Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-08-05
The Reviyalists in England.
Alarming Panic at a Moody and
Sauky Meeting,

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The London Standard of July 8, has
the following:
"a most alarming panic occurred at
the meeting held yesterday in connec-
tion with the Moody and Sankey ser
vices at Camberwell Hall. The time
for the departure Of the revivalists
drawing near, the audiences are daily
on the increase. Last night the hall
was densely crowded more than an
| hour before the commencement of the
proceedings; still thousands arrived on
ly to find the doors closed against
| them. Mr.. Moody commenced the
| service nearly an hour before the usual
time. A hymn had been sung and a
prayer offered up, and Mr.. Moody was
engaged in reading the Fifty-first
Psalm, when suddenly the whole of
the audience was startled by the noise
of the doors being forced and the up
roar of thousands endeavoring to rush
into the building. The females present
shrieked, and a riot seemed to threat
| en-. Mr.. Moody Immediately conclu-
ded his reading, and requested the peo-
pie to keep calm and join in singing a
hymn. The meeting was now left in
charge of Mr.. Sankey, while Mr.. Moody
| left the rostrum with the intention of
endeavoring to quiet the people out
side. He, on seeing the state of affairs,
returned and told the ushers to depart
from the usual rule and allow as many
as could be accommodated to stand in
the aisles. The doors having been
opened, thousands burst in, many rush.
ing toward the galleries. The people
here became alarmed, and Mr.. Moody,
who had returned, was asked not 10
allow any more to come there, or some
evil consequence might ensue. In the
meantime panic spread among those
who had crowded into the inquiry
rooms, which are situated under the
platform and galleries. They were ter
! rified lest these structures should give
way, and the crowds of people above
fall down upon them. Mr.. Moody
mounted into the rostrum, and eX-
pressed the hope that all would remain
quiet. There had been a report of a
threatened riot underneath. He was
sorry to say that many people had got
into the inquiry-rooms, and had so far
| forgotten themselves as to use violence.
| Under these circumstances, many were
trying to get outside, but it was no use,
as there were thousands in the rooms
underneath and around the building.
Consequently, if those below did not
| leave, violence must be met by VIC
lence. 1t would be injudious for peo-
pie to faint, too, for they could not be
removed; so every one would do well
to remain where they were. Mr..
Moody then LETT the rostrum. The
panic now reached its height. Num-
bers of women, in spite of all remon-
STRANGE, endeavored to leave, and many
were kept in their places by sheer
force. Mr.. Graham, one of the chief
stewards, entered the rostrum and said
if the people did not keep calm the
committee could not now be response
BILE either for the safety of the building
or people. Mr.. Moody had gone out
side, and would not return until all
was quiet. Either the people in the
rooms underneath or the galleries
above would have to retire, or the SER
vices would at once be concluded. In
about half an hour the overwhelming
crowd had considerably lessened, and
after provision had been made for some
extra hearers the service proceeded. l.
No casualty occurred, although the
majority were severely crushed, and a
lumber tainted. Mr.. Moody, in the
course of his subsequent observations,
remarked that he was very sorry to
hear that two ladies who were present
a few nights previously were now no
more, one having dropped dead after
leaving the hall.