The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-31
TIE GOSPEL IN NEWBURGH,
THE RETTYiL MEETINGS CONDUCT
ED BY MRS FdN corr.


Womnn's PRAYERS Exborintions. and SER
mons -Newiy-Mnds Christians Relating
their Experiences-Fixing for Watch Night.
NEwBURGH, Dec. 3O.-St. Johns Meth
odlst Episcopal Church was filled this evening
with an eager throng. Women in rich attire sat
by the side OF bury men. whose woather-beaten
faces and coarse clothing proclaimed that they
werc river men, to hear what woman had TO
say about religion. Mrs. Van Cott has been
preaching here about two weeks, and the result
was manifested In the large attendance Of this
young converts meeting. Seen from the church
doors, as she stood behind the altar railing, sho
was ruddy- faced, buxom matron, with brown
hair smoothed across a broad forehead aud
gathered In old fashioned pufrs at tho sides. The
strings OF her bonnet fell behind her shoul-
ders. A white collar and bit Of lace at
her wrists relieved the sombre tint OF her
black dress. aud o single rose In nest Of ger
ranium leaves rested upon her bosom. Seen
nearer. her eyes proved to be dark gray, her
nose and mouth small and well formed, and her
chin Grm, but also dclicatoy formed. A woman
Of Will and stamina evidently. when she spoke
It was noticeable that the hard work TO which
her voice IL daily subjected had affected IL seri-
Ously
II was a sort Of experience meeting, and the
young converts enc after amt tner arose and told
of their hopes Hnd fears. cane here last
saturday night Tor the lr-t time" laid young
".
Monday | havc found the Lord. | an not
ashamed to stand up aud tel it; let any one
look at ne; mere stand. tghiiug for Jesus !"
aud then his voice broke, AMI he sat dcwn weep
ing amid a chorus II amons. Aud then the
whole cor gregation broke forth IN the JuOilant
hymn.
Iss taken my feet from tho ,ury clay,
Anc nos placed them 90 the ljtS OF Ages.
My dear friend ircmblingly whispered tho
youth; az ne arose; I'm on the rock aud I'm
A man arose and said that he had been hotel
keeper ~ in the country, ana he always preach
added, 81 didn't believe IT, and I've given up
the dnctrinc ana run. selling, and am going TO
" tried TO ike that doctrine. too" said an
other; " II was good belief 10 sell rum by, but
Then Mrs. Van Coit gave out a hvmn and
asked those who wanted to ion tho churcn,
on probation, to come to the altar.
While the choir was singing. about thirty went
forward, and she passed from one to tho other
ahlns them by the hand and encouraging
th"m with helpful words, "Sick Il -iuy want
u get rid Of ~ 10 young man. "God bless
YOU, my son y Gfa.pips the hand Of cereworn
ana siteniihen thy soui cast al your burdens
upon him. q" The Lord bless thee, dear child"
she Iehucty Whispered TO young eiri; com
lhg IN all thv heautii Al sun, my youth, how jeal
GUS you make me for when look at my youth
| see 50 much joy. lost for not seeking the
saviour eatller.' And so she confOrted and
encouraged the weak ones.
Then she ascendei the pulpit aud chose these
words for her text!
She had heard thirteen different excuses from
those wnom she had urged to give their hearts
70 the saviour since she went To NeWb burgh. ono
had not the time. " 40 tine for religion 10 aud
her voice rang out Ike trumpet, while the gray
cies flashed. NO timel What will you do
without religion throughout oternity7 What
Will YOU do when the world IS fro1 What
VIII YOU do when YOU are commanded to meet
the reward Of an ungodly life In the kingdom
prepared for your
Another had said that there would be plenty
oi time by and by. Plenty Of time When the
death angel Is on the wingl Plenty OF time,
when men ire dropping all around. God says
now Is the accepted time" And so she ran
through the list Of excuses, now persuadins,
now chidtng.
After a half hour OF such talk. she invited
those who J"sired to come to Jesus To step to
the altar, and while the shoir sang. she went
among the listeners and earnestly talked with
them.
A.out dozen at length went to the altar, and
then rrayer after prayer went up for them, W nile
the church reGcbOed with amens and shouts of
rejoicing.
Tomorrow Is to be observed as a day OF fest
ing and prayer, ana in the evening will begin the
watch meeting that Will continue until Now
Years morning. or New Years day" said Mrs.
Van COtt, for want to make a night u It."