Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-09-16

rang out louder than the previous
verses, the audience and choir seeming
to welcome the evangelist with their
song and desiring him to know how
hearty was their greeting.
The music ceased, and an intense
stiffness pervaded the tabernacle. Wait
ing moment until the hush became
deeper, Mr.. Sunday said, "My friend
DIR. Allan Rutledge, will lead us In
prayer"
The great audience bowed reverent-
ly, and the Iowa minister arose from
the group of ministers seated at one
side Of the platform and walked to the
side of the evangelist
LET us pray" he said simply, and
then began the opening invocation.
There were literally thousands pres
ent that evening to whom sacred wor-
ship was something strange, but all
listened to the prayer Of the pastor of
the Central church, and thousands
added their silent "Amen" to his earn
est petitions for Gods help in the
mighty conflict which was to be wag-
ed In the following weeks in Bronson.
After the prayer another hymn was
announced, and the chorus leader
again took charge.
An offering was taken to defray the
expenses of erecting the tabernacle
and heating and lighting it, the evan
gelist declaring that these offerings
would be taken up for a week or two
until all the money needed for the ex-
penses of the campaign were raised.
Remember, this is not taber-
nickelw he exclaimed. snake the Of
fering a good one, as we want to get
these collections out Of the way as
soon as possible"
Announcements were made of the
various prayer meetings morning by
morning and of the plans for shop
meetings and other special gatherings
from time to time.
Then the evangelist began his open
ing sermon. 1t was brief, pointed.
practical and altogether informal.
"We'll just get acquainted tonight"
he declared, with the smile on his face
which soon became familiar to his au-
ditors. Il am here to help you.
want to do my part in building up
Gods kingdom on earth, and IL God
can build his kingdom better with me
In my coffin / won't kick. Let Gods
kingdom come, no matter what the
consequences may be.
"We will make a good deal Of sing
I'M In, nj, y he
There is great virtue in song. Great
revivals never come without song.
Song is the enrolling element that
contributes to successful religious
awakenings. Song and revivals are
inseparable. l don't mean the kind
that takes the diaphram exercises to
produce" here illustrating in vivid
way the gyrations that singers Of clas-
steal and high class music usually go
through. There was considerable laugh
ter among the audience.
That's right" commented Mr. Sun
| day. you don't need to be afraid of
laughing in my meetings. There is no
command of God Thou shalt not
laugh but some people think they are
not religious unless their faces are as
long as horses face"
The audience was getting on friend
| ly terms with the speaker and he con.
tiDued in a more earnest tone:
watch OR tomorrow's Courier .
answered Reginald. with enthusiasm.
This series Of meetings will be the
making Of our paper. Our city sub
scriptions have increased by the hun
dred since we announced our purpose
/ to devote large amount of space to
the Sunday meetings and We have had
large numbers Of new subscribers from
all parts of the country. Mr.. Sunday
is quite an American institution, can
see."