RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.: LAY NEWSPAPER'S Tho groat Cliapman-Aloxandor Mission in Melbourne continues to bo a romarkablo; success, judged- by tho crowds at tho,meetings, both in tho city and tho suburbs, abd tho intenso interest of tho hearers (says tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph"): At some of tho gatherings all tho emotional ■ excitement manifested on these occasions is witnessed in tho most pronounced form. • At tho Exhibition Building Mr. Alexander flas a eh sir of 1600, and tho singing ib undoubtedly a . very big attraction—a fornf of entorfcamment that ivould be a great draw anywhere. i3ut apart from' tin's, tho deep earnestness of tho preachers at all the gatherings, anil tbo ooastantly iterated- declaration—that] men aro sinning themselves into eternal punishment when salvation may. bo a ,prosont possession—aro having a profound effect. The managers of tho mission are, it : s ; believed, highlj; gratified by the deep spiritual wave that is sweeping over tho city, llio theological teaching is ultra-orthodox—tho old ovangelical type. Here is an illustration taken from tho " Argus."* Dr.' Chapman, addressing 6000 people,.in tho Exhibition Building on tho text (Jeremiah; 28,10),:."Thi5. year then shalt dio ; " said:— ■. 1 j" Someone listening to my voico hero tonight in this vast assemblago will before another year is gono stand, face to face with God, faco to face with his reckoning, face to face with his sin, face to faco with. Lis conscience. I draw tho bow at a venture, aiid it is for someone listening this evening; Hear mo! 'This year thou shalt die!' - "I tell you that if there has,ever been a day when, tho Christian people of Melbourno should turn away from the world :t is, now. I will tell you why. Because I believo Melbourne is on tho-eve of a revival of roligun. Wenever saw such a night as last night—no,, not in tho great revival in Boston. Ai:d Boston to-day is rocking with God's power. Hear me, oh, hear -me I There has been one prayer burning in my heart aud rising to my lips ever since I. saw' you last 'God, make me right.' And tho prayer I offered for myself. I offer for wo.- Bo yo clean!Tho , wages, of sin is death, and that is spiritual death. . , ~ . ."God is infinite in His. mgrcy.':. You spurned Him in your childhood/you, tejected Him in your manhood, vou,;trimed from Him last night—('Oh, God! r .-feobbed a woman)— when tho tick of your watch seemed like tho beating of a sledge-hammer, when tho throbß of your heart seemed ■ like the, thunder of conscience. ,'No,', you said, 'No!' 1 I wonder if you realise what, you did? "You havo rejected Him. The wages of sin is—(a pause)— Death !' K cried Dr. Chapman. '"God pity you! ,P Rl y> brethren, pray! Tho sands are falling. 1 .Pray, .brethren, pray!" Dr. • Chapman was not shouting; his voice was full of deep emotion. " God's voice is calling. We kneel upon the edgo of Time. Eternity, is drawing near. Eternity! Eternity "—(a pause, and tho only Bound was the cry of ,a baby). " God is my judge, I would: not frighten yon. I would not appeal- to your fears. . It 'may, be a physical death. . This year thou shalt—Die! /■ • . "I am afraid to close the sermon. God is my judge. I am afraid to mako an appeal. I am afraid you, will come so near, aud yet be Lost!" l'bo word was spoken quifitly, but so still was the gathering that tho ,word rang throughout the building. "I appeal to. iyou to. come' to Him .to-night..; : Will* you comoP" There was another dramatic pause, and then Dr. Chapman prayed." ' ,