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CLOSE OT TABERNACLE CONFERENCE
HERE is nothing like it on earth. This
ten-year-old conference movement blos
somed like a rare plant. The seed sown
from year to year fell on good ground;
was cultivated ever and anon by God’s
grace and the combination of tears,
prayers, and sermons formulated a spir
itual result which neither tongue nor
pen can describe.
T
Talented servants of God gathered in Atlanta
from the four winds of earth and each brought a
message of loving (kindness to the saints who had
gathered from the limits of this beloved Southland.
The message from Australia was brought by one
of God’s elect. What an uplift that message gave
to many a sad heart. Verily, Miss Millar is being
used by her Master in a manner the glory of which
will be revealed only at the great day. Five thou
sand of the finest women in the Southern States
packed the auditorium at the Tabernacle Sunday
afternoon and received a blessing. Many a woman
will remember for all the years to come the senti
ment expressed by that “Sweet lady in black.”
God’s messenger from Scotland, Dr. Kemp, proved
a genuine treat. Perhaps his most helpful effort,
aside from his grand Sunday morning sermon, , was
the lecture on the Welsh revival. The facts as
stated, when supplemented by the comments of the
eye-witness and by photographs thrown upon a
great screen by a stereopticon, gave the immense
throng a new insight into the methods of God’s
mysterious methods of saving the lost in the most
unique outpouring of His grace known to this gen
eration.
Dr. Gordon brought the American message from
God byway of Boston. His sweet and simple style
captivated everybody. The novelty of his method
secured the undivided attention and when he had
concluded his Sunday night sermon, during which
he considered the two words “lost” and “until,”’
everybody realized the fact that a really great ser
mon had been preached to them.
God entrusted a great message to Dr. Holden, of
St. Paul’s, London, and he delivered it in an humble
manner but with telling effect to the listening hosts.
Dr. Holden’s masterly efforts (not the least of which
was the “But” sermon, treating of man’s excuses
concerning God’s offer of salvation, which was
preached to a tremendous throng of men at the
Grand Opera House Sunday afternoon), may per
haps be crystallized into the pure gems of thought
uttered on Friday. He did not speak so much of
“Holiness,” in the common acceptance of that term,
but rather considered and discussed the life of the
man whose life is absolutely consecrated to God.
God’s requirements for a spirit-filled life he tabu
lated as follows:
Man must (1) confess (sin, failure, need); (2)
yield (to God’s will); (3) claim (the promised bless
ing); (4) reckon (actually possess the blessing);
and (5) obey (God rather than man).
The coming of these God’s special messengers
brought a distinct blessing and their departure
sounds the only sad note of the entire Tenth Taber
nacle Conference.
The Finances.
It is indeed difficult to come back to earth and
consider questions of vital importance, but it may
be proper to say just here that practically the en
tire expense of the conference was $2,000, and that
the whole sum was provided in real cash by those
in attendance. The greatest sum realized at any
one session of the conference was $248, contributed
by the women Sunday afternoon, following the ap
peal of Miss Millar. The least sum realized at any
one session was the $41.10 contributed by the men
at the Sunday afternoon meeting at the Opera
House.
Dr. Broughton, of course, had his shoulder to the
wheel all the time. He was the legislative, execu
tive and judicial departments all in one. The staff
assistants all did their share and there was not the
semblance of a hitch or a jar anywhere.
Thronging Thousands Crolvd the Tabernacle and Grand Opera House the Last Day,
The Golden Age for March 25, 1909.
7L C, Worcester.
The Music.
No small credit is due to the splendid choir of
two hundred voices as conducted by Prof. Boatman,
while the talented Mrs. Boatman presided at the
piano. Many favorable expressions were heard as
to their part in the proceedings and Friday night
when the choir gave their annual concert Prof, and
Mrs. Boatman were remembered with a suitable
present.
The Lunches.
Hundreds of saints came to the Tabernacle early
each morning and stayed all day. The good women
of the church provided substantial lunches for all
such and a great host was thus accommodated.
The Berry Quartette.
Four students from Miss Berry’s school in Rome
added not a little to the impressiveness of the occa
sion. They seemed ever ready to do their part and
it was thoroughly appreciated.
More Conferences Needed.
It is interesting to note that steps were taken dur
ing the conference to formulate a plan by which
several conferences may be held at favorable points
in the South. While thousands attended this con
ference, coming as they did from as far as West
Texas, and while the blessing derived can never be
forgotten, still it is believed that the thousands who
could not get here would attend such a conference
and thereby gain the blessing if the conference
S "—"—*—l
® Jhßlm/ i
® REV. STUART HOLDEN. W
P London, England.
