The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-12-16

"Sister" Aimee stands in that tenn
pie, her spirited head held high,
her arms appraised to heavens
dome in commanding, beseeching
gesture.
The two "silver bands" blare
their blood stirring brasses. The
symphony orchestra fills a lun with
its muted appeal. The great choir
of men and women, sitting above
the altar platform where Sister
Aimee stands. lifts it's crescendo OF
blended voices to the impassioned
climax of Aimee's far-flung halle.
lujahs.
Healing the Sick
Sister Aimee in the temple
healing the sick. The long line of
pitiable wrecks passing before her.
Sister Aimee saying with heart
breaking tenderness as she lays
hands on them: This little ais
ter has cancer. Pray for her"
This brother has tuberculosis.
Pray for him. So on down the
line that passes before her. and
down the list of diseases that as.
sail the flesh.
The choir singing "Jesusi Jesus!
the Physician Who Never Lost
Caser' The audience moaning and
praying. The Temple workers, men
and women. trained to take up the
cure where "Sister" Aimee leaves
off. They kneel at the altar rail
with the sick supplicants,. their
arms about their necks, their voices
whispering healing words. Words
that Sister Aimee has trained
them to say.
Three Generalities
One Of the workers explained to
me that there are three generalities
that bring these people In unusual
" large number on Saturday night.
Physical illness. Family trouble: FL
nancial trouble.
With the general answers to
those besetments as basis, the
workers improvise impassioned COM
fort for the sick and weary and
discouraged who kneel at the altar
rail after Sister Aimee has finished
her brief healing ritual.
But all the time this is going on
at the foot of, the altar. Sister"
Aimee must keep the SHOW" go
ing. With tongue of fire, or words
softer than honey from the comb.
she raises her voice at just the
right moment.
WnGn she WdIhS dCEOSS LiC oAC0A
platform, tambourIne in curved arc
over her head, she is rhythmic but
never vulgar.
Queen Over All
It is "sister" Aimee, superb show
woman that she Is, who WHITES
every moment for that drab audi
ence and lifts it out Of its sodden
depression. at least temporarily.
It is Sister" Aimee on Thurs
day night who makes the baptismal
something more than q duckling.
No one heckles her about green
bathing suit as she steps down into
that marble pool behind the altar
where those immersed can be seen
blythe audience to the waist line.
1sSister" Aimee is inherently the
atricaI enough to have designed just
the right robes for herself. Heavy
white serge with deep, wide wings.
She holds her arms Outstretchcd
like a MicIlaeIangelO angel.
She never cuts a ridiculous figure
in the waters Of the baptismal
fount. How she looks in her green
bathing suit cannot say. She had
on dark blue one the day I saw
her at the beach,
InspiratiOnaI Show
Those seeking baptism in the
waters of the Angelus Temple bring
their own clothes. Only Sister
Aimee and the elder who helps her
are provided with garments. His
costume is a duplicate Of ''Sister"
Aimee's.
And It Is "Sister" Aimee at the
three great Sunday meetings who
carries the whole inspiratiOnal
''shOw," who keeps the waves Of
sound and color beating at their
senses, lifting them out Of every
day inertia into emotional ecstasy.
BUT
When the Temple is empty! When
the adorinR crowds have gone to
whatsoever peace their homes offer!
When Aimee is in that home OF hers
where there can never be peace until
this trial is over! When she has
taken off her evangelist's robes and
lets down"-then it is that grey
mask Of fear sometimes settles on
her face.
Study in Contrasts
She may have looked beautiful but
q moment before. Aimee has her
splendid moments. radiant. exultant.
But in those rare moments when
she permits herself to slump she
looks years older. Her full mouth
is so dry and white that 1t looks
almost pinched. The warm hazel
eyes become lack.luster.
Sometimes don't think my
shoulders are strong enough to carry
all this" she said one day, in such
mood. She had on an unflatterinG
black dress-bIaCk as her mood.
A visitor said: your followers
have not weakened. have they?'
Usually she challenges back to this
question with "Why. they would die
for me-they know am telling the
truth"
But on this off day she said:
"These terrible headlines every day
They are like water dripping. drip
ping, washing away at the edges I'M
| til some day the whole stone moves. p"
Worry Crops Up
Which would indicate that there
are times when Sister" Aimee wor-
ries. How could it be otherwise?
She Is human.
Consider the warning forces
sweeping about her.
The tangible ones. The forces
that will eliminate at the trial when
she must answer charges OF fraud
and conspiracy.
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