The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-03
HELD TWO SERVICES
LARGE ATTENDANCE SECOND DAY
OF TABERNACLE MEETINGS.
MAY ENLARGE BUILDING
IF AUDIENCE CONTINUES TO IN
CREASE AS EXPECTED.

Smfth-Sang Solo That Strongly
Moved Audfence-Man Kept From
suicide by Sermon of Night Before.
Conservation Asked to Make Free
VIII Offering for Expense of Tab
ernncIe-Many Ask for Prayers.
Two Services Again To-day.
The sermon by Mr.. Charles N. Crit
tenton at the Tabernacle last night
was preceded by a thirty-minutes'
song service, led by Rev. N. Keff
Smith, the chorister. The presence Of
a large number in the choir added
much to the enjoyment of this part OF
the service. Long before the hour for
service the people commenced to
gather from every section of the city,
until, when Mr.. Crittenton stood up
to announce the theme for discussion,
he faced a sea of faces like some of
the great congregations who attended
the Jones Stuart meetings last spring
If the congregations increase nightly
the Tabernacle will have to be en-
larged to accommodate them.
A corps of ushers, under the direc-
ton of Mr.. H. E. Crittenden, aided
greatly in seating the people. Rev
Bascom Anthony conducted the open
ing devotional exercises.
The solo, Reckoning Hands," sung
by DR.. Smith, caused tears to come to
the eyes of many in the congregation.
Rev. Ed F. Cook, chair
man of the Ministerial AS
sociation. told the congrega-
tons that no public appeal had been
made to obtain funds to erect the tab
ernacle and hence the congregation
would be asked each night to make
free will offering to cover this expense.
After a short prayer Mr.. Crittenton
stated that since coming to the Tab
ernacle he had been told that the
night before a poor, sinful man had
attended the service. He had been
contemplating suicide-but during the
service his heart was touched and he
now asked the people to pray for him.
He also stated that he had not come
to this city to fight anyone or to say
unkind things, but to preach the gos-
pei. He invited every denomination
to join with him in the services,
assuring them that he was not here
to preach UNCONVENTIONAL sermons
but to do the greatest amount good to
the largest number of people.
He took as his text the psalm
cxix SO Il thought on my ways"
WALL llC SdlNlt has w dliuGICd lIOHl
his creater--drifted away from Christ.
When 1 think on the Psalmist David
l think of the little shepherd boy. who,
with the assistance of little stone and
a sling, killed the mighty giant-and
put to flight the enemies of the Lord.
But again, l think of him as a fallen
man.
Through the eye sin entered into his
soul. He looked, he coveted, he sinned,
he he ~ h &c cir
He did not try to flee from a guilty
conscience. After he had committed
this crime of adultery and murder, he
confessed and asked for pardon, cry
ing out Create in me a clean heart,
and renew within me a right spirit
then ] will teach transgressors Thy
ways"
''7t now saw that God was able to
save a murderer and an adulterer.
True repentance will make a man con-
fess his sins l heard of a man that
tried to flee from his conscience for
IL years, who finally had to confess
when the Psalmist thought on his
ways-he Immediately turned his feet
unto the testimonies of the Lord
For 35 years l turned my back on God
and followed after the world, the flesh,
and the devil. But when 1 commenced
to think on my ways-I soon COM
n1enced to turn my feet unto the Lord
and ere long he claimed me as his own.
Years after while travelling on my
gospel car Good News l came in con-
tact with many fine young men who
had turned their backs on their homes
wanderers on the face of the earth
prodigals, keeping company with hogs
living in a pig sty-and yet so proud
they were unwilling to realize their
wretched condition.
THE prodigal son did not better his
condition until he commenced to think
on his ways-When he realized his
wretchedness and his degrade
ton, he said. I will arise and go unto
my father He went. confessing; he
went feeling his unworthiness. How
did his father meet him? Not with a
club; not with hard words. He ran
and fell upon his neck, kissed him and
welcomed him home. So will God do
with every man who thus seeks him.
"A few years ago the Prince of Wales
visited New York city. The Battery
was filled with an immense multitude;
every available spot was occupied; even
the trees were filled with boys and
men. When the Prince appeared a ring
ing shout went up from the threats of
thousands. But 1 know of another oc-
casion when there is a grander and a
sweeter shout than the one that greet
derer returns from the error of his
ways. There is more rejoicing in
heaven over one sinner that repeneteth
than ninety and nine just persons who
need no repentance
II once read tract that bathed
my face in tears. 1t told of
a poor, unfortunate. misguided girl
who in an hour of desperation, threw
herself into life of shame, wretched.
sick and we'll nigh dying, she turned
her feet out of the paths of sin unto
the paths of God" Pathetically. the
evangelist described the meeting be-
tween her and her brother; their trip
home; the welcome given to her by
father and mother. Thus" said he,
God our Father will cover our sins
gladly he will welcome you home when
faint, sick and dying you come unto
him.
"A seeking sinner and a seeking
Christ. When they come together
there is sure to be glad reconciliation.
All day long 1 have stretched out my
hands to a gain-saying people, thus
speaks the Lord.
For seven years l lived in the church
with no hope in God. Joined the
church simply to please my wife; but
nineteen years ago Jesus sought me
and found me, and saved me-"
In acceptance of an invitation
Many came forward, asking to be re-
membered in prayer. Services will be
held to-day at 4:30 p m. and again at
s.30 D. m.
The afternoon service yesterday. con-
sidering that it was the first to be
held at this hour, was we'll attended.