The Life & Ministry of William Irvine

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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

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Chapter 12
1914 - 1918
Revised Jan. 15, 2013

Life Goes on for the Rejected Founder

Loyal Friends
Irvine’s Letters
Who Were Willie and Rose Edwards'??

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ALPHA and OMEGA:  There are four verses in the Book of Revelation which refer to Alpha and Omega, which mean the beginning and the ending, the first and the last.  In the Greek alphabet, Alpha is the first letter, and Omega is the last letter.

Revelation 1:8:   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:11:  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…
Revelation 21:6:  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:13:  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

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THE REASON WM. IRVINE WAS DEMOTED:   The material currently available to the Author indicates that Wm. Irvine did not get his understanding of and begin teaching his Omega Message until late 1918.  Therefore, the author believes that disagreement over doctrine could NOT have been the reason the workers rejected his leadership in 1914.  The author believes the reason for Irvine's rejection was the Scandal that was revealed.   Jack Carroll wrote that “his manner of life” was unacceptable:   “It is just 4-1/2 years ago since the older workers in (the) old country told William Irvine that they could no longer recognize him as leader, or again as being in the ministry, unless there was a complete change in his manner of life.”  (April 16, 1919 Letter by Jack Carroll to “My dear Brother or Sister” from Santa Barbara, California)

In the book, The Secret Sect, Authors Doug and Helen Parker give the main reason for the separation between the workers and Wm. Irvine as being genuine disagreement arising when “…he (Wm Irvine) formed the idea that he had been divinely appointed to bring the last message of Jesus Christ to the world before judgment, and he interpreted the period leading up to August, 1914, as the end of the age of grace.”  However, without information showing Irvine was teaching his Omega Message prior to late 1918, the author is unable to concur that this was the reason Irvine was rejected. 

Some explanations for his demotion were that Irvine had "gone off the deep end" or had "gone mad." However, he was never institutionalized and lived independently to an old age. His later writings are not that of a madman. He was mystical, hurt by his rejection by those he trusted and who owed their positions to him, arrogant and clever.

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“It was all new and strange to me to find these things open up to my understanding, and ability to read what has long been hidden till the time of the end, and not till the end of the last war did I get any vision or understanding of Revelation and the whole truth for the Latter Days, tho I had looked for and listened to every man who had anything to say on the matter. ” (November 1, 1929 Letter to Wm. Potts) .

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Eager to tell about his new insight regarding Revelation and his own personal role in future events, in late 1918, Irvine began to write letters to the workers and saints. His letters went as far as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and South Africa.  It's even possible that he wrote about the Omega Message to ALL the workers in his acquaintance.

It would be an understatement to say that the leading workers were NOT PLEASED with Wm Irvine's new insight.  His new revelations were not well received, and had all the success of a lead balloon.  If "The New Thing" were implemented, it would be loaded with difficulties for the workers. Many of the workers like Jack Carroll and George Walker were practically idolized by the friends. The thought of leaving their pedestals and finding a job was not one that would appeal to the workers.  If Irvine's new “Omega Message” was accepted by the group as a whole, the work as they knew it would be over.  There would be no further need for the 2x2 ministry and meetings in the home.   It would change their way of life drastically—there would be no need for workers. Their jobs would be banished.  It would destroy their way of life.  It would give Wm Irvine his position back as the leader, and the workers would go from being Princes to Nobodies Without a Profession!  Naturally, the workers would hesitate to accept his “Omega Message.”  They had tasted the freedom of being their own boss...

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THE FINAL REJECTION of WILLIAM IRVINE:   While many of the early workers seemed certain that Irvine had restored God's true New Testament ministry and church to the earth, they drew the line at Irvine's Omega Message. They were skeptical of, or unwilling for his later prophecies, and the changes they would necessitate. When Irvine announced that all their labor and work for the past 4-1/2 years was null and void, the workers absolutely did not agree with him.  They did not accept Irvine’s new vision of Revelation, or The New Thing, as he sometimes called it, and did not accept him as The Prophet for the Last Days.  Up until this time, Irvine had probably been permitted to mingle with and be a part of The Testimony group in some capacity, but when he began broadcasting “The New Thing” and insisting that the Alpha Days were over, the workers felt compelled to take action against him, and broke off their relationship with him.  Wm Irvine again tasted rejection from the group.  Wm. Irvine wrote:  

"For anyone to have my name in honor, or in grateful memory, or to plead my cause, means to be cast out; and nothing pleases them better than when someone can speak more evil of the man to whom they owe all they have.  Only the few who refuse to measure Jesus, Paul, Peter or John, Samson or David, or any of God's Anointed by their sins, or by the evil report about them, were saved in any age.  Moses made 250 men Princes in Israel, who became famous in the congregation of men of renown, such as many of those [workers] whom I made Princes in the Israel of today [The Testimony]; they set themselves against Moses, making a strong case against him, leading many people with them - what was their end?  And the end of Diotrephes and those who forbid the Saints to read Paul's letters?  Just exactly the same as those whom you choose to look upon as God's Servants today.  Their righteousness today before men and their princely position and fame in the congregation and the renown they have made for themselves, will not stand up against their violation of Mercy to The Man God chose to make them [workers] and place them where they are today.”  (March 2, 1921 Letter to Willie Abercrombie)

