Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-11-12
Rev. FIR OiIIam's Work.


teresting and successful in every respect.
The attendance at the Congregational
Church each afternoon has been large,
while at the Methodist Church a full
house has greeted Evangelist Gillian and
his co-laborer Mr.. Crowell. Mr.. Gillian
has more tl.an justified the high antici-
pations that were entertained of his
work, and his methods commend them
selves to all thoughtful people. There is
not the least bit of sensationalism about
him. He appeals to the reason and the
not to the emotions nor the
fears of men. Yet there is no lack of
or of warmth. The heart is
stirred by his preaching, and spirituality
is awakened, which we take to be the
tombstone of evangelical work. The
singing of Mr.. Crowell, and OF the select
choir trained and directed by him, is a
great feature of the meetings. 1t not
only attracts people to them, but greatly
aids in bringing the minds of the audi
ence into harmony with the spirit of the
occasion, and adds effectiveness to the
preaching.
The meetings are all opened by singing
by the choir, and a solo by Mr.. Crowell.
A season of earnest prayer follows, and
then Mr.. Gillian breaches. There is
nothing about the service to remind one
of the historical and sensational scenes
that were sometimes, in former years,
witnessed in revivals. There is nothing
to shock or repel, but everything is made
attractive and in harmony with the best
and highest feelings of ones nature. In
the place of personal appeals to people
to come to the altar, cards are circulated
upon which are printed the words, 81 de-
sire henceforth to lead a Christian lfe,"
with blanks for signature and residence.
The signed cards are sent to the clergy
man at every meeting, and those who
manifest their interest are visited and
their spiritual wants carefully considered
and ministered to. At the close of each
meeting, all who have signed cards, and
all Others interested, are requested to
remain, and after the remainder of the
audience have passed out, another meet
ing is held, at which the services and the
preaching are especially adapted to lead
the awakened souls to the peace offered
by religion.
Sunday Morning.
The Sunday morning service in the
Congregational Church was largely at
tended. The sermon was very search
ing and impressive one. Mr.. Gillian
took for his subject, Eight Steps in a
Christian Life" The text was taken from
Psalm 81, %: 1.-The steps of good
man are ordered by the Lord and He de-
lighteth in his way" The preacher said
lam not going to talk about all the
steps that must be taken that lead unto
the Christian life, but to present what
believe to be eight of the most important
ones. The first step, Receive Jesus
Christ" John l, IL. The first step that
leads into the Christian life is to receive
Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour, and
in receiving Him receive all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily, believing that in
Him all fullness dwels. In receiving Him
we have the power orprivilege to become
the sons of God John l, 12) enabling us
to do all things in Christ who strength
ems us (Col. 4, 49,.
The second step, "Contess Him to the
World" Matt. 10, 32-33). There are
two ways of doing this: 1, confess Him
with pure life; 2, confess Him with the
mouth. When we confess Him with our
pure lives then our lip confession will tell
nightly for God.
The third step, "Be much in prayer"
(Phil. 4, g.. You cannot live without
taking this blessed step which leads into
the higher life in Jesus Christ. Our Mas
ter was an example of this. We should
pray for just what we reed and that we
might be kept from the power of tempta-
ton.
Fourth step, Study the Bible, e Tim.
2, 15). Live the third step and you will
take the fourth, for it is the natural out.
come of life of prayer. To the diligent
Bible student it becomes living food for
your souls; neglect it and you will be
spiritually starved. The Bible should be
studied prayerfully and thoughtfully.
You are to get something out of it that
will help you to live better in the future.
Fifth step, BE faithful at Church"
Matt. IS, 20). The church is the repre-
sentative of our Lord here upon earth
and there is great need of our being faith
full in our attendance at the house Of
worship. The pew should be filled as
well as the pulpit.
Sixth step, Have fellowship one witt
another" Il John 1, y. No one car
truly pray the Lords Prayer without
disappearing the name of God if there is
a particle of the unforgiving spirit. As
you hope to be forgiven you must be for
giving. If we are truly Christians We
will have fellowship one with another.
Seventh step, go to work." Matt
II, 2s). God has given to all His chill
dren a talent, and all that he requires o
us is to use it for others. If you wer,
lost in sin and He saved you, why gt
out at once to others and be the mean.
of saving them if you can.
Eighth step, "Nerer give up" Il Cor