Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-10-26
LARGE CROWDS HEAR Mr.. HAM

LARGE CROWDS HEAR Mr.. HAM
Close observers Of Yorkville and the
community surrounding say that an
interest in religion and the preaching
of the word of God greater than any
thing which they have known in many
years If ever before, is being mani
tested in the evangelistic services be-
ing conducted in large tent on South
Congress street by Rev. John w.
Ham. People from the country es-
pecially have since Friday night been
attending the services in large num-
bers and the back lots and other
hitching places have been filled with
hundreds OF buggies and other We
hicles. There was a large crowd out
Friday night, still greater audience
Saturday night, while the mems meet
ing Sunday afternoon was attended
by a crowd which was greater than
any which has been present since the
preacher delivered his opening sermon
Monday night, two weeks ago. There
were more than 1900 men under the
big tent Sunday afternoon, and there
were at least 300 more on the outside.
Converts since Friday night have
been numerous. It is estimated that
more than 100 men and women at diff
ferent times since then have walked up
the aisles to the rostrum and grasped
the preachers hand as token Of their
resolve to be better men and women
in the future. Just now it looks as. II
the meeting Is reaching its zenith.
People are beginning to take an in
terest such as they have not hereto
fore evidenced.
Rev. Mr. Ham has delivered seven
sermons since Friday night. He
preached four times Sunday-in the
morning at II o'clock, Sunday after
noon to men only at 3 o'clock to the
negroes at 5.15 o'clock and again to
a large audience at 7.30 Sunday even
ing. Last night he preached to women
only. Each service has seen new faces
present while on the other hand there
are scores who have not missed a
single service. It Is estimated that
practically two thirds Of the popula-
ton Of Yorkville has heard the evan
gelist at one time or other. Scores Of
people Of the town and country went
to church four times last Sunday,
precedent which has been intro
duced here. during the series Of SER
vices Mr.. Ham will deliver his fare
we'll message on Wednesday night and
will leave Thursday morning for
Elizabeth City, N. c., whore he will
hold a meeting.
Mr.. Hams machine gun like sermons
are having an unusually strong in
fluence on his hearers. He never lacks
for words and they fall upon his hear
ers with the rapidity Of a magazine
gun. Using the simplest Of language
and in a voice which tends to charm
and at times almost hold spellbound
his hearers, the evangelist has time
after time brought home the message
Of Jesus and his love at each service
in a different manner, in way which
compels his hearers to come again.
The singing has also improved
wonderfully. Prof. Lyon has at his
back a choir Of real ability and the au-
diences also have been impressed
with the, fact that the singing is one
Of the most important parts Of each
service to such an extent that many
good singers who refused to open their
mouths at the initial services are now
heartily taking part.
1t is estimated that more than 500
negroes attended the service for col
ored people which followed the meet
ing for men only Sunday afternoon.
The different colored ministers Of the
town took part in the devotional ex-
ercises at the service one OF the princi-
pal features Of which was the excel
lent singing. Many white people who
occupied seats in the rear Of the tent
at this service said that the negroes
had the whites outclassed by far in
singing.
Two of the strongest and most
practical sermons which the evange-
list has thus far delivered and there
is no doubt that all Of the utterances
are strong and practical, were his
sermon Of Saturday night and that
to men only on Sunday afternoon. The
sermon to men Sunday afternoon was
attended by men from nearly every
section Of York county. Several from
away up in Bethel township were
A.
and old men of Sharon were there.
They came from Bullock's Creek,
from Broad River, Kings Mountain
and Ebenezer, from McConnellsville,
from everywhere. Few political meet
ings Of recent years have attracted
larger audiences to the county seat
than did the Rev. John w. Ham Sun
day afternoon. Boys were there, young
men were there, middle aged men and
gray headed men, some Of whom
hadn't been to a religious service in
many weeks And they listened In
manner that showed they were in
terestcd in what the preacher had 10
say They sang the songs which were
announced in a way which showed
they were glad they were there.
During this service contribution
for the support Of Rev. Ham and his
men responded literally. A large dish
pan which had been placed on table
near the pulpit was well filled with
envelopes containing the contribu-
tions.
Saturday Night.
An innovation Of Saturday night
was the joining in Of the audience on
the chorus Of 1.-The Old Time Relig-
ion," which was sung by Prof. Lyon.
1t was a song with which the entire
audience was entirely familiar and as
several hundred voices sang Its the
old time religion; it's good enough
for me-" the big tent fairly shook
with the refrain.
Luke 1913; Il tell you nay: but
except ye repent ye shall all likewise
perish" was Rev. Hams text Satur-
day night. Sin, he said, that black,
short, ugly word, the blacklist word in
the English language. is no respecter
Of persons. There are two definitions
of the word sin, the theological and
the practical. The former definition
of sin is the transgression Of the law
The practical Is IAN offense against
one with whom We have love rela-
tions." 1t is the practical definition, he
said about which 1 want to speak.
That person who loves you the
.xaNA