Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-08-25

ping TO the front, lac raised his hands
above his head, and, closing his eyes,
offered a short prayer. He held in one
hand newspaper, and when he com
incnccd speaking he referred 10 the
charges. and In a talk of less than two
minutes disposed of his subject. lie
denied that there was ground for any
allegations against him and said that
If requested he would give an itemized
account of all the money ever given
into his keeping. Then he asked his
audience not To let the reports circu-
lated about him have any effect on
their liberality. AS he said this there
was shouting of Amen" In all parts Of
the grove. Then the doctor preached
a short sermon and closed by asking
all to join IN singing.
Almost before singing had stopped
the signal was given to the uShers, and
they started down the aiSleS. II was
with difficulty that they made their
way to the crowd back Of the seats
Twice they We're obliged TO return TO
the platform and leave the heaped up
baskets. They were fully half an hour
making this collection. and how much
they secured is unknown. Good judges,
however, say that the total of offerings
at this meeting must have been SG0,-
900. Hand baskets Were brought into
use, and II was after the noon hour
when the bcnediction was asked.
Another service was to be held at
o'clock. and no one was willing to take
the chance of losing his seat by going
down town. While the people We're
yet waiting for the afternoon meeting
to commence many of the converts
passed through the crowd describing
wonderful cures that had been made
during the two weeks session of the
society. 4 woman who had suffered
from childhood with n dcformed leg
had prayed, and the limb was straight
cned. 4 man who for many years had
been drunkard had come to the meet
lngs, prayed, believed and now had no
desire for drink. \ woman who had
been thrown from carriage by n
horse running away said that one of
her ribs had been broken and driven
into her lung. Doctors were of no
avail. Their treatment had done her
no good but after coming to Old
Orchard last year she had asked the
Great Physician to relieve her, and she
was now well. Scores Of other remark
able cures were mentioned.
When the | O'Clock meeting com
mcnccd, there was n still larger crowd
present. Another collection was taken,
but the amount fell of apparently. At
the childrcn's meeting little tots gave
up their pennies and in several in
stances brought the little banks which
for years had sat on the shelf at home
to receive the pieces, one by one.
Parents took rolls OF bills and gave
them to the children that the little
ones might add to the great collection.
one Of the leaders said after the serv-
ice that undoubtedly this offering was
the greatest ever made by children.
The next service had hardly com
mcnccd when heavy thunder shower
began and rain fell fast. one of the
speakers cried out to the Audience TO
keep their seats, rs n nttle rain was
needed for the good Of Gods fields,
and that while water could injure
the clothing 1t could not harm the
soul. Cries of Amen" rang through
the crowd and few people left the
grove. The shower was soon over
and the wicker baskets again went
them almost as fast as the water had
fallen during the thunder shower In
tense excitement prevailed in the
grove, men with rolls of bank bills,
handfuls Of silver or holding checks
between their fingers and waving them
franticaily ut the ushers. We're seen
on all sides. Six more heaping baskets
We're nearly filled, and the meetings
were closed until o'clock The at
tendance fell Off noticeably at that
hour. The excursion trains had COM
menced to take the visitors home,
while others went to their hotels to
seek rest. Sunday evening, Aug. 13,
another service was held and another
collection was taken.
A man who Is interested personally
with DR.. Simpson was asked how
much had been collected. He would
express 10 opinion until he had con-
suited his chief. DR.. Simpson said
that he had decided not to give out
any figures. But" he added. "the
collection was quite large: in fact. l
think 1t Is far ahead of any previous
year" At 0 o'clock 1t was said that
the amount would reach $4,000.