ACTION! SINGSPIRATION! old time religion

Collection of Gospel Songs compiled especially for Children 1944. Includes "Bubbling in My Soul" "Climb Sunshine Mountain" "I'll be a Sunbeam" "Keep Your Heart in Tune" and many other "favorites"
Collection Jim Linderman

Busy Workers Folk Art Handmade Postcard old time religion

Handmade Postcard with Biblical Phrase and Applied Cut-out (Busy Work?) Collection Jim Linderman

Are the Dead Conscious or Unconscious and Where ARE they? old time religion

Where are the Dead? Gavin Hamilton Pamphlet Third edition, printing of 15,000 1945 and Insert Advert. Collection Jim Linderman

Grammy Nominated Jim Linderman, Lance Ledbetter, Take Me to the Water old time religion

December 3, 2009, Take Me To The Water: Immersion Baptism In Vintage Music And Photography 1890–1950 
Steven Lance Ledbetter & Jim Linderman, compilation producers; Robert Vosgien, mastering engineer (Various Artists) 
[Dust-To-Digital] was nominated for a Grammy award, Category 24 "Best Historical Album"

The Devil's Pun old time religion

Page from a 1930's joke book equating a romantic assignation with the devil's work. Collection Jim Linderman

Hoards Gather 'Round Father Divine Roadster old time religion

An automobile which traveled all the way from Seattle to New York City carrying pilgrims arrives at Father Divine's Heavenly Headquarters in Harlem

Original Press photograph 1936 Collection Jim Linderman

To Purchase or Preview Jim Linderman Books

Get your Christmas Shopping Done early. ALL of my books were published this year and all were small press books, so none of your friends have pawed them at Barnes and Noble. Surprise them! Preview and read reviews at each click. Thanks.

Shy Shamed Sec...

SSSSH! Vintage Vern...

By Victor Minx

Book Preview

Gals Gams Garters

The Virginia Stocki...

By Victor Minx with ...

Book Preview

Open for Business RPPC old time religion

Two Real Photo Post Cards c.1900 Collection Jim Linderman (and borrowed from my other blog)

Swimming Pool Baptism for THOUSANDS old time religion Jehovah Witnesses

Thousands of Jehovah Witness members are mass-baptized in 1953 NYC Swimming Pool Collection Jim Linderman

Soul Saving Sensation of the Sawdust Trail Receives Stockings old time religion

At six years of age Renee was playing trumpet and singing in Chinese. She sang gospel accompanied by her father, former prize-fighter Jack Martz on Trombone in Australia. By age 7 she claimed to have saved 6,000 souls and was able to sing "in Eskimo." She was formally ordained as a minister at age 12 in North Carolina, at which time her father/manager called her "the soul-saving sensation of the sawdust trail." She traveled in her father's Cadillac covered with painted details. "Taking time out from her pulpit duties, juvenile evangelist Renee Martz, 13, registers a happy surprise upon receiving her first pair of nylon hose. The young minister has been across the United States 25 times and has been preaching for the last six years." Six years later she was performing on Rock and Roll shows in England.

Renee Martz Original Press Photograph, 1953 Collection Jim Linderman

The Church Army and a Puppy Old Time Religion RPPC

The Church Army camps out in someone's backyard Real Photo Post Card, c 1900 Collection Jim Linderman

A Trip to Hell Old Time Religion

In which Mr. Matter braves the sulphurous fumes of Hell to bring back a first hand report.

In Hell Pamphlet by D. W. Matter No Date No Publisher 31 pages Collection Jim Linderman

Butch on Trial (and Susie) Radio Kids Bible Club Old Time Religion

Extraordinary prolific radio preacher J. C Brumfield and one of his "Nancy Drew" type pulp novels. Brumfield wrote dozens of such tracts. The Suzie series was intended to mix a little mystery and excitement into the otherwise, well...bland pleasures of worship. Note Radio Kids pledge on reverse and wonderful uncredited illustration of the perfect family. This volume 1947. Guess what? STILL IN PRINT!

Butch on Trial pamphlet 44 pages 1947. Collection Jim Linderman

Macaroni Bible Verses, Tomato Basket Cross, Paper Bag Missionary House Old Time Religion

Singing Saw on Fire for God with Trombone Charles Mourer Crowds Conviction Conversations

Singing Saw this Sunday !
Unused Calendar Charles C. Mourer 1944 Collection Jim Linderman

Nebuchadnezzer in Blue Old Time Religion

The Second Coming of Christ in Daniel, by John R. Rice, author of "Rebellious Wives and Slacker Husbands" "The Blight of Booze" "Courtship and the Danger of Petting" and "Bloody Hands and how to Cleanse Them"

The Second Coming of Christ in Daniel by John R. Rice 1957

A Record Take! Old Time Religion

Two generic preachers from Ohio gloat at the "record" take of $65.13 and 334 saved souls.

