The morning news., 1899-04-24
PREsBYTERIANs BEGIN REVEALS.
DIR. Backman Conducts, Services for
Two Congregations.

Two Congregations.
Revival services for the congregations
OF the First aud Second Presbyterian
Churches were begun yesterday. and VIII
continue for about ten days. Rev. Dr.
Nathan Backman Of Sweetwater, Tenn,
is conducting the services, which are to
be held at the First Church and Lawton
Memorial
DIT. Backrnan preached in the morning
at the FIRST Church. The services were Of
the usual interest. the muse being of a
pleasing aud Interesting character An
nouncements Of the services that are to be
held while DR.. Backman is in the city were
made.
Al the evening service al the Memorial
Dr. Backman made his first appearance
before the congregation of the Second
Church. The pastor. Rev. w. A. Nesb.t,
introduced the speaker after making the
announcement that the services VIII oe
held every afternoon during the week az
the First Church, commencing at 4'9o
o'clock, and every night at the Memorial
commencing at Sis
The evangelist has a gentle ana pleas
ing manner in the pulpit and his delivery
the gospel, and nothing of sensatlohaI
character is taken uD. He seeks to lead
his hearers to Christ by the exposition oil
the Word of God and the violent appeal
to the emotions made by some preachers
is left severely alone. Dr.. Backman mas
been many years In the ministry, and
singular fact proves the devotion ana
Christianity of the family IN which ne
was reared. Laboring in the same work
he \ FyH
souls DR.. Backman has three brothers, all
devoted Christians, who have accomplish
ed great deal for the Cduse they cham
pion.
Dr. Backman's sermon was delivered
from the text found in Second Chronicles,
seventh chapter and fourteenth verse: II
my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves and pray, and
seek my face. and turn from their wicked
ways: then will l hear from Heaven, and
will forgive their sin and Will heal their
land"
The first desire of a Christian. DR..
Backman said, should be to help others
and lead them into a knowledge and the
leadership OF Christ. BY following the
text. he said. that can be accomplished.
Often there are no visible results from
meetings that have Sll the outward signs
of devotion. Ferveny prayers are offered,
hymns are sung and there seems nothing
wanting TO show the services of the deep
est and most effective character but the
results do not show such rel giOn, and the
explanation may be found In the text
ana the failure to follow the suggestions
there given. If the congregations should
lift up their voices and ask the Lord IN
what way they might be of good to
others, they could receive no clearer ans
wer than that given by the Chronicler.
The plan, the preacher said. that God
has laid out in the text to be followed is
the help he has given his children. If the
four steps he enumerates are taken. then
God. DR.. Backman said, is responsible for
what follows. .'All temporal possessions"
he said, "are gained through the observ-
ance of certain necessary conditions. Ma
tural laws must be given compli-
ance before natural blessings can
be secured. Observance of the laws of
nature bring the farmer his crops, and
so spiritual blessings follow the observ-
ance of those laws imposed by God Men
have learned the laws that govern the
subtle power that lights our cities and
moves our cars, but a disregard of those
laws and careless handling of the power
brings destruction. The power is a SER
want Of man SO long as its laws are re-
spected, and so is it with the laws of
God. He is man's servant and | say what
might sound like b.asphemy, SO long as
His laws are observed, but / tell you, my
friends, that destruction follows the dis
regard of those laws"
DIR. Backman closed his sermon by urg-
ing all those who heard him to become
channels of grace through communion
with God. He invoked their aid in the
revival work that is before him. and fin
ally dismissed the congregation with his
benediction.