The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-16
DISAPPOINTED MINISTER.
Pastor of Omaha Peoples Church
Turned Down by Mr.. Sheldon.

Rev. Charles W. Savidge, of Omaha,
and Councilman c. o. Lobeck came to
Topeka to interest Rev. Charles M.
Sheldon in the work of the Peoples
church at Omaha, of which DR.. SaVidge
is pastor. The church does work of a
missionary character among the lower
classes, and for that reason help was
expected from Mr.. Sheldon, but the Wis
itors We're disappointed. They were
told there was no available space. Both
men were very much disappointed, and
Mr.. Lobeck said: ''I don't believe Jesus
would have turned us down after we
had come 250 miles,.
Following is Mr.. Savidge's interview:
Nearly eighteen years ago was sent
to Omaha by the authorities of the
Methodist church, and appointed pastor
of the First NJ. f. church of that city.
1 occupied the Methodist pulpit in Oma-
ha for nearly ten years, and during
those years my heart went out to the
neglected. to what is called the 'un-
claimed Masses and IN the fall of 1889
Bishop Vincent gave consent for me to
take up that work. / rented Bonds
theater at my own expense and without
cost to my church, preached for nearly
a year to great crowds OF the unsaVed;
then at the request of the bishop l took
a regular pastorate again for a short
time but eight years ago I returned
my parchmentS to the church, and
stepped out independently to preach the
gospel to the poor and wicked of my
city. I bought a small church on
Eighteenth street and leased the ground
on which it stands. [ had very clear
convictions that / was in the line of
duty and God raised me UP some of
as true friends and helpers as any man
ever had. AT the beginning 1 thought
I was prepared for the work, but have
been prepared for the work in the work.
The most difficult thing that God has to
do is to get the worker ready. Our
labors have been much blessed. The
poor have been reached; the wicked
have been converted. The transforma-
tions in many cases have been truly
as ever. Men and women thoroughly
discouraged and heartbroken have
knelt at the altar of Christ and gone
away with new courage and with trans
formed hearts and lives.
Permit me to give an instance or
two. One Sunday evening as 1 was
about to begin the sermon a man
walked rapidly up the center aisle. His
clothes were poor and worn, and his
face had a haggard, despairing look.
He seemed to be literally without hope.
He listened as one might for his life,
and being invited to do so, he kneeled
at the altar for prayer. He accepted
God to the best of his ability Then
commenced a struggle that was fearful,
which continued for weeks. He did not
tell US at first all the truth concern
ing his case, but he soon did so. He
was a morphine user in the last stages
OF TnaC 1eaflul naDlIs out NIOu gave
him complete victory, and today he is
a most highly respected Christian man.
His physical health is perfect and his
family and home are restored.
"A great effort is being put forth
now to purchase a lot 66x132 feet in the
heart of the city of Omaha, on which to
erect a suitable and commodious four
story building adapted to this great
work in every way. The first floor is
to be utilized for auditorium, prayer.
and Sunday school rooms, also business
Offices The three upper floors are to be
for the use of working women of all
classes that find employment in the Off
ces and business houses in a great city
like Omaha.
already great encouragement has
been given to the promoters of this en-
terprise. Six thousand dollars have
been pledged. These subscriptions,
from all classes of people, for this work,
are not sectarian but interdenomina-
tional in character. A prominent
lawyer, an Episcopalian, whose name is
of a national reputation, gave $500, and
a noted woman of the half world gave
$780,