Photograph R.H. Bartlow, c. 1960 Collection Jim Linderman

The Gospel Bus of the Palmers old time religion

Astoundingly...folks connected with them not only in business still, but thriving! Order your signs HERE

A passage from" A Sower Went Forth" by Martha Palmer, wife of Ralph Palmer ,bus driver, who lived from 1903 to 1976 and traveled extensively in tract distribution and Gospel sign work. This book is available in hardback from Rod & Staff Publishers, PO Box 3, Crockett, KY 41413. (Phone 606-522-4348).

Ralph had not been satisfied with road signs alone but had sign painters put messages on the sides and back of the car and camper. One day as we stopped for gasoline at a service station near Richmond, a man came to Ralph introducing himself as the pastor of a Danville, Virginia, church. "My people have been telling me about seeing this Gospel camper," he said. "They say it seems like everywhere they go they see these signs, 'Prepare to Meet Thy God,' 'Now Is the Day of Salvation.' 'Repent and Believe the Gospel.' They have said how thrilling it is thus to see the Word of God flashed before the traveling public. So I'm glad that next Sunday I can tell them that now I have seen it, too. I can see that this must be a very effective way to impress the message on people who otherwise do not get it. God bless you and keep it up!" After a number of years Ralph decided he wanted to get the signs on the car and camper changed. "I want some stronger wording," he said, "something to warn people about hell." Oh?" I was not very enthusiastic. "Like what?" "Well, like saying, 'Sinners shall be turned into hell,' something to warn them where they are heading." "Won't that be sort of shocking to people?" "Sure it will be shocking! That's what I want—to shake people up! It's in the Bible, isn't it?"

Post Card, c. 1975? Collection Jim Linderman

"On the Air until Jesus Comes in the Air" Dolores McCready brings you Moments on the Mount old time religion

In which "power" is rhymed with "hour" and "your help will keep us on the air" is rhymed with "earnest prayer"

Moments on the Mount Pamphet c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

Old Time Religion Chuck Murders his Wife (She had the Devil in her Eyes) Shot to Save her Soul

Charles Sutherland murders his wife in a climax to a religious argument. Told police she was possessed of the devil, her could see the devil in her eyes and that he shot her to save her soul.

Original Press Photo 1933 Collection Jim Linderman

Van Impe and his Holy Accorgan on Bob Seger Heavy Music

Dr. Jack Van Impe is the only televangelist to be sampled on a record by Michigan rocker Bob Seger. "Heavy Music part 2" features the accordion and ACCORGAN, (a ramped up accordion) playing minister criticizing rock and roll. (the B-side to his 1967 single) Van Impe claims to be a "walking bible" as he has memorized so much of the book. One book here discusses the filth and degradation of "4,000 bathers running completely nude of a stretch of beach in California" and "Sin-laden sensuous females watching male Go-Go dancers writhing and jerking in skimpy bikini G-Strings" He also believes the anti-christ will soon have a phenomenal computer to control the Earths's teeming millions." He got that one right.

Shown are three of Dr. Van Impe's tracts as well as one of his many LP recordings.

The Lord is Jesus Christ, What in the World is Happening, Bible Headlines by Dr. Jack Van Impe.

The Ark old time religion

Poem printed on reverse of card, with no address or contact information

My kind friends should ever speak Of the strangest man you know It would be strange did you not wish How strange he was to show Strange pictures on strange cards I have Telling in a way new Where you can learn many strange things Which are both strange and true. From these strange cards you'll also fine How very strange I be And then perhaps you'll purchase some Strange books written by me It matters not how strange your church Or how strange be it's Creed In my strange teachings you will find Strange lessons that you need. To those who see not my strange car Or look in my strange face Will your dear friends tell them that I Am strangest of our race Then should they wish strange cards or books My strange writings to see, Let me know the strange ones they wish I'll mail them C.O.D.

Cheap photo postcard, c. 1890. Collection Jim Linderman

Lowell and the Rhythm-airs old time religion

Rockabilly crooner Lowell Lundstrom's band beat singer Connie Brown in a talent competition, but the she caught his eye. He taught Connie to play the guitar, then invited her to join his band the Rhythm-airs. After some near-death auto accidents on the road, Connie convinced Lowell to attend a gospel meeting. Lowell dunked the remaining Rhythm-airs gigs and began reading the bible. He married Connie, and together they enrolled in Trinity Bible College in North Dakota. Lowell finished his degree at North Central Bible College In Minneapolis, where Jim Bakker was a classmate. He's been reading the Bible ever since. Check out the tempo change on the clip below!