In later years, Irvine came to view his rejection in another light:

“These 26-1/2 years is but half of my nearly 54 years of being the Son of Man, and hid from men's eyes and now about to be revealed.  26 years giving Alpha Message and seeing it finished up as in Matt. 24; leaving the Tares which the devil sowed to the Testimony cut asunder and appointed their portion with the hypocrites LIVING BY WHAT I HAD MADE FOR THEM." (May 6, 1946 Letter to Dunbars)

"7 days into my 84th year, and 54 years since I became His Servant, which to me was a surprise and has been more so during these years, for now I can see Jesus had it all planned and prophesied of, though I was all along quite ignorant and innocent.  From Matt. 13, A Sower went forth to sow to find it very hard and little outcome; but I got a few who were good soil and fruit.  He told His disciples the Sower is the Son of Man; and when people of many religious professions heard and saw marks, we all slept, and the Devil sowed tares, and this was what took place and made people speak about The Testimony, while it was Tares of all sorts and sizes; and when the end of the Alpha Gospel came in 1914 and Judgment began, He broke up the House and cut asunder all who did not know or believe I was chosen to Read Revelation and give Meat in Due Season to those who had ears to hear by my Alpha witness; in the world ripe for Judgment in 1914."  (January 14, 1946 Letter to Loitz)

"The Lord came in 1914 and broke up the House and chose His Son of Man to give Meat in Due Season; by giving me power to Read Revelation; which had been a closed book till the time of its being fulfilled came.  So the so-called Testimony was never more than Tares with the words in their mouths, and profession; but no more.  But any who had ears to hear Him would hear the Message of Judgment in the words of the prophecy, and such is a perfect description of my work as His Son and Servant, in the ending of The Gospel and giving the message of Judgment to the world.”   (January 6, 1946 Letter to Everitts)

After his sister May, as well as two other former workers, Willie and Rose Edwards, had been swayed to accept Wm Irvine’s new doctrine, Jack Carroll, the Western U.S.A. overseer, “felt it was his duty as His servant to take the saints into my fullest confidence and assuring each and all of my love and honest desire to be a faithful shepherd.”  He wrote his flock a letter warning them against the influence of William Irvine and announced that the workers considered Wm. Irvine to have “departed from the faith.”
May Carroll was closely associated with Wm. Irvine from the beginning of the new sect.  She and her brother, Jack, both professed in the very FIRST mission held independent of the Faith Mission by Wm. Irvine and John Long in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Then at Irvine’s recommendation, May went to preach with the Faith Mission on October 11, 1899.  Also, at Irvine’s direction, May left the Faith Mission in 1903 to become a part of Irvine’s growing band of workers.  So the fact that she was swayed by Irvine to accept his new perspective does not seem out of the ordinary for May Carroll.  From Jerusalem, Wm. Irvine wrote May a letter dated July 22, 1920, replying to a letter from her.

Irvine encouraged people in California to bury food for a drought he predicted:

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OH,  JERUSALEM:  Wm Irvine decided to go to Jerusalem and wait, since it was prophesied   “…for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." [Isaiah 2:3] Since Irvine saw himself as the one who had "the law," it followed that he needed to be in Jerusalem.  The workers probably heartily approved of this plan, since it would place him far away from their fields and converts, with his only contact being by mail.  Little did they know how much grief he could and would make for them with the volumes of letters he would generate over the next 28 years of his life.  Distance would not hinder Irvine from contacting those he chose to correspond with Patricia Roberts wrote: .

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In September, 1919, on his way to Jerusalem, Wm Irvine visited his home in Kilsyth, Scotland.  In September, 1919, John Long wrote in his Journal:  "Having  heard that my former friend William Irvine; who caused some to leave the Go-Preacher fellowship, had to leave himself about 1915; and going to America he remained in the United States till the war was over; and during that time while among the Pentecostal people in Los Angeles, had got their experience of the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues.  I purposed to cross to Scotland and see him on his return to his own folk in Kilsyth.  Although we did differ in valid points in July 1905; and still differ on some minor points, yet I was pleased to see him: and he was kindly disposed to me;  he holds much truth that’s Scriptural and true and profitable, yet there was a measure I could not accept...On Wednesday 29th October, I travelled with my former friend William Irvine, from Kilsyth to Wednes, in Lancashire, by train.  He left on November 2nd [1919] to go to Palestine."

