Life, 1926-04-08 · page 31 of 52
Life — April 8, 1926 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks shallow attempts to modernize religion and boost church attendance. Deacon Jones suggests installing a radio to attract parishioners to a struggling church in Milburn. When attendance actually *decreases* (from 179 to 119 to 67), he proposes adding motion pictures—which further flops. The joke's punchline: the church finally succeeds when Dr. Frisbee elopes with a woman named Asia Kagowan, drawing nearly 8,000 people—not from piety, but from scandal and gossip. The satire targets two things: (1) the notion that modern technology (radio, movies) can revitalize religion, and (2) the reality that people are more attracted to moral transgression and gossip than genuine spirituality. The joke undercuts both the church's misguided strategies and its congregation's priorities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OO tes aia we j Secee! masta, Steword: 17 MEAD a moral sense, matters at Milburn | ve rapidly going from bad to worse. Of the 8,000 inhabitants of that town, only 179 turned out to hear the new pastor, Dr. Frisbee, on Sun- day, April 11. After the sermon a meeting of the church officers was held, and ways and means of arousing the moral spirit of the town were thor- oughly discussed. “I suggest,” said Deacon Jones, we install a radio set.” The set was forthwith installed and at duly advertised The next Sunday, April 18, the attendance was 119. Deacon Jones then submitted another idea. “Motion pictures in the church,” he ounced, “will solve the prob A motion put in at once. Programs were circulated for the entertainment on the following Sunday. On April 25 the attendance was 67. Desperately resolved to wake up the people, Deacon Jones and Dr. Frisbee went into con- ference together. icture machine was Noah: Wat DOES THIS MEAN, STEWARD? TO FIND A DECK CHAIR TO FIT MIM. Deacon Jones Solves the Problem is the only “A Charleston thing that will do deacon. Accordin a Ch. was advertised for May 2. On that date the attendance was 43. Then, suddenly, came the great mo: rality wave. When Dr, Frisbee entered May the church on Sunday mornit 9, 7,998 people were gathered around the Deacon Jones had run away with Dr. Frishee's wife. Asia Kagowan, e to hear him prea AN AMERICAN FAMILY VISITS THE TAJ MAHAL, BOSS, THAT THE ELEPHANT HAS BEEN UP HE E From the Heights BEY He's very dem cratic, isn't he? Bity: Yes, in that snob bish way of his he sheds a few c comicbooks.com