The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-29


name-Mr. Gray. Maxwell stepped to
the head Of the stairs and asked Gray
to come up
1--WE can talk better up here"
So Gray came up and stated the rea-
son for his call
III want you. Mr.. Maxwell, to help
me. OF course you have heard what a
wonderful meeting we had Monday
night and last night Miss Winslow
has done more with her voice than !
could. and the tent won't hold the peo-
pie.
''I've heard Of that. It's the first
time the people there have heard her
It's no wonder they are attracted.
ut has been a wonderful revelation
70 us and most encouraging event in
our work. But I came to ask if you
could not come down tonight and
preach. am suffering with severe
cold. do not dare to trust my voice
again. l know it is asking good deal
for such q busy man. but if You can't
come say so freely. and I'll try some
where else"
'T'm sorry, but it, my regular prayer
meeting night" said Henry Maxwell
Then he flushed and added: ~ shall be
able to arrange 1t in some way 80 as to
come down. You can count on me-"
Gray thanked him earnestly and rose
to 60.
Wont you stay q minute. Gray.
and let rs have q prayer together
Eyes. said Gray simply.
So the two men lneeled together in
the study. Mr.. Maxwell prayed like a
child Gray was touched to tears as he
kneeled there. There was something al
most pitiful in the way this man, who
had lived his ministerial life in such q
narrow limit Of exercise. now begged
for wisdom and strength to speak a
message to the people in the Rectangle.
Gray rose and held out his hand.
"God bless you. Mr.. Maxwell. I'm
sure the Spirit will give you power to-
night.
Henry Maxwell made no answer. He
did not even trust himself to say that
he hoped so. but he thought of his
promise. and 1t brought certain peace
that was refreshing to his heart and
mind alike.
So that is how IL came about that
when the First church audience came
into the lecture room that evening it
was met with another surprise.
There was an unusually large mum.
Der present. The prayer meetings ever
since that remarkable Sunday morning
had been attended as never before in
the history Of the First church.
Henry Maxwell came at once to the
point. He spoke Of Gray's work and of
his request.
II feel as II were called to 60 down
there tonight. and will leave it with
You to say whether you will 90 on with
the meeting here. / think perhaps the
best plan wonla be for few volunteers
to go down to the Rectangle with me.
prepared to help in the after meeting,
and the rest'remain here and pray that
the Spirits power may go with u.s."
So half a dozen of the men went with
Henry Maxwell, and the rest of the au.
dience staid in the lecture room. Max.
well could not escape the thought as he
left the room that probably in his entire
church membership there might not be
found a score Of disciples who were
capable Of doing work that would sue.
cessfully lead needy. sinful men into
the knowledge Of Christ. The thought
did not inger in his mind to vex him
as he went On his way. but it was sim.
ply part Of his whole new conception
OF the meaning Of Christian disciple
ship.
When he and his little company OF
volunteers reached the Rectangle, the
tent was already crowded They had
difficulty in getting to the little plat
form. Rachel was there. with Virginia
and Jasper Chase. who had come in
stead Of the doctor tonight.
When the meeting began with song
in which Rachel sang the solo and the
people were asked t. join in the chorus,
not foot of standing room was left in
the tent The night was mild. and the
sides OF the tent We're up. and a great
border OF faces stretched around, look.
ing in and forming part of the audience.
After the singing and prayer by
one OF the city pastors who were present
Gray stated the reasons for his inability
to speak and in mis- simple manner
turned the service over to "Brother
Maxwell Of the First church"
who's dc bloke =" asked n hoarse
voice near the outside of the tent
DE Fust church parson. We've got
do whole high tone swell outfit to-
night
"Did you say Fust churchg know
him. My landlord has got front pew
up there, " said another voice, and there
was laugh, for the speaker was % sa-
loon keeper
"T'row out do life line cross de dark
wavef' began drunken man near by.
singing in such an unconscious imita.
ton OF local travelling singer nasal
tone that roars of laughter and jeers Of