The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-17
FERVOR AT ITS HEIGHT
RELIGIOUS ENTHUSIASM BOILS OVER
AT HOLINESS CAMP.
Rev. John Hatfield Says Mothers Al
low Their Daughters to Go Buggy
Riding with "Black Devils"

The pavilion at Greenwood Park, which
has been the scene of many gay parties,
lively picnic gatherings and social func-
tions, witnessed the most enthusiastic and
fervent religious meeting last night that has
been held since the opening of the Holiness
camp. The Rev. John Hatfield delivered a
strong evangelistic sermon on what Shall
1t Profit Man to Gain the Whole World
and Lose His Own Soul?"
AS the song service, which pre-
cedes the regular sermon, began 1t was seen
that there was much enthusiasm in the air,
for the "amens. ''hallelujahs' and other
EXPLANATIONS were constantly issuing from
all over the tabernacle. and frequently a
shout would burst forth from one more ex-
cited than the rest. Just before the speaker
of the evening was introduced the company
became jolly and shouted and sang with an
intoxication of spiritual delight. One MEM
Der was especially lively.
A short testimonial service was held at
the close of the song service, at which nu-
merOus members told of the good which had
come to them during the camp session A
woman announced that in the morning,
when she was up in front, the devil was just
behind her. but that she had overcome the
evil one and was sanctified.> Mr.. Hatfield
sent straight from the shoulder. and in
such a strong and convincing manner that
his hearers were dazed. He pictured nu-
merous characters dying who had not
thought of saving their souls. Men do not
preach hell or believe in it, but they will
burn in hell just the same" said Mr.. Hat
field. Mothers allow their girls to ride
around in buggies until II O'Clock at night
with black devils who part their hair in the
middle. and then censure the Holiness peO-
pie"
Oh
flushed with excitement, the evangelist got
down from the platform and started
through the audience. AS if by intuition
and fearful for their safety the major por-
ton Of the crowd arose and quickly made
for the door. IF you can't stand this you
can't stand the judgment day." loudly
called the preacher after the retreating
and hurried away. At this period of the
meeting the widest excitement reigned
Men, old and young, cried aloud and women
historically wept and laughed in turn. One
man acted strangely. He had preached two
evenings before, and as he ran around the
tabernacle, his face red his hair dis
heveled and his whole frame shaking, he
cried aloud for the Lord Ito break them
up
The altar service was by far the most
impressive of the meetings. and those Of
the audience who had been attending the
service from mere curiosity forgot the
humor of the situation and looked in
honest sympathy. The invitation to the
altar was not neeueQ last NlSnt, LOT NdTQly
had the speaker closed when q young
woman hurried to the front and fell on
her knees. Old men and gray-haired women
went forward with young girls and cried
and begged for mercy and forgiveness
| Probably the most pathetic scene of the
evening was that of daughter of one Of
| the leaders among the Holiness folk who
| wept and cried as if her heart would break
| because she could not 'get through" She
| fell on the altar and the tears flowed
| down her face she poured out exclama-
| lions of how she wanted to give up every
| thing but could not; that she knew she
was making a fool of herself but didn'
| care; that she was going to remain at the
| altar until she was victorious. At times
| all would be quiet and apparently from
| sheer exhaustion the young woman and
| those about her would cease their cries
! and then the noise would break out again.
| This continued until a late hour, when at
| last the girl said she had got through"
! and amid the clapping OF hands and shouts
| of the leaders and the few who remained
| the meeting came to a close.
Yesterday morning Rev. Seth c. Rees
| preached and in the afternoon Mrs. Matte
| Wines had charge of the meeting. This
| morning Mr.. Rees will talk about work In
| the slums of the large cities at 1890. and
| in the afternoon Miss Minnie Lindberg will
relate her experiences in Africa and Miss
| Lilly Griffin will tell of her work in the
| slums. This meeting will begin at 2:3C
o'clock.