The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-08-01
Especial to the PRESS. J

Old Orchard, July 3l.-There was an
other impressive meeting OF the workers
of the Christian Alliance today, conduct
ed by Rev. Dr.A B. Simpson, the head
of the movement.
This morning there was a meeting for
Bible study and prayer, when Rev. DR..
Peck and Rev. DR.. Chapel of Boston,
| and Rev. Stephen Merritt spoke.
This afternoon Rev. DIR. Simpson ad-
dressed an audience of $500, the larger
| portion being those who are directly
interested in the work. Very many
sick persons were present. DR.. Simpson
took for his text the words, "Therefore
come boldly. and preached very elo-
quent and impressive sermon. He
spoke of the duty of drawing close to
God, and ofEboldly claiming his prom
ises to the believer. He said he proposed
to proclaim "a real religion, real
Christ for real men who expect to lead
a real life.n
"Do not be discouraged, he said, aGod
| cannot give you up. He is bound up
with you in the bundle of life. Believe
fully: believe completely. Trust Sod
completely and forever" DR.. Simpson
spoke earnestly of the necessity of max
ing ready for the coming of the Holy
Spirit. Pray for others, but not for your
selves. He asked that for the next 18
hours there should be CONSTANT offer
ing of prayer. With great impressiveness,
the preacher said: Seek the mercy, the
boundless mercy, the great mercy of
Cod" He WIS followed by Mrs. Linden
burger, who urged all to remember that
He who raised Jesus Christ from the
dead quickens our mortal frames" She
returned thanks for the grand past man
ifestations Of the healing power of God.
Miss Louise Shepard sang a solo, and
then spoke for few moments on the
necessity of having fixed and definite
belief.
Then came one of the most striking
scenes ever witnessed at Old Orchard.
DR.. Simpson, in few words, asked all
to unite in silent prayer, each asking
for the one thing he or she most desired
of God. He then, after moment Eof
silence, offered a.brisf prayer, and then
asked all who had come there with some
special end in view with some one thfng
to especially carry tosaGod, Hwith some
definite desire that was in faith to be
asked of God, to rise.
At least 1900 responded by rising, and
the scenes~was not only impressive, but
path etically touching. Mensand women
it was to be plainly seen that they hoped
to get rid of them at the healing service
of Saturday.
Others were in that throng who could
not see the face of the preacher, but
who hoped, it was evident, that they
might receive sight. One almost blind
woman, unconscious of those abound
her, said half aloud, 1T. may be that
Jesus will pass by; that l shall see
again." With that faith in God, the
sort of faith DR.. Simpson had asked
them to entertaiu, that vast throng
stood there whle0ut from the crowd
some earnest brother, in the fullness of
his faith, said, "He will come" and
from the platform DR.. Simpson replied,
Yes, the Holy Spirit will come. !"
Then DR.. Simpson spoke earnestly of
the necessity of working and praying for
the coming of the spirit. "lf you have
no one to pray for, come to me-" he
said. Il will tell you of enough to do to
occupy your time until Jesus comes.
Then the appointments were given
out. Immediately after the close Of the
service meeting of the workers was to
be held for prayer Then the younger
people were to go out to conduct meet
ings on the beach. A separate meeting
for prayer for the descent of the spirit
was then to be held. by the women.
A very largely attended meeting, con-
Quoted by Dr.Simpson, was held In the
evening. Faith was insisted upon and
Christ was presented as the sanctifier
and healer. The great healing service
Saturday is looked forward to with
intense interest.