The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-08-05
Alarming Panic at a Moody and san
KEY Meeting,

The London Standard OF July yin,
has the following: "a most alarming
panic occurred at the meeting held yes.
terday in connection with the Moody
and Sankey service ut Camberwell Hall.
The time for the departure of the revi-
valists 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
proce ,dings; still thousands arrived, only
to find the doors closed against them.
Mr. Moody commenced the service
nearly al hour before the usual time
A HYMN had been sung and prayer
offered up and Mr.. Moody was engaged
in reading the Fitty-frst Psalm, when
suddenly the whole OF the audience was
startled by the noise of the doors beng
forced and the uproar of thousands en-
deavuring to rush into the building. lie
females present shrieked, and riot
seemed to threaten Mr.. Moody immc-
diatelv concluded his reading, and re-
auested the people to keep calm and to
ION in singing hymn. The meeting
was now left in charge of Mr.. Sankey,
while Moody left the rostrum with the
intention OF cndeavoring 10 quiet tn"
people outside. He, on seeing the state
of affairs, returned and told the ushcrs
To depart from the usual rule and allow
as many rs could be accommodated TO
stand in the aioles. The doors having
been opened, thousands burst III, many
rushing towards the galleries. The PEG
ole here became alarmed, and Mr..
Moody, VINO mad returned, was asked
not to allow any moreto come there, or
some evil consequence might cnsu". III
the meantime the panic spread among
those who had crowded into the inquiry
rooms. which are situated under the
the platform and galleries. They were
terrified lest these structures should give
way, and the crowds of people above tall
down upon them. Mr.. Moody mounted
into the rostrum, and expressed the hope
that all would remain quiet. There hau
been report ola Threatened riot under
meath. He was sorry to say that many
had got into the inquiry rooms, and had
50 Tar forgotten themselves rs to Use vlo.
lcncc. Under these circumstances, many
were irving to get outside, but II was no
use. IA there were thousands IN the rooms
underneath and around the building.
Consequently ifthosc below did not leave,
violence must be met by violence. 1t
would be in;udicious for people to faint,
too for they could not be removed; so
every one would do well to remain
where they we're. Mr. Moody then left
the rostrum. The panic now reached
It's height. Numbers of women, IN spite
of all remonstrance, endcavored to leave.
ana many had to be kept i'll their places
bv sheer force. Mr.. Graham, on" OF the
chief stewards entered the rostrum and
said If the people did not keep calm
the committee could not now be respon-
.ible either for the safety of the building
or the people, Mr.. Moody had gone
outside. and would not return until all
was quit Either the people IN the room
underneath or the galleries above would
have to retire. or the service would at
once be concluded. In about an hour
the overwhelming crowd had consider.
blv lessened, and after provisions had
been made for some extra hearers the
service proceeded. No casualty occur
I rcd although the majority were severely
crushed. and number tainted. MIR.
/ Moody, in the course of his subsequent
/ observations, remarked that he was very
/ sorry TO hear that two ladies who were
present few nights previously were now
no more, one having dropped dead after
leaving the hall.