Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-16

clergymen. as you call tenn, do not
dress Inherently from other people in
Bronson. Customs are very different
there from those III England"
A day later. on Sunday morning,
Albert Townlcy noticed that his friend
did not attend divine service. which is
always held on Atlantic liners in the
dining room OF the first cabin every
Sunday morning.
I'm spite of his attitude toward re
ligion." said Townley to himself one
day as the voyage drew near its close,
Il like this immigrant. l wonder who
he Is"
Albert Townley often wondered
about the antecedents of Reginald Mel
son. but with the exception of the few
hints that the immigrant ave when
be spoke of a possible life of ease in
England. the young man did not men
ton his past life and made 1t clear that
he desired his past history to remain
a blank.
The friendship between Mrs. Graham
and the immigrant also grew during
the ocean voyage. and Joy Graham
found him a most agreeable compan-
ion. She discovered that he was a VIC
linist and persuaded him to add his
part to a concert which was given by
the more talented passengers on the
cabin list.
Contentlng himself with a brief visit
around New York. Reginald accompa-
MED Albert Townley to Bronson.
The day after his arrival in Bronson
Albert Townley was walking down the
main street. nodding his head contin-
ually. like a Chinese mandarin, as his
numerous friends greeted him on every
side. Suddenly two men stopped in
front of him.
II am glad to see you home again.
Mr.. Townley. said the older of the two
men.
Mr.. Graham. | declarei' responded
the minister heartily. lit does me good
to see some familiar faces once more"
Mrs. Graham and Joy nave been
telling me about their pleasant voyage
home on the same boat with you," said
the other. who was Mrs. Graham's hus-
band. Here's a friend" he continued,
whom | wish you to meet. This is the
new pastor of the Central church. DR..
Allan Rutledge. | think you two men
ought to become good friends"
Albert Townley looked at Mr.. Ora
hams companion with a lively inter
est. He had often heard of the young
minister who had stirred the entire
middle west with his apostolic fervor.
Shortly the two ministers bade good
by to Mr.. Graham and walked down
the street together.
TELL me something about your work
in Wellington said Mr.. Townley.
There was nothing very wonderful
about my ministry in Wellington" re-
piled Allan Rutledge smilingly. Il am
surprised to see the interest that the
country has taken in my work In that
small Iowa town. The facts simply
were that the community needed the
gospel of Christ. and | was privileged
to bring it to them In an effective
way"
"Put In the reports of your work
there which | have read" said Town
ley, you revolutionized your church.
the college in Wellington and the en-
tire community"
when | began my ministry in Wei
lington.' responded the other, speak
ing more earnestly. both our church
and college were dead spiritually.
There was a distressing lack of life
and power. and | simply proved once
more what has been proved ten thou
sand times that the gospel is the pow
err of God.r
Before accepting his recent call to
Bronson. Allan Rutledge had been pas
tor for six years in Wellington, Ia.
and. as Mr.. Townley said. his ministry
there had brought him wide fame.
The Central church of Bronson had
finally been able to prevail on the pow
erful young western minister to accept
a call. and he had only arrived In
Bronson on the week preceding the re-
turn of Albert Townley from his trip
abroad.
you have come here" said Albert
Townley. speaking WITH Intense earn
estness. "in response - the prayers
Of many true Christian people We
feel we are in bondage in Bronson, and
we need a Moses to deliver us.
do not for a moment think that
am trying to make out that Bronson is
a specially wicked city," continued
Townley quickly. but l would like
you to begin your ministry here know
ing that Bronson needs a regeneration
far more than Wellington ever needed
n There are a multitude Of earnest
Christian men and women in our city,
but the city itself is now in the con-
troll of the powers of evil. 1t is foolish
to deny 1t. A corrupt ring controls our
city politics. and it keeps u best
citizens under its thumb. Saloons and
gambling places are wide open. and
no one pretends that u laws reg
ulating and restraining these evils are
enforced