Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-08
WHITTLE AND BLISS

The former was an enthusiast, the
latter less so, but more orderly They
attended a preachers meeting, and
good brother, having the floor, de-
parted from the subject under consid-
Grafton to give his religious experience.
Charles became nervous, but John
was in his element. At last Charles
could bear it no longer, and exclaim-
ed, Stop that man, or L will leave the
roomi' Hand him his hat, shouted
John.
There are more disciples of Charles
than of John in these days, [ fear Let
me glance at Mr.. Bliss as he stood be-
fore Nashville audience, April %
his evangelical co-laborcr had not ar
rived. lie is well-fed black whisker-
ed Chicagonian to whose gener-
al appearance nature and the tail
or have contributed literally. He
appears to be about thirtyfve years
of age. Singing he succeeds, exhort-
ing is not his forte. The arrival Of Mr..
Whittle will be the dawning of a new
era in the meeting.
Why is it that these christian work
ers peregrinatiug in apostolic pairs,
singing aud exhorting, concentrate the
masses, and convert the multitude?
Why is it that pastors cannot, under
God, bring the same moral pres
sure to bear, and be instrument
al in the same blessed results? |
believe they can. But the secret Of
the power of these gentlemen, where is
it? 1t is found in the unity of the
christian ministry and church 4
preachers meeting is held in Nashville
every week, the salvation of the city
burdening their hearts. What must
We do?" they ask, and "let US send for
Whittle and Bliss, is the answer. 1t
is done, they accept These preachers
go to their people, and, announcing the
arrangement, they urge them to prayer
and conservation, Whittle aud Bliss
are the prayed-for inStrumeutalities to
which the people look for gracious
visitation. They come, and the spiri-
tual elements of the different churches
meet with them, and these servants of
God are Immediately surrounded by
hundreds of Tsraelites indeed. These,
blending their prayers, tears and songs
with these evangelists, are fed, and
being fed, they feed others, and the
gushing streams of a lofty p;ety and
holy zeal flow through the streets into
the stores, Offices and busy marts of
trade.
All sects, as if they were standing
upon the margin of the river Of death,
and its surging waves were splashing
upon their feet, hastily lay aside their
confessions and creeds, singularities
and ceremonies, their manuscripts and
metaphysics, and heartily engage in the
imperishable labor of saving souls from
death. Sinners are lookers-on, and
exclaiming, see how these christians
love" they are altogether persuaded to
believe the gospel.
The people hear tho gospel 10 its
simplicity. Highfalutin preaching has
the wind taken out of its sails, and the
"old, old story of Jesus and his love"
comes to them adorned with simplicity.
Learned men that fought Darwin's
Descent of Man" Tyndall's Prayer
Test" and Ariel's Negro" are alike
upon the rostrum, proclaiming amid
their tears, what Jesus had done for
their souls.
They hear the gospel sung. Il find
him in singing" is Il truthful song.
David is anillustrious example, though
he has left his timbrel and his harp, to
join in with angelic chons and heaven
ly minstrelsy. Paul and Silas' prayer
in the Phillippian prison, had good
effect, suppose, and yet, methinks,
the singing of songs of praise amid the
clanking of their chains, songs the
sentiment of which raised the hearts of
their fellow prisoners SO far above the
confines of their wretchel dungeon
walls, contributed largely to the con-
version Of the trembling jailer | have
said that Mr.. Bliss could sing, aud it
is true. His singing is neither artistic
nor mechanical, yet tried by the rules
of either, it would be found faultless.
His singing inspires the soul to high
er fight, and watts it to loftier home.
1t lifts the weary pilgrims bleeding feet,
and you SEC them gliding smoothly over
the shining streets Of gold. It carries
him away from earth born woe, thrills
him with the anthems that fall from
harris of gold touched by scraphic fin
gers, or chains him with ecstacy while
listening to the shouts Of triumphing
saints as they, with loud acclaim, sing
unto Him that loved US and washed
US in his own blood, and hath made US
kings and priests, unto God be glory
and dominion forever"
But these are not the only men that
can sing and exhOrt, If God would
strengthen our venerable Paine against
the infirmities Of old age. and he and
Jno. P. McFerrin were duly heralded
and prayed for, if all the religious ele-
mems of OIarkSyille gofe concentrated /
beneath the roof CT some Spacious {
warehouse, the Bishop to preach and /
Bro. McFercin TO sing, / believe that
they would convert five where White !
and Bliss wonld convert one, and no !.
diSparagemcnt is intended
While our ,cople define orthodoxy:
I'm ri.ht, and you ATE wrong" while /
the gorgaousRoss Of oHr churches and
the extravaganza of their worshippers
shut out the poor and pampor the
pride of the opulent, while there are
more preacher and anti-preacher par
ties in a church than denominations I