The Somerset reporter., 1896-12-10
The Revival Meetings.

y
very large percentage of the pupils was
in Attendance. Mr. Gale spoke il IA very
familiar and pleasing manner on the
Importance of right choices in youth.
The Christ life does not put any ban on
healthful sports. Some of the college
men who lead in athletics, also lead In
Christian work. He urged all to follow
the divine life wherever it might lead,
and to reveal the highest possible type
of manhood aud womanhood The
pastors present also gave words OF cheer
and encouragement. At the close of the
service many expressed their desire to
live the Christ life
ia the evening tiue audience listened
to an address from the text Luke HIS,
And they all with one consent began to
make excuse" He took the three ex-
cuses given in the parable for non at.
tendance at the feast, and showed the
hollowness of them all. Those invited
did not wish to be present at the feast.
Hence the excuses given were pretexts
not reasons. So in religious things, men
find many excuses for their unwilling
Dess to accept the invitation of Christ.
This was most searching talk, and
many at its close openly confessed the
power of the message.
Tuesday brought the brightest skies
and an increased attendance. In the
f1a Il a
the words, "Christ is the Rose of Sharon,
and the Lily of the Valley" La simple
but forceful speech he showed how
Christ resembled the rose in its perfee-
ton, symmetry, and fragrance. and the
lily in its humility and purity. This
was one of the largest as we'll as one of
the most helpful of the afternoon SER
vices. In the evening a crowd came that
filled the house. He spoke on The
Curse of Compromise" and the theme
was suggested by the choice of Lot who
pitched his tent toward Sodom. lie
eye, but in so doing found himself at
the plain. His choice brought ruin
at last to his family, and spiritual loss to
himself. A straightforward, clean-eut
Christian to choose. Abraham chose
such life, and is still called the father
of the faithful.
Wednesday was a day of storm and
bad travelling but there was no diminu-
ton of interest in the meetings. In the
afternoon large congregation gathered
in the church despite the disagreeable
weather. Mr.. Gale gave a pleasant pre-
lude from the words "Thou shalt keep
him in perfect peace whose mind is stay
ed on Thee. The main thought of the
hour was suggested by the text, "rhere
standeth one among you whom We know
not. He spoke with much feeling of
the present but unrecogniZed Christ.
He is near men and with them, but many
know it nor. The great duty of life is
To accept the present Christ. He also
emphasized afresh the necessity of the
baptism of the Holy Spirit that men may
live on high spiritual level and have
power for service.
Wednesday evening brought the fare
well service. COburn Hall was crowded
with thoughtful audience. Many extra
seats had been placed in the hall, and all
were filled. {. NJ. Bailey of Winthrop,
and Rev. Mr.. Norcross of Madison, oc-
cupied seats on the platform with the
pastors. The large chorus sang grandlv
the hymns that had become familiar by
frequent use in these services. The iiual
message from Mr.. Gale WAS from the
words "The harvest is past the summer
is ended and | am not saved" The re-
lection of opportunity WAS the theme of
this farewell discourse. The seed had
been sown, the harvest had whitcned.
but succor had not come. Such was the
history OF Israel iG the time of jeremiah
SO now spiritual privileges are given,
acceptance is possible, the harvest comes.
but many gather no fruit unto life
eternal. After the discourse several eX-
pressed desire to enter into the new
life. Then followed brief but tender
address TO those WHO had felt the need
of the Christ life dnriug the meetings.
His advice was very practical. and VT.
received verV kindly by the large bod i
that had recently taken stand for
Christ. The pastors also gave their
farewell words. They spoke gratefully
of the help which they had personally
received, and Of the great spiritual uplift
received by the churches which they
SCI we'd. All spoke in the warmest terms
of the value and helpfulness of the SER
vices of Mr.. Gale and Miss Rice. The
great audience then sang "God be with
you till we meet again, and the memor-
able revival meetings of 1896 came to an
end.
In reviewing these meetings it is safe
to say that this town has not enjoyed
such season of spiritual refreshing in
many years. The presence and teaching
of Mr.. Gale have told greatly for the
highest interests of our town. The
evangelist by his manliness, candor and
presented type of Christian
character which has indelibly impressed
itself upon our people. The man aud
the Christian were so blended in his
personality that all his words were with
power. lIe will be welcomed to this
community Mt any time in the future rs
one who stood for what was best in lie
and experience. Quite number gather
ed at the station on Thursday morning
and babe farewell to these faithful work.
ers. As the train rolled away from the
station words of song flDated out on the
frosty air, and then a silent benediction
on these workers from those who had
been helped by them was the fitting fare
well.
Death of Frank Pratt.