Fair, bright and cold. Arose 7:30 A.M. Shaved, washed etc. Breakfast. Worked on psychology paper. Christian F. Reisner spoke at 10:30 A.M. in chapel on Church advertising. Very good. Dinner. Worked 12 M to 2 P.M. Class 2:15. Studied. Supper. Studied. To bed 12 P.M. Thankful.
**********
Christian F. Reisner (1872-1940) was a graduate of BUST in 1896. He went on to become a successful Methodist minister, starting in Kansas City. He wrote many books in his lifetime, and had a particular style of presentation that was very popular. Here is a quote from one author, Jack Anderson, about how clergy influenced the development of modern dance; he speaks of Reisner's way of working a crowd:
Indeed, Reisner was a showman. His services resembled vaudeville bills and combined prayers and Bible readings with performances by magicians, acrobats and birdcall imitators. He was especially famous for what he called his "snow sermon," preached every July atop a mountain of ice that had been placed in the sanctuary. That was surely a sight to behold on a hot Sunday. No wonder, then, that he attracted standing-room-only crowds. (New York Times, 27 Sep 1992)
I wonder if Rev. Reisner included any theatrics in his speech at BU?
No comments:
Post a Comment