old time religion by Jim Linderman

Does the Devil Bite? Did Wigglesworth? Lester Sumrall and Bitten by Devils the Film old time religion

2012-01-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

Bitten by Devils, a film made by evangelist Lester Sumrall nearly 50 years ago.

Lester went all the way to the Phillippines to find a devil possessed young woman. Heck, I've seen a few at the local Wal-Mart! The actress is referred to in the brochure as a "comely Visayan maiden whose experiences in prison triggered medico-religious investigations and front-page news."

Could Lester act as well as he cures and preaches? I think so, as he is shown here twisting the comely young woman's neck into salvation.

Lester received his evangelistic training from Smith Wigglesworth. Wigglesworth? THAT bodes well for my story.

Several years after filming this apparent "documentary" of a woman possessed by the devil, or rather multiple devils, Lester obtained a permit to broadcast sermons on the radio. That didn't seem to convince enough folks into believing the devil had teeth. So he obtained the first license for a 24-hour Christian television network. 24 HOURS a day!

How the hell do you fill 24 hours a day with religious programming? They didn't..sometimes they showed Bozo, My Three Sons and Tennessee Tuxedo.

The station still exists, thus being the "longest continuously-operated Christian television station in the nation." I hope their sound engineer does better work than the promotional clip for Lester's films below.

Lester met his maker in 1996, but like all of us, his website lives on digitally. In the unfortunate last chapter "Good-bye Planet Earth" Lester assumes God had the time to "give a smooth transition for my successors" as he waves from the door of a small airplane.

A list of Lester's books follows. I am not sure if these prices are current.

Bitten by Devils Souvenir Pictorial by Lester Sumrall 1966 Collection Jim Linderman

Miniature Church by the twin brothers Bily old time religion

2012-01-20T10:48:00.000-08:00

A Real Photo Postcard of the Bily Brother's little church model. Want to see what else the reclusive little fellows made? You won't believe it...a miracle! HERE

Bily Brothers Tiny Handmade Church collection Jim Linderman

Earliest Known Jesus Graffiti on a Rock in Muscoda! old time religion

2012-01-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly scribed by the man himself, or maybe a disciple...the earliest known Jesus graffiti appears on a sacred boulder of quartz in Eagle Cave near Muscoda Wisconsin. Miracles will never cease.

Real Photo Postcard, undated, Collection Jim Linderman

What Color Is Heaven ? New Testament Stories Coloring Book old time religion

2012-01-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

New Testament coloring book by Ruth Ann Hinds 1961 Collection Jim Linderman

Jesus Is Coming Soon by Air Mail The Tract Society old time religion

2012-01-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

Jesus is coming soon by airmail. March 1944 Collection Jim Lindeman

Rex Humbard Evangelist and Girdle Manufacturer old time religion

2012-01-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

Rex Humbard provides answers to life's problems here in 1970. At one time, Humbard owned the following, presumably all tax free.

A GIRDLE factory in Brooklyn

A college on Mackinac Island in Michigan

An advertising agency

Humbard attempted to build a rotating restaurant atop his "Cathedral of Tomorrow" complex. The Securities and Exchange Commission finally caught up with him and he was forced to abandon the project.

Humbard was the preacher at Elvis Presley's funeral (The OTHER King)

Humbard was proud of himself. He wrote TWO autobiographies.

Rex's rocking band stirs the audience into a religious fervor.

A Mighty Big Difference ! Hell Heaven Jesus Christ Tract

2011-12-23T16:41:00.000-08:00

Click to make a bigger big difference

Pilgrim Tract Society, No Date Collection Jim Linderman

Will You Be My Neighbour? R.E. Neighbour Prolific Preacher will DO YOU GOOD old time religon

2011-12-22T08:15:00.000-08:00

HOLY mack truck! R.E. Neighbour wrote 94 books. Since the Bible is in the public domain, I am going to guess he cribbed plenty of it to fill his tomes. I am also going to guess if you DID attend the do you good revival above you would have to pass a card-table full of them. Who, What, When Where WHOA!...slow DOWN. I haven't even read the first one yet!

Neighbour also "started 82 churches" according to The Theocratic Kingdom site which apparently tracks these things. After spreading his beliefs to the good folks of the Amazon, he came back, shaved his upper lip and died in 1945.

R.E. Neighbour Invitation Postcard mailed 1909 Collection Jim Linderman

Special Iowa Caucus Edition of Old Time Religion Evangelical Antics

2011-12-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

Singing evangelist Mary Theresa Louthan welcomes candidates to the Iowa Caucus 1911. She's for that nutjob Bachman!

Mary Theresa Louthan singing evangelist postcard 19ll Collection Jim Linderman

Theodore Fitch Cassette Tape and Home School System old time religion

2011-12-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

Nutty Ted Fitch tells when the sun became dark at noon, and earthquake shook the world and angels sang.

Everything you need for your home school lesson plan with one order (and they are returnable!)

