Smyrna times., 1893-10-25
Big Day at the Methodist Church.
LARGE CLASS OF PRoBATIONs
ADMITTED.

LARGE CLASS OF PROBATIONs
ADMITTED.
Sunday was 'red letter" day at the
ME. Church, the occasion being the ad
mission an unusually large class o.
Practitioners into full membership. A
collection of Fall flowers surrounded
the pulpit and adorned the offertory
stands, giving very pretty effect.
The audience over ran the auditorium
and overaowed into the gallery.
Next to the preacher, the central
choir figures are among the steady OBJ
jeets of the regular service, but on this
occasion it was essentially a new body
! imprOvised for the occasion, who car
ried out very effectively the program,
as arranged by the pastor The leader
w. o. HOfecker and others were out
to Chicago, leaving but two or three OF
soprano, the alto all away, L. NJ. Price
the assistant choTister was sick, and J.
Ed. Hoffecker, kindly consented to
take the leadership for the day, and
singing solo, the vacancies otherwise
being filled by Mrs. May Yocum, Mrs.
Stengle, Miss Emma Weldon. Mrs. A.
l.. Hudson. Jr.
sisted by two former pastors, Rev. T..
ii. Haynes and Rev. DR.. Geo. a.
Phpbus, the first reading the scriptures
aud the second making the opening
prayer. Rev. Mr.. Stengle followed
with reading the General Rules, which
are required to be read once year
and appropriate to this occasion. There
would not be time he said. for SER
mon or even extended remarks. but
did explain briefly the difference be.
tween joining the church on probation
and being taken into full membership.
first explaining the vows they took on
taking this step.
he then commenced reading the
names of those who had been recon-
mended by their leaders, COMPRISING
at least IS names, the most of whom
were present to respond to the call
The candidates as each name was call
ed, went forward and took position
in front of the chancel until two entire
lines were formed and part of a third
encircling the altar place, thus present
ing an unusual sight, embracing all
ages from little children to those mast
their three score years.
The questions were then prOpounded
and answered according to the ritual.
the audience absorbed in solemn and
reverent attention in sympathy with
those who were assuming the Obliga-
tions of church membership.
Then came the hand shaking which
was an essential feature of Mr.. Gal
loway's revival when they were brought
into their present relation to the
church, and which was essentially an
on this occasion. The mas
tor, followed by his two ministerial
brethren, then the class leaders, pro
ceeded to move from the right to the
left OF the line extending the Fright
hand offellOwship" in cordial and warm |
greetings. While in the midst of this
the choir and organ struck up on
. BieSt be the tie that binds our hearts |
IN christian love-" the audience Joining |
IN the terVid verses while moistened oT |
-ear-bede wed eyes in manv faces |
showed the emotion that dwelt within
Mr.. Stengle asked that while stand. |
ng they sing as the closing feature of
me morning exercises the hymn that
was so popular during the March Re.
lival, Keep close to Jesus all the
way" which rang out in feryid song
by the benediction and dis.
lersion of the audience, the member
mp IN the upper part of the church
giving cordial handshake to those as.
em6led about the altar as they were
passing down the aisles.