The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-11
1.-THE PRAYER MEETING"
Was the Subject of Rev. r. E.
Smiley's Discourse.
A POLISHED AND EARNEST ADDRESS.
The Presbyterian Evaugcitst speaks
tpon the Importance OF Prayer
to All Chrts;fans-SSncpsis

l
| Presbyterian church was well filled last
night with members OF the church. who
came out TO attend the first discourse de-
livered by the Rev. Francis &. Smiley Of
Denver. Colo
Mr.. Srilcy's work here at this time
makes his personality interesting to Hous-
ton people. He is pastor o. the Twenty
third Avenue Presbyterian church. Denver.
and WAS born in Philadelphia. November
II, 1855. Although but IS years Of age. he
has secured a merited place among the
most successful evangelists. He received
his collegiate and theological training at
the University of Pennsylvania and at
Princeton.
He la5orei for two years as pastor Of
the Wharton Street church, PhiaCNphia
which was blessed with a continuous re-
vival-there being added over 300 members
during his short pastoratc. His success in
reaching the masses. and the constant call
upon him 10 hold revival meetings led him
10 resign his charge and enter the wider
field OF evangelistic work. He has spent
several months abroad investigating the
means and methods Of home mission work
IN the cities OF the old world.
An interesting volume from his pen has
been issued from the press of the Sunshine
Publishing company. Philadelphia. entitled,
I he Eyangelization OF a Great City. or the
Churuhs Answer 10 the Bitter Cry OF
Outcast London" wherein he shows the
light in Darkest England. and depicts his
experience in the famous Whitechapel dis
trict and other London Sums.
Mr.. Smiley is young man OF pleasant
address and splendid physique, intensely
earnest and direct in his methods, and In
spires at once the conviction that he be-
lIeycs implicitly In the word OF God and
the power OF the preached gospel. He evil
IDENTIFY loves the service of Christ. and
places all reliance for the results OF his
ministry upon the spirit of God. he EN-
ploys no unusual or sensat ional methods In
his work. The truth itself, presented in
such simplicity and power. secures the at
tention of the large audiences that every
where are attracted by his preaching and
eNhoriauon. and compels assent. little
over year ago. when recovering from an
attack OF la grippe. he was invited by the
1wenty-thrd avenue church to supply that
pulpit He had no intention OF remaining
m Denver. expecting after recuperation to
III ENGAGEMENTS in eyangelstic work MIR
smiley became so attached to the church
ana so charmed with the climate that he
has made that city his home.
The service opened with song and prayer,
led by several of the members.
Mr. Smiley then read the first chapter Of
ne Ats Of the Apostles In a most impres
sive manner interrupting himself with
words OF explanation and comment He
said that this passage was letter written
not TO the great multitude. but to an indi-
vidual He then touched upon the power
q 1.ss -ts
righteousness which our letters might bear
here in the United States.
After the finish of the reading No. 20
Of the Gospel HYMNS was sung and the
audience was then led in prayer by the
pastor Of the church.
Mr.. smiley began his discourse by speak
ing OF the blessings which he hoped would
be the outcome Of the conference which he
Will conduct In our city and for which all
the prayers Of the church have gone out.
After lingering for some time over the
array Of subjects which arose to his mind
Mr. Smiley chose to speak from the 18th
md 18th verses Of the chapter which he
had read "These all continued with one
accord In prayer and suppllcation"
In brief the speaker said.
Tho requisites OF prayer meeting do
not lie In the number of persons present,
II Ia quality, not quantity. with God. At
the prayer meeting made up of these few
men and women whose names are emu
merated IN the li,h verse IL was not the
quantity. but ah the quality was there.
have held many meetings over the couatry
and I believe that more abiding strength
has resulted from the smaller meetings. I
believe that cvangelists are coming TO see
that the greatest results do not come from
the enthusiastic mass meetings.
The speaker then urged his hearers to
attend the prayer meetings of the churches.
II Lot 81, into hoe nj
God on prayer meeting nights showed
couspicuously. bv their absence. very many
who profess to be the Lords own.
The second point in perfect prayer
meeting is. rs in this one from the word OF
God. that they all are there Of their own
accord Has the Christian the right to at
tend the meeting which calls down the
blessings OF God and let his mind wander
upon his business success or losses. upon
the domestic affairs and social engross
ments7
The speaker put the searching question
IN the audience before him as TO the course
a. their thoughts since they had come into
the meeting. Had they been dwelling upon
the daily life, wandering away from the
source Of spiritual communion
Tho third point OF the prayer meeting
was that they prayed continually. II a
speaker runs over his time flaw moments
In our modern churches watches are slyly
pulled out and the time seems very long
But these men and women in an upper
chamber prayed continually. not for Few
hours nor Law but for ten days.
Mr.. Smiley dwelt very earnestly upon
concentration in prayer. He urged that
each one present would, for the orce,
initiate these disciples and. lowe.fng In
silent prayer. leave all cares and thoughts
Oft he world and enter into pure COM
munion with the Holy Spirit.
Nats IN ,tcin
In PRAYER, and the beneficial results OF
sweet communion will follow when the
heart IN prepared.
To night Mr. Smiley wishes to corfer with
tho officers and Sunday school teachers Of
the church. instead of last night. as was
announced before
A SOCIAL EVENING.
Pleasant Entertainment by uousto"