The Somerset reporter., 1903-01-15
Union Evangelistic Meetings.

The evangelistic movement 10 this
town has made good progress during the
past week. Meetings have been held
every afternoon aud evening, except
Monday, under the leadership OF evan
gelists Taylor and Hatch, supported by
the four pastors and assisted by a large
chorus choir, with increasing numbers
and interest on the part of those In at
tendance. Several persons have made
known their desire to become Christians
and others have had their former hopes
and aspirations revived. The First Bap-
tist church became center of interest
and the daily resort of many from both
sides of the river iD spite of the extreme
cold. After week of genuine Christian
fellowship in the First Church, espe-
cially between the two Baptist churches,
the meetings were transferred on Sun
day to the Bethany church. The move
ment has been constantly developing
into larger union work, supported by
the four churches and their pastors.
Sunday morning Evangelist Harry Tay-
lor preached 10 the Congregational pull.
pit and Rev. j. w. Hatch In the Metho-
dist, to large audiences. In the after
noon large union meeting was held In
Bethany Church, the audience number
ing three hundred. A chorus choir
filled the pulpit recess, sweetly aud
strongly leading the congregation In the
musical service. Ii was a meeting made
up for the most part of church members
and the burden of Evangelist Taylor's
message was the value of the human
soul, based on our Lords words 10
Matthew II: II, "How much then is
man of more value than a sheepn Mr..
Taylor's preaching is very direct and
impressive, abounding 10 fresh and
telling illustrations. He holds the at
tention, even Of children. In the even
ing another large audience greeted
Evangelist Hatch, who took for his text
Proverbs 4: %, keep thy heart with
all diligence, for out of 1t are the issues
OF life." Mr.. Hatch breaches with great
force and fervor. There is no doubt of
his tremendous earnestness and perfect
sincerity.
The meetings on Tuesday, showed
plainly the hearty union Of all the pro-
testant churches In this evangelistc
movement and also that the evangelists
are getting hold of the community. The
attendance In the evening was very near
three hundred. At both meetings there
was very persuasive and tender presen
tation of truth. Ia the afternoon Mr..
Hatch riveted attention upon the man
who was lame from birth and healed by
Peter OF the gate Beautiful; leading to
the thought Of the universal need of men
all lame through sin that he who would
help must have something to give and
must take the needy by the hand. In
the evening Mr.. Taylor chose a SUBJECT
somewhat similar, the woman bowed
together whom Jesus healed on the Sab
bath. He showed how men and women
are bowed down by melancholy, bad
temper, dissipation, timidity and unbe-
lief, bound by Satan and how deliverance
may be had by the power of Jesus
through faith in him. The truth was
plainly presented and the interest was
intense as shown by the strained atten-
ton of all.
Through the activity of both pastors
and evangelists the whole village ia be-
ing visited and cordially invited to these
meetings. A folder calling attention to
them is being left with every family. by
the leaders In this movement. It is
meant that no one shall be left in ignor-
ance of the message of life and the way
Of salvation, nor be allowed to say, no
men careth for my SOU. The meetings
will continue through this week and over
Sunday.