Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-12-23


In The army.
He vii give you grace to conquer
In the army OF the Lord;
he will give sou grace to conquer
In the army.
He viii hll YOU with his spirit
IN the army Of the Lord:
DE viii fiji YOU with his spirit
In the army
Oh. ! feel the power is coming
In the Army OF the Lord.
Oh, ] feel the power is coming
In the Army.
Ii was at the close of the collection
shat Rhena spoke AS long as he lived
Stuart VIII never forget the feeling
with which he listened nor the inn
preston made upon the rough uncul-
tured audience. Where had this young
woman. reared in the dollhouse atmos-
phere of society. trained to its artificial
politeness and refinement. caught the
spirit which knows how to speak to
the people Of the street and the mine
and the coarse toll OF humble homes?
Certain it was she had caught it, and
the old storage room, with it's audience
of stolid, hardened, rough men and
women, vas the scene Of a strange
victory of spirit over spirit. Rhena's
voice was wonderful help. 1t was
very clear and strong for such a little
body. 1t penetrated into the souls Of
the people. But it was what she said
that held them bound like captives to
her Will She spoke simply. lovingly,
with true enthusiasm, of the great
love of God in sending his Son into
the world 1t was not preaching; it
was a message of one saved soul to
others who were still in peril. She
spoke only a few minutes, and as she
closed she asked those who were under
conviction to come forward ana kneel
by the platform.
At once an cid man stumbled out in
to the aisle. He was partly under the
influence CT liquor. and if it had not
been for the friendly pushes of the peo-
pie on either side OF the aisle as he
tumbled Up first against one, then
against another, it is doubtful if he
would have succeeded in getting as far
as the platform. He did reach it. how
ever, and kneeled down after 4 fashion,
resting his head and arms on the plat
form at Rhena's feet. Instantly, in
voice that thrilled every ear in the
room, Rhena started the song:
Return wandercr, return,
And seek your Fathers facet
Those new desires that in you burn
Were kindled by his grace
Return, o wanderer, return
He hears your humble sigh.
Ee secs your softened spirit
When one else is nigh.
Return. @ wanGerer, return!
Your Favour bids you live;
Cone II Is cross, and you will learn
Low fr;y l.e'il forgive.
Each time lie army came in with the
chorus:
Oh, you must be lover of the Lord
Or you can't 90 to heaven when you diet
The contrast between the absolutely
cultivated tone CT 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 it was also
caught up by the audience.
Several persons went forward and
knelt during this song. At its cOnclu |
sion the ma or 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 |
by a clapping Of hands in the |
audience or by the rest of the army. /
The testimonies generally consisted of !
4 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
ross just three weeks ago tonight. and
gave him my heart Halleluiahr'
81 was a drunken. worthless sinner
year ago Now am redeemed,
washed in the blood of the Lamb. and
am not ashamed to testify of his sal
7ation.'
Before | was converted and joined
he army | was known as 'Scaly Joe,
he whisky soak Now I'm a new
nan: haven't had a nip for more'n
month. and my name is Joseph now.
md don't you forget it! Amen
One of the late converts among the
women came forward. and in Il trem-
bling voice. with tears running down
Ter cheeks, she said. while the laughter
aised by ''Scaly Joe's" testimony sud
lenly ceased:
81 was an outcast on Gods earth
'nly a short time ago. The army found
ne and told NE of the love of Jesus
IN redeemed and my sins all washed
way in the precious blood. Glory be
O his namer'
Now to Stuart. as he sat there lis
eninp TO all This n great torrent OF