Theodore Fitch pamphlet no date Collection Jim Linderman

Can you Mix Sex with Old Time Religion? old time religion

2011-12-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

I can.

Chapters?

Do You Come On "Mod" or "Modest"

How To Be A Total Wife

C.M. Ward, "Revivaltime Speaker" rhymes "mod" with "god" pamphlet 1976 Collection Jim Linderman

Sell Religious Wall Mottos and MAKE MONEY Serving the LORD old time religion

2011-12-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Exciting New Way to Make Money (Serve the Lord while you Earn Welcome Cash)
Comic Book ad circa 1955

I'm NOT! Are YOU? old time religion Christless Grave Tract

2011-12-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

(I'm not going to a Christless Grave... ARE YOU)

Religious Tract Gospel Folio Press Messenger #17 No Date Collection Jim Linderman

He "KNEW" the divine principle of creation vs. Evolution old time religion

2011-12-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

CLICK TO ENRAPTURE

Umm...no.

Love and Marriage: Normal Sex Relations by T.W.Calloway 1924 (With handwritten worrisome notations) collection Jim Linderman

Sexist Bible Passages John R. Rice, Rabid Reverend Bobbed Hair Bossy Wives and Women Preachers (ALL NOT ALLOWED) old time religion

2011-12-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

In which...oh, never mind. There are 90 pages to this book, and every one contains a portion of the Bible any CHRISTIAN woman would find horrendous, not to mention a non-believer.

Bobbed Hair Bossy Wives and Women Preachers by John R. Rice. 1941 Collection Jim Linderman

Bible News Flashes supports Cavities old time religion

2011-11-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

Bible News Flashes comes out in favor of Cavities 1953
(With the help of "Americanism Bulletin")

Bible New Flashes March 1953 collection Jim Linderman

Ma Sunday Speaks (and runs the business) Mrs. Billy Sunday old time religion

2011-11-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

"Ma" Sunday was the wife of professional baseball player and enemy of liquor, evolution, playing cards, reading novels and dancing, Billy Sunday. Billy is far to big a piece of Sunday for one post...That he received donations from the Ku Klux Klan is enough for at least one or two posts, so I'll put him on the back burner for now and take on Ma.

Ma had the good fortune to live long enough for the tape recorder to be invented, and if we are to believe the copy here, she seemingly gasped out this book on her deathbed. She actually lived a few more years, I checked...but why wait?

I'm glad Ma had her say. After all, her husband is said to have preached directly to more than 100 million people while she worked the operation from behind.

But in the end, after all the crowds went home, Billy went home to Ma. To count the receipts. Ma was the businesswoman behind the preaching ball player.

"Ma Sunday Still Speaks: a transcription of the tape recording she made shortly before her death" 1957 Collection Jim Linderman

Soul Winners FIRE Evangelist John R. Rice Spews Fire old time religion

2011-11-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

1941 Moody Press Chicago Soul-Winners Fire

Sin of Stubbornness is Taught by a Bear by Dr. Woolston old time religion

2011-11-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

C.H. Woolston uses a chained bear cub to illustrate sin Circa 1925

Jesus and the Radicals by James Seregow

2011-11-22T12:13:00.001-08:00

One of some 20,000 copies of the book Jesus and the Radicals handed out by Jesus Freaks during Michigan demonstrations against the Vietnamese War. They got in the way, and their Lord had not done anything but allow escalation since 1968. Apparently this has become something of "A Bible" to the OWS folks, as I see 7 copies available on Amazon starting at 46 cents.

Annoying Jesus and the Radicals book published in 1972 by in Romulus, Michigan by Johnson Press.

Wheeling is READY old time religion RPPC Collection Jim Linderman

2011-11-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Wheeling is Ready Real Photo Postcard circa 130 Collection Jim Linderman

old-time-religion the book and ipad download HERE

T. L. Lowery "Your Shopping Cart is Empty" old time religion

2011-11-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

Normally I can date these old postcards from the postage stamp, but as you can see Lowrey is running a non-profit and stamps were not required. TL Lowrey's tent held 10,000 people! "Amazing miracles took place in a T.L. Lowery meeting!" they say. One miracle is Lowrey's house, which you can find through the miracle of satellite imagery, I'd show it here, but another miracle would be fitting it all into a screen grab.

Lowery's website (with easy checkout for products, including a $125.00 DVD set) is HERE.

Activity Packet Braille I love Lord because He hath heard my voice old time religion

2011-11-12T14:48:00.000-08:00

Kneeling boy atop a braille embellished paper cut-out.

Stories about Jesus Activity Packet 1947 Collection Jim Linderman

Reverend Milford Lyon and the Lyon Epigrams Busy as an Ant and Breath like the Devil

2011-11-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Magnificant Milford Lyon and his Lyon Epigrams! 1912. (A Good Year for Epigrams)

"Let NO Epigram be used without Lyon!:

The New Philadelphia Revival June 1912 with Data, Illustrations and Epigrams!
Collection Jim Linderman

Wee Preacher "A Soul Winner All for Jesus" old time religion

2011-11-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

CLICK TO ENLARGE (NO OFFENSE)

There are, and have been, dozens of wee preachers, but this soul saver is new to me. He apparently played the sax. Show business.

