Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 294, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1915 — MANY CONVERTED AT KERR REVIVAL [ARTICLE]

MANY CONVERTED AT KERR REVIVAL

Evangelistic Meetings Closed Sunday Night—Seventy-Five Join Trinity M. E. Church.

A freewill offering of S6OO wate given Sunday to Kerr Brothers, the evangelists wha| conducted a remarkably successful revival meeting at Trinity M. E. church. .The meetings closed that day with three rousing meetings. One hundred and Ifty were converted during the three weeks and a spiritual revival resulted in the church and community. 4

The closing day of the evangelistic campaign led by the Kerr Brothers, evangelists, was one long to be remembered by the members of the Methodist church. In spite of the change in the weather, with the ice and snow, great crowds filled the church all day long. There were nearly 400 at the Sunr day school, and Dr. Curnick baptized a Jarge class and took forty-one into the church from the Sunday school. The 10:45 service was given over to baptism of adults and receiving the converts and new members into the church: There were forty-five received into the church at this service, many coming in by transfer of letters from other churches. The free ‘wilt offering was taken by Dr. Curnick and five hundred dollars •were received. The collection at the other services made about one hundred dollars more, so the evangelists received S6OO for their services and this money was given with great pleasure as the evangelists had worked so faithfully and had been such a great success in every way. The extra expenses were about $175 and this was raised and paid into the church several weeks ago, which makes nearly SBOO which the services cost and all has been paid, so there will not be a dollar to raise in the future for these services. As a result of the revival over a hundred and fifty were converted and a great number of Christians made a neW consecration at the altar services. The special men’s meeting at the methodist church and women’s meeting at the Presbyterian church also brought out a great crowd at epch service.

The climax of all the revival was the Sunday night meeting. People began coming at 6:30 o’clock and by 7 o'clock the church was full and by 7:30 the entire building was filled to capacity. The singing by the evangelists was a delight to all. Rev. H. W. Kerr preached a strong sermon on the subject “What Will Ye Do With Jesus.” The converts and new members came forward and joined hands and they made a circle which extended around the church and up and down the aisles. It was a most wonderful sight and such a meeting is rarely seen in a lifetime.

Rev. J. McD. Kerr, at the close of the meeting, thanked the church and all the workers for their loyal support, He made special mention of the beautiful organ and the organist, Mrs. M. D. Gwin. Dr. Curnick then gave a few parting words, thanking all those who had helped to make the revival such a success. He referred in touching words to the evangelists and their work and then the entire congregation by a rising vote showed their appreciation of the evangelists and asked for their return at some future time. These meetings have made a deep impression for good upon the community and have helped all churches. The meetings have drawn great congregations from' the beginning and at almost every service sinners have been converted and members added to the church. One of Jthe most remarkable things about the revival has been the large attendance of men and the number of men brought into the church. The Kerr Brothers are strong, manly men, fine preachers, wonderful singers, and great evangelists, and they made a splendid impression upon all and ’ leave a host of friends who Wish them God speed in their noble wort. »