The Washington times., 1902-08-04
Many Outdoor Meetings
Are Held Daily in the
Capital City.
SEATS ARE FURNISHED FREE
Favorite Campaigning Resort Is Chesa-
peake Junction - Mary Conditions
Faced by Street Preachers - Often
Subjected to Taunts and Gibes From
Lawless Class.

With the continued humidity Of the
summer months and the search for out
of-door recreation. there is a noticeable
falling off of attendance at religious
services. but this does not necessarily
mean that the back-sliders have no op-
portunities Of worshipp!ng in comfort If
their inclinaticns lead them in a devo-
tional direction.
Quite the contrary, there are now be-
ing conducted in Washington not less
than 100 different meetings every Sun
day, and during the evenings of the week
dozen or more street meetings are held
in addition to the special night services
in the missions and churches. Some of the
organizations responsible for these gath
erings employ drays to haul settees and
meeting. These pews are furnished free
of charge and also free hymn books are
scattered about through the audience.
Crowds Often Gather.
1t is getting to be quite an ordinary
sight to witness some minister or evan
gelist walk into the thickest OF the
crowds of people in any part OF the
city and open a service without any
announcement whatever, beyond the
song service ne starts all alone. Not
often is he left long by himself. He Will
touch some responsive chord in the
hearts OF excursionists, perhaps they are
backsliders starting on a pilgrimage of
questionable pleasure, and that will be
the nucleus CT a revival that will stir
the hearts OF many before the meeting
draws to a close.
Frequently the minister will be found
the central figure of the most lawless
class OF people residing in the city.
The intersections of the avenues and the
streets are favorite spots for the open
air gatherings, and often audiences num-
bering several hundreds assemble TO
hear the hymns and preaching. Faces
are seen there that have not been inside
a church since childhood, faces that are
familiar in police circles and voices join
ing in gospel songs that are heard often
in response to the query. Guilty or not
guilty."
RSdSu many oOuiS.
Such are the conditions faced by the
street preachers and the missions of the
city. In the same conditions the enthu-
siastic dispensers OF the Holy Word re-
ceive encouragement. for they know they
are reaching souls that will not be found
in the upholstered pews Of the aristo-
cratic churches.
An amen, sometimes in stentoriau
tone, but more often with halting voice,
will be heard from far back in the au-
dience when the leader has promised
that the Saviour will give rest to the
weary or wash white the sins of the low
liest.
Searching out the voice, it is oftenest
true that the speake: is one who has
not known what it Is to be spoken to
kindly or be treated as a man among
men, but one who has been gambling
or drinking. and finding his companions
among the habitues of vice or criminal
ity. The proceeding OF the evangelist
and his aids is to then seek out the
one who has been moved TO tears by
the services, and by personal appeal try
TO bring him into some church
Union Mission Busy.
On Saturday nights. when Satan is |
to be rampant over the city, |
the Central Union Mission holds forth
with four meetings The first OF these |
Is at Market Space corner, where a
four horse wagOn-load Of singers. speak |
ers. musicians. and workers hold open
service. Settees and chairs are brought
from the mission and the peo-
pie not slow in assembling are made |
as comfortable as possible. After the |
carly meeting an adjournment Is taken |
10 the mission chapel, and service |
lasting about half an hour is held
The third and fourth meetings are
held in that part of the city where are |
located questionable resorts of all kinds /
Service is held in front of the branch |
known as the open Door" An organ is |
used, and often other musical instru-
nents. Singing and preaching, lecturing. |
and story telling and in fact. the usual |
of evangelistic meetings is con-
lucted.
4 surprisingly large number of people |
IS attracted TO the gatherings. and the |
interest taken by the class attending. AZ |
ter the street meeting the union ad-
ourns to within the mission, and many
II the street audience follow. Conyer-