The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-20
HOW The
GIDEONS
STARTED

The announcements on the bill-boards.
in the newspapers. etc. that the Gideons
are TO conduct Evangelistic meetings In
this city, has given rise to the questions:
who are the Gideons? when. where and
how did they originate? What Is their
mission, and are they succeeding? What
Is the object OF their campaign In this
city, and has IL the support OF the church
es?
A prominent member saws: The Gideons
are an organization OF Christian. CONNER
cial. travelling men. The organization had
its beginning In the year 1899, In the towns
OF Boscobel and GAINESVILLE, Wisconsin.
John " Nicholson. the National presi-
dent who is 10 conduct the meetings in
this city, and r. S. Hill, were the promo
ters
Mr.. Nicholson. in the year 1899 entered
hotel I'm the town OF Boscobel Wisconsin.
and applied for accommodations The hotel
was crowded. but the proprietor secured
him bed in a room with another travel
ing man They soon discovered that both
were Christians and before they retired,
read the Scriptures and prayed together.
This meeting was actually the starting
point, for ere they parted they came 70
the conclusion that It would be fine
thin~ TO have some kind OF an organiza-
ton for Christian travelling men. and
could be recognized as such.
PRESIDENTS NUMBER 100.
According to arrangements. John II.
Nicholson. r. S. Hill and w. j. knights
met In the Y NJ. c. A. rooms, in James
Vile on July /, 1899. and effected the or
ganzation calling IL the Gideons.
From the small beginnings Of three they
have grown 10 "A membership of nearly
5000. having camps in nearly all the states
OF the union. Many men of prominence
are enrolled as members; No. 100 being no
less a parsonage than President Roosevelt.
Their mission IS, first TO the travelling
man. for the purpose OF saving him spir-
itually and morally. After the travelling
man they seek the salvation and spiritual
uplifting OF all people They hold Evange-
listic meetings in hotels. churches, mis-
sions, etc, always seeking to do people
good
The object of their campaign In this city
Is not TO make people Gideons, or church
members, but 10 preach Jesus Christ TO
ALL for the purpose OF their souls saliva
ton John II Nicholson, the National
president. who conducts the meetings
here. Is whole souled. broad minded,
Christian gentleman, who combines bust
ness sagacity with Christian enthusiasm.
He Is n man OF experience both on the
road and in the pulpit. He has just come
from Boston where he has conducted n
very successful series OF meetings In sew
eral churches.
SERVICES BEGIN TONIGHT.
The meetings 10 be held here have the
cooperation OF all the Evangeistica!
churches Of the city, also the Y. NJ. c. A
They have officially voted to support this
work
At preparatory meeting held In the
M c. A. Saturday evening. the church
es were well represented both by pastors
and laymen. Al. arrangements for the
campaign are practically completed. The
services will begin this evening, in the
| Mathewson Street Methodist Episcopal
church, az 7:45. and continue there until
Sunday eveeing. June %. when they Will
be transferred 10 the Benencent Congre-
gational church Ground Topl and carried
through until Sunday, July 2d.
A mems mass meeting will be held in
the Y. NJ G. A. each Sunday at p. m.
on Sunday. June 25, a union meeting or
all the young peoples societies will be
held in the Mathewson Street Methodist
Episcopal church. at p. m.
Mr. Harry w. Lambert, the distinguish
ed Gospel soloist, has been engaged to
sing at all the meetings.