"Message for America" real photo post card, c, 1960 Collection Jim Linderman

A Fragile Flyer old time religion

Revival Meeting Flyer, Michigan c. 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

Disgraced Preacher Rev. Culp "Making little ones out of Big Ones" 1922 old time religion

"Photo shows Rev W. W. Culp, Spring Valley minister who eloped with pretty 19 year old Esther Hughes, deserting his wife and nine children. He has just started serving his sentence of one year and is seen "making little ones out of big ones."

Original Press Photograph, 1922. Collection Jim Linderman

Railsplitter Press William Lloyd Clark old time religion

William Lloyd Clark, who passed away in 1935, was publisher of the Rail Splitter Press and professional anti-catholic. He has been called "an army of one." The rabid Rail Splitter's motto was "One Law, One School, One Flag" and he sold the phrase on tiny stickers as well as the charming "Be an American" sticker shown here. Gulp. He had a "mobile pulpit" built onto on old truck and rode around the country preaching, and on at least on occasion stood on west 57th Street and Broadway and shouted his bile. He bragged on it in later literature, but I find no mention in the local papers. I'm sure even then New Yorkers walked around and kept on going. A obsessed and prolific writer, among his titles are the following:

The Devil in a Bathtub
Washington in the Grasp of Rome
Devil's Prayer Book (shown above, "For red-blooded HE-MEN only")
White Slave Girls of America

Here is his own synopsis of The Devil in a Bathtub: "Mammoth gambling hells and old bath house row of early days. Drunken Priests leave snake in bathtub. Hot Springs the greatest resort city in the world today in the grip of the roman octopus."

Rail Splitter Press material c. 1925. Collection Jim Linderman

I Heart Religion

"Man is not like a house that needs a little repair here and there, but he is a building that is rotten throughout"
Includes contribution envelope 1948 Collection Jim Linderman

From the Verge of Hell old time religion

In which the awful death of a young infidel is recounted...(a train)
Pilgrim is still operating and still distributing literature.

Tract from Pilgrim Society Inc. Randelman, N.C. c. 1938. Collection Jim Linderman

Jim Linderman Church Signs of the American South a brief Photo Essay on old time religion

Untitled, all by Jim Linderman circa 1990-1995

Double Curse of Booze

In which Noah gets drunk, Sammy's father is a drunk, a senator is a drunk, a sergeant of the Dallas police force is a drunk, his baby sister's husband is a drunk, a gas station attendant is a drunk, a barber in Chicago is a drunk and a man who sells life insurance is a drunk.

Hell over Hollywood old time religion

In which movie fame is attributed to "wicked curves...voluptuous lips...and synthetic platinum hair." "A 14 year old student declared "I have copied many things from the movies. I learned how to make love, to smoke and to wear swell clothes. I learned how to put on make-up...I learned to stay out late, to smoke and drink highballs, to do hot dance steps and to make love." The "Hollywood influence" is fast making a madhouse out of America and a generation of madmen, of jitterbug lunatics and jive loonies, out of American youth."

Hell over Hollywood Pamphlet 1942 Collection Jim Linderman

The "C-word" and the Bible old time religion

The Youngest Preacher in the Country Boy Preacher Will Pierce

Knoxville TN boy preacher Will Pierce, Age 10 Original glossy press photo 1939 Collection Jim Linderman

Intellectual Sea and the Pit of Evil Trinity Chart

Preach Ye Upon the Housetops (Literally)

To "arouse millions of Rip Van Christians" Rev. William Hainsworth of Dexter Michigan who follows literally the Biblical injunction "preach ye upon the housetops" plans a cross-country tour to the west coast. Last year he nearly fell off the top of the Dexter Coffee Shop.


Original Glossy Press Photograph, 1947 Collection Jim Linderman

Hell on Earth (and on the Blue Network) old time religion

Consists of a sermon originally broadcast on The Blue Network's "Hour of Faith" which also aired "Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel" starring Groucho Marx and Chico Marx. Which would you have listened to?

Hell on Earth Tract 1944. Collection Jim Linderman

Ely J. Forsythe Revival Tent Real Photo Postcards Get Right With God

"Let the Choir In" Ely. J. Forsythe Revival Tent, Missouri c. 1910 Collection Jim Linderman

Photos from Paste Magazine Review of Take Me to the Water Old Time Religion

Untitled (Baptism) Collection International Center of Photography, gift of Janna Rosenkranz and Jim Linderman 2007
PASTE Magazine Photos HERE

Street Preacher with a Calling Card, a Temper and a Pen-Knife

As near as I can find, Bishop A. J. Carney left behind four things.

