Title:
The Flaming Sword
Accession#:
2006.08.29
Pubication Date:
1922/10
Object ID:
PA—0252
Collection:
Flaming Sword
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Current Events in Our Community Life
October 1922
BY D. J. RICHARDS
---------------------------------------
WE ARE again on the eve of celebrating our Annual Solar Festival, which will be held on the Eighteenth of October in commemoration of the birth of KORESH, our great Master Teacher. It is an event that very few people know of, yet it is one of greater significance than the 25th of December, in which the Christian church now celebrates the advent of the Lord Jesus, who left such an impression upon the world that its chronology dates from his birth, or approximately so.
The early church (the one established by the Lord Jesus) was communistic, and all members brought their earthly possessions and laid them at the Apostles' feet, and they had all things in common. Its span of life, however, was short, and it declined to such a degree that history tells us that Constantine, in the year 325, amalgamated the Christian religion with the pagan Roman church, with Constantinople as its capital. What today is called the Christian church has no semblance whatever to the one the Lord Jesus established (being Christian in name only) and is spoken of in Revelation as: "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth."
However, the principles of the early church have not been lost, but are incorporated in the church and gospel of the New Dispensation, which is known as Koreshan Universology. The Harbinger of the New Age was ushered into the world October 18, 1839, and Koreshan chronology will record the coming event as A. K. 83. Eighty-three years, and yet but a handful of people (comparatively speaking) know anything about it. Is it not an honor, as well as a rare privilege, to have had our intellects open sufficiently to recognize the Messiah of this New Age, when the whole world is in the throes of dissolution ? We consider it is, and our command of language is inadequate to express our appreciation.
We know of many who would love to be with us on the eighteenth, and will be, as far as humanly possible, in spirit. If, perchance, you read these few remarks before the great day, we sincerely hope they will help you to rivet your attention to its importance and the cause for which we are here assembled.
There is always much to be done in the Unity by way of preparation, but we have always managed, heretofore, to have the park looking its best, and we undoubtedly will this year.
We regret to announce in this issue that Sister Isadora VanDuzee passed out from this life Sept. 12, after an illness of about four weeks. She became interested in Koreshanity at the Buffalo Exposition in 1902, and for the last eighteen years has been actively connected with the movement here in Estero. She was frail of body, but cultured and of a very artistic temperament. She was one of the best decorators we have ever seen and always strove to make her work as perfect as humanly possible.
An informal entertainment was given recently at the Art Hall in commemoration of the establishment of the Koreshan Unity Home in Chicago, Sept. 6, 1888. Sister Etta Silverfriend, being one of the early pioneers, was elected to act as mistress of ceremonies. Miss Louise Stone was the first called upon for a piano solo, which was followed by a flute solo by Brother Floyd Moreland, accompanied by Sister Edith Trebell. Sister Etta then read some interesting excerpts from the diary that our late beloved Sister Virginia Andrews had kept of Unity doings for some thirty years. We quote her item for December 25, 1888.
"Our first Christmas in the Home was a very memorable occasion. CYRUS had promised to give us a talk that evening, so we all gathered in the parlor awaiting his return. When he came he seemed sad and unusually preoccupied, but said, 'Sing something.1 So we sang the hymn, 'Every day, every hour, let me feel thy cleansing power,' and it seemed to bring a soothing spirit to us all. He then addressed us with a pathos I have rarely seen excelled; spoke of our aims and aspirations; our need for overcoming; his great expectations for us, and his need of our sustaining love. Such a hush fell on our little gathering that it was painful, and an intensity of feeling was evident that we had never experienced before; many were in tears. When he closed the silence continued so unbroken that he arose and offered a most tender prayer for the little group, then he passed to each one, taking their hand and giving his blessing.
"A loaf of 'angel food' had been sent in to be used that evening, and when it was passed he noticed all refused it, not being inclined to eat. So he said:
" 'I know you feel but little like eating material food after the experience we have had, but I want each one to eat with me, if but a little, as a symbol of our compact together. We partake of this food as a type of the divine flesh about to be manifest.'
"He then passed the food himself, and we all ate with him. It was the most impressive sacramental service I ever participated in,—for that was what it seemed to me." As Sister Etta read these, we too felt an influence that can only be experienced through Koreshan fellowship.
Brother Henry Silverfriend, one of the few present who helped to establish the Home at 24 College Place, Chicago, spoke at some length of the joys and trials of the Home. There is nothing more interesting to most Koreshans than the reminiscences of the first members and their associations with the Mastery particularly so to those who had not the pleasure of an acquaintance, much less personal contact.
Sister Emma Norton, our Matron, was another present who was among the early ones with the Master. She might be said to be one of the Master's first converts, having fully believed in his mission at the age of ten. We regretted the absence of Brother James Bubbett from the meeting, he being a little indisposed, as he too was among the first pioneers and could have added much to what had already been said. It is to be hoped more informal gatherings will be] held if they can be made as interesting as this one. No doubt but what there is a vital experience wrapt up in the bosom of every member here, with reference to how each came to embrace this doctrine and what influences led them to it, which are of great interest, and if put in book form would make very interesting reading. Two songs were sung, followed by games by our younger members, which brought the entertainment to a close.
