Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1918 — SEE THRONG HIT SAWDUST TRAIL [ARTICLE]

SEE THRONG HIT SAWDUST TRAIL

RENSSELAER PARTY ATTENDS SUNDAY MEETING AT CHICAGO THURSDAY. At the invitation of Rev. W. GWinn, pastor of the Irving* Park Christian church, and former pastor of the F’rst Christian church of this city, the following parties attended the Billy Sunday meeting in Chicago Thursday evening: William L. Frye, Homer Hendricks, Elmer Wilcox and L. H. Hamilton. Sunday had extended a special invitation to the Men Classes of the north side of the great city to come in delegations. The Rensselaer party fell in with the delegation from Brother Winn’s class. There were a number of very large delegations from the big churches of that part of the city. Many had brought along banners, bands, -drum corps and other means of making public demonstration. The great tabernacle on the lake was filled to capacity and it was estimated that 16,000 people were present. Homer A. Rodeheaver, director of the singing, was in great spirits and was delighted with the music furnished by the many delegations. He called on a large number of them to stand up and asked them what song they liked best. This part of the programme would have been considered quite sufficient for most occasions, but it was simply the prelude of this one. The great Billy Sunday’s sermon on the subject “The Time Has Come” stirred the throngs to the highest pitch of enthusiam. He made telling ’drives upon Satan, Sin and the Kaiser. While there were many striking passages in this address, and while the evangelist put much of the spectacular in his igestures, yet the sermon seemed to have for its purpose the touching of the heart strings, which caused many to hit the sawdust trail. No greater appeal could have been made by mortal man. It was full of human interest and its telling effect was shown by over two thousand puple troing forward and taking the hand of Sunday am- thereby pledging their support to the great revival now being held in the world’s greatest city.

The number of pledges signed last night must have been large as it was considered Sunday’s best “first night.” It was our first opportunity to bear the great preacher. He is a ‘ power for good and we were impressed with the expression he made. “I am for God.” When ever you want to know what side of a question Sunday is on, just find out which side God is bn. The Rensselaer party had splendid seats at the meeting and also enjoyed a delightful evening with one of the finest hosts one ever meets. Rev. Winn has our thanks for this. He was assisted in this royal treatment by his genial friend, Mr. Kelley.