The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-09-01

resist this plead
ing and insist on
ii holding all our re-
-.MMA .s ligious servi ces
--zHsse=-= indoors simply be-
cause We always have done it?
Many church would double it's au-
dience by holding an occasional serv-
ice out Of doors, under the trees or in
some adjacent park. If chairs can be
provided, so much the better. If not,
let the people sit on the grass as they
did when Jesus preached. If the church
has no convenient place for outdoor
meetings, hold an open air service on
the porch before the evening meeting.
Have plenty of good singing with two
or three-minute addresses sandwiched
between, and in little while the chill
dren will gather, the passers will stop,
the carriages will drive up and you
will have q large company Of people,
many Of whom would never think Of
entering church. IF you have never
tried 1t, begin this season.
Every church ought to have q band
of open air workers to hold meetings
regularly all summer, at such points as
may seem most strategic. Some
churches gain from fifty to a hundred
new members each year by their open
air work in the summer. And even If
they did not add a single convert, they
would be well repaid for the effort
in the benefit obtained by the work
; ers. Then too it affords an outlet for
the zeal and faith and energy Of the
church. 1t puts new life into every
department of work. The church be-
gins to respect itself, for it Is now
working on the aggressive as it should,
and is no longer content to simply hold
its own. The outside world will soon
recognize the difference too, and es-
TEEN it more highly.
Open-air workers should be careful
~ trained, for no work requires more
tact, and wisdom, and holy holiness.
All kinds of talent can be used and
that is another advantage. Those who
cannot speak can sing, or pray silent
ly, or give out Gospel cards, or do per-
sonal work, or keep the children quiet.
The following suggestions are taken
from book written by very dear
friend Of mine, Henry B. Gibbud. The
book is called, Under the Blue Can
opy Of Heaven" and can be had for
80 cents Of Mrs. II. B. Gibbud, Spring
field, Mass.
"Permft.-In towns and cities it Is
necessary to obtain permit for street
services. Have someone Of influence
apply for the permit. A politician is
better for this work than q preacher.
"Place Of meeting.-Go where the
people are. It may be a noisy place,
but you have the people. If you want
quiet, go to the cemetery.
Select place where you have a
building at your back. 1t will act as
sounding board, throwing out the
voice. If possible arrange the meeting
so that you may also have a building
in front Of you. 1t Is very hard to
speak In the open air, and a building
in front of you to throw the voice back
will make it much easier.
Talk with the wind always and
never against it.
Select place where the audience
will be comfortable. Give them the
shade even If you have to stand in
the sun.
"Have bright, new, catchy songs.
The audience as a rule do not join
in the singing, so that there is less
need Of familiar hymns.
"Speakers.-Let them stand on
chair, or box or platform. Then your
voice sounds out and over the crowd.
All can see you, and you can see them.
Ii any disturbance occurs, such as
dog fight, always give out a hymn.
The song will put q new thought into
the dogs mind and often break I'D the
fight.
"Never ask questions Of the crowd;
you will get more than you bargained
for. Do not stop to answer questions
put by the crowd, but courteousiy say
that you will be glad to talk with the
Questioner after the service
preach the Word.-This old world
is hungry for the plain Gospel made
fresh and vivid by actual experience.
Use plenty Of illustrations but see that
you have something to illustrate.
Nothing grips an audience or holds at
tention like the simple Gospel story
told out Of a warm heart.
'We do not have the Bible in sight.
nor generally read from it for the fol-
lowing reason; Catholics will be preiu-
diced at once, and will not come I'D.
We quote from 1t and refer to it but
do not keep it in sight.
Call for decision at the close of the
service, or invite into church if an
other service is to follow. Let each
worker select someone for personal eff
fort when the meeting Closes"
By offering to give away Gospel
cards or Little Preachers" at the
close of the service you can often hold
the entire crowd to the very end.
Show them the cards and read some
of the titles, such as 1.-THE Working
mans Trust. Are you in it?" 1.-THE
Three Cheers of Jesus" -Four Things
Which One Ought to Know" "The
Unanswerable Question" Coffin
Nails" "Morbus Sabbaticus, or Sun.
day Sickness" Get Right With God"
"God Wants the Boys" "OnIy Tire,
Steps Into the Christian Life"