visiting such an assembly some time ago, we were pained to see it still further weakened by some of their number walking no more with them. Some time previously, two lady preachers belonging to a sect of recent origin came into the district to hold meetings. The Christians of this little meeting unwisely attended. Now they have reason to regret doing so. Some are now out of the meeting, and speak most bitterly against what they once owned as of God; speaking of those in the meeting as "unsaved," and the servants of Christ who laboured there (some of them now with Christ) as "False prophets, crying peace, peace." And as this is the effect generally produced by these preachers, we recommend God’s people to apply an old and safe rule to them: "By their fruits ye shall know them"; and to obey Prov. xix. 27, "Cease my son to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."
Now a few words as to these preachers known as "Pilgrims" or "Cooneyites," as we have observed them in N.Z. and elsewhere. They come round the little meetings, often accept hospitality, giving the impression that they have very much in common with them, and when they gain a footing use it as already pointed out. In no case have they helped the little assembly. They claim to work on "Faith Lines," and each to look to the Lord to be guided in their movements apart from any central authority; but it seems somewhat strange the uniformity in methods and teaching wherever they are met. Those taken with their apparent spirituality and unworldliness in dress, etc., would do well to consider Col. ii.23: "Which things have a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
In their preaching there is much that is contrary to sound doctrine, tending in a subtle way toward Unitarianism (it does seem as if this is the error Satan is pushing in these days). We give just a few samples of the things they teach. They teach that apart from a "living witness" no one can be born again. The living witness is some preacher. Two passages of God’s Word are enough to show how false this very unsettling kind of teaching is: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John xx.30-31). "And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. iii. 15). Again and again has the reading of God’s Word or a tract, apart from any other human instrumentality, led souls to Christ. They lay great stress upon receiving the "living Christ." It is, thank God, true that every one who believes in Christ receives Him. But according to these preachers, to present the work of Christ to the sinner to meet his need is not to preach a living Christ. So the three grand accomplished facts of 1 Cor. xv. 1-4 are but "mere statements." To point sinners to the "precious blood of Christ" is not their way. They have referred to it as "the blood of a dead man." We thank God for the peace we entered into when we saw that the blood had made full satisfaction to God, and we shall sing of it in the glory (Rev. v. 9). "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor. ii. 2) is explained by them to mean "Christ crucified in the believer." No; Christ crucified, risen and glorified, was Paul’s grand theme for saved and unsaved.
One thing more. Speaking against preachers marrying, they say, "Christ did not marry." Now in these days when on all hands the Deity of Christ is being denied, often insidiously, by those who profess to preach Him, Christians may well beware of those who thus refer to Him. To say the least, the words betray an utter failure to comprehend His glory as the God-man in making Him the pattern for the servant, in what God did not.
In closing, let me say again: When the effect of any preaching is to lead you away from the little assemblies for the weekly remembrance of our blessed Lord, that preaching is not of God. If the souls are saved it is no reason why you should be there, especially if God’s order is set aside in women preaching to public meetings of men and women (1Cor. xiv. 34-35; 1 Tim. ii. 11-12). We hope and believe that God blesses His Word even in Rome, and for the measure in which this is true we praise God; but we do not believe that would justify our going to hear a priest of Rome celebrate mass.—Yours in our soon coming Lord.
—W. J. McClure.
WHERE GOD CARRIES HIS PEOPLE 1. On His shoulder—The place of strength. Ex. xxviii.12; Isa. xxvi.4; Luke xv.5.
3. On His Heart—the place of affection. Ex. xxviii.29; Jer. xxxi.3; S. of S. viii.6.
4. On His hands—the place of safety. Isa. xlix.16; S. of S. ii.6; Isa. xli.10; John x.28-29.
5. On His forehead—the place of thought. Ex. xxviii.38; Psa. xl.5; Jer. xxix.11; Psa. cxv.12.
6. On His wings—the place of power. Ex. xix. 4; Deut. xxxii. 11.
7. In His arms—the place of support. Deut. xxxiii.27; Psa. lv. 22; 2 Sam. xxii. 19.
In seven places, and all at the same time!
