The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-08
.SCUDDER SHOCKS
THE AMEN CORNER
FORMER MINNEAPOLIS PASTORS
UNIQUE WORK IN EAST.
He Believes that the Church Should
Compete with the Saloon in Supply
ing INTERCHANGEABLE Minneapolis
He Used to Ride to Church on High
Bicycle. .-.". ... ... @

An illustrated article in the New
York Tribune goes to show that Rev.
DR.. John L.. Scudder of Jersey City
has not lost his genius for entertaining
the people. In Minneapolis twenty-five
years or more ago he came to the First
Congregational church as it's pastor, and
in the six years or so that he remained
here he became known thru the north
west for his cratic ways. Yet when
he left the relations were absolutely
harmonious and the congregation and
city felt the loss as personal. =
Side and the older members of church
congregations felt a rude shock when
DIR. Scudder began to pay pastoral visits
mounted on the igh-wheeled bicycle
of that period, followed by two hounds
Finally he rode to church in this man
ner and left his -steed against the
church wall while he preached. One of
Scudderr was cross between a clown
and a Sam Jones. Come up here in
'front.' he said one night at church to
of the auditorium. "Taiking to you
back there is like kissing the girl across
the river.' Yet DR.. Scudder was idol
lied by everybody and when he entered
the room where church social was in
progress everyone was in an uproar be-
fore he had taken off his overcoat and
the entertainment continued until he
left.
The doctors interest in his present
progressive church movement is shown
by the fact that he posed for the news
paper men. In one picture he is repre-
couple which was learning to dance in
the Peoples palace: mot so close,
young man. In another picture DR..
Scudder is refereeing a boxing match,
and in third the reverend doctor
joins the parish amateur actors in a
stage hunt for mouse.
To fight the devil with his own
weapons is the purpose of the People s
Palace, created by Rev. DR.: John, l..
Scudder, now pastor of the First Con-
gregational church at Jersey City.
Monday, Sept. 26, the palace was opened
where thu. public may obtain recreation
instead of at dance halls and saloons.
There the people may dance, play cards,
billiards and pool, and take part in, as
| well as witness theatrical performances.
| Joseph Milbank furnished the money,
and DR.: Scudder the ideas for the new
| institution.
| About ten years ago DR.. Scudder in
duced the members of his church to
build tenpin alleys in the basement. The
alleys raised a great rumpus among the
clergymen who said they would send
more boys to the beer halls. The ten
pins stayed and the church grew. A
swimming pool was added next. eve
could,' said Mr.. scudder to Milbank
latest innovation. "You ought to be-
lieve in g. church swimmingpool, because
you are Baptist.'' This remark made
close friends Of the men. And the Peo-
Plies Palace that resulted is undenomi-
Before the n1ace was omen 400 ann1ied
for membership. Some wanted to learn
to dance, some to box, or to swim. The
pastor had received letters denouncing
the plan for dancing, before the Palace
was opened. He replied he saw no rea-
son why Christian should not dance
proper company. at proper times, in a
proper manner. One object Of the palace
is to provide place to dance where
all proper restrictions will be rigidly en-
forced.
The People Palace stands at Bergen
avenue and Forrest street. on plot III
x63 feet; It is four stories high and
cost 100000. It's auditorium on the
third floor is the largest on Jersey City
Heights, and will hold 1900 persons. It's
stage is equipped with all the accesso
ries. of a modern theater. It will be
used at different times as a theater
ballroom and Sunday school room. The
basement will contain bowling alleys
shuffleboards, pool and billiard tables
a rifle range, and smokingroom fo,
men. On the other floors are rooms TO-
dining, reading, card playing. and TO-
sewing and cooking classes. There ar,
also private apartments, where men an,
women NAV arrange their dress for
ball. Tn pleasant weather the roof ma,
be used as a garden, or drilling plac
for the Roosevelt Troopers. as DR.. Scud
der calls reoiment of boys to whom h
has given military training and who ar
dressed in khaki uniforms.