The Springdale news., 1913-01-17
STORY OF ONE MANS FAITH

Golfers Weekly prints an inter- esting story concerning Charles L. Goodell, pastor Of the largest Meth odist church in the world From this article the following $ taken:
 T am just out of states prison 'z'
 Dr. Goodell was in the midst of revival service. When man stood up in the aisle and shouted these words at him in voice that was harsh with excitement. The preacher paused in his discourse. The audience sat breathlegs and transfixed. Every glance was turn ed upon the man in the aisle. His head was bent forward The mus cles of his face were set. Tie beam of his eve rested steadily upon the face of the minister After mo ment that was tense almost to pain falHess. he repeated his statement and amplified it.
 T am just out Of states prison I vas guilty of all that was charged and of things which were never found out You have been saying things here which are tremendous Iy true or terribly false You have been talking about some One who could save people from their sins. You said 1t made no difference how wicked a man had been if he re ! naotad tbat tie- ,; nc u,Cpfj FE fl lot ted out You said he would know he vas forgiven and the sense af condemnation and guilt would be gone Now. if you are saving what you do not know to be true, you ought to De ashamed II you are holding out to man like ne a hope when there is no hope YOU ought to stop it."
 Al this point, without appearing 10 cease speaking, the mans voice seemed 10 die out of him and he stood silent. but with the intensity of his pose unrelieyed and his hungry eyes searching the face of the preacher. The sincerity of the man obviously entitled him 10 er- cry consideration There Ras tras- edy ill the lines Of Us face and in the tones of his eoHee f4e took some steps nearer. 10 bring himself directly in front of the ehaneeI. and. stretching out his hand n gesture of appeas, said
 I want 10 know. sir. whether you believe that this religion you aee preaching can save man like me You said that Jesus saved thief on tae eros. Do sou believe that Jesus can save a thief aoW9o The mans Ftiu qutfered and h.s eyes swan a5 again the voice died out ot him Tae entire audience was moved by the force of his ap- peal Dr Goodell aonf.sses that ae felt it to his heels. but he felt also his faith rise within him at the challenge He reached aeross the chaneel rail and took the appealing, outstretched hand in his. saving, in voice for all te hear
 My brother. have honestly de c1ared message n which believe. I can not afford to preach gos- pei that Is not true, and l will not. I am ready to make this contract with you. If you will meet the conditions which are laid down In the Bible. by which a man may come to God, and you do not find salvation. will never again go in- to this pulpit to preach"
 Something like a sigh swept oy- CT the audience as they realized the significance of the issues thus join ed As for the two men. they knelt together at the altar. There was an earnest exposition of the way of life by the doctor with the open Bible before him, with eager, earn est listening by the man. Thereaf- ter the minister prayed fervently and the seeker himself uttered a few