The Somerset reporter., 1896-12-03
The Revival Meetings.

Since Wednesday of last week, to which
time reports had appeared in our local
papers, there has been decided advance
in the influence which this series of
meetings is having upon our community
Thanksgiving was day of great pow
er. The afternoon meeting filled the
body of the house, and the service in
the evening called out an audience that
filled the house. There was no service
on Saturday.
On Sunday the services were of the
greatest interest, and were attended by
very large audiences. The first service
at $50 A. NJ. in the Bethany church,
was one for prayer and conference, and
was a most gracious season. Mr. Gale
led, and the meeting was one of prep
aration for the services of the day. At
II o'clock all the Sunday schools met at
the NJ. f. church for union service.
The oldest inhabitant can not remem Der
larger gathering of Sunday school
teachers and scholars than the one of
Sunday. The singing of the children
was notieeably good, and the hour was
one of great profit.
In the afternoon the floor and gallery
were crowded with women. this was a
service especially for them. Mr.. Gale
spoke from Genesis "a 40. 1t was the
plea of the servant of Abraham for Re-
becca that she might be the bride of
Isaac. The address made deep i'm
preston. In the evening hundreds of
men came for service which was ex-
clusively for them. The writer during
residence of nearly a decade in this
town has not seen such gathering of
men in religious assembly. Mr. Gale
spoke from Galatians 81. ''Be not de
ceived; God is not Knocked, for whatso-
ever a man soweth that shall he also
reap
The sermon of Sunday evening, was
one of great interest, and treated especi-
ally Of temperance and social purity. He
showed most conclusiyely and telingly
how truthful is the statement of Scrip
ture that the iniquity OF the fathers is
visited upon their descendants TO the tiird
and fourth generation. In kind but
plain speech he urged the need OF IL pure
and righteous life on the ptrt of all Ii
was timely discourse, and it was put
IN manly and convincing way. lie
does not preach half truths. While he
urges all TO enter the divine life, he ~
sures them in the most emphatic
manner that righteousness must charac-
terize all who accept Christ as their
Savior.
At the Congregational church at Z r
NJ, the women gathered for service
which was led b. Miss Rice, whose
sweet singing is az added influence fol
good at MI the meetings. TIE servil.
was attended by an audience that filled
the church.
On Monday evening the services were
resumed, and a great congregation
listened to an earnest address from
Psalm 81 ID, "Restore unto me the Joy
of thy salvation" 1t was the object OF
this discourse TO show Christians how
they lose the Joy, peace, and power OF
the spiritual life, aud how il can be r.
stored again when lost. W0rldiinesS in
its many forms will soon ROB men of the
Joy, peace aud power OF the Christian
life. 10 secure these Wheu lost men
must repeut and do the first works An
earnest life brings its own reward. aud
the joy ot such IA life is deeper far than
that which can possibly come from any
other source. He urged ali believers u
live a CHEEKY, brave. bright life, for by
so doing they woul: secure abiding Joy,
peace and power.
The first afternoon meeting of the
week was on Tuesday. Mr.. Gale gave
II most practical and helpful talk &c
Christian workers on soul winning. IN
dis service ne acted as IL teacher. aud hv
questions and answers gave very help
ful hour TO those Who wish to lead PEG
pie to Christ.
On Tuesday evening" the hsa.e wa.
crowded - th' doors with al eas Il
company that wished 10 hear tn taib
which he gave uu fhe ucw birth. His
text was John 81, "5lafVel no. that
said unto thee yc must he born again. 90
He did not attempt any philosophical
explanation "a TO the how Of the new
auth, but aimed simply to show ii must
take place in order to enter thu kingdom
of heaven In simple way he showed
the emphasis which Christ put upon this
teaching. and IN many ways illustrated
the certainty of this change which had
taken place in the lives of those who had
been transformed by this great spiritual
event. Changed lives proved change
of heart. face trans figured into
sanity beauty which oace showed the
coarse lines of degraded ami debased
life, was an unansWerable argument for
the power given in the new birth.
Gu Wednesday afternoon, Mr.. Gale
gave an interesting and helpful talk on
the Bible, and How to Study it." He
stated his belief ia the inspiration of the
whole book. Its marvellous unity and
the fultillment of many prophesies ac-
credited it as indeed the word of God.
| Seful suggestions as 10 methods of
study were also given la the evening
he spoke to another large audience from
the words "Where art thou?' The talk
was designed especially for those once
in the enjoyment of the Christian life,
but who are now out of communion
with God. He also spoke to active
Christians, and to those who had not as
yet accepted Christ. At the close Of the
service quite number expressed de
sire to become Christians.
The meetings have now reached a
point of great interest and power. Many
come from surrounding towns TO attend
these meetings. Scores have air. ady
made public expression of their interest