Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-04-30
THE CHURCH ON WHEELS"
What Rev. Moses Hill Said about the
Practical Workings Of the Crusade.

The Cleveland Leader says: In ac-
cordance with request that seems to
nave many indorsers, we publish the re-
marks make by Rev. Moses Hill at re-
cent meeting, which at the time the
crowded condition of the leader columes
made impossible TO mention, except
very briefly. Mr.. Hill, after speaking
upon Sunday School work for few
minutes, took up the subject of the cru
SADIE and spoke as follows:
"It is doubtful If the wisest of US fully
comprehend the designs of Providence
In this weman's crusade against intem-
perance. 1t seemed to start without
any human plan or consultation. 1t
Spreads most rapidly OF any movement
oI the kind before it, and its results
have been more abundant and wonder
Iul. But what seems to be manifest is,
that God is thus solving the long stud
led problem; How can The church reach
The masses OF the people, especially in
The larger cities We nave built church,
es large and small; have planted mis-
sions and appointed missionaries, and
still multiLuues are not reached. We
have held meetings in public places, in
The open air, at various points in the
cities, and We have, nevertheless, failed
largely TO reach any considerable por-
tIon or the people who absent them
selves from our churches. Are no
these women showing us Gods plan for
reaching these people,?
4 h,c haa,, of
tual in stirring the whole country on
the subject of temperance, would it
not reach them on any other moral
question ? This is carrying the gospel
10 the people, going into all the world
into the highways and hedges. 1t is
living church in motion, not only a
travelling ministry, but a travelling
church; whole church with all that
pertains to Divine worship, going from
goint CO point; preaching praying and
singing as they 20. These women are
showing us how to take the whole gos-
pei and give it to all the people without
money and without price. These bands
take with them congregation of ten
der sympathizing Christians. They
have with them the open Bible and
hymn book; they have their prayer
meeting, their choir; ready to sing,
pray or preach. And if they don't find
the people in one place they can easily
pass on to another, preaching as they
go. If they are shut out at one place
the next door, perhaps, will be opened
to them; and SO they go, a church on
foot, or a church on wheels. Now,
shall this movement be discouraged
Shall we change the manner Of doing
this work, which has proven itself SC
efficient. Shall we put in its place some
other plan which has not been tried
or, if tried, has proved a failure? No
"Whereunto we have attained, let us
mind the same things and walk by the
same rules. Let us, rather, double the
force already in the field. Not only
the women, but let the men join their
ranks old menwith grey hairs, young
men and maidens. Let the whole force
visit the highways and hedges, and
look for the lost sheep of Israel. Thai
which has wrought SO powerfully fol
temperance will do the same for every
good cause. God has set before us an
open door, and let us bring the people
from the highways, that the house o.
the Lord may be filled"