The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-02-19
SUNDAY IN ocALA

Ocala. The atmosIhero was soft,
soothing and celebrating. There
was a tinge of buoyancy and optimism
everywhere. The hooking birds
were thrilling gleefully. and to add tc
the spring-like appearance of the day
the yellow jessamines were in bloom.
The sun shone resplendant, but the
severity of his rays was tempered by
the GulfAzephyrs, and everything con-
spired to make the day a seraphically
delightful one. There was not
fleck on the ETHEREAL blue of the hea-
vens TO mar its coloring, and there
seemed Ito be harmony everywhere.
Of course on such a day men, wO-
men and children were out in their
spring and summer attire, which ac-
corded with the day and it's surround
ings completely.
More than the usual numbers at
tended the early morning vespers,
and fer the IL o'clock services the
churches were crowded.
1t was on a day like this that Miss
Emma Tucker began her evangelical
work in Ocala.
This illustriOus woman is no stran-
ger in our city, and when it was read
il the local papers that she was 20 be
here il was natural that she should be
greeted with occupied and expectant
pews, and in this expectation there
vas no disappointment.
At night also the same compliment
vas bestowed upon her, and not only
was the body of the church occupied
put the annex had to be encrOached
upon quite literally to accommodate
me large and we'll pleased cOngrega-
ton.
Her theme for the evening was
Winning Souls" and for an hour or
more she made the topic one of
Thrilling interest. Herself enthused
with her subject she found little trou-
Bile in enthusing others. She read fit
ting paragraphs from the scriptures
Tor the authority OF her statements
and by comment, annexation and il
! lustration gave life, vividness and in
tcnsity 10 her theme.
! Miss Tucker is a wonderful woman
Ia bundle of nerves that never tire
which eleCtrifes, and inturn responds
to every emotion of her congregation
She is a thorough master OF every
subject which she undertakes to il.
/ luInine, and LoyOla was not more de-
teTmined nor enthusiastic.
iier enunciation is very clear, her
dicrion pure and her gestures never
extravagant, and are entirely subor
dinated 10 her subject. She exempli
hes an observation that we have of
Item made that the pulpit does not suf
fer by being occupied by women.
! IN the afternoon Miss Tucker made
talk to women only" in the Chris
tian church, and Rev Mr.. Coleman
gave a talk to men only" in the Meth
odiat church.
! Rev. w. H. Dodge of the Presbyter
ian church spoke to a miscellaneous
congregation on the streets at $3.50
O'clock. and at the usual hours the
jpulpits Of the Episcopal, Catholic
Baptist and Christian churches were
SLED by their respective posters.
At the Presbyterian church at the
III o'clock service DR.. c. G. Vardell
preached very splendid sermon. DR..
Vardell is the gifted young president
Of the Southern Presbyterian College
at Red Springs, y. c., and during his
ivisit to Ocala has been entertained
by Mr. and Mrs. d. E. McIver. He is
an eloquent speaker, and his sermon
was a, beautiful one and greatly en-
Ijoyed by the congregation. Again in
the evening the members of the Pres
byterian church was treated to a very
fine sermon by Rev. E. o. Guerrant,
an eminent divine of Paris, Ky,
In religious circles Ocala was as
busy Sunday as the day was beautiful.