St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-04-08

converted. On the fOlloWlng day, the |
father, going to his countingroom at
late hour in the afternoon, found the
son in tears, bending over his Bible.
He had just returned from the John
street prayer meeting, where he narra-
ted his religious experience.
The next speaker was a young man
of about % years of age, who attrlDu-
ted his ability to raise his voice be-
fore public assembly ta the JOY and
boldncss which his experience had
given him. He made an earnest ap-
peal to the young men to forsakc the
error of their ways
At this moment, there came in from
the neighborhood of the theatre IA vol
ume of musical sound--thc singing Of
hymn i'll another meeting. Mr.
Bcccher rose, and stepped to the
footlights. Raising his hand, he stood
quietly moment, fixing the attention
of the audience before he spoke.
Brethren" said he, "do you hear that?
Stop a moment. That's the sound of
worship out of the old barroom of this
theatre Let us spend two minutes
in silent prayer and thanksgiving !"
lie resumed his seat, and for the two
succeeding minutes the falling of u
pin could have been heard. Then fol-
/ lowed prayers for Mr.. Burton, the
owner of the theatre. One old gentle
man in the first gallery, prayed that the
request of Mr.. Burton to be remember
ed in the petitions offered up in this
meeting, might be blessed to his ben
eft. A young man in the highest gal
| lcry prayed that he whom we had
often seen before these footlights,
portraying human nature, might be
brought to the feet of Jesus" Other
incidents added to the peculiar inter
est of the occasion.
The hour of one approaching, Mr..
Bcechcr again came forward and
closed the exercises with few re-
marks. He was about to give out the
final hymn, when general shout of
Go on, go on came from all parts
| of the house, followed by cries of
"Kccp it up all day" Mr. Bcccher
reminded the people that the time
designated was expiring, be punctual
in all things, and that the meeting
should he closed at the hour, while
those who choose might remain.
In Chicago, at the various churches
in that city the daily meetings for
prayer and cxhortation continue with
unahatcd interest. The great central
point Of attraction is the Union Prayer
Meeting at Metropolitan Hall, at .
o'clock NJ of each day. There the
thousands congrcgatc. On Saturday
the spacious room was again packed
full. and hundreds of persons We're
turned away by inability to gain ad-
mission.
Sunday there were several ser
, mons having direct reference to the
, existing state of things, preached tc
large and attentive congregations
while all the discourses of the day
had more or less illusions to the cu'
crossing theme. The churches were
very much crowded, and marked i'll
terest was displayed by all classes ot
hearers. The evening services in &
few of the places of assembling were
unusually animated. The clergy
though much worn by their arduou'
labors Of the past two wceks-thei
G frequent public services and thei
e many hopeful private conferences
n with those whose conscienccs ar
II pricked--provcd equal to the draft
S made upon them; and the opinion i
everywhere expressed, that Chicag
@ had never known such a Sunday bt
d fore.