"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 
1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone.  Probably published in 1944 by 
Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, pp. 339-341.  
Used by permission.  [Daviess]

GULIAN LANSING MORRILL, D.D.:  The life of this man is unique and 
strange.  It is a plain example of a misused brilliant intellect.  
Bro. Morrill was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1853, the son of a 
Veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic and long-time pastor of 
the Fifth Baptist Church of Newark, N.J.  T. T. Morrill, D.D, his 
father, also served as Chaplain of the twenty-sixth Regiment of the 
New Jersey Volunteers.  The subject of our sketch was educated at St. 
Louis High School and graduated from Shurtleff College, Alton, 
Illinois, in 1877.  He studied piano under Professor H. Lawitzky,and 
organ under Dr. E. M. Bowman, and became an accomplished musician.  
He received the Bachelor of Divinity Degree from the Baptist 
Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1881 and continued to study 
post-gradate [sic] work in Hebrew and Philosophy under Dr. William 
R. Harper and Dr. G. W. Northup at the same institution.  He was 
licensed to preach by the Upper Ulton [sic] Baptist Church of Alton, 
Illinois, in 1880, and was ordained by the Anamosa Baptist Church, 
Anamosa, Iowa, in 1882.
     He came from a ministerial family; besides his father, three of 
his brothers, two sister's husbands, his wife's father, and his 
mother's brother were also ministers.  He stammered so, until he was 
grown, that up to and through his high school course his recitations 
were conducted in writing.  He made this an excuse for not entering 
the ministry and devoted himself to music, practicing five hours each 
day.  But, losing his brother by drowning, he surrendered music for 
the ministry and within a year took the prize for oratory.  Herein 
lies the secret of his brilliance.  Words flowed from his mouth in 
the beauty of a rippling stream.  We have read a book published in 
1910 containing many of his addresses and sermons and can say that 
for oratory and brilliance it is unsurpassed.  This book contains 
some three or four of his outstanding messages preached while pastor 
of the First Baptist Church in Owensboro, Ky.  After his ordination 
he served the Anamosa Church for three years and then accepted a call 
to the Calvary Baptist Church of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  From here 
he went to the Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, Colorado.  He became 
pastor of the First Baptist Church of Owensboro, Ky., in 1897 and 
remained until 1900.  After leaving the Kentucky pastorate he returned 
to Minneapolis and served the Temple Baptist Church as pastor for a 
short time.  While in this Association he preached the annual sermon 
in 1899.
	Upon his return to Minneapolis we see too keen an example 
of his erratic spirit.  Feeling that there was a work for people who 
never entered church he began work in what was called a "church 
theater."  He spoke there in the morning and in another auditorium at 
night as the theater was used for theatrical performances.  He also 
had an orchestra, moving pictures and singers from Vaudeville houses.  
His Bible rested on a large ebony cross surmounted with a crown, and 
his desk was draped with a large American Flag.  Flowers ornamented 
the stage in profusion.  He had no Church organization or committees 
and paid no attention to the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's 
Supper.  His congregations were made up of disaffected Jews, 
Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, and what-have-you.  Anything that 
could be done as a stunt to secure a crowd was used.  He even played 
Santa Claus on Christmas.  Once each year he held an Actor's Church 
Alliance service, where the whole program was furnished by visiting 
players from the local theaters.  Church services were announced in 
the amusement columns of the newspapers and large pictures of the 
pastor could be seen in hotels, foyers of theaters, stores and railway 
offices, inviting people to the services.
     He had a list of lectures on art, music, and the around-the-world 
countries that he visited, which were frequently delivered at 
Chautauquas [sic] or under Lyceum Bureau auspices.  His public work 
included marriages before public crowds, of people in theaters, or 
lions dens, electric towers, moving autos, trains and boats.  He 
attended all the theaters and operas when he had time.  As a result 
he was called the "sporting people's pastor."  Sensational topics 
frequently were discussed.
	Near the close of his life he preached his own funeral sermon in 
a phonograph, making records of the selections he gave at the funeral 
of his father, mother and brother.  He also played the organ for his 
funeral.  One of these recordings was played at his funeral.
	His twin brothers used to travel the country in Tuxedo suits and 
as one would pronounce the benediction the other would finish it up 
with the "Amen."  They also put on stunts to attract the crowds.
	We give all the above to show what he failed to become with all 
his brilliance and oratory which could have been used in such an 
advantageous way for the glory of God.  Because of such pretentious 
displays he was denied admittance into the self respecting churches.  
This is indeed a sad commentary on the life of a man who "might have 
been" a power unequaled for God.
	He died sometime after the year 1910, as to the exact date we 
have found no rcord [sic].
	Let all good ministers of Jesus Christ take heed and avoid the 
sensational and erratic spirit manifested by this brother.  It is 
enough to "make the angels weep" to see this man's abilities wasted 
in such frivolous activities which dishonored Christ more than they 
honored Him. "Lord, help thy ministers to be sound in doctrine, in 
character, and in practice."

Morrill Lawitzky Bowman Harper Northup
=
NJ MO IL IA MN CO

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