Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-02-26

THE HOWARD REvIvALS.-Ihe extra
ordinary results of the meetings held by
Rev. Mr. Howard, the Presbyterian revlv-
alist, at Salem, 200 conversions, and the
movement Of the Young Mems Christian
Association OF Staunton to secure HIM fof
a series of meetings in this city, gives ad-
diJional interest to letter describing the
manner of holding them. 1t is published
in the Lynchburg "Virginian," and the
writer, dating from Salem, says:
Mr. Howard closed his meetings here
last evening. These meetings have been
so remarkable in many respects us TO merit
careful consideration. Such revival Is
without precedent i'll tins section OF the
country, SO far us we have been enabled TO
learn. The Rev. Mr.. Howard is a frail
and delicate man, and from an intellectual
standpoint is not great man. Wherein
then consists his electric control over the
immense crowd who listened 20 his preach
ing night after night, for twenty-three
consecutive nigntsI Most men preach to
the heart through the head. MI. Howard
breaches to the head, through the medium
Of the heart; herein he proves truly wise.
His close gospel preaching, his clear enun-
citation of truth, his kindly, loving expla-
llaUlOll VI CIlc pan VI Sdlf6tIlOu 10
lever OF his success.
But the sweet hymns which he had COM
piled for use in his meetings, and which
are so appropriate to his sermons, together
with the new and beautiful tunes which he
had either composed OF selected for them.
have much to do i'll softening the hearts OF
many Another very impressive feature
is chat OF silent prayer. Each night nu-
merous requests for prayer IN behalf OF
certain loved ores were read from the
pulpit, many OF them couched in language
Glowing how the wife Oh mothers heart
agonizad for the welfare OF the beloved.
sslld recognized tie puWer OF prayer. Then
the people were requested ito engage in
silent, earnest prayer, that these requests
be granted.n Another peculiar feature of
hiS meetings were the benches for silent
prayer. to which some at first objected.
Mr>~Iloward's explanation, though, was
so satisfactory as to silence all objection:
I'VE make no pretence that there is amy
virtue either in the benches themselves,
OF in the act of coming to them; nor do
we venture to assert that there is any he
cessity for persons coming to them; Gods
spirit is not limited either as to time Oh
place. He then stated that from a some
What extended experience, he thought
their use judicious-that those who had
sinned publicly, and really desired the
pardon of their sins, and to lead new
life, should not hesitate thus publicly to
acknowledge the fact, and that thereby
the prayers OF AL Christians would be di-
rected specially in their behalf. Those
| who came forward were expected simply
to engage in silent prayer. After the en-
quirers thus came forward, the congrega-
ton were again requested to engage in 81
lent prayer in their behalf, after which che
vast concourse OF people quietly, and al
most one by one, passed from the church.
LII lieu Of the noisy excitement usually
apparent on such occasions, almost a
hushed silence prevailed. By such preach
ing, aid by such means, 2O5 have professed
conversion, while 50 OF 90 are among the
number known to be ANXIOUS enquIrers;
while scores Of others are evidently deeply
concerned,