Thirty years later, John Long wrote the following:  "About this time thirty years ago, I met with that great and Godly man William Irvine while labouring in the County Clare.  He now resides in Jerusalem.  He seems to have given up the Evangelical side, and got involved in the prophetical side concerning the approaching end of the age.  On this subject it is very easy to err and be sidetracked or carried away; and while we mourn his lapse, we also pray for his restoration to his first love and works.  Some who have fallen into the snare of the Devils who formerly had the promises are worthy of restoration." (From:  John Long's Journal, March, 1927)

On November 6, 1918**, Irvine was in Genoa, Italy attempting to book passage on a ship to Egypt:  “Twenty-six years today, I was in Genoa, Italy, seeking ship for Egypt; 2 nights and 2 days in train with snow on the ground and no heating.  Most of my time here I have lived alone and done my own everything, but I’d rather have that than all the other places I’ve been…I can’t think I could have been able to Read Revelation apart from what Jerusalem has been to me, in the making of a Prophet and turning His words from Heaven prophecy for all who would or could hear.  What men are to me, they are to Him, is always some comfort, and makes bearable what would otherwise provoke resistance.” (November 6, 1944 Letter to  Edwards) **NOTE: This probably took place in 1919 instead of 1918; likely a typographical or memory error.

Irvine traveled from Genoa to Naples, Italy, and on to Alexandria, Egypt, taking much the same route as the Apostle Paul had taken many years earlier. He spent a little time in Egypt in 1919, for he wrote Dunbars from Hotel Bonnard in Alexandria:

“I hope to get permit for Jerusalem for 25th November, and will be glad when I get there…It was very strange that I should travel a good deal of the same route as Paul, the Apostle, traveled to Rome, and call at four of the ports he called at… The ship Paul was wrecked on sailed from Alexandria for Naples; same as ours did.  Little did people think so much depended on that man, (Paul) who was a prisoner of Roman soldiers.  And little today would people associate an humble, unknown man, (Wm Irvine) despised by his fellows; and, yet, having some hand in the Judgment of the World (of Gentiles)…If you read the 27th chapter of Acts, and look at the map of Paul’s journey to Rome, you will see pretty well the course I traveled, except the part from Greece to Jerusalem.” (November 17, 1919 Letter to Dunbars)

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NOVEMBER 27, 1919 - WM. IRVINE ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM:  His final destination was Jerusalem, Palestine, and he arrived there on November 27, 1919 at 4 P.M.  He made Jerusalem his home and never left Palestine for the rest of his life, as far as we know.  He died there 28 years later, of throat cancer at age 84 on March 9, 1947, and was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, in Palestine. .

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Of his daily life, health and activities while living in Jerusalem, Irvine wrote very little.  From his letters, we learn that he was a travel guide to the Bible Lands, called a Dragoman.  He lived very frugally. He never wrote of having a regular job.  He made some of his furniture.  He preserved and stored some of his food. He seemed very interested in health, and admired a natural hygienist named “Mallett.”  He had a cat and dog. He went for long walks.  He was generous to the poor.  He wore a size 16-1/2 shirt in 1927.  Irvine wrote:
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“What a calamity it would have been, if there had been people (crumbs) falling from the Rich Man’s table, if there had been nobody outside the gate desiring to be fed by them.  And how sweet it is to see that you [Bob Skerritt] and Willie Edwards' were two of the first.  And what joy and satisfaction it has been to my heart.  For it would be awful to have water at the tip of your fingers and nobody to value it.” (March 24, 1923 Letter to Skerritts)

“I was pleased to hear that we have the first fruits in Queensland in a member having taken a stand against the recent developments there.  They have been very slow, but I’m sure they will get some benefit from my letters now and respond to them.”  (December 31, 1923 Letter to Skerritts)

"Had nice letters from H. Ritzman, Miss Kreisher, and Minnie Gerow with some enclosures.  Percy Abbott also had been delivered from the power of the enemy..." ( Letter to Dunbars 12/20/1919)

“This is the reason that I value all your willingness [Fladungs] to show kindness to me; while others would have starved me and left me to perish, so far as they were concerned.  They have been as anxious to make me suffer, as your family have been anxious to serve me and comfort me.”  (August 1, 1924 Letter to Fladungs)

“I was glad to have yours and see you are all well and prosperous, and not sorry to be amongst those who are the victims of scandal and iniquity.”  (January 22, 1923 Letter to Joe Kerr who married Sarah Edwards)

"…letter of Mildred Fladung…her mother is Mr. Loitz’ sister, and along with them and Dunbars, were one of the first families to hear Mr. Irvine after he received the Omega Message before going to Jerusalem.” (Anna Edwards to Fountains 10/4/38*)

"It’s a great compliment to have W. Loitz and Mary couple my name with theirs in these days..." (Letter to John & Emma Fladung, January 3, 1920)

"There are a few at my home town, New Zealand and California who have been loyal under very trying conditions."  (June 23, 1922) Letter to Bob Skerritt)

Wm Irvine's friends who stuck by him were very much appreciated. “These 6 years” in the following quote cover the time period from 1914 to 1920;  and the 27 years dates back to 1893, when he began to serve the Lord: .

