The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-03

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churches, with which he Is thoroughly In
sympathy, scarcely hold out sufficient en-
couragement to the average sinner who
falls, not once, but seventy times seven.
"St. Paul called himself the chief of sim
ners," exclaimed Mr.. Hoicombe. and he
went on TO say that he approved Of the best
among us making public confession of
former sins TO encourage others. He has no
false modesty about confessing his own
shortcomings, such as an undue fondness
once INDUCED in for whisky and cards.
'Do not think, my friends, however" he
added, putting his hand feelingly to his left
eve. which was adorned with a great big
bandage, "do not think that have been en-
a spree this Christmas. | have severe
cold in my left eye.
The meeting began with hymns and the
choir we're making good Roadway against
a disposition on the part OF the congrega-
ton to lag behind, when Mr.. Holco mbe
made a sign for silence, and this being se-
cured. begged every one not to 60 back on
the time, adding that though he did not
know the value OF musical time himself, he
guessed his bearers did, fact which they
hastened TO prove by declaring that NOW
We are happy all the day" in brisk and
lively tones.
After the singing Mr.. Holcombe asked
any member of the congregation, who felt
so disposed. to lead In prayer. and the
silence that is commonly supposed to pre-
vail at Quakers' meetings was the result.
No one seemed anxious 70 speak first, so in
order to keep things going Mr.. HolcomD pc
delivered bright effective little discourse,
telling his hearers how to overcome tenn pta-
ton. and not TO let temptation overcome
them. There is nothing gloomy about his
doctrines. Perhaps one of the chief causes
Of the hold he has upon his hearers is his
cheerful, not to say his jovial, conviction
that souls can and will be saved by the
mission.
with regard to the temporal help we
give men and women We want work in re-
turn for It," he said. "Ws want to make
the mission self-supporting, but we want
souls. too he added emphatically.
After this there was more singing Sew
eral members of the congregation led in
prayer and Mr.. Holcombe was on his feet
again, when he suddenly paused, exclaim-
ing. Brother Crttenton. come right up."
Then member OF the congregation rose
and began to pronounce fervid blessings on
all present. but was promptly suppressed
by his neighbors, anxious TO hear Mr.. Crit
tenton, whose philanthropc work in con-
nection with the Florence missions is so
we'll known.
Mr.. Crittenton has such cheerful, genial
face that 1t does one good to look at him.
his religion seems to be as cheerful as his
appearance.
even as We did 1t unto the least OF
these little ones ye- did IL unto me.
was the theme for his discourse, practical.
earnest account OF several conversions, In
Guiding his own.
A few minutes silent prayer had the
effect OF inducing several people to hold up
their hands, and as Mr.. Ii oeombe's BAN
daged eye rather handicapped him In find
ing out their numbers, they were asked TO
count themselves aloud. Eight men all told
were then specially prayed for, though the
rest of the congregation was not for
gotten. Mr.. Holcombe delivered lit
tie speech. declaring that he had
no sympathy with people who come
to mission meeting to talk and tell
tales OF their own conversions; people
who like to speak and then go home to good
warm beds and let the souls go to hell.
What We want Is souls" he added, emphat-
icaily:. I'VE want to see some real work
DONE"