Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-31
Doings at the Churches.


 ing. The public interest awakened by this young evangelist at his previous services in this city had provoked quite general desire to see and hear him, and at both services Sat urday the church was crowded, many hay. ing no doubt made special effort to. get out and hear him. At the evening service the church was thronged to oyerfowing. His talking is characterized by intense earnest ness. He seems wrapped up in his subject and deeply anxious to turn men to seek the salvation of their souls, and as if burdened and weighed down with the importance of the work. From this vein he breaks all at once into an unexpected line of operations, and he certainly prevents the audience from becoming drowsy, perhaps owing to the nov city of his evangelistic method. He is ac- complaining much good and wherever he goes creates marked religious interest. He is original, and, though about 2S years of age, has boyish appearance which has led to his being styled the boy preacher" He is in favor of getting religion quick. Get it quick, he said, ''that's how I've seen 15, ,OoO get it. When 1,2Oo or ], 1,500 persons pfo- fessed it at Dr. Talniage's church in New York, when was preaching there, there was one Scotch boy who wanted to tell his mother in Scotland all about it. This is a sure thing, that when man repents and believes he wants to tell everybody about it. Why. the 800 persons who came to Christ in Meriden will go out and get 500 more, and soon will say in the papers that there will be great jubilee, over 1000 converts in AIo Io of New Haven. Only trust the Lord.
 The young evangelist broke off the thread of his discourse, if it could be said that he had continuous line of thought, to sing a verse or two, thus varying the programme and in 8 way adding to the effectiveness of his efforts. Many good souls in the church seemed much edifed by the young preacher and evinced a hearty accord with him, much as if he were 8 new prophet in Israel sent to bless and direct and awaken. Some fifteen per sons rose for prayers upon his call for an ex- pression of desire for conversion. One such was man in the gallery. The speakers eye caught sight of him, and the gallery man was specially singled out and blessed by the evan gelist. Previously large number of those present had risen up at call of the speaker for such manifestation from those profess ing full assurance of salvation. Mir. Harri- son will labor again in this city before long, so some of the brethren at the church thought.
 Rev. MT. Houghton, at the Church of the Messiah, yesterday morning preached dis course in which he treated of methods of special religious or revival work, alluding to the work of the Boy Preacher" He &C., corded to the young evangelist a singleness and worthiness of purpose and 8 sincerity of purpose, but did not endorse his methods, regarding them rather of the sensational type, and preferring the accomplishment of spiritual benefits by the regular channels A holy life and the fruits of righteousness in general were means to the desired end of awakening men to higher life and of effect ing lasting spiritual effects. The sermon was embellished by evidences of theological and historical research, and WAS based upon the words in Acts 2nd, 14th and 10th, And it shall come to pass in the last days Saith God will pour out of my spirit upon all shall prophecy, and your young men shall
 
 dreams
 Rev. s. s. Martyr preached again at the East Congregational church yesterday, his sermons being heard with much attention and drawing out good congregations. The church people manifest much interest in his ministrations. He is to lead the Tuesday night meeting at the church.
 First M. k. Church.,
 At the First Methodist Episcopal church there is evident religious interest. Miss Jennie Smith, who was at this church Q short time ago. has returned for protracted stay, and yesterday morning she gave an extended account of her wonderful recovery from seri- ous illness, which she attributed to faith and prayer. In the evening the church was crowded, and after the usual opening exer- cises, which were conducted by Rev. Dr. Adams, Miss Smith read 8 chapter of scrip ture referring specially to the love of God, and then proceeded to speak at some length. Miss Smith is pleasing and attractive speak CT and the audience gave her their undivided attention. In her opening remarks the lady referred to the fact that there was no one but at times had desire to lead better lives. In passing she gave an illustration of gardener pruning grape vine and cutting the twigs from scrawny vine which yielded more fruit than large and handsome thrifty one that did not receive so much of the gardeners at tention, and the fruit of which was mil dewed. She said that what was needed was 8 ''vine' that would bear fruit and that | would stand in eternity. In passing she | xl--L or child but what could do something l for the cause of Christ She referred to her | early Christian experience and to the fact | that her father while a strictly moral man, did not embrace religion until late in life | and that he acknowledged that while morality | would do to live by it would not do to die | by. In regard to her own conversion she | said that she was not satisfied that she was until many years after she made a profession of religion. When she stepped out | of self into Christ she was converted and the progress was steady ever since. We don't know ,fsaid Miss Smith, what we are able to do until we try. If we get at that point when we value immortal souls shall get where we can work for their salvation. word for Jesus is what carries with it an influence that tells. The danger of infidel- ity and the results which follow such a belief were dwelt upon and the assertion made that the infdel on his sick and death bed was ready to call upon God for help The dan ger of procrastination was referred to, and in | closing Miss Smith urged those present and to come to Christ without delay She said no one would have any patience with a man who neglected his business, yet how small was this in comparison with the interest in the souls salvation No ,ne soundly converted ever regret ed it. and she earnestly appealed to all present to consider this matter. She said she believed that God had called her to New Ha- zen and that great work was to be done 1 do not said Miss Smith believe in religious 1 excitement. had rather see one soul sound y converted than to see fifty half converted 'he then urged those desiring conversion to ignify it by rising, and number responded. Rev. Dr. Adams then made an appeal to the congregation, and others signifed their de- 1 ire by rising After brief service of prayer the meeting 7 7as dismissed with the doxology It is un. I erstood that Miss Smith will remain for | ( ome time and labor in the protracted meet 1gs now in progress. Rev. Mir. Samson preached a fine discourse efore his people yesterday morning His ermon of the Sunday morning previous ex-