Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-08
HEAR OLD TINE
RELIGION TENETS
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR
CONVERTS MADE AFTER -
THIS SERMON.
[BY GORDON LATHROP.l

[BY GORDON LATHROP.
Des Moines, Dec. 7.-Searchers for
the truth heard in Rev. Sundays ser.
mon; Whatsoever things are true
think on these things" a
clear cut, forceful presentation of the
tenets of what Is called the old time
religion. Billy Sunday himself calls 1t
that as he proclaims again and again
that it is the true religion, the literal
Interpretation Of the bible which is
the only book that tells us of God
that we can love- heaven to win, a
hell to shun and a saviour that can
save.
One hundred and fortyfour converts
were made after this sermon. The first
nine were stalwart men, ranging from
thirty to forty-five years of age. They
were followed by a group of young wo.
men and then the aisles for a few min
utes became filled with others Of all
ages and types.
Mr.. Sunday was in an especially ra-
diant mood tonight. Behind him sat
his son George, who had just arrived
in Des Moines from Tacoma, Wash,
and beside the young man sat Bishop
E. II. Hughes, of San Francisco, one
of the evangelist's closest friends.
This sermon was preached in Ian
guage that the most Jealous defender
of the chaste in literature could not
criticise adversely. 1t was delivered in
the characteristic earnest and vigor-
Gus Sunday manner but it was almost
wholly devoid Of those mannerisms
~ ntvSi
al and by others as natural.
Mr.. Sunday introduced his sermon
by citing at length the truths of nature
that were matters of common knowl-
edge now but that at one time had been
hidden. "All the good that was ever
accomplished came from someone STOP
ping to think" he said, and proceed
ing, Whatsoever is true in the ma
terial world is true in the spiritual
realm. The soul is the real man and
truth which affects the soul is more i'm
portant than truths that affect the
body"
His recognition Of the honest doubt
of some was expressed in this manner:
1--WE seen men who were really in
earnest when they said they had tried
and couldn't believe in Jesus Christ.
couldr'- once but got right and now
I can. he trouble with them is that
they want to hold on to some sin. |
never knew anyone who would not be-
lieve in Christ who hadn't some sin he
was holding on to. That's the reason
| 60 SO hard after sin to get you to
abandon it and try to persuade you
through your intelligence.
There is only one way to have the
doubts destroyed. Read the bible and
obey 1t. You say you can't understand
It. There's an A. B. G. in religion just
as in everything else. When you go to
school you learn the A. B. rs and then
you 60 on and pretty soon you under
stand something you thought you new
er could when you started out. So in
religion. Begin with the simple things
and go on and then you'll understand
That's what it was written for, that you
might read and believe and be saved
Pm willing to stand here and take the
hand of any man or woman if you are
willing to come and begin with the
knowledge you have. He doesn't live
who will not be saved If he does but
this
In pleading for penitents he said.
"You are going to live forever, some.
where. Don't forget that. Death is
not an eternal sleep. If l knew that
there was no hell I'd live just the kind
Of life that am living now, because of
the peace of mind. the happiness that
comes in this world to say nothing OF
the next You are going to live fore.
ever in heaven or you are going to live
forever in hell. 1t is for you to decide
and you must decide now while you are
alive.
"Amusements."
. Sundays famous sermon on "Amuse.
ments" was preached; twice in one day
in the afternoon and night.
Bill himself used all the adjectives
and adverbs in .he dictionary durin q
the course of his arraignment of shady
theatrical productions. card playing
and dancing so what's the use of trying
to adorn the mere report of the ser.
mon. The twenty-five thousand who
started to the tabernacle from one TO
three hours before the time designated
for the service to begin and thereby
got within range of his voice heard the
adjectives and adverbs from Bills own