Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-12-07
You didn't. That opportunity viii

IT have never seen a sweeter peo-
pie than those Of this church." DR..
Black told his congregation. But
have seen churches with a member
ship Of no more than one fifth what
the membership here is, where those
members take advantage Of such an
opportunity as you would not take
last night. Your pastor has sacrificed
much for God. You are unwilling to
do personal work for God. A lot of
us are going through life backwards.
Why don't we turn our faces toward
, the future? 1t is said that those who
live nearest the Alps see the least of
the beauties of the Alps. And it is
so with us. We don't see and consider
our opportunities. God will hold us
responsible.
We should consider our opportu-
mites, said DR.. Black. that We may
have our moral faculties quickened,
that our horizons might be broaden
ed. Many Of us, the most of us, think
only of self.
That we might seek repentance is
another reason why we should con-
slider. If you go to hell it will be be-
cause you didn't repent, said the
minister. If you have done wrong
you should make amends. II you have
you have been out of the church
been out of the church and come back
you should take bold stand for God
intsead of trying to slip in.
Some Of us are waiting for big op-
portunities, observed Mr.. Black. But
because you won't take advantage of
the little opportunities you are going
to be disappointed in big ones There
were 20 persons out Of the church
sitting here last night. They were in
a worse fix than If they were drown
ing in the Catawba river. Yet you
didn't go to them about their souls
salvation. You give as your reason,
maybe. that you were not accustomed
to that sort of thing. Neither was
accustomed to preaching until I en-
tereQ the ministry.
Because other people don't do
little things, don't have family pray
er, don't pray in public, don't read
the Bible, ETC., Is no reason why you
should not. You have probably been
heard in politics. in town affairs, in
society, but have you ever been heard
for Jesus?
We must consider our ways by
earnest heart-searching and prayer
to God, by the help Of his spirit and
in the light of the Bible.
Large Attendance Sunday.
1t is estimated that Evangelist
Black preached to more than 1000
persons Sunday. The church was well
filled Sunday morning, 500 or 600
persons heard the sermon to men
only Sunday afternoon and standing
room was at a premium on Sunday
night Quite a number Of colored
people occupied the gallery at the
morning and evening services. Night
services were dispensed with at the
other churches in town in order that
the various congregations might have
the privilege Of hearing DR.. Black.
Quite a number of people came in
from the country to attend services
during the day. 1t was announced
that the revival will probably come
to a close tonight or tomorrow.
To Men Only.
Preliminary to his sermon to men
only Sunday afternoon, Rev. DR..
Black said that he had heard story
which had deeply grieved him. 1t had
been reported to him that some one
in town had said that he CDR. Black)
had said in one Of his sermons here
that every woman had a price"
"That has hurt me greater than any
thing which has been said about me
in the % years that I have been
preaching" said DR.. Black. II have
never said that. I said that there were
some people who would say that. No
living man has higher respect and
veneration for woman than /. l have
preached from Maine to California,
but never have 1 been wounded
deeper than by this story which I
have heard here. / feel so sad and
disheartened that l am ready to go
home. l have labored hard here,
labored faithfully and patiently. This
story is quite blow to me-"
1t was evident throughout the
preachers sermon that he was wor-
ried over the libel He portrayed his
wound in his voice and his counte-
nance, and there was a murmur Of
indignation throughout the vast au-
dience Of men against the unknown
spreader of the lie, and spirit Of
sympathy for the great evangelist.
If any of those men and boys who
were present anticipated the preach
er's speaking to them Of their sins
and temptations in lewd and sor-
did words, they were doomed to dis
appointment. No word was spoken
which the most sensitive and refined
woman could not have listened to to
her edification and profit. Provision
for a service was made for them at
the same hour as the mems meeting,
a service for ladies only being held
in Trinity Methodist church conduct
ed by Revs. j. L. Oates and Henry
Stokes.
An extensive song service was held
at the mems meeting preliminary to
DR.. Blacks address. DR.. ]. D. Nc
Dowell played the piano accompanied
by John Lewis on the violin. Most
Of the 500 or 600 men present enter
ed into the singing Of the beautiful
hymns with mighty spirit. DR..
Black and Prof Burr sang a duet
and the musical programme altogeth-
er was very interesting.
The subject Of the sermon to men
was taken from Luke 15:7-"And
when he came to himself" 1t was
the story Of the prodigal son who
having spent all in riotious living
| returned again to his fathers house
where he was joyfully welcomed
The saddest thing in the world, the
preacher said, Is when we turn our
backs on God as the prodigal son did
upon his father and mother. There
| are many prodigals among us. The
prodigal left home because he want
ed to act ugly and didn't want his
father and mother to see him. In q
| like manner men won't join the
church because they want to act ugly
and stay out of the house Of God fol-
| that reason.
DR.. Black pointed out how mer
| ho Of mi 10,