Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1915 — REVIVAL OPENS AT CHRISTIAN CHURCH [ARTICLE]

REVIVAL OPENS AT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Great Crowd Present at the First Day’s Meeting—First-Class Meeting. The evangelistic services which were commenced at the Christian church JSunda ywas indeed a veiy auspicious beginning. A large crowd whs in attendance at the Bible school service, especially in the men’s, young men’s and women’s classes. At the morning service the house was well filled and the congregation listened to some good singing by Prof. Altheide and his -large chorus. The solo was well rendered. At the conclusion of the morning service arrangements were made whereby special and high class music will be made a part of each meeting. The sermon theme was on the question: “Why a Revival, or Does Rensselaer Need a Revival?” The speaker said in part: The aim of the Church of God is not primarily to entertain; -nor does its while duty lie in social service. When Jesus planted His chunfli among men He made its primary object the saving of human souls. The greatest church today is not the church that touches the of mankind and leads it into the Kingdom of God. Rensselaer needs a revival for this very thing. There is grave danger of our forgetting God’s work here. There are souls that need the divine touch,, and the church must reach them. In the evening there was a great crowd present. The song . service under Altheide was good and the' audience responded. Prof. Altheide will have the greatest singing crowd you ever heard before the week ends. The sermon of the evening was on “Every Man’s Question.” The speaker said in part: Pilate had the golden chance of his life when he was called upon to deliver up Jesus. However, he lacked real backbone in the crucial test, and we have written his name big -among the upwards and weaklings of the world. Many a one in Rensselaer would be glad to do the square thing by Christ, but they are afraid Of what some people might say about them. The greatest man in all the world is the man who does right even in the face of opposition. The biggest battle a man ever fights is not a Santiago or at Amiens, but it is in his own heart. God honors the man who stands true and four square. Piate had his chance and lost. Abraham had his chance and won, hence we write his name among earth’s immortals. Moses had his chance of staying iiyPharoh’s home amid luxury and splendor, or leading a nomadic people. He chose the latter and yte write his name among castle’s illustrious. , Jesus came at the call of the Father, to save fallen humanity, and we sing: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” God gives every man his chance 'and it remains for us to say whether we will write our names with these illustrious characters, or whether we will stand- with the cowards, Pilfite, Judas, etc. Which choice will you make. The service will begin tonight at 7:30 and the theme will be: “The Man Who Laughed at God.” Come out and enjoy this service with us.