“These 6 years have been the best and the worst of the 27 (years). But they only had in them what has been in all the other years, only intensified.  The Rejection only drove me deeper into the truth as it is in Jesus, and further put off the traditions and hypocrisies of the religious world, and such had been my experience.  I had always had a few friends who stuck to me like glue in spite of all the enemies who tried to wipe me out and make every effort fruitless.” (October 13, 1920 Letter to Dunbars)

"If I had not been conscious these 6 years that one day He would give me credit for my desire towards God and man, it would have been very dark, as one could see all the meanness and wickedness practiced only because I was and had been the Sealed of God, though they could not see it.”  (October 10, 1920 Letter to Ritzmans)

"For me to mention any of the marks Jesus and the disciples had, ended in gossip and scandal which ended in them putting me out, which brought much suffering."  (February 14, 1945 Letter to Edwards)

"He (Jesus) was transfigured before them.  It was a slow painful 2 years to me till the transfiguration work had been done and my face and testimony began to shine again and His voice to reassure those who wondered if I was His Son, and whether they should hear me or not (a voice came out of a cloud - This is my Beloved Son - Hear Him).  Moses and Elias came down and talked with Him.  What would it have been if Moses and all the Prophets had not opened up to bear witness to ME of who I was and what."  (November 17,  1927 Letter to_____##)

“They called it a New Gospel when tested to see what was in them.  They put thorns where God put stars.  They chose the righteousness, which is of men, rather than that which is from God only…The ceasing to have interest in me has been death to all of them, and unless they see this and repent very thoroughly of it, I don't see one ray of hope for any of them.  They have all had enough experience to know that no other has ever taken my place in being able to give them what was living and brought The Seal of God with it; and if they allow the cloud to hide the light, then it's their own choice and all attempts to blame the cloud is only trifling…" (September 12, 1923 Letter to Dunbars)

The owners of the Filmore, California convention grounds followed Irvine's Omega Message:  “We have had letters from quite a few in California,  and they are all hearty… We are also glad to hear that your family and the Ritzmans are solid for the truth.”  (March 22, 1920 Letter to Minnie Skerritt) Irvine confirmed that Emil Ritzman was one of his followers and recommended him as a teacher of Irvine's teachings to Mrs. M. V. Hill in his letter of November 9, 1936:  "I was glad to see yours today... and to hear of Mrs. Ritzman, for he and she were always loyal;  (February 13, 1946 Letter to Dunbars)  James Bone confirmed this:  

“In the summer of 1919, Eddie Cornock and Wilfred Alington had a tent mission in east Bakersfield…The workers had to close early because they had to prepare for convention at Orcutt that year and had to move the equipment from Filmore.  Ritchmonds**, where the convention had been, were no longer in our fellowship."  (**NOTE:  Name should be Ritzmans) (See:  An Account of the Spread of the Gospel in the Early Days in California Written by James Bone, February 1975; owner of Gilroy, CA Convention Grounds)

Not all Irvine's followers continued with him:  “Thanks for 60 letters which came this week. Sorry to hear of Ira leaving us and his family (probably Ira Baker of Denver, CO).  God know best, and it only shows whose we are and whom we serve…” (July 22, 1943 Letter to Edwards) The Carrs left The Message in 1938. 

Apparently, William’s relatives did not buy into his Omega Message:  “I am alone so far as my relatives are concerned, and in spite of all they could do to hinder me.”  (June 4, 1937 Letter to Cutler & Stenger)  “Most of my relatives were interested till 1914, when I began to see what’s my work today, and during these 7 years they have all become victims to the worldly religious systems which feeds their pride, vanity and iniquity; and whatever hope there is for them in future, I know depends on my loyalty to Him, in spite of their indifference and opposition, which is harder to bear from those we love than any others.  Jesus said a man’s foes shall be they of his own home or family…” (April 13, 1927 Letter to William Pollock)

It seems that Irvine asked Ed Cooney to come to Jerusalem and work with him there.  Cooney wrote an account of the beginning of the sect, upon Wm Irvine's death in 1947:

"There was in the days gone by, a certain man called William Irvine, upon whose heart Gods spirit worked to raise him up like the judges of old, to lead back those in Christendom to the truth as it is in Jesus.  In fact, he bore some resemblance to Samson.  He was a strong man and warred with Spiritual Philistines effectually ‘till Delilah so influenced him that he put her before God.  He has died recently in Jerusalem.  Let us hope that in his declining days, like Solomon, he discovered that to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man.  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, although 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 God's servants who depart from revelation from God direct, and confer with flesh and blood." (Eddie Cooney's Testimony, 1947) For those who went to Irvine’s defense or asked the workers questions, the results were sometimes very costly. Some found themselves cast out also. Irvine wrote to Willie Abercrombie, who is listed on the 1905 Worker list:

