Star-dust in Hollywood (1930)

Star-dust in Hollywood thigh-deep in the water, received and doused the white-robed converts in batches of three. The strength of the revivalist must have been extraordinary. Three converts stood together while Aimee and her assistant joined hands behind their back. The baptizers then seized the two outside converts by the nose and lowered the group bodily backward into the water, raising it again with the centre figure spluttering and snorting. The muscle necessary to lower and raise one hundred and thirty persons is not to be despised. Now the use of Aimee's long sleeves was perceptible ; soaked cotton shows the figure, so over drenched women the veiling sleeve was quickly thrown. As the converts climbed from the tank a towel flapped from behind the scenes and drew them to dryness. As each convert stepped into the water his or her name was read aloud, but Aimee kept up a running comment : " This man was an accordion player in the cabarets of wickedness ; now he has found Glory. Praise the Lord ! " " This man was a Catholic. We have rescued a soul from the scarlet woman. Praise the Lord ! " A young man of some six feet three stepped into the tank. " Say, folks, we'll have to fold this man up like a jackknife to get him to Glory. " This young man's mother is listening in up in San Francisco to hear him go to Glory. Now, don't you want to say a word to your dear old mother before you are saved? Bring the microphone up here." The microphone was held to the young man's lips. He turned scarlet with confusion, stuttered, and finally roared out : "Hullo, Mother!" "Praise the Lord" and "Glory" beat the air during the whole ceremony, but at last the long procession of drenched figures finished, and the congregation in turn left the Temple. [260]