The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-11-07


Forks Klan, Rev. F. Halsey Ambrose,
pastor of the First Presbyterian
church of this city, boasts that his
church has the largest attendance OF
any in the central West.
And it perhaps is the only church
in this part of the country that con-
ducts services to standing room
only" every Sunday, and where the
overflowing crowd is made up of both
friends and critics Of the spectacular
pastor, who not only openly proclaims
his high standing in the ranks of the
"Invisible Empire" but who almost
outdoes Billy Sunday in his some
what out-of-the-o ordinary pulpit meth
ods.
Fully three-quarters of an hour be-
fore the service has begun the church
is filled. A half hour before the main
auditorium is filed the Sunday school
room and galleries are opened. Fiji
teen minutes before ushers are plac-
ing chairs in the aisle. Ten minutes
before people are standing in the rear
Of the church and remain not for an
hour but for two hours (in the even
ing.) $780,. =. .
All Sects Represented
The crowd at the church is not only
Presbyterian but Methodist, Episco-
palian, Lutheran, Jewish, Catholic,
Adventist and non-sectarian. Mr..
Ambrose makes a boast that "This
church has the largest attendance Of
any in the central West and has had
it for five years"-the period Of his
ministry. eyes, that's right. I know
it. 1 always know what I am talk
ing about. That is why no one
checks up on me-"
eve have more men come to our
church than to all the other churches
in the city put together" he contin-
ued. 81 know one church in this city
where there are six ushers. Last
Sunday night five Of the six ushers
were here. I'd like to know who took
up the collection there" ~. '-
Dr.. Ambrose, in conducting his
service, cares not whit what he says
nor how he says it.
His Entrance Is Dramatic
Without question, DR.. Ambrose be-
lieves in dramatic effects. Does he
enter the pulpit while the robed choir
takes its place in the loft? No, in
deed. The choir has long since set
tied itself and the organist is part
way through a march which an
nounces as plainly as the lines Of 9
play that the star is about to make
his entrance. The audience turns ex-
pectantly towards closed door. It
swings wide open. The organ peals
triumphantly. Rev. F. Halsey Am
brose, pastor Of the First Presbyte-
rian church Of Grand Forks, King
KlEagle Of the Realm Of North Da-
kota, Ku Klux Klan, and Exalted
Cyclops Of the Grand Forks Klan,
steps confidently down the platform
The audience restrains applause.
While the congregation sings q
hymn Dr.. Ambrose arranges a great
sheaf Of papers, many of them afida-
Wits designed to support some of his
startling statements Then he reads
a scripture lesson in such manner
that every word is listened to with
interest. Another hymn and he il
ready for the announcements. A
male stenographer comes brisklJ
down the aisle and takes his place al
table. Dr.. Ambrose prepares him.
self against any comeback" he says
Here are few remarks from thu
pulpit:
"There will be a Salvation Army
drive here this week. Don't get of
as cheap as you can-Grand Forks
style. I've been in Grand Fork.
long enough to know. There is /
string Of sparrows from one end o.
this town to the other singing
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap"
''The minister Of q. church can b
pope Of the institution il he know
how. # he don't he can't, that's ALL
"Church membership is not an in
surance policy against the fires o
hen. The Lord doesn't Judge maj