Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-04-30

The wage scale makes the herding OF
men together the only method Of liv-
ing possible for them. Under such
conditions decency is impossible, to
say nothing of Christianity
"A report like that" continued Mr.
Townley, "gives rise to very serious
thought"
my blood boils hottest" responded
Allan Rutledge, when I learn Of the
exploitation of women and children
by modern industry"
THAT is just what we have on
small scale here in Bronson" respond
ed Mr.. Townley quickly. II feel there
is no regeneration possible for Bron-
son until we have some social read
justments."
You remember you diagnosed the
spiritual condition Of Bronson for me
a few days after I arrived here" said
Allan Rutledge, changing the subject.
II remember our conversation very
WE'LL" said the other. Have you
found my diagnosis correct?"
Your diagnosis, according to my
Investigations, was absolutely correct"
said Allan Rutledge, with determina-
ton. II am now ready to apply the
remedy, and propose to begin cam
paign which will result in Bronson's
regeneration.
Albert Townley stared at his COM
panion. =.
What )ur plan?" he asked.
"Bronso .eds new men more than
it needs al ming else," responded Al
Ian, with decision. otherwise we
need an old fashioned revival Of real
religion. The first thing for us to do
is to unite our Protestant churches in
a genuine religious campaign. If you
can get the other churches in Bronson
to cooperate with the Peoples church
and the Central church I will guaran-
tee a regeneration. Do you think you
can gain the cooperation Of the other
Protestant churches?"
Explain your plan further" said
Mr.. Townley, with a perplexed look
IF you do succeed in getting our Bron-
son Professionalism united what do you
then propose?"
Here is what I propose" said AL
Ian Rutledge I'VE will build tab
ernacle capable of seating 10000 peo-
pie. We will not build this tabernacle
on the top of any mount, but right
down in the valley among the common
people. Then we shall have a strong,
capable leader take charge of the sit
uation for five or six weeks, holding
meetings in the great tabernacle night
after night, and covering the city with
cottage prayer meetings, shop meet
ings, street meetings, saloon meetings
and every form of Christian activity
of a spiritual nature. At the end Of
the campaign there will be new at
mosphere in Bronson"
who would you get as leader Of
such a campaign? Will you under
take it yourself?"
II have the leader in mind, a per-
sonal friend of mine, who was born
in Iowa, not far from my own birth
place"
Whom do you mean?" asked the
other.
1.-The Rev. William A. Sunday. bet
ter known as Billy Sunday"
Albert Townley jumped to his feet.
1T will never do, Rutledge. have
read of some of this mans campaigns
and of their success, but it is absurd
to think Of bringing him to Bronson.
This is a peculiar community. Do you
think Messrs. Graham and March
mount would endorse such a move
ment."
Listen to me, my brother" began
Allan Rutledge, in earnest tones. In
planning out this campaign l never
thought for a moment whether Gra-
ham or Marchmount or any one else
would endorse it except God Almighty.
Did you not assert yourself in your
diagnosis that the very fact that such
men as Marchmount and Graham,
men without vital religion. controlled
the religious organizations of Bron-
son, was the most damning fact in our
church life?"
You know something about Billy
Sunday, 1 expect?" asked Allan.
Il have never met him personally,
said the other, but l have often heard
him condemned by ministers and 9TH
ers. They say his methods and lam
guage are vulgar in the extreme"
II have known Mr.. Sunday since he
was one of our national baseball
stars" said Allan Rutledge, seating
himself and turning to his companion.
Il was only boy then, but / remem-
Der how proud we were Of our Iowa
baseball champion. After his CONVEX
sion lost sight of him for some years,
but when he entered the religious
field | hailed him as winner, for
knew that he had exactly what our
age needs. He has courage, determi-
nation, manhood and dynamic energy.
His so called vulgarity is only the ver-
nacular of the baseball diamond, and
it is the everyday language of millions
of Americans. He does not need to
use this language, but he humbles
himself to it in order to reach the
masses and save them. His astound-
ing success is proof of his divine COM
mission"
After a good deal Of argument and
persuasion Albert Townley finally
agreed to visit the other ministers in
Bronson, with whom he had large
influence, and seek to unite Bronson
Professionalism in a Billy Sunday cam
paign. Mr.. Townley was surprised to
find that almost unanimously the 9TH
er ministers agreed that such a
campaign would be supported by
them.
The result was that meeting of
the ministers and some of the most
spiritual men in the churches was
called. The Central church was rep
resented at the meeting by Mr.. Came
ri