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REPRESENTING THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF 2X2 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET
The REAL TRUTH about "the truth"
Life and Ministry of William Irvine
CHAPTERS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Chapter Index
Chapter 5
1901
Revised November 1, 2010
The Unacknowledged Hymn Wwriter
Books About Edward Cooney and his Followers
Edward Cooney’s Testimony
Edward Cooney's Account of the Lurgan Historic Meeting of 1928
Other Information About Edward Cooney
Information about Ed Cooney Continued in Chapter 15
Cooney Family Tree
Account about Mary Elizabeth (Cooney) Boyton Smith, Edward Cooney's Sister
Letter by Fred Cooney, Edward Cooney's brother who lived in New Zealand
Chapter 5
EDWARD COONEY was the name of one of the two prominent leaders in the early days. The nickname "Cooneyites," is an eponym derived from his name. Well known for his place in the ministry and work, Ed Cooney was sometimes called its leader and co-founder, and was quoted by reporters in numerous Impartial Reporter articles. Fred Wood wrote: "...William Irvine...met Edward Cooney during the final years of the 19th century and they accepted each other as brothers in Christ. This was about the start of what people call the "Cooneyites." I knew George Walker who is still living as far as I know" (From Selected Letters of Fred Wood, Edited by Patricia Roberts, Pages 55-56).
Edward Cooney was born on February 11, 1867, at Enniskillen,
Northern Ireland, to William Rutherford and Emily (Carson) Cooney. Edward was the third of
their eight children--six boys and two girls. He was baptized into the
Episcopalian church by sprinkling. According to the June 9, 1904 Impartial Reporter,
Ed Cooney said: "Talking about baptism on Wednesday, he said since
he had been sprinkled in the Episcopal Church he had been a child of the devil.
Sprinkling was no good, ‘You must be born again.’" As
a boy he attended Sunday school with his siblings at the Enniskillen parish
church, now St. Macartin's Cathedral, where they were all christened.
Edward Cooney along with his five brothers received their primary education
at the Model School in Enniskillen and their higher education at Portora Royal
School in Enniskillen (See Picture in TTT Photo
Gallery). Edward's five brothers were named William Mackever, Henry (Harry), Frederick George, Alfred Carson and James Ernest; and his two sisters were named Edith and Mary Elizabeth. Edward's father was from Cootehill, Co.Cavan. His mother was the only child of William and Mary (Quinton) Carson (1816-1900). Mr. W. R. Cooney (1836-1924) was a prominent citizen and a successful, wealthy
merchant. The location of his store at #4 High Street was destroyed by a bomb (fire) in the 1970s. Grahams Menswear now occupies the space where the store was rebuilt. At age 14,
Edward was sent to Armagh as an apprentice to learn the family business.
Edward's eldest brother, William (Willie) Mackever Cooney, a devout Christian, was about 19 when he contracted tuberculosis. Edward was impressed with the righteous life of his brother, and the seriousness of his illness. At the age of 17, Edward yielded his life to God while praying, above his master's shop in the city of Armagh. He told the housekeeper, a Christian, what he had done, and she advised him to confess Jesus and pray aloud before all the other employees. He did so, and this was the date he claimed he began to serve the Lord. He was 17 in 1884. He did so without the help of a pastor or particular church. His brother Willie died at age 22 on May 29, 1887. (Patricia Roberts Book)
Edward's brother Alfred Carson Cooney was a very successful solicitor, having one of the largest law practices in Co. Fermanagh. "On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Alfred Carson Cooney, a well known Enniskillen solicitor was found dead in his room at Lakeview, the residence of his parents, under tragic circumstances. A member of the family on entering his room found the unfortunate gentlemen lying in a large pool of blood with a deep gash in his throad and a razor beside the body...blood flowed freely from a wound in the throat....He was then dead...No reason can be assigned for the tragic occurrence...The deceased gentlemen, who was a brother of Mr. Edward Cooney, one of the leaders of the religious sect known as the Tramp Pilgrims...He appeared in the best of health and spirits and no cause whatever can be assigned for the dreadful occurrence...W. R. Cooney, the deceased's father, said his son who was 38 and unmarried...dined about 2:00 with him and his mother on Sunday. This was the last time he saw him alive. He observed nothing unusual in his manner during dinner. About half past 5 he was called by his wife, and went into the deceseased's bedroom. He saw his son lying dead on the floor in a great pool of blood, with an open razor beside his hand." No mention was made of a suicide note. (Sept. 4, 1909 Anglo-Celt, Enniskillen Tragedy - Well-Known Solicitor's Death)
1898, JANUARY: John Long wrote in his Journal that in January of 1898, "...a
Christian Commercial Travellor, from Enniskillen named Edward Cooney.