Let your children see that you esteem God’s Word, not only because it teaches you how to be saved, and how to be happy, but because it reveals the very heart of God in Christ. See that you recommend it by your speech and by your ways. —R.C.C.
Editor's Note: The Treasury, New Zealand (Open Brethren Magazine)
c/o GPH Society Ltd., P.O. Box 74, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Tel: (063) 88180
August 31, 1908 - Page 2
Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
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Heading: Anglo-Colonial Notes
“The hamlet named Crocknacrieve, situated in one of the most picturesque districts of Co. Fermanagh, is at present the scene of an international convention in connection with the strange religious sect known as “the Pilgrims,” and more popularly in Fermanagh as the “Cooneyites,” on account of the fact that one of the chief leaders is Mr. Edward Cooney, of Enniskillen. From all parts of the United Kingdom evangelists have foregathered, and converts have travelled even from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, America and other distant lands to participate in the daily services which are a feature of the reunion.
The “pilgrims” spend much time in walking about the spacious grounds deeply concerned in perusing the Bible. All the manual labour is done by the “pilgrims.” The women discharge domestic duties and dressmaking, while the men undertake cooking, cycle repairs, carpentry, painting, sailoring, boot-repairing, stable duty, and other occupations incidental to a large community.
At the chief meeting of the present convention there was an attendance of over 1,000 people, the principal speaker being Mr. Irvine who addressed the audience for three hours and a half!
October 26, 1909 – (no page number)
The Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Otautau, NZ (defunct)
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Heading: none
Particulars of a fanatics congress are given in the following telegram to the Globe: Remarkable scenes are being witnessed at Ballinamallard, County Fermanagh, where the Cooneyites are holding a revival convention on a very extensive scale. Over 2,000 pilgrims from all parts of the world are taking part in all-day religious exercises, holding the belief that the Lord may usher in the millennium at any moment.
Their prayer services are continuous from dawn till sunset. Public baptisms in Ballinamallard River of hundreds of people are a daily feature of the convention. For weeks past elaborate preparations for the festival had been in progress. Nearly all the converts sleep in the open air, on the farm of one of the leaders of the strange sect. But those who prefer it are permitted to rest in temporary wooden dormitories, marquees, and other tents.
September 28, 1910 - Page 8
The Poverty Bay Herald, Gisbourne, NZ (now the Gisbourne Herald)
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Heading: Cooneyite Convention
That remarkable sect, known as the “Cooneyites,” have been holding their annual convention at Crocknacrieve, Fermanagh. Upwards of a thousand members, who describe themselves as pilgrims, assembled from all parts of Ireland, as well as from England and Scotland, and even from some of the colonies. Crocknacrieve House and its extensive grounds were placed at the disposal of the assemblage by the owner who is said to be an enthusiastic member of the sect.
According to the lead correspondent of a Dublin journal, over 200 persons were accommodated in the mansion and bedsteads were placed in the out-offices and in two large sheds for the female pilgrims, while male members of the sect slept in tents erected on the lawn. Bread was baked and butter made on the premises. Nearly all the “Pilgrims” male and female, ride bicycles and a big shed was provided for storing their machines. Male members wear beards and rubber collars, while the “sisters” appear in black dresses and plain sailor hats.
At these gatherings, which extend over several days, services are held daily, the principal preacher on this occasion being Mr. William Irvine, one of the founders of the sect, who was formerly an engineer in Scotland. At each service two or three members of the sect relate the story of their “conversion,” and renounce their former religious associations. The Cooneyites declare that no one can be saved who drinks or smokes. Before a person is admitted into the sect, he or she is publicly immersed in a running stream.
April 8, 1914 - Page 4
Evening Post, Wellington NZ (defunct)
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Heading: Degree Examinations
“ Otago University – Walter Thomas Cody, in Electricity; Phoebe Ann Harrington and Archibald Grassam Irvine, equal in Mental Science…”
January 20, 1917 - Page 7
The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
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Heading: A New Brand – An Ashburton Appeal
Query from the Chairman
What He would Do His Best For. (From “Truth’s” Christchurch Rep.)
