The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-11-27
THE EYANGELISTS IN PHILADELPHIA.

The long looked for and anxiously- antici-
pated religious revival, under the leader
ship of the world famed lay evangelistS,
ID. L. Moody and Ira d. Sankey, was begun
on Sunday last, at the old reconstructed
freight depot, at Thirteenth and Market
streets, under the auspices of the commit
tee representing the several religious de-
nominations of that city.
The very inclement character of the
weather may have operated to prevent the
meeting from being an overflow such
as frequently attended the services of
Moody and Sankey elsewhere; but the raw
ness of the morning and the deluging rain
did not stop 10, 900 people from assembling
in the building before eight o'clock, indie
pendently of the hundreds of clergymen
and prominent churchmen who occupied
the high platform. This great crowd was
seated with as little confusion as though
there were but a few hundreds, owing to
the military precision with which the corps
of trained ushers carried out the arrange
ments.
THE STREETS
leading to the improvsed depot-churc
were alive with people of almost every age
and condition and of both sexes from a
very early hour. Thousands came by the
by or near to the building, and other thous.
ands wendell their way thither on foot,
many of them coming weary distances.
Shortly after O'Clock there was an i'm
mense and eager crowd in front of the
building awaiting the opening of the doors,
and the indications, even at that time, were
that the interior, vast as it is, would not
accommodate the multitude.
WITHIN THE BUILDING
the scene was most impressive. The con-
gregation was not of the homogeneous
character usually found at church services
in that city, but was composed of persons
of almost every age and station, and of
both sexes and colors. The banker sat
next the laborer, and the merchant beside
the porter.
ON THE PLATFORM
were assembled nearly all the clergymen
whose names and faces are familiar to those
who take an interest in church matters in
Philadelphia. The faces of Messrs Geo.
II. Stuart and John Wanamaker were con-
spicuous in this gathering, and both these
gentlemen took an active interest in seeing
the congregation properly seated. Within
a square space rallied off with a single form
of light wood work, was the cabinet organ
above it was book rest where Mr.. Moody
rested the Bible when reading, and over
which he was wont to throw one arm when
talking.
BEFORE THE SERVICES
the select choir stationed on the platform
sung several hymns under the guidance of
Professor VIM. Fischer, the congregation
generally joining in the rendition. Pre-
cisely at 8 o'clock, Mr.. Moody, stepping
into the Enclosure which represents the pull
pit, said in a clear voice, which reached
every part of the auditorium: eve will
begin by singing the 10lst hymn; let us all
try to sing" This being the first time that
Mr.. Moody assumed position of conspic-
uity, there quickly followed breathless
silence, attributable, evidently, as much to
the desire of the vast assemblage to see the
great revivalist as to hear his expected
words. The following brief
pEscRIr TON OF MR.. MOODY
may convey a faint idea of the presence
observed by the thousands of eyes at that
moment turned on him. For those who
have seen Wilkie Collins, it will be the
best possible description of Mr.. Moody to
say that the latter resembles the famous
author, except that Mr.. Moody wears no
eyeglasses. A man Of medium height and