The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-01
THANKSGIVING REVIVAL.
Large Congregation Hears the Ser
mon at First N. E. Church,

The results of Thanksg- Eing dinners,
football games, nor the threatening
weather. were sufficient to keep a large
number of Topeka people last night
from the union revival services which
are being held in the First Methodist
Episcopal church this week. The large
auditorium of the church was filled
with an attentive congregation, and
considerable interest was manifested in
the services.
Special music was rendered during
the evening by Mrs. C. w. Parkhurst,
Miss Nina Thomas, and Messrs- James
Moore and. w. r. Carrie. the quartette
of the First Presbyterian church.
The services was in charge of Rev.
A. Z. Wagner, pastor Of the English
Lutheran church, and the sermon was
preached by Rev. Mr.. Pearson, pastor
of the Congregational church OF Nortn
Topeka.
Mr.. Pearson took for his text part of
the sixth verse of the fifth chapter OF
the gospel of st. John, ''Wilt thou he
made whOIe?" using the incident of the
healing of the cripple at the pool Of
Bethesda as the foundation for his dis
course
After relating the incident of Christ
healing man after the cripple had
spent years in an effort to be the first
into the pool after the stirring of the
waters, Mr.. Pearson made his applica-
ton. The disease of humanity, he said,
is sin. Three things are necessary to
be healed of it: First, a consciousness
of the need of healing; second, a will
ingneSs to be healed; third, obedience
to the commands of the healer. 1t Is
difficult for a man to be cured of his
disease unless he realizes his need of
healing. This Mr.. Pearson illustrated
by the case of a boy who had taken an
overdose of mOrphia tablets and whose
life depended on his being kept awake.
He begged piteOusly of his friends to
be allowed just a little sleep, but they,
knowing that sleep meant death, cruel
ly, it seemed to him, kept him awake
until he realized that he must not
sleep. Likewise the man who has the
sin disease does not realize his cOndi-
tiOn and desires to continue in it, re
senting all efforts for his salvation, un-
til aroused by the Holy Spirit. There
are many seIf-righteOus people in the
world who point to the fact that they
are not as bad as some others. and use
that as an excuse for their disease.
A Willingness to be healed must fol-
low the discovery of the existence of
the disease, and coupled with it must
be obedience to the commands of the
physician. No man can be cured who
deliberately refuses to do the things
necessary to effect a cure. Christ told
the lmpOtent man a the pool to arise,
and he instantly did so and was heal
ed. The same thing follows obedience
to ChriSts commands in becoming
cured of sin Some people are willing
to do great things for their salvation
when only little things are required but
these they think are too insignificant
for their notice. Like Naaman the
Leper they refuse to wash in a muddy
stream like the Jordan when the rivers
of Damascus are purer and better, but
it was only by being willing to obey that
Naaman was healed, and the same
thing is true of the sin afflicted man of
the present day.
Immediately following Mr.. Pearson's
sermon the general congregation was
dismissed and an after meeting was
held for inquiries in the lecture room
of the church.
The plan pursued at these revival
services in simplicity itself. At the
opening of each service cards are dis
tributed in the congregation on which
is printed a few lines expressive of a
determination to become a Christian.
Below these are blanks for signature
address, and church preference Those
who desire to become Christians are
simply asked to fill out the blanks and
the cards are collected at the close of
the service