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Riis, Jacob A., 1849-1914

"The Making of an American"

They only shut the doors a little tighter at that.
It did not mend matters that about that time I tried a little
truth-telling in my own fold and came to grief. It did not prove
to be any more popular on Long Island than in New York. I resigned
the diaconate and was thinking of hiring a hall--a theatre could be
had on Sunday--wherein to preach my lay sermon, when I came across
Dr. Schauffler, the manager of the City Mission Society, and Dr.
Josiah Strong, the author of "Our Country." They happened to be
together, and saw at once the bearing of my pictures. Remembering
my early experience with the magic lantern, I had had slides made
from my negatives, and on February 28, 1888, I told their story in
the Broadway Tabernacle. Thereafter things mended somewhat. Plymouth
Church and Dr. Parkhurst's opened their doors to me and the others
fell slowly into line.
I had my say and felt better. I found a note from Dr. Schauffler
among my papers the other day that was written on the morning after
that first speech. He was pleased with it and with the collection
of $143.


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