Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-26
EVANCELISTlC SPIRIT KEEN
Never More Active Than Now, Says
DR.. ], Wilbur Chapman.
HE FINDS CHRISTIANS AWAKE
Noted Evangelist Visits Omaha and
Other seminsrfes Preparatory
10 BesinninE Tour of
World.

"fhtre was never so much interest
among Christians in the %evanRelistic work,
especially among men. as at present" said
Rev. j. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evan
gelist, who spent Wednesday in Omaha,
visiting and speaking at the Omaha Theo-
logical seminary. He spoke Wednesday
morning and also in the afternoon and at
noon was entertained at the Young Mems
Christian association at a luncheon given
by the leading PresbyterIans of Omaha.
This increased interest is shown every
where in several ways. One is in the in
creased demand for meetings and also be-
cause the cities are much more responsive.
] have lately been from Canada on the
north TO Knoxville, Tenn, on the south
and the same spirit prevails.
Every church should be an evangelistic
church and the preacher should have an
enthusiasm akin TO a passion for bringing
men to Christ. He should have the help of
his entire church. including the congrega-
ton, the ushers and the choir"
DIR. Chapman. accompanied by George
r.. p. Davis. representative of the Pocket
Testament league. is making a tour of the
Presbyterian seminaries of this country
prior to taking a trip for a year TO Aus
tralia, China. Japan and the Philippines.
lie will be accompanied on that trip by
Mr.. Davis and by Charles M. Alexander,
the noted singer. After his visits to the
seminaries DR.. Chapman will conduct cam
paigns in Richmond CVa), Boston and
Springfield, Mass, and chicago. He sails in
April, 1909.
Gets Close to Young Men.
DIR. Chapman had an offer of the use Of
some of the churches in Omaha for his
addresses Wednesday. but he said he pre-
ferred the chapel at the seminary, so that
he might get closer to the young men
who were studying for the ministry.
In his address at the chapel he urged
the young men to get the ~eyangelistic
spirit early In their career, citing himself
as an example of the greater good he
might have done If he had earlier seized
upon his opportunities. He said the evan
g~elistic spirit might be had In a church
from extra meetings. but he said these
were not needed. as It could be secured
by evangelistic sermons, He said that
many preachers could preach an evangel-
istlc sermon II they only thought they
could and urged upon all to try 1t once
in a while. He called upon them to get
the spirit of enthusiasm 5&SF
Mr.. Davis spoke at the morning meeting
at the chapel and urged upon those present
TO Join the league, all the requirement
being that they should promise to read a
chapter of the Bible each day.
The first meeting at the seminary was
at $3.50 a. M, the second at II and the third
at 2:30. At this hour an evangelist confer
ence was held and laymen and clergy were
invited to participate in 1t. Following thai
DR.. Chapman spoke again.
Presbyterian men of Omaha and Soutl
Omaha formed an organization Tuesda!
night. the object of which is to have a gen
eral organization to entertain such men al
DR.. Chapman when they come to Oman,
and also to welcome new pastors. TIL,
executive committee of the new club con
sists OF DR.. NJ. v. Higbee, DIR. Nathanie
McGiffin, Or. D.. e. Jenkins, Henry F
Kieser. secretary, and w. ]. johnson, treas
urer. MI. Kieser projected the plan.