Original Photograph circa 1930? "A Soul Winner all for Jesus" with illegible signature. Collection Jim Linderman

Come to Uplift Uplift for Everybody William Baumgartner Singing Evangelist

2011-10-31T07:33:00.003-07:00

Singing Evangelist William M. Baumgartner appears with Choir and Cornetist
No date (circa 1900?) Collection Jim Linderman

How to Get to Church Sunday School old time religion

2011-10-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

Rocket to Sunday School

Postcard reminder, circa 1950 Collection Jim Linderman

(NOTE: The Book OLD TIME RELIGION: Faith Healers, Miracle Men, Radio Preachers and Evangelists! Graphics of Revival, the Apocalypse and the Afterlife is Now Available as an E-BOOK download for the Ipad. Only $5.99. Download HERE Today)

BOY PREACHER CDV 1888 PASCHAL PORTER WONDER OF THE AGE OLD TIME RELIGION

2011-10-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Paschal Porter was born 1877 at Bee Camp (a settlement of four log cabins) on the Ohio River in Indiana. He was one of the few literate members of the community. He announced his desire to be a preacher at age five. By age eleven he was touring the country and beyond with his father and his manager Mr. Bingham. I say "beyond" as the boy preacher was a hit in Canada as well as the states.

The St. Andrews Bay Pilot March 15, 1888 reports on what much have been a typical performance. "Paschal Porter, the wonderful child revivalist, of Indiana, who is now only 11 years old, recently preached a sermon, in the Baptist Church at Williamstown, Ky., that astonished everybody who heard it. The pastor of the church says that he has read sermons on the same subject delivered by the ablest preachers, but not one of them could compare in power or in elegance of diction with the boy's exhortation."

Additionally, the Ashburton Guardian of November 24, 1888 reports "Among the coming sensations from America we to have a "pulpit tour" by a boy only 11 years of age, called the Rev. Paschal Porter. His eloquence is said to be such that thousands sit and listen to him for hours, while he preaches the most brilliant and profound sermons." The best copy on the little fellow is from the Little Falls New York Evening Times of March 21, 1888, which reports "So extraordinary are his powers that Simeon Marks the leading Hebrew of the village is so impressed the he almost believes little Paschl is the "Messiah for whom his race has so long waited."

I'm not going to argue with Mr. Marks, who was there (several times..it is said he attended many sermons) but as the Paschl trail ends in 1888, I am going to surmise he was not the second coming.

Original CDV Photograph by J.Q. Barloup, Williamstown KY with affixed newsprint and handwritten notes, 1888. Collection Jim Linderman

A post here on Dull Tool Dim Bulb AND old-time-religion.

See also Old Time Religion: Faith Healers, Miracle Men, Radio Preachers and Evangelists! Graphics of Revival, the Apocalypse and the Afterlife by Jim Linderman NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK AND IPAD DOWNLOAD for $5.99 as well as paperback and hardcover.

old-time-religion is on FACEBOOK Follow with Faith

2011-10-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

Old Time Religion on Facebook

Oral Roberts Healing Waters and Trucks of Money old time religion

2011-10-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Charlatan "faith healer" Oral Roberts packs them into the big tent while his trucks stand ready to cart away the money.

By the year of our lord 1980, Oral's income was reported at $88 million dollars a year.

The very same year this song book was published, Oral reported the following miracles on his radio program:

September 6, 1953. Testimony time: a fifteen year old Oklahoma girl is cured of leakage of the heart. Now she's the school valedictorian and plays the clarinet!

March 15, 1953. Testimony time: a Phoenix man is cured of disease of the brain and cancer of the bladder.

April 5, 1953. Testimony time: a sickly North Carolina baby who couldn't breathe takes deep breaths after Roberts' radio prayer.

Gee...some of those folks look kinda hot...do you suppose "healing waters" were for sale in the concession tent at top left?

Oral Roberts Healing Waters "Where the healing waters flow" Gospel Song catalog 1953 Collection Jim Linderman

God's Vandalism or God's Graffiti old time religion

2011-10-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

From the pamphlet "God's Way of Salvation Illustrated by Comparison and Contrast" No Date (Circa 1930?) Gospel Folio Press. Collection Jim Linderman

Critical Last Days old time religion

2011-10-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

A Most Unusual Bible Story (From Tijuana!) Adam and Eve old time religion

2011-10-17T09:04:00.001-07:00

Circa 1935 "Tijuana Bible" with some parts the other Bible hinted at, but did not show.
Collection Jim Linderman

Jim Linderman profile old time religion on Copy Cat Collector

2011-10-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Brief profile HERE on copy cat collector

Come to Church or we'll Kill this Puppy old time religion

2011-10-13T11:32:00.001-07:00

Postcard, circa 1950-1960 Christian Art Line (trademark expired) Collection Jim Linderman

Two Days with the Devil old time religion

2011-10-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

A man is buried underground until finding God by F. M. Lehman
Religious Tract No Date Collection Jim Linderman

Get on Board! old time religion

2011-10-08T21:00:00.001-07:00

Postcard of carnival, date unknown.

