Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-03-10
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A story from Life's Psse.

FORT CALHOUN. Neb.. March s.-ro
the Editor Of The Bee. II was Sunday
evening in the big city on the big
Muddy" about the hour when the rural
populace In Nebraska were gathering TOT
public worship, when the writer stood on
a corner with the batteries Of observa-
ton" on the passing throng.
How different are the thoughts that
fit through the mind when one only sees
strange faces as the crowds hurry and
seurry here and there with apparent I'M
rest all going somewhere TO satisfy an
unsa tisfied condition OF a human mind.
Listen! There is sound Of fife and
drum in the distance. played to a lively
air suggestive OF a call TO arms. and es-
pecially so when war Is running rife.
But let us calm our fears: as the army
is sighted the uniform OF cap and bonnet
are significant emblems OF peace. There
may be a spirit OF fight within the breast,
but It is directed at the devil and his
hosts. somewhere in evidence on the
great highway between here and Fort
Worth, Tex. and we may calm our fears.
As this body OF warriors stands upon
the corner in one OF the most public
places OF the city a crowd gathers and
II we say It is motley in its makeup It
covers a wide scope. II styles and dress
are any indication the professional and
business men are '1aymen." temporary
and momentary at least, with the farm
ers and others in the middle walks OF
life pausing TO pose for a brief period
as part of the congregation.
A study OF the faces OF those touching
IL hOf
and fancy. The college bred is in sight;
the man who smokes in company is
there; the guy" with cigarette lip and
fingers yellowed by same is present; the
man who works his jaws continuously
| and expectorates extemporaneously Is
also on hand Then there is the man who
from appearance might be a descendant
| OF Ham with trace Of oriental blood on
| the side. also an interested spectator.
The audience as above composed is now
composed and ready for service. A
score OF captains lieutenants and recruits
compose the clergy, and service begins
| amid the roar OF street cars and noise OF
the "honk" wagon of the joyriders COM
bined.
The object OF the gathering is moi
stated in the preliminaries but soon an
| inverted drum presents an indication that
a collection is needed to help spread the
gospel The offering is not as generous
as some evangelists are capable OF pro
ducing in an evening by about 1897 81
but helps some and is appreciated. and
the writer has reason to believe II is
aimed at a good cause, viz: Helping the
down and outer; relieving sickness and
suffering.
On the surface 1t would be a task to
| measure the good resulting from nightly
meetings OF this kind. but II It helps keer
carnal warfare from our present peace
ful shores n It gives some poor soul q
hope OF a higher plane OF living wher
social conditions are "topsy turvy'; Il
It helps In times when kings. princes
potentates and rulers threaten to ami
hilate common posterity from the face o.
the earth for honor. name and fame. 4
IL well. The Salvation Army has a plac,
I'm the world. May 1t find 1t and I'LL /
10 the glory and honor OF all concerned
in battles helpful to suffering humanity
T. ]. II.