He was
converted under the preaching of George Grubb; and his brother was one
of
the seven that constituted the Egyptian Mission Band. Edward was a
smart,
low, levelheaded, educated, aggressive Christian young man of about 32
years
at that time. During his business tours, he met some of the young
converts,
and being impressed with the genuineness of their Testimony was
resolved
to meet the Evangelist, William Irvine, and have an
interview
with him. That meeting was an eventful one, and meant much for
the Kingdom
of God."
1898, JANUARY: Goodhand Pattison wrote in Accounts of the Early Days: "I believe it was while conducting the Borrisokane mission that W.I. [Wm Irvine] first met E. Cooney, who prior to that event had done a pretty considerable amount of preaching up and down through Ireland as he went about as a commercial traveller for his father's tailoring business. In private conversations with his customers also, E.C. made a habit of speaking about eternal things and in his own way was very successful." [Click Here to view Methodist Church where Borrisokane mission was held] According to John Long's Journal, the Borrisokane Mission was held January, 1898.
In July, 1898, Edward Cooney turned up the very day after the Matthew 10 Bible study that set John Long and Wm Irvine first thinking about going entirely on Faith Lines. "It was a very remarkable coincident that Edward Cooney turned up next day, for he very soon after gave up a very good situation, and distributed thirteen hundred pounds to the poor, and went fully on the Lord's work, and became a great advocate of preachers going without a stated salary." In 1901, Cooney reportedly gave up his business interest, donated considerable funds (a small fortune at that time according to The Secret Sect, p.7), and became a Go-Preacher. The Impartial Reporter stated:
"Edward Cooney endeavoured to follow exactly in the footsteps of Christ, and he appealed to his followers to do likewise. He spurned wealth and property and although he was left a large fortune on condition that he returned to the Church of Ireland, he resisted this temptation and never accepted a penny from the extensive Cooney Estate, which was placed in trust." (Obituary in Impartial Reporter June 23, 1960)
Three years ago,’ said Cooney, ‘the Lord said to me, ‘Go, Edward Cooney, without scrip, and go into all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and teach them to observe, ‘all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’ Then he gave me His promise, ‘Lo, I am with you until the end of the world,’ and he has kept it.’ (Impartial Reporter June 9, 1904)
They were both members of a community known as the ‘Go-preachers,’ who took this name from Scripture, in which the apostles were exhorted to go forth and preach to all the world. Mr. Cooney was one of the pioneers or founders of the community…(Impartial Reporter, December 18, 1913, p.3)
"At last Sunday evening’s service there were five men and two women on the platform, and of the former were two of the chief pioneers of the movement—Mr. Wm. Irwin and Mr. Edward Cooney. The meeting opened with the singing of hymns and prayer…Mr. Irwin is a forcible speaker, and has a very convincing manner." (Impartial Reporter July 18, 1907, p. 8)
"The speakers at this service were the two leaders of the movement, Mr. Wm. Irwin and Mr. Edward Cooney. Both speakers denounced the various churches and the clergy in no unmeasured words." (Impartial Reporter, July 23, 1908, p. 8)
"THE TWO TRAMP LEADERS, MESSRS WM. IRWIN & ED. COONEY: A large meeting was held in the tent from 3 to 5:30 o’clock.…The principal speakers during the day were Mr. Edward Cooney and Mr. Wm. Irwin, the leaders of the movement." (Impartial Reporter, August 6, 1908, p. 8)
Ed Cooney stated in his letter to Alice Flett: "I travelled for my father's business and preached inside and outside, as occasion offered, with some persecution. Whilst doing so, I met William Irvine through whom George Walker, Jack Carroll, William Carroll, Willie Gill and a number of the present leaders professed, including James Jardine. William Irvine and I were drawn together as brothers in Christ, each of us claiming liberty to follow Jesus as we received progressive light from God by the Spirit....He was at that time Pilgrim Irvine, a preacher in The Faith Mission into which May Carroll entered and in which she preached for some time after being won to Christ by William Irvine. At that time we believed that all who were born anew, including ourselves, in the denominations were children of God, needing to become continuing disciples."
