Ancestors of the TV evangelists

Anyone seeking fine entertainment and a good laugh need only turn to the television channels carrying the programmes of the con men engaged in separating the religiously inclined from their money.

These bunco artistes have a long heritage and their forerunners have preyed on the gullible from time immemorial.

In the 19th century British people, for some reason, felt that foreigners were in need of enlightenment and funds were enthusiastically raised to send out busybodies to interfere with native cultures around the world.

Then, as now, the Horn of Africa, was a constant source of tales of misery and woe.

A character called Chelsea George found himself in jail in Winchester, where he palled up with two other convicts, Russia Bob who was, in fact, Irish but who had visited Russia. Jew Jim was a fine impersonator of various characters. Chelsea George had acquired a dark tan from traveling overseas.

When they heard that a missionary from Sierra Leone had been rousing the faithful at packed meetings in Staffordshire, the jailbirds started planning. On release they printed some leaflets, bought costumes and hired a few assistants.

In no time at all, they were holding their own missionary meetings in small towns. Kellow Chesney, quotes an account in his excellent book “The Victorian Underworld,” 1970, Book Club Edition. He says an observer attended one of the meetings.

Jew Jim started things off, claiming to be a Jew who had converted to Christianity. He had become a minister and had traveled to the South Seas, Africa and India. Then Russia Bob appeared.

“…as his worthy and self-denying colleague, and Chelsea George as the first fruits of their ministry – as one who had left houses and land, wife and children, and taken a long and hazardous voyage to show Christians in England that their sable brethren, children of one common Parent, were beginning to cast their idols to the moles and bats…As argument always gains by illustration the orator pulled out a tremendous black doll dressed up in Orient style. This, Jew Jim assured his audience, was an idol brought from Murat in Hindoostan. He presented it to Chelsea George for his worship and embraces.

“The convert indignantly repelled the insinuation, pushed the idol from him, spat in its face, and cut as many capers as a dancing bear. The trio at this stage began ´puckering´ [talking privately] to each other in murdered French dashed with a little Irish; after which the missionaries said that their convert (who had only a few words of English) would now profess his faith. All was attention as Chelsea George came forward. He stroked his beard, put his hand in his breast to keep down his dickey, and turning his eyes upwards said: ´I believe in Desus Tist – dlory to ´is ´oly Name´.

“This elicited some loud `amens` from an assemblage of nearly 1000 persons, and catching the favourable opportunity, a ´school of pals,´ appointed for the purpose, went round and made the collection. Out of the abundance of their credulity and piety the populace contributed sixteen pounds. The whole scene was enacted out of doors, and presented to the stranger very pleasing impressions…One verse of hymn, and the blessing pronounced was the signal for separation. A little shaking of hands concluded the exhibition, and ´every man went to his own house.”

***
©Phillip Bruce 2009