The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-16
Evangelist Williams First Ref
erence to the Organization.
He Also Speaks DisapprOvingly
of Other Lodges.
FIRST CONVERSIONS.
One Hundred and Twenty-SeYen
Made Sunday.
Speaks to Young Folks About
CurfeW Law.


versions were made Sunday at the re-
vival meetings which are in progress at
the tabernacle at the corner of Sixth
avenue aud Monroe street
Yesterday was the greatest day Of the
revival Three meetings were held, and
at the night meeting nearly two thous-
and people were turned away who were
unable TO get inside the big hall. The
building was lined with people on the
outside, while people stood at all Of the
open windows and outside the doors in
the rear of the hall. making a mass of
people almost all the way across the
street. Every available inch of stand
ing room on the inside of the hall was
taken, and the choir stage and the plat
form were crowded
The address Sunday morning was the
strongest of the series of sermons and
lectures which Evangelist Williams has
delivered. It was in a sense a continu
alton of the subject of the address on
the previous Sunday night; a disserta-
ton on the authenticity of the Bible;
introducing scientific facts and Incl
dents in refutatlon OF the arguments or
skeptics and infidels-
Illustrations drawn from happenings,
events and incidents in all walks OF lie
were portrayed 10 show their bearing
on the CHRISTIAN ne ana now every
thing in nature substantiated the teach
ings of the Bible.
The address was fun Of pathos, and
the truths which he sought to give were
couched in striklng1y beautiful and m
tensely dramatic rhetoric.
At the afternoon meeting for children
and young people, he talked an hour
and a half, relating stories and anec-
dotes to illustrate the teachings of the
Bible so that the young minds could
~ r,re1nud the meanings.
The talk to the young folks was begun
by asking for reasons why children
should not play in the street The
children were not slow to give more
than a score of reasons, one of which, as
one particularly bright lad said, There
are too many joints' on the streets
What are you going to do with the
Joints after election?" asked Evangelist
Williams.
Immediately a chorus OF several hun
dred young voices responded:
Wen run them OUT"
Voters, do you hear that" asked Mr..
Williams, and continued with the talk.
Al the meeting last night Evangelist
Williams aroused the cheers of his au-
dience by bis reference 70 the Elks-
1t was during his .renarks in regard
to the lodges and-4odge work and clubs
/ keeping the fathers away from then
! homes and families almost all Of the
nights. when they should be with their
families and helping to train their
children.
The father goes first one night to the
Masonic lodge" he said, and another
night to the Odd Fellows, and still an
other night to the Woodmen, and again
and again to this and that lodge, and Il
he be inclined to be sporty, he will join
the Elks to get his booze.
Evangelist Williams is a champion Of
the girls in their cause for outdoor
sports. i believe that every girl SHOULD
learn to play football baseball, learn tC
row a boat ride a horse, swim and shoo
a gun If they did they would need NJ
paint to make their cheeks red nor bel
ladonna to give them big bright eyes
Far rather would 1 see girl engaged Il
such healthy sports which viii give hel
/ a healthful body than to see her dancing
in some close. hot ball room with th'
arm of a great many Of the men abou
her.
Il have observed that where the girl
engage in the games with the boys tina
their gentle influence exerts power t
prevent rough words and treatment.
One thing that we need in Topeka
is a curfew law and a curfew bell. On
Of the most astonishing things that ha
come to my attention since have beef
in this city is the remarkable numbe
of young boys and girls who are to b
seen running on the streets at night
/ They are coming. almost without excep
learn in time to keep them at home an
train them in the way they should 60.
A fact that has caused more common
than any one other thing during tn
progress of the revival perhaps was re
vealed at the meeting last night
Evangelist Williams was sermonizin
on the importance Of family prayer
During his remarks on this subject h
asked all those in the audience VIII
were in the habit Of having famil
prayer to arise.
In that audience of 5000 people NOR
than two-thirds Of which were undoubt
eddy church members. less than 100 per
sons rose to their feet
This Is a most remarkable and sig
niflcant fact" declared Mr.. Williams. !
this deDlorable condition may be take
= for an indication of the religious statu
of Topeka. then I am ashamed for To
peka's church members and Drofesse
Christians"