Full Attendance for Rev. Baker's Forceful Sermon

Pennsylvania, 1915

Song Service Preceding Address Was Again A Feature of Evening

The evangelistic service in St. James church last evening was largely attended and was expressive of the interest being shown in the meetings conducted by Rev. J. B. Baker, pastor.

The usual fifteen minutes of song service preceding the special musical features were a solo by Mrs. Zinn, entitled "The Light of the World is Jesus," and a duet by Pauline and Jacob Rudisill, "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago". The Scripture lesson was taken from the story of blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10. The text was taken from the Scripture lesson "Arise, he calleth thee."

Fragments of the sermon were:

"The blind man can read by means of raised type and is often not as blind as many of us. When the blind man cried out, Jesus stopped. Jesus always hears when we call. Do you believe God answers prayers? The blind man was heard because of his faith. No matter how low your boy may be or what he is doing, his prospects are as bright as God's promises. Jesus knew what the man needed but he asked him what he wanted him to do for him. He said he wanted his sight and Jesus said, 'Thy faith has made thee whole.' The man then went his way which was Jesus' way. 'Arise, he calleth thee.' Just as many voices called the man to come to Jesus, so many voices have called you.

"Your childhood has called you. Do you grow in your Christian life as you did when you were a child? You are not growing if you are hanging around some two-story hell-hole drinking beer and whiskey. Your own children call you. The cry of the small child at night suggests how we should cry to God in sorrow and trouble. The child trusts his father, absolutely, and so should you. Nothing appeals to a father like the outstretched hand of a child. So also God has compassion and love toward those coming to him.

"The prayers of your wives call you. Billy Sunday said, 'If the women were as bad as men, God would throw the whole human race into hell.' Women have often asked me to pray for their husbands but husbands have never asked me to pray for their wives, only in times of sickness. When she pleads for your soul, the immortal speaks. These songs call you. Do you have such songs out in the world? You are purer and happier and better for having heard them. Your past calls you. Some people say that it is no one's business what I do but it is God's business. He bought you with an infinite price.

"The Bible calls you. It is an art gallery, a beautiful arbor, a wonderful well. It is to deliver a message but you turned it aside. Your lives are like American coins in Europe — they will not pass in another world. Finally, Jesus' life and death call you. Come and heed all these influences calling you tonight."

Tonight is C. E. night when all the Christian Endeavorers will march in before the beginning of the service and take places reserved for them.

Cottage prayer meetings will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at homes of C. S. Reaser II, Milton Roth, Geo. W. Spangler, Huber B. Miller.

—The Star and Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA, Jan. 15, 1915, p. 2.