Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1903 — SALVATION BY TELEPHONE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SALVATION BY TELEPHONE.

Novel Method of livlizioni Service Introdueed by- a Missourian. ‘‘Salvation by telephone; scripture reading by -Wire-; exhortation and benediction through the transmitter and receiver” —such is the novel method of holding services as put into practice by a

Missouri preacher. Sitting in a telephone booth on a recent rainy Sunday morning, he-preached in his community. Tire nniqne religious service was largely an experiment, but it was so successful that the minister himself believes* the day is almost at hand when telephonic sermons will be delivered all over the country. The ingenious preacher who has taken advantagehf the telephone is Rev. J. YV. Kimbfell of Madion, Mo. The majority of his parishioners live on-farms at considerable distances from the meeting house. The country roads bad been impassable and the attendance at ’lie church had dwindled away. - Horses could not drag vehicles through the mud, and many persons who were formerly regular attendants were compelled to remain at home. On a recent Sunday, while the rain waa pouring down in torrents, the idea of the telephone service suggested itself to Mr. Kimbrelf. He sought the manager of the telephone office, had transmitters arranged so he could.be put in communication with 200 subscribers and then began the services just as he would have done in church.. Even singing was carried on in the talephone office and the. words.and melody transmitted to Willingears miles away. Now that the movement has been started here there is a" demand that sermons shall be delivered •by telephones during bad weather. The preacher and his parishioners believe that the telephone ar innfeoion'ary is 'bound to come iato widespread use.

MANCHURIA AND ITS RELATION TO CHINA, JAPAN AND SIBERIA.