The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-19
BIG GATHERING
 AT CASINO FOR
 REFS MEETINGS
Evangelist Breaches Two Stir ring Sermons at Sunday
 Gatherings

Before two congregations each of which filled the big Casino in State street yesterday, Rev. Dr. Milton s. Rees preached two stirring sermons The campaign of evangelism which has been conducted for the last week has aroused much enthusiasm among the members of the West Side churches. Yesterday, the largest conversations that have assembled since the services began greeted Dr Rees.
 Preaching on subject "The 2oth Century Sodom," Dr. Rees said in part:
 The lesson is from Ex. 20, 1-17' Text, Gen. 19, IT Escape for thy life.'
 These words were shouted by an angel at the gate of ancient Sodom Permit me to use the same four words At the Gate of Twentieth Century Sodom, which is the largest city in all the world Satan Is the mayOr-prac- tically speaking, he is the whole com- mon council, fer things in this city as in many others, go much as he dictates.
 There are two exits and two en- trance gates. The entrance gates are "Original Sin,'' Rom. 5: 12. By one man sin hath entered into the world" |" and the other is actual sin, Rom 3:23 -"For we have all sinned." The key which un1ocks the gate and permits me to enter it. rejecting Christ. Through the benefits of the atone ment all children are saved until they reach the years of accountability outside, or reject him and enter the city
 I wish to begin with the statement that all who have not accepted Christ are in this city and perhaps can be a real friend by pointing out to you where you live and then showing you how to move There are four ave- nues of which I wish to speak brief ly that may have sufficient time to say something to you about the four streets. Of the avenues. the first is:
 WOrllliness
 Some of you recognize this as your location for all your time, strength and solicitude are for that which is worldly. What shall eat, what shall I drink, wherewithal shall I be clothed. How can I make the most money, get the greatest amount ot pleasure out of the world, but when we remember we are compound be- ings, the body is material and mortal the soul spiritual and immortal, do you assume for 8 moment that you are making the best investment of your time and strength when you are looking only after those things which must perish in the end? In Luke 12, beginning with the, 18th verse, the. great Teacher in speaking of oneNwho lived on this avenue. says: "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; He thought within himself saying: What shall do be- cause have no room where to store my fruits? And he said,. this will do: will pull down my burns, and build greater; and theve will I be. stow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my Soul, thou hast goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But cd said unto him: Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Go is he that layeth up treasure for him. self, and is not rich toward God.'
 When that millionaire came to the close of life in New York city they sent for Doctor Deems, pastor of the Church of the Stranger, and when he reached the bedside they were asked to sing and the request was: Come ye sinners poor and needy" He asked them to repeat it, saying: 1T am poor and needy" So you will be if on worldliness avenue you live, poor and needy at death; poor and needy at the Judgment; poor and needy and homeless through all eternity If you are on this avenue, Escape for thy life"
 Infidelity.
 This is the poorest street in the city. Property isn't worth 10 cents on a dollar. A most aggressive, up- to-date real estate man would have great difficulty in disposing of any property on this avenue. If it were ever significant for man to say I am an infdel, thank God that day is past About ninety-nine one-hun- dredths of the so-called skepticism is humbug. It does not stand the test.
 If agnosticism has something for me to believe and infidelity has some thing to take the place of the Bible, and Christian belief, something bet ter, something helpful to the human race. let it produce itse fruit before I am called upon to renounce that which my own heart and the united testimony of millions of the best of every generation for 19 centuries tell me is ennobling and blessed in it's in- huence, which has in every age and every cline, regenerated and exalted and glorif1ed mankind Let it bring its sons from far and it's daughters from the ends of the earth ennobled and sanctified under it's power. Un- til then stand by the old faith, which though old, is not yet obsolete and has not lost it's old time power to bless the sons of men. Skepticisn is simply not believing; it is denial, neg ation, darkness; there is only one cure for darkness and that is com ing to the light. If you will persist in putting your eyes out or in barring broad daylight out, there is no help