Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-08-23
SAM SMALL


HlILSBOhO, TEX, aug. &l.--iSpeclAll
The spacious and beautiful new Metho-
dist church's auditorium presented Il hne
congregation this morning to inaugurate
the special series OF services under the
leadership Of Rev. Sam Small, the noted
Georgia evangelist 1t is expected that
these meetings will produce religious
enthusiasm and practical results long de-
sired by the good people OF ulllsboro and
vicinity. and 1t is certain they will draw
such crowds daily as no building In the
city will hold. The religious people have
prepared to give full and cordial support
to the evangelist. and his past successes
are a warrant that good effects will speedi-
ly mark his ministry here.
The singing this morning, led by the
jealous pastor. Rev. Mr. Hotchklss, was
spirited, while the prayers were fervent
and faithful.
Mr. Small delivered his initial sermon
upon the theme "COnsecration," using the
text: "who then is willing. this day to
consecrate his service unto the Lordf"
He said the work Of the kingdom OF
Christ on earth was to be done by his ser
wants after the same fashion, OF common
sense, diligence aud loyalty that Is given
to other and humber aifalrs OF life. There
are means time aud seasons TO be devoted
to the kingdom and the gathering up. OF
ally In Its behalf. We pillow, plant. Gull
tlyate and reap for the produce Of the
soil we pray preach. persuade anu mar mar,
TO bless special seasons Of enleayor with
great lngalherlngs from the work patiently
done by the ordinary .ngent ;es Of the
church and operations OF his Holy Spirit.
We feel that such a season has come upon
MS here and now. and that the rewards OF
the faithful work dope by pastors and
the world aud garncred into the church.
This Is alone the slgnacanee Of these
vest the whitened field and thresh out the
tne and ripened wheat.
This important work is not that Of pas
calls. Into the held ,all the Immediate forces
OF the Lords following. Every mau. and
woman Is needed IN the harvest, and not
one OF you can withhold your hearts and
hands from this pressing service with
good conscience.
ia; one of you viii say: Il have no
Influence to use with folks That sort OF
a plea from christian sounds unutterably
silly. Why one Of your saloons buys a
wooden billy goat mounted on a keg TO
announce bocGbier. What does the sa-
luflueucei A cigar dealer pays goo for
Il carved and painted Indlan-not as a
s MSrh IN M TSde 70 I bar iaq"b bo, sq
striped pole for It's influence. II y6u are
a Christian man, son Of God, one OF
those 10 whom almighty power Is offered
FOR the asking. aud sure enough have NO
Influence. you should abandon your Chris
tian profession and 70 Into business as
dian, or striped Barber pole
All men are Influential for good or evil.
As long as we give example TO others.
we shed forth a potential Influence. Now
come, and eonsecrate your Influence to the
service Of Christ and for the salvation
OF your fellows.
Al least let the world, the flesh and
the devil know where you stand. Come
over on the LORDS Side VI the conflict
between % and evil, Come to church
empty TO be filled here, Let the sinners
empty themselves Of sin and come hither
70 be tlled with, the grace aud power Of
full OF faith and the Holy Spirit before
You start to church, and come here to let
OF YOU, be heard and felt You Texans,
as far rs l have found you out, do not
break out IN "Amens!' ana shout Halle
lujah' rs ] would rejoice To hear y0u do
woodsy,' or lave sune other fiulcky
sgucnnllshness about II. But bless YOU.
tetlc politician; with stoyeppe hat and
painted prubosels, yawplng about tar
in. trusts, free trade and free coinage,
you.' and yell yourself h9arse and hap.
ply, All, sirs, | shall count 1t one Of tue
grandest days that Is yet to dawn on
earth, when the Christian people, in the
doctrines OF Christ and lei the world round
ABOUT them near their open and LOYAL nm
proNnl OF the things preached flithfully In
keeping with his word. Come on then 10
consecrnte your minds and voices anl htlp
to shout the meetings through TO yirtnryl
Are you willing to work for soulsf lstS
acute accent comes here on the word will
Ing. God does not call for slaves mer-
eennries or conscripts II you are unwilling
God does not force you to his service III
you seek gain, the way OF the bargalncr
Is not the way OF the Lord. He has prom
ised good TO them who serve him Willingly.
lie redeems his promise and none 20 away
from his work empty. He does not sock
conscripts. No conscipt army every won
great victory or established n great
cause, The victories that redeem naiIdns
ana llberete the enslayed men are Won
Tor men by willing volunteers Are Won
willing to conseerate yourselves 10 This
service Of the Lord2
After explaining the significance OF cnn !
secrauon by the hand-nlllng rite OF mar. |
rtage, Mr.. Small called upon the MINI 7
ones In the congregation 10 COME 10 the
altar and join In humble, honest AMI
unreseryed prayer of conservation TO the
Lords service In the special work OF this
revival. '''
The altar was speedily crowded. As wer,.
the. aisles and adjoining benches. Inv n
majority OF those present. II was n MINI
spontaneous response TO the glowinp onl
eloquent sermon OF the evangelist ma tnti
Gated how potentially his maRnetjSm atY,.cfs
the mulutudes before which he stands