1. This calling card.

2. The quote "The world as my circuit or field of labor, the human family as my parishioners.

3. Utica Morning Herald June 6, 1877
"Bishop A.J. Carney, and independent missionary preached a characteristic sermon in the streets this morning. He didn't forget to take up a collection"

4. Utica NY Observer July 12, 1877
"Bishop A.J. Carney, the street preacher, is in jail for 100 days at Rochester. An official laughed at him and he raised his hand in wrath, inflicting a heavy blow. When arrested, he attempted to cut his throat with a pen-knife. Bishop Carney is the same individual who spoke in our streets some three months ago"

Bishop A. J Carney Calling Card circa 1877 Collection Jim Linderman

$1.00 Prayer Society of the Angel Guardians 1880

J. Charles Jessup, Convicted Preacher with a Triple-neck Mosrite guitar

Charles Jessup was married to a 15 year old girl while still married to his third wife. Rev. Jessup was a border radio fixture for years, sharing time on a mega-powerful station operating just across the Rio Grande (and outside of U. S. regulations) at the same time as Wolfman Jack. Robert Duvall cited him as an influence on his film The Apostle, and others have compared him to Elvis, but then Elvis was never convicted of mail fraud and using ill-gotten contributions from loyal listeners for cock-fighting.

Jessup barnstormed God's airways with mountain music, a squeaky voice and an insatiable sexual appetite. Taking in ten million dollars, he claimed was to help the Mexican people, he instead "llenarse los bolsillos" which is Spanish for "line your own pockets." And there are folks who worry about Mexicans coming here? Cars, Seaplanes, real estate...whatever supposed pleasures awaited his followers in the afterlife, he was taking full advantage of in the present.

Not to be outdone by his own brother's double-neck guitar, shown in a photo here...he ordered a custom made THREE neck guitar from the Mosrite Factory which surfaced a few years ago. I am not sure what he used to play it with, but perhaps his young wife can tell us. Amazingly, he continued to appear on other evangelist's programs after serving his sentence (at least one of which still operates in my home state) and they welcomed him as an inspiration! I include here several photos of Jessup and his posse with a scan of their 78 rpm record (which unfortunately I have not heard as God has not yet provided me with a working turntable, but he will, I believe)

A double blog post here and on "Dull Tool Dim Bulb"

Photo excerpts from "Heaven and Hell" "My Life's Story" "A Stirring Message on Death" all circa 1945-1950 by J. Charles Jessup, and "Preach the Word/I'll Meet you in the Morning" by Jessup Brothers on Jessup Brothers records, 78 rpm. All Collection Jim Linderman

Evangelical Sunday School Float old time religion

Snapshot, c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

Heritage of Hell Modern Dance (Jitterbug Insanity) old time religion

In which "girls are violated and despoiled visually first, and often otherwise afterward" by Jitterbug Jazz Dancing. The sheer promiscuity of dance...breaks down feminine modesty and reserve. Sooner or later, younsters who frequent dance halls are almost certain to give expression to the erotic desires which the modern forms of dancing so powerfully stimulate. And once they engage in sex relations, it is only a matter of time until they become diseased.

The Heritage of Hell 42 pages 1946 Collection Linderman

Old Time Glory old time religion

"Revivals are still possible..."

Benson Publishing Company, Nashiville, TN 68 Pages 1949, Collection Jim Linderman

Falsetto, The Shared Microphone and Swan Silvertones

The World's Largest Ten Commandments

Press Photo, 1954. Collection Jim Linderman

Sword of the Lord Forced to Raise Prices (1944)

Sword of the Lord Price Change insert, 1944. Collection Jim Linderman

Woman hauled out of church wearing Pants

Rena Breen returns the following week after being dragged from church for wearing pants. Today, apparently, her attire is acceptable to the Lord of Bay Shore Long Island
Original Press Photo 1936, Collection Jim Linderman

Look Up! old time religion

Little David Walker spent 5 Hours in Heaven

Boy Preacher's Custody Sought By His Parents
St. Petersburg Times April 29, 1948

...said their son, billed as "Little David" was not getting a proper education and that almost daily sermons threatened "permanent disability" to his voice. They estimated his sermons earned him $1000 per week. The parents asked Juvenile Court to return custody of David to them. They had unwittingly lost control when another evangelist promised to "put Little David in the big time."

Several years later Little David was involved in a water ski accident which put him in a coma briefly. I do not know if he saw Jesus the second time, but he did thank the fireman who saved his life.

Large Newsprint Advert, no date. Collection Jim Linderman