Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1919 — GREAT RELIGIOUS CLASH IS COMING [ARTICLE]

GREAT RELIGIOUS CLASH IS COMING

BILLY SUNDAY ACCEPTS CHALLENGE OF HUNDREDS OF MINISTERS. The following article, taken from the Warsaw (Ind.) Times, tells of the coming of the greatest religious clash in the history of the state — that between the Rev. Billy Sunday and some several hundred ministers from various parts of the country—and should prove of genuine interest to our readers. The article follows: Behind the scenes of the proposed week of old fashioned camp meeting revival services of the world famous evangelist at Winona Lake August 15-22 there lies a great challenge and an equally courageous acceptance of that challenge. No m an wfljo has espoused the calling of an evangelist has ever held forth at Winona Lake for more than two services in any one season and that merely a preaching service. And although Winona as the home of the Interdenominational Association of Evangelists no corps of evangelists has ever essayed an evangelistic campaign at Winona. Some have said it was 'because of fear of failure, but this seems ill founded when it is known that Winona is the gathering place for thousands of religious workers every summer. Still it is intimated that this is the reason no evangelist has been willing to face the task. Then the challenge was flung to the greatest of them all, Billy Sunday himself. Sunday hesitated. “A prophet is not without honor save in his own country,.” is said to have given him pause. On the other hand, he was thought to fear facing those hundreds upon hundreds of ministers whom he has flayed so unceasingly during bis evangelistic career. It would be his most critical audience. In addition to the ministers there wbuld Ibe a great corps of evangelists than whom he has labored more greatly and successfully. Would he accept the challenge? With that courage for which he is justly famous “Billy” faced the facts and flung his hat in the ring and said, “Will open an Winona August and also open the sawdust trail the first meeting and to all comers.” He has crossed his Rubicon. The mightiest battle of his career is begun. Will he be able to conquer in the face of his peculiar odds? Appreciating the task before him, Billy summoned his entire corps of evangelistic workers, headed by Rodeheaver, recently from overseas, and is making the most intensive preparation of his entire career. Northern Indiana is to be treated to the greatest religious conflict of her career. There is a larger battle on at Winona than any one except those behind the scenes know. Will the great assemblage at Winona be in at the death of the famous evangelist? Is this the Waterloo of the prophet of righteousness? *ls this the turning point in the career of the greatest since St. Paul? Speculation is rife amongst the great crowd already assembled at Winona. Northern Indiana is sitting up and taking notice that there is Something (doing in li®r midst shat will make Toledo be a forgotten place of 'bag battles, for the great struggles of history have been those of ideals. This is to sjettle whether the tabernacle type of evangelism as conducted iby Mr. Sunday is to go into the discard or to continue a powerful moulding« force in the religious world. Mr. Sunday and has workers are confident of his success. He himself is in 'better fettle than ever in his long career. WiR he fail? August 15 to 22 alone can tell. In the meantime expectancy rules.