Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-03-06


onoIis district where Mr.. Tsakoff is |
tha local pastor. Recently the pastor
of Knstendil, Mr.. Fournajieff, went to
Mr. Tsakoff's aid, and together they
boldevangelistic services. Mr.. Thorn
cor has forwarded Mr.. Fournaiie ifs
report of what was done at Haskovo,
in which he says:-
"On Sundays we had two sermons
and in the afternoons services
for special objects-the young only,
those calling themselves evan
eelicals though number of nom
evangeIicals also came), and the
Lords Supper. On four of the week
day evenings we had cottage meet
ings simultaneously i two or three
different homes. These meetings
were largely attended, especially by
Orthodox {non-evangelical) people.
Some of the meetings were even held
in Orthodox homes by the personal
| invitation of the families. These
were the most encouraging meetings.
They were so interested in the pure
and simplest presentation of the
gospel that even former prosecutors
invited us, one family inviting us a
second time, so that we had to pass
by an evangelical home in order to
90 there again. The father and
mother from this homo both came
personally to me and begged this
privilege. The wife has been a per-
secutor of her husband simply be-
cause at one time he desired to be
present at some evangelical services.
But she prepared special and large
room for the meeting, and the at
tendance at her house was overflow
ing both times. This couple attended
our meetings regularly towards the
end; and the last Saturday evening
the husband told Mr.. Tsakoff that
they had decided to go together. This
| is only one of a number of similar
cases. Our aim in all our meetings
was to present only the gospel of
| Christ, and Mr.. Tsakoff told me he
was surprised at the deep interest
which the people manifested nthe
message.
"The cottage meetings proved
feeders to the services in the church.
We had announced that any inter-
ested in their souls salvation might
receive appointments for personal
conversation with US! We had several
such cases with very happy results.
"We also resorted to much visiting.
not only in homes, but in the shops in
the slack hours of the day. Then we
visited the lukewarm adherents and
church members, as well as new per-
sons showing interest for the first
time, and speaking to groups of men
here and there. Every afternoon
along with the PASTORS wife, we Wis
tied homes, only for spiritual CONVEX
sation and advice. Everywhere we
saw that God was nightly working
with the gospel. Many asked ad.
vice; others asked for the prayers OF
the church in behalf of their homes
husbands or wives, children or par,
ents.
CAT the cottage meetings, besides
singing, reading of scripture, anG
talks on some live evangelical topic
opportunity was given for questions
as to gospel teaching and Christian
living. This turned out in a very
gratifying way. No unfair or skep
teal question was put. Often these
meetings were prolonged to three
hours or more, the people being
ready to hear still more and more o
the old, old story. The attendance a.
the church kept increasing to the,end
in spite of cold, muddy, and rainy
weather. The building was full t.
OVERT owing.
"The success with the backslidinJ
members was more doubtful. Som,
made good resolutions and promises
but others were hard to move. Al
most all of them attended the churc
services and expressed persona
, qualification.
"Our decision meeting was we
attended, and the Holy Spiri
3 manifestly worked with us. It was
l time of deep self-searching, an
l thirty nine persons consecrated them
3 selves to God and Jesus the Savior
, Of whom thirty reconsecrated them
selves as already protesting Chris
q tians, while nine did so for the frs
time. Auwho spoke and testified di
SO with deep feeling and a spirit {
; self-surrender to Jesus the Master.
I My health has been good, excer
u some malaria which I never expe,
q to get out of my system.
Your missionary pastor,
ROBERT THOMSON