CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 2

CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

THE MErt AND THE WORK,

[Contributed.]

In Wellington, on tho oho hand, labour leaders have been preaching about the power of organised labour to better tho conditions of tho masses, and, oil tho 9ther hand, Socialists havo been preaching that tho best solution of the difficulty lies in Socialism. Those,who ore in earnest in . their endeavours for tho uplifting of all nion will shortly havo an opportunity afforded tlie/n of bearing and seeing tho great missionaries, Dr. Chapman mid Mr. Alexander, as they preaoh and sing tho wonderful power tho Gospel retains of saving men. Recently, in Christchurch, Dr. Chapman said: ''Never in all my life have I believed in the power of the Gospel as I do now," awl in that faith ho and Mr. Alexander will begin their mission next week. They say: "Wo nro hero in tho interests of tho people, wo dro" here seeking men and women for Jesus Christ," and all their talents and energies aro used towards that end.' Tho party consists of Dr. J, Wilbur Chapman, Mr. Charles Alexander, Mr. Robert Harkness, Mrs. Harkness, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Norton, Mr. G. T. B. Davis, and tho secretaries of tho two leaders, It is expected that Mrs. Alexander will .join, her husband at the end of tho month.

As an evangelist, Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman is world-' enownetl. Whilo from tho time he accepted his first ministerial charge lie has ever been successful in his spiritual work, ■■ his term of greatest usefulness dates from tho year 1901, when tho Presbyterian General Assembly, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted tho proposition of the late John H. Con verso to .provide the funds, if they would 6et up a committee of evangelicism to find better and more up-to-date methods of promulgating tho Gospel. The committee was set up, and John H. Converse was appointed chairman. He immediately [ called Dr. Chapman to his aid as corresponding secretary; but eo great was tlie success of the work .undertaken by the committee, that its secretary found it necessary to resign tho pastorate if Fourth Presbyterian Church of New York, and devote all his time to evangelistic work.

In his attempts to inspire a new life into the evangelical movement, Dr. Chapman was compelled by hie experience m tho Presbyterian charges ot Albany, Philadelphia, and New York to recognise that the evangel is greater than any one'sect, and so ho introduced what has been termed "tho simultaneous campaign." Tlio campaign is worked in combination with all tho churches of any ono city. The Council of Ministers makes arrangements by which many bases or centres of work are established, and an evangelist with a body of woTkers is provided for each. When all tho arrangements are completed, an overwhelming forco sweeps down upon the city, and, working simultaneously, from many centres, passes through it like a conquering name. Tho system, instituted in Pittsburg, spread through, many American citing and reach od a oulmination in Boston. There ICO churches participated, 27 centres wero formed, and 27 evangelists with their' companies of helpers wera alto'tho respective centres. i Mr ",; 4 loxandir . tho man who, realised that "a'hymn set to musio is like a sermon on wheels," accompanies Dr. Chapman as leader of song.' Many rears ago Mr. Alexander visitod Wellington, and tho pleasant memories of that visit will assure liim a welcome now. Ho is perhaps tho most experienced leader of revival choirs in the world. Ho It is who, by tho power of Gospel song, rouses into euergy the apparently lifeless interest of tho vast assemblies, and when ho has prepared the ground for tho ■ seed, tho hoart for tho message, at that crucial moment . Dr. Chag.uan rises quietly, Bible and tates'charge of the meeting/ The' .Chapman-Alexander 'party is at' present m Christchurch. A" largo tent, capable of accommodating 2500' people, has been erected in Tuarn Street, aad Christchurch papers report that |iE has,beo'h found too small. Tho result is not surprising as it is stated on'good authority that even Australia has not a largo enough building to hold tho immense crowds that flocked to,th® meetings. At a largo gathering, presided' over by Dr, Erwin. tho party was welcomed' to Christchurch by the Mayor. As Dr. Chapman and Mr. Alexander, accompanied by other momhors of tho party, steptied on the platform, they were received with boarty ap plause.

After replying to the Mayor's welcom<v. Dr, Chapman said: "I hand over tho to my friend, Mr. Alexander." Tho singing of the choir is a great feature of tho mission. To quote from tho Ohristclnircli papers:— < '"Siii" tlioso littlo notes now,' eaid Mr. Alexander, and the choir,, \nth renewed vigour, sang til© hymn so heartily that even the conductor smiled and clapped his hands. "" 'Will You Take Jesus To-dayf The, ohoir pan si it, and then the huge audienco impressively joined in. 'Splendid,' said Mr. Alexander. 'Now, let's, sing it, all of you.' Witli tho choir 'everybody' saw? tho hymn, and following Mr. Alexander's praise, two littlo girls stood, WD on a seat and sang, hesitatingly at first, and then without a, halt. "Dr. Chapman jumped to his feet. 'There will bo showers of blessing. Let us sing it now.' • "The choir Rant', first nt tho top of their voices, 'Thero shall bo Showers of Blessing,' and then, in- response to Mr. Alexander's request, 'prayerfully,' the audience subsequently joining in. Dr. Chapman stated that ho was not in favour of sensational evangelism: ho said that the revival that was needed was a revival that will strengthen the existing agencies. "If at tho end of the mission," ho said, "the people say that they like their ministers and God's people better, I will know that good has been done."

Christchureh is feeling . tho mighty power of tho Gospel. Tho Wellington campaign begins on Maroh 26, and preparations for it are going on- apace. The power of the Gospel in Wellington will be manifested when it is found that our largo Town Hall is inadequate to accommodate those who already ore determined to hear the great' evangelists. '

Tho greatness of tho evangelists is summed -up in tho fact that God has used them greatly the whole world round, and oonfident prayers are ascending that God may use them greatly in Wellington to show forth His mighty power. The mission party oomo to Wellington without any financial jguaranteo or request. The local committee meet all expenses from tho proceeds of tho collections, and tho balanco is handed to Dr. Chapman for tho party's expenses.