Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1908-06-17
REVIVAL CLOSED.
Much Good Accomplished During Or.
Hackers Visit to Salisbury.

The series of meetings at the
First Presbyterian church in this
city, conducted by Rev. J. Ernest
Thacker, of Norfolk, Va, came to
a close on Sunday night. The
meetings continued for two weeks
and resulted in great good, there
being a number of conversions,
probably about 70.
DR. Thacker is a forcible, ear
nest and eloquent preacher, pre-
senting the plain, simple gospel
without any frills or furbelows.
There was a noticeable absence of
everything in the sensational line.
There was no appeal to the emo
tions, but the speaker presented
the great truths of the plan of sal
walton in a calm, but earnest
manner, and spoke at all times as
a man of his calibre might be ex-
pected to speak to an audience
composed of rational, Intelligent
thinking men and women. There
were none of the methods of the
popular evangelist, no jokes,
questionable incidents and like
material used to attract and cap.
tivate people, but all was solemn,
dignified and highly impressive.
DR.. Thacker would impress his
audience with the fact that he
had III mind the lines Of the poet
Cowper:
"He that negotiates between God and
As Gods ambassador. the grand CON
Germs
Of Judgment and of mercy, should be-
ware
OF lightness in his speech TITS pitiful
To court a grin, when you should win
soul;
To break a Jest, when pity would in
spire
Pathetic exhortation, and to address
The skittish fancy with facetious tales,
When sent with Gods commission to
the heart"
At the close Of the sermon on
Sunday night DR.. Thacker spoke
of a young man he had known at
Davidson College % years ago.
He referred to him as a man of
noble traits, fine ability and pos
sessing in full measure those
characteristics which make man
loved and lovable. He stated that
the young man was.not pre- pairing
for the ministry, and there was no
evidence that he would ever enter
the ministry. Some months after
leaving college DR.. Thacker learn
ed that his friend had entered a
theological seminary and was pre-
pairing for the ministry. He said
he watched his work and his prog
ress through thu years since they
had been at college together, and
now this anne young man was the
pastor of the First Presbyterian
church in Salisbury. The speaker
made a strong and tender appeal
to the congregation to give their
pastor their best effort and sup
port in his work.
Fortunately for both pastor and
congregation there is a strong
bond of love and sympathy exist
ing already between the two. DR..
Clark is not a favorits alone with
his congregation, hut with the
community as we'll. He is an
able speaker, a.deeply co%nsecrated
man and one cannot come into
personal contact with him with.
out recognizing at once his power
to attract and hold men.
DR.. Thacker did not come tc
Salisbury with the hope or expec.
tatlon of a pecuniary reward, his
efforts we're entirely for the saliva.
ton of souls and the spiritual
nourishment of church members
but those who attended the meet,
ings & enjoyed his preaching were
not content without giving some
token of their appreciation of hi
labors, SO a collection was taken
without his knowledge, which re
suited in a purse of $3.50, and tn
presentation to him of the sam
as a free will offering.
The prayers and best wishes o
, the many who had the privileg
of hearing DR.. Thacker while il
, this city will follow him to hi
! home.