Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-23

4OWu4tfs gives rise 10 SeElOus
thought"
my blood boi,s hottest" responded
Allan Rntledge. when learn of the
exploitation of women and children by
modern industry"
THAT is just what We have on a
small scale here In Bronson respond
ed Mr.. ,Townley quickly. Il feel there
is no regeneration possible for BrOn-
son until we have some social readjust-
ments."
You remember you diagnosed the
spiritual condition of Bronson for Inc
a few days after | arrived here said
allan Rutledge. changing the subject.
Il remember our conversation very
WELL said the other. Have you
found my diagnosis %correct?"
"Your diagnosis. according to my In
vestigations. was absolutely correct"
said Allan Rutledge. with determina-
ton. 81 am nov ready to apply the
remedy. and | propose to begin a cam
paign which Will result in Bronson's
regeneration"
Albert Townley stared at his COM
panion.
What is your plan?" he asked.
Bronson needs new men more than
1t needs anything else" responded Al
Ian, with decision. Otherwise we
need an old fashioned revival of real
religion. The first thing for ~ to do
is to unite our Protestant churches In
a genuine religious campaign. Ii you
can get the other churches in Bronson
to cooperate with the Peoples church
and the Central church | will guaran-
tee a regeneration. Dc you think you
can gain the cooperation of the other
Protestant churchesY'
Explain your plan further said
Mr.. Townley. with a perplexed look.
IF we do succeed in getting our Bron-
son Professionalism united what do you
then propose?"
Here is what l propose said Allan
R~utledge. I'VE will build a tabernacle
capable of seating 10000 people. We
will not build this tabernacle OF 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 situation for
five or six weeks, holding meetings in
the great tabernacle night after night.
and covering the city with cottage
prayer meetings, shop meetings. street
meetings. saloon meetings and every
form of Christian activity of a spiritual
nature. At the end of the campaign
there will be a new atmosphere in
Bronson"
"Who would you get as leader of
such a campaign? Will you undertake
1t 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 mean7" asked the
other.
"The Rev. William A. Sunday, bet
ter known as Billy Sunday"
Albert Townley jumped to his feet.
ut will do, Rutledge. l 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 indorse such a owe
ment?"
Listen to me, my brother" began
Allan Rntledge, In earnest tones. "In
planning out this campaign ! new
thought for a moment whether Graham
or nj o,oIroO.rr ar nv ono aICn xVOt1IA
indorse it except God Almighty. Did
you not assert yourself In your diagno-
sis that the very fact that such men
as Marchmount and Graham, men
without vital religion. controlled the
religious organizations of Bronson, was
the most damning fact In our church
life?
You know something about Billy
Sunday. | expect?' asked Allan.
81 have never met him personally"
said the other. but | have often heard
him condemned by ministers and 9th
ers. They say his methods and Ian
guage are vulgar in the extreme"
81 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 a boy then. but | remember how
proud we were of our Iowa baseball
champion. After his conversion l lost
sight of him for some years, but when
he entered the religious field l hailed
him as a winner. for l knew that he
had exactly what our age needs. He
Z I89