Fred Wood wrote: "I cannot say exactly when he (E. Cooney) met William Irvine…It was through William that many of the senior workers professed. There was no organisation in the beginning and no special fields of labour for the few to be sent to. You should bear in mind that these early pioneers were groping their way out of the confusion of Christendom." (From Selected Letters of Fred Wood 1890-1986, Page 57)
Goodhand Pattison recounts the night William Irvine convinced Eddie Cooney to join him: "While conducting the Borrisokane mission, he first met Eddie Cooney, who prior to that event had done a pretty considerable amount of preaching up and down through Ireland. As he went about as commercial traveller for his father's tailoring business, he had made it a habit of speaking about eternal things to his customers. But Eddie recognized that here was a man of no ordinary stamp and sought for and enjoyed William's fellowship as often afterwards as his circumstances would permit, and readily and cheerfully yielded him the place of honour and power in his esteem to which he considered him fully entitled, although Eddie himself was no ordinary or every day sample of lay part-time evangelist. Then one night while on his travels he and William arranged to meet at our house and there, after we had all gone to bed, the two men discussed so fully the subject of preachers and preaching of Matthew 10. William pointing out the need, etc. in the face of the greatness of the harvest and fewness of laborers; Eddie seeking to escape the issue in one way or another, even to the extent of offering all he could make out of his job as traveller, to be used by William as he thought fit, for evangelistic purposes. William would meet such an offer with, 'It isn't your money the Lord wants, but yourself.' So about 2:00 A.M. he had won, and Eddie had decided to give up his job and go forth. It is to our knowledge that after this discussion on Matthew 10 that they came to the decision to live and go as Jesus taught in that chapter."
In 1901, Cooney gave up his business interests, reportedly donated the funds to Irvine's movement and became a Tramp Preacher. According to The Secret Sect (page 7), it was a small fortune at that time. According to Faith Mission's records, William Irvine did not officially leave them until 1901. The timing of Wm Irvine's resignation from Faith Mission is interesting. It came at the same time that Ed Cooney joined him and donated 1,300 pounds to the group. (August 25, 1910 Impartial Reporter). The Impartial Reporter stated:
"As to the evangelist himself, (Edward Cooney) it is admitted on all hands by those who know him best that he is an exceedingly earnest and devoted man who has relinquished fine business prospects to occupy his whole time and energies with Christian work. He is an attractable and forcible speaker, well-educated, and gentlemanly in his manners, overflowing with zeal and enthusiasm. Indeed, one is tempted to fear that his zeal and ardour in a good cause are at times greater than his prudence and discretion. Being naturally a man of strong will and considerable mental gifts, he exercises a great influence over those whose minds are weaker than his own, and over those who have not hitherto had any very definite or settled religious convictions." (The Irish Presbyterian, March, 1905)
