Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-04-07
INEW-WEyr EPISODE.

but on arriving at that city he found, await.
ing him, letter from this brother stating
that local business duties were so pressing
as to prevent him from making the trip, and
the brother gave some information, the Inn
parting of which, as coming from Q man
who made no profession Of religion, was
very significant. The brother stated that
the town Of Cheyenne Wells, while only
four months old, had over hundred men
as citizens, with many women and children
yet the Gospel had not been preached
since the town began. He then urged his
Ebrother (the minlster) to come on at once,
and assured him that he would find most
attentive band of listeners and would have
q chance to talk to q crowd that, as the
writer said-''needed the Gospel more than
any crowd" the writer ever saw.
In response to this our Ohio man replied.
by wire, that he would conduct service In
Cheyenne Wells, on Sunday.
This gentleman reached Cheyenne Wells
on Saturday and passed about among the
people, making the acquaintance OF the
citizens. As result of this he acquired a
personal interest i'm their surroundings and
plans.
On Sunday morning the meeting was
held in the bar-room of the new hotel, in
which there was abundant space. as the
billiard tables had not yet been put in. The
preacher was glad, he said, on arrival, to
have the first chance to dedicate the room.
Chairs were put in the room and boards
placed on them for seats, and at the ap-
pointed time almost the entire population
was gathered to hear the nrst
notes of the Gospel ever ut
tered in the locality. But a few men
seven or eight were not present, ns they
we're engaged in poker-playing In an ad-
joining saloon. and the preacher was re-
quested to wait until they had finished the
camel They soon came filing in. The sa-
loon keeper also came. having locked up
his place.
The preacher, after indulging In soms
personal "reminiscences, gave an exposition
Of Christ's parable Of the householder and
the husbandmen, and he and one Of his
brothers put few spiritual songs in their
places In the programme. A text was then
announced, and sermon preached.
At the close of the sermon, although, SO
far as the preacher or his brother knew,
there wa, not Christian present, and, as
we have said, a number Of these had Just
come from saloons, and, indeed, some had
never attended church service In their
lives. there was not msn present who was
not affected to tears by the earnest and sim
plerelation of the story of the Cross. The
power Of spiritual truth to move men was
wonderfully manifested. All whs wished
second service held In the evening were
asked to manifest their desire by rising and
all who were present rose to their feet.
The preacher then asked them to keep the
saloon closed, refrain from playing cards,
and keep their thoughts on the important
matter that had been presented to them.
The request as to the saloons and the card
playing was complied with.
In the evening every individual in the
town was present in the place Of service.
Il was evident that there was also another
presence there-inspiring, Illuminating, up
lifting. The text for the night was: ''How
can we escape il we neglect so great saliva
tion7" After preaching plain, practical
but stirring discourse, the preacher pleaded,
with tears streaming down his face, that
those present should accept the Gospel
and then asked that all who desired to be-
come Christians to 60 to the front, where
seats would be provided for them. There
was at once rush for the speakers stand.
One Of the speakers brothers-the one whs
wrote to him at Denver-was In the lead.
Over twenty persons occupied the three
front benches. Opportunity was then
given for those who had come forward TO
speak and the preachers brother was the
first to spring to his feet. He said: "You
men know how / have lived. / do not
need to tell you about it. You know as
well as I do that have been leading &
wicked life, but / am determined, with
Gods help, that I will hereafter lead
Christian life. will cease to do evil and
learn to do well. / do not want any man
here to ask me to play cards-I have played
my last card. do not want any man here to
ask me to drink again-I have drank my
last glass. With Gods help 1 will make
the future brighter and better than the
past"
The preacher stood, crying like child.
as each OF the men arose and spoke. Five
women also went forward and Testified
and confessed Christ"
A Sunday school was at once organized,
teachers were selected for the next Sunday
morning, and the preachers brother prom
ised to read sermons, from Sunday to Sun
day, and now, we learn, church Is to be
built. The first s225 was raised in fifteen
minutes; the town company gave two lots,
one for the church aud one to be sold for its
benefit; and friends of the cause are con-
tributing to the fund-so that q church
building is already in sight, and the citi-
zens think they have pastor in sight also.
The gentleman who had this remarkable
and very pleasant experience is the Rev.
Howard II. Russell, of Oberlin, o.
At MARIETTA, TO-DAY.
One hundred years ago today Saturday,