UK History
The index below (in date order) provides a list of UK newspaper reports regarding the fellowship over the period 1904-1947
One particularly interesting report is from The South Western Star, 30th March 1917, as it includes comments from Edward Cooney that "he and three others founded this church about 1900 ." A transcription follows:
A PECULIAR SECT
SABINE ROAD MAN’S MINISTRY AND THE MILITARY SERVICE ACT.
On Thursday before Mr. Halkett at the South Western Police Court, John Bailie, 54 Sabine Road Battersea was summoned as an absentee under the Military Service Act.
Lieut. C. P. Blackwell conducted the prosecution on behalf of the War Office, and Mr. Clavell Slater K.C., M.P., with whom was Mr. John Harris, defended.
Lieutenant Blackwell said he understood defendant’s contention was that he was a minister of a denomination known as “The Testimony of Jesus.”
Lieut. Windows, recruiting officer for Battersea, said a call-up notice was sent defendant on March 3, but he did not respond, and was therefore an absentee.
Mr. Clavell Slater said defendant was a minister of religion - a denomination known as The Testimony of Jesus, which came into existence between 1900 and 1906. There were now about 70 ministers in the United Kingdom and about 5,000 members. Defendant was educated and took his M.A. degree at Glasgow University, training for three years for the Presbyterian ministry, but instead he became interested in and entered the ministry of this other organization, which followed the tenets of the early churches. They were sometimes known as “Go preachers,” “Cooneyites,” and “Pilgrims.” Their congregations were under the charge of elders. The ministers were put forward and recommended by their congregations to the overseers, who tested them, and if suitable they were presented to the annual convention. The areas of each of the ministers were settled from year to year, their subsistence depending on the free will offerings of members of their congregations. The ministers were constantly travelling about, religious meetings being held each evening and two or three times of a Sunday. There were celebrations of the sacrament - the breaking of bread - at the Sunday meetings. Very strict discipline was enforced in this church.
Mr Patrick Crumley, Nationalist member of Parliament for South Fermanagh, and a Roman Catholic, said he had known defendant’s church as “The Testimony of Jesus” in his constituency, and members were known as “Dippers” or “Pilgrims.” He had seen large numbers going to their meetings. He had known Mr Cooney, one of the founders, for 30 years.
Cross examined, witness said he knew they were assembled in a large building.
Mr E. Archdall, Unionist member for North Fermanagh, said a considerable number of people belonged to the denomination. The assemblies at the annual central meetings numbered several thousands. Large marquees were put off for the annual convention.
Staff Captain T. Bonner Morley, a brother-in-law of defendant, said defendant joined the “Cooneyites” about 10 years ago.
Defendant, giving evidence, said a religious meeting was held nightly. Preparation and visiting occupied the earlier part of each day. His congregation supported him by offertories. The ministers were not allowed to have property. He was not a conscientious objector.
In cross-examination, defendant said their church had no buildings, the primitive church had none. Adherents met in the homes of the members. He and his co-minister in four counties had about a hundred members in each - 400 in all. There was a very real form of ordination carried out by the overseers. Marriage was considered as a civil function. Baptism was recognized. In the absence of a minister and elder would conduct an ordinary religious service.
Mr Edward Cooney said he and three others founded this church about 1900. In the United Kingdom were about 5,000 adherents and 70 ministers. He and Mr Gill were the overseers in this country. They took the New Testament as their guide. Local congregations were in charge of elders, men in secular employment. For the ministry candidates were recommended by fellow members or their own senior ministers. The final decision was at the annual convention. Most of the ministers were unmarried.
Cross-examined, witness said that in Lancashire defendant and his co-minister lived in a wooden tent, where meetings were held.
The magistrate said he was satisfied that defendant was a minister of religion. He therefore dismissed the summons, but without costs.
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Copies of the original newspaper reports are available for viewing and download on the Files page.
19040531 Sunderland Daily Echo p3 - Prophet in Ireland Edward Cooney
19041008 Aberdeen Daily Journal 3 - Strange Religious Sect Irish Tramp Pilgrims
19041014 The Western Times p6 - A New Sect
19050329 Nottingham Evening Post p3 - Incursion of Cooneyites
19061221 The Manchester Courier p12 - Tramp Preachers
19070213 The Courier p4 - Tramp Preachers 6 baptised
19070213 The Courier p5 - A Wintry Dip - Irvine First Man - 8 years in existence
19070302 The Essex Newsman p1 - 10 baptised by Go Preachers
19070304 The Evening Telegraph and Post p2 - Scene at Perth Religious Meeting
19070725 The Aberdeen Daily Journal p7 - Remarkable Religious Convention
19071001 The Evening Telegraph and Post p4 - hurdy gurdy used by tramp preachers
19071008 The Daily Mail p3 - Lost Daughters Joined the Go Preachers
19071128 The Cornishman p3 - Go Preachers Religion - Charged and fined
19080717 The Courier p8 - The Cooneyites
19080723 The Courier p3 - wanting you to join the Cooneyites
19080805 The Manchester Courier p9 - Amazing Baptismal scenes
19080807 Supplement to The Manchester Courier p3 - Amazing Baptismal Scenes
19080807 The Mercury p2 - Hillside Scenes at Irish Revival
19080905 The Manchester Courier p8 - Fight at a Funeral
19080907 The Courier p8 - Scuffle over a coffin
19081203 The Southern Reporter p3 - Salvation Army and Tramp Preachers
19090805 The Bath Chronicle p6 - Tramp Preachers awaiting Millenium
19090811 The Evening Telegraph and Post p6 - Cooneyites
19090814 The Herald p2 - Cooneyites
19100617 The Beds Advertiser and Luton Times p3 - Go Preachers River Baptism
19120722 The Evening Telegraph and Post p4 - Father Accuses Preachers
19131211 The Derby Daily Telegraph p3 - Preacher Libel Suit
19131212 The Manchester Courier p10 - Libelled New Sect
19131217 Taunton Courier p1 - Cooneyites Libel Case
19131219 The Western Gazette p12 - Cooneyites Libel Case
19140212 The Evening Telegraph and Post p6 - Cooneyites
19160329 The Western Times p2 - Appeals - Pugsley - Testimony of Jesus
19160413 The Western Times p3 - Ward - Testimony of Jesus
19161027 The Western Times p11 - Frank Richards - Testimony of Jesus
19170103 Hants and Sussex News - Testimony of Jesus
19170106 Horncastle Daily News - Percy Fletcher, Testimony of Jesus
19170224 Worcester Journal - John Norledge, Testimony of Jesus
19170323 The Daily Mail p3 - Baillie - Testimony of Jesus -Dippers - 70 ministers - 5000 members
19170327 Hull Daily Mail - Baillie - Testimony of Jesus -Dippers - 70 ministers - 5000 members
19170330 South Western Star - Cooney statement as founder; - Baillie - Testimony of Jesus -Dippers - 70 ministers - 5000 members
19170829 The Courier p3 - Baker - Testimony of Jesus
19201209 The Courier p5 - St Monans - Cooneyites
19230603 The Courier p8 - Baptismal Scenes - Cooneyites
19230703 The Nottingham Evening Post p3 - Cooneyites Baptised
19230704 Aberdeen Press and Journal p2 - Seaside Baptism
19230704 The Citizen p3 - Cooneyites Baptised
19280309 Evening Telegraph and Post p1 - Belfast 60 sects - Testimony of Jesus
19470316 The Sunday Post p6 - William Irvine Had To Go
19470525 The Sunday Post p6 - A Man They Were Proud to Know