The Stephens Revival – Winter 1930

Stephens Revival To Open January 19 At Cliffside

Opening of Tabernacle Services Postponed One Week — General Officers for Campaign Are Selected.

From the Forest City Courier, Jan. 9, 1930

Cliffside, Jan. 6—The Stephens tabernacle meeting to be held at Cliffside, will begin on Sunday, Jan 19.

At a preliminary meeting of the representative citizens of the town on Monday night the following chairmen of committees were elected: General chairman, Z. 0. Jenkins; Secretary and Treasurer, J. C. Hames; Finance, G. C. Shuford; Building, M. Hendrick; Entertainment, Mrs. G. C. Shuford; Music, B. E. Roach; Ushers, P. C. Hawkins; Publicity, Dr. J. M. Allhands; Nursery, Mrs. C. D. Hughes; Transportation, C. E. Edwards; Extension, D. C. whitaker; Secretarial, John L. Scruggs; Young People, Lieut. Barron P. Caldwell; Men’s Prayer Meeting, Rev. D. H. Rhinehardt; Women’s Prayer Meeting, Mrs. D. H, Rhinehard. Mr. Chas. H. Haynes was chosen honorary member of all the committees.

Wednesday of this week will be tabernacle day at Cliffside, when 200 men from all walks of life, will complete the tabernacle in one day.

Mrs. G. C. Shuford, chairman of the Entertainment Committee, and her able assistants, will give all of these workers a turkey dinner at noon, in the Haynes Memorial Building.

The choir at this great Evangelistic meeting by Rev. Stephens, will consist of 200 singers, from all the churches in the surrounding community. The ushers, about 60 to 75 in number, will be chosen from the same sections of the community, to handle the large crowds, that are expected to attend these meetings.

The extension committee expects a large number of workers from Spindale and Rutherfordton, workers from the tabernacle meeting, closed at spindale just before the holidays, to go out with our workers in the surrounding country, on next Sunday to advertise the approaching meeting to begin on the following Sunday, January 19.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Plans Made For The Stephens Revival

From the Forest City Courier, Jan. 9, 1930

Cliffside, Jan. 6—Preparation for the Stephens meeting is going forward with ever increasing interest and momentum. At least three or four cottage prayer meetings are being held in different parts of the town every afternoon at 2:30 and Mr. Haymaker is here helping in a wonderful way with all the work. Sunday afternoon several ladies of the local churches met with others from other nearby churches at the Avondale Baptist church where Mr. Haymaker helped them organize and plan for serving the dinner to the men who erect the tabernacle Wednesday. They have their menu already planned and will serve a turkey dinner and of course other things to go along with the turkey.

Sunday night a number of men came to the R. R. Haynes Memorial building where Mr. Haymaker has taken a room for the present. They went into one of the assembly rooms where Mr. Haymaker talked over the work of preparation with them and then they turned the meeting into a prayer meeting asking for God’s leadership in all the plans and work.

On Monday night at 7:30 a meeting was held in the large assembly room of the Memorial building at which time the chairman of each committee was elected and time and place for the several committee meetings.

At the meeting Monday night it was decided that to get everything in readiness far the meeting it would be best to have the services start on Sunday, January 19 instead of next Sunday, January the 12th.

Mr. Haymaker and several men met on the ground where the tabernacle is to be located and began work about 7:30 Monday morning. When they stopped Monday evening practically all the frame work was done and Mr. Haymaker seemed very much pleased with the results of the labors. More will be done tomorrow (Tuesday) and then Wednesday, which is called “Tabernacle Day,” it is expected that a hundred and twenty-five or a hundred and fifty men will be on hand to complete the job in one day or less. At noon the ladies will serve the turkey dinner and at this time there will be music and speeches. It will be a day of cooperation and fellowship that will be enjoyable to all participating.

We understand that several men a Rutherfordton and Spindale have stated that they would be glad to go out wherever desired next Sunday to tell the people who did not get in the meeting at Spindale about what a wonderful revival they had there and the blessings that have come to them from the meetings. This is certainly a fine spirit and much appreciated. It has been suggested that next Sunday teams of two–one Spindale man and one Cliffside man, or one from this vicinity–go out together to speak in all the territory in reach of the meetings.

