Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-10

County Convention Of Christian
Churches IN ssssionin This City
Local News.

grams for this years sessions of the
Twentieth Century Club, and Friday
evening literature and oratory were
combined to give an evening which for
artietic merit and popular pleasure has
seldom been excelled before any audi-
ence Of the city. The gathering was at
the spacious home Of Miss Mertie Hal
bert, which had been beautifully decor
ated with chrysanthemums for the oc-
casion, and the entertainer was Prof.
Adrian NJ. Newens. of the department
of oratory and English in the Iowa
State College at Ames.
Il II any OF the club members or their.
guests had expected to hear an elocu-s
ftionlst, as the word is generally used,
they were most agreeably 'urprisd, for
Professor Newens is not that. He Is a
reader of ability and student of books
and men. The work which he gave was
his rendering OF The Singular Life, by
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. 1t is the work
in which he has achieved the greatest
success, for althO he has in the past few
years given as much time to the plat
form as his bury life az an instructor
will permit and has always been re-
icefved we'll, it isywith the clipping Of the
great novel dealing with life and religion
and all their vital forces, that he has
made a name for himself in this and
near by states. Professor Newens is yet
"a young man. 1t is but a few years
since he graduated from Drake Univer-
sity, but his experience has not been
limited. He has taken time to do other
things besides read and study and
among them he has taken time to think.
Thought is necessary for one who would
do what Professor Nawens s doing. The
mere preparing of the book for rendi-s
ton, the selection OF this passage and
the rejection OF that, the Introduction
and explanatory remarks, is no easy
matter. For this II for nothing else.
Professor Newens should be compli-l
smented, for so We'll has the work been
done that great adnirer of the book,
one who knows It almost by heart. was
heard to say that when the last line was
read she could not realize that anything
had been omitted. Those who had not
read 1t were able to understand it and
We're not forced by the lack of word or
two Of explanation to conjecture as to
the meaning.
The preparation did not entirely
eclipse the rendition. however, for Pro-
EfeEsor NeWens is al home on the plat
form. He has none of the rant or affec-
tation which 80 often mar readings. The
facial expression was excellent as we'll as
the changes in voice. which, owing to
the number Of characters introduced.
We're many. The fret scene. the one
wherein Emanuel Bayard is being tried
TO ordination before the conference
which finally rejects him. gave the best
opportunity for showing this skill The
life saving scene was intense in its real
ism, but perhaps the best piece of work
of the evening was the pathetic scene
When Job Slip, who liz trying to leave
liquor alone for the sake ofthe minister.
crosses and recrosaes the street from.
the hall bearing the legend ",fhe Church
OF the Love of Christ to the saloon Of
Ben Trawl; determined not TO break his
resolution. Yet almost powerless before
the strength OF his desire. The beauty
and the sacrifice of the life of Bayard
We're brought out With vivid force. There
vas no feeling that sufficient honor had
not been done TO the noble man who
gave his life for the sailors and Usher
men Of WindoEer There was no .imme-
sdiate applause when the speaker had
ilAA Ieo, aput the silence and absorption
OF the audience We're more flattering
than the loudest of cheers.
When the refreshments had bean
served. Mrs. D.. w. Norris. Jr.. PLAYED
IN q very sympathetic manner ",rhe
Maider's Wish" by List. and Miss
Bessie Parker played pretty minuet.
Judge Burnham told one of HE funny
stories. which are always in demand
among his friends. and Professor New
ems rscited two selections. They we're
Tar away from his other work. for they
were BY Mr. Dooley. So was brought to
9 close one Of the pleasantest evenings
ever ssDenf hy tho nI,,t,