New-York tribune., 1905-12-29
RELIGION AT RINGSIDE.
REVTYAE AND BOUTS NIX.
FISHER Plants BIosus for Church
from Roped Arena.

TIE I'VE hundred Tenderloin sporting men
who last night sat around the ringside at the
fights held under the auspices OF the Long Acre
Athletic Club. at no. 15s West 2sth-st-, were
treated to novelty in the form Of sermon
preached between two bouts by William Asher
The evangelist from the West, who, with his
wife. Is holding saloon revivals in this city.
Probably never before has there been such a
scene at a boxing tournament After Tim
o,Brien ana Tom Carey had pushed each other
about the ring for thres rounds with pillows on
their hands, the announcer introduced Mr..
Asher as "an unusual number st an occasion
such as this"
The evangelist, a wiry, active little man. pushed
his way through the crowd to the arena, and' as
the prize ring writer says, climbed niInbly
through the ropes" Some Of the sports kept
their hats on and others sat with barred heaos'
Everybody smoked. and the atmosphere OF the
small low ceilinged hall was heavy with the
odor OF rank cigars, cigarettes and pipes Ihere
was respectful attention while Mr. Asher SPOKE
He shook hands with the audience after his
y,sual fashion by having every man raise both
his hands above his head at arms length and
then wave them
Don't be afraid. won't touch you for your
watch. he said to those who hesitated.
Nr. Asher used as his text, Timothy v1 1z'
sFTght the good fight Of the faith"
"As n boy" began Mr.. Asher, Il was fond OF
boxing and even to-day I believe it a manly
rport. But look at poor old Fitz' and old John
L.. and our old friend In the corner over there
George Dixon" Applause greeted the mention
-of the names of these former heroes of the prize
sing.
Continuing the evangelist said:
Thev have stowe1 away and lost lots of
slough !" and who OF them would not to-day give
- ~ co5v, he could he healthy man
again?
Mr.. Asher talked familiarly Of "jabs." upper
cuts and Swings" and illustrated all these
blows by punching the air.
The evangelist said:
Wei. boys. it's the same in religion. There
isn't a bruiser among you nor a chap on Ins
face Of the earth who wouldn't give all iE ne nad
If he could get decision giving lllll IE t
Lots Of You fellows have taken the count Iots oI
times hut how many Of YOU ever stop 70 InlhA
what will happen when God gets the couns Oh
voui Look out for that day. boys, or 1t VIII pe
Bows / ike to see good scrap and I'm go
ing TO stay here until The last man is puileAeu
Then III go home. God bless all OF you
The evangelist was cheered as he climbed out
of the ring as the bell sounded fer the next bout
Earlier in the night Mr. and Mrs. Asher held
3 meeting at "Scotty" I5avele's saloon. at Nos
ana s Chatham Square. The services were in
the room in the rear of the saloon, where was
congregated as motley a crowd as the Bowery
couId muster Business was suspended and the
white coated and aproned walters Joined the
sailors, soldiers. 1ongshoremen and women VINO
made I'D the audience. One man who refused
TO remove his hat had narrow escape from
severe punishment for his irreverence at the
hands of one of the walters.
Mr. Asher stood or e chair IN the middle of
the ROOM his wife sitting next to him at the
little organ they carry about with them, while
the audience was lined along the walls on either
SIDE The evangelist gave the men and women
some good advice and Mrs. AsheT's singing OF
Mothers PRAYER caused the women TO break
down completely and cry.
Every one Joined in the singing of the
sKfng's Business" and Sunshine for Me-" The
most respectful attention was given the evan
gests throughout the service, and every head
was bowed during the final prayer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Asher viii gain visit the Bowery
tonight holding two meetings