The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-15
THE NEWARK AWAKENING.
THE WIDOW T1Y COTT,S WARM Ar
PE1LS TO THE SINFUL.
Tho story OF the Conversion Retoid with
vigor-Au Altar that was surrounded by
Penitents-Tho True Christians Course.

Tho Story OF the Conversion Retoid with
vieor-Au Altar that was surrounded by
Penitents-Tho True Christians Course.
When Mrs Van Colt stepped upon the
platform of the Sunday school room In the
Clinton street NJ. Il. Church I'm Newark yester-
day, she was received by an audience that was
double the size Of the one Of the previous day.
AZ or singing hymns she recounted the sad
story Of her life, Of her groupings toward the
light of heaven, and her subsequent conversion.
She had lost her child, she said. and though the
tnictlon nearly broke her heart, still she was as
hardened toward Christ as before. Then her
fathor-in- law became insane and deGthly sick,
and as he drew near to the gate Of shadows he
was Unconscious and closed his eyes. lie lay in
this way for many days, but Just before his
death he opened his lids and gave her
one long, steady, terrible look. Then he turned
and sped and died. 81 could not forget that
look, continued the widow van COtt. III
haunted me 10y day aud Rl0wcrcd on mo IN the
night. was gay and ffiNolo us, and strove to
bury that terrible death-bed stare IN the pleas
ures of the theatre ana opera, but could not
do It, While was still struggling in the sea OF
doubt and conviction. my husband was taken III.
and soon he, too, was laid In the grave. My grief
was uncontrullable, but bore up 10y the strength
Of my pilGe and refused to humble myself be:
father-in-law followed me wherever | went, but
| could not get rid Uf It do wnat | might. IL
haunted me and reoroached me, and was tor
turcd beyond endurance. At length the time
came. J had tlkcu 40 my husband S business,
that OF wholesale druggist and was On my way
To my Duane street Ciilcc, IN New York, when
tho sudden conviction came. IL was right under
the shadow Of the old John street CHURCH, aud
then gave myself 10 completely to the tower
Of God. Since thea have been following the
course that am now pursuing, and though
am a poor, worthless representative. of Christ,
still am doing tho little III can Tor tho ad-
vancement OF the kingdom OF Heaven.
About twenty persons, old men with whito
locks. aud young men and women. knclt humbly
ut the altar. and Mrs. Van Cott exclaimed sud
denly from n distant part Of the room, "Oh, let
VA have word Of prayorl" She fell upon her
knees. and earnestly petiuoned that God would
give to certain young man who had risen for
PRAYER the power TO put on we robes OF sark.
| jubilee. "On, for q sin-k'llinR hour" she
PRAYED, ian hour In which the spiendor OF the
Mrs Van Colt went among the surpllcants at
the pulpirs edge and asked them 20 speak out
sister, aud tell us 10" you feel, she SAID to one,
and then the woman arose and said II feel
am child OF God know am I've been 80
for over a year, and | never felt such hapI iness
aud peace and joy before. And now want you
u Dry for dear brother OF mine who Is not In.
side the fold. ] want him to be saved, aud
pray for hun, and / want you to pray for him.
| II worldn't give that" exclaimed Mrs Van
| Cott snapping her lngers, for Christian at
goes to heaven In "A hOwery bed OF ease. You
must nght, brothers and sisters; aud 1t Is
through suffering md trial that YOU can hope to
WIN the impershatle crown
A. the congregation sang n feryld hymn, Mrs.
| Van Cott said to pale, trembling gill, who
| knelt ~ the altar with her handkerchief at her
| eyes, " Ny dear sister, IS that the language OF
your herttt'
Yes, feel that am saved, thank God r. was
| the feeble answer.
at H. just nine years AGO last Sunday, at half
! past three o'clock, since | became a Christian
| and gave NY heart entirely to God said an.
| uther pcuiient. and feel perfectly certain OF
saivatlOn; bat must make open confession that
| until IA year ago was afraid 10 tell the story OF
Jesus IA church. But now everything IS clear,
ana am happy and fearless.
Ht Is i
| fallen heavily upon the little congregation be-
fore the aitcrr Don session was closed, and then
| Mrs. Van Cot, a. though anxious To Improve
| every Oppurtunity, talked with all the wotsnip-
pers as .hCy went from the house.
| At the evening meeting the house was
| thrupgei az in. Mrs. Van Cott poke IN touch.
| ing tones uf the great Suffering Of Christ. 81
| eloquent were her wurIs ana SO intense hcr eX
| PIE. IONS that half the congregation were
| Affected 10 tears.
stand up, stand up" she. said. and many
rose to their fcet to hc prayed for.