The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-09-25
KLANSMEN
ENTRANCES
DRAMAT
Contribute 5000 for Pur-
pose of Religious In
struCtion in Schools


made their first public appearances
in Hammond last evening when
Representatives OF the organization
made a dramatic entrance to the
First Baptist church and donated
5000 to the found for financing re-
ligious instruction In the public
schools.
1t was one of the most impress
sive events ever seen in Hammond
and yet it was done SO quietly and
Unexpectedly that the great crowd
in the church seemed not to realize
what was happening until the last
of the hooded figures had re-
treated from the auditorium.
Fully eco persons crowded the
main floor and balcony of the
church for the mass meeting which
opened this years campaign for
funds to conduct the non-denomin-
ational week day religious classes
in the schools. The high school
orchestra furnished a number of
selections while the crowd was
gathering.
Rev. J. c. Granger. pastor OF the
Baptist church, opened the serv-
ices A class of 100 children sang
the songs they have learned in the
weekday classes, recited the
twenty third psalm and the beauti-
full little prayer which is to music.
n. F. Forsythe, superintendent OF
religious instruction for the Calu-
met region, was introduced and
spoke briefly. He described the
course which Is being followed and
the textbooks which are being
used. He also told of some exper-
fences he has met with the work.
He then introduced DIR. George l.
Robinson.
DIR. Robinson. who Is a speaker
OF national reputation. opened his
remarks by complimenting the re-
gion on having a man like Mr.
Forsythe to direct the we day
religious work.
He gave his reasons why he
thought the Bible should be given
intensive reading. first warning the
youngsters against indiscriminate
reading. He said young people
should not waste their time read
ing worthless stuff when there is
SO much good material to read and
study. He used the ancient sim
Hes in describing the four types of
read ers-the sponge which absorbs
everything. good and bad: the fun
mel which allows materials to run
out as fast as received, the cloth
strainer which let's the good pass
through and keep the dregs; the
seive which separates the good
wheat from the dust and chaf
Summing up his discussion OF the
Bible he hold that its strong point
over other literature is that at
every stage 1t challenges the read
er to think and he backed UP his
statement with examples chosen
from the books of the Bible which
most people least important.
Then came the call for cash sub
scriptions. Cards were passed out
in the audience and as they were
brought TO the pulpit. DR.. Robin
son read of the amounts There
were several for 500. some for $50,
more for $25. still more for $40
and more than a hundred for So
There were many smaller amounts
also.
DR.. Robinson finally decided that
the last dollar was In. He gave
way to Rev. Granger. The pastor
made a final plea for subscriptions
and then proceeded with the clos
ing services. The children were
asked to sing their closing song.
The little tots had just started
Father, We Thank Thee" when
there was a stir at the two en-
frances to the auditorium.
Men who had been standing near
pressions OF surprise and wonder
on their countenances
simultaneously through the two
doors two lines of the white robed
and hooded men advanced. They
met at tbs middle asile. faced front
across the back OF the austoriuna
and stood motionless. There were
twelve OF them. Then the thir-
teenth appeared.
without a sound. the thirteenth
strobe down the west aisle until he
faced the pulpit He saluted the
pastors and speakers assembled
there and extended an envelope.
The men on the stage hesieated
The surprise OF It all took them
OFF their feet for the moment. But
a preacher is not wanting in ac-
tion long. Several of them reached
for the envelope.
Having delivered his gift. the
masked visitor faced the crowd.
disclosing to the view OF all the
insignia of the Ku Kirx Klan on
lContinued on Page Pivel