“Some years ago a man with a kink for statistics figured it out that there were some 600 religions existing in the “civilized” world. Since then, however, dozens of new brands have cropped up everywhere, and while it was generally thought a week or two ago that the Brethren was the latest idea in religion, another more recent article called Brother Holtham has been dug up by the Military Appeal Board in Ashburton, where beer is banned and wowsers have uninterrupted fling. The limb of the new sect who held forth was a young fellow named Patton, who happened to draw a marble in the conscription ballot.
HE APPEALED TO THE BOARD for exemption on the grounds of religious and conscientious belief that the bearing of arms and performance of any combatant service was unlawful, by reason of being contrary to Divine revelation.
He reckoned he pinned his objection to serve to the teachings of the New Testament and the Testament of Jesus.
The chairman: What religious body do you belong to? —The Testimony of Jesus.
Is that a recognized religious body? I have not heard of it before?—It is what I base my faith on.
Will you give the Board some idea of your constitution?—We make our own body. Christ is at the head of all things.
Have you churches?—We have meetings.
We want something more definite than that. What are your doctrines?—That Christ is at the head of everything. We hold that His teachings forbid us to carry arms.
TO DESTROY OUR FELLOW MEN.
Is the Testimony of Jesus recognised by the State as a religious body? Have you the right to perform the marriage ceremony?
Appellant admitted that the Testimony of Jesus had no legal standing to perform such a ceremony. There was no governing body except Jesus Christ.
The Chairman remarked on the vagueness of the explanation, and appellant brought Brother Holtham forward to enlighten the Board.
Brother Holtham was understood to say that the denomination was formed by the preachers in it. He could not, however, say where it originated, although he had been a member for seven years or so, and his first experience of it had been in Victoria. Previously he was a Methodist. The Testimony of Jesus had no written creed, but it had been recognized by the War Office at Home.
After Brother Holtham had spoken some more, the Chairman of the Board asked: Would your denomination sanction you standing by whilst women were
BEING RAPED BY THE HUNS?
The witness replied that he would do his best to stop such a proceeding, but at the same time, he would not sanction the killing of the offender.
The Chairman asked the appellant, Patton, if he was prepared to undertake military service other than fighting, to which Patton replied, that he would do no service under the military authorities at all.
The appeal was dismissed.
August 4, 1917 – (no page number)
The Grey River Argus, Greymouth NZ (defunct)
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Heading: Military Service – The Religious Objectors
“ Wellington, August 3. The Military Service Board said that careful consideration had been given in the case of appeals of a member of the sect known as “The Testimony of Jesus,” and the conclusion that they came to was that appellants do not come under the provisions of Section 18 of the Act. The appeals would therefore be dismissed, and if appellants agreed to sign the declaration provided, the Board would recommend that they be called on to do non-combatant services. It was intimated that appellants would sign the declaration.”
October 27, 1917 - Page 7
The Poverty Bay Herald, Gisbourne, NZ (now the Gisbourne Herald)
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Heading: Ministers in Gaol – Will they be Released!
Wellington , last night, Dr. Newman inquired as to the Defence Minister yesterday afternoon, if as a consequence of exemption by the House on the previous night of all ministers of religion, he would give orders for the release of two or three clergyman belonging to the Testimony of Jesus who are now in prison for refusing to perform military service?
Sir James Allen replied: The Bill is not passed yet, and I cannot say what will be the position when it is passed. It is, in any case, not for me to decide whether they come within the four corners of the Act or not. It will be for the Military Service Boards to decide.
July 18, 1925 - Page 12
The New Zealand Truth, Auckland, NZ (now a weekly tabloid)
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Heading: Bigamy Admitted by a J.P.
Archibald G Irvine, a Presbyterian minister at Ashburton, fired the first shot in the action by producing a register with an entry showing the marriage of 1887 and Mary Elizabeth Gunn, a married woman, reading at Tinwald, told the court about witnessing the document which is generally handed to the bride. She was then Miss Meharry
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