Trees of Choice (Bingo or Fruit)

2011-10-01T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Blood Cleanseth us from Sin old time religion

2011-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

click to enlarge

Real Photo Postcard circa 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

Art Velvet Motto # 5003 Watch and Pray old time religion

2011-09-25T17:41:00.001-07:00

"Art Velvet Motto" hanging card no date (1900?) Collection Jim Linderman

Finally...The FACTS Upright Monkey old-time-religion

2011-09-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for the facts to come in.

Lamps of Faith Radiate an Amber Glow of Kerosene and Christian Atmosphere old time religion

2011-09-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Click to turn up the wick

Ponzi Scheme for Christ

Kerosene Faith Lamps Salesman Scam Collection Jim Linderman

The FIRST SIN (Raccoon Eyes in Church) old time religion

2011-09-12T16:47:00.001-07:00

Someone was given a pen to shut him up in church. Note reverse: The Way to Hell --Simply Do Nothing

Defaced Church Invitation, circa 1900 Collection Jim Linderman

HELL FIRE Pagan Scare and Bible Truth old time religion

2011-09-09T12:04:00.001-07:00

Hellfire Bible Truth Watchtower Tract (no date) Collection Jim Linderman

Bishop Oscar Einarsen's GREATEST HIT old time religion

2011-09-06T08:53:00.001-07:00

Oh. Seize the Life-Line! sheet music 1913 Collection Jim Linderman

Devil's Drink

2011-09-05T20:42:00.001-07:00

Butterick's Beezelbub for the Bespoke Tailor old time religion

2011-09-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Ebenezer Butterick and his wife Ellen Augusta Pollard Butterick invented tissue paper sewing patterns during the Civil War. They became successful immediately and opened a factory on lower Broadway a year later. They are credited with democratizing fashion, but as you can see also helped spread the devil's holiday. Get started now, they should be ready by late October.

Butterick costume pattern sewing kit, circa 1960

Stone School House Pray Exercises Sabbath-School Gospel Wagon old time religion

2011-08-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

"Children's Pray exercises will be held in the Stone School House Sunday, June 13 at 2:00 pm All Welcome

"Children for Christ "The Sabbath-School Missionary's Gospel Wagon Postcard circa 1900 collection Jim Linderman

MARK OF THE BEAST old time religion

2011-08-29T08:38:00.001-07:00

Official old-time-religion CR Code (Mark of the Beast)

Highballing to Heaven with a Mobile Wurlitzer old time religion

2011-08-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

And still TRUCKING! HERE

old time religion THE DEVIL

2011-08-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Circa 1920 real photo postcard of the DEVIL
collection Jim Linderman

Homemade Folk Art Postcard of the Church old time religion

2011-08-20T17:45:00.001-07:00

Made by Hand church postcard circa 1900 Collection Jim Linderman

Father Divine Angels Photograph 1937 Note Caption! old time religion

2011-08-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

Quite a few sarcastic quotes here from the reporter...I suspect he is a non-believer (and a racist as well, actually)

Original 1937 Press photograph Collection Jim Linderman

Sacred and Sinful Sex old time religion

2011-08-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Religious Tract 1941 Collection Jim Linderman

Reward of Merit (TEN Merits) Sabbath School certificiate old time religion

2011-07-31T05:38:00.000-07:00

Large Reward of Merit Sabbath School circa 1870? Collection Jim Linderman

Um...Usually Are You Deceived by the DEVIL? old time religion

2011-07-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

1968 Collection Jim Linderman

Jesus Flys in 3-D old time religion

2011-07-07T09:43:00.001-07:00

Ascension of Jesus Sterograph circa 1880 Collection Jim Linderman

Every Man a da Vinci of sorts Paint by Number old time religion

2011-07-01T14:58:00.001-07:00

A yard long Paint by Number painting!

collection Jim Linderman

BOOKS

Dinner with the Moodys Moody Bible Institute old time religion Chow Down

2011-06-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Feeding of the 5,000 at Moody Bible Institute Cafeteria (Seating capacity 1,000)

Undated Postcard collection Jim Linderman

Jehovah Slides into Third old-time-religion The House that Ruth Built

2011-06-22T06:33:00.001-07:00

Jehovah's Witnesses take over Yankee Stadium 1958

Real Photo Post Card 1958 collection Jim Linderman
old-time-religion THE BOOK Here.

Happy Hearts Club Formula for a Happy Life old time religion

2011-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

CLICK TO ENRAPTURE

There is no positive adjective not crammed onto this card. It is ALL Love, sunshine and Hope!

