Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-05-24
LAST SERMON
TONIGHT BY
EVANGELIST
Close of The Big Revival
and Farewell Address by
Dr.. BiederwoIf.
MANY CONVERTS SECURED
--TALK LAST NIGHT

Tonight DR.. William z. BiederwoR
will deliver his farewell address to
the Christians of this city. For two
weeks he has labored among the
city's inhabitants and his efforts
have provoked a profound religious
awakening. During his stay here
there have been at least $50 con-
yerts, the major part of the number
declaring themselves last night after
hearing DR.. Biederwolfs touching
sermon on "Amusements."
Although a great sacrifice was
asked of his audience, to renounce
dancing for the remainder of their
lives, the space in front of the plat
form was crowded with men and
women, girls and youths, all eager
to make the sacrifice and to shake
the hand of the man who had laid
bare dancing, it's evils and wicked
ness; card playing and its associate
evil; the theatre and it's demoraliz-
ing influence. None Of the three
was spared, dancing especially, which
the evangelist called one of the
curses of mankind, being scored.
Following his sermon the audi
ence, at Dr.. Biederwolfs request.
passing of the old religion and the
awakening of the new. With one
accord, at his bidding, 900 hand
kerchiefs we're raised and at a Sec
ond command they were waved
about in the air, continuing the mo-
ton until the chorus choir finished
the rendition of a hymn. Then DR..
Biederwolf, exhausted from his COM
hiv1nd off
alton, his hair awry. collar and shirt
sodden, was assisted from the hall, q
weak and trembling man.
While at times during the deliv-
cry of the address, the speaker be-
came tmpassioned in his manner and
illustrated with graphic gestures of
hand and body some point, the SUBJ
ject matter was calm and sane and
convincing, and honesty of purpose
was manifest in every utterance.
The special lines of amusement
treated were card playing, the thea
tire and the dance. The propositions
were clear and the mass of evidence
presented was not from the stand
point of the preacher, or from those
who would naturally be against these
things, but the opinions of gamblers,
theatrical people and dancing mas
ters We're cited to confirm the state
ments
For two hours the vast audience
that filled the great auditorium was
held spe1l-bound, as the revfvalist
piled argument upon argument and
fact upon fact, against these diver
sions. Every seat was occupied and,
although, at times, the evangelist
90 MI PrNr rt,<1 ln1.
ed to leave the building, scarcely an
individual moved.
Assalls the Blllboards.
Nor did DR.. Biederwolf fall to take
the people of Perth Amboy sharply
to task for some of the things he de-
clared he had seen in this city.
There have been billboards along
the streets of Perth Amboy,' he
shouted, that would make the
blackest devil in hell blush. The
man who would put up such bill
boards ought to be prosecuted II he
put on the stage what they repre-
sented the play to be, for violating
the laws Of decency, and If he doesn't
put on the plays, as represented, he
ought to be arrested for obtaining
money under false pretensesmfo
HON QSliNGIluB WHdl uG huNti tiHCu.
Referring to the modern theatre
itself, he based his arguments
against It upon the condemnation OF
the dramatic critics of the day.
Now, these dramatic critics are
not religious fanatics, but devotees,
for the most part, of the stage as an
art and have the best interests of the
profession at heart" declared the re-
vivalist. Zone is simply compelled
to turn In disgust at times from the
criticism they seemed compelled to
pen: 'Outrageously indicate, IL
centious buffonery.' disgusting de-
moralizing, lewd and lascivious, are
some terms with which they describe
our present-day theatrical exhibi-
tions. Some of them are even now
prophesying that the day Will come,
and 1t is not far distant, when the
stage will fall to pieces Of its own
corruption, If 1t is not soon purified"
Round Dance Condemned.
Just as mercilessly was the round
dance grilled by the persplring, im-
passioned speaker.
"Listen!" snapped the evangelist,
In the tense stiffness. THE mingling
OF the sexes in dancing originated In
CONTINUED on page 3D.