Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

“Mother” Wilson, a Spokane social worker and outspoken defender of working women, delivered a talk at Oliver Hall on the difference between Christianity and “Churchianity.”

Churchianity, she said, pays mere lip service to true Christian charity, generosity and kindness. She said she had worked in many homes and businesses over the past 20 years and found that “where Churchianity prevails, you had better look out.” She said they have stacks of Bibles around the house, but they make their household servants eat in the kitchen and sleep in the garage. 

One of her employers informed her that she could eat at the table with the family – but only when there was no company. Otherwise, she had to eat by herself in the kitchen.

When she worked at a laundry, she said, the boss refused them a raise of 10 cents per day and then went out and bought an auto. He later came into the laundry and, with “a long face,” informed Mother Wilson that only a certain kind of baptism could save a person’s soul. Mother Wilson looked up from her washing and told him that if he wanted to ease his spirit, he should “baptize a shirt.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1929: President Calvin Coolidge signed a measure establishing Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.