Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-07-16
PHILLIP PHILLIPS.

Phillip Phillips, g shs sweet singer of
modern Israel " is the Musical Editor of the
Methodist Book Concern, New York, and
probably is more widely known and exer-
cises a greater influence than any other
member ofthis great and fourishing church
organization. A few years ago he began to
teach music-instrumental and vocal-in
Marion, Ohio, at the same time acting as
agent for Piano and Melodeon Manufactu-
rers, New York. At that time he did not
dream of the rare power of his voice. After
q year or two he WIS induced to go to Gin
| cinnati and open rooms as an agent
for musical instruments. There he rose at
once to the most unb0unded popularity. He
sang in Sabbath Schools, in day schools and
in public assemblies, and it seemed that the
people could not hear enough of him. His
first attempt at compiling and writing songs
resulted in a little volume called Musical
Leaves, which was very successful. He has
Just issued an ingenious book called the
Singing Pilgrim, which is a transfer of the
Pilgrims Progress of old Bunyan into song.
It is hardly out of the press and 7s,ee0
have been ordered. Mr.. Phillips
has more Of the elements Of a strictly pop
ular singer than any other man living. He
is very pleasant in address, easy in manner
but not at all remarkable exeeptas a singer.
His voice is full, rich and powerful and well
trained. But beyond these there is a won
derful power Of oppression. The grand old
hymns, sung by him, are endowed with a
new spirit, and his simple "Plgrim"
songs are full of sacred and thrill
ing melody. In this power of expression
lies the secret Of his power and success.
When he appeared for the first time to-day
before the Conference, he sang a simple
song from the "Pilgrim" and nine out of ten
of that dignifed body were in tears before
he had finished, and yet, with a single hap
Ply turn, he changed tears TO smiles, and as
he reached the closing note of triumph the
f%ervent, old-fashioned Methodist smsns
made the old walls of the church resound.
THE PRKsrD1So BISHOP.
Bishop E. R. Ames is a model presiding
officer. It is no light task to control a Con-
ference composed ef two hundred and fifty
men, trained to rule rather than 10 be ruled,
and u-naccustomed to the checks and re-
straints of deliberative bodies yet while
following apparently no fixed and estab-
lished rules, he maneuvers the unwieldy
force with consummate generalship and
compels it to comprehend and do the work
before it. He presents every topic and item
of business clearly and briefly. He forgets
nothing and gives no subject undue promin-
euee Every topic is taken up at the proper
time, is thoroughly considered, and prompt
ly and finally disposed of. His person and
bearing mark him as a man of great
strength and vigor, both of body and mind,
and it is impossible to mistake the iron will
and steady courage that look out Of his
face. Born of Puritan stock and sehOoled
by the rough experience Of pioneer life in
the woods, at twenty studying at Athens
With Trimble, Herr and Clark. and support
ing himself teaching for a time, and then
entering the ministry, he has grown up step
by step through every grade until he bears
the highest honor IN the gift of the church.
He is thoroughly a business man. His meth
odical mind reduces everything to system;
he always takes the broadcast views Of sub
jecs With which he deals, and yet negleets
not even the smallest details. He is some
tines arbitrary, but is always impartial and
just. As a presiding officer he is calm and
self-possessed, courteous and kind in spirit,
attentive to every motion and every
sspssker clear in judgmeatand prompt and
decisive in action. Irmrr ~ =.
THEY SHOULD BE LOOKED AFrER--As the
Fall Election Is coming on. it should be