The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-12-08
TO ROUSE UP HOLINESS.
Lay Preacher Stephen Mer-
rift Begins a Revival at
St. Paul's Methodist
Church.
QUEST OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT
The Revival If Successful May Be
Extended to other Churches
Many Seek Conversion.
OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT

A ten days. revival meeting, which the
promoters hope will extend to other
churches and iufuse Jersey City with re-
ligious zeal and fill it with good works,
was begun at st. Paul's Methodist Epis-
copal Church. in Third street. near Erie,
last night. The church was flied. The
Rev. Stephen Merritt of New York, a lay
preacher. but perhaps better known as
the undertaken of General Grants fu-
neral, preached with fervor on ''The
Holy Ghost" and a chorus choir OF
eighteen voices. led by Chorister !. H.
Merritt, and Organist Cook sang many
hymns, in which the congregation
heartily joined.
WANT AN AWAKENING.
Pastor William Eakin led the service.
Mr.. Pitt OF Hoboken in the opening
prayer asked for the thorough awaken
ing of the people. The Rev. j. w, Daily
OF the Centenary Church, the Rev. An
drew Lucas of the Young Mems Christ
ian Association and the Rev. Charles
Barnes of Hoboken took part and sat
with other strong men OF the church in
the altar space,
The Rev. Stephen Merritt preached
from the altar and without notes. He
said the Holy Ghost took him in charge
when he was young and had kept him
these forty years. "The Holy Ghost is
abroad in the earth,n said he. Never
before were there so many conversions.
Thousands are being converted in Iudia
every day. The Holy Ghost would rather
have one soul saved han nave an en- pire.
A tronble is we put culture before the
Holy Ghost. When he is sought aud
obeyed wonderful works follow. He is
adapted to everybody. | want you to
take this to You hearts. The greatest
results will follow if you do.
I'VE have a wonderful machinery, the
clergy, the Young Mems Christian Assoc
c%iatiou, the Christian Endeavor, our
churches and consecrated power. With
out the aid of the Holy Spirit the work of
the minister is dull and solemn. l do
want the people TO get acquainted with
the Holy Spirit. Then you will not be
like he man l al in nv class. who, when
l woke him up, would say: Dear broth
ers sometimes during the past week I
have been cast up and sometimes cast
down.
"The Holy Spirit should not be abashed
by the rum power. l pray that this may
be the greatest revival that Jersey City
has known. The Holy Spirit wants you
10 go to your homes quietly and saw to
him: Here am |, use me- II you regard
iniqutty in your hearts He will not heal
you.
Faith is the pin which joins up to the
Holy Spirit. Take out the coupling pin
and the locomotive will go ahead, but
we shall stand still. Let your faith take
hold or God. Help each other in your
faith. Don't talk against faith i'll your
homes. Talk for faith and shout for
victory"
HEARTY AMENs.
TIL congregation encouraged Mr.. Mer~
! rift With hearty amens. At the close OF
his discourse he prayed, sometimes at the
top of his voice. for a glorious revival.
The choir ang and Pastor Eakins called
upon all who loved Christ to stand up.
More than half of the congregation arose.
Then he invited those who desired COM
version to God to rise, and eight or ten
stood up, while the choir and congrega-
ton sang. The seekers went to the altar
and prayers were offered for them.
The service closed at $3.50 and Pastor
Eak1uS said he WAS encouraged.
A prayer meeting will he held from
four to i've this afternoon. 1t was not
decided who would preach. 1t may be
the Rev. Stephen Merritt, the Rev. Jo
w. Daily or the Rev. Charles Baines.
Colonel Hadley of New York will help
during the service, perhaps tonight.
Bishop Fitzgerald is expected tomorrow
night. If the interest in the revival is
sufficiently encouraging it will be carried
on by the Centenary n Hoboken
churches.