Happy Hearts Club postcard, no date (1940?) Collection Jim Linderman

Old Time Religion THE BOOK Here

Christian Symbolism FLASH CARDS old time religion

2011-06-12T21:05:00.001-07:00

Christian Symbolism Flash Cards (No Date, circa 1960?) Collection Jim Linderman

Chloe of Detroit Gets Baptized (and lays off indulgences) old time religion

2011-06-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Chloe was baptized in 1920, but as you can see the certificate contains some baggage. Cleo is to refrain from jewelry used purely for adornment (a tough one for a young woman of any decade, I suspect) and must lay aside alcoholic beverages...and similar harmful indulgences. I am not sure if she was able to comply, but I hope so.

Baptismal Vow Detroit Michigan 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

See and order Old Time Religion BOOK by Jim Linderman HERE

Psalm Secrets! Make Sin GOOD with a Midget Bible old time religion

2011-05-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Free yourself of "evil spirits" with proper psalm use.

Ad from "Uncensored" Magazine 1954

old time religion Eda Quiggle and the Mills of a Grinding God

2011-05-18T06:34:00.001-07:00

Eda's poem of "ecactness" didn't quite fit on the line, but the sentiment applies.

Handwritten poem 1890 Collection Jim Linderman

(See the book old time religion HERE)

old time religion Miniature Holy Bible Calling Card circa 1860 old time religion

2011-05-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

A tiny, hand painted (embellished) calling card circa 1850
(name on reverse) collection Jim Linderman

old time religion Fish or Cut Bait Card

2011-04-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

"Go Fish" Visual Bible Publishing company, no date. Bookmark? Collection Jim Linderman

Medium Dead Mrs. Crocker Speaks to a Corpse old time religion Certificate to Swindle

2011-04-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Now I think science will side with me on this one...you can not talk to the dead. They are dead! But some charlatan, fraud, fake, criminal money-grubbing scam artists think they can. (Well, to be a little more accurate, the thieves only CLAIM they can speak to the dead, they don't actually think they can. They can't and they KNOW it.) So essentially they are fibbers, liars, scoundrels, shysters, confidence men, swindlers, cheaters, mountebacks, quacks, grifters and dishonest deceptive false-posing spurious shysters. Bunch of crooks.

I asked Mr. Crocker here to respond to my charges, but she failed to reply. She is dead. Not "medium" dead....dead.

Mrs. Addie M. Crocker's Medium's Certificate from the Michigan State Spiritulalist Association
1912 and press photograph Collection Jim Linderman

DULL TOOL DIM BULB BOOKS CATALOG HERE

Fill a Sock for Jesus "Sock Social" Card and Miniature Footwear old time religion

2011-04-23T11:19:00.001-07:00

""Sock Social" solicitation for pennies. Troy Church 1936 Collection Jim Linderman

SEE Old Time Religion THE BOOK HERE

Payment for Services Rendered Rev. John S. Blair Earns his Salary old time religion

2011-04-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Receipt for services rendered August 22, 1898 Reverend John S. Blair Collection Jim Linderman

Bible Thumpers pass out flyers in front of a Burlesque Theater old time religion

2011-04-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

Religious pamphlets are passed out near a burlesque theater Chicago 1959

Anonymous Photograph Chicago 1959 Original negative collection Jim Linderman

Rev. Stoneking and the Indian Revival Center old time religion

2011-04-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have NO idea what is going on here...but the reverse indicates at the time this postcard was produced, the Indian Revival Center at 5602 Gage Avenue was "the nation's largest Indian church." They sponsored four radio broadcasts. The card shows Rev. Arthur Stoneking.

In November 1967 a molotov cocktail was thrown through a front window of the Indian Revival Center at 5602 E Gage according to the L.A. Times (!) so I'm not going to dig around any further.

Indian Revival Center postcard circa 1965? Collection Jim Linderman

Black Reverend Sister Mothers who Heal old time religion

2011-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

As Reverend Sister Navajo says "Don't let ignorance stand in your way."

Free lucky charm with reading.

Dull Tool Dim Bulb Books HERE

A Gospel Coin Good News from Chicago old time religion

2011-04-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

Gospel Coin No Date Collection Jim Linderman

(See old time religion the BOOK here)

Is the Devil Real? old time religion Devil Postcard

2011-04-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hell postcard no date Collection Jim Linderman

See the old time religion BOOK HERE

A Note From Jesus old time religion Jesus Writes a Letter old time religion

2011-04-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

Preview and order the new book old time religion: Faith Healers, Miracle Men, Radio Preachers and Evangelists Graphics of Revival, the Apocalypse and the Afterlife by Jim Linderman

Walk or Ride 1960 old time religion

2011-04-03T16:56:00.001-07:00

Walk or Ride Postcard Reminder circa 1960 Collection Jim Linderman

Wade Clemons and Golfing in the Rain Seven Biggest Fools old time religion

2011-04-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Billy Graham aspiring Wade Clemons...it's great! Unfortunately Wade raps on only one side, the other is filled with the only bad music to ever come out of New Orleans. But still a winner. Wade runs down the fools in his sermon "Message of the Seven Biggest Fools" portrayed on the record jacket by, hopefully, Wade's kid. If not, then Wade needs art lessons. Now I know why they call them "primitive" Baptists! Grandma Moses could do better.

