The San Francisco call., 1895-07-15

sunlight came In through the coloreQ WIN
dows and made it impossible for one to
think of the supernatural, still a sense of
the desolate meaning of that mournful
sound seemed to pervade the congregation.
And not the most emphatic words of the
Rev. J. George Gibson; not the most
ella aborate gestures of the pastor of En-
manuel Baptist Church could shake off the
feeling of uncanniness or break the spell of
iciness that fixed itself on the first congre-
CATION that had gathered to worship within
these blood d-stained walls since the wide
world was startled by the tragedies that
have given the church it's renown.
In the afternoon when several visiting
pastors made brief congratulatory ad-
dresses this feeling of iciness and uncanni-
ness was dissipated to degree. And in
the evening when the lights were burning
and the congregation Joined the choir in
singing "What Friend We Have in
Jesus" the volume of melody seemed to
fill the edifice entirely, and one almost
forgot the horrors of the past Ii only the
cracks in the belfry could be closed, and
those mournful, mournful sighs OF the
wind hushed forever, one might, perhaps.
sit in the congregation and think only OF
the present or of the future.
But of the many that visited Emmanuel
there by curiosity rather than piety had
their trouble for their pains. To those
in search of the sensational the three open
ing services yesterday were tame affairs.
Almost anything was expected whe n 1t was
announced that the Bartlett-street church
was to be reopened. And as precaution-
ary measure the Chief of Police directed
Detective Seymour and Policemen West,
Keegan, Baily and Esko to be in attend
n 20 drpS q furthpr
cautionary measure admission to the
church, except to the membe OF the con-
gregation, was by card only.
"We thought" explained Pastor Gibson.
"that those of you who were interested
enough to secure tickets would surely be
interested enough to assist us in the work
before us of building up our church again. .
This was said by way of preface to the col
lection, which seemed to be q liberal one,
Judging from the number of coins and en-
velopes deposited in the wooden dishes for
offerings that were passed to the congrega-
ton by E. Wolf and E. Worth.
And a good many were interested
enough to secure tickets, for the audlto-
rum of the church is ample, and 1T was
nearly filled at all three of the services. A
good many more might have been seated
in the gallery, but that is the way to the
pastors study and to the belfry, and the
gallery was closed to worshipers. Some
times the all but human mourning OF the
wind seemed to come from the deserted
gallery. But this was only fancy. 1t
came in reality from the defective frame
work of the belfry.
There was an organ voluntary at II
o'clock in the morning, and when it had
fairly started the Rev. J. George Gibson
appeared on the platform. He scanned his
| audience closely, almost fiercely and dar-
ingly, for few seconds. Then the "Dox-
oiogy" was sung.
In his conservation prayer the Rev. Mr.
Gibson spoke of consecrating the church
to the divine uses. 1--WE sprinkle no
water" he said, "but we base our hope Tor
the future in the blood of the Savior"
The church was sacred to its congre CATION
for the souls that have found GOD within
its shelter and for the memory OF those
| who, after short conflict with terrible
sin, now wear the martyrs crowns, salo
the pastor. And beyond this bare illusion,
II such it really was, to the tragedles OF
the past, not another word spoken by the
pastor yesterday could be construed as
bearing upon the one topic with wnlch
the name Emmanuel Baptist Church is
yet sadly and horribly interwoveD..
The platform, pulpit and choir were
prettily decorated with green fonage ana
red and white blossoms, and there were sew
eral beautiful floral pieces on the platform
One of these was an open book Win tne
words on it, Truth Prevails"
Before the sermon of the morning there
was an anthem by the cholr, very toucn,
ing and appropriate IN sentiment, ana
rendered with much feeling ana melody.
1--WE shall know each other better when