The Week of Prayer at College View, Nebr.
By R. A. UNDERWOOD.
WE have just passed through a most precious season of refreshing and blessing during the week of prayer here, in connection with the College View church and the several institutions in this place. We had hoped to receive some assistance from the North American Division at this time, in view of the fact that the largest college of the denomination, a sanitarium, the International Publishing Association, and the work for the blind, besides a large church, are centered here. In this we were disappointed; however, those of us on the ground, at the very beginning, organized the work so that many shared the responsibilities in carrying forward the work of seeking the Lord during the entire week. Elder W. F. Kennedy, the pastor of the church, and the writer largely took the responsibility of conducting the services to be held in the church building. Prof. H. A. Morrison and Elder J. W. Christian, assisted by other members of the faculty, took the larger responsibility of conducting the services at the college. Brother F. F. Byington, the business manager of the International Publishing Association, with such assistants as he secured, took charge of the services at the publishing house. The sanitarium was also organized, and Brother Castle, the business manager, and such helpers as he could secure, looked after the meetings in that institution. Services were conducted daily. In the college two periods were set apart for meetings, Elder Christian occupying one of those each day, except two days when he was called away. Each day one meeting was held in connection with the International Publishing Association and one in connection with the sanitarium. The church held three meetings each day. The general meeting was conducted at 3 P. M., at 6:45 a parents' meeting was held in the auditorium, and at 7:45 a preaching service. Prof. W. W. Ruble had charge of the junior class, with whom he conducted a service each day; he also held a meeting at 4:30 P. M. in the church. From the beginning of the week of prayer, some began in earnest to seek the Lord. Difficulties between brethren were adjusted, confessions were made, and heart searching was the result of earnest prayer to God. Dr. P. T. Magan visited College View on his return from attending the funeral of Brother Peterson, in Iowa, and gave a most timely discourse to a very large audience on Wednesday evening, on the meaning of the present European war. At different periods there were revival meetings conducted, when a goodly number sought the Lord. On at least two occasions, in the college fifty or sixty of the students came forward, and made a complete and full surrender to the Lord. Among these were those who had never given their hearts to God. The closing Sabbath was a good day for those in the large congregation. During the forenoon service, an invitation for consecration to the Lord was responded to by nearly all in the congregation. In the afternoon the revival effort was continued. From the work during the week, a number had signified their desire for baptism. After the reading and an earnest appeal by Elder Christian, seventy-five or eighty persons retired to one of the vestries to seek the Lord by themselves. While this meeting was in progress, with a few of us present to assist those seeking the Lord, Elder Kennedy baptized sixteen persons who had previously found freedom and liberty in the Lord. Others will soon follow their Lord in baptism as a result of the meetings during the week of prayer. The entire contribution for the Annual Offering by the church was $731.30 in cash. Many will date from this time an advance experience, as a result of this week of prayer and consecration. We trust that the good work already begun in the college and in the church will continue until all hearts have fully surrendered to the Lord.