“There were over 100 workers rejected and as many hundred saints these past 7 years, and no two alike, and yet the treatment has been the same: unmerciful judging of their brethren, casting and shutting them out of fellowship.  For anyone to have my name in honor, or in grateful memory, or to plead my cause, means to be cast out..."  (March 2, 1921 Letter to Willie Abercrombie)

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WM. IRVINE’S LETTERS:   From 1918 until his death in 1947, after Revelation began to open up to him, Irvine wrote innumerable letters to his friends and inquirers and continued his letter-writing up until one year before his death in 1947, at the age of 84.  He sent letters to those who indicated an interest in his beliefs and progressive revelation, and the source of the quotes by Wm Irvine found in this book are taken from copies of these letters.  His letters went to his followers who were spread all over the world; to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and South Africa.

"…To have a few in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, California, West and East Canada is quite interesting and there may be a few in Eastern U.S.A., though I don't know of any.  But clearly Thyatira is the Pacific coast and now we can wait patiently and see the results there and also in the churches in general or The Testimony."  (September 3, 1930 Letter to Edwards) The oldest letter to be found so far written by Wm Irvine is dated January 17, 1919 and is addressed to Hon. Lord Northcliffe.  Many of his letters were addressed to William (Willie) Edwards, one of the first two Omega Message followers, the other being Bob Skerritt.  Both had been 2x2 workers.  The last letter known to the author written by Wm. Irvine is dated June 13, 1946, addressed to Ackersons in Vallejo, California. Irvine sometimes enclosed his photograph, and many of his followers have copies of photos of him.

Today, no one follower has all of Irvine’s letters in their possession, but most followers have a good number of letters in their private collections, which could fill several notebooks.  Most of Irvine's original letters were hand written, using a fountain pen, and were carefully preserved, copied, typed and distributed to other followers. Through the years, his letters have been typed and copied again and again and have been handed down through generations. Irvine encouraged this practice.  

Since there is no single letter that gives the entire Omega Message, it must be assimilated from reading many of his letters. There is no central bank of Irvine’s letters, nor are they to be found on a website hosted by his followers.  They have been copied and recopied. “On this trip we brought along Mr. Irvine’s original letters to us from 1925-35, and John and I have been retyping them, with wide margins to put in book form…and have enjoyed it so much, for we are more able now to value and understand what he has written.” (Anna Edwards' Letter to Fountains August 8, 1938*)

The lack of public distribution is intentional, as Wm. Irvine firmly believed the Omega Message should be shared through individual contact, as Jesus and the Disciples gave the Message of their day.  His followers have no printed material nor hymnal.   Followers of William Irvine do not accept monetary compensation for supplying letters to interested parties. A number of his letters are reprinted and may be read on the Telling The Truth (TTT) website.  

Current Omega followers keep their own files of letters and at their discretion, share them with others:  “If you are hungry and thirsty for the Truth of God, there are many there who can help.  They have copies of most of the letters I have written from here [Jerusalem] these past 26 years, so they can meet all your needs and give you help to understand what’s written in [the] Book and my letters.”  (October 23, 1944 Letter to McDonald and Gruber)  He believed his letters were the subject of Rev. 22:2: “The tree in Psalms 1 becomes the Tree of Life in Rev. 22, and twelve manner of fruits has been MY LETTERS these 26-1/2 yrs.”  (April 11, 1946 Letter to Ida Newby)

When followers are witnessing to prospective converts, they prefer them to read the letters Irvine wrote from 1940 to 1945 first, because by that time, he had received most or all of the Revelation Program.  "Naturally, we spend more time on the later letters, or specially since 'trimming' started.  Some of what Mr. Irvine read 10 years ago, he may see clearer today, so we need to go by what the Spirit has given him, as the vision has become clearer.  When he went to Jerusalem, he did not see that his friends would come there too."  (March 13, 1939 Letter from Rose Edwards to Fountains)  They have put together a collection containing 20 letters, especially for Beginners:  "The Beginner Book."  These 20 letters are printed in the Telling The Truth  Collection of Letters by Wm Irvine.

Message People do not freely distribute Irvine's letters to outsiders, because they don't believe in "casting pearls before swine."   Irvine wrote:  “So never trouble people with these things unless they show appreciation of what you have to say."  (August 1, 1924 Letter to Fladungs). Taking care not to give their enemies ammunition against them, they parcel out information in bits and pieces to prospective converts, until they show signs that they believe in Wm Irvine and his Omega Message.  Irvine's understanding was progressive--in other word, he changed his mind about or added to some of his prophesies.  While some view this as inconsistent, his followers look upon it as Irvine's "human" side. It is a test of faith for the Message followers to overlook any inconsistencies, and they don't trust most outsiders to understand this practice.  A former Omega follower wrote:  "I remember adults saying 'it's not a beginner's letter,' meaning someone who doesn't already have belief in Wm. Irvine would get tripped by the inconsistency.  Especially, where he gave exact dates things would happen, but didn't.  They said it was because his 'human side' became over-zealous wanting God's plan to work.  Therefore, it wasn't actually an incorrect prophecy."

