Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-07
ALL v Ill ! MITE
Nearly Every Church In City Will
Join In Services.
TO EXTEND THROUGH MONTH OF MAY
Rev. w. M.Wharton and Harry Geeer
His Singer, viii Begin Revival Meet
ings First Sunday of Next Month and
Will Remain Through May.

This spring, or rather the month of
May, will see the biggest religious re-
vival in the history of Ottumwa, if the
plans of the Ottumwa Ministerial asso-
citation are carried out, and already
preparations are under way for the
biggest union revival meetings which
will be conducted. probably in a huge
tent erected for that purpose, by Rev
H. NJ Wharton, of Germantown, Pa,
and his singer. Harry Geiger. All of
the churches of the city whose pastors
belong to the Ottumwa Ministerial as
sociation, including all of the Metho-
dist episcopal churches, the Methodist
Protestant church, the Baptist, Pres
|byterian, Congregational, and Chris
tian churches of both the North and
South Sides will join to make these
meetings successful A large chorus
choir made up of singers from all of
the churches, will furnish music, under
the direction of Mr. Geiger and Rev.
Wharton. assisted by the ministers
who are interested in the movement,
will conduct the services in the taber-
nacle, or wherever they are elected to
be held
Place Not Decided Upon.
| As yet the location for the meetings has
not been decided upon. A large number
of the ministers favor the erection Of II
huge tent or tabernacle, but it may be
that this plan will be given up and the
| meetings held in some church, probably in
| that case the First Methodist Episcopal
as this is the largest church in the city.
Ministers Enthusiastic.
The ministers of Otumwa are enthusi-
| astic over the prospect for Il successful
series of revival meetings Rev Wharton
who will conduct the services. has never
! before been in Ottumwa, but he has a
4 reputation. gained at various cities in
Iowa. Missouri, and Illinois. which war
rants the Ottumwa preachers In feeling
| sure that they will have n very beneficial
meeting here. Harry Geiger. who accom-
| panies Mr.. Wharton as singer. is also we'll
known as an able and impressive vocalist
| and one well qualified to do his part in
the meetings conducted SO ably by Rev.
I Wharton.
Preparatory Meetings.
Already preparatory meetings have be-
| gun. During the present week business
! mems prayer meetings have been held
1 each morning. beginning at T:.'0 O'clock, in
| the lecture room ut the First NJ. f.. church.
| and Mt these gatherings men prominent in
| the commercial life of the city have met
q
churches for an honr of prayer before he
ginning their work for the day. These
meetings will be continued throughout the
present month. and next week will he
held ut the same hour each day ut the
First Baptist church.
In addition to the business mems prayer
meetings there will be cottage PRAYER
meetings and union prayer meetings The
1 cottage meetings are 10 he held on Tues
| day afternoons throughout the month. he
ginning at 3 O'Clock and MS many as fif-
teen will he held at one time, in different
homes about the city. The union PRAYER
meetings will be held in churches on both
the North and South Sides, on Friday even
ings during the month of April.
| Services Throughout May.
/ beginning witt the first Sunday in May
Rev. Wharton will conduct his revival SER
wives They will continue throughout the
4 entire month Of May and meetings will
no douDt be held both afternoons and even,
ngs
| Bible Society Meeting.
j On Sunday evening, al the First NJ l.