Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-06-22

half million.
1t is a Methodist Episcopal church,
vet the known breadth and lib
erality of that branch of Christians is
here given, if possible, new empha-
sis. It's history compels the Peoples
church to be cosmopolitan. 1t stands
for Christ and humanity. It is church
of the people from peak to foundation,
steadfast in creed, broad in charity,
fervent in working purpose.
A recent Sabbath spent in this
church was exceedingly impressive.
At 9:3O a. m. devoted band assem-
bled for early prayer meeting. The |
service was held in one Of the rooms /
of the ample chapel adjoining the /
main edifce. The spirit of the meet
ing was fervent with old Methodist |
fire. At 1880 as we came out, thous-
ands of people were thronging along
the corridors and entering the vast,
cool auditorium. The seats are all
free, and people know it. No one ir-
trudes. Voluntary contributions alone.
sustain the tremendous Christian sac
tivity carried on here in various ways.
While it is true that the great middling
class predominant, yet there are the
rich and the poor. Near me sat an
governor of Massachusetts who is
deeply interested in this popular
church. On a previous Sabbath the
present governor of another New Eng
land state was pointed out to me,
and following him down an aisle was
humble woman, who must perfOrce
bring her almost infant boy i'll her
arms if she came at all. Hundreds of
young men and young women made
an easily perceptible majority of this
audience.
Tt is now 1O:3O O'Clock. The broad
avenues are sending in the people yet.
! Signs of eagerness to secure good
seats are on all these faces. We are
courteously provided with programs
printed especially for the services.
The throng parts - up stairs some;
hither and thither along these fan-ra-
dating many aisles, others. 1t is al
ready a mass of people that would
/ crowd to repletion most churches.
| Still there is room. The grand organ
"a memorial gift of a bereaved father
! for noble SON is breathing solemn
notes that jar and echo along the am
pie spaces, or pleading softly with
notes that rise high towards the groin
ed ceiling The problem of how to
reach the masses look around you
now!
I am indebted to friend who watch
es Boston churches closely for the
Herald pen-pictures of DR.. Haynes, the
pastor, when preaching at fremont
Temple hall far less fitted for all
the fine effects of oratory than this
handsome church,
'sLast of all comes in the man who
| is to lead this immense house of wOr-
ship. A man neither tall nor short,
an average sized, Well-knit man, with
a small, compact head, dark hair, par
TALLY shaven face, possessing CONN
| dence in himself. but assuming moth
| ing, taking it all as if he were to the
manner born. He continues wrapped
| in his OvercOat; mods to his deacOnS;
| shifts the air like a race horse, prepar-
| ing for the start; with a serious pur-
| pose and reverent spirit calls the con-
gregatiOn to their feet, while the cho-
rus choir leads the singing of the DOx-
| olOgv In front of him an attendance
that packs the immense auditorium
from floor to ceiling. We can see the
preachers eye kindle and almost feel
his heart swell with emotion as he
casts q glance over the mult1tud1nOuS
throng, and thinks whether his mess
age can be better adapted to their
needs. One with any soul and imag-
nation can not help being moved at
the sight. 1t thrills you through and
through. Here is such an audience as
can not be found elsewhere in Boston,
or in New England. An audience that
carries the preacher, whether he Will
or not, beyond the lines of denomina-
tional teaching, and fills him with that
purpose to broaden his instructions to
the needs of the universal man."
The sermon we heard was on GLOW
to Believe God" Such pictures, drawn
until they lived on the imagined can
vas; such pathos at times; such high
and healthful excitement; such still
ness in the room!
The chorus of a large number of
voices leads the closing hymn. Rev.
Mr.. Gunnison, assistant pastor, adds a
notice or two, and gracefully dismiss
es the congregation. DR.. Haynes has
just said: ''This is the Strangers
Church I shall be honored if visit
ors will come to the chancel rail and
shake hands with me-" We join the
procession that takes this greeting.
It is aworld-wide visitation. Men from
all parts of the country attend and
give a word of greeting, many of them
evidently not of the Methodist church,
but cordially in sympathy with this
cosmopolitan service.