The Penn's Grove record., 1923-10-12
GREAT PREACHERS
IN NEW YORK CITY

\ prominent man in Penns Grove
asked me if ] ever had heard Rev.
Christian Risner while in New York. /
happened 20 be in his audience at Grace
NJ. f. Church on his return from abroad
recently on the centenary mission. |
shall never forget that touching meet
ing when pastor and people met again.
Rev. Fred Harris, son of Rev. George
Harris of the New Jersey Conference
once a Penns Grove boy, was his assis-
tant. Rev. Risner says he never goes
back to a Church after leaving, which
fact opened the way for Rev. Fred Har-
ris to become the head pastor.
Rev. Risner has taken the Chelsea NJ.
f. Church, 17Sth Street and Fort Wash
ington Avenue. I attended there all day
on Sunday. This Church is merely a
basement with roof over it. They have
bought a location three blocks farther
up-and will build here later. Rev. DR..
Nightingale. Of London. England, was
the speaker in the morning. He gave a
fine sermon. This was his first sermon
in America He was sent here by the
interchange of ministers a plan be-
tween England and America, to set a
brotherly understanding. He will go up
and down our land visiting the large
cities. He had America some of the best
ministers abroad on the same mission.
Rev. Risner preached a most excel
lent sermon in the evening, using these
texts. a childrens choir of 80 voices
greatly helps in the singing. At both
services about 20 We're added to the
Church roll. Many of them had asked
for prayers. The minister said that not
once in 90 years has he ever held a SER
vice in which he had not had about this
number coming to the front asking to
be added to the Church roll. Can more
more be said in proof of his popularity?
He has added over 500 to this Church
since coming there as it's pastor. His
attitude in prayer is with his arms lying
on the cushions. hands folded, and he
does not give a long much worded sup
plication in a lamentable way. but just
/ thanks to God" in quiet way, just for
what he wants done for that one hour
At the close of service he is the first one
at the door, how, no one knows. He
must have an underground passage
/ There he has two secretaries, taking
notes. names and appointments of any
/ one that he wants, especially of the in
/ coming students of the Columbia Uni.
versity. He says, if you are going tc
be a loafer don't come here. we must
/ have workers. not loafers. When he
4 wanted some of his young men to come
front and meet these new people whc
! had come forward and he was waiting
+ he said: al what is the matter with
{
i Al soon came up.
\ very large bouquet of roses wa,
presented to the Church by parents il
/ memory of their son. Rev. Risner in
mentioning it, broke down and could
not go on for a few seconds. I wonder
ed if it was one of his war boys" anC
+ a favorite.
No one gets out of his Church with
/ out the hands shake. He drives
F Nv I 1
you want to get into Church that does
not have a dull moment, seek him out
/ He goes out on the corner and gives hi:
talks to men at noon hours. He has hi
afficer on the corner. directing traffic
+ There is one spot in New York where
pedestrians have the right of way
Later the officer comes in and hears tn
sermon.
\ few weeks ago he preached OF
Prohibition. Several officers We're ther'
to look after pastor and people. He get
+ whatever he wants
Written questions of all kinds are sen
up to the desk for his answering. Fo
instance: Has Hiram Johnson
chance to become President of the U. s.?
! His answer was: "About as much a
Jonah had" Then the explanation
Then, that the Jews are no more Cod
chosen people than any one else. The!
are a people without a country.
Chelsea and White Plains, New York
are the only Churches that have pait
their portion to the Centenary Fund
He also told his people that if it wa
not for the Centenary Fund. they woul,
not be able to have him for their pastor
There is also a Scotch Presbyterian
; minister, Rev. Mcneil, nearby, who is
splendid talker. He is also not abov'
talking the soap box on the corner a
the non hour. THE Lords highway
by way kind
Isn't it wonderful that some of tn
best and highest paid ministers of New
York City will do this kind of work t
be Fishers of men" for Christs sake?
DIR Nightingale said in all his tesla
ment he never saw where peter he'll
the keys of Heaven" as some believ
and say but that the "doors We're open
and 1--WE held the keys to unlock tn
doors to all mankind held in the bond
age of sim Have you loked about t.
see whose lock your keys will unloosel
and send onward to Christ?
Lillian Corliss Hires.
-O-