My favorite of the seven fools is the fellow who chooses to golf on Sunday. Now I can't be bothered to listen to the whole thing, sorry...but I imagine it would go something like this"

"Number TWOuh! CURSE-ed be the man-uh who chooses-uh to golf on the sabbath, for it shall surely rain-uh"

Wade Clemons "The Fools Who Say:" Rite Records (No Date) Autographed 1977. B side The New Orleans Baptist Trio. Collection Jim Linderman

old time religion old time religion the book! NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-03-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

The network of blogs under the DULL TOOL DIM BULB umbrella will reach ONE MILLION PAGE VIEWS this week! To celebrate, A NEW BOOK is now available for Ordering!

OLD TIME RELIGION: Faith Healers, Miracle Men, Radio Preachers and Evangelists. Graphics of Revival, the Apocalypse and the Afterlife by Jim Linderman

"200 miracles from the collection of Jim Linderman! Linderman is called"The King of Internet Ephemera" for his series of odd art blogs under the "Dull Tool Dim Bulb" umbrella. Now comes this new book of bold obscure graphics, tracts, pamphlets, screeds, photographs and more from the last 100 years of Bible Thumpers and Evangelists. The True Heritage of the Religious Right! Linderman lovingly preserves and presents these dopey artifacts because no one else does. Astounding, frightening and hilarious at the same time. Get down on your sinful knees! Is the Apocalypse coming? YES, and it has been for the last100 years!"

PREVIEW FOR FREE HERE ORDER TODAY (Before the World ENDS)

FIRST LOOK at the NEW BOOK old time religion

2011-03-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

old-time-religion

Faith Healers, Mira...

By Jim Linderman and...

Book Preview

Oral Roberts goes Oral old time religion

2011-03-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Oral the Orator.

Oral Roberts at one time ran a $120 million dollar business with over 2,000 employees. All serving the man upstairs, not the one with three Mercedes parked in the carport.

In 1977 Oral received a telephone call from a 900 foot tall Jesus who told him to build medical facilties. The same Jesus, regular size now I think, told him to cure cancer. Robert's gold bracelets and diamond ring were air-brushed out from his publicity photographs by his staff.

Press Photograph of Oral Roberts circa 1956 Collection Jim Linderman

Sunny Jim the Evangelist and his Senseless Platitudes old time religion

2011-03-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sunny Jim the Evangelist had more slogans than Burger King. The problem was, no one knew what the hell they meant. They all sound like T-Rex song titles. The content of the letter has Reverend Jim "calling in the big guys"...that is requesting legal help "from out of state" but it does not reveal his digressions. A shame. I suspect Sunny Jim has a Shady story.

Letterhead of "Sunny Jim" The Evangelist Dated 1916 Collection Jim Linderman

Ex-Bandit Dan McNally and the Jailhouse Conversion old time religion Charles Colson Paris Hilton Bernard Madhoff

2011-03-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

"Ex-Bandit" Dan McNally shills his appearance in Minneapolis with his street creds!

Once the state learned it was less expensive to throw in a Bible than to replace a sink torn from the cell wall by an unruly convict, encouraging religious conversion behind bars has been a good strategy. Parole boards take a very suspicious attitude about such claims...so do I. Other famous (or infamous) claimed jailhouse conversions include Paris Hilton (at least she says she read the Bible during her time in the big house) and Bernard Madoff.

Now the best jailhouse conversion is of course Chuckie Colson. You know him...when folks demonstrated against the Vietnam War, they had to worry one of Chuck's goons illegally recruited from the Teamsters was going to knock their heads with clubs. He proposed firebombing the Brookings Institution. Eh...any man who was so despicable as to be known as NIXON'S hatchet man, for God's sake, can't get much worse...so anything is "up" including a questionable born-again claim. Just for the record, Chuck believes in God but he does not believe in Darwin (a later war-criminal President invited him to the White House to represent the "anti-science" position.) He opposes same-sex marriage (despite being divorced himself...as nearly half of "different-sex" marriages are) and despite being a felon was granted his voting rights back by another bright light on the political horizon...a THIRD Bush, the one in Florida who defaulted on a 4 million dollar loan and advocates "rock climbing" as one of his major accomplishments.

Are things really so bad in the Christian faith they need Chuckie to speak for them?

