The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-10

The gospel wagon was used yesterday
afternoon for the first tine. services be-
ing held from 1t at the corner OF Market
and Tenth streets. in tho presence of a
large crowd. Rev. DR. sOoy, pastor of
Fourth Street NJ. E. church. made the
principal address.
As the wagon proceeded up Market
street previous TO the meeting It's novel
appearance attracted considerable at
tentlon. In appearance 1t resembles
bran new picnic wagon, is furnished
with an organ, small pulpit and awns
ings. In gold letters Gospel wagon
Is lettered on the sides. The cost OF the
wagon was raised from personal subs
ScriptIOns, and its contamination mas
been the hope for long time OF Rev.
Mr.. BaFtlebaugh, OF the Hearne Tnber-
uacle, Mr. Bartlebaugh is In charge OF
the wagon. Seated in the wagon were
q number OF ladies' and gentlemen
prominent in church work, and who
conducted the song service and Rev. ].
l. Sooy. Rev. c. 3. Graham, OF North
Street NJ. +. church. and Rev. Mr., AM
derson, OF Chapline Street NJ. r. church'
After a hymn had been sung. Rev. Mr..
Bartiebaugh spoke OF the success ne
had soliciting subscriptions. and thank;
cd those who had contributed. he saio
that the wagon was not the properly Oh
any church, sect or individuals ~ was
for the use OF any persons wanting 10
use il for religious purposes. He then
presented Dr. SOoy.
DR.. Sooy complimented the city OF
Wheeling upon having such a handsome
gospel wagon, than which he had seen
few better, although he had seen many
similar vehicles in other cities He was
glad that Wheeling had 1t, for gospel
WAGON Is in every large city, and some
tines there is one In each ward. The
idea OF n gospel wagon, he said. is not
as a stand from which elaborate SER
mons are to be preached, but from
which the masses may be reached by
plain, practical talks about their saliva
tiOn.
Re thought the gospel wagon would
he tho means Of bringing the churches
into closer communion. The day has
zone by when Catholics and Protests
ants Willy each other. All the churches
must reach the masses. He did not
think It true that there Is gulf be-
tween the churches and the people, but
Il Is true that the good are becoming
more distinctIvely good, and the wicked
moro dlsilnctivcly wicked. But the
church was never more in sympathy
with the masses.
Illustrating the latter statement, Dr.
Sooy cited the many philanthroplc insu-
tutions in Wheeling. and said that when
he was a boy such charitable institute
lions were not thought Of He mem
toned the Chlldren's Home. Home for
Friendless Women, Rescue Mission, Day
Nursery and Humane Society's shelter
DR.. Sooy said that the panacea for the
existing Ills Is the old-fashioned gospel,
Not the new gospel but the plain
truths. The masses demand 1t. the
rich demand IL: and preaching Gods
gospel in plain and straightforward
manner will benefit the world.
The people want TO know, said he,
that there is full forgiveness OF sins
and abundant pardon for their sins, II
they come to Christ. He spoke on this
line for some time. and related several
touching Incidents where men had
arisen TO higher lie, when told OF
Gods free and ful! forgiveness. Gods
pardon will make the man right. and
not side issues OF reform. The soul has
10 be reached. then the cleansing Is
thorough and the man is made whole
anew
The meeting would have continued
longer hut the frowuing sky and whlrl-
ing wind cut OF further addresses. Next
Sunday will probably see another sue
cessful meeting.