Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-05-18

| L nave Deen tOlQ D. SOOu ludliy
things about some Of you fellows here
in Bronson" he declared, walking up
to the edge Of the platform and glar-
ing out over the throng. II know that
some Of you go home at night, you
old DEVILS from places where you
wouldn't think Of taking your wife for
all the world. And you young bucks, /
know about you, too. Some Of you go
down to the haunts Of vice, and If
some one asks you to go to the taber-
nacle and hear Bill you answer, oh,
no, he is too id vulgar You miser-
able, little, low down wretches, some
Of you would have to reach up to
touch the bottom, and you are so
crooked you could hide behind a cork
scew."
These statements evoked roars Of
laughter and applause, but Reginald
could see number Of young men flush
as the speaker made these biting re-
marks, and among them was Roland
Gregory, who had attended the meet
ing for the first time that afternoon.
Il know the fellows who will find
fault with my talk today" continued
Billy Sunday. Every fellow that is
not toting square, every fellow who is
lecherous, false, dishonest and mean
win go away from here and cuss me,
but you men who believe In what Is
right and who want to see Bronson
cleaned up, you men who are trying to
live the right kind Of a life, I know
you are with me. I don't expect to
please either fools or rascals, and
never try to.
christianity appeals to strong men,"
he shouted. 1T is the weak man who
is the sinner Sin is too much for him.
The gospel makes the weak strong"
Many Of the older men in the audi
ence could we'll remember when the
speakers name appeared daily in the
papers as the fastest runner in one Of
the champion baseball teams in Amer
lea over twenty years before, and their
interest was intense as the former
pdi prayer TciSrreu " Ills hiS oh thS
diamond.
When was playing ball." he said
in colloquial tones, II could run one
hundred yards in ten seconds. made
the circuit Of the bases in fourteen
seconds. After became a Christian I
was just as good ball player as be-
fore"
The audience was now completely
under the power Of the evangelist's
personality, and he became more per-
sonal in his address.
What are you living ,for?" he ask
ed Some Of you are living for mon
ey, and have no objection to wealth
if it is honestly acquired, but remem-
Der this, gentlemen, there will be no
pockets in your shrouds and If there
were your arms would be too stiff to
get your hands into them. When
Commodore Vanderbilt who was worth
5000, ,0O0,000, died some one in Wall
street asked how much he left, and the
answer was that he left 1t all. These
words are true Of every one Of us. We
came into the world without dollar,
and we go out without dollar. If all
the millionaires in hell could pool
their money they couldn't buy a drop
Of water to cool their parched tongues.
Remember that, you old rascals!"
roared the evangelist. You can't take
your gold and silver with you when
you leave this world, and it wouldn't
do you any good" he added parenthet-
ically, "if you did take it, for it would
all melt"
smile rippled over the audience at
this remark.
Some of you are living for lust"
cried Mr.. Sunday. Here the speaker
launched into a discussion Of the So
cial evil and Of it's effects on society
He made a strong plea for a single
standard of morals. You cowardly,
contemplate young hounds" he
shouted, directing his attention to a
crowd Of younger men. You betray
the trust Of an innocent young girl,
and society still recognizes you. while
the umpire shouts, The girl is out
tell you it does not make any differ
ence to God whether you wear a plug
hat or a hairpin. 1t makes no diff
ference to him whether you wear a
coat or a petticoat. God does not
recognize two standards, and any So
ciety that does is too low down for
me-"
Mr.. Sunday then turned his atten-
tion to the liquor business and at
tackled the open saloon in vigorous
words.
The saloons Of Bronson he ex-
claimed, "are the vendors Of poison;
they are the breeding places of crime
and pauperism; they are the nesting
places of anarchy and the incubators
Of lawlessness. If no one ever preach
ed before to these old bull necked fell
lows there is one here now who is not
afraid to do it,
A number of saloon keepers and
bartenders in the audience lowered
their heads quickly.
Let us stop finding fault with the
sins Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob"
continued the speaker. Let us speak
plainly about the vileness and cor
ruption of this infamous business
right here in Bronson, and we'll see
better times. When l get through
preaching here you can throw me in
the Bronson river if you want to, but
know you will have to say, There
goes a man who stood up for our
homes, our wives, our children and
our community Don't you see it,
men," he said, pleadingly. 81 am
fighting for you and for your homes"
In bringing his address to close
Mr.. Sunday again referred to his
baseball experiences.
81 used to play ball." he said sim
ply "I played center and left field on
the old Chicago White Stockings. I
don't believe their equal was ever
known, and l am sure their superior