October 1922
BY D. J. RICHARDS
---------------------------------------
WE ARE again on the eve of celebrating our Annual Solar Festival, which will be held on the Eighteenth of October in commemoration of the birth of KORESH, our great Master Teacher. It is an event that very few people know of, yet it is one of greater significance than the 25th of December, in which the Christian church now celebrates the advent of the Lord Jesus, who left such an impression upon the world that its chronology dates from his birth, or approximately so.
The early church (the one established by the Lord Jesus) was communistic, and all members brought their earthly possessions and laid them at the Apostles' feet, and they had all things in common. Its span of life, however, was short, and it declined to such a degree that history tells us that Constantine, in the year 325, amalgamated the Christian religion with the pagan Roman church, with Constantinople as its capital. What today is called the Christian church has no semblance whatever to the one the Lord Jesus established (being Christian in name only) and is spoken of in Revelation as: "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth."
However, the principles of the early church have not been lost, but are incorporated in the church and gospel of the New Dispensation, which is known as Koreshan Universology. The Harbinger of the New Age was ushered into the world October 18, 1839, and Koreshan chronology will record the coming event as A. K. 83. Eighty-three years, and yet but a handful of people (comparatively speaking) know anything about it. Is it not an honor, as well as a rare privilege, to have had our intellects open sufficiently to recognize the Messiah of this New Age, when the whole world is in the throes of dissolution ? We consider it is, and our command of language is inadequate to express our appreciation.
We know of many who would love to be with us on the eighteenth, and will be, as far as humanly possible, in spirit. If, perchance, you read these few remarks before the great day, we sincerely hope they will help you to rivet your attention to its importance and the cause for which we are here assembled.
There is always much to be done in the Unity by way of preparation, but we have always managed, heretofore, to have the park looking its best, and we undoubtedly will this year.
We regret to announce in this issue that Sister Isadora VanDuzee passed out from this life Sept. 12, after an illness of about four weeks. She became interested in Koreshanity at the Buffalo Exposition in 1902, and for the last eighteen years has been actively connected with the movement here in Estero. She was frail of body, but cultured and of a very artistic temperament. She was one of the best decorators we have ever seen and always strove to make her work as perfect as humanly possible.
An informal entertainment was given recently at the Art Hall in commemoration of the establishment of the Koreshan Unity Home in Chicago, Sept. 6, 1888. Sister Etta Silverfriend, being one of the early pioneers, was elected to act as mistress of ceremonies. Miss Louise Stone was the first called upon for a piano solo, which was followed by a flute solo by Brother Floyd Moreland, accompanied by Sister Edith Trebell. Sister Etta then read some interesting excerpts from the diary that our late beloved Sister Virginia Andrews had kept of Unity doings for some thirty years. We quote her item for December 25, 1888.
"Our first Christmas in the Home was a very memorable occasion. CYRUS had promised to give us a talk that evening, so we all gathered in the parlor awaiting his return. When he came he seemed sad and unusually preoccupied, but said, 'Sing something.1 So we sang the hymn, 'Every day, every hour, let me feel thy cleansing power,' and it seemed to bring a soothing spirit to us all. He then addressed us with a pathos I have rarely seen excelled; spoke of our aims and aspirations; our need for overcoming; his great expectations for us, and his need of our sustaining love. Such a hush fell on our little gathering that it was painful, and an intensity of feeling was evident that we had never experienced before; many were in tears. When he closed the silence continued so unbroken that he arose and offered a most tender prayer for the little group, then he passed to each one, taking their hand and giving his blessing.
"A loaf of 'angel food' had been sent in to be used that evening, and when it was passed he noticed all refused it, not being inclined to eat. So he said:
" 'I know you feel but little like eating material food after the experience we have had, but I want each one to eat with me, if but a little, as a symbol of our compact together. We partake of this food as a type of the divine flesh about to be manifest.'
"He then passed the food himself, and we all ate with him. It was the most impressive sacramental service I ever participated in,—for that was what it seemed to me." As Sister Etta read these, we too felt an influence that can only be experienced through Koreshan fellowship.
Brother Henry Silverfriend, one of the few present who helped to establish the Home at 24 College Place, Chicago, spoke at some length of the joys and trials of the Home. There is nothing more interesting to most Koreshans than the reminiscences of the first members and their associations with the Mastery particularly so to those who had not the pleasure of an acquaintance, much less personal contact.
Sister Emma Norton, our Matron, was another present who was among the early ones with the Master. She might be said to be one of the Master's first converts, having fully believed in his mission at the age of ten. We regretted the absence of Brother James Bubbett from the meeting, he being a little indisposed, as he too was among the first pioneers and could have added much to what had already been said. It is to be hoped more informal gatherings will be] held if they can be made as interesting as this one. No doubt but what there is a vital experience wrapt up in the bosom of every member here, with reference to how each came to embrace this doctrine and what influences led them to it, which are of great interest, and if put in book form would make very interesting reading. Two songs were sung, followed by games by our younger members, which brought the entertainment to a close.
Author:
[various]
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Object Name:
Periodical
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Phys Desc:
24 p.
Publisher:
Guiding Star Publishing House
Publication Place:
Estero, Fl.
Search Terms:
Flaming Sword
Community Current Events
Community Current Events
Subjects:
Periodicals——Theology