The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-16
From The Independent.

From The Independent.
 r DESIRE to present to the readers of | The Independent for their considera- \ tion and judgment certain phases of what is called evangelism which are now appearing in different parts of the country and concerning which there seem to be differences of opinion. Not wishing to incur the censure of either party to this controversy I shall endeavor to avoid committing myself in approval or in con- demnation of these evangelistic methods. Neither shall l mention names or places; let us keep the question wholly free from all personal and local considerations.
 I am going to submit to my readers for their approval portions of sermons which have been recently preached to large audi ences of American Protestants. They are the utterances of more than one preacher; have not singled out any individual; they are quite a number of evangelists with whom such expressions are more or less common. These from whom I quote are ministers in good and regular stand ing in one or another of the leading even- gelical denominations. The words which shall quote have been spoken on plat forms on which are seated most of the evangelical Protestant ministers of the cities where they were uttered. and they have not, so far as I know, called forth any public protest of disapproval I have the best reason for believing that these utterances are accurately reported. In- asmuch however as I am mentioning no names, I am doing nobody an injustice. If any words are quoted here that nobody has spoken, let it be noted that nobody is charged or credited with speaking them.
 I should not venture to report these words if they had not received the ap- proval of a great many good men; surely 1t cannot be improper to spread before the Christian public, for it's information and inspiration, some of the most character istic portions of the evangel which is be- ing enthusiastically received in good, many of our best American cities
 With this brief explanation submit tho extracts referred to, with only such cora ments as may throw little light on the circumstances under which they W ere spoken.
 
 against the Christian life cannot meas ure character with grizzly ape or atyel- low dog"
 Tt takes a little weazen heade6I jug headed man to doubt God-I'vs sure got down to the size of some of the nauts of your town this morning
 Let me say~that when you little vile hounds attacks me you are liar and a coward, for it is at the cause of Jesus Christ and all the churches united In these meetings you are strikiasi over my shoulders. You little bum, I'm calling your bluff.'
 Every slap at me is a dir ect slur at the Christ of these meetings.f
 (F'rom q prayer referring to- certain ed- ftors who had criticised the preacher.) They're a bad lot. Lord Jes as. a bad lot Let me give you tip, Lerd Jesus. If You go after these fellows, You'd better put on your rubber glovess-
 A few young high school, girls in front of the platform were giggling. The preacher calls to some boys of about the same age sitting near: "Here, you young bulls-some of you come and take these heifers out on the grass
 q want to say to yDn that there is a dirty spot in every piseacher and every layman who fights thebgreat evangelistic movements.
 "A preacher who says that the right or wrong of card playj ng is just matter of conscience should be kicked out Of the ministry. He couldn't slop hogs for me"
 ..The statement las been made here in
 - by some ddrty little puppet of the pulpit that there 1s no harm in the dance. the theatre or cards. ITO hell with that kind of a minist CT. I am not swearing, brethren. I am praying. preacher or that sort is verse than a. bull neckeu bartender"
 From symrathetic report in iocar paper the folio wing extract Is made. Tne scene describex was near the close Of the meeting. when the audience. instead or coming forwa ed at the evangelist's call to the penitents" bench. was retiring: '.rne preacher way quick to see the turn or