The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-11
Is PLAIN jim BURWEE
He Comes Here to Talk Nightly Z
Railroad Men. IA,
HIS RECORD IS INTERESTING
Is Railroad Conductor Preaehes Rslig
ion and Don't Liks to 10 Called
. Novsity--Has q Method
In His Work.

Novety-hos Mcthoo
In His Work.
"Jim" Burwick Is In Scranton This
announcement does not suggest any
significance, perhaps. to those who have
not heard Of him. but his presence here
is matter of much importance to the
railroad branch Of the Young MeTs
Christian Association. He is here to ad-
dress, each night, until Sunday, Dec 70.
meeting of railroad men and their
families.
Jim" Burwick IL q character; he Is a
novelty; he Is unique: although he
doesn't pose as any such thing, and,
strangely, does not like to be mentioned
az an evangelist. although his mission
for several years In connection with his
railroad work has been to talk religion
| to men of his own calling. Until eight
| months ago his speech-making trips
| brought him reDute and fame only In
the state Of Indiana, but his power to do
good among railroad men became known
| to the International committee, of the
Young Mems Christian Association and
since the spring of the year the COM
mittee has kept him travelling about the
country. In this connection, It is
curious fact that last July he resumed
his work as freight conductor, which
position Is always open for him, but
within six days he was called by the
committee and has been kept on the
jaunt ever since. IA ~
The story Of Jim" Burwick's early
and hard life, reformation, experiences
and present work is interesting. and
what follows was willing revealed by
him when interviewed by Tribune re-
porter yesterday:
History Of the Nan.
He is forty-two years Of age. When
eighteen years old he ran away from
good home and became railroad
man." His new home was In a SALOON
boarding house, where he contracted the
common vices such as drinking and
cumming" as he expresses it.and lived
the vicious and dare devil kind Of an
existence which might be expected to
follow an absence from home influences
and be associated with his rough and
dangerous calling. He married and six
years ago was converted.
His conversion came about in q pecu-
liar way. The anniversary of his mar
| riage would fall on Dec. s, but as early
as July he began to anticipate the cee-
bration of the event "by means of kes
Of beer. cards. rough companions and
other ingredients that go with a high
old blowout" During November Of
that year he was inveigled into going
| to church service. He had q horror
for churches. but he had love for
music and went to church because good
music was assured him. The rest may
be inferred. He was converted and yes
terday said: "The Lord fooled me
| about the beer and card picnic"
Following his reformation he de-
lighted to talk religion to gatherings
Of railroaders and his efforts proved so
productive of good that the officers of
the railroad willingly granted him
leave Of absence to make addresses In
many cities and towns. His work, as
stated, became known to the inter-
national committee of the Young Mems
Christian Association, and that ac-
counts for his presence SO far East.
He will spend the holidays with his
family in Detroit and will then visit
cities In the state of New York.
Ills Method Is Simple.
In reply to q question concerning his
method Of talking to railroad men, he
said: II simply tell Of Jesus Christ. I
have no title of Rev. Dr. or Evangel-
ist;' l am none of these--I am plain
Jim Burwick, a railroader. and as such
can talk to railroad men and gain their
confidence. Now we boys have a ver-
nacular Of our own and we like to be
talked to by someone who can talk in
our own peculiar tongue. Goodness
knows, I haven't the slightest idea Of
good grammar. but know the phrases.
slang and language of the railroad and
I am perfectly natural when speaking
from a railroader's standpoint to rail-
road men. Now In a political CAM
paign you wouldn't expect slum ora
tor with seedy clothes, bad grammar
and his vernacular to influence an aud
ience of voters In fashionable dis
trict; neither would you expect a gath
ering of laboring men to be influenced
by mass of elegance, figures and the
ory dished out to them By a kid gloved
fellow Just so in my calling; I know
the men I'm talking to and know
Jesus Christ and in introducing the mVn
to Him don't have as much trouble
as would some better dressed and bet
ter educated chap. See the point?
"A peculiar incident happened recent
ly in Elmira. 1t illustrates how little
seriousness might be given my address
es to cultured and educated, folks, when
railroad men would under the same cir
cumstances understand the thought
meant to convey. was telling about
David's jealousy Of one, who had been
successful In a worldly sense but who
was a wicked man. I said and David
didn't have enough clothes on him to
flag train t..,
Audiense Thought 1t Was Funny.
"The audience thought that q very
funny remark and went into gale Of
laughter--the boys would have thought
It q very good Illustration and might
have smiled. but they would have
known how little fabric 1t requires to
flag train and would have appreciated
Devid's poverty. That's my way,
that's all.
mo I don't intersperse funny stories,
anecdotes or witty sayings into my ad-
dresses to the boys; don't have to.
Just tell them what they should or
should not do and use the Bible for my
authority. don't like to be known az
anybody or anything but, plain Jim
Burwick--that's all am. The boys 1
talk to are the same as me-but maybe
I'm more fortunate than those Of them
who don't know Jesus Christ"
Burwick 10 a strongly built man Of
average height smooth shaven and
has q deep, sympathetic and pleasant
voice. He dresses no better and no