The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-14
JONES TO THOUSANDS
TABERNACLE FILLED AND SUR
ROUNDED BY HIS HEARERS.
ESTIMATED THEM AT 10000.
A STRONG TALK THAT OFFENDED
NONE.


Straight Gospel Was Preached,
Though Here and There MIR. Jones
Threw in Jest or n Gibe-COmes
with Malice Towards None-Out-
lined His PoSition-Meetings VIII
Be Held This Morning at 10
O'Clock, This Afternoon at 4;3O
and Tonight.
Thousands thronged the Tabernacle in
the Park Extension and encircled it last
night when Rev. Sam Jones preached
for the first time during the series of
meetings he is to conduct in Savannah.
Mr.. Jones himself estimated the crowd
at 10000. Perhaps it did not fan short
of that number. He anticipated smaller
number and said so during his talk. The
crowd probably numbered about 1000.
Rev. W A. Nisbet. president of the Min
isterial Association, said the building was
constructed for the accommodation of
1900 people. though it probably held more
than that number. There were scarcely
as many outside as inside.
The great majority of those gathered
for the service seemed to have been drawn
by their fervent admiration for the
preacher and their desire to profit from
the service Others were there through
curiosity On both classes the preacher
made distinct impression.
No conducted crowd of such
proportions was ever gathered in Savan-
nan. and this. despite the murmurs that
have been heard against Mr.. Jones and
the i'll feeling that is undoubtedly enter
tanned by some. And it was probably
what Mr.. Jones said ii was, the largest
religious gathering in Savannah since
there has been a building of the place
standing.
That the gathering was with the
preacher ana that it was impressed by
his talk, could have been shown by
nothing more strongly than by the re-
Spouse to his appeal a the close of the
service, when he called upon every man
and woman who wished to respond to the
love that is in Gods heart for them and
who want the meetings TO be productive
of good to Savannah and good to them
selves rise. From a seat upon the plat
form, il seemed that, one mighty body
the entire congregation arose.
An incident of the meeting was the
trouble with the electric lights. Only for
q brief period did they shed a brilliance
One went out after bit, and the others
offered but a lame apology for their
presence. Fluttering and Pickering
rapping and sputtering, they seem
ed upon the verge of retiring
from the meeting Mr.. Jones was
speaking at the time. He asked every
body to remain seated and perfectly quiet
if the lights should go out. A kerosene
lamp was at hand, and was lighted and
placed upon the platform. Apparently
seeing that they would not leave the tab
or in do Itch
ceased their sputtering and got upon their
good behavior, seemingly TO the no little
relief of the ministers who sat back of the
speaker on the platform.
Singing Led by TiIIman.
The choir of the night before had been
reinforced by many voices, and more than
100 poured forth sacred melodies. The
singing was led by Mr.. Charles Tilman,
who has long been associated with Mr..
Jones in a musical capacity Hymn after
hymn was sung before the preaching be-
gan. and the warmth and fervor of the
singing went deep to many hearts.
A prayer was offered by Rev Dr. w.
+. Quilhan of Madison. Ga, and shortly
afterwards Rev. Mr.. Jones and his CO.
adjutor. Rev. Mr.. Stuart, appeared on
the platform, being greeted with APP
plause from the congregation. 1t was the
first sight gerat many had had of Mr..
Jones. and it was with no little curios-
ity that they had a good look at the
famed evangelist. They saw a man of
about las pounds in weight, clad in
dark-gray suit. Fifity-four years sit none
too lightly upon Mr.. Jones, and there is
liberal sprinkling of gray among what
was the jet black of his hair and long,
dropping mustache. His figure, though,
is well knit and erect, bearing up we'll
under the ills with which Mr.. James says
1T is beset
After an Introduction by Mr.. Nisbet,
who hitting at the aldermen who had ex-
pressed themselves upon the matter of the
use of the Park Extension, said that ten
days ago he would never have thought
that il was necessary to introduce such a
man as Rev. Sam Jones to Savan-
nah audience. Mr.. Jones got in action,
and another opportunity for survey of
the man was afforded. Summed up, it
showed no ranting in delivery, a flow of
language that was seldom broken by hest
tation 10 grasp just the word required, a
well4modulated, even voice. carrying well
TO the confines of the building, a wit and
humor that evoked laugh whenever the
demands of effective speaking seemed to
show II needed, and a vigorous force that
held and swayed the congregation.
Many. probably, were expecting some of
the sensational speeches for which the
preacher is celebrated In that expectancy
Jones had his jokes and thrust few of
his gibes but his talk, in the main. was
confined to what ministers denomiuated
as pure, hard doctrine and gospel-the
soul-saving sort Love was the preach
er's theme, and IL was handled with the
art of q master. There could be no gain
saying that even by those opposed to the
preacher and yet hearing his words.
what Mr.. Jones Said.
Opening with an exhortation to his
hearers to remain perfectly quiet, in Or
der that his physical infirmities might not
prevent his making his voice heard
throughout the building. Mr.. Jones an
ncunced his text as John 3:l6: For God
so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten son, that whatsoever believeth la
Him should not perish, but have everlast-
ing life"
II thank Cod" the preacher said, that
s. has been my privilege to preach to so
many thousands, but more than all,
thank Him for this text i can reach but
comparatively few with my preaching.
but the printed Word. with such glori-
ors message, can go throughout the
world proclaiming the salvation that is
open and free to those who Will but ac-
cept the love that was evinced by so
great a sacrifice as that. Not to America
alone, not to Europe, Is the love OF God
for 10 81 bs. "a