Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-15
OLD STYLE WORSHIP
USED AT REVIVAL
CONTINUED from First Page. ]

song that is familiar to virtually
every one who has ever seen the in
side of a church. Three women,
dressed in plain black garb, one
wearing a black hat. frightened by
a white band carrying a Scriptural
quotation, led the singing, while an
evangelist in the severe clerical
dress, sat at the back of the plat
form. Men in the audience who be-
longed to the faithful of the denom-
ination, wore, for the most part,
plain black. IN some cases neckties
were lacking, as in the Church OF
the Brethren. 1t was explained to
curious bystander that the church
does not discuss the wearing of the
necktie but leaves this to the judg-
ment of the members. I'VE do. how
ever, prohibit the wearing of jew
elry or ornaments" explained a
member.
Old Time Evangelism
Following the hymn of praise,
prayer service began. There was
much of the atmosphere Of the old
time evangel,stic service with the
fervent and powerful appeals to the
Creator which marked those gath
erings. The spirit of old-time
Methodism seemed to linger over
the people as they punctuated the
quent "Amens'' and God Be
Praised's." The exhortations for the
most part were not appeals for
mercy or clemency, but on the other
hand were pregnant with thanks
for the many blessings that had
been showered on the congregation.
There was a song or two, and then
a black-bonneted Salvation Army
lassie, with her face lit with fer
vent relief. led the testimonial serv-
ice. I'D sooner be here than at a
monial of a speaker rang out. I'd
sooner be here than in Heaven, and
certainly I'd sooner be here than in
hell" Every testimonial was filled
with thanks for kindnesses and
blessings. Nowhere was their
word of complaint heard.
A Touch of Pathos
There was a touch of pathos in
the story of another man, who, ac-
cording to his statement, had been
fighting sin for many years. With
rugged earnestness he recited his
struggles with the Holy Ghost.
MANY n night I'd wake up from
my sleep, and the Holy Ghost would
struggle with me and throw me on
the floor" he naively confessed.
And when he had finished, the au-
dience sang spontaneously the
gospel song:
"This-is my story,
This is my song.
Praising my Savior
All the day long"
The invitation was again extended
and man with the silver of three
score years cleaning in his hair,
told how he had been "a lost sinner,
travelling on the way to hell" and
how the Lord had found him and
pulled him up. The Salvation Army
girl, with sincerity and inspiration
shining from her face. led the sing
ing of gospel hymns, many of the
hearers recalled joining in, when
they swung their legs from high,
rough seats in campmeeting days of
forty and more years ago. The voice
in the lead was clear. sweet So
prano, not possessing the qualities
of a Melba, a Tetrazzini or a CALI
Curci, but in it there was fervor
and an infinite tenderness and faith
that was reflected in the enSembl
singing.
Then there came additional tes-
timonials. Rugged metaphors bris-
tied in the experience of another
HOdTy-uedueQ IlldHs WHO SHOuIeu'
I'm praying for Victory! It's COM
ing down the road! The Holy Ghost
is on u.s." "Amen!" came the deep
throated chorus from the band of
worshipers.
Not Cranlxs
DIR. E. E. Shellhammer, who is in
charge of the meeting, addressed
a few remarks to the outsiders.
Many of you think this is a show
and that we are crazy cranks," he
said without a tinge of malice. but
rather with kindly courtesy. I'VE
are simply followers of the old-time
Methodist religion. We do not have
organs or pianos in our churches,
neither do we wear Jewelry. Our
sole aim is to live a righteous life in
conformity with our Interpretation
of the Word.
1--WE are not here to breed dis
loyalty to your church, but rather
to make you better church men,
bers."
NaErating the work of the brethren