"Since then Mr. Cooney has been carrying on an evangelistic campaign in the town of Enniskillen, and as the writer has had several opportunities of discussing religious questions with him, and of hearing much regarding his work, the readers…may be interested in learning something about it. As to the evangelist himself, it is admitted on all hands by those who know him best that he is an exceedingly earnest and devoted man who has relinquished fine business prospects to occupy his whole time and energies with Christian work. He is an attractable and forcible speaker, well-educated, and gentlemanly in his manners, overflowing with zeal and enthusiasm. Indeed, one is tempted to fear that his zeal and ardour in a good cause are at times greater than his prudence and discretion. Being naturally a man of strong will and considerable mental gifts, he exercises a great influence over those whose minds are weaker than his own, and over those who have not hitherto had any very definite or settled religious convictions." (Impartial Reporter March 23, 1905)
-
"On the other hand Mr. Cooney can talk: by dint of practice he can
pitch his voice without shouting: he can reason: he can enforce
his argument with chapter and verse; and therefore, he is listened to, and his
reasoning has power and force." (Impartial Reporter October 20, 1904)
"Edward Cooney was 34 years of age when he decided that he should live like Christ. He turned his back on the comforts of a prosperous home and took to the roads. For the remainder of his long life—he died at 93—Cooney traveled on foot and by bicycle all over Ireland, preaching. He refused gifts of money but accepted food and lodging where it was offered."He took literally Christ’s instructions to the rich young man…give your possessions to the poor. He literally believed the other instruction about ‘if you have two coats, give one to a man who has none.’ It is said that he once took off his coat and gave it to a tramp he found shivering by the roadside. Followers who remonstrated with him for being generous to the point of impoverishing himself, were sternly rebuked." (Belfast Newsletter, 1971)
Another newspaper reported about Cooney:
"Cooney was the 'Hot Gospeller' of his time, and Mrs. Aimee McPherson is only a very poor imitation of this young Irishman--in fact to draw a comparison between the two is not at all fair to Edward Cooney...Sincere he was and deeply religious in his own way, and led a blameless life. He was able to sway those multitudes who thronged to his banner with a force of eloquence and sheer personality in a manner which was a revelation and simply amazing." (Sunday Independent July 27, 1930 p4)
THE UNACKNOWLEDGED HYMN AUTHOR: We have Ed Cooney to thank for five (5) very well known hymns found in Hymns Old & New. He is the author of the following:
10 0 Jesus Died for Sinners
318 179 As We Gather
322 183 Our God, Our Father
143 184 Here We Come
320 182 Lord, We Are Met Together
EDITOR'S NOTE: Interesting that the hymns Cooney wrote are the ONLY hymns on the LIST OF HYMN AUTHORS where the author's name was been left off/blank. And that Cooney's initials and C.M. (listed twice) are the only indications of hymn authors' names in the Go-Preacher's Hymn Book.
See 1951 Hymn Author List
See 1987 Hymn Author List
An analysis of Edward Cooney's character is given in the Impartial
Reporter, under the headlines:
"In one of his essays Macaclay remarks that the Puritans opposed
bear-baiting, not because it gave pain to the animal, but because it
gave
pleasure to the onlookers. It is a point of view such as this
which
sustains and feeds the virulence and vehemence of Edward Cooney's attack on current christianity. By nature he is
UTTERLY DIFFERENT FROM WM. IRVINE.
He has more warmth and humanity, and shows at times the charm and
winsomness of a St. Francis. No one could be kinder and more hospitable to
strangers
than he is, and yet he is fettered to a creed which far surpasses that of Athanasius in its
damnation classes. It would be hard to doubt the sincerity of Edward
Cooney's convictions. They have become his very bone and
flesh,
and have given him a power and forcefulness which none can deny.
We do not intend to attack the subject of this study but to analyse the
nature of the man and to find out what good there is in his
teaching.
