The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-21
gl1e ddaest.
IOWA.
DIR. RExFoRD AT DUBUQUE.

DR. REAEURU al DUbUQU6,
The special meetings planned by the
Dubuque parish for the closing days of
Lent contemplated merely week Of ear
nest preaching Of the truth. 1t had been
found that Stanford Mitchell could not
come at that time. DIR. Rexford came TO
assist the pastor, beginning March 20,
and closing March 26, preaching eight
sermons and giving many informal talks.
Before the week had passed it was mani
fest that profound interest had been
awakened. The first services had been
we'll attended. The later ones were
thronged. The people urged a contnu-
ance OF the meetings. All were eager for
more. Accordingly DR.. Rsxford went
home for his Easter service, and came
back to Dubuque for second series of
meetings. Some special services were
conducted by the pastor Immediately pre-
ceding Easter, and on that day the SER
vices were tenderly impressive, and were
attended by large audiences both morn
ing and evening. On Tuesday evening,
April 3, fine audience met DR. Rexford
at the beginning of the second week, and
the number steadily increased, till at the
close seats were at premium.
On Sunday, April 8, the communion
was administered, and eight persons were
received into the church. More than this,
the tendency sets strongly toward these
high religious levels, and large number
have expressed a desire to receive the
Christian fellowship of the church at an
early day.
In his fifteen sermons and his numer-
Gus informal talks in this city, DIR. Rex
ford has brought the gospel OF liberia
Christianity to the life of the people with
irresistible power and beauty. Peopleof
all sects have heard with increasing in
terest and delight. The word OF our faith
has literally gone into all parts of the
community. Nobody heard and went
away feeling shrivelled or impoverished
in his religious possessions.
DR.. Rextord reaches the nerve of relig-
ious feeling as few preachers in this day
can reach it. He presents the appeal for
a rational Christianity in language so
simple, and in illustrations so numerous
that all hearts are won. In his hands
each sermon became a powerful instru-
ment for the accomplishment of a relig-
ious impression. Not only were the SER
mons preached in his own rare and fas-
cinating manner, but the subjects chosen
were msrvelously adapted to the work in
hand. The arguments of sceptic and or
thodox alike were so treated that nobody
felt wronged, and the points at which
Universalism stands in marked contrast
with the traditional theology, were SO
presented that all felt that new ere OF
religious teaching has indeed come.
Our Dubuque revival continued with
virtually three weeks Of sustained and in.
creasing interest. Two of these weeks
were occupied by the one preacher with
no additional attractions of special sing
ing. Our chorus choir Of young people,
unuCI Vic dDAO lOhuplbhAP VI MIS- ". L
Markle, furnished the music.
Now, at the close, we look back upon
this work with profound gratitude. We
have demonstrated the power of our faith
to produce the most exalted states of re.
ligious feeling. The church-going peo-
pie OF this community have been quick
ened as never before. Not single regret
attends our reflections upon this pro-
longed series of serviees-sRve the uni
verssl regret that they could not continue
longer. Some years ago devoted worker
said: The time has come when the Uni
versalist church can afford TO rob some of
it's pulpits in order to give a few of our
best preachers to revival work. When
that policy shall guide us as a church
there will be q chorus OF voices from DQ-
buque nominating DIR. Rexford for the
suffrsges If the Universalist people as
an Evangelist. AMOS CRUM.