Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-03-21
Mr.. Murray's Friday Night Talks.

Let us take you to one of Rev. w. II. H
Murray's "Talks" or lectures. 1t is Fri
day evening. The lecture is to begin a
seven and a half of the clock. We will bt
there at seven so we can see the people a'
they come in, and make such remarks up
on their dress looks, and other things, NJ
we please. At the hour the hall is full
every seat being occupied. Presently Mr.
Murray makes his appearance, and aftel
taking off his hat and ulster, he looks, fol
all the world, like some not over careful
well-to-do farmer just come in from super
intending farm work. His pants are of Z
comfortable size, hanging rather loosely
than otherwise; and his coat, which is moi
of the very latest fashion, looks like the
one he wore five years ago; while his hair
which parted from the left, looks as though
it were trying its best to encroach upon
the seeing of his right eye. He stands Il
moment, looks over the congregation,
takes in the situation, then passes over to
Mr.. Brown, whom he shakes heartily by
the hand, then on to Mr.. Smith, Mrs.
Jones, and so on until he has gallantly
done the gallant, and then "the meeting
begins" Sing on the one hundrcdth page,
says Mr.. Murray, and the "Ile leadeth
me-" or some other equally sweet hymn
is sung in a manner that does one good.
linen " Love Home" is sung, Mrs. Por-
ter, the contralto of the quartette, doing
the solo TO those beautiful words and sw eet
music, and if there is anybody in tile
world that can 40 it better than Mrs. Por.
ter we should like to hear her, and would
60 out OF our way for the purpose.
linen Mi. Murray says, right out in
meetm, 81 want Mrs Smith to sing me
songs; and the gifted soprano of The
9uartette responds with Annie Laurie" "
Wnen Inc llrst verse IS sung you begin to
leeI KIND OF twilching among the best
emolohs OF the heart. But Just over there
SITS stald Presbyterian a Baptist, Meth
oalst' looking as though ne was shocked
aI. AZ such a departure from the Old order OF
thlngs' ana whose face looks as though it
liau Deen touched by the edge OF passing
Inuhder-cioud' At the close OF the second
verse MS lace looks better, and when the
sWeet sweet singer had hnlshed the beautiful
anne Laurie ms lace is radiant with
suhneams: Whilo our poor heart mas come
right up INTO our eyes, ana we feel ike
Shoutng amen IN true Methodlstlc style
But we suppress the shout and after the
applause has subsidized wait Tor further
developments. Dear, good Baptist friends,
inst think OF Annie Laurie" being sung in
a reiiglous meeting and then applauded.
Well' we have heard It, and rellshed Mr..
!Alurrays prayer all the better for it. AT
its close MI Murray who has been listen
ing win ears and eyes; and heart says
good natureaiy-"l wish we could all do
II; Which sally OF good nature was re-
sPohueG 10 py tne audience IN very pleas
anu outOurst OF happy laughter !hree or
Tour more hymns are then sung, when Mr..
Murray calls Tor song from Mrs. Porter,
and that lady sings II sweet melody
coupled win s"eeter words, 10 the delight
OF all, and especially to our friend the
stald Presbyterian, over. yonder' who is all
right now.
Mr. murray then steps to the platform,
reads lew words OF Scripture, or not as
he thinks best, offers brief but compre-
henslVe prayer, grouping human wants,
deeds, desires, aspirations and hopes in
ms petition, and returning deyout thank
tulness to the good Father for the blessing
OF lille, the purity and happiness of our
homes, and the broad, sweeping, loving
Providence by which we are guided and
upheld.
This finished, he sits down, crosses his
right leg over his left, and begins his talk.
HIS subject may be-"What shall do to
comfort mother who has lost an only
daughter?" A question propounded by
somebody. Or, it may be this question
"What shall l do to make a man love me
who hates me?' Both hard questions to
answer, but in trying to answer which,
MIR. Murray tells us many truths, gives
much good advice, communicates his in
struction in pleasant, genial, happy man.
ner. During his talk, which lasts about
twenty-five minutes, he crosses and re-
crosses his legs half as many times as his
lecture is long. The Now men and wo-
men" with which he prefacrs something
that he wants especially to impress upon
the minds of his hearers, is spoken with
emphasis and JUNCTION that means more
than the breath needed to give utterance
to the words. Just before closing, he rises