Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-29
EVANGELISM.
Great Enthusiasm-Creat Crowds
Many Converts.

Many Converts.
The evangelist, Mr.. VIM. + Cell, has
come and gone. 1t is worth our trouble
to sum up the work an its immediate
results. Going back to the preparation.
scenes arise which will abide a peasant
memory. 1t was unusual for an evan
gelist to come beforehand. outline plan
of procedure, and initiate the work.
This Mr.. Cell did two months ago.
Sixty cottage prayer meetings were or
gained, led by as many men The av-
erage attendance at these services was
good, and. in the aggregate, a large
number Of people experienced posi-
tive benefit from them. Then. during
the final week, two union services for
prayer were held. which gave encom-
aging evidence of a readiness to meet
the evangelist. A volunteer choir
had been organized under the conduct
of Prof. E. f. Long with Mrs Reese
man as pianist. While this choir, num-
boring about 100, contained few mature
voices. it had faithfully rehearsed a
bookfull of music. and was ready for
any suggestions from the new leader
Mr.. Cell appeared before an audience
which nearly filled the Second Congre-
gational Church on the evening of DC.
tober II. At once some of his strong
characteristics came to the surface. His
attachment to the Scriptures, freedom
from conventiOnalities, hatred of cant
and pretence, and his high valuation of
personal work on the part of Christians
were sharply eviDced. At the same
time his good nature, heartiness, ex-
IRENE energy and dramatic ability pro-
duced variety OF effects upon the gen.
eral audience. Some were discouraged,
others piqued, and some, it is believed,
Disguised. OF one thing all felt sure,
work was inaugurated which was GER
tain to die at birth or to gain in power
at a rapid ratio. Frida, night came and
Saturday night, brin ing u noticeable
re-ac ion on the part Ul some who had
been offended, and great encouragement
t. those who from the first we're pre-
pared to overlook all incidental him
d ances and use to the utmost the new
opportunity to do serv ce IOr the Master.
Saturday afternoon brought before the
evangelist a small minority of those who
are supposed to have the interest OF the
Sunday schools at heart, SO that the out
line of work for the t flowing day in
the various schools could be Tut par
italy followed. FeverLheless, some
precious fruits were gather ed on that
day, the blessing from which the
churches will at once feel.
Sunday witnessed the first services
held at the opera house. The wisdom
OF securing that capacious ST. ucture
was at once apparent. While all the
chur, h goers could be accommodated
here, many were present who seldom or
| never visit the churches In the even
ing the house was completely filed,
about four hundred of the fully
fifteen hundred present, occupying
the stage. There should have been an
overflow meeting. By the close of this
service the work was understood and
the alter-meeting revealed something of
its power. The preachers thrilling
earnestness and puHgrnCy tod upon his
audience, while his method OF dealing
with enquirers was irresistible. TO see
groups OF saints and sinners kneeliog in
pray er all over the floor of the opera
house, in the balcouy and even in the
gallery was n moving spectacle. To
witness men and women then and there
accep ing the Savior was proof enough
of he genuineuess of the work. From
this POM to the end of the series of
meetings it was observed that the only
csc pc tor sinner who wished to re-
main one with degree OF peace was to
stay away from that at ter-me ting.
Alter such a beginning the removal to
a church building was disheartening