The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-11
STIRRED BY EL0QUENCE
w. p. Halls Business Talk to
Men at the Columbia Theatre.
The Y. NJ. G. A. Evangelist Warns
People Against Placing the Dollar
Before God-At the Request OF the
Speaker the Vast Audience Pledges
Itself to Lead = Christian Life.

Several hundred men were unable to
gain admission to the Young Mems Chris
tlan Association meeting for men at the
Columbia Theatre yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. William Phillips Hall, the business
man evangelist of New York City. was the
speaker of the meeting, and addressed a
crowd which filed every seat in The
theatre.
Heretofore the meetings have been held
in the Young Mems Christian Association
gymnasium, in G Street, but lately it has
become altogether inadequate for the ac-
commodation of the large number who at
tended each Sunday. The idea of utillz-
ing the Columbia Theatre was adopted
and the immense attendance yesterday at
tested the wisdom of the venture.
Mr. William Phillips Hall has been en-
gagged in evangelical work for the past
two decades, and is one of the most sue
cessful workers in this field in the coun-
try. 1t has been said of him that next TO
Mr.. Moody there has been no more sue
cessfuf evangelist in recent years. He is
a the head of the Twentieth Century
Gospel Campaign, a movement which has
become general in all parts of the United
States, and by which all denominations
are united without regard OF sectarian
lines in an aggressive evangelical work.
Lyman L. Pierce, the Secretary Of The
Washington Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, opened the meeting with prayer,
and was followed by F. II. Jacobs, the
singing evangelist. who, assisted by The
Young Mems Christian Association or
chestra had charge of the musical por-
ton of the programme. Mr.. Jacobs sang
"Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown"
Several hymns were sung, and prayer
offered by the Rev. Luther B. Wilson. OF
Foundry VI. E. Church
Before he began to speak Mr.. Hall step
ped to the front Of the stage and offered a
short prayer. Then. without the formal
ity of an introduction, he launched into
his address which, although brief, was
delivered in a forceful and entertaining
manner. The speaker cOuChef his argu-
ments and eXhortations in SMILES which
appeared always to carry full and clear
meaning to the minds Of the auditors.
The discourse was interspersed with many
interesting and amusing anecdotes. MIR
Halls theme was practical Christianity
and the advantages Of the adoption OF Il
righteous and Christian life By the men
of today. He said in part;
Never has there been Il time in the
history of our country when the effect of
sin was so apparent and the need of sal
walton so great as it is at present The
time has now come when all who call
themselves Christians should rally and
join hands and hearts in preparation for
such an advance in Christianity as has
never been witnessed in the worlds his
tory.
When l look back over the ages my
heart sinks within me at the prospect.
But | feel the greatest confidence in the
Son of God and / believe that the spirit
of God is In many of the hearts of you
who are here this afternoon. The motto
Of the Christian church in the twentieth
century should be Christian service, for
the religion OF Jesus Christ is that which
serves by seeking TO help, to encourage.
and to uplift fellow-men.
Il am glad there is in your hearts the
spirit of God instead of the spirit of the |
dollars, which fills the hearts of some men