Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-21
ALL DAY MEETIN
Services at First Methodist Church
From Nine Until Four O'clock.
SPLENDID EVENING SERVICES.
Yesterday Great Day for the Church
People of ottunwa-Many lnflu-
enced by Strong Sermon Turn to
Christ at Evening Meeting.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Il never attended church all day be-
fore, but if ever have another chance
I'll do it again. was the statement OF
one woman at the big tent last night.
when all who had felt themselves
blessed by the all day meeting OF yes
terday We're asked to testify. For fif-
teen minutes there was running fire
of testimony telling of the good that
had been experienced and the bles-
sings received from the continuous
service in the First Methodist Epis
o'clock in the morning until four in the
afternoon
Increasing Attendance.
During the entire day the attendance
at the long meeting increased from
an average of perhaps not more than
fifty during the morning hours until
when the close of the meeting ap-
preached the auditorium of the church
was filled. The addresses all day long
were short, crisp and interesting. 1t
was great day for the church people
Ut the city. Those who had thought
of the all day service with some mis-
givings rs to its success We're the most
enthusiastic in it's praises at its close.
Largest Weekday Meeting.
Following the all day service the
meeting at the tent last night was the
largest and best weekday night meet
ing of the series. The tent was filed
but there was no crowd on the out
side as on Sunday night To one look
ing out from the platform the gather
ing looked like Sunday night meet
ing, and when the women had removed
their hats short distance back, all
heads looked alike. and the entire as
semblage looked like huge Y. M. C.
A. convention.
Singing Grows Better.
The singing grows better from night
to night. The church workers in the
audience are growing familiar with the
new songs, and they sing them with a
will and enthusiasm. and with swing
and power that almost battles the large
chorus in its efforts to hold its place
as leader There were two beautiful
solos last evening" one by Mrs
Frances e. Clarke and the other by
Professor Geiger.
Nothing Offensive.
AT the close of the services, when
the invitation was extended, many
came forward and asked for prayers,
or announced their conversion and
their intention to lead Christian life.
One pleasant feature of this part was
conducted by DR. Wharton, is the en-
tire absence OF any attempt to infiu-
ence the action OF anyone toward con-
version by undue excitement, by loud
prayers and by responses, or by the
shouting methods of the ordinary re-
viyalist. All is perfect quiet and Or
der. The matter is presented to each
individual hearer as a personal ques-
ton in the settlement of which he must
take the initiative.
While there are Christian workers
in every part of the tent, ready and
anxious to give word of encourage
merit Where it seems that it may do
good anu will be willingly received, no
one is Put on the rack, and subjected
to an offensive personal inquisition.
There is an entire absence of every
thing that can offend the taste or hurt
the feelings OF any one or in any way
make Ilelf presence at the meetings
unpleasant.
A Good Word for the Newspaper.
DR.. Wharton had a word to say last
night for the good work done by the
newspaper which is spreading the
news broadcast over the country. He
cited as an instance OF practical good
done, an occurrence of yesterday. An
BACK GIVES GILT