The tabernacle will seat 2,500 or more and an annex is being erected also. The music committee are planning for 200 in the choir. Over two car loads of lumber will be used in the construction of the tabernacle. , There certainly was fine cooperation ; m tearing down and moving the building from Spindale. Most of it, in fact nearly all of it, was moved here last Saturday and placed on the ground convenient for erection again. So far there has been such a fine spirit of cooperation we just feel that the meeting is going to be a fine success and with Mr. Haymaker to lead we feel that by the close of next week everything will be in much better condition for the right kind of a beginning than it would be possible were the services to start next Sunday. Mr. Haymaker seems to have won the hearts of all with whom he has come in contact in the short time he has been here and the folks at Spindale tell us that like the rest of the Stephens party he “will grow on us” as the days pass. He certainly seems to be the right man in the right place.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Everything in Readiness For One of Greatest Revivals Ever Held in County.

From the Forest City Courier, Jan. 16, 1930

Cliffside, Jan. 14—The Stephens tabernacle at Cliffside was built by voluntary labor, on the school grounds, on last Wednesday, “Tabernacle Day,” and it is now ready for the meeting, to begin at 11 0’clock on next Sunday morning, January 19th.

Through a spirit of cooperation, the Cliffside Mills “stood” that day, to give its employees an opportunity to work on the building. Practically all of the officials, of the mill, preachers, doctors, farmers from the surrounding community, and men of all walks of life, came in overalls that morning ready to help build the structure. More reported for duty than could be used.

Opens Sunday

The tabernacle was completed, in every detail, seating, wiring, etc., ready to turn on the lights for the meating, all in one day.

Mrs. G. C. Shuford, chairman of the entertainment committee, and her able assistants from here and surrounding towns gave about 200 men a turkey dinner, at the Haynes Memorial building at noon on that day.

The first service of the meeting will be held on next Sunday morning, at 11 O’clock, especially for the church people, but every one is urged to be present at the morning service. On Sunday night, at 7:30, the real Stephens Evangelistic meeting will begin.

On last Sunday morning, one delegate from Cliffside, and one delegate from the recent Stephens tabernacle meeting at Spindale, went together from here to each of the fifty! churches in the surrounding community–the one from Spindale telling what the recent meeting has meant to him, and to his town; and the other from Cliffside, extending a personal invitation to all to attend the Stephens meeting beginning next Sunday, January 19th.

All delegates returned very enthusiastic over the encouraging promises received from every congregation.

Granting that every congregation averaged 100 people, and each member will carry the message home to at least four more members of the of the prayer meeting, both men and women, are organizing daily meetings in all of the rounding towns.

A great spirit of enthusiatic cooperation exists in every line the able organization that is carried on, and all committees are confidently expecting a great success to attend the approaching Stephens tabernacle meetings.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Great Results From Stephens’ Revival

All Expenses Incident to Campaign Now Raised—Large Number Attending

From the Forest City Courier, Jan. 30, 1930

Cliffside, Jan. 28—One week of the Stephens tabernacle meeting has passed and it is now in full swing. On Sunday night, the tabernacle was filled to its capacity and there were at least 3,000 people present for the most excellent discourse that has yet been delivered. The immense crowd was inspiring to the speaker.

On Saturday night, the collection for the tabernacle and other current expenses “went over the top” with a sum amply sufficient to take care of every thing, and there will be no further collections taken up during the remainder of the meetings.

Rev. Stephens announced that in all of his experience of over twenty-two years in the evangelistic work, Cliffside is the first place where he had preached, that the tabernacle and all other current expenses were raised during the first week of the meetings; so we claim that as a noteworthy distinction for Cliffside- another “first” for our town.

