The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-02-09
A Big REVIVAL CLOSED
The Five Weeks Meeting Conducted
by Evangelist W. [. Harris Re-
suited in 40 Converts.

ny IVduQcIISl W. L. ludrTIS HC-
suited in l4O Converts.
The revival meetings which have
been in progress at the Christian
church in this city for the past five
weeks under the leadership of Evan
gelist w. L. Harris, of Hutchinson,
Kas., assisted by the pastor, Rev.
J. S. Coffin, closed Sunday night with
a total of 140 converts, which breaks
all records of any single church in
this city. At the closing meeting
ten converts came forward. During
the series of meetings, 81 services
were held and out of this number
there were only four or five but
what one or more came to Christ.
And of the total number of converts
more than half the number were
adults, and the large number of
men and boys is a matter of note.
Throughout the meetings there has
been a very large attendance, re-
gardless of the weather, the large
auditorium and lecture room being
filled night after night, and towards
the close of the meetings even the
aisles were filled with chairs. On
Sunday nights many were turned
away from the church as even all of
the available standing room was oc-
cupied. The splendid order main
tanned throughout the meetings was
a matter of comment. Evangelist
Harris is certainly a success as an
evangelist, and during his stay here
he impressed all with his ability as
preacher and evangelist, his
Christian courtesy, kindliness, love
for children, his deep spirituality,
his intense earnestness and above all
his true Christian dignity and noble
stranger but he goes away as IA
friend to all who met him, having
firmly entrenched himself in the
hearts of the people. He will return
in January of next year to hold an
other meeting, a unanimous call hav-
ing been extended to him by the Of
fetal board and the church in gen.
eral.
A feature of the meeting was the
"Sunbeam Chorus" composed of lit
tie children who were seated just
back of the evangelist, who called
them his "fiower garden" Their
singing thrilled the audience and
great big manly men were melted to
tears. Excellent music was furnish
ed throughout the meetings by a
special choir, Miss Alta Hart being
at the piano throughout the series
of meetings, and the church is under
obligations for her faithfulness. The
X. P. band also rendered material
assistance with the music, and the
church feels very kindly towards
the leader, Mr.. A. B. Tansey, and his
boys for their services which were
so cheerfully given. The big choir
not only filled the choir loft but also
occupied a number seats on the plat
form. Their singing with evangel-
ist Harris as leader brought many
people out to the services who might
otherwise not have attended.
The closing day of the meeting is
worthy of special mention. Notwith-
standing the blizzard which was rag
ing, and the sleet which made walk
ing very difficult there were 102 at
the Bible school, and about 125 at
the morning service. The storm
abated in the afternoon and a goodly
number was in attendance at the
evening meeting. Evangelist Harris
preached the sermon of his life and
seven converts responded to the in
vitation to come forward. Then
Evangelist Harris asked Mr.. G.. B.
Cooper, who only a week before had
confessed his faith in Christ, to say
a few words from the platform. He
responded and made a talk which
brought tears to the eyes of nearly
every one in the big congregation.
1t was a speech the like of which is
seldom heard from a new convert,
and three more converts came for
ward when he closed.
Rev. J. S. Coffin, the pastor then
took charge of the meeting and call
ed for a free will offering to defray
the expenses of the big revival and
in few minutes a little over 1910
had been raised. The whole center
of the auditorium had been reserved
at the last service for the new con-
verts, but it would not hold them all
and a number of chairs had to be
used. They would make good
church all by themselves. Then the
converts lined up around the walls
of the church and while the con-
gregation sang blessed be the Tie
that Binds Our Hearts in Christian
Love-" the converts were given a
cordial handshake by the members
of the church. A baptismal service
closed the meeting.
On Tuesday evening reception
was held at the church for the new
members. The revival has greatly
strengthened the Christian church
and added largely to their member
ship, so that they now have the
largest membership in the city: All
in all it was a great revival and
much good was accomplished.
Guoxvod a Troo nnxun