Frequently Dr. Conwell arrives ten or fifteen minutes before the time for the service to begin.  As he walks to the platform, he stops and chats with this one, shakes hands with another, nods to many in the audience.  At once all stiffness and formalism vanish.  It is a home, a gathering of brothers and sisters.  It is the meeting together of two or three in His name, as in the old apostolic days, though these two or three are now counted by the hundreds.

When Dr. Conwell thus arrives early, the time is passed in singing.  Often he utilizes these few minutes to learn new hymns.  So that when the real prayer meeting is in progress, there will be no blundering through new tunes or weak-kneed renditions of them.  The singing, Dr. Conwell wants done with the spirit.  He will not sing a verse if the heart and mind cannot endorse it.  After singing several hymns in this earnest, prayerful fashion, every one present is fully in tune for the services to follow.  Prayer meeting opens with a short, earnest prayer.  Then a hymn.  It is Dr. Conwell’s practice to have any one call out the number of a hymn he would like sung.  And it is no unusual thing to hear a perfect chorus of numbers after Dr. Conwell’s “What shall we sing?”

A chapter from the Bible is read and a short talk on it given.  Then Dr. Conwell says, “The meeting now is in your hands,” and sits down as if he had nothing more to do with it.  But that subtle leadership which leads without seeming to do so, is there ready to guide and direct.  He never allows the meeting to grow dull—­though it seldom exhibits a tendency to do so.  If no one is inclined to speak, hymns are sung.  An interesting feature, and one that is tremendously helpful in leading church members to take part in the prayer meeting, is the giving of Bible verses.  It is a frequent feature of Grace Church prayer meetings.  “Let us have verses of Scripture,” or “Each one give his favorite text,” Dr. Conwell announces.  Immediately from all parts of the large room come responses.  Some rise to give them, others recite them sitting.  Hundreds are given some evenings in a short space of time, sometimes the speakers giving a bit of personal experience connected with the verse.

The prayer meetings are always full of singing, often of silent prayer; and never does one end without a solemn invitation to those seeking God and wishing the prayers of the church, to signify it by rising.  While the request is made, the audience is asked to bow in silent prayer that strength may be given those who want God’s help to make it known.  In the solemn hush, one after another rises to his feet, often as many as fifty making this silent appeal for strength to lead a better life.  Immediately Dr. Conwell leads into an eloquent, heartfelt prayer that those seeking the way may find it, that the peace that passeth understanding may come into their hearts and lives.