The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-12-18
Revival at Green Woods Chapel,
Great Spiritual Awakening.

Revival at Green woods Cnapels
Great Spiritual Awakening.
The building in which the services
were held was at one time a school
house, and is over a hundred years
old Some years ago the building
was bought and willed to the COM
munity to be used as union house
of worship.
The Church of God some 25 or 80
years ago had quite an organization
in the community of Green Woods
and they held their services in this
school house. This was in the days
OF Rev Collins, Rev. Palmer, Rev.
Salhammer, Rev. Lookenbill, and a
number Of others. Green Woods be
ing one of their regular appointments.
But for the last ID or 20 years the
church had become almost extinct.
There were probably 3 or members
of the church living in the community
when the meeting begun.
A union Sunday school was held
during the summer, and on one Sun
day afternoon Rev. Gonso, pastor Of
the Church of God at Westminster,
received an invitation to come to
Green Woods and preach for them
after the Sunday school had adjourn
ed Mr.. Gonso accepted the invita-
tion and wen+. He was met and cor
daily welcomed by large crowd of
soul hungry people. After the SER
mon a number of the congregation
called Mr.. Gonso to a side and asked
him If he would not hold revival
meeting for them some time during
the Fall or Winter months, Mr.. Con
so promised to do SO.
The meeting began November 18th,
and closed December 10th, the house
in which the services we're held prov
ed not more than half large enough
to accommodate the large crowds OF
people who were hungry to hear the
gospel preached. Though the house
was crowded with all that could be
seated and the aisles were packed
with all that could stand in them, and
still many on the outside, vet there
was perfect order throughout the
whole meeting. Never had Mr.. Con
SO better behavior in any meeting
that he ever held. The third and
fourth night penitents began coming
to the altar of prayer until they num-
bered as many as twelve at the altar
at one time, of all ages, from 60 years
Ito 10. AT the altar were grandpar-
ents, fathers, mothers and children.
The power of God was felt and
greatly manifested in many ways,
many who were not at the altar we're
happily converted at their homes,
some were converted while in the
corn field husking corn, some on
their way home from meeting, and a
number were converted while sitting
still in their seats, and three received
the cleansing power while walking
towards the altar. This wonderful
scene brings to our minds the great
promise of God where he says Be
fore they call I will answer, and
while they are yet speaking ! will
hear"
The great good this meeting has
done il very evident. Many who
spent much Of their time in swearing
end blaspheming God have been con-
verted, and now have erected family
altar, and spend part Of each day
in prayer and in singing hymns Of
praise. A very large number Of the
men OF the community who spent
much time away from home in drink
ing and playing cards and gambling,
now spend both time and money in
making home both comfortable and
happy. Many a deck of cards has
since gone up in flames and their
victims have promised instead of
wasting precious time in playing
cards, to read and study
their Bibles which will make them
wise unto salvation Also many men
of the community who were slaves to
the use of tobacco, and were injuring
their health and shortening their days
BY the use thereof, have since the
meeting entirely quit the habit, and
intend to live for God a clean life,
both in body and mind
Seventy souls saved during the
few weeks Of the meeting, and it is
the prayer Of the writer that not one
Of the many converts will turn from
the straight and narrow way, to
walk again in the broad way that
leads to eternal death. During the
meeting Mr.. Gonso baptized 40 appli-
cants and on the last Sunday the ice
had To be removed before he could
baptize A large number of the con-
Terts were fellowshipped into the
church. The Church of God is now
about fifty strong at Green Woods. AT
the close of the meeting, the ordi-
nances Oh the Church of God were OBJ
served. Quite a number from other
churches took part In this ordinance
meeting. 1t seemed like one happy
family Regular services will b. held
at Green Woods In the future. All
are most cordially invited to attend
these services All the services will
be conducted in union
JOHN III. GONSO, Pastor.