The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-04
MORE PEOPLE AT CHURCH.
THE SECOND DAY OF THE MOODY
PRELIMINARY MEETINGS.

Rev. j. w. Scruggs' Sermon Last
Night on Justification by Faith.
Rev. DIR. Vass' Talk in the After
noon on the Power and Efficacy OF
the Holy Spirit-The World Needs
the North Wind of Gods sharp
Word.
The growing interest in the revival now
well under way at the Independent Pres
byterian church was markedly manifest
in the increased attendance at the service
last night. 1t is safe to say that the SER
vices to-day will draw more people than
yesterdays services did.
The principle of progression obtains
with the same precision in a revival as
it does in anything else. At first the in
terest is but mild. AS the work pro-
ceeds. however, deeper interest becomes
manifest.
Last nights service was conducted by
Rev. ]. w. Scruggs of Trinity Methodist
church, assisted by Revs H. c. Bowen of
the Christian church, and Rev. A. NJ
Williams of Wesley Monumental church
After the devotional exercises, Rev.
Mr.. Scruggs read from Romans 5i, BE
ing justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ"
This was written by Paul to the Romans
In all iageS," said the preacher, 1.-The
word of God has impressively forced upon
men the question of the first great created
cause, to whom we all owe our being
This first cause has perpleXed the philos-
ophers through ages gone. The unmistak-
able traces OF the revelations
of God were found in the
ceremony of Judaism. which
was a translucent light. Through that rit-
ual God was seen in the incarnation of
Jesus Christ The Lord was born and grew
up. John the Baptist came as the harbin-
ger calling in the wilderness to the people
to repent for the Kingdom of God was at
hand. He understood the mission of Christ
Repentance is Cody sorrow wrought in
the heart by the Holy SDirit-a turning
away from the evil ways in life.
The speaker dwelt upon the holy mis-
sion of Christ on earth, showing his love,
how he opened wide the plan of redemp-
ton for fallen man, proclaiming faith in
him as a condition of being saved. He re-
ferred to justification as susceptible to diff
ferent Specifications. First. ii is that act
of divine clemency, hereby God projects
upon the scene the sacri1cial offering Of
Christ TO save depraved people, Jesus
gave the commission to preach the word
into all nations, he that believeth shall be
saved. The salvation is broad enough for
all humanity. God knows your poverty and
has made a way whereby you must seek
freedom from the thraldrom of
sin by the mediation of Christ
whose sacrifice and shedding of blood was
made that you accepting might be saved
by believing in him.
classification" said the preacher, "also
comes by the exercise of faith in Jesus
Christ. This faith went down under rit-
ualism and the mission of bringing the di-
vine light from wreck and ruin was given
to Martin Luther. He preached the word
of truth that guided the thoughts and
destinies of the nations. Justification also
proceeds upon the combination of faith
by works He cites the story of Abraham,
whose character of faith and works stands
out one of the most prominent and strik-
ing under the old dispensation. This JUS
LITIGATION is finally to proceed upon the
evidence of our works. When we stand
before God we must have evidence and
show the fruits of our good works before
we are to enjoy the blessing of the Father
Rev. l.. G. Vass of the First Presby-
terrain church conducted the meeting in
the afternoon, assisted by Revs. j. W.
Scruggs of the Trinity Methodist and H.
c. Bowen of the Christian church.: The
attendance was comparatively small, not
more than 200 people being at the service
DR.. Vass followed up the thought and
subject of the sermon of the night pre-
vious-"The Power and Efficacy of the
Holy Spirit and More Conservation" He
said that the people ,i 9 nee, need more OF the
not hope for anything in these meetings
unless they come trustingly and prayful-
ly to Christ and seek for transforma-
ton into the grace of God. He dwelt
upon the chapter of the Song of Solomon
which draws a beautiful picture of a wo-
man illuStrious for her virtues. 1t is, he
said, an eastern allegory likening the
church to the beauty of such a woman.
The chapter closes with a cry that the
church may be made fit for the presence
of Christ. 1t is a prayer for the north
wind of Gods sharp word to convict them
of their sinful condition.
"a similar prayer is what the people
need now" the minister said. I'VE want
the word of God as spoken by the Holy
Spirit, to awaken and arouse the soul OF
man to his sinful condition.
The speaker showed how God works
in his wondrous ways. Sometimes he sends
calamity as an instrument by which to
melt the heart of steel. Sometimes He
touches man in another way. He aptly
and forcibly illustrated the efficacy OF
prayer in accomplishing the regeneration
of the soul.
1t has been decided by the Minister'S
Union to begin the afternoon meetings
during the week at 4 o'clock.
Rev. TT. G. Bowen of the Christian
church breaches at o'clock, and Rev. T.
]. Shipman of Duffy Street Baptist church
tonight.
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