The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-24
Auditorium Crowded With Men
to Hear Him.
Even Standing Room Was at a
Premium Sunday.
HELD THE ATTENTION.
Lecture Sermon frequently In
terrupted by Applause.
Governor HOch's Happy Intro
duction of the Lecturer.

The most remarkable meeting ever
held in Topeka was that at the auditor
ium Sunday when at least four thou
sand men and perhaps more crowded
into the big hall to hear lecture SER
mon by William J. Bryan.
1t has frequently been said in Topeka
in discussing the Sunday theater ques-
ton that men will not go to church and
prefer to attend theaters. The gather
ing Sunday proves the contrary, for the
meeting at the auditorium was essen
TALLY Of religious order. The talk
might we'll be called q sermon. There
were the usual formal ceremonies OBJ
served in all the protestant churches
preceding the sermon and the meeting
itself was held under the auspices Of
the ministers Of Topeka and the Y. M
G. A The immense auditorium was
literally crowded to the doors and many
people who would have entered left
when they found that they could not be
accommodated. The most remarkable
circumstance was that the audience
was made up almost wholly Of men,
only two women having the temerity
to take the places where they were not
wanted and which were supposed to be
occupied by men.
There was never a more attentive
audience in Topeka. Notwithstanding
the size Of the assemblage there was no
confusion of any kind. The people
seemed to hang upon every word ut
tered by the great commoner but that
did not prevent their enthusiasm from
breaking forth in applause when some
essentially strong point was made. Gov
ernor Hoch tried in vain to discourage
applause in his Introductory speech and
called the attention Of the people to the
fact that it was religious meeting and
said he hoped the usual formalities of
Sunday services would be observed. bu.
before Mr.. Bryan's sermon was finished
he Joined with the rest in DESTINATIONS
approval Of the sentiments expressed by
the speaker. 1t was truly wonderful
meeting, and 1t proves conclusively that
the men Of Topeka are not averse to
hearing religious talk even when
vaudeville shows are Furnishing all
around.
Governor Hoch who introduced Bryan
was himself enthusiastically received
He was greeted with general applause
when he said:
IT am pleased to meet in friendly
platform the greatest citizen of neigh
boring commonwealth and to bid him
welcome to Kansas and to our capital
city. One of the greatest compliments
to an American citizen was uncon-
sciously paid to Mr.. Bryan a short time
ago by political opponent On the floor
Bryan was better fitted for the pulpit
than for the presidency. And it is true
for no man is fit for the presidency un-
less he is also fit to occupy the pulpit.
We all admire the speakers stalwart
character and his dignity in defeat"
Mr.. Bryan's voice was husky when he
started but 1t was not long until the
mellifuous tones Of his marvellous ora
tory were turned loose like a mighty
flood and people sat entranced, only oc-
casionaIly breaking forth in applause
Gentlemen said Mr.. Bryan, ct
used to be so busy in politics and to
have to speak so many times in
day that I saved Sunday for a day Of
rest. Now, when I am only speaking
two or three times a day, I find have
an abundant supply of strength which
] find can use on Sunday, and en-
Joy on occasions of this kind, which
ables me to come into contact with
and have fellowship with those who
have membership in other political
parties. When I was starting out in
politics I used to think all good was
condensed in my party and all evil
in the other, but as I have become
better acquainted. I have found so
many bad Democrats and SO many
good Republicans that I have be-
come more liberal in my views and
that it is true and ought to be remem-
bered that we agree on the great
fundamental principles that underlie
church and state. which leads us to
agree charitably with each other.
ct am glad to speak here this af-
ternoon under the auspices Of the
Young Mems Christian association. I
have been a member of the organiza-
ton from early manhood, and ap-
preciate it more and more as be-
come better acquainted with its work.
Some time ago I was looking for a
defination for civilization and I
discovered that there were not many
of them. I could find none that en-
tirely suited me, SO I formed one of
my own. am not sure that it is a
perfect one, and IL you don't agree
with me you can try to form one for
yourself. Civilization IS that which
hastens the development Of the HUI
man race, physically, mentally and
morally. A perfect civilization, in my
Judgment is one in which every citi-
zen is perfectly developed in heart,
body and soul. Every citizen can con-
tribute to the development of his
country and to civilization by the de-
velopment of these three phrases by
himself.
Compliments the Y. NJ. @. A.
ct know Of no other organization
+1,o+ 5oos fJ,io moro fhpn fha vouno