The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-12-07
PASTOR TALKS OF
SUNDAY MEETINGS
DEAN c. DEWITT BOWLING OF
GETHsEMANE CATHEDRAL is
OUT WITH FLAT FOOTED
STATEMENT THAT CHURCHES
ARE NOT UNITED ON SUBJECT.

The Deanery. EOS Ninth street south,
Fargo, N. D., Dec. ITO The Forum.
Permit me the courtesy Of your
columns to correct an unfortunate i'm
preston, which, unchallenged. is like
~ to gain far too widespread circu-
lation. I refer to several articles re-
Gently appearing in our local press
and supporting accurately to represent
the attitude of the churches Of Fargo
with reference to the proposed cam
paign in our city of a certain con-
spicuous evangelist. My point Of ex-
ception may be illustrated by citing a
part of a single sentence from one OF
these recent articles; this is taken
from your issue of last night and is at
the close of the report of the Brother
hoods Banquet.
With reference to the "Billy sunday,
movement 1t was stated that 1.-THE unit
Ed effort OF the churches of the city
VIII be behind the preacher when he
comes TO Fargo" Such is not the
case. Had the statement read: "The
united effort of (some) of the churches
OF the city, ETC., my comment would
be unnecessary. The words used. how
ever, are only open to an inclusive con.
struction. And were it not true that
reports like the above have already
resulted in serious misapprehension
finding lodgment in the minds Of
many estimable people in Fargo. the
matter would be Of small import and
might pass unnoticed The misap-
prehension is serious. And il is inn
possible for me to maintain a negative
and thus appear to be a party to per-
uniting the Misrepresentation to gain
any wider acceptance
IL is emphatically an error, however
unwittingly the statement has gone
out, that all the churches of Fargo
are in favor of these proposed e"BilI,,
Sunday meetings. For one, / am very
sure such. is not the case with tho
episcopal congregation of Fargo. Per
sonally' as dean Of Gethsemane cathe-
draL am not in the remotest degree
In FAVOR OF the movement. While /
hold no brief for our Roman Catholic
brethren, it is not at all hazardous TO
assert that we ali know exactly where
they stand.
Whatever may be the particular rea-
sons for my objection to the work of \
Billy Sunday is. of no concern at this |
time. Unless good and sufficient cause
should arise. / care little if these rea-
sons just now find public expression.
out ! am perfectly willing to give them
expires sion should the sufficient cause
appear. Whether this evangelist comes
% Fargo or does not come my own
demands, that my attitude
Is representing at least one church in
his city be clearly understood.
For the jealous gentlemen, to whose
Efforts in this particular matter / am
'igidly opposed, entertain none but
he kindliest feeling. We have known
occasions of good fellowship. and will
Snow them again. On many matters
We are undoubtedly agreed. My letter
setting forth my own and Gethsemane
,athedrafs position is prompted by
none save the squarest and upright
If motives My attitude toward any
honest effort to intensity the knowledge
If God and the love of Jesus Christ
n mems hearts and lives cannot be
Use than sympathetic, but / do ques-
ion the wisdom of the means the dis
,ussed movement proposes to employ.
There are other weighty difficulties