Twice born, or, The two lives of Henry O. Wills, evangelist ..

Dedication

$.s ^no^M? evidence to te\j -Qoel., tt^at I re\©st

earnestly appreciate tn.e glorious

second, life

Preface

Why have I written this book?

Because I want money.

For what purpose?

To make an effort, by the grace and undei the direction of God, at demonstrating the uses to which He intended money should be applied

What are those uses ?

As He has revealed them to me, any measures, however crudely or with whatever elaborateness they may be prosecuted, which have the salvation of mankind and the glorification of His holy kingdom, are proper uses to which to apply money.

How do I hope to accomplish such ends through the publication of this volume ?

Because I have faith that the story it tells will bring to others now in the clutches of the devil, the new and beautiful life which, praise God, has been bestowed on me.

8 PREFACE.

Because I have faith in God's love of business. He helps those who help themselves.

No man has a right to ask for or expect to get something for nothing.

I want money to enable me to enlarge my work and ability to do service, and I do n't want to get that money in a way which would be unfair to God or man. Believing that this volume — solely for the lessons it presents — is worth full value of all that is asked for it, and confident that through God — not through Wills, mind you — it will prove of direct value to each reader, I herewith submit it without further apology, so far as myself and my venture are concerned.

In beginning this first book-making venture, I want to place myself squarely with the reader by saying, that, while I am the author of the work, I did not do the editing. That has been done by a friend who, knowing both the old Wills and the new Wills, was sufficiently interested in the latter to undertake the work of preparing my manuscript for publication. " His chief regret," as he said, " viewing the enterprise both from religious and business standpoints, is that it was not practicable to present

PREFACE. 9

the story in facsimiles of the original manuscript." Therefore, in his behalf I desire to say that but little else has been done by him than to tie together in consecutive form, the material I have furnished. That my manuscript showed neither graceful diction or elegant chirography is not strange, when it is considered that I am, as everybody knows, not an educated man, as to book-learning. The only book about which I profess to have some knowledge is God's own Book, and all, or nearly all, that I know of that, has been revealed to me by His gracious goodness within the past seven years.

Thus much explanatory will set us right as to the character of this volume ; and now, as you are about to read of a man once a sinner, and almost hopeless in his devotion to the devil, I may be pardoned, I hope, for introducing copies

of a few of my most highly prized testimonials.

HENRY o. WILLS.

TESTIMONIALS.

FROM THE LATE GEORGE DUFFIELD, LL. D.

Bi,oomfiEi,d, N. J., June 12, 1888. H. O. Wiixs :

Dear Sir, — I was glad to receive your paper from Glenn's Falls, giving an account of your work there. For a month past I have been unable to write to any one, and only within two or three days have I gained a fighting chance for life.

It is a great pleasure to me to know that you are still faithful in your labors for the salvation of human souls. It is a grand work — the grandest in which mortal men may be employed ; and so long as you stick to your motto, " He died for me," I do not doubt of your success.

This simple truth is mighty, through God, for the pulling down of the strongholds of sin and Satan.

My brother, Bethune, unites with me in thanksgiving for what you have done and are still doing for the cause of our Savior, the Redeemer of the world. With love to you and Mrs. Wills,

Fraternally yours, George Duffield.

FROM A NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR.

Detroit Evening Journal, June 6, 1890.

The work at the Casino Tabernacle began with the efforts of Rev. H. O. Wills, which resulted in the conversion of a large number of persons, and the spiritual quickening of many more. The work which Mr. Wills thus successfully began, has since been maintained with satisfactory increase.

Mr. Wills is original in his methods, an evident student of the Bible, and a graphic expounder of its pages. Conversions seem invariably to follow his work, and if the Lord honors his work, others may well be slow to criticise.

W H. Brearee

FROM THE GREAT MERCHANT.

Detroit, Mich., June 7, 1890.

I HAVE known H. O. Wills several years. He is an earnest, honest Christian worker, not doing things by halves, but openly advocating whatever he believes.

I take great pleasure in saying these few words in his favor. I believe he has done an immense amount of good in Detroit and Michigan.

Yours truly, J. 1,. Hudson.

FROM A NEWSPAPER EDITOR.

Detroit, June 6, 1890. take pleasure in bearing witness to the fact that,

Whereas, once H. O. Wills was a drunkard, a brawler, a ward-heeler, a profane and vulgar bruiser, he is now a conscientious, generous, intense, and successful lover of his fellow-men.

