Hemet Valley Tent Campaign

In the November 1919 issue of The King's Business, this report of "The Hemet Valley Tent Campain" labeled as one of the "Nicholson Meetings" was given:

The Bible Institute evangelist, Rev. Wm. P. Nicholson, who has just closed a month's evangelistic campaign in the town of Hemet, has the following to say about it:
"The campaign at Hemet was one of the most unique we have ever conducted. We were not invited by the churches or ministers. They were consulted about it, but they were sure it would be a very inopportune time to conduct such a campaign; August was a very hot month; the fruit season was in full swing; the canneries were working day and night; everybody would be too busy and tired to take part in an evangelistic campaign, etc., etc. Therefore they would not undertake any responsibility, but they would not hinder and would urge their people to attend and help.
Paul Walker and his boys (High School boys, calling themselves "The Prospectors"), felt the time was ripe for such a campaign, and that in spite of every difficulty a revival should be brought about. They secured a tent seating five hundred, erected it, and had it floored and electric-lighted. Everything looked fine. The meetings had been well advertised in the local papers, and "the boys" had gone around signing up people to attend-at least once-during the first week. They signed up some 700 or more. This unique method of advertising created wide interest.
The first meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, and in spite of the heat, the tent was well-filled and there was a feeling of expectancy and certainty in the meeting that assured us of the success of the campaign. In the evening the tent was packed, although more chairs had been secured, and people were standing around and sitting in their autos. It was an inspiring sight. The first week the attendance increased and interest deepened. Mr. Brillhart was working hard getting a choir together and training them for work--succeeding too. It was fine to hear them sing as he led them with his trombone. Soon the congregation caught the infection and were singing lustily. Every night during the second week conviction deepened, and the response to the appeals for prayer was larger. No call was given to come forward until Saturday night, when many came forward yielding themselves unreservedly to the Lord
The crowd was larger than ever on Sunday. That evening the sermon was on "Hell," and the power of God was visibly manifest. The crowd sat, and stood, for over an hour. At the close of the sermon there was five minutes' silence, with bowed heads, and they were dismissed without prayer, hymn, benediction or invitation. What a hush as they filed out of the tent and started for their homes! Eternity alone will reveal the results.
Though some opposition was manifested among the "gang" which is always found, we kept right on with preaching and winning souls.
Every night we had many out for Christ, but the break came on the last Friday when over thirty came on the last Friday when over thirty came out and knelt down at the front and wept their way to Jesus. There was the "shout of a King" amongst them.
The closing Sunday was an "all-day" meeting. We started in a 11:00 A. M., had lunch in the tent at 1:00 P. M., then testimonies and prayer until 3:00 P. M., them preached until 5:00 P. M. Some stayed on for the evening service which others left to see about their ranch work, to return for the evening service. The crowed was there by 7:30 when the evening meeting commenced and continued until 12:45 with never a dull moment. What a crowd came out for Christ! Continue in prayer for us. We will be in full swing again athe the Church of the Open Door for three weeks, then at the Baptist Church in Santa Barbara (D. V.).