Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-01-27
CHURCH COLUMN.
By j. c. shetland.
UNITED EFFORTS.

tions in Evangelistic efforts. They
unite because they have common
interest in saving people. They do
not aim to save in some future world
only but to save from all sorts of vices
right here. All these bodies of chris
aians have desire to build up the
spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ. So
it is becoming quite customary for all
the churches in a village or city to
combine their working forces in spe-
cial revival campaigns. In Mime
apolis lately between eighty and
NINETY churches worked together,
and this unity of effort is everywhere
The debates on theories have given
place to united work.
Torrey and Alexander have lately
been round the world in an eyangelis-
tic tour in which hundreds of thous
ands manifested desire for better
living, and over 100000 were hope
fully converted. This tour began in a
prayer meeting in Chicago. For
months several hundred people met
thabitually from to 10 O'Clock at
night to pray for one thing, world
wide revival. The Spirit came to the
man who led these meetings "Will
you go round the world and be used
as an instrument in this world wide
revival" He went and God was
with him. Four years passed during
which scene followed scene of power
and glory. The constant miracle of
the presence and power of God filed
many hearts with joy and courage.
Meetings were held in ten cities Of
Japan, in Eve cities of China, in eight
cities of Australia, in two cities of
Tasmania, in eight cities of India, in
twelve cities of England, in one city
of Wales, in four cities of Scotland, in
Two cities of Ireland. These meet
ings were held from four weeks to
four months in place. In the after
moons was solid instruction of the
people in the words of Christ. In the
evenings the work was evangelistic.
At noon were meetings for business
men when were takenup and discuss
ed the burning problems of the age.
Sunday afternoons were meetings for
men only, when men hundreds at a
time were brought into obedience to
Christ. The constant criticism on
these meetings was that they were
lacking in the emotional element.
People said the wooing note was un-
duly absent. But very large num-
Der of strong hard headed men were
converted. The work of ministers
was transformed, dead churches gain |
ed new life, sabbath schools were re-
mo5ernized and spiritualized, young |
people chose the ministry or mission
airy work, large gifts were donated to
hospital and other benefcent move
ments. There was no new gospel
nor many new measures; but the old
Gospel was preached, sung, told, with
old time vigor and has not lost it's
power. Of course there has been
little time to discuss the nature of
angels, and the inhabitants of Mars,
and "the thusness of which," But |
there were vigorous talks about hon
esty and truth, and purity, and love
for the race for whom Jesus died. |
They had the same earnest praying |
which availed in the time of Moses !
and Elijah and Paul. It was the same |
faith in God that saved people in the
time of Xavier and Luther and Wes- |
lev. It was the same spirit that al
ways brings conviction of sin, and
new life, and publication of conduct,
and power to do heroic service.
1t will be interesting to the people |
of Morris to know that such united |
effort in evangelism has been agreed |
upon here. The Congregational
church has been holding meetings |
, each evening, except Saturday, since
the week Of prayer. Rev. Q. B. Eel
lows, we'll and favorably known |
among all churches is now in Morris |
delivering nightly addresses of rare
ability and power. The Methodist |
church has arranged soon to unite it's
forces with this movement, and COM
mittees of" these two churches will |
arrange the work for the welfare of
both. Other denominations are dis
cussing the ACCESSIBILITY of joining the
alliance. In fact all the christians of
Morris are more united and more
earnesti in work than ever before.
f'One army of the living God ,
sfTo His commands we bow
ffPart of the host has crossed death
flood
e'And part are crossing now
<'Ev'n now by faith we join our
hand
sfWith those who went before