How is it that a disposition once so buoyant and joyous, and a mind so
elastic and tolerant could have so changed? Where is gone that
optimism,
that note of gladness, that genial laugh? Let us try to
TRACE THE REASONS FOR
their disappearance. We think that the root of this declension
is to be found in three false theological positions—Firstly, in the morbid idea that matter is
essentially evil, and that nature is opposed to God. Secondly, in
the idea that man's heart is totally depraved, and that human love and
natural goodness are both opposed to Divine goodness. Thirdly, in
the idea that man was made for religion and not religion for man.
These three ideas working on a naturally sensitive and introspective
mind
have caused a loss of balance and right judgment. In spite of
himself Edward Cooney now has come to see beauty not in nature but in
religious
self-immolation.
IN AN EARLIER AGE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED
to the monastic ideal, or become an enthusiastic Lollard and
supported
with his whole heart the democratic movement of that day. Instead
of using the Bible as a guide for men, he has become the slave of
it.
Though gifted with a strong emotional nature he has stifled it and now
feeds a hungering humanity with stones instead of bread. His life
is an honest, but misguided tragedy: reckless of his own personal
comfort
and advancement and with his face towards the light, he is merely
marking
time while his hands beat the air. With calm assurance he
confounds
the outward acts of Christ with His inner teaching. Thus
BAPTISM TO HIM IS AN ELABORATE RITUAL
involving entire immersion. In a different environment and
with a wider training Edward Cooney might have become one of
the
strongest spiritual forces of his day. As it is however, we can
only
bitterly regret the onesidedness and narrowness of his ideal, and
lament
that his energies and oratory are not put to nobler uses.
1914: Sometime after Wm Irvine was ousted from the
group in 1914, he spent some time in Scotland. Ed Cooney visited him
and
tried to get him to reconsider and stay in "The Testimony," but
instead,
Wm moved to Jerusalem on November 27, 1919:
Books About Edward Cooney and his Followers
Dr. Roberts attended the Model School and Enniskillen Collegiate. She obtained her B.A. at the University of California in Berkley; her second degree from Sorbonne in Paris. She received her M.A. at Columbia University, New York and her Phd at New York University. Dr. Roberts knew Eddie Cooney personally. Four books have been written concerning Edward Cooney by his official biographer, Patricia Roberts, and are currently available. They are:
1. The Life and Ministry of Edward Cooney, 1867-1960,
1990 (ISBN 0 9510109 4 8)
2. Selected Letters, Hymns and Poems of Edward Cooney,
1867-1960, 1991
3. Selected Letters of Fred Wood 1890-1986, 1997
4. The Go Preacher Movement - An Anthology, 2000
All three books are published by William Trimble, Ltd., Enniskillen, N. Ireland
The books are available from the author:
Ms. Patricia Roberts, Bridgemont, Drumcullion, Ballinamallard,
Enniskillen, N Ireland BT942AE Tel: +44
(028) 6638 8487
See also: The Secret Sect by Doug & Helen Parker.
Edward Cooney was often in the Newspaper Headlines
Edward Cooney responded to many of the Letters to Editor, Correspondence: The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism: See March 14, 1907, Pg 2; March 21, Pg 7; March 28; April 4, Pg 6; April 11, Pg 7; April 18, Pg 7; April 25, Pg 7; May 2, Pg 3; May 16, Pg 2; May 23, Pg 3; May 30, Pg 6; June 6, Pg 7; June 13, Pg 6; June 20
Edward Cooney's Testimony
Some years ago he wrote the writer to come and work with him in Jerusalem. The reply the writer gave was that when his hair grew again, as it was when first he met him, he would be glad to work with him, but not ‘till then. The long hair of Samson seems to speak of revelation from God direct; not clipped, to suit his flesh, or the flesh of others. When Delilah clipped his hair to suit her flesh and the flesh of the Philistines who feared Samson, knowing that God was with him, Samson, altho’ he shook himself not knowing that God had left him, found that Jehovah had departed from him, and that he was weak like any other man. ‘Tis so with all Gods servants who depart from revelation from God direct, and confer with flesh and blood.
