Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-05

Complete success demands that all
phases of interest and energy be cor.
related and combined in the single
unit, which is the series Of meetings.
Most important in the estimation OF
the evangelist is the series Of cottage
and district prayer meetings which
| begin two or three weeks prior to the
opening of the campaign. For the
securing of results In this line the
community is divided according to
wards and districts, and an organiza-
ton somewhat akin to political ma
chinery is perfected and set in motion.
Districts and subdistricts have their
captains or leaders, and these in turn
report to larger divisions. At the
headquarters which have been estab-
lished prior to this time there is an
exact knowledge of what activity Is
going forward in every part Of the
city. Wherever there Is a tagging or
failure to show zeal trained specialists
are sent to awaken sense of RESPONSE
bility and concern.
Next of the forces put in motion for
the welding of interest and for the &C.
centuation Of publicity is the building
Of the tabernacle. For many years Mr..
Sundays party has had as one Of its
members practical builder and arch1-
tect. This man reaches the city from
four to five weeks before the opening
of the meetings. The site OF the tab
ernacle having been chosen in adj
vance, with the approval of Mr.. Sun
day who always insists upon con-
venient, accessible downtown location.
the builder calls for volunteer work
men. A special effort is made to enlist
the services of prominent church
workers, and the spectacle Of such
men DOMINIC overalls and acting as
carpenters is one which meyer fails to
excite curiosity and arouse interest
Prominent preachers, well known doc
tors, lawyers with statewide reputa-
ton working shoulder to shoulder with
clerks, mechanics and school teachers
is a scene that is sure to arouse inter-
est and receive generous newspaper
attention. Committees of women from
the cooperating churches are solicited
to take charge Of decorating the in
terror as soon as the structure has
been rooted.
In the meantime, another very i'm
portant force has been at work in the
collection and training of the people
who are to constitute the choir. AS
previously noted there Is an approx
nation in the relation Of choir and
audience Of one to ten. Musical people
are known for their enthusiasm and
energy. Singing is remarkable for the
impress which it makes on large
crowds. The preliminary training
which this choir receives gives the
evangelist the kind of field force
which develops into effectiveness as
the campaign proceeds.
Then comes the dedication. The
practice has been to secure some
noted divine from a city where Mr..
Sunday previously has conducted
campaign and to have him preach the
dedicatory sermon. Local ministers
prominent in the campaign have other
places on the program. BY this time
one or two of the advance members
of the party probably are in town and
directing the forces already existing
into channels Of maximum usefulness.
1t is not the usual thing for these
advance members to be unduly compli-
mertary or conciliatory. Indeed, the
day or two next preceding the arrival
of the evangelist often are among the
most uncomfortable of the entire cam
paign from inception to elimination.
The feeling that with all their earnest
ness and good intentions they yet may