The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-02

'RIN CETO n u MI n ]
seeing many faces that represented SCORE
Of creeds. hatred Of the social order,
desperate narrowness and selhshnesa,
snarveled that even 80 socn, under tho.
influence Of the settlement life, the
softening process had begun to lessen
the bitterness Of hearts, many Of which
had grown bitter from neglect and in
difference.
And still, in spite Of the outward
show of respect Of the speaker, no one.
not even the bishop, had any true con,
ception Of the pent up feeling in that
room that night Among the men who
had heard of the meeting and had re-
sponded to the invitation were 20 or 80
out Of work, who had strolled past the
settlement that afternoon. read the no
tice of the meeting and had come in
out of curiosity and TO escape the chill
east wind. It was a bitter night, and
the saloons were full, but in that whole
district of over 80, 600 souls, with the
exception Of the saloons, there was not
door open to the people except the
clean, pure, Christian door of the settle
ment. Where would man without
home or without work or without
friends naturally go unless to a saloon
It had been the custom at the settle
ment for free and open discussion to
follow an open meeting of this kind,
and when Henry Maxwell finished and
sat down the bishop, who presided to-
night, rose and made the announcement
that any man in the hall was at liberty
to ask questions, to speak out his feel
ings or declare his convictions. always
with the understanding that whoever
took part was tc observe the. simple
rules that governed parliamentary bod
les and obey the three minute rule,
which, by common consent, would be
enforced on account of the numbers
present.
Instantly a number of voices from
men who had been at previous meetings
of this kind exclaimed. Consent, con-
sentp'
The bishop sat down, and Immediate
ly man near the middle Of the hall
rose and began to speak.
II want to say that what Mr.. Max
well has said tonight comes pretty close
to me. I knew Jack Manning, the fell
low he told about, who died at his
house. worked on next case to his in
printers shop in Philadelphia for two
years. Jack was good fellow. He lent
me SIS once when I was in hole, and
never got chance to pay it back. He
moved to New York, owing to change
in the management Of the Office that
threw him out, and never saw him
again. When the linotype machine
came in, was one of the men to go
out, just as he did. I have been out
most Of the time since. They say in
ventions are good thing. won't al
ways see it myself, but suppose I'm
prejudiced. "A man naturally is when
he loses a steady job because machine
takes his place. About this Christianity
he tells about it's all right, but I never
expect to see any such sacrifice on the
part Of church people. So far as my OBJ
servation goes, they're just as selfish
and as greedy for money or worldly
success as anybody. except the bishop
and DR.. Bruce and few others, but
never found much difference between
men Of the world, as they're called, an6
church members when it came to bust
ness and money making. One class i:
just as bad as another there.
Cries of "That's sol'' "You re right T.
"Of coursel' interrupted the speaker
and the minute he sat down two me1
who were on their feet for several sec
onds before the first speaker was through
began to talk at once.
The bishop called them to order ant
indicated which was entitled to tn
floor. The man who remained standin,
began eagerly:
'This is the first time I was ever il
here, and maybe it'll be the last. Fac
is, I'm about at the end of my string
I've tramped this city for work unit
I'm sick. I'm in plenty of company
Say, I'd like to ask a question: of tn
minister if it's fair. May IT,
"That's for Mr. Maxwell to say.
said the bishop; s':..< .,.
.'By all means, replied Mr.. Max
we'll quickly. ''Of> course I will NO
promise to answer it to the gentleman
satisfaction.
'tThis is my question. The ma
leaned forward and stretched out lon
arm, with certain dramatic force tina
grew naturally enough out Of his cor
dition as human being II want t
| know what Jesus would do in my case
haven't had a stroke Of work for tw
, months. I've got wife and three chi
l dren, and I love them as much as if
/ was worth a million dollars I've bee
living off little earnings I saved u
during the Worlds fair jobs I got. T.,
7 a carpenter by trade, and I've tried e.
cry way know to get a job. You sa
! we ought to take for our motto. 'Whs