SISTER AIMEE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 194, 2 September 1937, Page 10

SISTER AIMEE

-Own Correspondent.)

Sfiil Draws the Crowds in America AMAZING SERVICE

(By Air Mail-

LONDON, Aug. 7. Hollywood is only a few miles away, but as the painted city of films is not a place to visit on the Sabbath I decided to let it wait until later, says Trevor Wignall, writing from Los Angeles to the Daily Exprees.. My first discovery on arrival was that so many conventions are being held here that the main lvotel was jammed. Most of tho inhabitants were out on the beachos. and there wero said to bo half a niilJion at Santa Monica, 12 miles distant. My Sundav, therefore, was as quiet as it would have been in London, I hesitated between goiug to a new pieture and to hear Evangelist A.imee Semplo McPherson. I chose Aimee. 5000 Saw Her, The impression' in America is that Sister Aimeo has had her day and that her influence has waned; that was not borne out at tho huge and ornate Angelus Temple. Tho place was packed with 5000, and hundreds wero turncd away. When Aimee 's co-preacher, Floyd B. Johnson, asked visitors to California to declare themselves more than half the congregation stood up. Sistcr Aimee made a niagnifieent entrance. Flooded with limelight she marched down the length of the ehurch to roarmg cheers wearing a beautiful white gown "with drapings to her arms uo arranged that when her arms were extended they exactly resembled wings. fjhe carried an enormous bunch of rcd roses, and there were gardenias in her xestments. Oii her bosom was a vast cross. On either si.de of her were whiterobed angels. In front a brass band and behind another orchestra of gujtars and a terrifie trombone player. She is a restless woman, and for the three hours slio was on the stage shc was fussing With her Marcelled golden bair, fidaiing with a microphone or issuing loud orders to her many atten-' dants. Throughout the procee.dings there was as much premedi,tated comedy and laughter as solemnity and fsrvent "amens." Aimee continually cracked j"okes, the riehest of which preceded one of the three collections. She asked the gathei'ing the differenco between a Scot and a canoe. The answer appeared to be that a canoe caa tip. Aimee 's Dog, Even during thfe one-hour) sermon Aimeo indulged mainly in anecdotes. Her sermon was illustrated with strange noises through loudspeakers, by the appearance of a small dog which Aimee took into her arms and hugged, by the warblings of a male quartette and by a series of tableaux vivants. These latter remiinded me of niy smallboy days when I was leading performer at Band of Hopeentertainments. Aimeo looked youthful and lovely with a blaek curtain to silhouette her form and with every light in tbo building foeussed on her face. She made great play with her slalwart son, whom sho called forward to kiss to add to her words. The rather amatcurish tableaux wero intended to illustrate the spots to which good and bad are destined. Aimee spoke extempore and was neve r at a loss' for a phrase. She indieated when applause and "amens" were desired^ but all through thore wa? clapping of hands and cheers. The most astonishing event of tho evening was an honest-to-goodness wedding on the stage with organ and bands all playing the Wcdding March. Aimee offlciated, and save fof the omission of the word "obey" the ceremony was practically identicai with that of the Church of England. Two-thirds of the congregation wero women, who were compolled to renlove their hats when AimeO appoafed. She says she will shortly conduct another campaign in England, but I notieea that her angels are not now young and attraetive women, but middle-aged matrcns. ~ To me her 'sermon and gcneral fiuttoring about provided remarkable entertainment, but the only proposal I care- to iuake is that Sho should be htopped from singing.