At the meeting on Sunday night there were delegations and representatives from many place. Among the most prominent were Messrs. Wilson, Ralph Brawley, and Eugene Edmondson, wife and little girls from Mooresville, some eighty or ninety miles away. The testimonials of Messrs. Brawley and Edmundson before the immense audience, of what the Stephens tabernacle meetings
had done for them in their town two years ago, was enough to convince anybody of the inestimable good of these meetings to any community. Mr. Edmondson’s little daughter, only seven years old, sang from the platform: “I Need Jesus” in a very touching manner and appropriate, as it was the song she sang two years ago at the meeting in her town that touched her father’s heart, and turned him to God.

On Friday night a large delegation from Alexander was present at the meeting, and a large delegation from Rutherfordton, Ellenboro and other places were present Tuesday night.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Snow Cuts Down Attendance At The Tabernacle

Several Hundred Present Wednesday Evening Despite Heavy Snow-Several Delegations.

From the Forest City Courier, Feb. 6, 1930

Cliffside, Feb. 4—The Stephens tabernacle meeting was very much interferred with last week by the biggest snow storm that has visited Cliffside in many years. The wind began to blow and snow began to fall in the forenoon on Wednesday, and continued almost without ceasing until Thursday morning. The ground was covered about six or seven inches deep, and travel was very much interferred with. But in spite of the blinding snow Wednesday night several hundred were present and a small delegation from Alexander braved the stormy weather to attend. Many people in Cliffside came afoot through the snow, which by this time was getting deep.

The meeting that night was one of the most interesting of the whole week.

As the weather cleared up the attendence got back to normal by Friday night, and a large and enthusiastic delegation from Spindale was present that night. Delegations of the young people from the Methodist and Baptist churches of Avondale were present. Delegations from Henrietta and Caroleen were also present. The delegation from Rutherfordton last Tuesday night was one of the largest as yet attended.

On Sunday night there was another record attendance present, and the tabernacle was taxed to its capacity, and the interest continues to grow.

On Tuesday night delegations will be present from Mt. Pleasant Baptilt church of Cleveland county, Race Path Baptist church and Mooresboro. On next Thursday night there will be a large delegation from Forest City. On Friday night there will be a large delegation from Henrietta.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Much Interest Shown In Services At Cliffside

Stephens’ Revival Will Continue Another Week or Two — Large Number of Converts During Past Week.

From the Forest City Courier, Feb. 20, 1930

Cliffside, Feb. 18—The four weeks, the time the Stephens tabernacle meetings were to run at Cliffside, were up on Sunday night, but there has been so much good accomplished that Rev. Stephens consented to continue the meetings another week. The tabernacle has been crowded every night, a great interest has manifested, and the meetings have been most remarkable spiritual. Hundreds are reconsecrating their lives anew, and equally as many professing Christ and giving their hearts to God, every night. Some most interesting conversions have taken place. One man who refused several times, on the invitation of close friends, to come to the tabernacle one time, said: “No I’m not going.” But finally was prevailed upon “to go just one time.” From that time on, his interest increased from night to night, and he soon began to go to the annex for prayer service. On Saturday night he made a full confession, and Sunday he went on the platform and repeated his confession of Christ before the crowded tabernacle. Among other things he stated he had not been to preaching more than two or three times in thirty-six years, and had it not been for the Stephens tabernacle meetings he, no doubt, would have been lost. A lady was converted by the singing of the Race Path choir, which attended in a delegation last Wednesday night.

On last Tuesday, the eleventh, a part of the services were devoted to the colored people, who came in a delegation of several hundred were present and sang a number of melodies. Colored quartettes from Cliffside, Forest City and Boiling Springs, sang interesting numbers. “The Gospel Train” elicited the most applause. One old colored sister got into a pretty full swing of shouting when the order of the services made a change.

Wednesday night, the twelfth, the Woman’s Club of Henrietta-Caroleen, Avondale and Cliffside were present in a body. Thursday night, 13th, the entire Cliffside school attended in a body, and the high school rendered some interesting songs and “yells.” The tabernacle was tastefully decorated with the school colors of purple and white. Every member of the school wore the colors, as well as the ushers and the Stephens party.