I am not sure, but maybe the postcards and brochures announcing a Colson appearance read "Ex-Creep"

Dan McNally postcard announcement, circa 1935. Collection Jim Linderman

Pearl Filley and her Family Bible old time religion

2011-03-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Bible may be the best-selling book in the Western world, though many are given away free, so I am not sure those consider as a "sale"...but once the Bible was the most important book in the house. Not for the text, but for the genealogical information often contained within. Seldom does a bible make it to a used bookstore shelf unless the pages have been flipped for treasure, even if it was the first time it has happened in decades. Despite considerable claims, the Bible may also be the least read book in the Western world, although the recent book by Donald Rumsfield may also qualify.

Pearl Filley was given a special Bible with a wonderful painted cover embellished by her brother, the artist...and she dutifully recorded the family history presumably years later on the reverse. This Bible is now not just a Bible, it is the FAMILY Bible, a step up!

Title Page from a FAMILY Bible circa 1890. Collection Jim Linderman

A. A. Allen the AA Alcoholic Evangelist! old time religion

2011-03-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

What could possibly be more appropriate than an alcoholic evangelist named A.A.Allen? A preacher alcoholic named A.A. who didn't got to A.A. Oh...life is wonderful. God? Never fail to bring me such fruity pebbles, and I promise not to curse at rain ever again. Even on golf days.

Except that alcohol killed A.A...a bad liver in 1959. At the time of his death Alonso was publishing 55 MILLION pieces of paper a year! Did HE have them major hornswoggled! He had his own hired "goons" who punched out anyone he didn't like at his revival meetings. Yes, he could perform miracles. His greatest miracle was filling his pockets with ducats. The only miracle he could not perform was a liver transplant.

See Dull Tool Dim Bulb Books HERE

Plywood Jesus and the Goofy Garden of Michigan old time religion

2011-03-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Having pretty much given up the "term warfare" which surrounded "outsider art, vernacular art, self-taught art, eccentric art, art brut, amateur art, sunday painter art, institutionalized art, marginalized art, naive art" and the like in favor of my all- inclusive term "goofy" I hear present a splendid exhibit of some of the goofiest.

E.K. Lund was a part-time magician who lived to the age of 100. From the looks of these cards, that is about one plywood figure a year.

Photo Postcards from Lund's Garden.

See Also "Preacher, Artist, Magician, Centenarian" HERE

The Crutches of Quebec. Catholic Canes of Faith Miracles old time religion

2011-03-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

So no offense to my Canadian, Catholic, or even my "believing" friends, but I smell a walking stick scam. For 100 years, the lame and disabled have tossed their crutches away and run out of the Saint Anne de Beaupre' in miraculous repair! Somehow, I find it a bit hard to "believe" but not having been there, who is to question it?

Um...me. And I would guess every doctor, scientist and physical therapist too.

Pile of Crutches Real Photo Postcard c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

"We are Gathered Here..." old time religion

2011-03-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

Real Photo Postcard circa 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

Robert Dunlap of Atlanta Georgia WILL LOOK FOR YOU

2011-03-10T09:03:00.001-08:00

I am not sure if that is a promise or a threat.

Robert R. Dunlap (Who is having a great time) Baptist Evangelist Postcard, no date.
Collection Jim Linderman

Be STRAIGHT! Straight Magazine, the Stock Market and old time religion

2011-03-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

Straight used to mean Square. Now of course Straight means not Queer, not Drunk, not Doped and having less fun.

Anyway, Straight magazine was published by Standard Publishing, an ark-sized conglomerate of Christian literature profitable enough to be traded on the stock exchange. That's right...you could actually invest in Straight! Except that the magazine title has been changed to Encounter, thus reflecting how word meanings shift over time unlike the firm foundation of God. Maybe one day "encounter" will mean gay, though I think it already does in certain communities.

Standard Publishing was formed in 1872. It was incorporated in 1875. Shares in Standard began trading publicly in 1964. In 2006 private equity firm Wicks Group saw GOLD and bought the company. Wicks Group is WAY to big for me to figure out, so you can do it yourself HERE.

A quick glance reveals none what you might call "Muslim" properties on their balance sheet. Maybe it is time for them to hedge their bets. At any rate, it is a LONG way from those dimes you used to drop into collection plates.

Straight is full of tips for teens. How to avoid being a juvy, how to fit in and such. Every issue has a Bible crossword and a squeaky clean joke page. Straight teens were encouraged to write in and share their ways of dealing with being called "chicken" or having their path blocked by temptation. It goes without saying everyone in Straight is White.

Maybe if I had been reading Straight instead of the beatniks, I'd have turned out 'straighter"

Group of "Straight" Collection Victor Minx

old time religion Broadcasting for a Missing Member!

2011-02-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

Missing Member Broadcasting postcard circa 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

Sparkle Glitter Old Time Religion

2011-02-18T10:54:00.001-08:00

God Struck the Mitten and Aunt Bertha was There old-time religion F-5 Tornado and the Children's Bible Hour

2011-02-12T05:46:00.001-08:00

Aunt Bertha of the Children's Bible Hour reports on the April 3, 1956 tornado which took 18 lives and injured 340. Lovable Bertha, A.K.A. Bertha Shooks, was the second "Aunt" involved...and the bible hour has had no fewer than four "Uncles" too! They are still around, due to doubt to Bertha's financial pitches in her newsletter.

