The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-16
What Would Christ Do IF
He Came to Pensacola"
Was Subject Discussed.
HUNDREDS PLEDGE
FOR BETTER CITY
Remarkable Spectacle Oc-
ours at Big Tabernacle
Building.

IF possible, things took on an added
interest at the great tabernacle last
night when Gypsy Smith, Jr., the
evangelist preached on the subject.
"If Christ Came to Pensacola" The
choir sang better. the interest was
more sincere, the audience was posi-
bly, more attentive and the attendance
was quite up to the record of any
night, A decided feature of the
meeting was the congregational sing
ing, Prof. Cole calling upon section
after section in the great audience
to sing the chorus of Since Jesus
Came Into Ny Heart" while the as
sembled colored people, from their
section in the northeastern part of
the house, sang more volubly than
ever During the congregational
singing, Prof. Cole, listening intent
ly, heard tenors and altos, whom he
said he wanted in the choir. Boys
and girls sang out as never before.
and some of the new songs tried out
were rendered with much life and
earnestness. The choir was larger
than usual, too, and the ladies and
gentlemen making up that body sang
patiently and earnestly the numerous
selections chosen.
1t was one of the best meetings yet
conducted. The sermon was stronger
! than usual, if that be possible, and
as the evangelist closed his great
effort and called on those of his con-
! gregation who would make an effort
to try and better Pensacola, admit
/ Christ to their hearts and homes, and
| thus publicly announce their intention
in this regard, hundreds crowded
about the assembly. The crowd was
so large that the choir platform was
occupied and then all who so declared
themselves before the world to try
and do better and to try and make
things better in Pensacola, stood in
the broad aisles, clear to the rear
of the great tabernacle. 1t was a
demonstration participated in by peo-
pie of all churches, and, standing near
the assembly. they were prayed for
earnestly by the evangelist, who then
asked them to remain, occupying the
center section of the seats. The
crowd was then seated, and several
hundred were found who represented
all walks in life. They did not seem
to mind in the least that friends and
relatives, who had not taken the step
waited without for them They adj
vanced, upon the invitation, without a
remor to the front, and remained to
the end. AS the fervent prayer was
7eing offered by Mr.. Smith, broken
so could be heard from members OF
, the udience as he recited beautifully
the self satisfaction thus displayed
by several hundred people of Pensa-
cola. And the crowd, after dismissed
with an earnest exhortation, thai
/ drifted by the rostruna to shake the
: hand of the evangelist presented al
5 interesting spectacle.
) 1t was interesting to stand near tht
exits and hear the remarks of those
= emerging from the tabernacle
f Groups stand and discuss points o.
2 the discourse they had heard, and tn,
comment Of the crowd generally i
, varied. Comment is of admiration
, surprise, reserved GOODNESS and FIRE
+ quently the warmest of sympathy.
The Business Women's Circle o
: the First Baptist Church, on han,
as special guests last night, were ask
: ed to stand, and as they did, a vel
come was extended TO the large nun
y | her who occupied reservations vyhic'
IHon+in,oa a., pno.A Tl.ON