The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-19
This Week the Noted Divine
breaches to Christians.
REGENERATION THE THEME LAST NIGHT
This Afternoon Mrs. Pearson Will
Hold a Special Meeting For Ladies
and Girls While the Evangel-
ist breaches at Night.

BLESSED Assurance, Jesus is Mime
These were the words which began the
I revival at the Presbyterian church.
1t was Sunday night, and great con-
present to hear the message of God which
Evangelist r. G. Pearson had come to de-
liver.
The building was filled with an atten-
tive congregation. All the seats in the
main auditorium and the Sunday School
annex had occupants and the only places
not filled were few chairs on the plat
form back of the preacher.
Not until seven o'clock did the doors
of the church open, and there was
large crowd outside then. waiting to en-
ter. By 1880 the building looked COM
pletely filled, but the people kept on COM
ing till o'clock. Seats had been provided
for 1000 people and nearly this number
were present.
Or. Eugene Daniel pastor of the Pres
byterian church first had the congregation
to sing
"Elr~scd Assurance, Jesus is Mine
and this was followed by Hide Me, on My
Saviour HIDE" these being led by music
from the piano and cornet and a strong
choir of singers. Then DR.. Daniel read
the first chapter of the Epistle of Paul
to the Ephesians, in which the apostle
prays that the people may come into the
full knowledge of Christ.
Then Rev DR. Curtis led in prayer, ask
ing Gods blessing upon the people who
were to hear and the preacher who was
to preach, praying that power from on
high should come so that all hearts should
he turned to God. Then there was more
singing and while choir and congregation
sang 81 Will Tell the Wondrous Story
the people made their evening offerings.
Then came an earnest prayer from the
pastor. asking Gods approval of the
preached word followed by more singing
ard finally just few minutes before s
O'Clock all the people sang that grand old
hymn Jesus, Lover of My Soul after
which Evangelist Pearson stepped to the
front of the platform. The congregation
sat silent and for a few moments not
word did the preacher utter.
In these few moments each studied the
other. A slight figure, clothed in minis
terial black face smooth shaven and al
most youthful in it's full contour. with
look of sincerity on it that is heightened
and intensified by bright and magnetic
eyes. it could be seen that here was
a man, who, if he could touch the hearts
OF the people, would be one who would
appeal to the higher longings without
any bombast and flourish, but simply
gently, practically.
He began to speak and there was a
soft and musical cadence to his voice. 1t
penetrated every part of the building.
but not because of it's force. 1t sounded
rather like the soft notes of the cornet
which breathed rather than trumpeted. 1t
was voice which suited face and figure,
the man, and the matter upon which he
spoke.
Unalfectedly he spoke and began by,
telling the people of the prayers which
surrounded the meeting MY friends,
said he, six weeks ago l closed meet
ing in Salisbury and when / closed it I
asked of a congregation of three or four
thousand how many would pray for Raj
eigh. for me, and for this meeting Out
OF that vast throng there were not less
than two thousand who raised their hands.
Two weeks ago at the closing service in
Gastonia there were fully thousand who
made the same promise. Since arriving
in Raleigh / have learned that the meet
ing is encirclcd with prayer, that for
twelve months past people have been
praying for Gods blessing on it. / thank
God for these prayers, for he hears them
and will send blessings in response to
heartfelt petitions.
Fourteen years ago | preached at a
great meeting here. There are many who
say that after awhile there is nothing
to show of the work of a revival, but
here l find officers in the church who
were converted at that meeting | have a
great objection to coming a second time
to a place, for the devil will be trying
TO get people to put their faith in the
preacher rather than in the word of the
Lord that he brings. / beg that you will
watch the devil along this line. Four
teen years ago / was frail and simple,
perhaps / am more so now, but it is the
Wcrd which / bring upon which ! de-
pend
Then Mr.. Pearson made some announce
ments He said that afternoon services
would be conducted by Mrs. Pearson and
would be for the ladies and girls, and
would be conducted on the line of Bible
study. This week his night sermons
would be to church members, to Chris
tians. and that next week he would
preach to the unsaved. 1t is no use TO