The San Francisco call., 1897-03-22
Interscholastic Debate.
sANKEY SANG OF SUNLIGHT.
The Evangelist Spoke and Introd uce d
Some New Hymns at the Y NJ C. A.

The Evangelist Spoke and Introd uced
Some New Hymns at the Y NJ. C. A.
Ira D. Sankey of Moody and Sankey,
evangelist and hymn writer. spoke and
sang yesterday afternoon before an audi
ence that more than filled the Y. Nj. C. A.
Auditorium.
He sat much of the time at little
organ at the front of the platform. Part
of the overflow audience occupying extra
chairs, was crowded close behind him. In
loud but rather husky bass voice, i'm
possible of fine r modulalions, he led the
singing, after instructing his hearers in
the music and words of several hymns
new 10 this coast. Among them was one
just from the pen of Fanny Crosby, the
aged blind hymn composer of Brooklyn,
who has not seen the light of day for
seventy years.
1t was something about sLet the blessed
sunlight enter" and Mr.. Sankey with
readiness for dramatic effect paused ap-
propriateIy and had the western shades
raised, letting broad bands of dazzling
sunlight into a previously and perhaps
purposely darkened room. Later, In tell
in , the story Of the conversion from d runk-
enness fifteen years ago in his presence of
the man who is to-day one of the best
known Presby byterian ministers IN the State
of Illinois-the Rev. w. q. Latimer-he
insured the desired effect upon hund reds
of his auditors by rem moving his glasses
and applying mis- handkerchief to his eyes.
The speaker struck responsive chord
in that assent blage as he has in thousands
OF others during the twenty-six years that
he and Mr.. Moody have travelled and
spoken in the cause of Christ.
He hopes during his present and last
visit to California TO learn OF the place
where Mary Lee Demorest, hymn.wri er,
is buried, that he may visit that grave
yard and reau the inscription on the head
stone.
During his remarks Mr.. Sankey said:
Persons like to-day to raise the question, Is
the word of the Bible to be trusted? The min
isters OF the Gospel are sent to preach Gods
word, not to question its truth. There are
great many things that we don't know, but
there are things that we do know, and let US
dwell upon those things.
Your conscience knows that the word of God
in he Book of Genesis is true. 1t is only your
own stubbornness that prevents your acknowi-
edging it.
How can young man be cleansed of his
sins? The Bible says, By taking heed OF Gods
word.
Referring to the recent controversy over
the effects of convt r ion Mr.. Sankey said
that he had not read anything that had
appeared in the papers, but that he wished
10 introduce letter lately received from
young man who had experienced imme-
diate conversion in this City. In part the
letter he read was as follows:
When you and Mr.. Moody were in San Fran
cisco in 10 or 80 was young man in the
City of San Francisco leading a wicked life.
had twenty-five young men companions and
before L left there fourteen OF them
were in their graves. the result of
riotous and immoral living late at night
One night, getting up from the gam
bling table, ! passed along the sidewalk
in front of the Congregational Church. ard
while just opposite the door I heard from the
preacher within the one word. "stopl'' 1t i'm
pressed me al that time and / turned and en-
tered and took back seat, dissipated,
wrecked young man. l went from that church
without speaking to soul, but / was
changed man, and now am a preacher of the
gospel. just men ton this to show that there
is such tning as immediate conversion.
Mr.. Sankey will speak in the Y M. G. A
auditorium again this evening, and to-
morrow evening he will be the principal
attraction at students night" to be
held at the same place. and for the pur-
pose of gathering together and entertain
ing all college or school students in this
CITY. He will be in this part of the State
several weeks ami will then visit Southern
California.