Sometime in the 1960's, a Message follower named Orris Mills, asked some of the other followers to send him a list of the letters written by Irvine that they gave out most frequently to interested parties.  From this list Mr. Mills, a printer by occupation, put together a large collection of letters.  This collection is sometimes used today as a hand-out when someone expresses interest in reading Irvine's letters. 

Some letters are called “The Mimeographs.”  These letters were typed from Irvine's original letters onto stencils and run off on a mimeograph machine.  (This was the method used before copiers were invented, for reproducing large quantities of the same page.)  The Mimeographs were  the “primer” for many who have accepted the Omega Message, along with a current follower who "brought me along” in the Message. The Mimeographs letters, along with other letters from private collections are reprinted in date order in the TTT Collection of Letters by Wm Irvine. 

“We were glad to get your letter and enclosed from His 'Sent Angel' which always is meat in due season.” (Rose Edwards' Letter to Balls August 5, 1936)

“…we are enclosing a few of the Prophet’s late letters…” (W. Edwards' Letter to Balls November 6, 1937)

 “…for if we believe he (Wm Irvine) has the mind of God, then it is only right that we take his words a voice from Heaven…” (W. Edwards' Letter to Minnie Skerritt, September 4, 1942)

“I expect of all the letters he has ever written, there have been none so rich and full as these late letters, and it would seem as if he could see from where he is, right into the hearts and lives of all, because of what he writes being so appropriate, and we have likened his letters to those in the Book that were written by Paul, Peter and John, just before the end.”

One follower referred in a letter to the two wisest men in world:  Solomon and William Irvine.

The recipients were encouraged to give the letters far more than just a casual or cursory reading.  This thought was repeated over and over again:  “…as Willie was saying to some who were here, ‘It would take a good 6 months to read and digest all that is in that letter,’ for it isn’t just the reading of the letter, but also all the references he gives, and then looking up cross references so as to become more familiar with the Book, and have it written on our hearts, so that at all times we are prepared and ready to open our mouths to all we come in contact with."  (Madeline Edwards' Letter to Monroes February 15, 1943*) 

The need was stressed to write letters to other Omega followers, and their sincerity and heartiness were judged by the volume and depth of their correspondence, and also by how much witnessing they did to outsiders.

The first and last paragraphs of Irvine’s letters were often personal messages. He used very little punctuation, underlined for emphasis and often used extremely long sentences.  He used the European style of dating (Day, Month, Year).  Typed copies of his letters usually have added punctuation and paragraphs to make them easier to read.  His letters contain very few personal details about himself and his daily life. He sometimes wrote on the back of a letter sent to him by another correspondent, so the recipient received two letters to read (April 24, 1945 Letter to Laughlins; and April 24, 1945 Letter to Pages).

A present-day California Omega follower, Wendell Rideout, wrote the author regarding his beliefs about the timing and purpose of the inventions of pens, typewriters and computers:  "I can refer you to Ezekiel 9:2 and 9:10, which refers to the man with the 'writers inkhorn at his right side.'  This is a definite reference to the prophet for the last days.  When William (whom I call Wm.) Irvine was born, quills were still in use... Personally, I believe that God allowed man to invent the fountain pen specifically so that William would fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel 9:2 and 9:10.  He did have to 'dip' his pen in the inkwell...I also believe (there is no letter reference that I know of, nor a scriptural reference) that God allowed the portable typewriter to be invented, specifically for those who followed William from 1914 through the 1940's and 1950's, that they might be able to copy William's letters, and give a few to those who had truly heard and wanted to find out more. And now, I believe the computer was allowed by God for the latter day followers of William - simply because the computer is faster, and can store a lot of information that doesn't have to be redone, and that the time is so very short before these things begin."

His followers believe Wm. Irvine was the greatest prophet this world has ever known. Some even named their children after him; “Irvina Kerr” (daughter of George Kerr, the son of Joe and Sarah Kerr);  a boy named John Irvine Barnes; and Irvine Noble.  James and Ina Hill named one of their sons, William Irvine Hill, born September 6, 1906 in California (See:  James & Ina Hill Clann Edited by Richard R. Hanson).

