The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-27
Dr. Torrey Delivers Singing Denunciation ScAIHING CRITICISM OF
 SOME RECENT PLAYS Collections of Sunday Meetings foi
 Dr. Torrey. Subject of Evangelist's Afternson Ser mons Next Week win Be .The Baptism of the Holy Spirit,
 What It Is."

Novel readers have milk and water brains" declared pr. Torrey, in his sermon last night. The so-called pop ular novels are mush, and the people who read them. if they have any brains to start with, are liable to lose what they. have--if they read novels long enough. It is Q question in my mind whether the libraries which MT. Carnegie is scattering over the world, do not do more harm than good. l understand that they contain about 90 per cent fiction, and only about 10 per cent of books that are worth while. Considered from a purely intellectual standpoint, the novel Is bad. Consid- cred from a Christian standpoint, 1t is worse."
 But Sae popular novel was not the only s1bject that pr. Torrey waxed warm over last night Back sliding church members, "the card-plAying. theatre-goi dance-enjoying." varie- ty of them in particular. were not overlooked. He said that these back sliding church folk are the worst stumbling blocks to the spread Of Christianity in Montgomery, and he issued a cordial invitation to these so- called stumbling blocks" to come and listen to his sermon Monday night, when he will narrate to them his own personal experiences in such pursuits
 
 of pleasure.
 So interested was Dr. Torrey in de- nouncing the theatre, while making this announcement, that he almost Tor got to have the collection taken He gave his audience the name of mag azlne in which. he said, they could dis cover what a theatrical manager thinks of the tendency of the stage at the present time. Without mentioning any names. he said that "Mary's Lamb" was a disgraceful exhibition if the criti- cisms of a certain local paper can Do believed, and If ali that he has heard about that performance Is correct. He stated that he had learned that the "fower'' of Montgomery society went to see that performance, which was' ne understood, "enough to make any Es- sneota able persons blush" This only proved. he averred. that people start in by going to see only good shows ana wind up by enjoying the "other hiho' He would like those who went 10 see the show in question, especially to make 1t e point to hear his view ol the theatre Sunday
 pr. Torrey explained that the minis ters have told him that a large major tty of their congregations might pc seen on occa sion, in the theatre, In the hail room or around a card table, even the deaeons, elders and other omcers of the churches. Naturally. he extend ed them a warm invitation. too.
 Announcement was made at the meeting last night, that the collection taken at the Sunday meetings Will De a free will offering for pr. Torrey' Michael Cody, President of the Ex- change National Bank. in making this announcement, repeated that pr. Tor rev will receive no other compensation for his services than that which Is vol untarily given him by the people or Montgomery. He urged that the peo- ple. therefore, give generously.
 The subject of Dr. ToFrey's after noon sermons next week will be The Baptism of the Holy Spirit; What It Is; What It Does and How to Get It"
 There were twelve conversions yes- terday, making the total number for the three weeks of revival. 91o.
 AFTERNOON SERVICE.
 The subject of pr. Torreys' sermon yesterday afternoon was "The Work of the Holy Spirit. As Set Forth in the Eighth Chapter of Romans" A skele- ton of the sermon follows:
 First. the life of the Spirit sets the believer free from the law of sin and death. which Is the evil thoughts in- side of man. He can not overcome