In the year 1914 when we became aware of William's defeat, the writer was moved to go to see him personally and try and help him who had been such a help to him and others and now needed help himself. This desire he had was discouraged by his fellow workers but as he got to see he should obey God, and not man, he went to Scotland to see the man of God who had lost the power he once had. The writer is glad ever since that he did this, and believes he was of some help to his erring brother.
At this time the writer got to see that he should return to God as Jeremiah was exhorted by God to return to him; see Jer. 15 & 19, so that he might again stand before God and in the light of his countenance separate between the precious and the vile; from what he had learned thro’ William, from God, and what he had accepted from him which was not from God. Jeremiah seems to have been influenced by flesh and blood revelation and mixing it with Gods revelation to him direct, found his pain perpetual, and his wound incurable, refusing to be healed. In this condition he said to God: "Wilt thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail?" The only remedy was to return to God and cease mixing God's revelation with that which proceeded from flesh and blood. This the writer has sought to do with profit. William had been partially persuaded by Joe Kerr to accept the heresy that no one could be born again without meeting a living witness. Others held that that witness must be a sent preacher who had heard William or some other preacher associated with him.”
The writer got to see this flesh and blood revelation to be vile and gave it up in 1914, returning to the true gospel preached by himself and William for four years after they met, which recognized John 20:30 to be true, and Paul's dialogue in Romans 10:14-18 answered by Psalm 19, where it shows God speaking thro’ nature as he did to the magi thro’ the law (which is perfect converting the soul,) and finally thro’ the preacher, the words of whose mouth and meditation of whose heart is acceptable in God’s sight. The Lord knoweth them that are his and the writer's business is to depart from iniquity himself and exhort all who profess to be his to do so likewise; Iniquity meaning Not Equity—Equity being Jesus; Iniquity meaning all that is not like Jesus. Peter at the day of Pentecost tho’t that unless a man was circumcised by a living witness and kept the law, he could not be saved; but God showed him, as he showed me, this was not so, and God used him more after he got clear on this point—see Acts 10 and 11, also Gal. 2:11-21. Paul was a great help to Peter in this respect, and has also been a great help to the writer.
An attempt has been made to give an account of Gods dealings with us ignoring William Irvine. This is not honest. William Irvine was born again when a Presbyterian, thro’ hearing John McNeill preach the gospel in Motherwell Town Hall, and I have in my possession a letter from him to me, claiming this to be so, written from Jerusalem before he died. He afterwards joined the Faith Mission denomination and was Pilgrim Irvine when I first met him in Bonnosokane, Co. Tipperary, Eire.
In 1914 when all of military age were required to register, Andy Robb registered himself as Independent Faith Mission. I registered myself as Christian, and advised Willie Gill to council all to do likewise, but he said "Let us take the name we call ourselves by ‘The Testimony of Jesus.’" At that time I am sorry to say I used to go contrary to my conscience, to avoid differing from my fellow workers. I gave in to Willie in this respect and so erred, but have confessed my sin to God, and God has forgiven me. We have committed the same sin in the U.S.A. in calling ourselves "Christian Conventions." We should repent and take the consequences.
Twenty years ago the writer declared to George Walker in Samuel Charlton’s presence in Edgar Hawkin’s home that it was his purpose to cut out of his life all that contradicted the scriptures. George refused, and excluded him from the fellowship of his brothers and sisters in the territory over which he claimed oversight. John Carroll had previously excluded him in his territory. James Jardine acquiesced in his territory, and the exclusion has spread to British Isles. He still goes on conscious that he has not been excluded by the One who prunes the vine. So the writer, after the way they call heresy, so worships the God of his fathers, believing all things written in the law and the prophets, and signs himself Edward, which is the English for witness. His course is nearly run, but he hopes and purposes to go on.
By EDWARD COONEY, 1947
(Written at the time of William Irvine's Death)
.
