It was circulated through the town that a lawyer, and not a preacher, was to conduct services at the Baptist Church.  Some thought it a strange freak in the pastor to suggest, and in the Church to approve such a thing.  Various opinions were freely expressed as to the leader in these services.  Then it was spoken in low tones of voice among some good people, in substance, after this fashion:  “Did you ever hear of such a thing?  Here are preachers all over the country that we know, good men, who can preach the gospel, and here they’ve called in a lawyer to carry on the meeting.  Lord have mercy on us, what are we coming to any how?”

At every street corner and place of business, in the saloons, offices and homes throughout Tyler, Maj.  Penn and the services were discussed, while his Satanic Majesty and his allies were busy in trying to cripple and crush the good effects.  A mighty and irresistable attraction drew crowds to the house of God.

At times it was apparent that the leader was embarrassed; now and then fretted and and chafed; then at a loss what to say or do; and more than once was he tempted to say he would leave the meeting; and that he had not remained there to be slandered and persecuted.  But he was reminded that the best of men had thus suffered, that God had furnaces through which we must pass, to burn up the dross, and that in the midst of this state of things the Church was being revived, wanderers brought back, souls awakened and converted from day to day, and that he had the sympathy, prayers and co-operation of many pious, devoted hearts.  Again the new leader, after wrestling in prayer for grace and direction, took courage and was renewed by the spirit of God to go on in pulling down the strong-holds of iniquity.  But Satan was not yet overcome, he made another powerful assault upon him.

When the meeting had been in progress about ten days, abuse, misrepresentation, lying, together with the basest and most contemptible slanders, were hurled at him with unmeasured severity.  It was a new ordeal, and he was tempted stronger than ever to lay off his armor and leave the meeting.  He decided to go home, and so stated to the pastor, saying:  “You have already kept me here longer than any man on earth could have done, and now I am determined to go.”  “Well,” said the pastor, “I am sorry to hear it, and believe you will commit a great wrong, and will incur the displeasure of Almighty God in leaving here at this time, and still further, I beg you to bear in mind this truth, that duty never points in two ways.  If it is your duty to be in Jefferson practicing law, then it is not your duty to remain here and carry on this meeting.  God only can guide you aright.”  This conversation occurred in the afternoon.  At night the Major was in his place, and said to the large congregation:  “My friends, I have heard to-day of so many slanderous reports about me that I determined to go home, but remembering that