The San Francisco call., 1897-07-12
CHILDREN IN PRAYER.
Fifteen Hundred Young Christians
Gather Together.

"Suffer the little children to come unto
me, and forbid them not, for of such is the
kingdom of heaven"
These words were spoken yesterday af-
ternoon before the brightest and most en-
thusiastic meeting since the opening OF
the ton. 1t was q meeting of in
nocent children in First United Presby-
terian Church, Golden Gate avenue and
Polk street. Fifteen hundred children.
ranging in age from tiny babies of few
months old up to bright boys and girls OF
l6 years--boys and girls just ascending
the uplands of life-were present and
their young voices lifted up gave untold
strength bat gentleness 10 the songs and
prayers of praise.
Secretary John Willis Baer Of Boston,
Mass, conducted the meeting.
The earnestness OF his manner and
speech many times during the meeting
caused the tears OF the youthful Chris
tians to flow, and at times he frightened
their smiles when he tod them OF the re-
ward that awaited them in lie to come
if honor, truth and Christian charity were
kept uppermost in their hearts and
minds. Mr.. Baer first addressed the chill
dren and then called upon Miss Belle p.
Mason of San Diego to administer bless
prayer Rev. George F. Pentecost, DID,
addressed the gathering. The subject OF
his address was, "My Son, Give Me Thy
Heart" He told the children how If
they gave their hearts to Christ they
would place their entire body, as we'll as
their souls, in the keeping of the Creator.
The children, in response TO the mi n s.
ter's plea, all promised to give their hearts
to religion and Christianity, and then al
kneeled and prayed for strength to carry
out their resolves. C. n. Hunt next spoke
to the children. He accepted for the sub
ject of his address, TRY and Be Like
Jesus" He told the children of the
Savior's gentleness an Infinite good, and
prayed tnat they might take example
from the works of the Son OF God and live
pure Christian lives.
Mrs. G. L. Hanscom Of New Ham pton,
Ia, then sang a hymn to the children.
She sang unaccom panied and with great
effect. So Intently did the children listen
to the words of the singer that had she
suddenly ceased she would have found
that the great auditorium OF the church
was as silent as the stars, Notwithstanding
the vastness of the audience.
Mr.. Baer again addressed the gathering
at the conclusion of the hymn and told
the children the story OF little boy who
had given up his life to save that of his
glorv OF sacrifice.
1.-TWO children were playing a game, in
a great Episcopal church, known in the
western portion of the country as follow
the leader" he said. THE oldest boy,
aged IL years. was the leader, and he
climbed up one of the great pillars leading
to timber stretched across the church
thirty 1eet above. Thelittle boy, who was
two wears his junior, followed.
when the children reached the center
of the church the tim ber began to shake.
and the older boy realizing his danger
swung under the timber. The younger
boy then lost his balance, but as he WAS
about to fall he grasped his playmate's
arm. and there the children hung thirty
feet bove the floor. The older boy soon
became tired holding the double weight
imposed upon him, and his little friend
saw that this was a fact. They called for
help, but no one answered them, and then
the little boy asked his friend if he could
get back on the timber if relieved OF his
weight The older bov said that he could,
and on hearing this his playmate bid him
good-b by, released his hold and plunged TO
his death. The older boy then swung
himself psck on the tim ber and his Lie
was saved"
Many OF the children in the audience
wept during the telling OF the story, and
at its conclusion the children kneeled in
prayer. A blessing was then said, and