From: Selected Letters Hymns and Poems of Edward
Cooney1867-1960,
Edited by Patricia Roberts, Reprint of Pages 43-45.
From: The Secret Sect by Doug & Helen Parker, Reprint of Pages 115-117
The 1928 "Historic" Meeting
at Clankilvorah, Lurgan, Ireland
Account Written By Ed Cooney
To God's children at present divided by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. In Ephesians 4:14 Paul writes:
"That no longer we may be infants tossed and carried about by every wind of the teaching in the sleight of men in craftiness with a view to the systematizing of error." (quoted from Greek text. Quotations in this letter from same). God's revelation is Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God progressively given to the heart of God's child from his Father who is in the heavens. Matt. 16:16/17. This revelation being progressive cannot be systemized; for we know in part and in part we prophesy; any attempt to organize this revelation so that it becomes final produces stagnation - "for the path of the just is as the dawn that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." If the physical light was organized at the dawn stage what a catastrophe it would be for the children of men. So, any attempt to systematize or organize the progressive revelation of the Christ, the Son of the living God gradually given to God's children individually, with a view to its being received collectively, is equally a catastrophe with more fearful consequences, because the issues are eternal.
It seems to be unknown by many of God's children and unrealized by most that on October 12th, 1928, at Clankilvoragh, Lurgan, Ireland, at a meeting of those who might be called the apostles amongst the people of God - indeed there happened to be twelve present - a verbal agreement was submitted by the summer-up, James Jardine, expressed by John Carroll, called by the latter different times a "Solemn Agreement" binding all the workers not to express individual revelation, even though true, IF the worker in whose field they were had not yet seen it. This verbal agreement was as declared at that historic meeting and apostolic council "a basis of fellowship for all workers."
When Edward Cooney refused to bind himself by it and declared he would retain the liberty God gave him when he started forth to preach. John Carroll, who seemed to be foremost apostle in the introduction of this agreement, rose up and left the room, declaring he would have no more fellowship with Edward Cooney; the other eleven apostles remained; but with the exception of the said Edward Cooney and one of his fellow apostles, Thomas Elliott, they all subsequently acquiesed in the graphic demonstration by which his fellow apostle, John Carroll, had excommunicated Edward Cooney from his fellowship.
This is a true description of what took place on that memorable occasion; and as the untruth has been spread that I went out of fellowship from my brethren and thereby caused a division, I write to let you know that I earnestly desired, and still earnestly desire, to remain in the fellowship of my brethren on the same condition as we had from the beginning, viz., that "the truth as it is in Jesus" be the only test by which His disciples are to be disciplined, and that the Scriptures are to be only written revelation accepted as declaring the truth. One of the apostles has since said that it was not excommunication but withdrawal from a brother walking disorderly and referred me to II Thess. 3:6/12. I appeal to my brothers and sisters in Christ to read the passage and see if it can with fairness be applied to me under the circumstances of which I have given an account.
Believe me still to be Christ's bondsman and yours for His sake.
Edward Cooney
P.S. I have written this letter in the first part impersonally, and in the latter part personally, purposely. (E.C.)
Other Information About Edward Cooney
Sara West Statement About The
1928 Division, August 31, 1954
Cooney's Letter to My Dear
Sister, 1930
Cooney's Letter To/From Mrs. Alice
Flett, New Westminister, B.C. Canada
Wm. Irvine's Letter To: Ed
Cooney March 2, 1923
Cooney's Letter Ex-communicating
Wm. Irvine March 3, 1924
Wm. Irvine's Response To Eddie
Cooney July 8, 1924
Wilson Reid's Letter regarding
Cooney's Ex-communication, 1928
Sermons by Edward Cooney
Early Memories Recalled By Fred
Wood
Chapter 15, The REAL TRUTH about "the truth", 1863 - 1947 by Cherie Kropp
Photos
of Edward Cooney, his grave, Fred Wood and August Gustafsen
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