The Washington times., 1902-05-05
GOOD WORK DONE BY
THE GOSPEL WAGON

cigarette He was not so bad as he thought
he was, however, for when he caught the
old ladies' looking nj him he suspended the
process and removed his hat.
BY the time several songs had been
sung and q number Of appeals made. that
certain emotional excitement which often
sweeps like a wave over revival meetings
began to manifest itself among number
OF the listeners number of them asked
that they might be prayed for by raising
their hands. young coiored woman who
was evidently almost on the point OF COM
ing forward and declaring that she wished
to lead a better life. weakened in her in
tention when she had almost reached the
wagon. AS she turned back companion
put her arm around her waist and
whispered in her ear trying to persuade
ner TO carry out her intention. but her
courage was gone and she shock her head
and turned away.
Told of Experience.
a prodigal son who had deserted the
husks and the swine some six months ago
told OF his experiences and the new-found
comforts of his faith with much fervor.
At the meeting in Market Space the
crowd was larger. More people came for
ward and asked for the prayers of the
missionaries. being emboldened perhaps
by the dusk to stand forth and declare
themselves willing to turn from the paths
CT ighteousness.
a glib convert OF FIVE weeks standing.
who accused himself of every crime in the
decaloguo except murder. appeared to
make great impression on the crowd.
Leaning against a lamp-post near the
inner fringe OF people was a half-drunken
man whose face showed the effects of
vice and dissipation. He had not come
there to hear the services The wagon
bad stopped in front of his lamp post, the
crowd had gathered around. and he had
simply stayed.
Joined in the Chorus.
He raised his head when the folks in
the wagon and part of the people on the
ground about him began to sing:
II will sing the wondrous story
or the Christ who died for me-
When the second verse started he Joined
in with the singing, and then stopped in
a sheepish sort of way. Perhaps he had
not known that he remembered the old
hymn. and the air and words may have
awakened some of the recolIections of
his youth. At any rate he listened with
tears upon his cheeks while the leader
from the wagon spoke. and he was cae Of
those who asked for prayers.
A Converted Israelite.
young Jew with the strongly marked
features of bis race arose and told Of the
struggles it had cost him to forsake the
faith Of the patriarchs and follow the
teachings of the disciples.
Upon the outskirts of the crowd cou-
pie Of young women whose painted cheeks
and tawdry finery proclaimed their unfor-
tunate lot paused for a few moments One
of them wavered at the appeal OF the
speaker, but her companion laughed reck-
lessly and pulled her along.
There is scarcely a gospel wagon SER
vice that there are not from q
half dozen to a dozen converts who are
gained by the mission forces. One of the
great problems that the workers have to
contend with in their evangelical labors
is to keep the converts straight after the |
first wave of emotional excitement has
subsidized. To this end they must provide |
assistance as we'll as spiritual.