The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-29
JONES AND LOW DRESSES.
Sermon Night Before Last Cost Him
Some of His Admirers.

| Some of His Admirers.
That Rev Sam Jones lost some OF his
admirers through his talk at the Taberna-
Gle night before last was apparent yes
terday, when questions were asked about
the service and the impression it had
created. The evangelist can say things
that are accepted without a murmur by
a great many. but there are some who
will say that they think he sometimes
goes beyond the bounds.
A well-known member of one of the
churches backing Mr.. Jones in his meet
ings. was asked about the talk. He has
been a regular attendant upon the ser
vices, and his Endorsement of most of
what the evangelist has to say is unqual-
iied. But he could not accept all that
had been said the night before.
1T was not so much what Mr.. Jones
said about women" the gentleman said.
that I objected to, as what he said about
a buzzard. There are some words that
are simply too nasty to be used. 1 would
not use them myself, and I do not see
how Mr.. Jones can do it. We are ready
to stand by him in all that he says. so
long as he confines himself to. discussion
of evils and abuses and the salvation of
souls. The preachers do not want him
to say some of the things he does, be-
cause they know there is a point where
his utility is impaired"
The ladies discussed the sermon very
generally. Some of those who had not
heard it. and not few said that they
were glad they had not read it. Never
thelpce thew tool II mildly than
the men. A noticeable fact in connection
with the Jones meetings has been the
very unwholesome effect he has had upon
some men by his illusions to society and
society women, while the women, on the
other hand, have seemed to think but lit
tie about it. Now and then one is heard
to eXclaim against some of the statements
the evangelist makes, but, as a rule, they
do not seem to be particularly worried.
EVIL thoughts are ascribed to Mr. Jones
by some of them; and only in that way
do they attempt to account for his talks
about their low-necked costumes. They
say they do not believe the men who are
their friends would consider them immod-
est.
Mr.. Jones win scarcely revolutionize
Savannah society. That is what a few
of its representa- ives have said. The de-
collete dress will remain, despite his de-
forth from the board of trustees of Wes-
leyan Female College against low-necked
dresses viii hardly impair their popular
ity. Ladies regard the style as the proper
thing for the bali room, just as evening
dress is thought the thing for gentle
men.
Society people, as a rule, have gained
their knowledge of what Mr.. Jones has
said from the papers. Chances over the
great congregations that gather for the
services seldom discover many representa-
tives of the social set. Though it is some
times regarded as not well to print every
thing that Mr.. Jones says, his sermons
yet appear more denunciatory and vitu-
perative in print than they sound in their
delivery. Those, therefore, of the social
set, who get their ideas of his talks from
the reports, think more evil of him than
they might if they were present ait the
services.
This afternoon, doubtless, the hearty in
dorsement of the women of Savannah will
be given Mr.. Jones. By their attendance
upon a meeting that he has announced as
for them alone, and that they have every
reason to believe will not be altogether
free of aggressive criticism of customs
that are peculiar to the sex, they will
give their Endorsement. In the same man.
ner. Endorsement was given last night to
what he had said the night before. The
crowded Tabernacle Indicated little of BIT
terness toward the preacher for his poig-
nant remarks of the night before. Men
and women are met individually who con-
denim the preacher, but he draws the
crowds and, by their attendance, gets
their tacit approval and Endorsement.