The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-04
FIFTY-THIRD STREET
CHURCH.
BAPTIST

REVIVAL SERVICES BY REV. A. p. GRAVES, THE
EVANGELIST, AND MR. WEEKS, VOCALIST.
At the Fifty third street Baptist church yesterday
morning services were held by the Rev. A. P. Graves,
evangelist assisted by Mr.. George s. Weeks revival
singer who expects to be engaged with Messrs Moody
and Sankey when they begin their labors in New York
The congregation was not very large one Indeed
Mr. Graves when about to give the first hymn re.
marked that in the daily prayer meetings which had
been held at Lyric Hall during the past week the
average attendance larger than the congregation no
saw before him. Mr. Weeks was introduced by the
evangelist and after taking his place at the melodeon,
the hymn commencing
The morning light is breaking
The darkness disappears,
started the congregation joining in quite heartily.
Mr. Graves then said that for long time it had been u
grave matter OF doubt with him whether tho old
fashioned way OF conducting religious services was the
most effective Usually too much devolved upon the
pastor and he proposed to make the aymen shoulder
portion OF the labor He then called upon one of tho
brethren to lead in prayer The prayer concluded Mr.
Weeks called upon for a solo. Before commencing
to sing he made few remarks in which he spoke Of
the Christians comforting assurance that "Grace is
sufficient for all things. Is there balm in Gilead2
oh, yes, it is found in being near to the precious
Jesus"
There is no doubt that the singing of Mr. Weeks not
to deract all from the labor OF the evangelist is
most powerful auxiliary to the work being carried on
He possesses not only remarkably sweet but powerful
voice. and the effect OF the refrain OF hymn which
he repeated several times very marked His pro-
fessona experience stands him in good stead for he
was formerly negro MINSTREL and he has the power of
varying the expression OF his face suit the sentiment
Of the hymn whether be that OF joy grief pleading
triumph Mr. Graves then read tho lfty -drs Psalm
making comments upon each verse as he went along.
Mr. Weeks again sang in really touching manner
well known hymn. Mr.. Graves then related an anec-
dote of young man who had fallen away from the
faith. he (hr Graves once asked him, "Do you know
that the Saviour is seeking for you?" "No, | never
looked at u in that light was the reply. Are you
trying to find JesusSn Eyes, think / am - 'sWell
how long do you think it will take seeking Saviour to
find seeking snnerYn brethren, the collection will
be taken upn The collection having been attended
to prayer followed, aud after the hymn "All hail the
power OF Jesus name' had been sung by the congrega
ton Mr. Graves preached a short discourse. The text
was taken from the ffty first Psalm, portion Of the
twelfth verse, Restore unto the joy of thy saliva
ton" You will remark, said the preacher that David
this prayer does not ask to be made Christian He does
not ask to be given hopo have hope already TO
have restored TO me the JOY OF thy salvation will
deavor briefly 70 give one or two reasons why you and
and all OF us protesting Christ have need 10 offer up
this same prayer In the first place God has revealed
that every child OF His should live always in the Joy OF
His religion He does not want Us to have Of
JOY and light at one time and then a corresponding
season OF darkness and depression Not at all He
wants US TO enjoy 365 days the year Ii is the PRIV
iege OF Christians to walk in tho light of the Lord
and to be with Him al all times If all Christians
would only make the most OF this precious privilege
what power there would be in the Word Some years
ago young man who had been converted in Brooklyn
fell away, and meeting him shortly after he told
that he was walking in darkness Then repeated him
this passage of Scrpture:-'I am Jesus Christ the
same yesterday to-day and tomorrow The trouble
is not with Christ but with your heart Fly to
Christ at once and rest assured there will be
hours Of darkness Again 1t is the privilege of all
Christians 70 walk with Christ not merely in theory,
but practically and in your everyday experience.
Another reason why you should possess this Joy s
because II you profess religion and do not walk In its
JOY you necessarily dshonor Jesus. Who TO
the cross and went away without melted hearth IL
you have not this JOY do get it now You represent
Jesus. He Is not here in person lie
True He has left His Holy Spirit but the place for the
Holy Spirit is in tho hearts OF men. Mr. Graves then
said that II the churches were not warmed up in the
love Of Christ the young converts who were brought
into the fold would be chilled and would stray away
from the House Of the Good shepherd Before closing
he referred TO the manner which the late Dr. Porte
Gus met his death. He concluded by asking OF tho
congregation the following question: ana mplored
answer in their own hearts now, before God and the
cross-Do you enjoy the religion Of CHRISTI II you do
not then beg Of you to offer up the prayer Of the text
"Restore unto me the JOY Of thy salvaton.n Mr.
Weeks then sang, and the services brought to
close by the benediction.