Evangelist Comes to Town

In contrast to the low church and Sunday school attendance of today, an article in a Wyoming weekly newspaper dated Dec. 5, 1901, relates a different story. Entitled, “Evangelist at the Presbyterian Church,” the news item reads:

“When Reverend H.W. Rankin comes to town, he stirs things up. Last Sunday began a new era for the Presbyterian Church.

“The spirited preaching of the Evangelist and the lively singing of the people led by James Lynch, drew quite a crowd, and at the evening service, the church was filled to over flowing. Some went away who couldn’t get seats.

“In the afternoon, the Sunday School was reorganized with a very fair attendance. A new class was organized known as the Young People’s class. All the young people in town are invited to join this class. Mr. Lynch will teach this class next Sunday. Sunday school meets at 10 o’clock in the morning.

“The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor was started off again with quite a showing. Next Sunday there will be a meeting for men only at 3 o’clock p.m. All men are cordially invited to come. The address will be for men.

“Encourage the effort to have a live church in our midst by attending these meetings each night at 7:30 o’clock.”