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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Nazarenes were holding a camp meeting in a tent near Pacific Avenue and Pittsburg Street and the preacher could be heard shouting from four blocks away.

“Oh, Lord, save these sinners from eternal hell fire,” he shouted, along with other variations on the same theme.

He added ominously that some people in the tent may be in hell “before morning.”

“If you women make goo-goo eyes at men, God knows it, and he will hold it up against you on the Judgment Day,” said preacher Clyde C. Dilly, of Coeur d’Alene. “Suppose the trumpet was to sound tonight, and the earth was to sink away and the heavens dissolve – where would you be then? The day of judgment is coming soon, and it will be a day of tears. You may not cry tonight, but you’ll cry then.”

Two policemen were on hand, because on the previous night, “a gang of boys broke up the gathering.”

This night was more orderly, although “audible giggling could be heard from groups of children in the rear of the tent.”

However, the majority of the crowd in the circular, lamp-lit tent were “swept away at the emotional spirit” and many fell to their knees and asked God to save them.