Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-04-11
EyANGELIsTIc MEETINGS.

EvANGELISTIc MEETINGS.
: The evangelical work or series OF un1ol
meetings, under the leadership OF Mr.. an
Mrs. Stebbins. opened last night with two ser
vices at the same hour, one at the Congrega
tional Church and the other at the Sixth-stree
NJ. E. Church. The meetings to follow vii
for the present be held at the Congregational
Church, where arrangements have been mad,
for them. The pulpit platform has been ex
tended, so as enable the seating of larger
choir upon it. to aid the singing evangelists
This platform was last evening occupied by ;
large number of singers from all the churches
and many others. At the front Of it stooe
the small organ used in the service Of song
and arranged about the platform were some
large vases of beautiful vines and flow.
ers. At o'clock, the hour appointed
for the opening of the services, every
| seat Of the church was filed and
all available space in the auditorium
and gallerys, together with the outer
rooms and approaches, were threnged with
members of the various evangelical denomina-
lions OF the city, and very large reinforce
ments of citizens in whom the occasion had
excited religious interest. Large numbers
away.
There was strong feeling of expectation
in the minds of those present. a praise SER
vice Of half an hour, led By - hoir; under
direction of Charles Il. PiHfn, NJ. d..
preceded the regular services, at the close of
which MIR. and Mrs. Stebbins were an
nounced by Rev. Mr.. Henry, and sang with
the choir and congregation hymn No. 136,
More Love to Thee, Oh Christ. +"
M, o+f1rol arJ
Mr. Stebbins then related an incident
of Scotch divine who wrote upon the pave
meut in front OF his house the word Eter-
nifty" in large letters, and as people passed
by they Involuntary stop and go around it.
This made such an Impression upon them
that some of the officers of his church chis-
eled the word in the stone, where it remains
till the present time. That, he said, sug-
g sted the hymn - Eternity, which he then
sang, commencing "Oh the changing of the
bells"
Mr.. Stebbins posse, ses clear, resonant
voice, and sings with very distinct enun-
citation, making each word of the
song as distinct as in the best el1-
cutionarv reading. The style of his
singing may be characterized as dramatic,
and is exceedingly effective. There was a
hushed stiffness over the audience as the
song was rendered, and at its close percep-
tible sensation of qualification and feeling
of strong solemnity.
This was followed by reading of Scriptures
by MIR. Henry from the third chapter of Ma
lachi, commencing VIII man rob God ?"
Mr.. and Mrs. Stebbins then sang Behold
what manner of love-" after which Mr..
Henry spoke upon the subject of sanctifying
the body, the powers of thought, of feeling,
of conscience and the will TO God He began
by stating that every other object in the
world met the object for which it was
created, except man, and that man in conse-
quence of this failure to serve God has tried
various other expedients to satisfy the long
ings of his soul. He spoke in severe criti-
cism of the low tone of the lives of many
professed Christians; that they weaken their
moral power, their enjoyment of religion,
and their ability to serve God acceptably,
and in conclusion said that the only way in
which people can rise to their true position
in life is in the service of God.
The meeting was then closed with a song,
Room for Jesus" by Mr. and Mrs. Steb-
bins.
At the Sixth-street NJ E. Church there
was very large attendance, the church
being filed as to its seating capacity and
many being compelled to stand. The exer-
choir, followed by prayer, reading of Scrip
ture and an invocation by Rev. Mr.. Deal.
Mr.. De YOe, in excellent voice, then sang
" Flee as a Bird to the Mountain" rendering
it effectively Coronation was then sung
by the congregation, and Rev. Mr.. Bentley
made the announcements for the week and
collection was taken for incidental expenses.
MIS-. DR.. Piukham then sang Jesus,
Lover of My Soul" to the air 'Whtn
the Swallows Homeward Fly" by Franz
Abt. The song was given with deep feeling
tYrra a4i or tho bnaI1fyr and
symmetry Of the words. Rev. Mr.. Rice then
preached : brief sermon from the text.
Prepare to meet thy God Amos, iv.-12.
The central thoughts were that all should be
prepared to die to meet God. Prepared to
meet His great glory, surprising human con-
ceptiOn prepared to realize His infinite holt
ness, of which we have inspirational record
in the Bible. How shall we prepare? By
repentance first, by faith in Christ and his
promises next; and lastly, though not
necessity to entrance to the presence Of God,
by growth 10 grace-this last better fitting us
to comprehend the glory and holiness Of the
Almighty. Those not prepared are of two
classes-the Indifferent, and those who utterly
refuse. For this last there is no hope so long
IS they refuse, and they will come to the
Judgment day to be set aside with those for
ever debarred of the presence Of God. With
an exhortation for preparation he closed.
Mr.. and Mrs. StebDlnS then look charge OF
the meeting and sang Wonderful Words of
Life, and after prayer by Rev Mr.. Bentley
they sang Behold l Stand at the Door and
Knock" Mr.. Stebbins then made brief
exhortation, cordially inviting the people to
attend the weeks meeting and urging Chris
tians to work for a revival of interest in reli-
gion. The congregation then sang the Dox-
ology and was dismissed with the benedic-
ton.
The meetings of last evening prove that
already high degree of interest is enlisted,
and that public attention Is fully drawn to
the concerted effort to produce what is
termed by devout people religious awak
ening." To effect this purpose the main re-
lance viii be placed upon the deep religious
fervor of the singing by Mr.. and Mrs. Steb-
bins. 1t was plainly noticeable last evening
at both the meetings held that eager expect
ancy awaited upon the singing of the
strangers, and TIE r singing received marked
and interested attention.
This evening there is to be a meeting of
praise, beginning at o'clock, at the c, ngce
gational Church, under direction OF Mr..
Stebbins, assisted by Mrs Stebbins and
large choir led by Charles Z. Pinkham, NJ.
d. This viii be followed, at half-past z,
with preaching, by Rev. DIR. Bentley. After
the service there will be further service Of
song.
EARTHQUAKE.-At seven minutes past A.
N, yesterday trembler awakened light