River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-05-06

"We need to begin these meetings
right"
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 a moment until the hush became
deeper, Mr.. Sunday said. My friend,
Or. Allan Rutledge. will lead us in
prayer"
The great audience bowed reverent-
~, 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-
nickelr' he exclaimed. make the Of
fering Il 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. 81 am here to help you.
want to do my part in building up
Gods kingdom on earth. and If God
can build his kingdom better with me
in my coffin l won't kick. Let Gods
kingdom come, no matter what the
consequences may be.
eve will make a good deal Of sing
ing in this campaign" he continued.
"There Is great virtue in song. Great
revivals never come without song.
Song is the ennobling element that
contributes to successful religious
awakenings. Song and reV1Vals are
inseparable. / don't mean the kind
that takes the diaphram exercises to
produce" here illustrating in a vivid
way the gyrations that singers or Gas
steal and high class music usually gt
through. There was considerable laugh
ter among the audience.
That's right" commented Mr.. Sun
day. "You don't need TO be afraid Oh
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
" terms with the speaker and he con.
tinued In a more earnest tone:
I'VE need a revival Of the old time
religion in Bronson, and l am going to
preach the old gospel. l am an old
fashioned preacher, Of the old fash
Toned gospel that has warmed this old
world for years, the gospel Of Calvary,
Of salvation and of atonement
Eve need to begin these meetings
right" exclaimed the speaker. IF you
want a revival Of religion to come to
Bronson you just take a piece Of chalk
and draw a circle around yourself and
ask the Lord to begin inside that cir
sle"
Here Mr. Sunday showed how to do
it, using a genuine piece of chalk and
making ring with it in the brussels
carpet which covered the platform.
"Think of the drunkenness, the mis-
cry, the lust, the gambling and the sin
in Bronson" he shouted. Think Of
the vice, the want and the squalor;
think Of the mountains of guilt in this