Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-09-19

Josephus tells us that during the
seven wears in which Solomon was
building the great temple at Jerusa-
lem that it did not rain in the day
+imn lest the workmen be impeded
IN their labor. 1t is suggested that
during the time the Gypsy Smith
evaneelistic services have been in
progress in Alexandria virtually no
rain has fallen during the time the
meetings were being held. There
have been several heavy showers DUR
ing the present month, but they have
fallen either before or after the ser
vices.
Yesterday was quiet day in the
gospel work, Monday being observed
as day of rest by the evangelist
and his coadjutors. Prayer meetings,
however. were held yesterday and
last night in churches and other
places. At the close of the day heavy
clouds loomed up in the western
heavens and rain, thunder and light
ing followed, lowering the temper
ture considerably. The services at
the tent will be resumed tonight,
when, from present indications, clear
and cool conditions will prevail.
The policemen will attend the ser
vices in a body tonight. John w.
Herndon, secrtary Of the laymen's
committee, has sent an invitation to
these guardians of the peace to be
present. Mr.. Herndon also tender
ed thanks to the officers on behalf of
the committee for the excellent order
which has been preserved both with
! iii strid tcr,t
time the meetings have been in pro-
gress.
When John the Baptist was preach
ing and baptising at the river Jor-
dan Roman soldiers (the policemen
of that day. resorted to him, and
asked, ,"And what shall we do?" The
Baptist replied, "Do violence to no
man, and be content with your
wages" We have reason to believe
that Alexandria conservators of the
peace strive to refrain from vio-
lence, although their patience is Of
ten tried, and it is hoped they will
adopt the other suggestion of the
forerunner of the Messiah until the
city finds itself in position to show
it's appreciation of their services in
more substantial manner.
The firemen of the city will also
attend the meeting in a body to-
night. The members of the different
companies have been on hand nightly
with extinguishers ready to render
service at any time. While the ser
vices have been in progress their
ears have been attentive to all that
has been said, while their argus eyes
have been directed here and there
watching for the slightest suspic-
ion of fire. Their services have been
duly appreciated not only by the
church committee, the evangelist and
his coadjutors, but by the many who
attend nightly.
Those who have attended the re-
vival meetings at the tent and have
enjoyed the excellent music render
ed by the splendid choir of nearly
500 voices, may be interested to
learn something concerning Prof.
Forest Cole, the efficient director in
charge, who constitutes one of the
evangelistic party.
Mr.. Cole is native of Pennsyl-
yania. He attended the public schools
and later graduated from the State
Norma, at Edinboro, Pa. He then
went to Illinois where he taught for
some time, returning later to Erie,
and engaging in business, studying
music on the side. He had always
taken an active part in all church
work and the desire becoming very
strong tostake up evangelistic work,
he, wentst6 the Moody Bible Institute
at Chicago, and then joined the late
Rev. j. M: Wood, of Decatur, H.,
with whom he was associated for a
year in revivals in Illinois. "A call
came to him from one of the largest
churches of Memphis, Tenn, to be-
come director of music and assistant
to the pastor. He was very success
full there and remained nearly three
years, until November last, When
Gypsy Smith, jr., went there to con-.
duct a revival. Since that time he
has been associated with Mr.. Smith.