Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-14

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So that is how 1t 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 num-
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 g work and of
his request
81 feel as if I were called to go down
there tonight, and will leave it with
you to say whether you will go on with
the meeting here. I think perhaps the
best plan would 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 us. .
So half 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 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 linger 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 to join in the chorus.
not foot of standing room was left in
the tent. The night was mild, and the
sides of the tent were up, and great
border Of frees stretched around, look
ing in and forming part Of the audience.
After the singing and a prayer by
one of the city pastors who were present
Gray stated the reasons for his inability
to speak and in his simple manner
turned the service over to "Brother
Maxwell of the First church y
"Who's de bloke2' asked hoarse
voice near the outside of the tent.
Ode Fust church parson We've got
do whole high tone swell outfit to-
night.
Did you say Fust church? l know
him. Ny landlord has got a front pew
up there. " said another voice. and there
was laugh. for the speaker was 81.
loon keeper.
THROW out de life line cross de dark
wavel' began a drunken man near by.
singing in such an unconscious imita-
ton of a local travelling singers nasal
tone that roars of laughter and jeers of
approval rose around him. The people
in the tent turned in the direction of
the disturbance. There were shouts of
"Put him out!'' "Give the Fust church
chance" sSong, songl Give us an.
other song'
Henry Maxwell stood up, and great
wave of actual terror went over him.
This was not like preaching to the we'll
dressed, respectable, good hammered
people on the boulevard. He began to
speak. but the confusion increased.
Gray went down into the crowd, but
did not seem able to quiet it. Henry
Maxwell raised his arm and his voice.
The crowd in the tent began to pay
some attention, but the noise on the
outside increased In a few minutes the
audience was beyond Maxwell S control
He turned to Rachel with sad smile
"Sing something, Miss Winslow.
They will listen to you, he said and
then sat down and put his face in his
hands,
1t was Rachel's opportunity. and she
was fully equal to it. Virginia was at
the organ, and Rachel asked her to play
q few notes Of the hymn
Saviour follow on,
Guided by thee,
Seeing not vet the hand
That leadeth me.
flushed be my heart and still;
Fear no further ILL.,;
Only to meet thy will
My will shall be-
Rachel had NOT Sl1np fine first line ha.