The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-11
A ONE-MAN CRUSADE.

Just before graduating for the min
istry Bruce Stevens spent four days
in the town of Newburn as a part of
his vacation. He was a young man of
20. wealthy, and as a stranger in the
town and asking many questions and
peeking and peering about a great
deal, he excited considerable curiosity.
There was one thing about him that
all remarked and that was his fighting
jaw. 1t even caused some of the
tough ones in the town to wonder II
he wasn't a champion middleweight
looking about for training quarters.
MIR. Stevens found political boss
and a political ring in the town
He found one-half too many sa-
looms for a town of its population.
He found the sheriff of the county
and his deputies and the constable in
cahoots with the tough element
The justice of the peace was the
keeper of a saloon and passed drinks
over the bar, and he protected his own
sort when it came to legal troubles.
The three church edifices were in
sad need Of repairs. SO were the con-
gregatiOns of the three ministers, all
of whom were old men.
Weekly prayer meetings had been
given UP because of the slim attend
Vance. Sunday services had come to
be almost a traVeSty.
The saloons were open all day sun
day in defiance of the law and it was
the favorite day for baseball, horse
racing and other sports.
why don't you do something?' he
asked of a merchant of the town, who
was a representative of the better ele-
ment.
And set boycotted and driven into
bankruptcy >" was asked in return.
rs it as bad as that"
THE gang has us by the neck and
has us scared. We have no leader,
Many of US do not go to the polls al
election time Whisky and intimida =
q
some one has sought to start a wave
of reform, but he didn't last long. the
gang beats him up and burned his
barn I can name you four different
men who have been ruined by the
boycott. Were you thinking of re
Il am not decided" said Mr.. Ste
vens.
Business MANI"
NO. I hope to be in the ministry
soon"
well, you'd better pray for parish
in Africa than to be sent here. judge
if YOU had a church here you'd go in
for reform ?''
Il most certainly would
And you'd do more hurt than
good. Might as we'll try to reform
pack Of hyenas. There's got to be
cyclone or an earthquake to wipe out
the town before you can even whisper
reform. 1 am a God-fearing man, but
1 hope you will rot come
we can't tell said the young man
as he turned away with a sigh.
A few weeks later, when ready to
take up his ministerial duties, he
asked to be sent to Newbern.
But we have a minister there"
was replied.
But he has lost nearly his congre-
CATION"
Yes, the reports from that parish
are not at all cheering, and l be-
lieve Brother Baker would welcome a
transfer. You know it's one of the
hardest towns in the state?"
Il have spent four days there"
THE cause of religion is reported
as very lukewarm."
Il didn't know that there was any
there at ALL" smiled the young min
lister
well. you'll be appointed to the
place. L hope you may stir things
up.
1t was rumored in Newbern that
new minister was coming, and there
were citizens who shook their heads
and said:
He'll want to reform things, and
he'll only make the situation worse
We must advise him to go slow"
And the tough element slapped
each other on the back and chuckled
and said;
Wen eat him up inside of two
weeks if he NEEDLES with us"
The Rev. Mr.. Stevens arrived. He
started out with a sermon that jolted
and Jared. He spared neither Chris
tan nor sinner. While he criticised
the former for lack of backbone, ne
plainly told the latter that the crisis
had come. The crisis meant decency
and reform without any shame about
it. After the sermon he fingered to
talk with members of his congrega-
ton. He found them looking for
ward with great timidity- If he start
ed crusade he must not expect any
active help from them. They Were
thoroughly boss-ridden and cowed.
This is to be a one man crusade
We answered them. Il did not expect
your aid, and so I'm not disappointed.
I do not expect from the other min
listers anything more than their good
wishes
Monday morning the crusade
opened. Mr.. Stevens visited the sher-
iff, and without any beating around
the bush, he said:
Sheriff, l am the new minister
"Yes?''
Il am going for your crowd tooth
and toe-nail.'
why do you call it my crowd %
was asked.
Because it is. There are viola
tions of the law every hour of the
day, and you stand by without inter
ference. You drink in every saloon,
and you comrade with every law
breaker. It's the same with your
deputies and the constables. It's got