The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-03-21

and The coarse toll Of humble homes
CsrtaiA It was she had caught II, ant
TIE old storage room. with its audienct
Of stolid. hardened, rough men and
women, was the scene of . stranGl
victory Of spirit over spirit. Rhena'l
voice was . wonderful help. 1t wal
very clear and strong for such . little
body. It penetrated into the souls oa
the people. But It was what she said
that held them bound like captives Il
her will. She spoke simply. lovingly
with true enthusiasm. Of the great
love Of God In sending his Son into
the world. Il was not preaching; II
was q message Of one saved soul te
others who were still in peril She
spoke only Q few minutes, and a. she
closed she asked those who were under
conviction to come forward and kneel
by the platform.
At once an old man stumbled out In
to the aisle. He was partly under the
influence Of liquor. and II 1t had not
been for the friendly pushes Of the peo-
pie on either side Of the aisle as he
tumbled up 6rst against one. then
against another, II Is doubtful II he
would have succeeded In getting A. far
as the platform. He did reach 1t, how.
ever, and kneeled down after fashion,
resting his head and arms on the plat.
form at Rhena's feet. Instantly, In q
voice that thrilled every ear In the
room, Rhena started the song:
Return, o wandersr, return,
And seek your Fathers face!
Those new desires that in you burn
Were kindlsd BY his grace. =,
Return. o wanderef. return! 49,.
lie hears your humble sigh. =.
He sees your softened spirit mourn =
When no one else 10 nigh.
Return, O wanderer, returni
Your Saviour bids you live;
Come to his cross. and you will learn
How freely he'll forgive.
Each time the army came In with the
chorus:
Oh. you must be lover Of the Lord
The contrast between the absolutely
cultivated tone Of the song In the
verses and the noisy, drum accompa-
MED rattle Of the chorus was startling
TO Stuart. He WINGED at It every time.
Rhena did not seem In the least dis
turbed. She smiled at the enthusiastic
swing Of the arm that beat the big
drum and nodded her head In time to
the rush Of the chorus as 1t was also
caught up by the audience.
Several persons went forward and
knelt during this song. At its conclu-
sion the major, who seemed In COM
mand this evening, called for testimo-
MES. They came. brief and simple,
from nearly every member Of the army
on the platform and were listened to in
perfect silence, which was sometimes
followed by a clapping of hands in the
audience or by the rest Of the army.
The testimonies generally consisted Of
a brief statement, something like this:
1.-TWO months ago found Jesus right
here In this room, praise be his name!
He is very precious to my SOUL"
'The Lord spoke to me from the
GROSS just three weeks ago tonight, and
I gave him my heart. Halleluiahr'
II was a drunken. worthless sinner
q year ago. Now ! am redeemed,
washed In the blood Of the Lamb, and
I am not ashamed to testify of his sal.
vation."
Before l was converted and Joined
the army I was known as 'Scaly Joe,
the whisky soak Now I'm a new
man; haven't had nip for more'n .
month. and my name Is Joseph now,
and don't you forget 1t! Amen"
One Of the late converts among the
women came forward. and in n trem.
bling voice. with tears running down
her cheeks. she said. while the laughter
raised by "Scaly Joe's" testimony sud.
denly ceased:
II was an Outcast on Gods earth
only short time ago. The army found
me and told me of the love Of Jesus.
I'm redeemed and my sins all washed
away In the precious blood. Glory be
to his name!
Now to Stuart. rs he s... there lis
tening to all this. great torrent Of
feeling came. 1t rose In him like q