Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-21

ports telling of the wonderful work be-
ing done here in winning souls to-
Christ, had travelled 113 miles to meet
and talk with DR. Wharton in person.
Before the day was over he acknowt'
edged himself as converted and return-
ed to his home, an ardent believer.
Don't Be Caught Again.
In response to the query as to how
many had read their bibles during the
day fully 100 lost no time in getting
to their feet, as if they were proud to-
wipe out the bad score marked up
against them in answer to the same
your bibles, if it is only a single verse.
The merry twinkle in DR.. Wharton's
eye last night told plainly enough that
he will not miss the opportunity to.
put the same question again tonight.
Three Special Meetings.
The afternoon meeting in the First
Methodist Episcopal church today was
devoted to a discussion of the topic:
Our Young Men and Boys for Jesus"
Short addresses were made by Hugh
Jameson, G. W. Messenger and b.
c. Wade. These three men who are
especially interested in the work
among young men and boys, gave
pointed and practical talks. The meet
ing was a splendid one and was we'll
attended.
Thursday Afternoon.
On Thursday afternoon, at the same
time and place, the topic will be: Our
Young Women and Girls for Jesus"
Those. who will give short addresses
will be Miss Lula Lake, secretary OF
the Y. w. c. A., Miss Mary Foster and
MISS Abbie McEelroy. DR.. Wharton
desires large attendance, especially
of all young women and girls. When
it is understood that DR.. Wharton's
definition of young woman is any
woman under 80 years of age. it will
be realized that the invitation is ex-
tended to all.
Friday Afternoon.
Friday afternoon at the same hour
and place the topic will be: How to
Train Our Children for Christ" The
addresses will be delivered by Mrs. A.
e. Craig, Mrs. W. H. HORNED and Mrs.
ID. c. Bevan.
The Text.
Look unto me an be We saved, all
the ends of the earth" found in Isaiah
chapter As and verse %, formed the
text for the evening. The sermon was
in part as follows:
1t is a great thing when congrega-
ton anG it's preacher can all start to-
gether with the same end in view.
1t is the ambition of every man, woman
aud child, Christian or un-Christian, to
be saved. My purpose in coming here
is to tel you how you can he saved.
1t is impossible to tell when or where
the moment Of conviction will come or
what person will say the word or what
circumstance will be the occasion to
influence the sinner to the turning
point of his career.
One of the Greatest.
Charles H. Sturgeon, one of the
greatest workers for Christ the world
ever known, after a fruitless search
lasting for many months found the
words which turned his career into a
| life of service for Christ at little
wayside church in a scantily attended
service conducted by a humble coun-
try preacher.
He had attended the great city
churches and listened to the many
preachers of the Gospel in vain for the
words that would bring conviction to
his heart, when one night by chance,
because of an approaching storm, he
entered little country church by
which he had passed hundreds of
times. There We're but few there,
Sturgeon took his place far up to the
front in an obscure corner. The
preacher was tall and lank. The text
was the same as tonight. At point
in the service he stretched out his srm
and pointed his long bony finger
squarely at young Spurgeon and said:
Young many you are troubled about
your soul Get your eyes off yourself
and put them on Jesus and your trou
bic will be gone" Somehow the words
and the circumstances struck home
and the burning question which had
been haunting young Sturgeon for
months, found in these humble words
and in this situation, the answer ii
had sought for months.
A Small Thing Will Hinder.
1t is wonderful what a small thing
| can keep a person away from church
The slightest evidence of a coming
storm, a hot day, a cold day, a slight
headache or the fear that we may have
the headache, anything is sufficient te
keep us away from church meeting
But no storm, no matter how severe
no blizzard or blusteringly hot day, nc
raging headache. is sufficient to keeI
us away from a dance, theatre, {
Sunday baseball game or card party
Simplicity Itself.
"Look unto me and be saved" oh
that is too simple you will say. Tha'
| is the beauty of the Gospel story. Il
is simplicity itself. The most isnoran
man or woman, the heather or bar
barian, the youngest child can under
| stand and follow the requirements
| laid down for us to follow.
4 An Audience of Idiots.
A short time ago I had the unique
L experience of addressing about $50 lit
tie idiots at a state institution for thu
I insane I made the story as plain ant
as simple as possible and at its clos'
one little idiot girl of about five OF 81,