Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-04-12
REV. O. 8. LUCAS.
Graphic Pen.Pictures of the EI0.
9uent Divine of the chris.
tian Church.
From the Atlanta Constitution

IrEOm Tue Alldut6 C00ACIQGlOu.t
Attracted by the various notices published
in the city papers recently and by frequent
comments made upon the streets, L went in.
to the Christian church to see for myself what
was the point of attraction in the speaker,
which enabled him to call out large audiences
each night, week after week. Looking about
me before the services began. Hound was
in 4 most cosy and comfortable church. Each
seat handsomely cushioned and deep enough
TO allow o man to sit comfortably without his
knees striking the back of the seat In front OF
him.. The floor is nicely carpetedl and In
can see the spea"er as well as those In front.
The windows are of stained glass, the walls
nicely painted. and the lights tastefully ar
ranged. Finding no lack OF comfort or at
trscliyeness In the church, l awaited the ap-
pearance Of the preacher. Promptly at 7:45
ahymn was announced, and I discovered that
the gentleman who had been. moving about
among the audience smiling and shaking
hands with them. was Rev. C.. S. Lucas him
SELF. he looks TO be thirty five yeay OF ago,
100. pounds. His hair is black, parted low
down on the right side. and combed over tho
top of the head after the manner Of baldhead-
ed men. His forehead is round and full. His
eyes are black and very bright and deep set,
his brow extending forward over them. He
has q small black moustache, and his face Is
pale and thin, betokening the student His
dress was the plain black suit usually WON
by ministers, and apart from the bright
sparkle of his eyes which roved about cease
lessiy over his audience, l could discover
nothing in the personal appearance Of the
speaker to attract the large congregation
which was present, and which l learn is in
nightly attendance upon the services. When
he began to speak. therefore, l devoted my !
self to discovering what was the secret of bis
power. The pulpit or desk sits back and the
preacher stands forward on the rostrum. and
after getting into his subject he moves about
over the whole platform addressing one por-
ton of his audience after another. His voice
Is clear and penetrating. and Is confined prin-
eipally to head tones. Without apparent eff
fort on his part, he makes himself heard all
over the church. After reading over his
text and clearly emphasizing it twice. he lays
down his Bible, advances to the front of the
platform and without notes or references Of
any kin his sermon is delivered. There are
several marked characteristic in Mr.. Lucas, !
which account for the large attendance upon
his sermons. First, the striking clearness
which marks his utterances, and his happy
faculty of illustration. Second, Q personal
application Of what he says to his audience,
80 that each man feels that his words are adj
dressed especially to him, and are not q gen.
eral proclamation which affects everybody in
general and nobody in particular. This fea.
fure is one OF great magnetism and secures
for him marked attention from every person
in his audience.
Third-A wonderful knowledge of the
Scriptures, enabling Linn to name any chap.
ter and verse and quote it verbatim without
referring to the Bible. yet always inviting his
hearers to do so, and see for themselves that
he states it correctly. And without ;.ny at
tempt at displaying his learning. You soon
lind he is equally well posted in every other
branch OF knowledge. explaining readily the
latest discoveries Of science, or referring east
ly to any incident In history Illustrative Of his
point.
Lastly, and above all, an earnestuess and
zeal which can only spring from q sincere
love for hls feilow-men. a deep conviction Of
of the responsibility resting upon him,
one can hear him without being cenvinc-
ed that he is a good man, and q line which
appears apo a card announcing the special
service at the church, seems to be the ruling
thought at all times In his mind-sI have q
TO you from God" LEFT deeply i'm
pressed by Mr.. Lucas and I am sure re will
10 much good in Augusta. VISITOR.