Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-19
SPIRIT is NOT DEAD.
Rev. j. Wilbur Chapman ,e,ls of Y.
M. C. A. Evangclistic Work.


Ottumwa people will be interested in
hearing from the Rev. Wilbur Chap
man, ID. D.. who on two different &C.
casions has held big revival meetings
in this city. AT present he is secretary
of the evangelistic committee of gener,
al assembly Of the Presbyterian church
and is conducting series OF revival
meetings in Toledo, Ohio.
In the course of his address last Sun
day afternoon he declared that the
spirit OF evangelism was not dead
among the men of the great cities of
North America. He cited the remark
able work that has been done during
the last few years by the Young Mems
Christian Association in it's special
evangelistic meetings for men. He
said:
Earnest Efforts Made.
Il have been connected with the
Young Mems Christian association
from my youth up and intimately asso-
ciated with them in their work for
young men. They have always been
intensely earnest in their evangelistic
effort, and have constantly studied the
needs, as well as the temptations of the
men. With enterprise and persistence
they have adapted their services to
reach the largest number of men of
the cities, railroads and colleges OF the
country. Since the appointment OF spe-
cialists to conduct these meeting four
years ago. immense mems meetings in
theatres have been developed and sus-
tanned Sunday after Sunday. crowding
ha 10, !, -, \,
;..5. . In Washington.
l am indeeds surprised myself that
even in the city of Washington. a
place which has supposed TO be the
| least responsive to evangelistic effort
to find that for two years, a great ser
vice has been held with an attendance
often exceeding $500 men, and averag
ing for the winter over 1.500. The
most notable men in Washington are
found in constant attendance. partic.
ipating in the active service with the
enthusiasm that characterized the old
Moody meetings. Since January /
800 men have in these meetings de.
clared their purpose OF leading Chris
| tian lives. In the old city OF Baltimore
a series of mems meetings has been
| averaging over 900 men each week
/ Here over 600 men have signed cards
expressing the purpose of leading q
! Christian life since November / ant
conservative old Springfield, Mass
( often gathers over 1900 men in the
! atre service. Kansas City has averaged
| 1900 men week for three months, and
| in New York. Carnegie hall is otter
packed with great audiences of men
/ who listen to the discussion of great
moral questions. Indeed, the associa
| tons spare no expense OF effort OF
I money for these audiences. engaging
4 the best musical talent and often cir
culating 100000 invitations for single
service, besides posters, newspaper ad
/ yertising. ETC.. to attract the attention
4 and attendance of men,
Urge Men to Take Stand.
In some places at least 200 men are
| engaged on different committees work
| ing up these meetings. The addresses
/ for the most part are aightforward
/ virile, manly appeals to the brains ant
i sciences of men, and without waverine
or apology men are urged to take al
4 immediate stand for what is clean
anu Vii tuN
/ man who is most successful in this
work for men in this country. is FREQ
1 B. Smith. For at least forty-five Sun
1 days in the year he is addressing au
diences of 500 to 5000 men, and las
/ year over 1900 men expressed their de
/ sire and purpose to lead a Christian
| life at meetings conducted by him. NJ
small proportion of these men arc lead
ers in the social intellectual and bust
ness life of their communities. This
| is one of the most encouraging demon
STATIONS of the fact that the old COS
pei has not lost its power, and where
men unite with courage and power
| in undertakings of large purpose. larg,
results follow. What the Young Men,
Christian association has demonstrated
is possible in every city and town il
| this country"