The rare F-5 tornado, the strength of which has not struck Michigan since, chewed up 52 miles. The first building taken was the Saugatuck Light House, it continued up through Hudsonville and Standale.

Was God or the Devil responsible? F-5 tornados wind speed ranges from 261 to 318 miles per hour. You read that right. 318 mph. The speed of SOUND is not far from that.

Can it get worse? Meteorologists reserve an F-6 category, also known as "The Finger of God" but you don't even want to read about a storm like that.

Bertha does a fairly good job of reporting on the disaster...The tornado ripping a baby right from a mother's arms and then "carrying him into eternity" and a "Sunday school bus weighing 12 tons...picked up like a toy, carried a block away, then deposited upside down..."

Dear Aunt Bertha here seems concerned...but not just about the victims. Aunt Bertha is more concerned relief dollars might be diverted from the radio show and makes a special note that it would be a good idea to match any donations you might make to the victims of the tornado with a "back-up" gift to the Children's Bible Hour. You know...as insurance. Hmmm.

"Children's Bible Hour" Newsletter April 3, 1956 Collection Jim Linderman

You Must Choose old time religion

2011-02-06T06:26:00.001-08:00

Gospel Loretta Lynn Style Postcard signed by a Honky Tonk Girl

2011-02-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

An unusual original source document in the form of a postcard. Loretta Lynn recorded her first Gospel album "Hymns" in 1965 (shortly before writing this note to fans Don and Doris.) Country performers are famously good to their fans, and hand-signed letters are still common, as are "meet and greet" appearances where the fans can say howdy...still I treasure this modest little document.

Despite the newspaper ad here, Loretta did more than perform at smorgasbords. She has had 16 records reach number one and had four children before reaching the age of 19. She has released 70 albums.

I am happy to be living at the same time as Loretta Lynn. She is a Honky Tonk Angel who isn't afraid to generate controversy, but has said "My music has no politics" and that her father was a Republican, her mother was a Democrat. You ain't woman enough to take her man, and if you think you are, meet Fist City.

One should go to Loretta's website HERE just to see the pictures in the new Coal Miner's Daughter" video.

(Also posted on Dull Tool Dim Bulb)

Hand-signed Postcard 1965 Loretta Lynn Collection Jim Linderman

One or Other old time religion

2011-01-25T19:29:00.000-08:00

Angel or Devil The Choice is Yours

THANK YOU Take Me to the Water International Center of Photography curated by Erin Barnett

2011-01-22T08:50:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who came to the opening of Take Me to the Water at the International Center of Photography in New York City this week! It was a pleasure to see so many old friends and to make so many new ones. The exhibit was curated with great skill by Erin Barnett, Assistant Curator of Collections and is presented beautifully! Very much appreciated, and I hope ALL have the opportunity to see the exhibit, which will run from January 2011 to May 2011.

Also showing currently at the ICP are three astounding exhibitions! Wang Quingsong's "When Worlds Collide" "The Mexican Suitcase" (rediscovered negatives of Capa, Chim and Taro) AND of particular interest to followers of African-American culture, history and photography, a striking show of vintage photographs created by Alonzo Jordan from Jasper Texas, all three shows not to miss. In my humble opinion, any one of these exceptional shows are worth traveling for, to have all four up at the same time in the same institution is truly remarkable. More information on all these shows is available at the INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

Pair of anonymous baptism photographs. Arkansas 1927 Collection Jim Linderman

David Pescovitz on Take Me to the Water

2011-01-18T17:12:00.000-08:00

Full Article on Boing Boing HERE

Vintage river baptism photo exhibition

David Pescovitz at 9:55 AM Monday, Jan 17, 2011

Next week, an exhibition of river baptism photos, titled Take Me To The Water, opens at New York City's International Center of Photography. The heyday of this ritual, and the majority of the photos, are from the 1880s-1930s. Apparently, photographs of the rites were made into postcards popular among the family of the baptized person and also tourists visiting the South and Midwest where the river baptisms were most popular. The photos in the exhibit were donated to the Center by Jim Linderman, whose collection was also the basis for the 2010 Grammy-nominated book and CD package "Take Me To The Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950." (That book/CD was designed and published by Dust-to-Digital, makers of the phenomenal Goodbye, Babylon gospel box set and other top-notch historical music packages.) Over at Collectors Weekly, Linderman posts about his collection and the collector's spirit:

The Ruberg Sisters old time religion The Midnight Call

2011-01-16T18:40:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, I can find no mention of this performing duo. They may have performed out of Los Angeles in the 1930s.

News clipping circa 1930-1940 from unknown source Collection Jim Linderman

A New Way of Prayer by Air Mail old time religion

2011-01-10T07:54:00.001-08:00