The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-22

George W Cornell, of Topeka, Writes
Of tbs Revivals-


Geo w. C0nnelI. who runs monthly
sen1f-reieious paper in Topeka called
The Harbinger. has started considerable
discussion by an arraignment Of Evan
eeiist Williams and a defense OF Key
Charles NJ Shelsu. who refused t3
have anything to do with the reFlse-
meetings ia Topeka Mt ConneAs ell-
torlal was as follows
During the last few months two pro-
fessiouaI revivaIIsts have held what
have been termed SUCCESSFUL rev lFtl7 ~
Topeka While It IS too eafaS 20 es-t
mate the lasting results. ana tnele - ~
question but good has been cone, ana
-Tne E4arbiuesr has NO desire To detracC
from good from whatever source 10
srrinzs Vet i feels that there are
phases IF the work Of these reNiNa-i5ts
that call FOR criticism Mr. Diver. VINO
held the meetings in North topeka
seemingly lacked high ideals. his SER
mons being filled with coarseuess SUCH
as no gentleman, much less q Ghrlstlal
gentleman. would think Of using No
person has the right from press or plat
form 20 use language that shocks the
refined moral sensicilitles Of their hear
ers. The language used in many # MT.
divers sermons was not convincing nor
power
NO church OF other organization has
moral right TO bring a person before
an audience when they know his speech
digiduais in their parlors-
Mr.. Williams ia his meetings repeat
edlT cast reflections at certain church
members and one minister in partlc ular
because they did not cooperate with
him. As Tar as the minister was con-
cerued he might have found out the
facts if he had cared to do so As he
did not The Harbiuger viii give them.
that those Of its readers who heard Mr.
Williams may know the truth For a
number Of years. this minister has. at
this season OF Ehe year. been in the
harit of ureac hing series OF sermons
60 the sunday school. with the view Of
nav as many or the pupils as W III
decide as TO the Christian life. These
sermons in the past have always result
eI In many accessl0ls to the church
This years sermons were all planned
before DO was known that Mr. N1llalnls
was coming. and it was not deemed best
TO either postpone or abandon them
The sermons have resulted in between
thirty and forty sunday school scholars
coming into the church
The HarbiuEer does not agree with
the narrow theology OF the revivalists
nor with their attitude toward amuse-
meuts. The sweeping condemnation of
darcing. card playing and theater go
ing Is not true they all of them have
their place and can be INDUCED in. with
ordinary care. without harm but to ad
vantage. il is natural for every normal
person 70 wish t1 dance. Like all nat
carried To- excess
The theater IS one Of the greatest
moral forces and to the church must be
attached the blame for allowing it to
degenerate. although even as degener-
ate as II Is. there are q great many
wholesome plays.
AS whole the church is very loud fn
it's condemnation of the questionable
amusemeur- ir says thou shalt uol.
but provides nothing to take their
place 8 prayer meeting was never In
tended for q reereat ton and it viii never
suffice for one.
The church must provide healthy
awusements IL Id expects to draw young
life to it, The social settlements have
grasred this fact and are using it TO
great advantage Elizab beth AcCracken,
resident in one of the Boston settle
Wents during the past year, contributed
ro Current Literature some very inter-
esting articles on the power Of the tho
after ON the lives of the residents Of the
-.uu=| rlar ought tn be read by every
person who iudiscrimluatelv condemns
the play The editor Of the HarbiuEer
recently read a letter written by d set
element worker, IN which the writer
was telling OF the visit of the pastor
wife 10 the settlement. and Of the WISH
tor bem0auiug the fact that the young
people of her husbands church were
Etveu over 30 dancing and card playing
The settlement worker. who but a few
years ago held the view of the pastor
wife. said. Dancing is not the only
thing that is running young girls"
one OF the most common argument
used against popular amusements j:
that those who participate are not ac-
tive in church work. Much of this
apathy can bee charged to the feeling Of
the church toward them The church
too often makes them feel that there j.
q ban upon them. or AZ least that eve
r.a-e f..r
lows that the young people feel it, and
are driven away from the church
No one should study consistency more
than the church member, none shoulG
demand higher ideals Of culture. ethics
and Of love than the church members
demand Of their teachers and they Fl
turn should strive TO live IN to- TIA.
heights they expect their teachers I'd
live