Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-09-23


negative. pleading q business engage
ment.
1t was happy crowd Of crusaders
who journeyed that evening to Augs.
ley. The meeting was even more of q
success than Allan Rutledge had hoped
The energetic spirit Of the ex- baseball
star had permeated the entire vicinity
Of Bronson, and the few church mem.
bers at Augsley had taken on new life
and had widely advertised the coming
of the Bronson party. The church in
which the meeting was held was the
largest In the village, but 1t was crowd
ed to overfiowing and a second meet
ing was arranged hastily at another
| church. The songs Of Joy Graham and
4 Mrs. Rutledge We're listened to with
absorbing interest, and as Allan Rut-
ledge heard his wife sing the old, but
ever new hymn Of trust, "Jesus, lover
Of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly"
he was carried back in Imagination to
scenes in his ministry In Wellington
when he had first heard his wife sing
/ and first began to understand the ire
mendous power Of Christian song.
Edgar Prince, the manufacturer of
Bronson, was the first speaker. and his
testimony was listened to with the
closest attention.
Eve business men in Bronson have
seen great light" he began. IF any
one had told me two months ago that
would be addressing an audience at
religious service would have laugh
ed with scorn. But here am tonight
! able to bear witness that Jesus can
save even manufacturer. Let Jesus
into your hearts, men," he exclaimed,
"and he viii make your whole life over,
as he has made mine In the past few
weeks"
He then told how he had first been
arrested by statement of the evan
gelist, who quoted the Bible where 1t
| says, "The wages of sin is DEATH"
II couldn't get away from those
words" he declared earnestly. II felt
that | was sinner and that my only
hope Of salvation was In the Saviour"
Thomas Marchmount also spoke,
telling Of his conversion to Christiani-
ty years before and of his long apos-
tacy.
I'VE have left God out of our lives
in Bronson for a good many years, but
things have changed. am happier to-
night than have been in thirty years"
Allan Rutledge then took charge Of
the meeting, and a call was made for
penitents. They began to stream to-
ward the front until full twoscore con-
fessed their sins.
The crusaders returned, astonished
and delighted as 1t not remarkable"
said Mr.. Townley, who was greatly
moved by the talks of the business
men. as 1t not remarkable to see and
hear such things as We have seen and
heard tonight?"
"Ah, Mr.. Townley," responded Allan
Rutledge. 1--WE need Billy Sunday
once In awhile to remind us of the
simplest gospel facts. In the light of
Christian history what we have seen
tonight is nothing at all unusual when
men have really become sincere in
their Christian faith"
"But much work still needs to be
done in Bronson" remarked Mr..
, Townley.
Certainly" said Allan Rutlsdge
quickly; I'VE are only beginning. Be,
fore very long / am going to propose
new plan of campaign that will
astound the enemy in Bronson more
than the tabernacle meetings"
The day following the excursion of
the Bronson lay gospelers to Augsley
Joy Graham and Mrs. Rutledge visit
ed the lonely mother Of the hapless
Mae Mobray. 1t was pleasant
March day, and they took with them
little Anna and Abraham.
ut will do the poor woman good to
see the children" said Mrs. Rutledge.
They found Mrs. Mobray alone in her
desolate little home. The childless
widow was reused somewhat from
her melancholy by the appearance of
the two young women and especially
by the sunshine Of the children's pres
ence. Charles Dickens was lover of
children, and it was he who wrote
these touching words In regard to their
influence:
They are idols Of hearts and Of house
holds;
They are angels Of God In disguise;
His sunlight still sleeps In their tresses,
His glory still CLEANS In their eyes.
Oh, those truants from home and from
heaven,
They make me more manly and mild.
And know now how Jesus can liken
The kingdom Of God to a child.
I'VE are going to set apart room
in the church where tired mothers can
leave their babies when they come to
the services, and DIR. Rutledge thought
that Mrs. Mobray would be just the
one to take charge of It."
The eyes Of the woman frightened
as she listened.
II had not heard Of that" she said
quickly. 81 would just love to do
work like that, and then l would feel
that was worth something, after all.
1t has. been very dark to me since
Mae Here the unfortunate mother
found relief in tears. being unable to
say more.
When the paroxysm Of grief was
over Mrs. Mobray dried her eyes and
spoke brokenly. II know It Is wrong
for mo IN nurse nv sorrow as do.