“Thanks for your letter and the Baby and the name, which I hope may do as much for your home as it has done for me and Mrs. W. Loitz, for it was the first name I got…It was a surprise to me when I had heard they had called their boy William Irvine Loitz…But the naming of their baby after me caused them to find out who were my friends and enemies among their own people..."  (Wm Irvine's Letter to Harry and Mary Carson, October 27, 1927 ), (Wm. Irvine's Letter to Skerritts, March 24, 1923)  Note:  His namesake, Wm Irvine Loitz, did not follow the Omega Message.

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"When I first met her (Rose), she told me of how she wanted to be a Missionary, and wrote Moody’s Institute, only to get a business reply.  Then wrote a man whom she thought was very Godly and sincere, a Pres. Clergy, only to get a similar reply, and finally gave up everything and was going in for a good time in the world, when we entered that community.”  (W. Edwards' Letter to Wm. Irvine 12/14/42*)

Rose “met Mr. Irvine first at meetings held in Chicago in 1907…”  (Rose Edwards' Letter to Berglinds May 27, 1935), and at the invitation of Wm Irvine, went into the work in 1907. (W. Edwards' Letter to Wm. Irvine 10/24/41*)  “Daddy was recalling at supper tonight the experiences of her (Rose) first hearing and professing to believe, at the age of eighteen, and of Mr. Irvine suggesting she go out as a Worker, if that were what she chose to do with her life; and from that time on her life was one of suffering and sacrifice and whatever joy there was, it was in pleasing Him.”  (Anna Edwards' Letter to Martins November 11, 1941*)  It is not known when or where Willie first met Wm Irvine.

William (Willie) Edwards was born in 1878, came to America in 1902 and professed in George Walker's meetings in Philadelphia in 1904 and went in the work at that time also.  "I believe your father came to the U.S. in 1902. On the boat on his first journey he got acquainted with a young Irishman - Willie Edwards.  They became good friends.  Willie remained in Philadelphia.  In 1904 Willie came to our tent meeting in Philadelphia and decided to give his life in the harvest field."  (George Walker's Letter to "Dear Sister" November 26, 1971*)  "Wm. Irvine took his stand under John McNeil. I took my stand under George Walker." (W. Edwards' Letter to Fountains October 18, 1937)

Rose and Willie Edwards were married in January, 1916. (Rose Edwards' Letter to Marie Gatten, 1935*)  He was 38 and she was 28 when they began their life together in Montana; their daughter, Anna, was born in 1917.  They encountered opposition and/or disapproval from the friends and workers in Montana.  However, "When Mr. Irvine heard in 1916, ('of Rose and I being united') what a letter he wrote–saying how glad he was to hear that we were married and gave us the first comfort we had ever gotten.  Others had plowed on our backs and made long their furrows, but he gave us the comfort and consolation that could come from God only.” (W. Edwards' Letter to Ira Baker, Denver June 25, 1942*) 

In April of 1919, Willie and Rose visited Wm. Irvine in Los Angeles and heard his Omega Message for the first time. (Rose Edwards' Letter to Berglinds May 27, 1935) “When we went down to L.A. in 1919 to hear Mr. Irvine, I told him some of the things the Testimony had tried to poison us with, which he was supposed to have said, and he laughed heartily, and when explained by him, I could see what proud, wicked rascals they were.”  (W. Edwards' Letter to All in Vancouver 4/21/43*)

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Willie Edwards wrote the following account of their meeting Wm. Irvine, and their resulting ex-communication by Jack Carroll:

“We came from Montana to California in 1917, after getting the first comfort from Mr. Irvine's letters when he returned to California. We invited him up to Montana, and when he found he couldn't come, we decided to move to California. The Testimony would have nothing to do with us in Montana, but when we moved to California, they suspected we might get in touch with Mr. Irvine, so Jack, Dave Cristy [Christie] and others made it their business to keep us in the Northern part by filling us with poison, and we were so simple that we actually thought they were honest, and we suffered for 2 years in their meetings and conventions, and the church was in our home until the very last Sunday, when we left the Northern part, [in 1919] just to get away from the wickedness that we had suffered so much from--not intending to see Mr. Irvine.”

"And strange, the very first place we stopped at, Jack's sister [probably May Carroll] had our address and sent us on a letter from Mr. Irvine.  That letter convinced us that God was with him, so we wrote and asked him, if he would permit us to come to where he was, and if he would forgive us for our silence toward him those two years, we would come at once…

"As I look back, I am surprised at our ignorance and simplicity in thinking the Testimony workers were honest. We wrote May [Carroll, sister of Jack Carroll] and her companion that we were going to hear Mr. Irvine at once, and if they wanted to come, to meet us in Los Angeles. After the first meeting, I said to May, 'What do you think now?' 'Oh,' she says, 'God is with him.'  'Well,' I said, 'He is leaving for Jerusalem in a few days, and this is the only chance that Jack and Dave will have to hear him,' so we wired and wrote, urging them to come at once, that it was important that they hear the New Message from Revelation, etc. and that Mr. Irvine would be leaving in a few days.  He then found that there was a delay in the passport and wouldn't get away for several weeks…Then we asked him, how would it be for he and May, Minnie and us to visit up the Coast and go into May's field and use the time till he was due to leave for Jerusalem.