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could be multiplied in its scope. Therefore a plan
is to be formulated to this end.
Consecration Services.
No single service could be selected as the best.
The saints were truly fed at each session. Should
an effort be made to select the best service, on a
spiritual basis, there would doubtless be a consensus
of opinion that the final hour of the conference
when the regular congregation had been dismissed
and when a thousand reconsecrated themselves to
God, was the sweetest hour of all.
Dr. Holden, vicar of St. Paul’s, London, led this
service. The Scripture reading was, “After they
had sung an hymn they went out.” The theme was
“they went out.” The hour was sweet and rich in
blessings.
“And so we who have been, as it were, in the
upper room with Jesus these many days must needs
now go out to our usual avocations. Shall we go
out with Jesus to be with him in the bank, the of
fice and the home? Shall we truly go out with Je
sus and under his benign influence lay aside all
bickerings and malice and hatred toward our fellow
men? Shall we go out with Jesus and let him take
us by the hand and lead us ? Shall we go only where
Jesus would have us go? Shall we do only those
things which will meet the approval of Jesus as
He stands by? What an opportunity to do the
will of our Father —and it rests with us as individ
uals.” What a climax and what a conclusion!
Finally, after “Anywhere with Jesus” had been
softly hummed, the opportunity for complete con
secration was given by Dr. Holden. Every one so
consecrating himself, audibly confessed Christ and
added, “Lord Jesus, I will go with Thee.”
And thus did the great Tabernacle Conference
close its tenth session.
'Roanoke Merchants Closed Doors,
(From Columbus, Ga., Ledger.)
Roanoke, Ala., Mar. 12. —So great was the enthusi
asm created by the two addresses of William D.
Upshaw, “the Georgia cyclone on crutches,” in
Roanoke last Sunday that the merchants did the
unheard of thing to close doors early Monday night
for his lecture, “John and His Hat,” at the College
Hall.
He was greeted by a crowd that breaks all records
during the last ten years. His last address was on
Wednesday night at the Methodist church, when
he delighted the people with a bright, breezy talk
on Christian Gladness.
Mr. Upshaw’s visits and chapel talks to the
students of Roanoke Normal College were a rare
inspiration to the community’s educational life.
His new lecture, “John and His Hat,” is as novel
as its name and is sure to add to the lecturer’s
platform fame.
* *.
Dr, Broughton ’s Sermon,
(Continued from Page 2.)
CHRIST TRIUMPHANT.
Dr. George P. 'Lorimer, of Boston, told his experi
ence in my hearing one day. It was on the closing
day of that great farce known as the World’s
Parliament of Religion. Sixteen thousand people
were assembled in the building. Four speakers
were to conclude the parliament.; a Buddhist, a*
Mohammadan and two Christians. The purpose of
the parliament was to measure all the religions of
the world against Christianity. Dr. Lorimer said that
when he stepped on the platform and saw that great
crowd he began praying “Oh, God, let Jesus have a
chance here tonight.” The first speaker was the
Mohammedan, and he fairly carried the audience
away with his eloquence. Then came a Christian,
who read his speech, and failed to grip the crowd;
then came the Buddhist with’ flowing robes and
spectacular appearance generally and the oration
that he delivered was very impressive. Dr. Lorimer
said that as his own time to speak approached his
own heart came near breaking, as he prayed, “Oh,
Lord, glorify Thyself now!” But he got nervous,
dropped his notes on the floor and they scattered
so that he could not get them. He tried, but his
message had no weight, and he sat down crestfallen,
feeling that he had failed to magnify his Lord.
The Buddhist and the Mohammedan looked trium
phant, and the Christians looked ashamed. But
suddenly Professor Tonlim, who sat in the first
balcony with a great choir of trained singers, sprang
to his feet, raised his baton, and that choir began
singing,
“Jesus shall reign, hallelujah!”
The entire audience soon took it up, and such a
chorus as swelled from that mighty throng had never
been heard in that city before; “Jesus shall reign,
Hallelujah!” It rose to the gates of heaven and
made the angels rejoice. Dr. Lorimer said that
he looked to see what had become of the Buddhist
and the Mohammedan and they were gone. When
that mighty chorus swelled forth they sneaked out
and they have never been seen before a similar
audience again. “Jesus shall reign, hallelujah!”
Will you be with Him when He reigns?
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