New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
a SQUARE-JAWED MAN OF GOD
Portrait by ROY WILLIAMS

himself, he seemed to enjoy the party, and he
talked with all the wallnowers. A part of his
congregation protested, and DR.. BlacIman
handed in his resignation, going on a two
weeks fishing trip In Oklahoma. When he
returned he was informed that the congrega-
ton, by heavy majority, refused to accept
his resignation.
"All right" said the pastor, ''Ill go back
the job But want it distinctly understood
that I'm to have my way about certain things.
II want to go to dance, or even give
dance in this church, ! do not care TO bs op-
posed Dancing is all right Il properly super
vsed. Furthermore, intend to rig up a gym
nasiun in the basement and give the boys
lessons in boxing. 1t will make them better
citizens, better c!lurchyncn. The cause OF
much Of the lack Of interest in religion to-day
is the Observation-Disclosures and bigotry of the
average church and it's servants There must
be a new order of things if we are going to
put the gospel over"
Since that day Dr. BlaclSman has had his
own way, the membership in his church has
heavily increased and, what is more to the
point, the attendance has jumped nightly he
is making religion popular ia Cnanute
year ago liberal churcl, III large city
made DR.. Blackman an offer, said to be Sl0,0oo
a year eve need man like you in our
pulpit" said the lay head OF the church III
urging the young Kansas minister to accept.
DR.. Blackman declined the offer.
"NIy place is here" he replied. Il have been
upheld by my congregation and there is enough
to do in Chanute to keep me busy for few
years"
Chaplain Blackman in his reorganization OF
the Chanute church again was In the lime
light, although he did not seek the publicity.
During the last two years he has been active
in the West, has done much for the American
Legion and has deficd convention by refereeing
Legion benefit fights in several states.
In looking around for national chaplain
the American Legion at ita Kansas City con-
vention did not have to look far.
"Blackman is the man, was the universal
comment. "Let's have Blackman." And they
got him.
The chaplain has the following views on
dancing which, it must be said, he does not
share with the bulk OF Kansas ministers:
"My idea of the control and management of
the dance is that it should be made as far as
possible by community conscience rather than
by official chaperonage and supervision. II
ministers and church people would cooperate
and participate in the dance, recognizing its
value as a social medium, it would not be left
to tho control Of the cheaper elements of the
community I sometimes use the following
expression in lectures on the subject; The
church has allowed the devil to control the
dance for so long that in many cases he has
made hades Of a job of it,
"People have always danced and they always
will Dancing is recognized by some Of the
best authorities and leading psychologists as
one of the fundamental instincts of the race.
Where it has been properly directed and con-
trolled it has ever been a benefit to the indi-
vdual When improperly controlled and al
lowed to become degraded it becomes corre-
spending menace and evil.
"If interpret correctly the declaration of
Jesus when he said Il come that they might
have life and that they might have it more
abundantly,' J believe it is the duty Of every
minister and every religious leader to assist
in interpreting that life and endeayoring to
enlarge it, rather than to restrict or restrain
it. Every passion we have, every tendency,
every instinct, has been given us for purpose.
Controlled and educated and directed, they be-
come blessings and benefits. Repressed and
restricted, they are the reverse
The American Legion's chaplain makes the
following spirited attack on the proposed blue
laws:
'I think it is utterly foolish and stupid to
try to pass laws compelling people to restrain
from doing specific things:> To my mind the
advocacy Of such laws serves only to cheaper
religion in the minds of the masses and tends to
push it back into the superstitions of the past.
1t is cheap and indolent way Of graphing
with these complex social problems. It de-
raands our greatest sincerity and consecrated
efforts for their solution instead Of passing re-
stricting laws in TIE hope of solving the prob
lem by doing away with it,"