On Friday night Rev. I. L. Yearby and wife, and Rev. M. M. Barrett, and F. W. Hayne, of Greenville, S. C., were present. Rev. Yerby, in some choice and sappropriate remarks, related that he was pastor of the Baptist church at Tarboro, N. C., six years ago, when the Stephens tabernacle meetings were there; of the obstacles they had to contend with, his misgivings and how he overcame them with a brotherly love for all pastors, and they got together, and co-operated for the success of the meeting.

Saturday night, 15th, the Henrietta-Caroleen Twin High school and the sixth grade were present in a delegation, with an appropriate program of songs and “yells” and concluded with an ovation in song to Rev. Stephens. Caroleen was present in a delegation also, and a quartette from Alexander was present and rendered some splendid music.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Close Stephens Meeting Tonight

Six Weeks Tabernacle Service Will Be Concluded Thursday. Large Number Converts.

From the Forest City Courier, Feb. 27, 1930

Cliffside, Feb. 25—The Stephens tabernacle meetings, which began January 19th, will close Thursday night (tonight), and the people regret very deeply to see them close. If it was left to a vote of the large audiences that packed the tabernacle every night, it would not close soon, for these meetings will go down in history as the greatest blessing that has ever come to Cliffside, and surrounding country.

Rev. Stephens was in the hospital at Charlotte on last Tuesday and Wednesday, on account of hoarseness and Rev. Jenkins, pastor of the Baptist church at Rutherfordton, preached a most excellent sermon on Tuesday night.

The Cliffside high school attended in a body on Tuesday night. A large delegation of several hundred from Avondale attended Wednesday night, and a delegation equally as large from Henrietta came on Saturday night.

There were three services on Sunday. Rev. Powell Lee, the choir leader, preached a forceful and conveining sermon on Sunday morning. The large Bible class from the Baptist church at Henrietta attended the meeting Sunday afternoon.

The tabernacle was packed on Sunday night, and there were about one hundred conversions.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the mills at Cliffside and Avondale will stand, from ten o’clock a. m., to, one o’clock p. m., and every place of business will close during the morning services.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Tabernacle Meeting Closed Thursday

From the Forest City Courier, Mar. 6, 1930

The Stephens tabernacle meetings came to a close Thursday night of last week. He lacked three days having been here six weeks and the good he accomplished with his splendid aides can never be estimated.

During the last weeks it seemed that the people put their very souls into the work as never before and as a result hundreds were converted and many rededicated their lives to God. Many nights the large annex where the after-meetings were held would hardly accommodate the crowds that filled it while many more would wait and pray out in the tabernacle. Sometimes there would be so many conversions that it was difficult for the committee to keep up and get cards filled out for all of them.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week the Avondale and Cliffside Mills closed from ten a. m., to one p. m., for day services and the Cliffside Railroad brought large numbers from Avondale each day.

Mr. Lee left Friday morning for his home at Little Rock, Ark., and Mr. and Mrs. Stephens and W. G. Haymaker left Saturday. Miss Doris Riley of Little Rock, Ark., who played the piano for the meetings left Saturday night for Fort Myers, Fla., to visit her sister there for awhile Mrs. Holton also left for her home at High Point Friday. Reports come from all the territory reached by the meetings of changed conditions and increased attendance at Sunday school and church services. The cards hearing the names of ‘J.: converts and those rededicating their lives have been listed and Messrs G. C. Shuford and B E Roach will get them to the pastors of the various churches in a few days.

Rev. Stephens and Mr. Haymaker will be coming back at an early date for another service at the tabernacle at which time work will start at close of the service to take down the tabernacle.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.

Farewell Services

From the Forest City Courier, Mar. 27, 1930

The people of Cliffside and this entire community are looking forward to Thursday night of this week when the Stephens party will be here to hold a “farewell” service at the tabernacle. The men are asked to bring along their hammers and wrecking bars and after the service the seats and the platform will be taken down. We understand that there will be several here for this service from Spartanburg, S. C., where the Stephens party will begin a series of meetings April 13th.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.