CHAPTER LV
THE FIRE FALLS AT TOPEKA, KANSAS
Enemy Gets Stirred. People Blessed. A Great Victory Won
For two years Bro. Foster and the saints had been calling me to Topeka to hold a convention, and at last we: felt that the Lord was leading, so the last of July, 1915, I, with several, good workers, landed in the beautiful city of Topeka. Many of my readers have read of the great meeting we had in that city twenty-seven years ago, when I went with two young girls and a janitor as strangers, at the invitation of one minister, and held meetings for nearly two months in the beautiful park. My large tent, that held nearly eight thousand, had been given to me in Oakland, California, was destroyed by a storm. Thousands of people came out and saw we were trying to hold on in the grove. They went. to work at once, raised money and bought me a large new tent. Now, after all these many years, I find myself again holding meetings in the large city park theater, with merry-go- rounds, dance halls, all kinds of sports and amusements around. The dear Lord Jesus says, “If I be lifted up, I shall draw all men, unto Me.” He is the great drawing power. As we preached the Word giving Him the pre-eminence above all men and powers, the Lord was with us, confirming the word with “signs and wonders.” They began to bring the sick on beds and crutches, lame, blind and the halt were seen running from their cots and beds, and the blind were made to see, the lame leaping and shouting. Sinners wept their way to Calvary and arising and praising the Lord, for they had found Him precious to their souls. Many times the places of amusement were empty and the great theater was crowded and many could not get in. Many ministers of different faiths came from all parts on trains, in companies, bringing the sick with them.
All this was voiced abroad and there was a great stir. The brethren had been having meetings in the city for years; they were not liked and some had a prejudice against them. When
they saw the great success, interest and large crowds, they said,
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