He claims that religion has made this change. I do not know the cause, but the result is apparent.

Mr. Wills has the confidence of the people of Detroit — Christians and many worldings, too — and he has never abused that confidence. He is a better citizen than he was before the " great change " came over him; a better husband, a better father.

C. F- IvEIDY.

FROM A DETROIT BANKER.

Detroit, April 30, 1886.

H. O. Wnxs :

Dear Sir, — Continue in your good work, and I

pray that God may pour upon you his richest blessing.

" Commit thy way unto the L,ord ; trust also in him,

and he shall bring it to pass." " Trust in the L,ord

and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and

verily thou shalt be fed." Inclosed find ten dollars,

which please accept for yourself and your work in

this city. Yours truly,

T S. Anderson.

FROM A DETROIT MANUFACTURER.

Dear Brother Wills, — Inclosed check for fifty dollars to help on your work. If you need more let me know, only do n't publish * me. Wishing you well, Yours sincerely,

A. McVittie.

FROM A LANSING MANUFACTURER.

Lansing, Mich., Nov. 16, 1889.

H. O. Wn,i,s :

Dear Sir, — Inclosed find check for ten dollars

for your personal use. I feel certain you are doing

good, and want to show my appreciation of the same.

Yours truly, A. O. Bement.

FROM A "FEW FRIENDS."

Detroit, Jan. 19, 1887.

Mrs. H. O. Wii^s :

Dear Madam, — A few of Mr. Wills's friends have subscribed for a fund of $600. (Fifty dollars per month for one year, to be paid you through the State Savings Bank), for the support of yourself and family while Mr. Wills devotes himself to his evangelistic labors in Michigan. The first installment of this fund ($50 for January) is now ready to be paid you on application in person at the bank.

Respectfully, T. S. Anderson.

* The above note was written over a year before this volume was published, and its present use is, by consent of Mr. McVittie, especially given for this purpose.

The following testimonials, from the heads of the criminal courts of the city of Detroit, show the feeling in those courts :

POLICE) COURT OP' THE CITY OF DETROIT.

Detroit, June 10, 1890.

I unhesitatingly and gladly recommend H. O. Wills and his work to all thinking people. A discussion of his methods is not necessary from one who knows the results of that work as well as I do. He is a man who has, to a sublime degree, the courage of' his convictions, and who, no matter what his early life has been, is, as I believe, a thoroughly honest man at present. That he has done great good is known to all the people of Michigan, and I am certain that that same people join with me in wishing him a continuance of his valuable service. Respectfully, Edmund Haug,

Police Justice.

RECORDER'S COURT OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.

Geo. S. Swift, ) Tudees Geo. H. Lesher.

Detroit, June 9, 1890.

To whom it may concern :

I have great pleasure in saying that I am acquainted with H. O. Wills, evangelist, and I know of the great and good work in which he has been for a long time engaged. He has been most suecessful, and has done a vast amount of good. He is an affable and kind-hearted gentleman, but an uncompromising enemy of sin and vice in every form. He is a man of experience and a judge of human nature. I respect and admire his heroism in attacking vice in high as well as low places. I hope he may be as successful in future as in the past.

I am, respectfully, F. H. Chambers.

FROM SHERIFF STELLWAGEN.

Detroit, Nov. 20, 1886.

To whom it may concern :

This is to certify that H. O. Wills stands unsurpassed, in my opinion, in prison work. He has labored for the past two years in the Wayne County Jail with marked success, under my own observation. I cheerfully testify to his good work, and sincerely hope that every opportunity will be offered him in his noble calling.

Geo. H. Stelewagen, Sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan.

FROM U. S. MINISTER, THOS. W. PALMER.

Office of T. W. Palmer, Detroit, Dec. 23, 1889. REv. H. O. WiLtS, 357 Clinton St., Detroit:

Dear Sir, — The Hon. T. W Palmer, now at Madrid as U. S. Minister to Spain, has cabled me to-night, directing me to bear to you his assurances of esteem and friendship, and to say that he is w.ch you in spirit at this time of Christmas rejoicings, if not in person.

He directs me to say further, that while wishing you health and happiness, he has caused to be placed to your credit in this office the sum of $25, which amount I will be pleased to hand you at any time. With kind regards, believe me,