The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-08-03
An Excellent Reading Given
By Edwin N. Whitney
keIlerman Delights Audience
With His Singing

OMiAOuo idil SiOuuo LII eAO "SoS
failed to deter people from thronging
to the Chautauqua Sunday evening,
and the prospect of furious rain
storm failed to dampen the enthusi-
asm of the largest audience yet as
sembled which gathered to welcome
back a native son of this community,
one who has since won the laurel
wreaths of fame and who is today
recognized as a divine. than whom
there is none better, and an educator
whose gigantic efforts have made a
wonderful educational institute what
it is today-Dr. Frank Wakely Gun
saulus Of Chicago, ILL.,, formerly Of
Chesterville, o.
There was a tinge of reverence in
DR.. Gunsaulus' voice when he referred
to his childhood days in this COM
nunity. He recalled that he had sold
his first fleece of wool in Mt. Vernon
and that he had purchased his first
book here, book Of sermons. Re-
counting names of men who have
guided the destinies of Mt. Vernon in
the past-Joseph Devin, Col. Cooper,
Judge Hurd, etc.-Dr. Gunsaulus
paid high compliment and tribute to
these men, who were his associates
of early days. That he had preached
his first sermon in Mt. Vernon justi-
fed his return to preach again, DR..
Gunsaulus remarked to the amuse-
ment of the audience.
Following sacred songs by the FL
wyn Concert Co., and a prayer by
Rev. J. A. Long of the Vine street
Church of Christ, Dr. Gunsaulus
launched forth into his sermon, the
text of which he took from st. Johns
Gospel: "He that doeth the Truth,
cometh to the Light"
Inveighing against the type of man
known as the timid conservative, and
characterizing him as one who will
constantly reject opportunities, the
speaker took as an example of this
type, the Nicodemus of the Bible.
PREDATORY to this, DR.. Gunsaulus drew
three striking pictures of Lord
Bacon the first writer Of English
prose, as great lawyer, a great es-
sayist, and a great failure. In these
pictures, Bacon was made to decay by
virtue of his not having embraced op-
portunity.
From Nicodemus' first acknowledg-
ment of Jesus as rabbi" but not as
Saviour" to his final desertion of
Him at the crucifixion formed a pow.
erful story, to which the dramatic in.
tensity of DIR. Gunsaulus' style gave
full color and weight. Nicodemus' op.
portunity to raise himself to pinnacles
Of fame by full acknowledgment OF
Jesus was lost because of the timid
conservatism of his nature.
There are few people in the audi
ence who will soon forget the manner
in which DR.. Gunsaulus said "good
night, Nicodemus, good night" With
out the least irreverence, it may be
said that this manner would have
transcribed the efforts of some of the
greatest actors on the stage, SO full
of meaning was it. With true respec
and feeling that he was paying 6
tribute, one member of the congrega
tion remarged after the sermon, 'isn'
that man great actor!"
After hearing the strong, impress
sive sermon delivered Sunday even
ing by DR.. Gunsaulus, people may re
alize the wonderful power and influ
ence for good exerted by the speake
in Chicago, where he packs the Aud
torium every Sunday with thirst
auditors. He is truly a wonderful
man.
Delightful in an entirely differen
way was Edwin M. Whitney, who al
peared Sunday afternoon in readin
of the play, "The Fortune Hunter,