Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-19
The Evening Meeting,

An equally large crowd attended the
evening services, as at the afternoon
meeting, when the pavilion was jammed
to suffocation. The regular song service
preceded the sermon, Mr.. Greenwood
rendering solo, Oh, the Changing Bells
of Time. Rev. E. R. Hutchins of the
First Congregational church made an
impressive prayer, after which song
followed.
At this point Mr.. Mills stated that q
public confession would be made by one
who had previously sinned, but had
grievously repented. HE has ac-
knowledged his sin, has confessed be-
fore God, and with that humility and
contrition that comes from q broken
heart, will before this assembled multi
tude make public confession of his sins
and contrition." All eyes were turned
toward Mr.. Mills, and with the hush of
death over the vast building he said
"Mr. Fleming will you come forward ?''
Mr.. Samuel Fleming, the ex-Metho-
dist preacher convicted some time ago
of attempted rape, but whose case was
recently ordered dismissed, was seated
in the first row Immediately in front of
the platform, and at once rose in q
trembling manner and stood for an in
slant "a if hesitating whether he should
ascend the platform or speak from his
seat.
Mr.. Mills said 'scome forward, Mr..
Fleming" and accompanied by friend
he took his place on the edge of the
platform. His face bore evidences of
anguish and grief. and as he arose amid
great hush and opened his lips in a
broken voice that at first was scarcely
audible. In a voice trembling with
suppressed emotion he said in substance !:
II do not know what l can say, ex-
cept that God will keep man if he will
trust Him. have come to Him now as
my last refuge, with a shattered life
that once endeavored to dedicate to
God. I had hoped to be able to serve
Him, but have been messenger with.
out message in the holiest of callings.
Now my life is wreck, and the burden
of my heart is that l have brought re-
proach on the church of God, that
church in which had hoped to live and
render some service to Him and my
fellow men. want hencetorth to give
my shattered life to Him, and before
these thousands / now consecrate my
self to God, that may live plain,
simple Christian life. He saved me
once, and now pray He may save me
again and keep me. Pray for me, that
may be true to my PROMISE"
At the conclusion OF this short address
many eyes were bathed in tears, strong
men sobbing and yet feeling glad. Mr..
Mills, clasping both of his hands, in a
prayer, marvellous in its power of sup
plication for the grace of God to uphold
and maintain the penitent, caused sobs
to be heard over the building, while
amens sounded on all sides. The Incl
dent was an impressive one, and will
long be remembered.
Following this episode Mr.. Mills read
q chapter from the first of Proverbs, and
then took for his text portion of John
xii, 80, Therefore they could not be-
lieve." The possibility of rejection by
Christ and the final less of the Holy
Spirit was the basis Of the powerful SER
mon which followed. This proposition
was proved by triple strengthened
argument using the testimony of the
Bible, the testimony of science and the
testimony of observation. The Bible
was used to show that the Holy Spirit
can be 80 gr;eved that 1t would depart
from human soul and never return.
Esau did not sell power or possessions
when he sold his birthright; but his
soul to the worship of idolatry. You
have birthright You can lose if you
have not the capacity to know God.
The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven in this world or in
the next. There is a sin that a man
may commit and never be forgiven. Ii
is sin against the Holy Ghost. This
is the day of the ministration OF the
Holy Ghost.
The sermon was a powerful one, and
at it's close over 100 persons stood up for
prayers. Probably 1000 people at
tended the services yesterday.