"We didn't even have a thought that they would be so wicked and dishonest as not to listen, but we only got to the first place when the telephone messages began to come in, that if Mr. Irvine came, they would close the door, and he would not be received or listened to. We didn’t know exactly just what was working or how this came about until we had visited a good any places, and one of Jack's letters was handed to us, which explained it fully. He said, “Wm. Irvine is the victim of devilish delusions from Revelation, and Willie Edwards and his wife, my own sister May, and her companion, have gone down and become victims of his delusions." They have started out to visit the churches, so to be forewarned is to be forearmed; close your ears and give them no place, etc." 

"We were then within 175 miles of where Jack was, and I knew what a scheming cowardly rascal he was, and that it was best to meet him face to face, for it was he who told me the lies about Mr. Irvine when we first came to California. So we made it through that night to Berkley where Jack was, and we listened to Mr. Irvine, and he for nearly two days, at the end of which Mr. Irvine said, "Jack, this thing is too big for you; but get 10 men of your own choice and have them come together and you take 3 hours and tell them all about my sins, my devilish delusions from Revelation, and I'll promise not interrupt, but give me one hour, and if those 10 men do not confess that God is in me and with me, and that I have God's Message, I'll give in, that I have had a chance." Jack's reply to that offer was, 'I'll shut every door and close every ear against you and Willie Edwards and my own sister May, and any others with you.' And as he said these words, May was just scared to death. I went over to her and said, "Don't let him frighten you."  Her answer to me was in a low voice, 'Oh, but you can sell groceries.' We were then in the grocery business, showing that their thought is their bread and butter. 

"Now before we left Berkley to hear Mr. Irvine, they were willing to have us in fellowship, and to use our home and our substance for the Gospel, so we could hardly understand why they would not even listen to us, seeing that we had done nothing from the time we were in fellowship, except listen to Mr. Irvine, so we were rejected; first, because of our sins; and next, because of our heresy, and have been for the past 23 years the worst, lowest and basest of people on the earth."  (W. Edwards' Letter to Caseys December 20, 1942)

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So it was that in April, 1919, Willie and Rose Edwards were ex-communicated by Jack Carroll for believing in Wm Irvine’s Omega gospel.  This couple was to become some of Irvine's most ardent followers and witnesses.  

Willie and Rose Edwards had three children:  Anna, born in 1917; John, born in 1920; and Philip, born in 1926.  “When Anna was 6 months old, we were in the Old Testimony and meetings used to last for an hour or hour and a half; but she used to sit in her high chair, beside her mother, right through the meetings and never remember her disturbing once.  The boys have never known what it is to be in Testimony meetings…” (W. Edwards' Letter to Owens November 19, 1942*) They were in the grocery business then.

Nothing is known about Rose's family.  We do know that Willie Edwards had a sister named Annie; also a sister named Sarah who married Joe Kerr; also, a sister Elizabeth who married James Gordon, ex-worker, and they resided in Australia and had two children.  He is mentioned in the Account of the Bethel Mission, Australia, as "Jimmy Gordon."

Willie’s date of birth and death are not known.  Rose died on October 19, 1941, from cancer.  As is the practice of Omega followers, “There is no funeral at all, undertaker putting her (Rose Edwards) away without anyone there.”  (Alma Ackerson's Letter to All in Vancouver October 20, 1941*)  She was buried in Napa, California.  Upon hearing of Rose's death, Wm. Irvine wrote:  "Just heard the good news.  What a Wife, Mother, Saint and Servant you have had.  Fought a good fight, finished her course, kept the faith."  (Wm. Irvine's Letter to Edwards, November 15, 1941*)
 
In July, 1942, the year following Rose's death, Willie married a much younger divorcee who was an Omega follower, Madeline Kneeland, the daughter of Mrs. Flagg.  Their marriage lasted 2-3 years. Madeline Edwards wrote:  “I’ll never be able to express my appreciation or put as much value as I would like on the privilege of typing the letters to the different friends for Willie, for it is surely wonderful school…” (Madeline Edwards' Letter to Braathens, Montreal, Quebec December 25, 1942*)

There is one letter from Irvine replying to a letter from Madeline Edwards.  "You were made the Typist of what Willie was writing while pretending to be giving God’s spoken, written, and revealed Message, which is the only hope for the world filled with all sorts of religious crowds which has closed the Heavens and filled the world full of serpent poison and deceived the whole world as in Rev. 12. I noticed W. and M. [Willie and Minnie] were very fond of quoting scripture from David’s Psalms and the Epistles and nearly always putting themselves in the place of the anointed who were writing like all other Religious peoples." (Wm Irvine's Letter to Madeline EdwardsNovember 4, 1945)

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